How Boko Haram sneaked bombs into Yola IDP camp

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How Boko Haram sneaked bombs into Yola IDP camp Continued from Page 1 Boko Haram, were able to perpetrate Friday ’s dastardly bombing that claimed about 12 lives and injuring many more at the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp in Malkohi, Yola, Adamawa State.

In separate interviews, eye witnesses and returnees, resident in the camp, said some Boko Haram members masquerading as IDPs were inadvertently brought into the camp on Thursday, some 24 hours before the camp bombing.

They revealed that some of the persons, brought into the camp from Sambisa Forest, were the prime suspects in the bombing.

One of the eye witnesses, Mr. Sunday Musa, told Sunday Vanguard that camp inmates were preparing to have breakfast when the blast occurred.

Musa explained that he and other inmates who had stayed long enough in Malkohi camp, had not been comfortable whenever new inmates were, brought in, confirming that there was a protest in the camp, sometime in March, when some IDPs were brought from Sambisa Forest. “Our fears were that we in camp know one another; we know where we came from; and for the military to just bring unknown faces to join us, especially from Sambisa Forest, has always been very

disturbing to us”.

“Now”, he continued, “see what has happened.

Unknown IDPs were brought in yesterday and there is bomb blast today.

Who do you think is responsible?”

Sunday Vanguard discovered that the influx of IDPs, who may not have been properly screened before being allowed into the camp, was a possibility.

Another inmate, who preferred anonymity, disclosed that the bombing was not carried out by the usual drive-by instance or a suicide bomber who drove straight into the camp.

He added: “From the way the bomb exploded and the very stern nature of the work of the military here, it may have been smuggled into the camp much earlier.”

NEMA Camp Coordinator in Adamawa State, Sa’ad Bello, suspected that the blast might have originated from the over 300 IDPs brought into the camp that Thursday morning from Madagali and 70 others from Sambisa Forest.

The coordinator confirmed that the number of dead might be higher because of the seriousness of those injured.

Also at the scene of the blast, the North-East Coordinator of the Red Cross Society, Mallam Aliyu Maikano, who collaborated with his NEMA counterpart,

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

IT'S NO MISTAKE

By Richard Eromonsele

We are living in a world of order.Everything is well arranged.What you will be,where you will be and how you will eventually become what you have been destined to be, have been designed by the master weaver of the universe.It is no mistake that that man is your friend.It is no mistake that that girl is your sister.Where you are today is not by mistake.It is not by mistake that you are who you are today.Your experiences too are no mistakes.Everything in life has a reason for its existence.There is a reason why you are where you are now.Wherever you are,see it as an opportunity to make impact.It is not by mistake that you are there.

described the situation as unfortunate.

An eyewitness, Malama Nefisatu Goni, who escaped the blast by the whiskers, narrated that she left the scene not quite ten minutes before the incident.

According to her, women always gathered in tents to make their hair and she just went there to try and make hers but was told to come back because of the busy schedule of the operators and the queue on standby.

“As I was moving from there”, Goni, a widow, narrated in an emotionladen voice, “not quite long afterwards, I heard a loud bang only to see the debris of the tents flying everywhere”.

Earlier this year, the military authorities uncovered telephone conversations between some female IDPs and their male counterparts from Sambisa Forest at the camp – they turned out to be members of the Boko Haram. This discovery happened at the Malkohi camp and almost all the occupants were evacuated to an unknown destination via a military aircraft within 24hours.

And as if in an unholy coincidence with the September 11 bombing anniversary in New York, members of Jama’atu Ahliss-Sunnah Lidda’awati s t ruck at Wal Jihad Malkohi Camp.

Friday’s bomb blast came barely three months after the first explosion hit Yola, claiming over 34 lives and injuring many more.

The latest bomb blast appeared to have taken the military by surprise and security analysts are puzzled about how such a magnitude of bomb could have been smuggled into or kept in the camp without being detected.

Question Now, the big question is, how safe are the IDP camps located in Damare, Fufore and Saint Theresa Catholic Cathedral in Adamawa State? Is the military in full control of the camps to guarantee the safety of thousands of the IDPs there?

Then, there is also concern for political and religious leaders, heads of corporate organisations and private individuals who continue to contribute to make life meaningful for the victims of terror? Will these people be safe going to the camps?

That is not all.

There are national and international humanitarian bodies interested in the welfare of the IDPs. Will their personnel be secure enough to do their jobs as required considering the risk associated with the IDP camps these days?

Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gabriel Adaji, who was at the scene of the Friday blast, declared that security will be beefed–up in Malkohi camp. The Police Commissioner maintained that rigorous screening will be enforced at all IDP camps in the state

From left: Dr. Doyin Abiola, former Editor/ Managing Director and Chairperson of the Occasion, Alh. Kola Abiola, Chairman, Concord Press, presenting an award to Mr. Tunji Bello, Secretary to Lagos State government, honoree, during the Great Concord Press Family Reunion and reception for newly appointed members, at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

From left: Mrs Ebiere Mozimo, Mr Okos [1st son] , Rev L B Owota (uncle) , Mr Ebipade Mozimo (2nd son), Mrs Digba Ifiemor[nee Mozimo ] and Mr Oges Dikio [nee Mozimo] during the service of songs for the late Mrs Ladi Mozino at her residence in Apapa Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Shola Oyelese henceforth.

Adaji also suspected that the new IDPs, received into the camp on Thursday, might have beaten security due to their numerical strength.

Saraki condemns bombing *Commiserates with Saudi Arabia authorities over Mecca tragedy Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki has expressed shock over the Yola bombing.

Saraki also commiserated with the Saudi Arabian authorities and the Muslim Ummah over the construction crane that crashed into Mecca’s Grand Mosque, the Kabbah, killing at least 107 people, with scores more injured, days before the commencement of this year’s hajj. The Senate President, in a statement from his media office, condemned, in strong terms, the Yola blast, saying the inhuman act could only have been perpetrated by sadists and evil people now facing imminent defeat.

“Our troops have demonstrated in no unmistakable terms that they are ready to keep a date with the December ultimatum given to the newly decorated Service Chiefs to crush the insurgents by President Muhammadu Buhari”, he stated. He also bemoaned the Saudi Arabia mosque tragedy and the attendant loss of lives and destruction coming two weeks to a period when hundreds of thousands of Islamic faithful are expected to gather at the holy mosque for this year’s pilgrimage.

“My heart goes out to those who lost their lives. I pray for quick recovery for the injured,” Saraki stated.

A callous aggravation of a bad situation Ekweremadu Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, also condemned the IDP camp bombing.

Ekweremadu said it was bad enough that hapless

Nigerians were forced out and dislocated from their homes, but that it was even a worse act of man’s inhumanity to man for anyone to attack and kill them at their temporary shelters.

He conveyed heartfelt condolences to the affected families as well as the government and people of Adamawa State, but insisted that the nation would never succumb to the evil agenda of the insurgents.

The statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu, read in part: “They want to break our resolve, but I urge the people of the North East and indeed the entire nation to remain resolute in the collective resolve to tackle and put the problem of insurgency behind us.

Ekweremadu had, after his return from his visit to the Adamawa IDPs camps, last August, dispatched over N9 million worth of relief materials to the IDPs.

Fashola alerts on compromised twitter account Hakeem Bello, the twitter fake Facebook accounts account must have been aimed at defrauding

I

mmediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN, at the weekend, drew attention of members of the public to the antics of hackers, who compromised his twitter account,@tundefashola, and posted four tweets in a language that resembled Japanese.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr

compromised on Friday, as members of the public, who follow the former governor, started calling to draw

attention to the strange tweets in the early hours of yesterday.

Fashola had recently dissociated himself from a facebook scam, whereby some persons used his photographs and ascribe fictitious statements to him on

innocent people.

While advising the public to always clarify with the appropriate agencies of government before engaging in any dealings with people purportedly working for them, the statement urged people to report to law enforcement agencies so that those involved in the nefarious acts can be made to face the law.

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

I became IGP by providence —ARASE

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin-City

T

HE Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, has described himself as a child of destiny, saying he became the first IGP from Edo State by

providence.

The IGP, who declared that he was proud of his ancestral background, warned cultists to steer clear of Edo, asserting that he decided to return Mr. Chris Ezike, the new Commissioner of Police, to the state to enable him conclude the war against cultism, he started.

Arase spoke Friday at a dinner organised for him

by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and elders of the state. The IGP narrated: “I was promoted and demoted, and for an Edo person to rise to become a commissioner of police it takes you about 28 or 35 years. That I was able to become a commissioner of police and also an Inspector General of Police is by providence.

“I was not the best. Ask Parry Osayande, ask Magnus Eweka, they were fantastic officers but they never got to the top. That I was able to get to the top was by providence. I can’t thank you people enough for honouring me.

Sometimes I look at myself and ask: “This young man, how did you get this far?’ I have fallen, I have risen but one thing I have always told myself is

that any time I fall; I should always have the courage to come back and fight for my right.

“I am an Edo; there are certain things that define an Edo man: excellence, hard-work and integrity and those are my defining character. I have fought so many battles. I have won some but this one is the defining moment to become the first Edo man to become the Inspector General of Police. Like I said, Parry Osayande was to become the Inspector General of Police. He never became one. Magnus Eweka was to be IGP. He never got there.

Oyakilomen was to be the IGP. He didn’t make it. I am a child of destiny. For everything that they lost, I am going to make up for it.

One thing I can assure you people of Edo is that I will remain on the path of integrity.

“When I became the IGP, I said I was going to dismantle road blocks. I dismantled them and they will never come back. I said

I was going to put a structure in place that will ensure that the vacuum created by road blocks will not be abridged and I assure you that I am going to do that. We have serious issues. Edo State has issues with cultism. I will continue to deal with them”. “What I want to appeal to you all is that the comrade governor can’t provide all the security infrastructure that you require. Those of you in Edo who are in the public service who have the resources to assist the state government in ensuring that the state is secured, if it is vehicle tyres or batteries, you should be able to provide them for the state government.

“The state and federal governments can’t do it alone; so everybody in the state that has the resources to assist the state government to deal with these issues should be able to do that.

“All of you who are involved in cultism, you

From right: Member, Osun House of Assembly representing Obokun State Constituency, Honourable Olatunbosun Oyintiloye; Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Barrister Ekpo Nta and Provost, Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Professor Sola Akinrinade, during a workshop in Abuja will be dealt with. I will not spare you, whether you are in government or not does not matter. All of you who have interest in this state must ensure that you don’t disturb the state in terms of engaging in cultism or things that will disrupt investment. Cooperate with the governor, support him in whatever way it is

to ensure that the security of the state is

Saudi crane collapse: Buhari directs Foreign Affairs Ministry, embassy to secure Nigerian pilgrims

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU r e s i d e n t P Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the

Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia to take actions to ensure the security and well-being of Nigerian pilgrims in the holy land.

The directive followed the deadly crane collapse in Mecca on Friday which killed about 107 persons.

The President

commiserated with King Salman, the people of Saudi Arabia and the worldwide Islamic community over the tragic loss of lives.Buhari also urged Nigerians to pray for the continued safety of their compatriots currently in Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.

Mr President warns against human rights abuse by soldiers

BY LUKA BINNIYAT, Kaduna r e s i d e n t P Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday,

warned members of the armed forces against human rights abuse.

Buhari gave the warning at the combined passing out parade of 399 officer cadets of the 62 Regular Course and Short Service Course 43 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Kaduna.

In his speech, he also acknowledged the bravery of the military in fighting Boko Haram, and said he was hopeful that the insurgents would soon be defeated totally.

The President said: “While I applaud the integrity and sterling record of the armed forces as an institution, this administration will insist on the rule of law, and deal with any proven cases of deviation from laws of armed conflict (LOAC), including human rights abuses. In operational conduct Nigerians expect our

Armed Forces to keep law and order and not to behave like bullies.

“The objectives of our fight against terrorism cannot be realized without a credible and effective military. On your shoulders therefore lies the mechanism to drive the junior leadership in our armed forces. The armed forces of Nigeria have a worldacclaimed reputation for valour, resilience and loyal service.“Let me reiterate the administration’s renewed commitment to due process, merit and total observance of the rule of law as central pillars of a prosperous and democratic society. Rule of law as an element of good governance applies to the Armed Forces as much as any institution in our country.

“It is therefore gratifying to note that recently all three Services have taken steps to not only emphasize on strict adherence to rules in area of recruitment, promotions, procurement, project executions, and more importantly, in civilmilitary relations”.

guaranteed.

“As a police officer, I have brought a commissioner of police here. He was the one that first came to ensure that cultism was dealt with.

He was taken away.

Now, I have brought him back and I am sure he is back to complete the directives that I have given to him”.

Outrage in Imo as Okorocha sponsors 100 to Turkey

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA he trip by Governor T Rochas Okorocha to Turkey, with about 100 of

his associates, the second in about one year, has drawn the ire of many residents of Imo State.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the trip is undertaken under the guise of trade mission.

Angry residents said nothing came out of the governor ’s first trip in 2014. Feelers in Owerri,

the state capital, revealed that “this is his second trip to Turkey ”, while some Imolites, including civil servants, who spoke on the issue, described it as “another senseless jamboree by the administration”.

All the respondents were in agreement that the governor should not have wasted huge public money on the trip, especially as civil servants and pensioners were still being owed salaries and pensions.

PENGASSAN tasks Buhari on Local Content Act ational President of N Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff

Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, has appealed to President Mohammadu Buhari, to ensure even development of all sectors of the economy, in line with his anti-corruption mantra.

He also called on the Federal Government to ensure full implementation of the Local Content Act, especially as Nigerians

would not be shortchanged in the oil sector. The PENGASSAN boss made the appeal, yesterday, while flagging off a twoday capacity building training programme, tagged “Managing new skills in labour relations”, in Owerri. “We urge the Federal Government to ensure that transparency rules in the oil sector, for the purpose of even development and in line with his anti-corruption war”, Johnson said.

Prof. Ifamose for burial

rofessor Folasade P Olayinka Ifamose, of the Department of History

and Diplomatic Studies, University of Abuja, Abuja, is dead. Aged 51, Ifamose died on August 10, following a cancer related disease in a North Carolina hospital, USA . Her remains will arrive Abuja on Sept. 15, while service of songs holds at her residence at UniAbuja staff quarters, Giri, Abuja on Sept.

29.

The body leaves for Akunnu-Akoko, Ondo State on Oct 1 and will be interred, the following day, after a funeral service at Anglican Cathedral, Akunnu-Akoko.

A thanksgiving service holds in Ijebu Jesa, State of Osun on Oct 3 at St. Mathew’s Anglican Cathedral Church to be followed by entertainment of guests at Ijebu Jesa Town Hall.

Ifamose is survived by children and husband, Bamidele.

•The late Ifamose

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 7

Uduaghan never owed workers salaries — Akpeki C

From left: A former District 404 Governor, Lion Jaiye Balogun; Lions International Director, Lion HOB Lawal, newly installed District 404B-2 Governor; Lion Funke Adebajo, District 404B-2 Cabinet Executive; Lion Stella Agbogun, past 404B District Governor; Lion Adesokan, past District 404B Governor, Lion Ola Griffin, past Lion 404A District Governor; Lion Ola Oyekanmi; and BOT member, Lion Teslim Sanusi at the presentation of Lion Funke Adebajo as the new District 404B-2 Governor at Time Square Events Centre, Ikeja.

Osinbajo lambasts northern them to emulate Ahmadu leaders •Asks Bello, Balewa, Aminu Kano

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

V

ICE President Yemi Osinbajo says the present crop of northern leaders is responsible for the backwardness of the region, saying they have abandoned diligence and selfless service and resorted to personal aggrandizement.

Osinbajo made the remark at the opening ceremony of Northern Reawakening Forum (NRF) Summit, held under the theme “Building a Safe, Secure and Economically Inclusive Northern Nigeria” and held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja,

yesterday.

He regretted that the elite had jettisoned the foundation set by the founding fathers, leading to the challenges confronting the country.

“Our history reminds us of the visionary leaders in Nigeria, who fired our imagination through their vision, diligence and selfless service, who did not live or fight to enrich themselves; they did not leave vast personal estates behind, but their names and legacies live in the hearts of the people”, the VP said.

“Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Mallam Aminu Kano, J. S. Tarka and countless others clearly understood the varied issues afflicting the region, thought through them, laid the plans and worked selflessly to realize them”.

He explained that in the 19 northern states of Nigeria, the human development indices “are by far poorer than the rest of the country”.

Osinbajo said the Northern Nigerian Economic Summit of 2012 was the first forum to draw attention to some of the depressing statistics about the condition of the North.

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

Northern Revs move to stop factionalisation

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

T

HE Northern Region Leaders of Assemblies of God, Nigeria, have appealed to the warring factions in the Church to bury their differences and return to one fold so that the goal of the propagation of the gospel of Christ can be achieved.

The Church’s Leaders from the 19 States of the North, at a press briefing held in Jos, the Plateau State capital, said they are saddened by the leadership crisis that has engulfed the Church since 2013 adding that the Church exists to serve God and not to be served.

Presenting the position of the Leaders, the Chairman of the group, Rev. Baba Fada, from Katsina District, noted that the Church, established in 1934 to among other goals, promote fellowship among believers, is a peace-loving movement whose position is that of reconciliation and peace.

He faulted the actions of

the Rev. Chidi Okoroaforled faction for carrying out a “coup” in the Church by forcefully removing the General Superintendent, Rev. Paul Emeka, without due process as well as indiscriminately suspending Pastors loyal to Rev. Emeka and appealed to the faction to tow the path of peace for the good of the Church.

He decried the use of suspension as weapon of intimidation to force members to support the illegal removal of Rev. Emeka, stating that “so far, over 300 members of the Church have been suspended but we are still interested in the Biblical principle of reconciliation.”

Rev. Fada called on everyone especially members from the Northern region to remain calm and disregard any claim to a new leadership but remain loyal to the existing leadership of Rev. Paul Emeka.

According to him, “The Northern Region Leaders of Assemblies of God, Nigeria are deeply saddened by

the leadership crisis which has engulfed our Church, we stand unequivocally behind the leadership of Rev. Prof. Paul Emeka as that is the true position as enshrined in the Church’s constitution.

HIEF Paulinus Ak peki, the immediate past Chief of Staff to the Delta State governor, yesterday in Benin City said the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, did not owe workers’salaries before he left office in may 2015.

Chief Akpeki said that all workers salaries in Delta State were paid by the Dr. Uduaghan administration before he vacated office on May 29th 2015.

According to him, “Dr. Uduaghan in fact gave approval to the Accountant General to pay all workers salaries for the month of May before he handed over on the 29th of May, 2015.”

“It is not true that we owed any salaries before we left office,” Akpeki said, adding that he “knows just like every Nigerian that the President Muhammadu Buhari government approved a bailout loan to states to pay workers salaries in which

Delta State is one of them, but this bailout loan should not be misconstrued by certain persons to claim that Dr. Uduaghan left a backlog of salaries to be paid.

Akpeki insist that it is wicked and malicious for

Fresh crisis rocks Bauchi PDP

By Suzan Edeh

F

RESH Crisis has rocked the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Bauchi State Chapter following allegations of corruption and abuse of office.

The Crisis started when a member of the state working committee of the party wrote a letter , demanding for full explanation on allegations of abuse of office from the State Chairman, Ibrahim Yaro Yaro, and the Secretary of the Party, Sama’ila Burga.

The Chairman and Secretary were given 12 hours to reply the letter or the committee would proceed to take

A

S the Federal Gov ernment moves to enforce Treasury Single Account (TSA) this week, there are indications that over 20,000 different bank accounts run by federal ministries and 600 government federal agencies would be clamped.

Sunday Vanguard learnt the agencies’ accounts are holding about N2.6 trillion in 20 banks contrary to the initial estimate of about N1.24 trillion reported in Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN)

disciplinary action against them in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

Before the expiration of the 12 hours,Yaro Yaro announced the suspension of some of the members of the working committee.

When the leadership of the committee did not receive any response from the Chairman and Secretary, they held another meeting yesterday and suspended Yaro Yaro and Burga.

They went further to appoint Alhaji Musa Haruna Shitu as the acting State Chairman and Barrister Mukhtar Abubakar as Acting State Secretary.

Tarrif Review: Electricity consumers tackle distribution company

By Olayinka Latona

E

LECTRICITY con sumers under the umbrella of the Joint Action Committee, Electricity Distribution Company Customers Consultative Forum have kicked against tariff review proposed by Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC). Speaking at a stakeholders meeting tagged: “Public Consultation On Tariff Review” held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, the customers through a protest vote said ‘no’ to the move, noting that the electricity company has not done

enough to warrant such review.

The chairman of the forum, Apostle Amos Olawoye, said the group’s position is that all electricity consumers are not going to pay any tariff increase, noting that the move has been rejected in totality.

He noted that unless the electricity company meets its three demands - removal of fixed charges; stoppage of billing to unmetered customers; and stoppage of crazy billings, all estimated billings from IKEDC would be returned to them.

In his words: “Our next

ANAMBRA REP SEAT:

step is that we are taking action from this month to return every estimated bills. Those that have not gotten meters, those that have meters but given estimated billings, and those with non-functional meters but still receiving estimated billings.

“Meters have not been distributed to consumers as promised. At least we still have about 90 per cent of consumers unmetered.

We advise them to improve their services and their system of revenue collection. They only base their targets without any concern for the plight of consumers.”

APGA moves to remove PDP

*As Nwankwo, Eze present final addresses at tribunal

T

HE All Progressives G r a n d Alliance(APGA) candidate for Anaocha/Njikoka/

Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the March 28,2015 National Assembly elections, Mr Dozie Nwankwo,

LOOMING TSA DEADLINE: N2.6trn govt deposits in 20,000 bank accounts to be closed this week

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

certain category of persons to be peddling rumours that the Federal Government bailout loan being requested by the state government is meant to pay the salary areas left unpaid by the immediate past administration.

second quarter 2015 report. The report had indicated that less than 10 per cent of banking industry’s N13 trillion total deposits are public sector funds.

But a top executive of one of the affected banks said, at the weekend, that the CBN report was based on the returns’ renditions by banks which had substantially underreported public sector proportion of their deposits in order to head-off the impact of the apex bank’s dual Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) policy which was then heavily skewed against public

sector deposits. He said that public sector deposits in banks should be more than double what was reported then.

He pointed out that if government decides to implement the policy strictly, there will be serious liquidity crisis as the top six banks in the public sector deposits control about 70 per cent of total money market liquidity.

However, he noted that the policy is presently predominantly Federal Government account as most states are not eager to toe that line, thereby giving some of the banks a breathing space.

yesterday, presented his written and oral addresses to the elections tribunal sitting in Awka, Anambra State.

Nwankwo had petitioned the tribunal, headed by Justice Nayai Agadagba, challenging the declaration of Dr Okey Eze of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

He urged the tribunal to nullify of the poll Eze’s declaration and instead declare him the election winner, having polled the highest number of lawful votes cast.

Nwankwo’s lead counsel, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, in his presentation, contended that Eze did not score the majority of the lawful votes cast in the election.

And that having regards to the evidence adduced by his client, it was clear that Nwankwo won the election.

Page 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 9

13 DAYS OF HORROR IN CAPTIVITY

I was dumped in the

creeks by my abductors —Donu Kogbara, renowned columnist

•Kidnapping devastated me – Mother •God’s mercy brought her back – CP Kimo

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Port Harcourt

D

onu Kogbara, Vanguard columnist, looked calm as she spoke to journalists who rushed to her residence as news of her release by kidnappers filtered into Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday morning.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr Musa Kimo, was probably her first visitor about 6:30 am when Sunday Vanguard got there.

It was clear she had just finished sipping a cup of Lipton tea. The empty tea cup was still on the table by her side.

Occasionally, she laughed as she tried to make light her experience in the hands of the kidnappers.

“I was dumped in the middle of the creeks, leading to nowhere around 10 pm on Friday. And they forced an innocent fisherman to take me to Borokiri”, she recalled, laughing.

You could see desperation on the part of the journalists to catch every word that came out of her as she responded to their questions.

“I am very happy to say that I have been released. I am alive, that is all that matters despite all the things that were lost in the robbery that preceded the abduction. I thank Vanguard Newspaper, my paper, for the love and support that I received from my colleagues and Uncle Sam Amuka, the publisher. He was actually the first person called when I was abducted”, Kogbara said.

She paused. Then suddenly there was general laughter as she recalled how much the kidnappers put on her as ransom.

“I told them I was not worth what they demanded for”, she said.

According to her, before they whisked her away from her Port Harcourt residence in the early hours of August 30, the abductors first robbed the family of cash and jewelries.

Then, they blindfolded her and took her straight to the creeks, “Before we left the house, they took my money and jewelries, though the money was not much”, the Vanguard columnist narrated.

“I was taken to the creeks, middle of nowhere. They actually told me I was in

Cameroon. But I have been told that probably was not the case.”

On the allegation in some quarters that her abduction could have been politically motivated, Kogbara said though the kidnappers expressed political sentiments in the creeks, no revelation came out of them. She added that they code named politicians “official hoodlums”.

“I don’t see any politician behind the mask. I have to tell you that these boys claimed they had helped certain politicians win elections in the past but that is not what we can discuss here. I don’t know if you can believe what they say.

“The political element was, em! They were a little bit confused in my opinion, because they were upset that former President Goodluck Jonathan had been defeated by a northerner, but, on the other hand, they were also very unhappy with Goodluck (Jonathan) because they felt he had not done much for the Niger Delta.

“I saw politics here and there. They had a grudge against a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, for not supporting Goodluck Jonathan but then they also had a grudge against the current governor. Actually, in the end, they told me it was a war against big men; to them, big men are politicians. They called them official hoodlums”.

Asked if the kidnappers were enlightened, she said some were but most of them were not highly educated.

Again, Kogbara laughed as she responded to a question on how they fed her.

“Their meal, it was not bad.

Considering that they were young men, they cooked rather well. But the conditions were not very sanitary”, she said.

“Did they respect your medical condition in the choice of meal?”, a journalist shot back.

“To be fair to them, when I complained of not having my blood level medication, they actually went out and bought some for me. It was much more complex than that.”

On how she was abducted, Kogbara said it was a story her mother, Mrs. Ann Kogbara, will be in a better position to tell because she (Donu) was dazed that morning when she suddenly

•Kogbara with CP Kimo yesterday

I was dumped in the middle of the creeks, leading to nowhere around 10 pm on Friday.

And they forced an innocent fisherman to take me to Borokiri

saw strange men in her room.

“Honestly, I was so confused.

I woke up in my bedroom to see men. My mother can tell how many they were. Because, honestly, I was in a daze.

They took me out, blindfolded me and off we went”, she said.

She had sweet words for the Rivers State Police Command.

Her words: “There is hardly anybody I know who does not know somebody who has been abducted or robbed in the last couple of years. Fortunately, we have a dynamic new Commissioner of Police who

has hit the ground running and seems absolutely determined to confront this menace to our society”.

Commissioner of Police Kimo was elated at Kogbara’s release.

“Today is a great day. I am extremely happy. My joy knows no bounds because our sister, Donu Kogbara, is back with us. It is due to the mercy of God. I thank the President of the country, my Inspector General of Police who kept calling to guide me. I thank the media for their role, the family for their faith in God. Finally, she is back with us, today is my greatest day. I am very happy”, he said.

Kogbara’s mum celebrated her daughter ’s release with tears of joy.

“Words cannot express what I feel. I cried while she was away. I answered everything with tears”, she told Sunday Vanguard.

Kogbara was whisked away from her residence in the early hours of Sunday, August 30 by armed young men reportedly in police uniform.

Governor Nyesom Wike; Rivers Police Commissioner Kimo; Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Mr Ayo Tamuno were, among several others, who condemned her abduction and also appealed for her unconditional release.

Niger Delta activist, Ms Ankio Briggs, said the abduction was painful.

“I am against activities that take away the right of anybody which include kidnapping. Kidnapping is a criminal act, it dehumanises a person no matter the reason.

Thank God she has been released”, she told Sunday Vanguard.

Chairperson, Ijaw Mothers Union, Doris Mcdaniels, said she was deeply disturbed by the abduction, expressing

•The abduction victim savoring her freedom

gratitude to God following the news of her release.

“Ijaw mothers were very pained by the ugly development. It is scary, sad.

Before now, we thought women were protected. We thank God for the good news”, Mcdaniels stated.

“Those behind this should leave women out of it. We are not fit for the tension, trauma kidnapping exposes people to. I don’t pray anybody goes through this, whether man or woman but they should please leave women out of this because we are the weaker vessel.

“It is worse when a woman is kidnapped because the home is shut down entirely”.

Chairman, Isoko South local government area, Delta State, Mr Ikpokpo Itiako, who also appealed for Kogbara’s release, said he was happy when he saw it on social media that she had regained her freedom.

“I have read Kogbara in Vanguard newspaper for years . I was deeply touched by her abduction. I was so happy this morning when I saw photos of her and the Rivers State Commissioner of Police. It is good to hear she had been released” , he said.

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 committee of experts to receive and collate such materials to form the basis of the Niger Delta Summit,

by Niger Deltans in the first place.

It bears repetition to state, in the final analysis, only three things need to be done in the Niger Delta to end all militancy and restiveness, and bring about permanent peace. These

Ideas for national development – 2 “Ideas are capital; the rest is money.” Anonymous. ast week, in the first part of this series on ideas that would help us achieve sustainable development, I started with Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and his advocacy of NEW TOWNS. I stopped at the point where Attah called for a dialogue.

Please read on.

“The danger in separate group discussions is that whatever the governments come up with after that may favour only some of the groups and will be considered as biased by other groups. Since there is need for a consensual Agenda or Programme, the preferred method of discussion must be a joint

L

Summit of Niger Deltans at which every interest group will be represented.

A recent report in one of the national dailies claimed that Imo State Government had set up a committee of its own experts to articulate the Imo position on the development of the Niger Delta. I have no doubt that their submission will draw from a number of existing reports that they consider relevant and appropriate while adding other new ideas of their own. This is what I thought every interest group in the Niger Delta should now be doing.

To avoid the charge of “fiddling while Rome burns”, the Federal Government should IMMEDIATELY set up a

Changing our minds about mental health The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind. ~G.K. Chesterton

M

ental ill health in our culture is seen and experienced as a taboo, a stigma and it is an often misunderstood health subject matter within our community here in Nigeria and abroad. The fear and denial goes way beyond what we, as people care to admit.

Let us get one thing straight, mental health is not the same as mental illness or mental health disorders. Yet, we often are quick to jump at the very mention of the wordMENTAL. We run from what we do not understand and fear those who may become mentally unwell. It is no wonder people do not come forward to get help and receive support, because they fear they will be ostracised or condemned as being possessed by evil spirits or some malevolent forces.

In the UK, there is a disproportional amount of black people admitted in psychiatric wards and are often forcefully brought in to psychiatric hospitals by the police. Once they are admitted, they are more likely to be sectioned, stay

longer in hospital, more likely diagnosed with psychosis, given medication and less likely to be offered talking therapy. A lot of people from the black community tend to keep their loved one away from hospital for fear that they will get sectioned or worse or that other people may get to know and the whole family will be shunned by their friends and extended family. Some in the black community are more likely to first seek help in faith groups rather than go to the hospitals thereby delaying treatment and prolonging recovery.

There is also another reason why many black people do not attend the hospital: they fear becoming part of the large number of black people admitted to the psychiatric hospitals.

What is concerning is that the majority are young, African, Caribbean and British-born black people and they are eighteen times more likely to be in hospital than the British average. This is despite the fact that, mental illness is no more common than in Africa or the Caribbean than it is in the UK as a whole. It is a big concern of the medical professionals as well as the government. Presently, there are individuals, groups and organisations trying to address this.

One of such persons is

The danger in separate group discussions is that whatever the governments come up with after that may favour only some of the groups and will be considered as biased by other groups Ekanem Hines, a retired social worker, granddaughter of Chief Asifo Egbe and daughter of late Barrister Webber George Egbe (S.A.N).

Ekanem is currently in Nigeria, visiting family. She co-founded an organisation, called Know My Mind, a non-profit community group working with Black and ethnic minority people in South London.

Ekanem Hines wrote and directed the stage play, ‘So U Think i’M CraZy?’ which made its debut in May 2014, and has since showcased at different venues across the country to rave reviews. The production uses the versatility of song, dance, poetry and drama to convey the journey of a young African-Caribbean man’s physical, psychological and spiritual journey that led to his admission to a psychiatric hospital. The play brings out the passion and pain of dealing with mental health challenges and the frustration of accessing services, as well as the battle to deal with the stigma of discrimination.

I asked her why she decided on the play. She said: “Putting my hand on my heart it has to be my unwavering faith in God. When ones' back is against the wall and you are on your belly and you think you are going to fall through, his grace lifts you. Having worked as a social worker and in mental health and child protection exposes one to these real life stories, I felt it was really important to put something back and have a voice”.

Of the play, Ekanem said: “The play tells the story through the eyes of a young black man, of how he came to be in a secure psychiatric unit. It depicts the experience of mental ill health, through rap, music, dance, monologues and

are: 1.Massive infrastructural and Human Development.

2. Employment creation and 3. Restoration of Human Dignity.

A close examination of these demands will show that the second derives from the first and they both will give birth to the third. The big question has always been the method of achieving these goals. It is here that I would like to make my input as an architect and a town planner.

THE CONCEPT OF NEW TOWNS The destruction caused by the Second World War was widespread throughout Europe. The war ended in 1945, and by the following year, 1946, Britain enacted its first New Towns Act. This Act has since been reviewed and re-enacted in 1959 and 1965.

Unlike the better known American-initiated Marshall Plan, which was interim, the British New Towns Act was, and has remained key to the reconstruction of Britain, the creation of employment opportunities, augmentation of its housing stock, and rejuvenation of its economy.

Starting with Stevenage in 1946, Britain has built several new towns – by last count, twenty-two – the latest of which is Milton Keynes, started about the same time as Abuja, our Federal Capital Territory…”

To be continued.

OPEN LETTER TO BUHARI ON BEHALF OF LAGOS STATE

INDIGENES – 3 “When people talk about indigene-ship, I wonder what they mean. I ask them to tell me who is an indigene of Lagos State Show me the man or woman who germinated from the soils of Lagos..”Barrister Okoroji, APGA u n s u c c e s s f u l Governorship aspirant in Lagos State in the last elections.

Daily Independent, August 31, 2015.

If you have never heard of Okoroji, rest assured you missed nothing. He has not made a sterling success of anything – law or politics. He is even more ignorant about history and is deficient in logic. He, however represents the few Igbos who are contesting the right of Lagos indigenes to be appointed by Buhari when the position is zoned to Lagos. I was not surprised.

When I wrote the first installment of this series, I knew that out of the six zones and over two hundred ethnic groups living in Lagos, the only objection would come from the South East.

Okoroji asked who grew from the soil of Lagos; he must be deficient in the history of his own State and community in the East, as well as other parts of Nigeria. Who does not know that the Fulani came into Nigeria with

Usman Dan Fodio? Or the Kanuri came from Sudan?

Is it because they came from somewhere else more than a thousand years ago that no Igbo person is contesting the Governorship of Sokoto or Borno State? Let’s even go global. White Americans and white Australians migrated to those countries and took over. Why is Okoroji not going to contest for the Governor of Texas?

Back home, if Okoroji ever steps across the borders of his own state in the South East to claim one square inch of any other Igbo State, a funeral will follow. Is it because the Igbos of Abia, Ananmbra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo “germinated from the soil” that a Hausa, Yoruba, Birom, Idoma etc cannot go there and claim the right to appointments or contest elections or be given a stall in any market, or issued a C of O for land in any of those states?

In that interview Okoroji mentioned Fashola’s “deportation” of Igbos as “proof ” of hatred for Igbos.

But, Fashola deported thousands of Northerners, as well as people from Oyo and Ogun States. And, before that Governor Peter Obi deported people from Akwa Ibom State from Anambra. Apparently, Ibibios, Anangs and Orons have no right in Anambra but Igbos have right everywhere.

Trouble dey sleep yanga go wake am.

poetry”.

Ekanem spoke fondly of the casts, core members and complimented them on shaping the overall expression and impact of the play. She said: “there is a saying "Man plans while God Smiles".

One’s footsteps are always controlled by God Almighty.

I also believe that through painful situations comes strength. Working with group of carers and the conversation on their painful experiences over a box of tissues, there was

Community: Opening Pandora's Box?” Ekanem added that :”Know My Mind and the play ‘So U Think i’M CraZy?’ could not have come alive without the dedication and integrity of professional actors, consultant psychiatrists, artistic directors and marketing experts give their time freely and committed to raising awareness of mental ill health in our communities.

The play has far exceeded all expectations.

There have been invitations to take the play beyond the UK, most importantly, the play has engaged black people in particular, it had started an open debate on a taboo subject and in future, it is planned to have workshops and training sessions based on the play in schools and health settling.

Asked why this was important to her, Ekanem answered: “Everyone’s mental health is crucial to one’s survival. Because it's not happening to us does not mean that it could never happen. No longer can we live in a world which totally ignores our neighbours. Black people in the UK suffer from individual and institutional racism that is a fact, regardless of the harsh level of denial that things have changed. Of course, things have changed however; racism always raises its ugly head just when we begin to relax.

I have made it my duty to challenge such criminal practices” Ekanem, is definitely a chip off the old block and I wonder where she gets her conviction from!

Ekanem continues: “Given that fact, Black people with mental health

are wide open to abuse in the system. An opportunity to play out one’s racism, behind closed doors, after all they won't remember; nobody cares; nobody is listening not even the families. How else do you explain the deaths in custody of our people; the disproportionality of our people in psychiatric hospitals; the exclusions from our schools; the disproportionality of our young brothers in the criminal justice system?

This is no accident”.

What can Nigerians do to raise awareness and understanding? She said: “Nigerians should show empathy towards any form of disability so much so, mental ill health. We are often stuck in old superstitions and traditions that does not lend itself to a changing world. People believe that anyone with disabilities are cursed and should be ostracized, rebuked and the families blamed. Nigeria with all of the opulence of money is left behind in a time warp, in a world of ignorance and arrogance. How dare we call ourselves a developing country when we leave our most vulnerable on the edge of our society? A country’s success and development is not measured by money but how it uses its wealth and how it treats the most vulnerable people in society.

Unless, we tackle these problems we will always be slaves and not the masters of our destiny.

Finally, she added: “As a Nigerian I want to convey the messages, after all Nigerians are part of the system in the UK and yes, I would love to bring the play to Lagos that would be phenomenal. Good to have it on Nigerian soil and would like to make a difference.

Everyone’s mental health is crucial to one’s survival.

Because it's not happening to us does not mean that it could never happen. No longer can we live in a world which totally ignores our neighbours a lot of tears and tissues. I wondered how these voices could be heard. I wanted to change this support group of victims to a support group of survivors by sharing their stories with the world where others could draw strength and be proud of their survival.

"Living with Mental illness" instead of "Dying from Mental illness” and lift the cover of shame, isolation, ignorance, rejection, discrimination and it goes on”.

She has recorded the voices of the carers and service users in an independently documented publication called - "Tell it like it is Mental Health in the

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 11

Alas! Rivers State politicians are still mad!!

T

here are so many things that often appear irrational about the Nigerian people.

One of them concerns the saying that “ wealth can induce madness”. How can someone suddenly develop traces of madness simply because he has much money? The unending story of Rivers State, an entity which regularly picks up the highest federal allocation in the country has made me to begin to appreciate the saying and to imagine that in truth money makes some mad, just as others madly pursue it.

However, each time I visit Rivers State, I always wonder why the pace of development I see is never commensurate with the huge sums the state gets.

With the unending political turmoil in the state, it is getting obvious that its political class is the forerunner of the state’s madness as that class behaves more often than not like a child born drunk.

During the tenure of Rotimi Amaechi as governor of the state, which ended only a few months back, it was war, war, war. From the events on ground since Amaechi left, it is getting clearer by the day that the hope of his successor,

During the Amaechi era, the state was virtually at war with the federal government, a fight that was instigated by highly placed persons who are either by birth or by association from the state Nyesom Wike creating room for peace and harmony is a mirage. The situation is so bad that to say governance hardly takes place in the state is not uncharitable During the Amaechi era, the state was virtually at war with the federal government, a fight that was instigated by highly

PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758 opuruiche2000@yahoo.com

Areas of concentration for President Buhari (5)

H

istorically

speaking, Nigeria recorded unprecedented economic and infrastructural development relative to her income during the First Republic (1960 and 1966).

One of the major reasons for that was that each of the relatively autonomous regions developed at their own pace and competed with one another in various areas of development. Of course, we cannot go back to regionalism simpliciter.

However, the APC federal government under Muhammadu Buhari can inaugurate a significant political paradigm shift by using existing geopolitical zones as federating units in a new federal structure that a l l o w s them greater autonomy in the management and control of resources available within each zone. As I suggested earlier, imaginative adoption of relevant recommendations of the last national conference on devolution of powers can serve as the starting point of a new p o l i t i c a l restructuring programme for optimum utilisation of human and non-human resources throughout the country. I believe that one of the best legacies P r e s i d e n t B u h a r i will bequeath to Nigerians at the end of his tenure is a solid foundation for constructing a well-struc-

placed persons who are either by birth or by association from the state.

The fight against Amaechi was both within and outside the state. At the national level the fight was so intense that it created a new mathematical theory in which 16 became greater than 19. It did not only rubbish Amaechi as the then entire Nigerian governors’ forum was bruised. Amaechi in particular had to fight all through with several federal agencies such as Aviation which often grounded any aircraft which associates with the governor. At the same time, the security operatives had an agenda to execute just as the commissioner of police

tured federation in which each component geopolitical zone would freely develop at its own speed untrammelled by an o v e r b e a r i n g central government.

Now, Buhari’s antecedents and one-man-show approach to governance since he became President do not inspire confidence that the issue of political restructuring would be addressed by his administration.

Hence, he is likely to miss the excellent opportunity of becoming arguably the greatest political engineer in Nigerian history.

President Buhari is widely regarded as a straightforward, disciplined and honest human being, a man of integrity and incorruptibility. But from experience, I have learnt not to believe uncritically praise-singers who are fond of exaggerating the purported virtues of their benefactors in the media, and to refrain f r o m h a s t y o r dogmatic conclusions while judging those one has not met and interacted with personally. One thing is certain though: President Buhari has a unique combination of personality traits some of which are suitable for the office he currently occupies and some of which are not.

It follows that any portraiture of him that exaggerates his positive attributes and

in the state made nonsense of the governor ’s legal position as the chief security officer of the state.

Under the watchful eyes of the police, state legislators assumed the status of political thugs and fought to the level of producing broken limps and skulls.

Indeed, the fight which was transmitted LIVE on ignores the negative ones is a fiction. Our President seems to believe, or has been made by fawning sycophants to believe, that his ideas about how to tackle the myriads of problems facing the country presently are the best and that because of his alleged good intentions he can do a s h e pleases. Fortunately, not everyone is optimistic about Buhari’s presidency.

According to Prof. Nwabueze, Nigeria is gradually sliding back to d i c t a t o r s h i p since Buhari took over from Goodluck Jonathan.

I believe that Nwabueze is essentially right, although there are very powerful constitutional and legal checks that would at some point stop President Buhari from becoming a full-blown dictator. A n y w a y, even if Buhari were as impeccable as his supporters claim, he needs to excise those dictatorial proclivities that marred his reputation as a military head of state. We know that old habits, like old soldiers, die-hard; that with advancing age (especially from fifty) it becomes increasingly difficult to change one’s fundamental habits. Being a septuagenarian, President Buhari is set in his ways, and it would be hard for him to change radically from who he is to who he could become. Yet, change is the only permanent thing in the world. It is still possible for Buhari, through continuous critical self-examination, to jettison some of those attitude that alienated him from certain parts of Nigeria, particularly the South East. Those expressing consternation and disappointment that the Presi-

national television featured an attempt by 5 legislators to gain power by suspending the remaining 27 of their colleagues.

While this lasted, governance was at abeyance.

Also on national television, viewers watched the conduct of the 2015 general elections and listened to election observers make statements about the election which we cannot describe at this point in deference to an election tribunal which is right now looking into the same matter. But we are probably the only ones to whom ‘subjudice’ has a meaning; the war lords of Rivers State who incidentally are lawyers like us have no time for such decency or the rule of law.

To them, politics is essentially a game in which the end justifies the means; in which case, it has to be won by whatever weapons.

Even before the election tribunal was sworn-in, the then ruling party of Rotimi Amaechi that was declared the loser had gone ahead to conduct local government elections with its own “independent” umpires, who during elections in the country are normally quartered in government houses. Although the local elections were held in the last one week of Amaechi’s tenure and in disobedience of court orders stopping them from holding, the government party “swept”

the polls thereby creating more room for violence without governance.

As soon as Wike became governor, the courts nullified the local elections giving him opportunity to reconstitute the councils with his own followers. He also went on to reverse anything Amaechi did including re-instating into office a person whose purported election to the office of governor had been declared to be unknown to law by the highest court of the land. He then set up his own judicial commission of enquiry to probe Amaechi’s government.

Whereas the probe panel is headed by a judge who some say can be fairminded, there is ample evidence that his panel is organized to find Amaechi guilty. This is because the same issues the court is investigating are being simultaneously tried in several other fora. On one occasion, the evidence of one witness as reported by the media was like a drama piece. Rather than just confirm that Amaechi’s government awarded a ‘fraudulent’ contract, the witness ridiculously added that the former governor had to sack his cabinet so as to be able to award the contact to his proxy! Can that happen in Nigeria where Commissioners genuflect before every member of a governor ’s family? Even if such a miracle happened in

Rivers, why did the Commissioners wait to be sacked instead of resigning en masse in protest?

The latest evidence that rivalry and waste of public resources on ego-fights is fully on, shows in the extensive trial of Amaechi on the media over the same alleged offences being tried by the state commission of enquiry and the nation’s anti-corruption agencies.

The media trials have interestingly taken the same diction and defamatory posture of hate speeches which characterized the electioneering campaigns of the last Presidential election. The claim that the trials which are in the form of documentaries are supposedly sponsored by a nongovernmental organization sounds as incredible as the style of the defunct indomitable t r a n s f o r m a t i o n ambassadors of Nigeria- a road we have travelled through before. This narrative throws forth several questions. First, with all that has been going on, when will Rivers State be developed? Second, what will the people gain from whoever triumphs in the unending madness of their political leaders? Third, is there nothing well meaning people of the state can do about the situation? If as we imagine it is only the war lords that have gains to make, the rivers people cannot remain docile

dent is already implementing his promise in the United States that he would give preferential treatment to those constituencies that voted massively for him during the elections should look again at his records as a public officer. When he

argue that Buhari hates Ndigbo because of his indifference towards Igboland. It is just that, for him, the concerns of Ndigbo for fair distribution of the benefits of belonging to the Nigerian federation is relatively unimportant in comparison to meeting core interests of conservative feudalistic members of the Northern establishment.

If Buhari wants to be remembered as a great leader, he must put on a new thinking cap. He must, both in his speech and action, recognise that he is the President of Nigeria, not the President of any section of the country, and that parochial preferential treatment of any sort based on voting pattern or e t h n i c a n d religious considerations will exacerbate the problem of mutual ethnic suspicion and rivalry that led to the devastating civil war. At his age, Buhari ought to realise that the best thing he can do for himself, his family and for all Nigerians is to devote his entire intellectual and affective powers to the service of Nigerian people. He must search within himself for the moral strength and intellectual acumen to take the right decisions in the very challenging task of presiding over a multiply complex geopolitical entity like ours.

Unfortunately, glaring inconsistencies since he assumed office, despite noisy posturing b y agbata ekee APC politicians, signify either lack of adequate preparation for the job or plain inability to match campaign promises with actual performance. Take for instance his stance on how best to tackle Boko Haram terrorism.

During his electioneering campaigns, Buhari claimed

that he knew the Nigerian Army very well and that our soldiers, if well equipped and motivated, can defeat the Islamic fundamentalists without assistance from neighbouring countries. Indeed, he excoriated his predecessor for reaching out to the leaders of Chad, Niger, and Cameroun for help to fight Boko Haram. Now as President, Buhari has been actively soliciting assistance from the very countries former President Jonathan asked for help in dealing with the terrorists. Buhari asked Nigerians to forget his dictatorial past, and pledged that he would lead in accordance with democratic norms.

But his somewhat aloof I-know-it-all attitude and recent harassment o f o p p o s i t i o n politicians contradict that very pledge. I understand that during electioneering campaigns, politicians tend to exaggerate their virtues a n d d o everything possible to h i d e their weaknesses for electoral victory.

That said, discrepancies between his campaign rhetoric and his actual performance as President are early warning signs that Nigerians must not allow the euphoria of change mantra used

by APC to win the presidential elections and Buhari’s sometimes exaggerated reputation as a stern disciplinarian and anti-corruption military ruler prevent them from critical engagement with his government.

Certainly, President Buhari has a rendezvous with history, and his legacy will be determined l a r g e l y b y how he navigates the treacherous terrain of power politics in the next four years.

Concluded.

Our President seems to believe, or has been made by fawning sycophants to believe, that his ideas about how to tackle the myriads of problems facing the country presently are the best and that because of his alleged good intentions he can do as he pleases was military head of state from 1984 to 1985, how many members of his Supreme Military Council were from the South East?

While he was Chairman, Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF), what percentage of PTF’s projects was i m p l e m e n t e d in Igboland? Irrespective of the woolly arguments

by Buharimaniacs, there is compelling evidence that President Buhari is not interested in the developmental aspirations of Ndigbo generally.

Lest those with keen noses for smelling hatred of Buhari from every criticism of the President misunderstand me, I sincerely want him to succeed based on enlightened selfinterest. In addition, I think it is inaccurate to

PAGE 12— SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

...All about the North

800,000 women caught in V VF nightmare

BY CALEB AYANSINA

O

bstetric fistula, otherwise called Vesico Vagina Fistula (VVF), is a nightmare in the woman’s world. It is estimated that two million women suffer from obstetric fistula globally.

But Nigeria has the highest prevalence of VVF in the world, with 800,000 women living with the problem and about 20,000 new cases occurring annually. It could even mean death.

Statistically, 90 percent of these cases go untreated.

This implies that about 55 women are infected by VVF and 18,000 cases are untreated daily.

VVF is an abnormal hole between the bladder or rectum and the vagina characterized by continuous and uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or faeces following childbirth.

Obstructed labour without timely intervention is by far the most common cause of obstetric fistula.

With these great numbers of women suffering from this health nightmare, it indeed becomes a phenomenon that must be addressed.

The scourge has reached a

stage where all wellmeaning individuals need to rise up to tackle it.

Surprisingly, as critical as the situation is, majority of Nigerians are ignorant of VVF. When it happens to their colleagues or relatives or even wives, they see it as a sign of punishment from the ‘gods’, or a consequence of promiscuity.

This development propelled a celebrated Nollywood actress, Stephanie Linus, and the Fistula Care Plus Nigeria, with the support of the Federal Government and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to premier a movie, ‘Dry’, to narrate the ordeal faced by women, majority of whom are from the northern part of the country.

The movie reveals child/ early marriage, religion beliefs which prevent pregnant women from accessing medical care (antenatal) and the obnoxious African culture that forces them to resort to the use of traditional way of delivery, as major causes of VVF. ‘Dry’ is a movie based on the true story of Zara and Halima who find themselves in the same cultural trap

regardless of their backgrounds. They struggle to give meaning to their lives.

Speaking during the premier at Silverbird Cinema in Abuja, the country manager of Fistula Care Plus Nigeria, Dr. Habib Sadauki, and Linus stressed the need to improve on primary health care system in the country.

Sadauki said; “We are at a critical time in Nigeria, where we can make even

VVF is an abnormal hole between the bladder or rectum and the vagina characterized by continuous and uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or faeces following childbirth

greater impact so that more women living with fistula can be treated. We also must help prevent fistula from happening in the first place.”

Linus explained that women were going through a lot in the country, but sometimes people pretend not to see their situations, stressing the need for a collective effort to address the problem.

According to her, the culture has relegated women to the background, takes away their voice and right to life as human beings. “The culture has made them to be like objects of exchange for wealth/ money, sold into slavery for sexual pleasure and baby making purposes”, the actress stated.

“When your childhood, your innocence is taken away from you, you can never get it back. Allow them to be children, let them grow up, so that they can make positive decisions about what happens to their body, what happens to their lives, and they will become more productive.

“Give them access to education, good medical care and when you give them all of this, you know you are building women, who are sustainable and

can also be able to take care of the family.

“We have all the fantastic laws that we need to be enforced, we need the parents to play their roles; we need the medical part of it, doctors and hospitals to also play their roles.

“We ourselves need to change our perception of things, of cultural practices that are not moving us forward as a nation; even women are also to be blamed. We are complaining about men, but we are also causing the problems for our own fellow women; so all of these people need to be aware.

“The first point of action is to bring it to the table; we don’t want to keep it in the background, because it is never going to solve any problem. It is not good to deny or pretend that we don’t have such in our society, but we are bringing it to the forefront, so we can talk about it and move forward especially in this 21st century.

“It is not only in Nigeria, it happens across Africa, across Asia; it is a world problem and that is why we want to shine enough search light, and that also it is not a northern thing, something you can find it across Nigeria”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 13

DINNER IN HONOR OF IGP SOL OMON ARASE, B ATE GO VERNMENT SOLOMON BYY EDO ST STA GOVERNMENT Eminent personalities attended a dinner organised in honor of Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase by Edo State Government in Benin-City, at the weekend. PHOTOS BY BARNABAS UZOSIKE

From left: Dr. Pius Odubu, Edo State deputy governor, and his wife; Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and his wife; and Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase and his wife

Chief Nosakhare Isekhure (Chief Priest of BeninCity) (left) and Chief Jackson Igbinovia

From left: Chief David Edebiri and Chief Pius Odubu.

From left: Governor Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase and his wife

Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (SSG) and Mrs. Endurance Odubu

Rev. Peter Obadan (right) and Chief Tom Ikimi

From left: Chief David Edebiri and Col. Ogbebor (retd).

Chief Eduwu Ekhator (left) and Mr. Par ry Osayande.

Mr. & Mrs. Inneh

From right: Rev. Monda Aigbe (GM Observer), Alh. M. A. Abu (Esq) (PS) and Mr. Lucky Wasa (PS).

Col. Ogbebor and his wife

From right: IGP Solomon Arase and his wife with Dr. Pius Odubu and his wife.

From left: Dr. S. O. Ogbemudia, Hon. Philip Shaibu and Hon. Uyi Egbe

Dr. Pius Odubu and his wife

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

BYPATRICKDELECOLE

M

ORE gas is flared in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world. 2.5 billion cubic feet of gas is wasted annually which is equivalent to 40% of all of Africa’s natural gas consumption. The loss to Nigeria is about $2.5 billion yearly.

Meanwhile, the flaring contains toxins, which affect the health of the local communities, thus causing premature deaths, respiratory illness and cancer. In 1984, gas flaring was made illegal.

However, the Associated Gas Reinjection Act of 1979 allowed former President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ) and international oil companies (I0Cs) to sign a non-binding agreement to stop gas flaring in 2008. It was suggested that there should be an end in 2008 to all exploration until new facilities are built to stop gas flaring. “The story of gas flaring is one of appalling carelessness, greed, corruption, double standards and environmental racism. Even Lord Home said that the British could be reproached”, according to an international environmental watch dog.

Why did gas flaring continue? The British knew about gas flaring; from the beginning, it believed that Nigerians will raise the issue to embarrass its oil giant, according to the British Trade Delegation report in 1963.

North Sea gas flaring had by then decreased to about 2% thus confirming the charge of double standards. Communities and Nigerians were allegedly bribed to keep quiet and not to challenge the 10Cs. Traditionally, oil companies do not like to find gas associated with oil: they like to find gas field, oil field. Associated gas has to be gathered or flared. Associate gas flaring was frowned upon in most parts of the world. In Nigeria, flaring was flourishing. Mr. Omiyi, the MD of Shell,said that with oil production of some 2.2 million barrels per day, about 2.2 billion standard cubic feet of associated gas was produced everyday.

If 1,000 standard cubic feet is produced by one barrel of crude, 37 billion cubic meters, which is daily production of associated gases, could produce 200 tetra watts hours of electricity, which is equivalent to 50% of all Africa power consumption; or twice sub Saharan consumption (excluding S.A).

Nigerian gas flare is four times higher than the nearest African country, Algeria. In 2004, the World Bank said Nigeria flared 75% of all gas produced. Why is the Nigerian government not able or willing to stop this? Why is there no political will to achieve this?

The bottom line is that government has never been serious about stopping gas flaring. Whenever the issue

C M Y K

GAS FLARING

Our losses, their gains comes up, government is reminded about the cost of stopping gas flaring which it must necessarily bear, in addition to the cost of gas gathering, and the infrastructure to go with it. This is a perfect scenario that the government cannot escape.

What needed to have been done since 1957 was to have an agreement or proposal for the usage of associated gas and how to market and pay for it? This was what happened in the North Sea in the case of Great Britain and Norway.

The exploration of crude should have been followed as an integral part, with the exploration of gas. Had that been done in 1958, we would not be arguing about whether it is economic or not in 2015.

DEALING WITH FIGURES The question of gas production highlights, once again, Nigeria’s inability to deal with figures. Government in 2000 announced that gas flaring will stop on the following dates: Chevron 2008, Shell 2008, Texaco 2005/2006, Agip 2005, and Exxon/Mobil 2004. In August of that same year, Dr. Imeh Okupido announced that all the 10Cs had agreed to end gas flaring by 2004. In November.

2006, government announced that all gas flaring would end in 2010. Vision 2010 gave a date of 2008. In March 2004, the World Bank said Nigeria had announced the stoppage date of gas flaring will be 2008. What was glaring about all these dates, apart from the obvious contradictions, are, the multiple sources of informa-

Can the nonchalance of government be due to the fact that people have no regard for those who live in the South-South beyond just taking the oil? Why are our governors not speaking out?

tion showing lack of coherence. What to do with the gas?

There were no plans. The preferred method was gas infraction – why was there no plan to harvest such a valuable commodity?

Other international lobby groups and environmentalists insist that gas flaring degrades the atmosphere; that is an environmental hazard, a violation of human rights and, more fundamentally, a breach of the Nigerian Law of 1984 which prohibited gas flaring. That both the government and the IOCs could be so nonchalant and cavalier about breaking the law shows conspiracy: it further shows lack of congruency and symmetry, and transparency between both actors. They deliberately threw in confu-

sion to mask their complicity in their determination to continue this illegal enterprise; presumably receiving backhanders in doing so.

Plans for the end of gas flaring include the following: Supplying gas to NLNG, Afam Project – the rest of Shell gas was said to be dedicated to NLNG; Chevron promised in its phase 2 and 3 of development of GTL project; Exxon promised re-injection and storage; Agip gas to go to NLNG, and IPP plants, at Eleme, and Kwale and more reinjection. Other plans included gas for the West African Pipeline.

Shell believed the NLNG project was on its way to solving flaring. But it would seem that this was a pie – in – the - sky hope. Nigeria has many pure gas fields from which Shell has been supplying NLNG and not from the associate gas gathering facilities. The West Africa Gas Pipeline project will not use associated gas but rather use gas from gas fields. This is totally contrary to the hope that this pipeline will take associated gas.

TOXIC SUBSTANCES Nigeria cannot afford not to use its associated gas. Gas flaring poisons communities because it contains a cocktail of toxic substances known as “particulate matter”, that is, benzene, toluene, xylene and hydrogen sulfide. The Canadian Public Health Association has listed over 250 different toxins from flared gas.

Breathing these causes associated asthma, respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, non-lymphocytic leukemia and other blood

related disorders in humans.

Can the nonchalance of government be due to the fact that people have no regard for those who live in the South-South beyond just taking the oil? Why are our governors not speaking out?

A large amount of work has been done in the US and Canada on the health effect of gas flaring. There are statistics in this and related environmental problems like acid rain. It is surprising that no work has been done on environmental effects of flaring in the Niger/Delta – not only does the area remain relatively poor, health clinics are few; the universities in the area have no curriculum to study this; the 10Cs, the states and Federal Government do not fund research: people continue to die with no explanation.

Article 20 of 1999 Nigerian Constitution states: “The State shall protect and improve the environment and safe guard the water, air, land, forest, and wildlife in Nigeria”. The African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Rights of the African Union similarly links human rights to a clean environment and good health. Gas flaring has been a major issue in international tribunals which have always ruled against Nigeria.

A court decision against Shell said inter alia – “Rights (which Nigeria signed) recognize the importance of a clean and safe environment that is clearly linked to economic and social rights, affects the quality of life and safety of the individual….. an environment degraded and Continues on page 16

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 15

BY IGNATIUS OKPANACHI “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new” The symbolism of the narrative above which is actually a quote from a character named Socrates in ‘Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book that Changes Lives’,

by Dan Millman, cannot indeed be truer, given the situation Nigerians now find themselves, as the implementers of the new mantra of anti-corruption seem to be pressing the nation against a hard place.

No doubt, corruption is a cankerworm that is tormenting the whole world.

No nation is corruption-free; they only differ in terms of the degrees of exposure, circumstances usually dictated by the application of national laws.

But one fact stands true: no nation can develop fast if the degree of corruption within its shores is abysmally pervasive. That is why corruption ranks high on the index of global interest.

In Nigeria, the issue of corruption has always been on the front burner of national discourse. You can always tell from the pitch of public and official conversations that Nigerians prefer to be seen as a people that hate corruption.

Whether we practice what we preach is another matter.

But it is bvious that Nigeria does not command an enviable position in the global corruption perception guide. For years, our nation has continued to be tagged among the most corrupt in the world by Transparency International in its annual corruption perception index.

In Malaysia, Singapore and many other countries in Asia, Nigerians are arrested regularly on corruption related crimes. The situation is even worse in the West where the perception is so grim that almost every Nigerians that arrives their airports is first considered a criminal until he prove otherwise. Even innocent and highly placed Nigerians are not spared this indignity, stemming from an unfortunate sweeping corruption tag, which, I believe, is not based on reality.

Unfortunately, we seem to be the architect of our own misfortune. In the bid to achieve narrow victories in our local politics, we regularly fall on our own sword, thereby ridiculing ourselves before the international community.

For instance, when the First Republic was booted out by the military, it was justified on the grounds of corruption. When the Second Republic was also kicked out, we gave the same reason. The BIG question now is, were ourleaders of that time as corrupt as they were painted?. Can

Nigeria and the way we fight corruption

•Buhari

we really believe that the likes of Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Sarduana of Sokoto and Obafemi Awolowo were as corrupt as the military would want us to believe? Is President Shehu Shagari living a life of debauchery synonymous with those that had amassed stupendous wealth while in office? If we should extrapolate this reasoning to the current reality, one is also tempted to ask whether the Jonathan administration was so dreadful that we can’t find any positive attribution for which it would receive commendation.

Delusion One cannot but figure out that in our local environment, the concept of corruption or the perception of it has become so intertwined with politics that the whole country appears to be mired in a state of incongruous delusion. In the build up to the presidential slugfest, President Muhammadu Buhari was commended for building his political campaign on the ‘ war against corruption.’ He rode on that sentiment to win the election. Since assuming office, he has continued to sing the same song. If well directed, Nigerians could easily have bought into that, just like they did in the days of the ‘War Against Indiscipline’ (WAI).

But it appears time has changed. 30 years down the line, and the strong resolve and detachment that characterized the famed WAI campaign of the early

To think that the Buhari administration has spent the last 100 days creating the impression that the President is being held back from appointing Ministers, because of the difficulty in discovering honest men in a country of over 170 million people. So we are all doomed because our President has consciously or subconsciously created the impression in the international community that 170 million of us are corrupt, too corrupt to hold public offices

80s seem to have been irredeemably tempered and corrupted. I make bold to say that if the current effort to fight corruption is not redirected to address the mounting discernment of selective justice, which in itself is a manifestation of corruption, it might completely lose credibility and the people will never buy into it.

So far, there is a pervasive feeling that the present corruption war is only targeted at officials of the last administration while evidently corrupt serving or ex-public service officials, who are either of the ruling party or closely connected to the seat of power, are simply left untouched. Worse still, we are faced with a situation where if one can organize a verbal lynch mob against the Jonathan administration or loudly cook up allegations of embezzled high sounding financial figures, he is sure to have his fraud forgiven, or even elevated to the status of a saint.

How else do you explain how a person charged and convicted of corrupt practices in the United States and is currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gets so easily accorded undue privileges.

How about this? A former Nigeria leader who allegedly has two aircraft flying all over the world but daily accuses others of corruption is canonised almost to the status of an angel, solely on account of his noise and nuisance value. But we all knew that prosperity was nowhere near him as he was a broken man resource-wise before his election.

We are also aware of how a former officer in a cottage hospital who became a state governor and funded several elections in the country, including presidential elections, has suddenly become a poster boy of the ruling party. It is also possible that his embarrassing credentials as a notorious noise maker, especially when it has to do with accusing every other person of corruption, catapulted him to sainthood.

More of such characters, by merely calling others corrupt, have been left off the hook, while EFCC chased mere mortals. The joke in town is that if you are holding a political office or aspiring to hold elective or appointive office, you have to wear the toga of anti-corruption to be sanctified, even if you are a notorious thief.

Although government

officials have been struggling to justify the obvious cases of selective probe, one clear thing is that such bigoted investigations can never address the issue of corruption, rather it will encourage it. It only creates room for heightened impunity with the understanding that once you support the government you are safe.

For instance, Governor Adams Oshiomhole recently accused the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) of generating N162 billion but remitting only N2 billion in the last financial year. This suggests that the NPA mismanaged about N160 billion. Strangely, the man incharge of the NPA at the time in question,and was sacked by the Jonathan administration, has been reappointed by the APC government to continue in the same position.

Another case is the probe of the Presidential Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMS). President Obasanjo set up PICOMS for reasons considered absurd by industry operators because it was, more or less, a duplication of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

President Jonathan felt it was a waste pipe and closed it down. Now the panel is to investigate Jonathan who disbanded PICOMS, but the government that set up the controversial contraption is not to answer any question.

This is synonymous with a situation where a community leader digs a pit somewhere in the community and children have been randomly falling into it, getting their limbs broken in the process. Then a new leader comes and decides to cover the pit. But rather than receive commendation for his wisdom, the leader is arrested by the police while the same security agents continue to praise the one that dug the pit.

The following extract by British novelist Green Graham, in his novel entitled, ‘The Heart of the Matter’, is rather long. But it clearly captures the futility of waging an ill-conceived anti-corruption war. He states: “They had been corrupted by money, and he had been corrupted by sentiment. Sentiment was the more dangerous, because you could not name its price. A man open to bribes was to be relied upon below a certain figure, but sentiment might uncoil in the heart at a name, a photograph, even a smell remembered.”

Verbal terrorism There is a need to point out that a number of things are not quite right in this war against corruption.

There is so much noise, so much fury, so much Continues on page 16

PAGE 16 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Our losses to gas flaring Continued from page 14

defaced by the destruction of all beauty and variety is as contrary to satisfactory living conditions and the development as the breakdown of the fundamental ecological equilibrium is harmful to physical and mental health”.

Right to a satisfactory environment therefore imposes clear obligation upon government to prevent pollution and ecological degradation, to promote conservation and to secure an ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources.

The state is under an obligation to desist from directly threatening the health and environment of its citizens – i.e. non interventionist conduct to carry out or sponsor or tolerate any practice which violates the integrity of the individual.

Eferiekose Ukala (2011) estimated that 2.5 billion cf/ d, i.e., 75% of gas produced is flared; i.e., 40% of Africa’s gas consumption, a loss of US $6 million per day to Nigeria revenue = over US $2 billion annually: what’s the problem?

Asiodu condemns the failure for 20years to fix the price and a “Framework that

incentivizes the exploration gas and thus stop the development of harmful materials to human life and environment”. The law of 1984 declared illegal all gas flaring but the minister could give reprieve: today Nigeria flares 75%; 12% re-injected of its gas.

CRIMINAL NEGLECT All governments, since 1984, should be held for criminal negligence of the health of the people and despoliation of the environment, but, more importantly, for making Nigeria to remain poor because of selfish interest. If we were losing US $2 billion every year from 1984, that is a projected loss of over US $125 billion over the years. Admittedly some of this money would have gone to pay for the cost of gathering the gas, there would have been other benefits that would have surpassed even this, including the acquisition of technical knowledge in the gas field and pipeline work and, more fundamentally, the provision of electricity to our people and to industry which would have quadrupled the benefits in addition to the incalculable

health benefits the absence of gas flaring would bring to the people of the Niger Delta. The people of the area took Shell to court in Gbemure vs. Shell.

There is, however, a legal conundrum: Gas flaring violates the constitutional rights to life and dignity of the people, while the gas flaring itself is unconstitutional and void.

What manner of government do we have?

Why should big Federal Government hide behind an IOC to perpetrate an illegality which the government itself promulgated? If those gas flares were in Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Ibadan, Enugu, Onitsha, Maidugiri or Yola, I am sure they would have been put off in 1984, the year government initially said the flares would cease, or soon after. But when the sufferers are Ogonis, Ijaws, Ibibios, etc., there is no fire in the belly of the Federal Government, no political will to act.

It’s all well and good to take the money from the Niger Delta even at the cost of their health and the degradation of their environment.

PROBE This whole argument of gas

flaring misses the point – yes it is a pollutant; but, more importantLY it is revenue.

Why should the Nigerian Government even be reluctant to meet its selfish ends by stopping gas flaring and turning the gas to revenue?

Who was being paid to make Nigeria lose revenue of US $125 billion? Is this not an issue worth probing?

Why should Nigeria pay such deference to an IOC to the detriment of its own people? Why should government continue to rely totally on an IOC’s stipulations? In the Gbemure case, the judge was transferred and the trial files were lost!!! A similar case had been thrown out by the court in Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, the 2010 Law is too vague for the law courts to interpret or apply.

It says: “Any person who flares gas after 31 Dec. 2010, contrary to Section 1(2) of this Act commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable to conviction and pay a penalty which shall be equal to the cost of the volume of gas flared at the international market at the date of the flaring”. The law is meaningless; what is the cost of gas?

How can you measure the actual amount?

The fee in 1979 for gas flaring was 0.50 naira per million cubic feet. In January 1998, it was 10 per million cf

(mcf) which at Nov. 2003 exchange rate was equivalent to US $150,000 - $370,000 annually. This is the total fine for gas flaring. But losses from flared gas, according to the BPE could be in the region of US $2.5 billion! Gas flaring is plagued by conflict of interest – DPR, competing jurisdiction – FEPA, and DPR. Ideally all further exploration should stop until answers to what we do with associated gas have been given. Associated gas should be supplied to Bonny and West African pipeline, and to households through out West Africa. All ministerial certificates, giving reprieve to oil companies should be published; ministers must disclose how they came to the decision to give these certificates. All senior officials should stand close to a flaring site for as long as they can endure. This would show them how harmful and untenable gas flaring can be.

One thing that we have come to learn about oil and gas is that our leaders and rulers are the ones who misinform the public. There has been a gas master plan for long but vested interests frustrated it. Now the main proponent of that master plan has been sacked. Even if he was not sacked, nothing would have happened without a political will which still does not exist.

Nigeria and the way we fight corruption Continued from page 15

intimidation but no substance. The political vocabulary of Nigerians has just been enriched by a new concept known as verbal terrorism. It is no longer a secret that former government officials and top civil servants are routinely invited to hotels and moneys extorted from them by characters who are no better than crooks, but claim close contacts to the seat of power.

No nation can grow fast if her citizens work under undue pressure arising from constant intimidation. This is because the atmosphere will never promote innovation which is the necessary incentive for growth. In activities that require deep thinking, especially in this era of knowledge-based systems, productivity declines when people work under an atmosphere of fear.

Intimidation obviously works better in a slave labour set up where brawn rather than the brain is required to function.

The anti-Jonathan crusaders may be poised to stone to death anyone who talks good of his

administration. But is it really correct to keep claiming that Jonathan either achieved nothing or did not fight corruption at all?

I beg to disagree. Try as his critics could, atleast they couldn’t blur the luster of some of his very obvious achievements. On the political front, it was Jonathan who gave INEC its true independence and subsequently opened up the political space by allowing the registration of new parties, including the APC, at a time when it would have been considered inconvenient by one of his predecessors.

Given the deplorable state to which the sector had fallen, his landmark achievement in agriculture is unimpeachable. Through the Agriculture Transformation Agenda, he made significant contributions to food security and job creation.

Corruption in the sector was also drastically reduced, and billions of Naira saved in fertiliser subsidies while ensuring that millions of registered farmers received seed and fertiliser inputs through the E-Wallet scheme.

On public financial management, the ministry of finance under him introduced new tools including the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) which eliminated 46,000 ghost workers. We are all now conversant with the Treasury Single Account (TSA), a system designed by the last administration to block leakages, but which the new administration now seems to have appropriated, without giving credit to Jonathan.

It is obvious that the ongoing frenzied denunciation of the Jonathan era is designed to divert public attention from what is now increasingly manifesting as the unpreparedness, mistakes or crass ineptitude of this administration. Of course, it just won’t be cool or in agreement with the spirit of Buharimania, if the public is allowed to make sense of the lack of policy direction and uncertainty which is now gravely hurting the economy, or the failure of the administration to appoint a cabinet, or the fastly dwindling national enthusiasm, or the embarrassing arguments, denial and counter denial of

the 100 days promises between the party and the Presidency and utter lack of tangible achievements.

It is indeed a sad commentary on the international image of the country to think that the Buhari administration has spent the last 100 days creating the impression that the President is being held back from appointing Ministers, because of the difficulty in discovering honest men in a country of over 170 million people. So what this means is that we are all doomed, 170 million of us, in the eyes of the international community if our own president willfully or inadvertently declares all of us as corrupt, too corrupt to hold public offices.

But no matter how they try to pull a wool over our eyes with the diversionary charges against the Jonathan administration, there is one issue we will not lose track of, as far as the anti-corruption crusade is concerned. It has to do with the way of recruiting the team that will push the agenda of government. A situation where more than 75% of political appointments come from the North actually portrays the

administration as short on moral rectitude, which, in itself, should serve as the foundation for prosecuting the war.

For instance, this is the first time in the recent past where both the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation are located in one part of the country.

Former Presidents usually kept one of these offices in the North and the other in the South. These lopsided appointments may be one of the manifestations of the change that 12 million Nigerians voted against but certainly not the change 15 million APC sympathizers voted for. It is obvious that Nigerians are in agreement that corruption should be given a knock-out punch in order to free our system from debilitating encumbrances that are hampering growth and development. But as in every battle, the commanders of this anticorruption war shouldn’t just be above board, they must be seen to be a notch above the status of mere mortals.

Mr Okpanachi, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Makurdi, Benue State

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 17

Lesbians won’t let me rest on Facebook, cries Ella Mensah S

•Ella Mensah

exy Ella Mensah is a Ghanaian actress who spends most of her time in Nigeria. A mother of one, Ella came to Nigeria to shoot a film and ended up shooting five other films back-to-back. Now, she is seen more as a Nollywood actress than a Ghollywood one. To drive home this fact, the actress permanently has on her Blackberry, a personal message “Hottest Ghanaian actress in Nollywood”. Hot and wild as they come, Ella doesn’t set rigid rules for herself. As an actress, the Ghanaian beauty takes on roles many of her colleagues wouldn’t dare. Getting really romantic and sensual on set is to Ella what candy is to a child and she has even played as a lesbian, a role many wouldn’t touch.

“Oh yes, I’ve played a couple of them, a lot of them. October is going to be exactly three years I’ve been in the movie industry, and I think the second movie I ever shot in Nigeria, was a lesbian movie. It’s called ‘Gone Girl’ where I played as Amanda Ebeye’s lesbian partner.

I’ve played a couple of lesbian roles but funny enough, I hardly remember all the titles because most are working titles. Even in ‘Educated Housemaids’ too, I had a lesbian scene”, she told Potpourri in a chat.

But it would appear her lesbian roles are stalking her as the actress confessed to Potpourri that many lesbians now harass her on Facebook with all sorts of propositions, thinking she’s one of them.

“A lot on Facebook; you know when your fans watch your movie I think most of them think the character is who you are, so I get so many girls on Facebook; lesbian girls telling me how much they love me and all that, but I always send a message across that I am not a lesbian but they don’t get it because they see you acting so in movies” she said mournfully.

Pasuma romances Yoruba actress Motunrayo C

elebrities don’t usually own up to romantic relations among themselves, at least not until it blows wide open in the public or something so big happens. Stella Damasus and Daniel Ademinokan were supposedly working on a project, at least that was the claim of the actress until the project ended up in the bedroom. Tiwa Savage and Tillz Bliss were working partners until they became life partners. So were, Gbenro Ajibade and Osas Ighodaro, Ella Njubigbo and Chidi Chikere, the list is endless.

And one entertainer who has had several allegations of secret sexual affairs with many Yoruba actresses is none other than Wasiu Alabi Pasuma. Pasuma seems to love swimming in the ocean of Yoruba actresses so much so he nearly turned himself into a Yoruba actor at one time, featuring and even bankrolling many Yoruba films. There’s even a rumour that many Yoruba actresses fall at his knees, to have him bankroll their movie projects. His sizzling romance with Ronke Odusanya made a big media show; so was the rumour that Fathia Balogun was also in his love nest. The new girl on his radar now, according to sources, is a new upcoming Yoruba actress simply identified as Motunrayo. She’s dark and built along the same lines as Ronke Odusanya.

Our sources gave the allegation a strong stand, by backing the leak with a picture of Pasuma and the said Motunrayo, in what you would want to call ‘sensually compromising position’. But is this another rumour or a true romantic tale in the making? Trust your loving Potpourri to be on the case and will give you the true picture before long.

‘

•Saraphina

Why I don’t flaunt my big boobs – Saraphina M

any bloggers and enthusiastic entertainment penpushers have made several attempts to identify the actress that has the biggest boobs in Nollywood and many of them have come up short. But there seems to be one person most of them believe the crown befits – Cossy!

Yeah, good old Cossy would, without much doubts, come to mind because her boobs are almost always out there for all to see. But on a location in Owerri recently, even Cossy took off her hat to another actress, conceding defeat. Of course it is Saraphina Onyeakachi Amaechi “ Yes, there was boobs competition which I won. But I must confess Saraphina is bigger than me. I only won the contest because she failed a question and I was the next best and more enlightened, so, I won” says Cossy when asked what it was like going head to head with Saraphina.

No doubt Saraphina’s boobs are there for all to see and it doesn’t appear there is much she could do to hide them, but she would tell you she doesn’t like flaunting them.

“Many people think I flaunt my boobs but I don’t. Why would I want to flaunt these boobs, aren’t they obvious enough?”, she wanted to know and I reminded her there are some pictures of hers that suggest nothing, but ‘I got it, I have to flaunt it’ kind of pose.

“No, I must not flaunt my boobs because people have eyes and I needn’t do that before they know that I am gifted.

Check all Cossy’s pictures and that’s what we call flaunting. For me, I don’t flaunt them” she reasoned but it somewhat left me up creek without a paddle. Do you agree with her?

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

PAGE 18, SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

We don’t like being called dancers — P-Square

P PSquare

opular Nigerian R&B duo, Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, are by far the best singing group, not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent. At least the last MAMAs nailed the truth on the head.

And despite being faced with many controversies, these music duo have undoubtedly won the hearts of their numerous fans all over the world with their kind of music.

Meeting up recently with Peter Okoye,

Lagos Speak er Speaker er,, Ini Edo, Odunlade, 6,000 other el ffor or Laf otherss ssttorm Ek Ekoo Hot Hotel Lafffta Fes Festt L agos State Deputy Speaker, actors, Ini Edo and Odulade Adekola were among the over 6,000 people that thronged Eko Hotel last Sunday for the Globacom packaged comedy cum entertainment fiesta tagged ‘Glo Laffta Fest’.

Basketmouth, AY Bovi,Okey Bakassi, I go dye, Seyi Law, Funny Bone and Gordons and Salvador from Uganda were all out to thrill the fun-seeking audience who nearly laughed their hearts out from their dose of hilarious jokes.

But the night was not all about jokes, there was scintillating music too and Glo ambassadors Wizkid and Burna Boy strummed the minds of many with their top of the draw performances and songs.

Basketmouth who co-emceed the event was at his best and sustained the tempo, with his trademark hilarious jokes.

Comedians AY, Funny Bone, Seyi Law and Salvador were in their best as they held the audience spell-bound, provoking spontaneous

L-R: Nollywood actress, Ini Edo; Comedienne Helen Paul; Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun Samuel and Yoruba Nollywood actor Odunlade Adeola laughter throughout their time on stage. Some of those who graced the event were Nollywood stars and Glo Ambassadors, including Helen Paul, Dija, Rickardo Banks,and Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Wasiu Eshinlokun Samuel and Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Cooperative, Dorothy Gimba among others.

Shirley Igwe gets cosy with new actor on set W ho wouldn’t want to get cosy with stunning beauty, Shirley Igwe, Nollywood’s actress and former principal protocol officer of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State? The lucky guy is the upcoming, dashing actor, Bolanle Ninolowo, who had several cosy moments with the smashing actress in a new movie. They look good together, don’t they?

Bolanle Ninolowo and Shirley Igwe star in the new movie “My Neighbors Wife” produced by Diven Touch Productions and shot in Owerri. This is a few weeks after the movie “The PrenUp” hit the market .

C M Y K

The two actors played an unforgettable role in the film which is a story of a star actor ‘Desmond’ who moved into a new apartment to find out that all his neighbors are his die-hard fans. War for his attention springs up between his neighbors’ wives, sisters and entire compound occupants.

Heaven was let loose when his former girlfriend in America, current girlfriend and his neighbours’ wives collide.

The movie also features Uche Ogbodo, Mimi Orjiekwe Pius, Charles Pius, Chinenye Uyanna, Andy Ike, among others.

of the P-Square twins, at a restaurant in Lagos where he spoke about their fame, challenges, controversies and other sundry issues, the Dance With Peter host said he feels let down when people see them as just dancers instead of the entertainers they are.

“I am used to people saying I love Psquare because they know how to dance, but the fact is that I don’t like it when people refer to us as dancers” he said wryly “They can regard us as entertainers and musicians because it makes us more presentable. A fan once told me that ‘Peter, I love you guys because of your kind of love songs’. But the question is when last did a love song sell or made a hit in Nigeria, aside “Olufunmi” by Starplus and probably, “Beautiful Onyiye” by Psquare” “These days people are used to the song they play in the club so, even if you release a love song, they won’t play it in the club because it belongs to a different genre. I’m happy we have a fan who still believes in love songs and we are going to revive it”

Five cities get Spinall and Friends treatment Five cities of Lagos, Benin, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Enugu, recently got a treatment of exhilarating fun and entertainment when Smirnoff hit the cities with its Spinall and Friends City Tour which has on board Smirnoff brand ambassador, DJ Spinall and a-list musical acts like MI, Ice Prince, Sean Tizzle, Vector, Kiss Daniel and Burna Boy. At the upscale urban-spot Spice Route in Lagos, DJ Spinall delivered top notch performance which was further amplified to a rousing crescendo by Mr. Incredible (MI), Wande Coal and Perfect Gentleman Sean Tizzle.

Ancient city of Benin got its own dose from hip hop mallam; Ice Prince and the ladies man, Adekunle Gold, who repeated what they did in Benin in Abuja.Guests at the Coal City of Enugu and the Garden City of Port Harcourt went into frenzy as hip hop galala master Burna Boy rendered Check and Balance, one of his hit songs. Meanwhile, Smirnoff Brand Ambassador, DJ Spinall, at all of the venues, created a sensation of his own, with his breathtaking and exhilarating disc jockeying prowess, which got guests mesmerised and truly entertained.

In his comment, Mr. Toluwalashe Ogunyemi, Brand Manager, Smirnoff, said the brand will continuously seek opportunities to ensure its loyal consumers remain a part of its unique party experience as Spinall and Friends tour other cities.

Shirley Igwe and Bolanle Ninolowo

DJ Spinall and Friends

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 19 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

The “Incredible Dance Group” made up of 21 year-old Peter Osawere (2nd right) and three siblings (from left), Joseph Owusu, (17), Stella Owusu (14) and Samuel Owusu (19)

Kaffy takes steam off Peter Okoye at Lagos Dance with Peter audition

T

he Lagos audition of the Globacomsponsored Reality TV

Show, ‘Dance with Peter’, got really hot on Tuesday as show promoter, Peter

Okoye of Psquare, went on the audition stage to challenge a contestant who was making a “mess” of the legendary ‘Bad’

Nigeria’s ffir irirsst women rradio adio ssttation presents its leading OAPs

By ADERONKE ADEYERI On Thursday, St. Ives Communications, owners of WFM 91.7, Nigeria’s 1st Radio station for women and their families presented the voices and faces that will be its core on-air-personalities to a select cream of media practitioners.

The quartet of Abisola Grace Aiyeola, Nigerian British-born, currently studying Business management at National Open University of Nigeria; Nigeria’s budding actress and singer, Funmi Jinadu, who cut her teeth in radio broadcasting at BBC Bristol, UK and an active member of the National Union of Journalists, United Kingdom;Bolatito Bez Idakula, a former banker with a B.Sc. in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick, England and an M.Sc. in Management from Imperial College, London, and Chinedu Faith Nwagha, a public speaker, customer service consultant and an advocate of personal development were presented to the media as the leading voices and faces that will run things at WFM

91.7 as the station’s core on-air-personalities – OAPs. Presenting the young and talented broadcasters at the event which took place inside the cozy environs of Protea Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya stated that the quartet were selected from over 5,000 applicants that showed interest in working for WFM 91.7. “The selection process was thorough and painstakingly executed.

We were lucky to have veteran broadcasters like Femi Sowoolu, Seun Olagunju, Sydney Ufeli of Spik Rait, Saund Rait, etc. on the selection panel. So, what we are serving the listening public are the best of our bests,” she said Present at the unveiling ceremony were top officials and directors of St. Ives Communications, the holding company that runs WFM 91.7 radio station. They include: Dr. Babatunde Okewale, Executive Chairman of St. Ives Communications, Kiki Wale Okewale, Executive Director at St. Ives Communications, Olayinka Lawal, Head of Sales & Marketing at WFM 91.7 and other staff of WFM 91.7 radio.

steps of the late Michael Jackson.

The Dream Studios, Bamako Estate, Lagos, venue of the audition erupted in cheers as Peter, left the judges’ stand and climbed the stage to re-enact with perfection Michael Jackson’s steps in the “Bad” track.

Though Peter delivered and got huge applause of the recording crew and other contestants waiting to perform, he was however, ruled out of contest by fellow judge and dance legend, Kaffy, who intoned with magisterial finality, “looking at you from here and given what we are looking for in this show, I say come back to your seat and you are ruled out of contest.” This threw the studio into loud guffaws.

More excitements came from Ehis Okoegule who challenged the judges for disqualifying twin dancers, Oliver and Emmanuel Wilson, who, despite a scintillating performance were sent packing. Then13-year old Angel UkaroAgunbiade, a Junior Secondary School III student of Grange School, Lagos, took the audition to the next level with her marvelous dance steps which earned her a ‘ yes verdict’ Alozie Malachi, an ex student of Nnekede Polytechnic, Owerri, all female dance group, Terrific Steppers, from the Loveworld Creative Arts Academy, a dance academy of the Christ Embassy Church, and the duo of Precious Ighofese and Hero Zaria of the Fire Flame, who travelled all the way from Ugheli in Delta State for the audition, impressed the judges.

The auditions for the Dance with Peter started in Abuja two weeks ago, with the train moving to Accra Ghana on Tuesday last week. Benin City played host to the audition’s crew last Saturday. The last one held in Port Harcourt, last Thursday, September 10.

Olamide, Phyno celebrate their heroes in Made of Black campaign fanfare

A

mid rollercoasting fanfare, grandeur and hype the Guinness Brand Ambassadors surprised and celebrated their own #madeofblack heroes in Lagos and Enugu recently.

While Olamide identified Tunde Adebanjo aka Euro as his #madeofblack hero, Phyno celebrated Mr. Macdonald Ikem Odenigbo aka DJ Good Noise as his.

Visiting their heroes at their homes amid fanfare and pageantry, the duo explained the rationale behind their choices. Olamide and Phyno stated that it was important to recognize someone with a clear passion for creativity, sacrifice and zeal to make a difference.

According to Olamide, Adebanjo was celebrated “because of his selfless contribution to humanity and the society. He has done a lot for his community and environment and that is what the Made of Black campaign is all about; redefining black not as a colour but as an attitude that inspires individuals, charging them to greater feats. Adebanjo is my hero; he is made of more, made of attitude, made of swag; simply he is made of black”.

For Phyno, Mr. Odenigbo is worthy to be celebrated because he is bold. He is a determined individual, who inspires others to greatness.

Odenigbo, a music producer, rapper, director and a disc

jockey is one of the originators of Igbo rap in the 1990s. With degrees in Mass Communication and Psychology, he has worked with the many hip hop artistes including: Tuface Idibia, Nigga Raw, Smart Man, Ill bliss and Obiwon.

The event was spiced by the presence of Ehiz, Doris Simeon, Seyi Law, DJ Xlusive,and DNMT, Nigeria’s top dance group.

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

PAGE 20, SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Because of BON awards, I make enemies yearly – Seun Oloketuyi

By JULIET EBIRIM

P

lans are currently underway to hold the seventh edition of the Best Of Nollywood awards scheduled to hold on December 12, 2015 at ‘The Dome’ in Akure, Ondo State. In this Interview, Seun Oloketuyi, Executive Producer of Best of Nollywood talks about the pains and gains of hosting the award yearly. Excerpts: What’s going to be different about this year’s award?

For those who have been attending the event, it gets better every year. This is because we try to learn from our mistakes and experiences. We don’t claim to know it all and so we learn from people. The most important thing we’ve kept alive from the first edition till now, is that we’ve been able to make the award very credible. Over the years, we’ve tried to make sure the award remains credible. This year, we are making conscientious efforts to make sure that it’s a success. Its going to hold in the biggest event centre in Africa, The Dome, recently built in Ondo State by the state government and we believe that it’s going to be an event people will not forget in a hurry.

How do you draw up your list of nominees?

We follow some procedures. First of all, we call out for entries and movie producers submit their movies. This year alone, we have close to 400 movies.

We are the only award that accepts movies from the Hausa genre. We believe that all Nigerian movie genres are of Nollywood, irrespective of language. So, we have close to 400 movies that have been screened and by October, we’ll come up with the list of nominees. After that, the jury will sit and come up with the winners. That’s how the winners emerge yearly.

What’s the criteria for each category?

I wouldn’t want to go into that for some reasons. First, I’m not part of the jury. I just ensure that the movies are submitted and other necessary steps are taken for a smooth and credible selection. I don’t know the criteria and I don’t even sit at their meetings.

Do the audience have a say in the selection process?

Yes, but in a few categories. We know it’s going to be difficult for the audience to be passionate about some people. For instance, if a Chelsea Eze does fantastically well in a movie and a Genevieve Nnaji also does well and they are both nominated for the Best Actress category. People won’t vote for Genevieve based on her performance in the movie, but on the love and passion they could vote for her. That was why we left it to the jury so as to give everybody a level playing ground.

Although there are some categories we throw open to the audience like; ‘The Kiss of the year’ and ‘Best Use of Food in a movie’. We are trying to promote our culture with the later. For these two categories, the people decide who wins, whoever gets the highest number of votes is the winner.

How did you come up with the ‘Kiss of the Year’ category and how has it been received?

It was funny and that was in 2011. I went to do a presentation for sponsorship with a toothpaste brand.

After the presentation, they told me they would love to come on board, but nothing appeals to them in everything I’ve told them. They asked me what I can think of that would make the brand relevant. Because I didn’t want to lose the opportunity of getting the sponsorship that year, the idea just came on the spur of the moment as if it’s been already prepared. I told them ‘The Kiss of the Year’ and the brand manager and marketing manager gladly bought into it and that was how that category came to be. The following year, when they didn’t turn up to sponsor the category, we still left it because we discovered that it was one of the most popular categories. When we put it on YouTube every year, it generates a lot of viewership.

What challenges do you face organising this award every year?

Truly, that I’ve not had a heart failure is by God’s grace. Getting state and corporate sponsorship every year is very difficult. Besides, we live in a country where a lot of people do not believe that people can get things without having connections. That’s why when some people tell me, ‘I must win this year’. I just laugh and say I can’t determine

who gets nominated or who wins. I make a lot of enemies yearly. When the nominees’ list is released, I get more friends warming up to me. Immediately after the awards, I lose a lot of friends.

People say a lot of things but I’m used to it. My joy is that those who win know that they didn’t have to do anything to emerge winners, besides working hard.

What gives me the most satisfaction is on the day of the award, when the winners are called out and they are surprised, shocked, happy and excited as they walk to the stage.

What has kept you going all these years despite these challenges?

The number one thing that has kept me going is passion. Even though I read History and International Relations, I don’t think I have the patience to be a diplomat. This is the only thing that comes naturally to me. In 2011, almost everyone close to me advised me to stop organising BON awards. That year, we didn’t have a single sponsor and after the award I was owing more than six million naira, with no physical means of paying back.

What distinguishes the BON award from the other awards out there?

Not just the award, but what makes Best Of Nollywood different is that when we started, we made up our mind that since the industry is underreported and under-celebrated, we have to bridge that gap. It wasn’t easy at the onset, because a lot of people I spoke to then, told me that it’s not a good industry to invest in. I almost listened to them, but thank God I didn’t. I really love the arts, sometimes I wonder that if I put all the energy I’m putting into

It wasn’t easy at the onset, because a lot of people I spoke to then, told me that it’s not a good industry to invest in. I almost listened to them, but thank God I didn’t

BON into the music industry, I won’t be where I am today, we would have been at the pinnacle. Most corporate brands are not really promoting their brands with movies, a lot of them are doing that with music. I don’t know why that’s the case because I’ve done a lot of research and brainwork to find out why companies don’t identify with the movies. Nollywood is appreciated more outside the country, but I pray it gets better. I have only achieved 45% of the dream I have for BON. My dream is that when anyone wants to do anything that has to do with Nollywood, they don’t have a choice but to come to us.

The other awards we have are different; ‘City People Entertainment Awards’ is an all-round entertainment award. ‘African Magic Viewers Choice Awards’ is a viewers choice award targeted at the whole of Africa. It’s the viewers who choose the winners not professionals. ‘African Movie Academy Award’ is also totally different. It’s not competition. The only award that does something similar to what we do is Nollywood Movie Award. Although I’ve never met the organiser of the award, I know he doesn’t see me as a competitor because times without number we consult each other when the need arises. No two awards are similar. What we are trying to do is celebrate Nollywood every year.

Have you had instances where stars come to lobby for the awards?

That happens every year. There was one very tempting offer in 2011, we didn’t have a sponsor for the award and it was tough trying to put the award together. A friend reached out to me to say that a particular nominee who was nominated in two categories was prepared to give me N500,000 provided she wins the award. It was tempting at the time because the money meant a lot considering the issues on ground. (That day, we couldn’t even give out plaques.

We just used one plaque for the entire award. That was how horrible it was.) I turned down the offer, but guess what, the actress won on merit at the end of the day. Some of them just tell me playfully that they must win this year, but I know they’re serious.

How far have you gone with sponsorship for this year’s award?

This has been a very turbulent year in the history of Nigeria. First of all, it was an election year, the election was a keenly contested one and the government spent a lot of money on it.

The net-worth of government’s income dropped drastically. That’s why as much as 18 states are owing salaries. It means that you can’t go to those 18 states to solicit for sponsorship. But we thank God that the Governor of Ondo State, Gov. Olusegun Mimiko came to our rescue by deciding to host the award.

He just finished building the biggest event center in Africa in Akure ‘The Dome’. It has been tough getting sponsorship but we’re still on it, networking and throwing proposals around. By the end of October, we hope to have a couple of companies coming on board to sponsor the show.

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

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 21

Sharing yyour our ffeelings eelings without pushing him a way to feel happy, loved, and aw Whether or not you

Y

BY ONOZURE DANIA

ou as a woman are not supposed to be more like a man, and seek to “detach” from your emotions as you feel them. Your feelings are a gift that brings richness to your life and experience. But how do you share your feelings with the man in your life?

recognize it right now, the thing real men want most from the woman they’re with is to see her simply happy and smiling because of who he is and the good things he does. Knowing this, what do you think happens when a Real Man who would want more than anything for you

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08131199233, 09034408563 •Kayode, 26 and resides in Lagos, needs sponsorship for his music career. 08185220702, 07038957003 • Iwebiagbo, needs kind Nigerians to help him financially to set up a Block Industry Act Name Oselokelim Iwebiagbo, Current Act No1017037649, UBA 08025152808, 08039419898 •Leonard, 35, from Anambra state, needs someone to finance his motor parts business, from China 08033450749 •Ella, 18, student, needs a God fearing man or woman to sponsor her university education. 08163676927 • Bola Sulyman, a creative designer, marketer and publisher, needs sponsorship for his business Acct No 0122031677, GTBank 07036707564,07069399645 Links

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delighted by him and his actions hears that something he might not have even known would upset you made you feel awful?

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This isn’t a great feeling for a man to feel in his relationship and it can eventually drive a man to stop listening or trying if a woman gets upset with him for too many things he can’t understand.

If you want a man to know that your relationship is something he wants to last and keep going, then he should feel like it’s easy to know how to make you happy and not upset you accidentally to the point where you lose your cool

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How does the man in your life think about you and how you share your more “difficult” feelings?

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DISCLAIMER!

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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

Why Aliabe deserves the crown in Bayelsa Dear Sir,

T

HE entrance of Chief Timi Alaibe into the governorship race in Bayelsa State, did not take any one by surprise because

it was long expected.

With it, came a sigh of relief to Bayelsans, who had almost lost hope that their beloved Timi, would not heed the call to serve at the most critical time of Nigeria’s history.

His coming into the ring is one of the few significant events that had occurred in the oil-rich state for a long time, given that the state had not been fortunate to be governed by a purposeful leader in the past four years.

Unlike other aspirants who had come into the scene with baggage of controversies and contradictions, Alaibe is unarguably a breath of fresh air, considering that he has come to serve with clean hands.

An introspection into

his record in public office, speaks volume about the pedigree of this young man, who seeks to govern the state on the platform of the All Pogressives Congress, APC. While other aspirants deserve a level playing

field to exercise their inalienable right, it is imperative to call on the APC leadership not lose sight of the electoral asset which Alaibe’s aspiration represents. *Mr. Temple Komonibo, writes in from Amasoma, Bayelsa State.

clusive application process where forms for the programme were obtained online, a pre – qualification exercise based on objective eligibility criteria, a neutral scientific sampling method that trims down the number of prequalified applicants, interviews in each of the three Senatorial districts to score the shortlisted persons on 5 key parameters (communication, content, comportment, confidence and conviction, ) and picking from the highest scoring applicant downward to get the required trainees for each of YAGEP and STEP. Step by step, the Delta State government is inching closer to its avowed commitment to provide 6,000 direct jobs through Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in line with the “ Prosperity for all Deltans” mantra.

Already, 650 of the second batch are currently in Songhai having dispatched the first batch of 750 trainees to their local government area for a comprehensive training in the area of job and skill interest. These lucky folks are about to make history of becoming not just self employed but employers of labour.

As many would readily confirm, global competitiveness is skill driven.

The unemployment situation will never be overcome unless we follow the footsteps of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who has through his job and wealth creation scheme commenced a process that emphasises on manpower development as a vehicle for change.

Indeed, these are best of times for the people of Delta State.

The Delta economy of the future Dear Sir,

A

s if guided by un seen hands, Gov ernor Ifeanyi Okowa, had in the course of the campaigns weeks after emerging as the PDP Governorship candidate in a keenly contested primaries told farmers and artisans drawn from the Delta Central region in a no – holds-barred session in Delta Songhai, Amukpe, that his Agricultural and industrialisation programme then at the embryonic stage would be result driven both from the organisational and demand perceptive.

To drive home his point, he threw the capacity filled conference hall into a thunderous applause when he said as governor, he would not hesitate to fire any government official who fails to show competence even if the official is a nominee of the PDP Campaign Organisation Chairman, Professor

Sam Oyovbaire.

But this piece is not to relive that Songhai event, even though, it is not accidental that the same Delta Songhai is the melting pot of the agricultural and industrialisation scheme of the Delta State government.

Rather, this illustration of the Songhai experience is to lay a foundation upon which to ventilate my thoughts on why it was necessary for the Delta State government to subject applicants for the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme ( STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP ) to series of measures aimed at ensuring that those to be unveiled as entrepreneurs at the end of the exercise are snow-white clean from “ god fatherism” factor which was one of the key reasons previous attempts at poverty alleviation failed.

In the past, web of in-

trigues made nonsense of government’s effort to galvanise the youths into agriculture and other non informal sectors despite huge budgetary allocation. Instead, past government continued to strut the stage and extol the virtues of a diversified economy with little or no visible impact on social infrastructure and welfare.

Therefore, as a precursor to a successful upstart of the STEP and YAGEP job and wealth creation scheme, the Delta State government chose to embark on a one week orientation programme for the beneficiaries at Songhai Amukpe, Sapele Local Government Area, to prepare them for a new phase of life.

Interestingly, Delta Songhai modelled after the integrated Rural Development and Entrepreneurship Centre of Songhai in Parakou Port Novo,Benin Republic

had been the epic centre of support programme aimed at stimulating the interest of the youths in sustainable agriculture and agro-business since it was created by the James lbori’s administration in March 2003.

In the last administration, it was Youth Empowerment Through Agriculture ( YETA) that Songhai Delta played host to as part of its contribution to food sufficiency and self employment.

However, poised to rarity the imperfections of YETA, and more importantly to that those to emerge from the 70,000 applicants for the Skills, Training and Entrepreneurship Programme ( STEP ) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP), basks in the euphoria of personal integrity a vigorous process of selection that is fool-proof from corruption was adopted.

A transparent and in-

Amaechi Udemba is Media Aide to Governor of Delta State

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 23

Should an impotent husband seek the ‘help’ of a friend?

F

IDELIS got married late - in his early 40s. Two years into his marriage, he could no longer get an erection. “I’d had problems with my libido in the past”, he confessed, “and by the time I met Lisa, my wife, making love was very infrequent. She was only 23 and I thought that she would be fertile enough to get pregnant with the infrequent time, I could have sex.

But she didn’t. It wasn’t really her fault as my semen was often watery.

I won’t bore you with the details of efforts I made to have a child. I have resigned myself to the reality of my impotence.

“Unfortunately, I have a young wife who has a strong sex drive and always has a need for penetrative sex to achieve full satisfaction. So, my impotence has come as a big disappointment to her. As a result, we have both confided in Ade, a very close and trustworthy friend whom we have known for many years. He has four children but is currently separated from his wife.

After much discussion, he has offered to help.

He is well-endowed and my wife and I are keen to accept his offer, as we believe this would solve our problems. I’m all for it as I feel that we could all get something from it. He lives alone as the wife has custody of their. kids, and he needs sex too ... “ As Fidelis rattled on excitedly, I gaped at him in disbelief. Of course, we’ve heard of men who passed on pregnancies they were responsible for

to their mistresses’ unsuspecting husbands.

But to knowingly look for a stand-in lover to help pregnate your wife is pushing desperation to the limit. I told Fidelis that my gut reaction was that it was going to be a total disaster. What works as a fantasy often backfires.

A sex expert I discussed it with was equally appalled.

“Fidelis has to be made to realise that while we all like to pretend we can

separate sex and love, our genitals and our hearts do inhabit the same body,” she explained. “Many weird and wonderful things happen when a couple start having sex.

Powerful and intoxicating hormones transfer through skin-to-skin contact.

Sex connects and bonds people. I wonder if Fidelis will still find it quite so exciting when his wife suddenly packs her bag, ready to move in

with her husband’s ‘wellendowed’ friend. He hasn’t told you how things are going to work.

Does he intend to watch while his wife is being serviced by his enthusiastic friend in the bedroom or would he watch the telly as if nothing is going on?”

“Man sues neighbour he paid to get his wife pregnant but failed after 72 attempts,” is a recent news item that shows the stupidity of Fidelis action.

The story- reads: “In Stuttgart, Germany, a court judge must decide on a case of honourable intentions in a situation where a man hired his neighbour to get his wife pregnant. It seems that Demetrius Soupolos, 29, said his former beauty queen wife, Traute, wanted a child badly, but Demetrius was told by a doctor that he was sterile.

So Soupolos after calming his wife’s protest, hired his neighbour Frank Maus, 34, to impregnate her.

Since Maus was already married and the father of two children plus looked very much like Soupolos to boot, the plan seemed

good. Soupolos paid Maus $2,500 dollars and for three evenings a week for the next six months, Maus tried desperately, a total of 72 different times, to impregnate Traute.

“When his own wife objected, he explained,” I don’t like this any more than you do, I’m simply doing it for the money.

Tryand understand’. When Traute failed to get pregnant after six months however, Soupolos was not understanding and insisted that Maus have a medical examination, which he did. The doctor’s announcement that Maus was also sterile shocked everyone except his wife, who was forced to confess that Maus was not the real father of their children.

“Now Soupolos is suing Maus for breach of contract in an effort to get his money back, but Maus refused to give it up because he said he did not guarantee conception, but only that he would give an honest effort!”

The Camel Pose The Camel echnique: Sitting on the legs and toes out stretched put the palms of the hands float down just behind the toes. Now lean on the hand and throw the head back.

Take a deep breath and slowly lift the heels and thrust forward the lower part of the body and humping up the chest which means your spine being arched.

Retain the posture for a while and return to sitting on the heels with the head held high and breathe out. Rest and repeat.

T

Benefits: The camel posture affects the go-nards and thyroid glands. The spine regains elasticity. It is also a great help against constipation and gas.

C M Y K

C M Y K

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre

The Camel

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

The Camel

P AGE 24 — SUND AY Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 13 , 2015 SUNDA

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

Abortion can change men’s lives too ... A male reader’s reaction

A

few weeks back, this column looked into the plight of older women who had to opt for abortions when they believed they wouldn’t be able to cope with looking after an additional child.

Christopher, 38, an analyst for a consultancy firm and a male reader wondered why male views weren’t considered in the said write-up; afterall, it takes two to get pregnant. His views: ‘’Abortion is seen as an almost entirely female issue. However, it affects men too. I met Rose, a dental assistant eight years ago and fell for her instantly. As we were in our late 20s, we talked early on about what might happen if she accidentally became pregnant and both of us agreed we would want to keep the baby. Although I never dreamt it would happen as she was on the pill, I thought I knew where we stood.

“Then a couple of months into our relationship, Rose rang to say she’d had a dizzy spell and felt nauseous.

I suggested she take a pregnancy test. I hadn’t been looking to become a father but would want to make it work. So when she rang me back to announce she was pregnant, her next words shocked me. ‘I’ve decided to have an abortion,’ she said simply, ‘I don’t want this baby and it’s my choice to make.’ Over the next few weeks, we talked a lot.

I felt powerless - all I could do was listen to Rose’s reasons and try

desperately to show her we could make things work. I even offered-to raise the child alone. My mum had constantly been on my back to give her grandchildren as I’m her only child. She would have gladly helped to look after the baby. But all my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Ultimately, having an abortion was Rose’s right - I had no say in the matter. Afterall, it was her body.

“Sadly, about a month after hearing the news, the pregnancy was over - and so was our relationship. I felt angry with myself that I hadn’t been able to change her mind, and a sense of rejection that I wasn’t good enough for her. I also felt a deep sense of grief and loss that has never really left me. A year after the abortion, I met my current wife, and today we have a gorgeous two-year-old son and another child due any time soon.

“Being a dad is everything I’d imagined

Y

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

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

MY RARE GEM

The day we met was filled with many pleasures Our attraction and caring bond are my life's greatest

it would be, but while I feel incredibly lucky, still at times I can’t help but look into my son’s eyes and wonder what his brother or sister might have been like. My story is not a unique one. Men and women both have a role to play in creating life and bearing responsibility when a pregnancy continues, yet women alone decide whether or not to end it.

To me that seems unfair.

I just wish there was more recognition that abortion can change men’s lives too .. “ New Prostate Treatment Gives Sufferers Two More Years MEN with incurable prostate cancer live two years longer if given chemotherapy at the same time as the standard hormone treatment, according to a major trial. Presently, chemotherapy is only offered to men if the hormone treatment isn’t slowing the cancer ’s spread and many choose not to have it at

all due to the side-effects.

But researchers say their findings are so strong that a form of chemotherapy called doc etaxel should be

routinely given to men as soon as they are diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.

There are 41,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the UK each year and the disease is responsible for a fifth of all types of cancer in men. This includes 10 to 15 per cent which are classified as aggressive tumours and are very difficult to treat as they spread so quickly. The study by researchers at Cardiff and Warwick University is ongoing and involves 6,500 British men with advanced prostate cancer. On average, these men live for between four and five years after being diagnosed with advanced ‘metastatic’ prostate cancer, which means it has spread to the bones or other organs.

But early findings from the trial

treasure.

You're really special, you are the peak; One of a kind, you are unique.

You are a rare and beautiful person And you have delightful attributes Like Devotion, Loyalty and Trust What's more but lots of cutes; And it's amazing how easy it is to be with you.

Okeowo Boluwatife (Tife) Gmail: Okeowof2@gmail.com

LOVE

Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.

Because a bell is no bell 'till you ring it, A song is no song 'till you sing it, And love in your heart Wasn’t put there to stay -

presented a few months ago showed that men lived for an extra 22 months on average if given chemotherapy at the same time as the standard hormone therapy.

Professor Ma1colm Mason of Cardiff University said: ‘The 22 months is a lot of extra time for these men with an incurable disease.

In prostate cancer, chemotherapy has been used at a much more advanced stage of the illness for some years now we know that this chemotherapy should be added earlier, in fact as soon as hormone therapy starts.’ The early results also show that men with aggressive tumours which haven’t yet spread also survive longer if given chemotherapy. Many are still alive and the researchers believe this treatment could enable them to live at least an extra five to six years, if not longer. Docetaxel is

cheap compared to most cancer treatments.

Dr. lain Frame, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘The findings of this trial are potentially gamechanging - we can’t wait to see the full results.

Chemotherapy is currently one of the last resort treatments for advanced prostate cancer. If it is shown to have a much greater impact on survival when prescribed earlier and alongside hormone therapy, that’s incredibly exciting.’ Professor Peter Johnson, Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician, said: ‘Chemotherapy isn’t suitable for everyone, but all men (with

prostate cancer )who are well enough should be offered this treatment combination. ‘ The virgin trap!

(Humour) A young woman goes to see the doctor to ask his advice on a very sensitive matter. “I’m getting married on Saturday,” the distraught young lady cries, “and my husband is convinced I’m a virgin. What he doesn’t know is that I lost my virginity years ago. Is there any way I can convince him that I am still a chaste?” ‘’Medically no,” the doctor replies.

“But I do have a suggestion which may help. On your wedding night, when you’re getting ready for bed, slide an elastic band around your thigh.

When your husband enters you, simply twang the band with your fingers and tell your husband the sound is your hymen snapping.”

On the big day, the newly weds go up to their honeymoon suite. The bride goes into the bathroom and slips the elastic band around her thigh.

The couple then get down to some serious married sex. Just as her husband enters her, the bride snaps the band and moans with what she thinks is a mixture of ecstasy and pain. “What the hell was that?” her husband cries. “Oooh,” the woman moans. “That must have been my virginity snapping, honey.” “Well,” shouts her husband, “snap it back again. It’s caught round my tackler!”

Love isn’t love 'Till you give it away to someone!

CHRIS ONUNAKU dekris4real@yahoo.com 08032988826/08184844015.

True love

Initially I thought that love was something intangible, an illusion of some kind, until I met you.

Your beauty changed me,your life remade me, your voice dazzles me and your attitude re-awakened my philosophy, my intuition and my perception of love.

You are truly my true love.

Akachukwu Ferdinand. akachukwuferdinandc@yahoo.com 08063819314Okeowof2@gmail.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 25

08116759757

Mystery little girl ‘raped’ in Lagos community

BY EBUN SESSOU

F

irst, it was some missed calls that came more than nine times around 6am on Wednesday.

Then, at 8am, the call came again. To know why the calls kept coming, the reporter finally answered and, alas, it was a cry for help.

It was a call from a good Samaritan, Mrs. Ayodele Akele, who lives in Igbologun community, Snake Island, a riverine area in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.

Her cry was for the reporter to do something about a little girl who was said to have been raped by some unknown people in the community.

Narrating the story to Sunday Vanguard, Mrs Akele said she found that blood was all over the little girl’s body. And in an attempt to know what went wrong, she discovered that there were bruises in the girl’s private part.

“We believed she must have been gang-raped because there was blood around her thighs. The way she was walking and shouting also suggested that she must have been gangraped. She was putting her hand in her private part but we stopped her, “she said.

“She was in pains. As much as I tried to help her, it was all to no avail.

I then sought the help of a woman, Mrs Sade Akinwunmi, a trader whose

shop was close to mine and both of us held her. But she never stopped begging for food. ‘Give me food, give me food’, she kept on.

“Then we took her to the baale’s house, where I and the baale’s wife examined her and found that she had no pants on.

“Baale Amusun Alao of Igbologun directed us to the police station but it was a different story entirely.

“A police officer we met at the Igbologun Snake Island Police Station told me to take her back and put her in the boat and leave her there.

“He warned me not to bring a mad girl to the police station again. It was around 11pm on Tuesday. I was shocked, I was afraid, I did not know what to do. Then I asked myself how possible it

We believed she must have been gangraped because there was blood around her thighs

was for me to leave the little girl in the cold; so, I decided to take her to my house, praying that, the next day, God would teach me what to do.

“We kept her in a safe place but she ran away. We searched for her and when we found her, we bathed her and gave her a new dress to wear that night.

“On Wednesday morning, I went back to the baale and told him what the the police said. It was at that point that

the baale told me that some reporters came to the community, on Tuesday, a day before, to investigate some things in the community and, in the process, dropped their phone numbers.

“He advised me to call one of the reporters to see if there could be any help to be rendered to the little girl. So I decided to get the numbers and put a call through to you”. Telling Sunday Vanguard how the little girl

‘ATM thief arrested after withdrawing N140,000 from victim’s account’

By Kennedy Mbele

Adelakun Nurudeen, 32, has been arraigned before a Lagos State Magistrates Court sitting in Ogba, Ikeja for allegedly stealing an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card and N140,000 belonging to one Charles Ogbobilea.

He allegedly committed the offence at Fagba in Iju Ishaga C M Y K

area of Lagos State.

According to the threecount charge against the suspect, he allegedly tricked one Ogbobilea Oyidibia (son of Charles Ogbobilea) and stole his father’s ATM card from him and used it to withdraw N140,000 from Charles Ogbobilea’s account.

It was further alleged that the suspect also tried to use

the stolen ATM card to pay for some items at a store in Abule-Egba, Lagos.

Narrating the incident that led to the arrest of the suspect, the prosecution told the court that Nurudeen tricked Ogbobile Oyidibia and took away his father’s ATM card from him after asking him (Oyidibia) for road direction and that the

accused later used it to withdraw N140,000 at an ATM installed in an old generation bank located along Charity Road, Abule Egba, Lagos. The prosecution said the suspect ran out of luck at the store where he wanted to use the stolen ATM card to pay for some items he picked but was unable to provide relevant information required for

came into the community, Mrs. Akele said, “The sudden appearance of the little girl was noticed on Sunday where she was seen half-naked sleeping at Ruth Avenue, by the river bank in Igbologun community.

“I saw her on Sunday afternoon on the way to my shop. Somebody called my attention to a girl who was sleeping half-naked in the cold. When I saw her, I was afraid because I didn’t know how she came into the community. She couldn’t talk, she was just there helpless. So I tried to help her but she ran away.

“As she was running, she was speaking in Yoruba language begging for food but whenever I make an attempt to help her, she would run away. We finally held her ”.

Asked if there had been any case like that in the community before, she said there had not been any.

“This is my first time of seeing a little girl brutalized or raped in that community. I have never seen it before.

She is too small to be treated in that manner.

“We don’t know her people, neither do we know how to locate them. That is why we are crying out to Nigerians to help her and that is why we called your organization to help publicize the story so that, anyone who sees her would help locate her parents. The little girl cannot talk, she does not know her name. We don’t know who dumped her in the community. She was just walking all over the place. We want to use all the available medium to let her people know that she is still alive so that they can come and take her back”.

Meanwhile, the little girl has been taken to Miracle Centre, an NGO that cares for rape victims.

the transaction.

The source added that one Joseph Anyanwu, identified as the Supervisor of the store, got the suspect arrested.

At the police station, they allegedly met Charles Ogbobilea, lodging a complaint about the ATM stolen from his son (Oyidibia). The latter immediately identified the suspect as the man who tricked him and collected his father’s ATM card.

The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties who must not be selfemployed.

PAGE 26—

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 08116759757

Father, 40, sexually abuses 7-year-old daughter STORIES BY

•Another in tr ouble ffor or suc king 112-yr 2-yr -old girl’s priv at trouble sucking 2-yr-old privat atee par partt

A 40 –year-old-man, Emeka Oguzie, has been remanded in prison custody for allegedly inserting his finger into the private part of his 7-year-old daughter (names with held). A Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba in the Ikeja Magisterial District of the state gave the remand order during its sitting in which the allegation was leveled against the defendant.

According to the prosecution, the suspect committed the alleged

offence at Suite 37, Ojokoro Housing Estate, Meiran in the Ikeja Magisterial District.

The two count charge prepared against the defendant read: “That you Emeka Okuzie, sometime in September 2015, did, unlawfully and indecently, deal with one (names with held) 7-year-old by fingering her and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 135 (1 and 2) of the Criminal Law II,Vol 44 Laws of Lagos State

KENNEDY MBELE

Nigeria, 2011.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace in the area. His plea was not taken.

The court also docked Abiodun Fashola, 33, for allegedly harassing a 12year-old girl (names also with held) by leaking her private part with his tongue. The prosecution revealed that the suspect committed the alleged offence at 11:00hrs on September 3 at No 44,

ALLEGED LAND GRABBING Octogenarian seeks Lagos govt intervention

Chief (Mrs) Felicia Adenuga, an octogenarian, whose property is located at 126/128, Ejigbo-Idimu Road, Silva Estate, Idimu, in Egbe-Idimu L.C.D.A, Lagos State, has accused a man in the area (names withheld) of illegally encroaching on her land.

“My late husband bought the land on July 20, 1988. I inherited the land from him when he died some few years ago and I have been

living in the house occupying part of the land.

I was surprised when the alleged land grabber invaded my house with some men brandishing dangerous weapons and started laying claim to the undeveloped portion of the land which I reserved for my personal use “, Adenuga said. “When I approached the alleged land grabber on the day they invaded my

compound, he told me he had bought the undeveloped land.

“I am appealing to the authorities and the Lagos State Government to come to my rescue by putting a stop to the on going construction work on my land by this alleged land grabber because I was issued the certificate of occupancy in 2014 by Lagos State Government”.

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

T

he units of selfcontained flats project, embarked upon by Inri Evangelical Spiritual Church, Lagos, are receiving finishing touches and are expected to be commissioned soon.

This hint was dropped by the founder and spiritual leader of the church, Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, as part of the activities marking this year’s edition of the Inri Youth Thanksgiving, held in the church premises.

Ayodele, who splashed prizes on successful participants in various competitions during the event, said it was the intention of the church to encourage the young to grow and empower the grown ups to live good lives. He added that it was part of the efforts to make life better for members of the church and Lagosians that Inri came up with health service delivery, housing and school projects that would be made available at costs affordable for the masses. The Primate, reviewing the activities of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in the last three months, said the President had done well. He urged Nigerians to stop the criticism of Buhari’s appointments and support him to succeed.

“People should stop saying Buhari’s appointments are C M Y K

•Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele

Church N1,000-flat estate in Lagos ready •Primate Ayodele says Buhari hasn’t failed God, Nigerians in 3 months •’Bayelsa poll ‘ll be tough’ northernised. A good leader who wants to succeed must work with good and trusted people regardless of their ethnic or religious leaning. I cannot do more assessment for now of Buhari’s administration other than to say that, so far, he has not failed both God and the people of Nigeria. He is doing well”, Ayodele stated.

“But the political class in Edo, Kogi, Bayelsa and Ondo should beware so as not to crash out.

Oshiomhole should look inward for his successor. If he searches his successor from outside, APC will lose in Edo State coming election. The Bayelsa election will be tough for Governor Dickson. With Abubakar Audu in Kogi, there is hot contest ahead.”

Adewale Adeogun Street, Karonel Estate, Ogba, Lagos.

It further alleged that the defendant detained his

victim against her wish, touched her sexually and attempted to rape her; offences punishable under Sections 270, 261, 262 and 404, Vol 44 of Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

Man, 45, held for Sodomy in Lagos A 45-year-old-man, Akintobi Kayode, has been remanded in prison custody by an Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba in Ikeja Magisterial District of Lagos State for allegedly committing sodomy with a 14-year-old boy (names with held). The incident allegedly occurred at No 8, Oladelu Street, Ogba, Lagos.

According to the prosecution, the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim by penetration into his anus;

an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 259 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

It further alleged that the suspect conducted himself in a manner likely to cause the breach of public peace in the area; an offence punishable under section 166 (d) of the Criminal Laws II, Vol 44, Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. The suspect’s plea was not taken as the matter was adjourned to September 30, 2015.

Girl, 14, steals N2.14m An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Lagos State on Thursday, remanded a 14- yearold-girl (names withheld) in the Correctional Center, Oregun, Lagos for receiving alleged stolen N2,140,000 from a 22-year-old girl, Funmilayo Osin.

The incident allegedly took place at Oshodi Market, Lagos.

The prosecution told the court that Funmilayo (first defendant) and the 14- year-old-girl (second defendant) conspired to commit felony by stealing, an offence it described as punishable under Section 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

It alleged that the first defendant stole N2,140,000 belonging to one Oke Faslat, a trader in Oshodi Market and that the second defendant received the stolen money; offences punishable under Sections 285 and 326 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State,

Nigeria, 2015, respectively.

According to the prosecution, the money was not stolen at a time. Rather, it took the suspects several days.

The second suspect pleaded guilty to both charges while the first suspect pleaded not guilty.

The convict was ordered to be remanded at the Correctional Center, Oregun, Lagos while the first defendant was granted bail in the sum of N2million with a surety that must be gainfully employed with evidence of three-years tax clearance. He must also have a verifiable address and has to pay the sum of N50,000 into one of the new generation banks as a deposit.

The matter was adjourned to September 30 for facts and sentence for the convict as well as mention for the defendant.

Ebireri is Speaker Igbuya’s Chief Press Secretary Management and Consulting Mr. Henry Ebireri has been appointed Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. The spokes person for to Rt Hon Monday Igbuya worked as news editor for National Mirror, deputy editor, News Star and political editor at New Age. He also worked as group news editor with Business Hallmark, communication chief, Media Gate

Avenue Garden A one stop catering and relaxation center, Avenue Garden, in Ago Palace area of Lagos, has been commissioned. The two days of commissioning attracted celebrities, industry players and picnickers.

Limited and Senior Special Assistant, Media to former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu. He was hired in 2013 by Dr. Ngozi Olejeme as Director of Communication, Olejeme Campaign Organization.

Ebireri attended University of Port Harcourt earning a bachelor of science in 1992 after which he went to University of Lagos to earn his master’s degree.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Managing Director, Elder Theo Edwin, promised a world class and pocket- friendly service delivery and customer’s satisfaction without compromising quality .

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 27 08116759757

BY KENNEDY MBELE 20-year-old Samson Udoh has appeared before a Lagos State Mobile Court sitting at Ogba, Ikeja for allegedly riding motor cycle on BRT Lane exclusively reserved for commercial buses operating under the franchise of government.

According to the prosecution, the suspect was arrested while riding on the

The police lured me into BRT Lane for arrest — Docked motorcyclist BRT Lane, an act said to be very dangerous and therefore prohibited by law.

The suspect pleaded guilty but added that he was lured into the BRT Lane by a

police officer who hitchhiked with him.

The court listened as he narrated how a policeman asked him to ride in the forbidden lane, assuring

Hello … my crime–bursting hotline is 08023265021

Save us from multiple taxation, Lagos hoteliers beg Ambode

H

– Lagos Police Commissioner FFatai atai Ow oseni Owoseni *`Elaborate CCTV system to cover state'

BY EMMA NNADOZIE

L

agos residents seem to have little to worry about security agents' response to criminal activities and cult wars after the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Fatai Owoseni, released his hotline to the public to ease communication.

The hotline, according to Owoseni, who newly assumed duty in Lagos, is 08023265021.

“I have engaged landlords, community leaders, people on the streets; some of them are coming with credible information on crime while some send SMS”, he told Sunday Vanguard. “I went to Bariga during one of those cult incidents. I met several people who claimed it was the first time they were seeing a Commissioner of Police coming to ask them questions. So, I have been doing a lot of outreach. My number in the public domain is 08023265021. I want people to know that things are changing. We also have

accounts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp.

If there is any information on crime the public wants to share with us, we can receive it on the platforms. I am assuring the public that as we get such information, we will respond”.

On the plan to us closed circuit television (CCTV) to detect crime across the country, the CP said: “An evaluation of that system has been done and Lagos State government is working to improve it.

“An elaborate system is being planned to cover the state. The governor has been talking about it. We see how the CCTV helps to detect crime in the UK and the US. We encourage private business owners, especially banks, to install CCTV; it doesn't cost them anything.

Recently, in Bariga area of Lagos, the CCTV helped to diffuse tension. There was this car parked in front of a bank in the area and this raised fear that it could be bomb laden.

“The Area Commander

Ur hobo e x-agitat or Urhobo ex-agitat x-agitator pleads with Ogboru, Emerhor

A

n Urhobo exagitator, General Lucky Johnson, has pleaded with Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru of Labour Party and Chief O‘Tega Emerhor of All Progressives Congress (APC) to sheath their swords and withdraw their cases from Delta State governorship election tribunal to allow quality development of the state by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Johnson, from Gbarigolor Ewu and part of C M Y K

the Third Phase of the Amnesty Program, appealed to Ogboru and Emerhor, who vied in the April 11 gubernatorial election with Okowa, to put Delta first, advising Urhobo leaders to call both governorship candidates to order to avert a political crisis that will paint their people in bad light.

While decrying the negative impact of prolonged litigation on the governorship election, he appealed to Ogboru and Emerhor to do the needful

him that he will not be arrested.

He said that he joined the lane reluctantly only to be abandoned by his passenger minutes later when they were stopped by a patrol

team enforcing compliance of the Lagos State government’s tolerance policy on the use of BRT Lanes by vehicles other than the buses they are meant for.

The accused stated that the team bundled him and his motor-cycle into a waiting truck while the police officer he was carrying vamoosed without uttering a word to the team.

•CP Fatai Owoseni

went there and the bank's CCTV footage was activated.

It was the footage that showed that a woman with two kids went to the bank premises in the car, parked and left. This raised security consciousness in people. We took the car to the station.

CCTV helped us to figure out that the woman parked the car there, and, when she showed up, it was that she was distressed, and in that distressed state, looked for the most convenient place to park the car and left. Unfortunately, the bank security guard did not challenge her”,.

by embracing Okowa’s victory as a wish of God and not man.

He reminded the Urhobo that if all things work as planned, the end of the Okowa administration would usher in an Urhobo governorship candidate, inquiring what would be their reaction should the Anioma stand against the Urhobo?

Johnson, who called on Okowa to put young and vibrant Deltans in his cabinet in a bid to enhance optimal performance, hailed the governor for the appointment of Dr Amos Itihwe as a Director in DESOPADEC representing Ughelli South.

oteliers in Lagos State have appealed to Governor Akinwumi Ambode to address the issue of multiple taxation which they claimed is having great effect on the hospitality business in the state.

Making the appeal on their behalf, the President, Hoteliers Association of Nigeria, HAN, Lagos State, Aare Tola Odunuga, noted that multiple taxation on hoteliers in the state was having a crippling effect on their business.

“We want to appeal to Governor Ambode to save our business from collapsing.

Multiple taxation is having a crippling effect on us. While the state government impose levies on us which we pay as and when due, local government officials and officials from Ministry of Health and Environment have also been making life difficult for us through levies imposed on our members. These levies are exactly the same which we

have to already paid into state government coffers. We implore Governor Ambode to look into our complaint, and take necessary measures to save our business from collapsing,” Odunuga pleaded.

On insecurity facing the country, the hotelier urged federal and state governments, as well as the police to close ranks with hoteliers to combat the challenge.

While urging government to regard hoteliers as partners in the campaign against terrorism, Odunuga, who is also the Vice President, HAN, South West, said: “There is need for a greater collaboration between government and hoteliers at this critical moment of our national life when insecurity has become a source of concern to everybody.

Considering the vital role hoteliers play in the economic development of the nation, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the hospitality industry is not threatened by terrorism.”

Delta community commends Okowa over Ebosa, Otumara

T

he Abigborodo community in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State has commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for appointing Hon. Godwin Ebosa as Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Board and Dr. Joseph Otumara as Special Adviser. A statement by Comrade Monday Agbeyi, Chairman, Abigborodo Community Trust, stated that Ebosa will bring his experience as former Chairman of Warri North Local Government Council to transform the lives of the people of the oil producing communities in

Delta while Otumara as former Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area and Commissioner in the state will advise Okowa positively.

Agbeyi said, “Hon Ebosa will not disappoint Deltans in the course of performing his duty.

He will move the commission forward and attract dividends of democracy to the oil producing communities and Delta in general because he sees his appointment as a call to serve the state”.

While thanking the Speaker and members of the Delta State House of Assembly for their speedy screening, he thanked Okowa for the prompt swearing in of Otumara.

Frandach holds education workshop

F

randach Consulting Limited’s 21st Centu ry School Influencers Workshop holds 18th and 19th September, at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event slated to commence by 10 am is meant to fine-tune the leadership skills of all school leaders to enable them facilitate, inspire their students rather than control them.

According the Founder/ Chief Executive Officer of

the organisation, Mrs Franca Nkwoji, the workshop ‘ will help the leader to strive for excellence to meet up with the demands of the twentyfirst century manager.

According to the educationist, this training will help all school staff to know the basic rules, the dos and don’ts in counselling as well as teach hostel parents, year tutors, class teachers and every school staff on what to do in bullying cases rather than the temporary punitive measures always given to offenders.

PAGE 28— SUNDAY, Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

AYO ONIKOYI 08052201215

Cross River gov holds thanksgiving

C

.

From left: Gov. Ayade; wife, Linda; ex-Governor Liyel Imoke and Mrs. Obioma Imoke

L-R:Elder Bolaji Anani,Deputy Governor of Cross River State,Prof Ivara Esu and wife; Prof .Ben Ayade and wife, Linda.

L-R: Hon Ekpo Okon, Senator Gershom Bassey and Senator Owan Enoh

ross Rivers State governor, Prof.

Ben Ayade, held a thanksgiving service to mark his 100 days in office recently. The event was graced by top g o v e r n m e n t functionaries from the state, including a former governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.

According to a statement released from the Government House, the governor has taken various steps towards achieving some of the promises he made to his people during electioneering campaigns.

L-R: Archbishop of Calabar, Joseph Ekuwem, Ayade, wife, and Archbishop Emeritus.

From right: The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, Ada Bekwarra, Chief Linus Okom,paramount ruler of Obudu and HRM Jeddy Agba.

Fatimat Mustapha hooks Dapo Afuwape AUGUST 22 will be a day to cherish for Fatimat Mustapha and Oladapo Afuwape as the lovebirds consummated their relationship in holy matrimony.

Before their families and friends, the couple were joined as man and wife at an elaborate event held at Rimax Event Centre, Meiran, Lagos. Photos by Akeem Salau

The couple: Oladapo Afuwape and Fatimot Mustapha

L-R: Mrs Nihinlola Afuwape, groom's mother; Otunba Afuwape Olarenwaju, groom's father;with Alhaji Musbaudeen Mustapha, bride's father and Mrs Kafilat Mustapha, bride's mother

The coulple: Mr & Mrs Dapo Afuwape, in a group photograph with the bride's family

FRSC man hooked in Ilorin

O

lajide Ayodeji of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has been taken for keeps. The Road Marshal surrendered his heart to beautiful Victoria at a joyous wedding that held in Ilorin, Kwara State recently.

The couple: Mr and Mrs Ayodeji.

C M Y K

Mr. and Mrs. Ayodeji with the groom’s men

The couple with their families

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 29

Verdant Zeal’s Olugbodi bags degree in TTogo ogo Retirement par ty ffor or party Patricia Enase

G

roup Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice Chairman of one of Nigeria’s vibrant m a r k e t i n g communications outfit, Dr Tunji Olugbodi, has bagged an honourary doctorate degree. The Ara, Osun State-born m a r k e t i n g communications guru was conferred with the honour alongside other distinguished individuals by Universite Bilingue Libre Du Togo.

T

he Tutor General/ Permanent Secretary and staff of Education District 111 held a sendoff party for Mrs. Patricia Aziakpond Enase, Director, Quality Assurance, Lagos State Government, who retired after 35 years of meritorious service to the state. The event took place at St George’s Primary School, Education District 111, penultimate Thursday. Top guns from the district graced the occasion. Photos by Sola Oyelese

Dr. Tunji Olugbodi (first left) in the company of other honorary doctorate degree awardees from Universite Bilingue Libre Du Togo

L-R:Otunba Dr. Edward Ohore, Mrs Patricia Azaiakpond Enase,Engr. Christopher Enase, husband and Mrs Ronke Soyombo.

L-R: Dr. Tunji Olugbodi; Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard; and Reverend Mathew Siyanbade.

L-R: Dr Tunji Olugbodi and other awardees.

L-R: Engr Christopher Enase, husband, Mrs Patricia Azaiakpond Enase, celebrant, Mrs Taiwo Oladoyin Adisa and Mr Ferdinand Uziewe.

Dr. Tunji Olugbodi (l) with Mr Bisoye Fagade, MD, Sodium

Dr. Tunji Olugbodi (r) with Prof Are Wale Olaitan, Vice Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State

Rita Bivbere w eds hear thr ob weds hearthr throb

F

ormer Miss Rita Bivbere on Tuesday 25th of August, had her traditional marriage with Mr. Fasola Siakpere at Egini, Udu LGA .

The couple later had their ‘White’ wedding in Warri, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, DSC.

The couple; Mr and Mrs. Fasola Siakpere C M Y K

From left: Mrs Alice Parm, brides aunty, Mrs Godfrey Bivbere, the couple, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere & Mr. Franklin Parm

L-R: Mrs O . A Aganbi, Mr Hassan Abimbola, Mrs Paticia Aziakpono Enase, celebrant and Mr Omojuwa Fred.

L-R: Mr T Atiko-Balogun, Mr Yinka Olaniyi, Dr Raji Mudasiru, and Mr. Ayodeji Akinlaja

PAGE 30—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 31

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PAGE 32— SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

TWO YEARS ON

‘It was difficult for political family to fill the vacuum left by Agagu’

•Former Togo PM, Obasanjo, others honour late gov. today THE 2nd Memorial Lecture in honour of the late former governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu, holds today at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, entitled, “Resource, Policy and Economics”. A keynote address is expected to be delivered at the event by a former Prime Minister of Togo and erstwhile Secretary General of the OAU, Edem Kodjo, while the Chairman is former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The occasion is put together by the Olusegun Agagu Foundation (OAF).

In this interview, a two-term Education Commissioner in the state under Agagu and former Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Princess Oladunni Odu, speaks on the philosophy of the former governor, leadership style, fate of his political associates, their sojourn in the opposition APC and whether Agagu would have approved of it if he were alive. Excerpts:

By Dayo Johnson, Akure Dr Olusegun Agagu second memorial anniversary holds today.

Can you tell us his philosophy when he was alive?

Dr Olusegun Agagu was a

man who must have come ahead of his time. He believed in leaving a place better than he met it. As Minister of Aviation, his footprints are still there. When he was Minister of Power and Steel, he gave us 4225MW as against the 4000MW we are struggling to have now. I remember we had light almost everywhere in 2002 when he was Minister of Power and Steel. When he became the governor of Ondo State, he elevated education to a level that Ondo was the toast of the world. In the health sector and transportation, among others, testimonies abound everywhere concerning his achievements.

I was the Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board under him and during that time we had UBE

programme which is nonexistent in the state now.

Under the program, the Federal Government through UBEC will give us some money and we had add counterpart fund.

Whenever we were told to pay, within two or three days, the money will be released to SUBEB, so we had a lot of projects going.

We had 813 blocks of new classrooms built all over the state. In each of the state’s 1164 primary schools then, Agagu wanted to have a block of six classrooms, headmaster’s office, staff room and a library built. We had that plan going at the time we left government in FebruC M Y K

ary 2009.

What do you think Nigerians should learn from his leadership style?

His leadership style was wonderful because he believed in carrying everybody along. He was a team player and everybody mattered in his govern-

ment. He believed all hands must be on deck to achieve a particular goal.

Now that Agagu is no more now, what is the fate of his political family?

To be honest, when he died, we were in disarray because the death was not expected, it came to us as a shock and we had not actually prepared for succession line. So we didn’t have a leader that everybody will rally round like Agagu who was a big umbrella over us.

But with time, we tried to live with the reality of what had happened because there was no way we could wake Agagu up and we started lining behind Chief Olusola Oke as our leader.

Now, we still believe in what he believed; we believe in his philosophy, we believe in his legacy and we are trying to do everything to immortalize him.

As one of the few women in government during his administration, what are your testimonies while working with him?

Agagu wanted more women in government then but, unfortunately, we didn’t have many women in politics because when I came in, in 2000, most of our women were clappers and dancers which was not ideal for our womenfolk. If you want to complement somebody, you must have

•Princess Oladunni Odu something to offer and it was based on that, that we started encouraging women to come into politics; indeed, politics is a murky terrain, women run away from it, you have to be tenacious and you must be ready to take insults when you are there and not many women can take that and not many husbands will allow their wives to come into that terrain. But with Agagu becoming governor and making some women commissioners, a lot of other women were encouraged and a lot more women came into politics. He was gender-friendly.

How do you describe the temperature of Ondo in the last six years that we have a new government?

It’s like pouring cold water on the people. Everything is in a lethargic state. People are no longer vibrant, we lost government and the PDP and its members are no

His leadership style was wonderful because he believed in carrying everybody along. He was a team player and everybody mattered in his government.

He believed all hands must be on deck to achieve a particular goal

longer relevant at the federal level. Politics is about meeting and these meetings you need money to arrange and, if you don’t have somebody who is able to empower the people, it becomes a bit difficult. But we thank God for people like Chief Oke, Kingsley Kuku, and Gbenga Elegbeleye, they’ve all rallied round the old PDP in the state and given us life. Then in the last few years, we started getting ourselves together until we had the Labour Party coming to the PDP. But you know change is the only permanent thing in life but people resist change.

When the Labour Party came in, the old PDP was not well carried along, there was no clear cut idea or what should be given to the two parties that merged to become one, and this created a lot of vacuum and insinuations and bad blood in the party and that’s why we had challenges in the old PDP. Who do you think should be blamed for the crisis that occurred as a result of the merger?

The party at the national level should be blamed because if a governor is coming to a party, it behoves on them to call the state chapter and sit down with them that the governor and his party members are joining and this is the way things are to be shared. It is not just coming into the party and we start discussion. They put the cart before the horse.

The old PDP was left in the dark as to what was happening. Sometimes we only heard what was happening on the pages of newspapers or radio. On more than four occasions, we were in Abuja meeting with the party

leadership, but not much was achieved after the fundamental mistake had made by the leadership of the party.

But there were insinuations that some PDP leaders were jittery over the coming of the governor into the party because they thought he may not be favourably disposed to their personal ambitions.

That cannot be ruled out, we will always have people who will feel insecure for certain reasons, we have some people who genuinely want to be carried along.

There’s nothing more important than being given recognition in life, there must be some measure of respect. I think for majority of aggrieved people then, it was lack of recognition.

Now that many of the political associates of Agagu have joined the opposition APC in Ondo, have you been incorporated into the mainstream PDP or you are still an outsider?

I will say we are not outsiders but whatever is going on is to be expected; when you come newly into a place, the reception may not be with open arms. It takes some time to know one another, to understand the system, the other people are human being too; so there’s nothing that has happened that’s not expected, nothing unusual has happened. We are of the same family now.

Many of you that crossed to APC were in the cabinet of Agagu . Do you think if Agagu were to be alive, he would have joined the APC? You have answered this question somehow. If Agagu were alive but, unfortunately, Agagu is not alive to tell us what he would have done. Before he died, he didn’t tell us to go to APC but we know Agagu would not tolerate certain things, would not live with certain things or do certain things and Agagu would want Ondo to be well positioned because he once said the state has no reason to be poor. He believed in Ondo State; he believed we have human resources, natural resources and everything to make us great.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was more of Agagu’s godfather and he has been romancing APC. Do you foresee him joining APC? Obasanjo has said clearly that as an elder statesman, he’s no longer into partisan politics but, if you look critically at Obasanjo, his philosophy is woven around Nigeria. He sees Nigeria as that entity that must be protected at all times. He sees Nigeria as that entity that has the potential to be great, as an entity he must defend with the last drop of his blood. He has said that, as an elder statesman, Nigeria must not come down, the nation must keep rising and must not have business with all the woes we are facing. So anything that will make Nigeria great I am sure Obasanjo is for it.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 33

Bamanga Tukur at 80 One of Tukur’s greatest assets is his humility even in the face of many successes and achievements. He is one of our shinning lights. A good mixer and a great political strategist

BY OLIVER OKPALA

I

n the mid 70s Nigeria was confronted with se rious challenges in the area of ports administration.

There was congestion in the ports, especially with the importation of cement; and then came a man who seemed to have the magic wand - Dr Bamanga Tukur, who successfully eased the congestion.

That feat as General Manager of the Nigeria Ports Authority shot him into national limelight and marked him as a rare leadership material.

Today, Tukur is a household name in the nation’s socio economic and political scene.

This even goes beyond Nigeria. Said Pius Adesanmi of Carlton University, Canada, “You may not need money and material aggrandizement to acquire the status of leader, you need to come to the table with an impeccable and unimpeachable moral and ethical capital, built through years of consistency, with the block of the personal example.”

It is a resounding testimony today that Tukur ’s mastery and excellent touch and personal example in several human endeavors have made him an all round success.

Born in 1935 in Jeda, Adamawa State, Tukur began his educational pursuit in Bauchi. He attended the Ahmadu Bello University ABU, Zaria.

A loving father and husband, Tukur is an accomplished

Dr. Bamanga Tukur businessman, politician, an elder statesman, an industrialist and an ambassador of peace all rolled into one. The former top civil servant is also a farmer with investments along river basin authorities in the countr y. His broad based knowledge has been brought to bear in all his endeavors, which also impacted positively on the nation’s business environment. As a former top civil servant, governor and minister, Tukur ’s enormous experience, cutting across the private and public sectors of the economy, has carved a niche for him. His vast business empire has helped to create jobs for teeming Nigerians and advanced the cause of free and unhin-

dered business environment in the country and beyond. As someone who has seen it all, Tukur served as Executive Officer in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the defunct Northern Region.

He attended London School of Economics where he read transportation and economics in 1965. Tukur went on to obtain a master ’s degree in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburg, United States. Upon his return to Nigeria, he was appointed the Ports Manager at the Lagos Port Company from where he became General Manager and Chief Executive of the NPA between 1975 and 1982.

Thereafter, he threw his hat

into the political fray as he contested and won the governorship election in the defunct Gongola State on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria NPN in 1983. Tukur served in that capacity for three months as the military truncated the Second Republic on December 31, 1983.

He veered into business as he founded BHI Holdings and DADDO Group of Companies. He went on to become the Chairman of NEPAD Business Group, Afripractice Group and Executive President of African Business Roundtable. He has served at different times as a Director in the Nigeria Railway Corporation, the Nigerian Shipping Line, the Nigeria Army’s Central Water Transportation and the Board of Custom and Excise.

The elder statesman is a member of the International Business Advocacy Council of the United Nations Industrial Developenmt Organisa-

tion, UNIDO and a member of OECD Africa Investment Advisory Board. Tukur was elected Chairman of the NEPAD Business Group in Monterrey, Mexico in March 2002. That same year, Republic of Togo honoured him with the national honour of the Commander of The Order Of the Momo, COM, in recognition of his giant contributions to business in Africa. He was appointed member of the Ghana Investors Advisory Council by President John Kuffor in June 2002 and conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger in 2003 by President Olusegun Obasanjo. As National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Tukur did not betray his longstanding commitment to the ideals of discipline and justice. As he marks his 80th birthday whether in or out of government, Tukur has always used his talent, wide connection, enterprise and noble endeavors to advance the cause of an indissoluble, united and prosperous Nigeria. Through the years, he has turned out to be a towering national rallying point and has not disappointed his supporters across the country.

Perhaps one of Tukur ’s greatest assets is his humility even in the face of many successes and achievements.

He is one of our shinning lights. A good mixer and a great political strategist, Tukur is indeed a blessing to the nation. At 80, it is expected that our nation and all men and women of goodwill will continue to draw wisdom and inspiration from this distinguished elder statesman, matchless philanthropist and ageless administrator. *Okpala is a political analyst

Reverend George Ogheneakoke: (1959 – 2015) BYANTHONY OKOTIE

I

was dressing up to go to Asaba when my wife Mrs. Monica Okotie broke the news: My friend George was dead. I broke down, put off my trip to Asaba and started making contacts to ascertain whether the news was true. When I confirmed it, I cried.

Armani, as I fondly called him, was born into the family of the late Mr. Josiah Eboakoke of Lagos Iyede - Ame now in Ndokwe East Local Government Area of Delta State. George was intelligent, diligent and meticulous from his early days. He grew up under the care of his parents in Guniwa Street, Warri.

He attended St. Andrew’s Primary School, Warri, where he finished in 1971 and gained admission into the prestigious Notre Dame College, Ozoro.

Armani had financial difficulties with his secondary education and, as the only boy in the family, one of his older

sisters, Tinu sacrificed her nursing education to take up a teaching job essentially to make enough money to put him through school.

George was quite good with school work and, on leaving in 1976, went to work at the Nigerian Ports Authority, Warri to enable him save money for his tertiary education.

He gained admission to read Fine Art at the prestigious Arts Schools, Auchi Polytechnic in 1978. He majored in painting and on graduation he went for the National Youth Service Corps Scheme at Ikerre Ekiti, Ekiti State.

He worked briefly at Insight Communications where he excelled in the creative department as a visualizer/illustrator. He later set up his own outfit known as Masters Prints and Communication Limited.

A hard working man, he was married to his sweetheart Lola Peter’s who I call Loli P, and the union was blessed with three boys namely Eviano, Mazzino and Reveno.

Armani was a jolly good friend who cherished life; his

Late Rev George Ogheneakoke

Armani was more than a friend; he was a brother, a confidant, a counselor. I was privileged to have his wife and two others of her pastor-friends spend some days at my residence in Benin when they had a church programme

smiles were disarming; his laughter infectious. He was colourful, sociable and he had a life devoted to the methods of the mind, the priceless treasure of quit moments.

Hence he chose his company judiciously. He was outspoken. He loved people and cherished to be loved in return. In his period of health crisis, he still managed to pilot the affairs of the Ward Boys Association, Lagos of which he was the president.

Although God cannot be questioned, how can a man like George die? He lived a Christian life, he was kind hearted.

Armani was more than a friend; he was a brother, a confidant, a counselor. I was privileged to have his wife and two others of her pastorfriends spend some days at my residence in Benin when they had a church programme.

This brought us closer because it became a daily routine that we must chat in the morning before leaving for work.

We shared in each other’s

triumphs and moments of pain. Our families cherished our friendship. When we lost my twin brother ’s wife, last year, he did not only take charge of printing the programme for the funeral service, he was there in my moment of grief.

It has pleased God to call him out this time and as mortals we are always qo by the will of God. His death is a huge personal loss to many of us.

Our consolation is that while he was with us, he lived his life in the service of God and mankind.

Good night my brother.

Armani was laid to rest at the Ikoyi cemetery on Sept. 3.

Just as I was concluding this tribute, another sad news came that one of our good friends, Ejiro Ohimor aka Ajiro had passed on; what a wicked world we live in.

*Okotie, Coordinator, Benin River Vanguard for Okowa, wrote on behalf of Committee of Friends.

PAGE 34 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

SENATE’S PROBE OF POWER SECTOR EXPENDITURE

Buhari and the agents of darkness

President Muhammadu Buhari must decide how he plans to deal with Nigeria's agents of darkness - past leaders who mismanaged trillions of Naira while claiming to be attempting to solve the nation's power problem. With the on-going anti-corruption war, Mr. President would need to pay more attention to revelations from the Senate probe while at the same time not sparing those who would be indicted.

August 25, 1985, Lagos, South West, Nigeria

In the wee hours of August 25, 1985, a young man was dragged to Dodan Barracks and beaten mercilessly.

His name is Muba, a station officer of the then National Electric Power Authority, NEPA. He was a victim of the coup that had just deposed then General Muhammadu Buhari. Citizen Muba’s only offence was that he was in the Ikoyi office of NEPA when a power surge from Kainji Power Station in the North Central gopolitical zone, occurred and caused a sudden power outage at the Barracks which was Nigeria’s seat of power at that time.

Misconstrued to be part of a deliberate sub-plot meant to scuttle the coup, the power outage incensed some military personnel within the precincts of the Barracks; they headed straight for the NEPA office in Ikoyi, sacked the station, forcibly hauled Citizen Muba into their military van and straight to their office. He was then given the beaten of his life - he was released days later, after it was ascertained that the power outage was not part of a planned counter offensive. That he did not die afterwards remains a miracle to Muba and members of his family. But that did not mean successive administrations since 1985 focused on maintaining, not to talk of even improving, the nation’s power infrastructure. Not that funds were not allocated but the typically Nigerian mentality of wanton waste crept in causing monumental mismanagement.

•President Buhari

•YarÁdua

August 2007, National Assembly, Abuja

Nigerians were treated to a daily surfeit of hilarious dramatisation of who awarded what contract, who got what mobilisation fee, who under-supplied and who refused to supply turbines or transformers, during the House of Representatives investigation into the Olusegun Obasanjo administration’s expenditure for his Independent Power Projects, IPPs. While the investigations were on and while many Nigerians were sub-consciously laughing at their own folly, many of the imported components for some power projects scattered across the country were rotting away at some of the nation’s ports. Some were stolen while others were never even bought or some of the funds out rightly stolen.

Also, while the public show lasted, work stopped at some of the IPPs’ sites across the country. In fact, the system-collapse that the nation witnessed a few years ago which turned Nigeria into one very big darkroom was as a result of the nonmaintenance of the nation’s power infrastructure.

2012, North West, Nigeria

The PHCN regional manager and some staff were horsewhipped to a pulp.

He and his colleagues had been accused of sabotage by the governor of one of the states in Nigeria’s North West geo-political zone. The

For the agents of darkness in Nigeria, they are the past leaders who did not understand or were made not to understand that electric power supply is the only means to the end of prosperity which every nation seeks, a prosperity which even the constitution of the country purports to guarantee every citizen state governor allegedly superintended the corporal punishment meted to the officials of Nigeria’s state owned power company because the former suspected that the frequent power outages at the seat of power in the state may have been deliberate and

•Obasanjo

•Jonathan meant to embarrass the state government.

This story is not new but is very true. Although the state governor continued to deny the incident, insisting that he merely handed over the officials to the Police for investigation, it is merely an instance in the serial misplaced aggression in the cesspit of impunity that Nigeria has been turned into.

Mismanagement of state funds A total of N2.74 trillion was reportedly invested in the country’s power sector from 1999 to date – with, might we add, nothing to show for it in substantial terms.

Interestingly, of this amount, only N948 billion was released to the Ministry of Power.

Regarding the monumental fraud that allegedly attended the Excess Crude Account, ECA, $8.23 billion which is a total of N1.64 trillion, was removed and purportedly used for the power sector.

Whereas funds were being earmarked, only a percentage of same was ever released.

Worse, because the funds were never made available as and when due, the inconsistency of the investments in that sector did not yield the required outcomes. The annual net funding release gap deficit ranged from 22 percent to 67 percent.

N1.5 trillion was appropriated for the period of 16 years, but N959,195,372,089 billion was released.

This may have been deliberate.

That is why citizens, in the hope that they are surrendering their sovereignty to an individual expected to hold that sovereignty more in loco parentis for the general good in a democracy, look up to the leader to guide, guard and shape their path to future prosperity. That is the lure of goodness electric power possesses when it is made available. Buhari would need to deal with Nigeria’s agents of darkness no matter how highly placed and no matter who they are A breakdown of the appropriation and money released from 1999 to 2015, are: In 1999, N11,205,842,051 was appropriated, but N6,697,964,119 was released; in 2000, N59,064,381,817 was appropriated, N49,784,641,521 was released; in 2001, N103, 397,000,000 was appropriated, with NN70,927,000,000 released; in 2002, N54,647,252,061 was appropriated, N41,196,117,172 was released; in 2003, N55,583,099,000 was appropriated and N5,207,500,000 was released; in 2004, N54,647, 252,061 was appropriated, N54, 647,252,061 released; in 2005, N90,282,833,404 was appropriated, N71,888,606,274 was released; in 2006, N74,308,240, 085 was appropriated, N74. 3 billion released; in 2007, N100 billion was appropriated, N99.8 billion released; in 2008, N156 billion appropriated, N112 billion released and in 2009, N89. 5 was appropriated and N87 released.

In 2010, N172 billion was appropriated and N70 billion was released; in 2011, N125 billion was appropriated, N61 billion was released; in 2012, N197. 9 was appropriated and N53. 5 was released; in 2013, N146 billion was appropriated and N49 billion was released; in 2014, N69.8 billion was appropriated and N48 billion was released and in 2015, N5, 240,000,000 was appropriated with no money released.

These were just some of the revelations at the probe of investments in the power sector since 1999 being carried out by the Senate Committee chaired by Senator Abubakar Kyari, APC, Borno North.

It was at that same public hearing that it was revealed that before 1999, there was no recruitment of an engineer for the nation’s power company.

All these and a seemingly irredeemably irresponsible leadership in the country conspired to do the power sector in.

Therefore, in The Economist’s issue of June 20th, 2015, Nigeria’s acute power problem was put in catastrophic perspectives. “A large brewer ”, the magazine said, “explains that energy accounts for about 5% of his total costs ten times as much as at similar outfits in other countries. At banks, where each branch needs its own generator, fuel accounts for about 6% of total costs; and at mobile-telephone companies, which have to provide power to each of their cellphone masts, it can be 10% of total costs....

Nigeria ought to be able to generate about 5.5MW of electricity, but because of breakdowns, gas shortages and decrepit transmission lines, it struggles to churn out anything” meaningful.

Although the state power company has gone through transitions, taken apart into generating, distributing and transmitting companies, the reckless inconsistency in funding continues to pour cold water on all the efforts.

The crusade

anti-corruption

No doubt Nigeria has been serially raped by successive administrations without a clearheaded policy on power which takes cognizance of consistent funding and progressive policy frameworks that could have positively stabilized the sector.

Yet, the past military leaders, Obasanjo’s staccato eight years and Jonathan’s bumbling six years, with the attendant wastefulness need looking into.

Rather than provide power, each of those past leaders has been an agent of darkness – as if working with the dark forces to keep Nigeria permanently in the dark – even literally speaking.

So, how would President Buhari handle this?

For a President who promised to kill corruption before corruption kills everybody, there is an urgent and compelling need for him to pay more than a passing attention to the revelations coming out from the Senate probe.

For the agents of darkness in Nigeria, they are the past leaders who did not understand or were made not to understand that electric power supply is the only means to the end of prosperity which every nation seeks, a prosperity which even the constitution of the country purports to guarantee every citizen.

That is why citizens, in the hope that they are surrendering their sovereignty to an individual expected to hold that sovereignty more in loco parentis for the general good in a democracy, look up to the leader to guide, guard and shape their path to future prosperity. That is the lure of goodness electric power possesses when it is made available.

Buhari would need to deal with Nigeria’s agents of darkness no matter how highly placed and no matter who they are.

Why would leaders choose to keep their citizens in darkness?

Perhaps, to enable them steal as much as possible because stealing and corruption or corruption and stealing (whichever you choose) have almost always been a darkmarket affair.

But with the coming of Buhari – that is if he confronts the agents of darkness – all that may be about to cease.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 35

AMID SENATE PROBE OF POWER SECTOR

Hon. Ndudi Elumelu opens a can of worms!

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE

I

n 2009, a former Chair man of the House of Representatives Com mittee on Power, Hon Godwin Ndudi Elumelu, watched and almost shed tears as his colleagues on the floor of the House tore his report on the power sector to shreds.

A member of his committee had written a minority report indicting him and the then Hon. Dimeji Bankole-led 6th assembly did not waste time setting up an adhoc committee to review his findings.

The verdict of the review committee was a complete overhaul of Elumelu’s report.

Out of 88 recommendations, the committee endorsed only four for implementation.

The former Delta State-born lawmaker, last Wednesday, on a Channels Television programme, revealed how he painstakingly worked on the eight-volume report that could not sail through.

He promised he would make available documented evidence to assist the on-going Senate investigative hearing on the power sector.

Asked whether the report was still intact, Elumelu said, “We didn’t dilute it and we were very blunt in all our recommendations because we got to the very root of the rot in the power sector.

“When we made our recommendations asking the EFCC to further investigate, many people followed us and most of them were very bitter at a point at the abandoned contract sites”.

He explained further: “Let me tell you the truth, in Nigeria, we must change. Buhari anchored his campaign on trust asking for change.

The change is that we must do things in a normal way, we must deviate, we must leave that comfort zone and come back to the challenges that face us.

“There is no reason, after spending US$13.2billion, as it were, we are still talking about 3,500 megawatts. In Brazil, they spent only 12billion dollars and they have

12,000 megawatts of electricity; so why can’t we have the same?”

Speak ing on why probes don’t yield the desired result in Nigeria, the former House Committee on Power Chairman said: “One is the will power to stand by the truth.

Second is this issue of favouritism or sectional interests because, if you look at the composition of the Senate committee, the members are from different zones of the country. At the end of the probe, people will come and beg for pardon”.

On the amount spent on power sector since 1999, Elumelu said: “One is the actual figure. I will not just say it; I will give the Senate committee, currently probing the issues, documented evidence if invited, from the ministry.

If you look very closely here, you will see the documents (waving documents)”.

On the outcome of his committee report, he said: “Well, we did our best visiting project sites in the 36 states of the federation and 774 local governments to do on-thespot assessment.

“So, at the end of the day, I had finished my report and we committed it to the House.

Well, the House decided to do what they needed to do, that is not my taking. I had done my job. But I believe that history will always come back to haunt us if we do not do the correct thing. And I am happy that the Senate has taken it upon themselves to right the wrongs.

“I was listening to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power who said N2.7trillion was spent and I don’t want to argue with him. But if, between 1999 and 2007, 13.2billion dollars was said to have been accessed out of the 15billion dollars, if you convert that at the rate of N218 to the dollar, you will be talking of N2.9trillion, that is between 1999 and 2007. So, the Senate committee should be talking about 2007 to 2015.

But what I mean is that our reports are there for people to look at. What they are doing is to finish up what we couldn’t finish”.

•Ndudi Elumelu

On whether his report could still be useful to the Senate probe on the sector, Elumelu said: “If they want the truth and if they don’t want to dilute the truth, my report is in eight volumes. They don’t need to do any other job between 1999 and 2007. They should look at 2007 to 2015 and they would just add it up and that will give them an insight because we didn’t dilute it and

There is no reason, after spending US$13.2billion, as it were, we are still talking about 3,500 megawatts. In Brazil, they spent only 12billion dollars and they have 12,000 megawatts of electricity

we were very blunt.

“I don’t know how their recommendations will come out.

But some of the people they would be recommending to face further investigations will be from their zones, and the tendency is that they might begin to lobby them.

The Senate committee must shun that and do what is right for the sake of Nigeria, for the sake of us having stable electricity.

“Can you imagine that when you wake up in the morning, and you cannot see light, you will go and buy diesel at N145 per litre. That is a sin against nature. We are highly gifted, naturally endowed in Nigeria but what do we have to show for it?”

On whether his committee came out with a decisive report, Elumelu said: “Yes, I made my recommendations.

And even on the issue of the unbundling of PHCN, I was the one who recommended that it should be unbundled.

At that time, they were just doing lip service in terms of the unbundling.

“So, when I came on board, I looked at the challenge as the Chairman of the House Committee on Power, and I decided to unbundle PHCN. All the successor companies were given sub heads in the budget and that was how the CBN called all of them to open accounts and that was how they started existing”.

On the actual amount expended on the power sector before his committee’s probe, he explained: “They gave us the actual figure. I didn’t sign it, the minister signed it, which was 13.2billion dollars and also the unspent 12billion dollars which was also already committed. Then we also had a due process request from the State House and the Auditor General sent us documents on what happened in the power sector.

“These are documents the Senate committee may not be privileged to have because the officials at that time who issued them may have left office. This is except the Senate committee goes back to the ministry to find out who was where at that time and communicate with them and ask that they come. The officials may not have the opportunity of providing the letters that they wrote to us at the time we were doing the public hearing.

“And then we had a report from the NIPP submitted by the then General Manager who is currently the MD of Niger Delta Power Holding Company. The report detailed the activities and the percentages of work done on all the sites. I am not also sure they may have that. “Then the statement of the CBN at that time except also CBN will be able to do that; of course I don’t expect that they shouldn’t have it”.

PAGE 36— SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

AB OK O HARAM NEGO TIA BOK OKO NEGOTIA TIATTOR’S SSTTORY

Why OBJ, Datti Ahmed peace moves failed — Shehu Sani

•Says Nigerian in Dubai holds key to credible dialogue with sect •This is time to rescue Chibok girls alive’ •Speaks on how he parted ways with Gov. Nasir El –Rufai

By SONI DANIEL, Northern Region Editor

T

he name, Shehu Sani, rings a bell in the global human rights community because of his antecedents as a defender of the less privileged in the society.

But, in 2015, the activist decided to throw himself into the political turf and he won election to represent Kaduna Central on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. But trust him not to be one who will look away if he feels threatened for any reason. Barely three months into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, he has fallen out with his governor, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai (Kaduna State), whom he accuses of running anti-people policies for trying to remove beggars and hawkers from the streets and sanitise the state.

In this interview, Sani, who has been involved in negotiations between government and Boko Haram to end bombings in the North- East, raises hope that the 219 Chibok girls abducted by the sect more than 500 days ago may be alive after all, and suggests how the violence could be brought to a peaceful end. Excerpts: Some have hailed while others criticised Buhari over his first 100 days in office.

What is your own assessment?

There is a lot to celebrate within the first 100 days of President Muhammadu Buhari since we are coming from 16 years of waste, corruption, poverty, under-development, lost hope, dashed dreams and misplaced priorities. By all standards, the new government of Muhammadu Buhari has been able to rekindle the hopes of Nigerians and restore their confidence in their country and in governance. Certainly, Nigerians are, once again, proud of their country.

C M Y K

Can you specify the areas in which the President has achieved something within

the period under review?

Buhari has restored our pride of place in the international community, for them to believe in us once again; he has shown uncommon zeal in his ability and determination to fight corruption; and he has demonstrated by actions and utterances that he is serious in confronting and ending insurgency in the North-East.

He has sent a clear message to all public office holders that Nigeria is in a new era and we can see that he has boosted the morale of the military and has provided an appreciable amount of money and weapons for them to fight insurgents. Apart from that, he has made changes in the command and control of the military with people who are more determined and has set a good example in leadership by publicly declaring his assets.

Some of his critics are angry that he declared only one million and even borrowed money to buy nomination form of the APC for the presidential contest last year, only for him to declare N30 million cash this year?

There will always be questions by people. I believe that even for the courage by the President to declare his assets is something noble and should be applauded by all well-meaning Nigerians.

He has set a moral standard for all Nigerian public office holders to follow.

How are we going to resolve the simmering crisis in the Senate, given that some mistakes were made right from the outset making it difficult for the leadership to receive a warm handshake from the President and the APC leadership?

The matter can still be resolved despite the mistake made at the beginning. The truth remains that after we had won the election, there was no serious effort to bring all the members of the National

Assembly together to chart a course for an agenda for the party. But by the time it was done, it was already too late because many had already started aligning themselves and seeking their political interest as legislators. It is a very big problem for the party, in the sense that we have a conflict between the standing rules of the NASS and the need for party members to conform to party supremacy. The problem is generic with the party itself. If we are to go back to history, we will see that the APC is a convergence of strange bedfellows, who came into the party with different tendencies, expectations and ideologies.

What brought them together initially was the common need to dislodge the Jonathan administration and to send the PDP out of power. And having achieved that, the hidden conflict in the fold started manifesting and that became evident in the way the leadership emerged.

So, what is the way out and do you think that it was

There is a lot to celebrate within the first 100 days of President Muhammadu Buhari since we are coming from 16 years of waste, corruption, poverty, under-development

right for any APC senator to have ignored the meeting called early on inauguration day by Buhari, the leader of the APC, to participate in the NASS leadership election, if they had any respect for him?

Well, this is what I have been saying; you will see that the leaders came from different backgrounds and those who came from the ‘new PDP’ felt that they should be able to control some levers of power.

That is why the Saraki and Dogara factor came into play. It is something like an enemy within.

But how do we get out of it so that the party and the nation can forge ahead peacefully?

The only way out of it is to understand that every revolution comes with some crisis after it has succeeded.

These are the crises that pose a challenge to the party and the stability of the state and government. How the APC is going to navigate out of it will determine its success.

Do you support the current jumbo pay for lawmakers as someone who a progressive?

I was part of the committee set up by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to review lawmakers’ pay and we have recommended that the money paid to senators should be reduced. But our recommendation has been stood down until the House of Representatives adopts same.

The matter must be sorted out because it is very important to Nigerians. I really support a reduction to make more money available to other sectors.

It is on record that all attempts to broker peace between the FG and Boko Haram and end the cycle of violence in the North-East have failed woefully. What

went wrong?

A number of things went wrong with past efforts to broker peace between Boko Haram and the Federal Government. First, some of the demands made by Boko Haram were such that government was not ready and to concede. The group has always insisted that it was willing to agree to peace provided their members were released by government. But government is not ready to that.

That has been the sticking point where all past negotiations have always crashed. So, if government says it is ready for negotiation, it should also be ready to concede certain things in the interest of peace.

But government position seems to be that no person has shown up to claim that he is a leader or representative of Boko Haram and cannot therefore negotiate with a phantom group or individuals to prevent the ugly experiences of the past?

There is no doubt that there have been times the Federal Government actually engaged in discussions with phantom groups and individuals but there are also times where the negotiations were very credible.

In 2011, I was able to facilitate a dialogue between the group and the Federal Government when I brought in former President Obasanjo to talk to the families of the insurgents and another one, which was with the President of the Supreme Council of Sharia, Dr. Ahmed Datti, where he represented the Boko Haram group, which came out openly to announce him as their representative. We also had the one that was organised by a journalist, Ahmad Salkida, which was very credible. I think Salkida is one credible Nigerian that we need to invite to be able

Continues on page 37

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 37

‘This is time to rescue Chibok girls alive’ Continued from page 36 to address the Boko Haram crisis.

Is that the one who lives in Dubai?

Yes, we need to bring him in to be able to succeed in ending the problem of insurgency in Nigeria.

Why should Nigeria invite him?

Certainly, the man has risked his life in the past to seek solution to the problem of Boko Haram and he is a patriotic Nigerian to the core.

But no member of the group has come forward to say he is ready for dialogue with the FG? Yes, for obvious reasons.

Government has merely indicated intent to engage in dialogue but nothing has been done to concretize it. Having made the announcement of intent, government should set up a technical committee, give it a waiver to go through the process of genuine dialogue. The Federal Government should set up a committee and give it the needed waiver to reach out to the insurgents. Don’t forget that, right now, there is an antiterrorism law that makes it criminal for anybody to communicate or to be seen or identified with the insurgents.

But if a committee is set up and is insulated from the antiterrorism law, then it can begin to make contacts with the group to bring about peace.

Given your roles in the past, why don’t you take up the gauntlet and suggest this directly to government?

Are you afraid?

There is nothing like fear but we need legal backing that if we are given permission by the authorities to reach out, then, action will start. But if you are not given permission by government, there is nothing anyone can do because in order to succeed, you need the two sides to agree. You need government to give you the goahead to negotiate. You cannot go alone.

So, if government gives you the permission, you can do it?

I cannot do it alone; it has to be a team work with others like clerics, elders and people who have something to offer in the process.

How do we get back the lost good life in the North-East?

The first thing to do is to see how to secure the release of the Chibok schoolgirls. Let us categorize this discussion into two. The first one is how do we negotiate and get the girls out?

Are you sure they are still alive?

I have the belief they are alive because if they are not, certainly, the group, in their own criminality and violence, would have announced that they had killed them. Don’t forget they have been very honest in the past in telling the world who they have killed or not.

If the girls are not alive, certainly, we would have known, but they are actually

C M Y K

alive and I believe it is an issue which government needs to thrash out before we go into the final phase of ending insurgency in the North-East.

All the reports from the Amnesty International have been highly critical of the Nigerian military handling of human rights in the fight against insurgency, outlining how they kill and maim suspected terrorists and innocent civilians caught along the way. What do you make of such reports as a member of the human rights community?

We should take it that way because the reports are credible and we cannot fight insurgency without carrying the people along. Nigerian Army, under former President Goodluck Jonathan, had been very brutal and crude. First of all, they passed naked, collective punishment on people, engaged in unnecessary prolonged detention; they virtually abandoned the moral aspect of the fight and the need for them to execute the war against terror within the ambit of democratic norms. So, you cannot continue to perpetrate human rights violations and abuses in the name of fighting terror. Yes, we know very well that terrorists are violent people and have no respect for fundamental rights but I think there is need for restraint in order to protect the rights of innocent persons.

Nigeria has a very bad record as far as corruption is concerned. What should be done to change the narrative as someone who has been fighting against the government to instill good governance in Nigeria?

The first thing is to close all the loopholes where corruption thrives in the land. When you have a government that functions and with a mindset to punish the corrupt instead of celebrating them, then corruption will ebb. We should indeed name and shame, arrest and prosecute those who are corrupt no matter their status as opposed to what we saw in recent past where government actually defended corruption and celebrated thieves.

A number of things went wrong with past efforts to broker peace between Boko Haram and the Federal Government Do you think the Criminal Justice System also impedes the fight against corruption in Nigeria?

There are a lot of loopholes in the fight against corruption. You know that many high profile cases in court are lost once the media loses interest in them. The justice system is one in which cases are unduly prolonged and that gives corrupt people the vent to get out of it. The prison system in Nigeria also encourages the corrupt to live big life instead of facing correctional punishment. So, my advice is that the criminal justice system in Nigeria should be reviewed to cope with the current realities to curtail the effect of corruption.

There are reports that you have fallen apart with your governor over some issues. Is it not too early in the day for a quarrel to break out between two of you?

It is my wish that we work together for the betterment of Kaduna State and for our party and Nigeria. But it is the governor that is working against me. I was not his favorite candidate for the Senate but I defeated his candidate in the primary election.

But when I won the Senate and he won the governorship election, I came to discover two things.

We have ideological differences.

He is from the political

right and I am from the political left. He is a core conservative capitalist, who believes in capitalism and I believe in the progressive, welfarist, leftist and idealistic system. So, that is where we differ. Again, after we had won the election and it came sharing positions, he sidelined me and gave power to the man I defeated in the election, who was his preferred choice. By so doing, he has clearly appointed someone who he is grooming to fight me. Meanwhile, if you are doing this politically and amassing troops and an army close to where I am standing, I don’t want to wait for you to fire the first shot. That is the situation of things.

So, what do you really want from him that he has not given?

The governor has taken some steps which are wrong. He banned beggars from the streets but they are back, he banned hawkers but they are back on the streets, he started demolishing houses but was forced to discontinue because the people rose against him and many other anti-people policies.

So, if all these things were good, they could have been sustained.

Beggars are people you cannot ban in Kaduna because they are a social problem created by the capitalist system in which people like El-Rufai have been living their lives and propagating.

More unfortunately, El Rufai gave the beggars no alternatives of where to relocate to or start a new life in his bid to take them off the streets. He has an agenda, which I don’t support. He wants to do away with beggars and the destitute and plant flowers and build amusement parks in Kaduna and that is not the way to solve problems. The governor wants to give a false image of good life and sanity in Kaduna to make it appear that everybody is rich and living comfortably because there are no beggars and hawkers on the streets when, in reality, they have only been pushed out to go and suffer somewhere else.

My position is that they must remain on the street until their issues are addressed. As far as I am concerned, the beggars need to be chasing after us, the rich people, knocking our car windshields and constantly reminding us that things are not well in our land.

Would you say in all honesty that you don’t like amusement parks and serene environments or are you just playing to the gallery for political reasons?

Look, amusement parks and serenity at what cost to the people? When federal allocations are sent to Kaduna, it is not meant for the elite who want to be in amusement parks and gardens but to the people of Kaduna. Now, where is the place for the beggars and hawkers? Do you want to have amusement parks and live a life of comfort and luxury but hiding lepers, beggars, the cripple and the blind who are part and parcel of the society? It is like living in a fool’s paradise and deceiving oneself and I don’t like that.

Would it not be more beneficial to the beggars if they are confined to a home where some provisions could

be made by government for them on daily basis instead of running in traffic and risking their lives all in a bid to survive?

If the governor had provided anything for the beggars and the destitute, I would not have opposed him and the destitute would not have been back on the streets. Even close to El Rufai’s house, there are beggars there in full force. There are more beggars now on the streets of Kaduna than before. I believe that beggars from other states might have joined their counterparts in Kaduna in solidarity.

But in all of this, have you made any effort to explain your own position to the governor?

I don’t have the governor’s telephone number and I don’t think there is anybody in Kaduna, who has the governor’s number apart from people from his kitchen cabinet. But if you ask for my number from even beggars, cripples and hawkers, they all have my number. So, you can see the way I live my life as a man of the people.

Don’t you feel that the governor could accuse you of inciting the people against his government to advance your political future, as there are rumours you want to contest the governorship of Kaduna in 2019?

Well, this is not incitement but a call to order. If I tell him to provide for the poor and the destitute before sending them away from the streets, I am not inciting anyone against him. I need Kaduna to be progressive and peaceful and to be a model for all states. We need to be more realistic and not deceive ourselves.

But is there any iota of truth in the claim that you are antagonizing the governor all in a selfish bid to prepare the ground for you to unseat him in 2019 or do you want to remain in the Senate then?

What is of interest to me now is to see how to deliver service to my people. As you know, 2019 is still a long time from now.

What would you say is your legislative agenda for Nigeria and your people?

I have an agenda in the Senate to pursue bills and motions that will uplift my people, make Nigeria more united and progressive, and to deliver the programs and agenda of the APC to make Nigeria a more united and stable nation. Back home, I have a constituency project called the Talakawas Grassroots Revolutionary Development Program. It is a people-oriented development project to uplift the living standards of the people of my constituency, give them hope, restore their confidence in their legislator and make impact on their lives.

What does it entail?

It is a program that will intervene in education, health, women and youth empowerment, sports, skills acquisition and support for faith-based groups.

PAGE 38— SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

We have brought decency to opposition politics —Olisa Metuh, PDP spokesperson

BY DAPO AKINREFON

It is like a diagnosis of the activities of a former ruling party now in the opposition: The fall of the Peoples Democratic, after 16 years, from power; the fallout of the fall; the allegations of corruption, from the new government against the party; and way forward. The spokesperson for the PDP, Olisa Metuh, in this interview, speaks on these and more.

Is there still a party called Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?

Yes, there is still a party called the PDP and we remain the Peoples Democratic Party, the only party in the history of our country that ruled in the democratic setting for 16years, a party that is built with a vision to sustain national interest, accommodate all zones, ensure that the unity and stability of this nation remains. We are a party that is not owned any individual, group of persons or religion. We are a party that Nigerians can come in freely and express their views and then aspire to get to get to the highest level. There is still PDP but PDP has a problem having lost power few months ago. It is a party where you have people who were used to being pampered, who were used to being in government, but after losing elections, there could be major disconnect especially when you are not prepared for it. It came with the attendant problems and challenges in the last few months but the leaders and stakeholders have resolved that PDP still stands. We will be in opposition, a strong opposition, we will restrict ourselves to a credible and responsible opposition and, by the grace of God, mount a serious challenge to reclaim government in 2019.

Can you tell us some of the problems that held the PDP back before and after the elections because it seems you are the only voice left in the party?

I think what happened during the elections is gone. However, the truth is that being a spokesperson of the ruling party is quite challenging. First is the interpretation of your constitutional duties. The party’s Constitution says you are the image of the party and you are to communicate the decisions and the programmes of the party. In actual fact, it is quite restrictive to the political parties because, before my coming, there has never been any National Publicity Secretary in the history of this country that ever bothered to defend the policies of government.

We got involved in it for the first time.

So it was a restrictive role and you cannot be making comments on decisions or second guessing actions of government. I was telling Lai Mohammed (APC spokesperson) after our debate on NTA that it won’t be easy for him because he will be here making decisions while government will be going on and people will call him on issues he has no absolute information on or he is not aware of and except he wants to deceive Nigerians, most times, it is better to keep quiet to maintain your dignity. So it is not an easy thing.

After the elections, I have been wondering because of certain challenges we had during the campaigns on where do I go from here.

Then I visited Akwa-Ibom and went with the former governor, Godswill Akpabio, on thank you tour of the state.

During the tour, he reminded the people on some of his campaign promises when he came in for first term and how he fulfilled them. He now said C M Y K

Our President was not elected as the Chairman of the EFCC, he was not elected to be the Chairman of ICPC. There are bodies in this country saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption and he should empower and fund them and pay equal attention to progressing the economy it was time to say goodbye and decent, respectable people, people who were not in politics, members of the judiciary, social commentators were shedding tears saying they will miss him after leaving office. And this made me realize that the most important thing is service to the people, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you must leave

your mark and, when you make that sacrifice, the society will know that you have done your own. As far as I am concerned, I am doing everything within my powers to play this my small role as the spokesperson for the opposition party in this country to the best of my ability, and in line with acceptable standards.

After the PDP lost elections, what we have been hearing is that the past administration did not leave anything in the treasury, that the government achieved nothing and it is a party made up of corrupt people. Also, the DSS raided Akwa-Ibom Government House and claimed operatives found a room filled with dollars. How do you react to these allegations?

There is a limit to the manipulation of perception, there is a limit to the spreading of information or control of peoples perception. There is one basic truth, there is absolutely no way any Nigerian will say his/her life has not been touched in the last 16 years of PDP rule in Nigeria. It was during our administration that GSM entered this country. In an era where we had global economic downturn, our government

was able to create a very strong middle class, we had a system where roads were done. I don’t want to also bore you with the fact that it was our government which got Nigeria’s forgiveness of foreign debts. The issue is that 80 percent of Nigerians can testify that there was improvement in their lives in the last 16 years. We are not in the system any more, old things have passed away, we are the past. We are talking about the present and the future. If I come here and start defending the PDP that we are excellent or I don’t think we could have had 1.9 million voters in Kano and other Nigerian voters voting against us, maybe that is why we lost power, but to now say that PDP is a party of corrupt people, that is not true. Corruption is endemic and, right from the story in the Bible, corruption has been in existence.

Jesus had 12 disciples and one of them betrayed him for money. There is no way the PDP would have had Ministers or other people they appointed in office and you would not find some of them that will be corrupt. I can tell you that there is no way this government of President Buhari will appoint people

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SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 39

Continued from page 38 without some corrupt people being there and even now, corruption is going on in this government. We have our wide network and we have incontrovertible evidence to that effect but it is not a question of you are corrupt or I am corrupt, the money we talk about is not the wealth of the President, it does not belong to the APC, it belongs to all Nigerians. PDP is a responsible party, we have interest in ensuring that the people who engage in corrupt practices get prosecuted and, where evidence is available, get convicted even if we have to confiscate their assets. We want those people to punished but what we do not want is selective application of the war against corruption whereby it turns into witch-hunt. Up till now, we do not know the kind of evidence they have but what we know is that everyday in the media, you will see 6billion dollars stolen by former ministers, 7trillion there. What we are saying is: ‘do your investigations and prosecute them’. The law states that everyone is innocent until the contrary is proved. When you now say people are guilty and you call them thieves without evidence to show, you are doing a major damage to them, their families and to the whole economy. You are demarketing our economy because you are making foreigners and investors to actually believe that we are a corrupt country. Prosecute those ones that are corrupt but let this issue of corruption not become a witch-hunt and let it not become a distraction.

Our President was not elected as the Chairman of the EFCC, he was not elected to be the Chairman of ICPC. There are bodies in this country saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption and he should empower and fund them and pay equal attention to progressing the economy.

On the issue of Akwa-Ibom State House raid, it is a different ball game because our President directed that they invade the home of the former National Security Adviser (NSA) and they invaded some other places and the constitutional violation that we are experiencing is monstrous. Our Constitution is clear on such things and let us not go into areas that seek to divide us. This is because if you as President disobeys the law, other people will decide to disobey the law and there will be anarchy. This government is not obeying the law and provisions of the Constitution.

On the issue of the Chibok girls, former President Jonathan refused to meet with the parents and when that government tried to do something for the parents, it turned out to be another scandal as they were said to have been cheated in terms of what was allocated to them. How did the whole thing become messy, but within days of President Buhari, he met with the parents of those girls.

I am not sure what you are saying here is within my own knowledge in terms of that we did not meet with the parents.

We tried to meet with them but we could not and I am hearing for the first time that this government has met with the parents of the Chibok girls. Well, I am happy to know that because most Nigerians felt the issue of Chibok girls which came to the front-burner during the PDP government, is being scaled down. Not only has this President not visited Chibok like the way they were criticising us, they have not been C M Y K

‘We gave vibrant opposition in Buhari’s 100 days’

•Olisa Metuh

What has changed is that we now have a more responsible and mature opposition that decided not to abuse or distract the President, but to allow the President to govern the country. But that was not what the APC did when the PDP was in power. They created problems and abused the then President making noise about where the Chibok girls are; it is a very sensitive matter because some people still believe there is more to those things than we are being led to believe. But to be respectful to the people who have lost their loved ones and to the lives at stake here, I don’t know how the PDP handled the issue of the Chibok girls that made people believe that we didn’t actually care. Maybe it had to do with the issue of integrity and this had to be with the intelligence that was available to us, but I concede that in terms of security of lives, a government should be much more sensitive to that and really try to handle things better.

We can see what is happening on the migrants all over Europe and the boy that was mutilated and his body floating on the sea. We all see reactions of people all over the world but in Plateau, where people were killed and their bodies mutilated, we have not seen a response from government. I am sure that if it had been under the PDP, it would have been magnified.

We have issues of lives that are being

lost, and because we are responsible party and because we believe that the issue of security is a sensitive matter, we will not play politics with it but that does not mean that lives are not being lost in this country.

Lives that have been lost in this third quarter is more than in any other first four months of any administration in the history of this country, but we are not complaining and not magnifying it because we would support the President of this country on each and every single decision he wants to take on security. We have to show our enemies, those that seek to divide us that, as a country, we are united behind our President and that is the only way we can defeat the insurgents.

It seems the PDP is about Olisa Metuh alone now because other major players have gone underground.

What exactly is going on in the party?

Also, what happened that made PDP which is the biggest party in Africa to fall just after 16years when the party boasted of ruling for 60 years? Can you tell us beyond partisanship what happened and why the party secretariat workers rebelled against the party?

On the state of the party, the organs of the party are very much active. Few days ago in Akwa-Ibom state, the National Working Committee held a meeting with the Board of Trustees, former President Jonathan and some PDP governors. This new week, we are going to have a lot of leadership meetings, stakeholders meeting to review happenings in the country. The only reason it appears I am the only one speaking is the same way it appeared during the opposition days of the ruling party; it was as if it was only Lai Mohammed that was speaking.

Months after the traumatic experience of losing power, we know it is not easy to lose power. We have since reorganized and came up with the Ekweremadu committee to look at the reasons behind this grave loss and, until they come up with their report, a lot of people have their reasons and excuses and they can give any account. Don’t forget that history is the account of the victorious; if you are a loser, anything can be said about you. We have lost an election and that is the worst part of it, we cannot justify losing an election, we are sad about it. We disappointed millions of our members, we disappointed millions of Nigerians who truly believed and still believe that PDP is the only party that can take care of their interests in this country today.

When the Ekweremadu committee submits its report on the 23rd of September, there will be a mini conference to discuss why we lost power.

On the issue of rebellion, after the elections, the party had raised a lot of money from sales of forms. Usually after every four years when you sell your forms, you will raise money and the money will be kept for the next few years to sustain the party administration because there is no independent source of funding. But when we lost the presidential election apart from the first

funds we gave to the presidential campaign, it was the wisdom of the leaders of the party then that the party will use the money to fund the gubernatorial election in the states.

This depleted the finances of the party; we found ourselves in a situation whereby there was no way to sustain that large workforce that we had and then we attempted to reduce the workforce. It is expected that the workers will rebel and, from there, they went overboard in stating things that were wrong, but they have since apologized and even published an advert to that effect.

Who is the Acting National Chairman of the PDP and what does your Constitution say about how the Chairman can emerge in the present circumstance?

The Acting National Chairman is Prince Uche Secondus. Our Constitution provides that in the absence of the National Chairman, like when he resigns or is removed, the Deputy National Chairman would act pending the election of another National Chairman from the zone where the former Chairman hails from. Our former Chairman came from the North-East. So within the Constitution, it is lawful for Secondus to act as National Chairman until we have a replacement from the North-East.

The question to ask now is: How long will Secondus act? The Constitution does not have any time line because some people are beginning to say it is three months. Three months is when you have a caretaker committee and that is renewable. In 2011, then National Chairman from the South-East, Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo reigned from office and the deputy, Dr. Haliru Bello, acted as Chairman for about eight months.

And nothing happened because we had a government. Today, because we don’t have a father figure, every member of our party wants his voice to be heard because they want to impose their wishes on the party. We have told them to wait until the Ekweremadu committee submits its findings, so that the party leadership will take a decision. There is nothing illegal going on in the party.

It is still with the ambit of the Constitution.

On assets declaration I do not think some people understand our position on public declaration of assets. We are not demanding that President Buhari should make the declaration of his assets public. What we are saying is that the President had made a pledge that he will make public declaration of his assets. Now, the law states that when you declare your assets, it must not be public. But, same law demands that your spouse must declare her assets. And it states that any child that you have that is under 18 years must have his assets declared. The idea is that if you take any asset that you have and hide it under any child that you have that is above 18 years, you can’t go away it.

We have never questioned what Mr. President did, but they woke up one morning and set the President up by coming up to say that the pledge was ‘’in fulfilment with the pledge of the

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PAGE 40— SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Continued from page 39 President we are now releasing the details of his assets.” The PDP looked at it and said no, that it is the list of his assets because as we speak, there are doubts that the 90,000,00 shares he has in PANALPINA are included in the declaration. If he made it public as he pledeged, we would have seen it. When we saw a true declaration was when former President Yar’Adua and his then vice, Goodluck Jonathan, made the forms of their assets declaration public.

We saw the houses they owned and the value of shares. The President’s assets declaration should be done in accordance with the law; if they don’t want, they should keep it to themselves.

By doing that, they are setting the President up for criticisms and by extension, destroying his legacies.

Why the choice of Edo State to flagoff the your e-registration which your party abandoned in the past?

In the PDP, we have super-delegates.

And there is no way governors and some other people who have control of this delegate-system will allow it to go. The delegate-system has a huge say in nominating those who will represent the PDP in elections and even the officials of the party. But if you have an eregistration where you have an open system, the process will be open to the people. We have always known that we will go back to e-registration. However the timing of it had been bad. Nwodo’s own did not go through because it was almost during an election and, because of the controversy it generated, we knew it would not have been good to do when we had an election. Same thing happened to Tukur’s attempt. Now, we have four years to do that. We are doing it now so that we can handle the controversy that will come from the process. We chose Edo because it is the next state that we are going to have primaries. We will do it there, see the imperfections and correct them.

What in your perception has changed in the past 100 days of the Buhari administration?

What has changed is that we now have a more responsible and mature opposition that decided not to abuse or distract the President, but to allow the President to govern the country. But that was not what the APC did when the PDP was in power. They created problems and abused the then President.

However, we will remain committed to the provisions of good opposition to the APC. We will support the President on the issues of security, anti-corruption among others.

While we are supporting the President, we have not seen the economic programmes he has. I must tell you that that this government has done very well on the issue of perception. They have done very well to make Nigerians understand that the fight against corruption requires the contribution of every one. They have rallied all of us round to know that corruption is endemic. And, on that note, we will support them to fight corruption.

On South-West PDP On the issue of Governor Ayodele Fayose, he has fundamental rights to express his views and opinions, not only on issues affecting Ekiti State but also on national issues.

C M Y K

were considered.

‘PDP will bounce back’

But they did not invite the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah.

Is Obong Victor still in the PDP? He is a life member of the Board of Trustee sof the PDP. You are speaking with the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, a member of the National Working Committee and he is asking you a question: Is Obong Attah still a member of the PDP? Yes How will you complain that the Ekweremadu committee, who are not administrators of this party, go to Akwa Ibom and not see him? You cannot be a member of the PDP when you campaign with the opposition, you cannot be a member of the party when you openly work against the party and make utterances for PDP to fail.

•Olisa Metuh

On the issue of Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the party structure, the challenges that we have on party administration, we prefer to keep it private and handle it except when it gets out of hand. In Ondo State, maybe one or two mistakes were made before the last elections but now the PDP is handling it. Some people have left us on the accout of those challenges; so we have repositioned the party in Ondo State.

On the South-West producing the National Chairman, it is the right of the South-West just like any other zone to vie for any position during the zoning process. The convention is coming in March 2016; if we rezone positions, then it is the right of the South-West to convince other zones for any position they want. For now, the chairmanship of the party remains in the North but we have an acting chairman from the South-South.

Defection It is a sad thing when you build a political party with people and then they leave you, most especially on account of the fact that you lost power. Those who left us before the elections, we have tremendous respect for them because they went on their own personal conviction. But others left because they felt their rights and privileges were not protected under the PDP, we sympathise with them.

For those who left us immediately on account that we lost the presidential election, we hold them in disdain because it means that they were there for the good times only. They felt they were there to share the spoils of victory with us but not to attend to the needs of our members and the Nigerian people.

We don’t have respect for those people, who left on account of our losing the presidential election.

Buhari’s appointments On the issue of appointments, the PDP has refrained from making comments.

We believe that the style or mode of appointments that the President has done, not only is it personal to him but, also, it is the style of his party; maybe,

it is the ideology of their party.

To us in PDP, we believe in covering all national interests, we believe that we should respect the zoning formula.

When you have a National Caucus and you want to decide issues that affect the whole country, those six people must be there. If you do not have people from some zones in that kind of caucus, who will speak for those people?

So, it is not enough for you to just say you will make further appointments, what about the one that you have made?

This is why we have stated that never in the history of our democracy have we seen our people so divided like we are today and that is why we call on the father of the nation to tread with caution and look at it, because we do not want Nigeria to be like Yugoslavia; we do not want some people to feel that they are not part of Nigeria. We should not have divisive policies and choices when we make them. Let him (Buhari) learn from the PDP how we were able to sustain national unity in the last 16 years. They have just held power for three and a half months and the ship is becoming unstable.

Ekweremadu committee and reconciliation I will rather keep quiet than say state something that is not within my knowledge. I am aware they put up adverts and invited presentations from all kinds of people. All kinds of people

You are speaking with the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, a member of the National Working Committee and he is asking you a question: Is Obong Attah still a member of the PDP?

Lagos PDP crisis What is happening in Lagos PDP is unfortunate because the majority of the state executive have stated that they do not want the state Chairman but the Constitution is clear, they do not have the power to remove the Chairman.

What they should have done is to write a petition to the National Working Committee and the NEC; under the emergency power of NEC, it can remove the state Chairman. What we have done is to tell them they cannot remove the state Chairman but they can write to us, we will investigate and carry out disciplinary actions.

No disciplinary action can be taken against a NEC member but by the one that is done by the NEC itself. A state Chairman is a member of NEC and that is the only problem that they have.

You have been vanquished nationally and you will be going to election very soon in Bayelsa, the home state of former President Jonathan. Are you expecting another flogging? What is your future?

First, we lost election with just 2.5 million votes, inspite of the 1.9 million votes in Kano State. We were not flogged, we lost the presidential election with the narrowest of margins in any election.

We know that the elections in Kogi and Bayelsa State would be a tough challenge considering that some of our members have left on the account of our loss of the government at the centre. We believe that there is absolutely no way a true Bayelsan would seek to reward our party with wickedness of voting against our party that provided a platform for their son to be the President of this country.

This is besides the fact that the governor of Bayelsa has done so much in providing infrastructure for that state.

On the issue of Kogi, we have looked at it, we know that we have challenges but the election, inspite of attempts to provide a cover by the APC for someone who is being investigated by the EFCC, the people will still support the PDP because we are closer to the masses, we have respect for individuals, there is no arrogance in the way that we deal with our people in Kogi State. So we believe strongly, having seen the result of the elections of the APC in their primary, that there is no one that we present that will not win elections in Kogi State.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 41

•Governor Seriake Dickson

•Timi Alaibe

•Timipre Sylva

Bayelsa APC primary: The fight before the battle

BY LUKE FUNKEKEME

N

obody would have imagined at tempting to wrest the governance baton of the Creek Haven, the seal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and, by extension, the former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. But as it is said in ecclesiastical narratives, all that seems to be the old things which have passed away, and all things have become new. There is a new political dawn and reality.

Right now, Jonathan, Governor Seriake Dickson and their PDP know that nothing can be taken for granted anymore in the political arithmetic of Bayelsa.

Not when the All Progressives Congress (APC) has waxed so strong across the length and breadth of the nation.

It is even more unsettling for the PDP when the crème de la crème of the party (PDP) swarmed into the APC few weeks ago in Yenagoa at a ceremony that seemed to have sounded the nunc dimitis of the PDP in the state. The sweep was massive such that even the state Chairman of the PDP, Col Sam Inokoba (retd), led thousands of the PDP faithful to swell the ranks of the APC. Unfortunately, Inokoba died few days later. But the other members have continued to make the APC a go-to party in Bayelsa. And that is sending shivers down the spine of the PDP in the state.

The fear of the APC impending tsunami was evident in the theme of Jonathan’s campaign for Dickson, last week, when the latter formally declared for second term bid.

Jonathan had to play on the sentiment of the Bayelsa people when he said they should support the governor to save his (Jonathan’s) political history and dignity.

But those who know say it is apparent that the glory of electoral charm has vacated the PDP in the state.

The failure of Jonathan to do any significant thing for the state or the SouthSouth geo-political region has eroded the moral/political authority of the former President on the people. That perhaps explains the resort to veiled blackmail.

But before the village square battle comes the micro-fight within the APC. Dateline is September 19. On that day, the APC will hold its primary in Bayelsa C M Y K

to determine who will fly its flag at the December 5 governorship election in the state.

Although there are about a dozen governorship aspirants in the APC, many analysts believe it will be a two-horse race between a former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, and former Niger Delta Development Commission Chief (NDDC) chief, Timi Alaibe. That means it will be a Timi versus Timi contest. Many of the other aspirants may not have aimed beyond the “also-ran” tag.

So what are Sylva and Alaibe bringing to the table as to make the party’s delegates line up behind them?

Sylva, having been a governor, certainly, comes with a familiar governance experience. How that experience impacted on the people of Bayelsa at the time, however, is a different issue.

On the other hand, Alaibe comes with his trailer-load of his whiz kid niche.

Famed technocrat, Alaibe has a sterling public service credential especially as his years in the NDDC helped to largely recast the Bayelsa outlook as we have it today.

Both Sylva and Alaibe were originally PDP members. The former was hounded out of the party by Jonathan when he (Jonathan) refused to allow him (Sylva) run for second term. In his place, the present governor, Dickson, was foisted on the PDP. In understandable protest, Sylva stormed out of the party. And when the APC rainbow crystalised, he pitched his tent therein, albeit symbolically, as he could not have much electoral impact for his party, given that the party (APC) polled just about 5,000 votes during the presidential election in Bayelsa.

His return bid is thus seen largely as wanting to continue from where he stopped in 2012.

But what are the landmark achievements during his four-year governorship that will endear him to the people? It is believed that he merely ran a government-as-usual template which produced no remarkable achievement as both the state water project and the inherited hospital project remained uncompleted and enmeshed in needless crisis and controversies.

Today, Bayelsans are diligently searching for what will remind them of Sylva’s administration in the state, and they cannot find.

Those who are a little uncharitable have described Sylva’s years in Creek Haven as the years of the locusts. Those

No doubt, wresting Bayelsa from the PDP will not only be a plus for the APC, it will send very strong signal on the fading grip of the PDP, especially with all the political capital that the victory will earn the APC over Jonathan’s own state who so believe, therefore, do not see the essence of his “second missionary journey” as the first missionary journey was without spark and mark.

But those who are goading him on in the race argue that he risked his political career by staying in the opposition in the then President’s very own state. And that he, therefore, deserves to be rewarded with second term.

In that wise, the support base of Sylva is thus predicated on compensational reward, not deserved or earned character strength.

On the other hand, Alaibe, although coming into the race rather late, he yet comes with a rave of swell support, many of whom had been his long-standing supporters and allies.

The former NDDC chief has had repeated shots at the Bayelsa governorship, but had hardly ever been on the ballot, essentially because of the intervention of the party (PDP) leaders at the time.

This time, he has come forth smoking with a rebounding courage and confidence.

Although he recently declared for the APC, insiders say he had been of great support to the party. “ He is not exactly a stranger to the workings of the party”, a chieftain of the APC said.

Aside the nuances of party calendar, Alaibe is believed to be a far better aspirant in the pack, what with his experience, hands-on capacity, wide contacts which

can be maximally deployed to turn Bayelsa around, as well as strength of character which puts him heads ahead of the other contenders.

Political bookmakers have predicted that Alaibe is about the only aspirant that commands both a fair spread of goodwill and support in the state as well as having capacity to match Dickson batfor-bat.

His support base had grown from his days as the Executive Director, Finance and Administration (EDFA) and later Managing Director, NDDC as well as his days as the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Program. They were offices he used in advancing the cause of Bayelsans in particular and the Niger Delta in general.

Those who are in the inner workroom of Alaibe’s political machinery explain that he had, over the years, developed a thorough operational template on how to grow the state beyond the base level of economic redundancy, in very clear terms and measurable milestones.

No doubt, wresting Bayelsa from the PDP will not only be a plus for the APC, it will send very strong signal on the fading grip of the PDP, especially with all the political capital that the victory will earn the APC over Jonathan’s own state.

How the party conducts the primary is thus of great importance not only in squaring up with the PDP, but also in establishing a strong hold of the region.

The APC leaders will thus need to discard shallow sentiments and examine carefully the individual capacity of the various aspirants and throw their weight behind anyone believed to have the brightest chance of crushing the PDP machine.

The delegates hold the longer ends of the stake in the matter. They must wean themselves of the malaise of the past wherein cash and sentiment governed their choices. They cannot sacrifice the future of the state on the banal altar of cash-and-carry. They must be even more circumspect in pledging their support because the future of their children is at stake. Truly, a new Bayelsa is possible. But by what or whose means?

Already, the signs of violence are becoming evident with the kidnap of some key political figures in the state.

A wrong strategy by the party can only worsen a tensed state and cause a regrettable and avoidable loss. The time to be more discerning is now!

*Funkekeme, an architect, lives in Port Harcourt.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

201 5 POLLS How Ondo PDP recovered lost grounds in two weeks —Akinmade, Information Commissioner

On Abiye: Mimiko aids pregnant local women’s safe delivery

BY YINKA AJAYI Since the last House of Assembly election which saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State winning 21 of the 26 seats, the party has further consolidated on its control of the state’s political space. In this interview, the state Commissioner for Information, Hon Kayode Akinmade, speaks on how the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko-led PDP government has been able to endear the party to the people through landmark achievements.

T

he PDP in Ondo State s e e m s

to be consolidating its hold on the political terrain since the last House of Assembly election. How has it happened?

So far so good. PDP in Ondo is getting sure-footed, fresher and more robust with members getting happier and more at peace with themselves and with the remarkable performance of its government. In fact, it could only get better because that is what is happening. The April 11 election represented the yearnings of the people of the state. It was an Ondo State affair and our performance in the election is a thing we will continue to celebrate the people of the state for.

It was an unprecedented leap forward. We secured 21 of the 26 seats in the state House of Assembly. This is a clear indication of acceptance of the PDP by the people. The result of that election speaks volumes showing that the people of Ondo have implicit confidence in the leadership of Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the PDP. You think you can repeat the House of Assembly election feat in future elections in the state?

The PDP is the masses party in Ondo State and is well prepared.

We have equally embarked on a mutually inclusive restructuring programme to give every member of the party, irrespective of former political inclination, a sense of belonging. PDP is going through genuine integration.

Look at the recent composition of caretaker committee chairmen at the various local governments, we have members drawn from major interests within the party.

During the March presidential election, our party took so many things for granted, not knowing that some of our former leaders, trusted with sensitive positions, had planned to work with the opposition in order to wreak havC M Y K

oc on the party. As soon as the election was done with, we went back to the drawing board for a quick comeback. With the support of the people, we were able to recover lost grounds within two weeks . Then the black legs, who undermined our structures in the presidential election, came out in their true colours by decamping to the APC and that gave us the opportunity to restrategize and the result shocked their bookmakers. Moreover, the issues that surrounded the state House of Assembly election made it absolutely difficult for our people to go beyond matters connected with local variables.

The local variables are that the Ondo State people will determine who and who will represent them at the parliament of the state.

You are so confident your party will continue to hold sway in the state. Where is this confidence coming from?

It is coming from the demonstration of love and loyalty by the people who always demonstrate they appreciate the leadership and selfless commitment of Governor Mimiko to ensure that they live decent lives which is evident in the various programmes of the government.

Take a look at the urban renewal feat of the government. It is not for fun that the United Nations honoured the governor with the UN Scroll of Honour Award for his achievements in urban renewal. Today, Akure major roundabouts have become some tourists attraction with the water fountain providing beautiful scenery while the greenery has become a toast to the environment, providing health benefits for the citizenry.

We know what the infant and maternal mortality rate was in the state before the Mimiko administration. It was a thing of great fear to be pregnant in Ondo before the administration came on board. Today, his efforts at eradicating deaths at child birth are so pronounced that the World Health Organization (WHO) took it upon itself to tell the whole world that other governments should come to our state to understudy its safe motherhood project (Abiye) which gave birth to the Mother and Child Hospital and the Agbebiye projects.

Health care in Ondo, as bad as the economy is nationwide, is still free. That is why you see people from neighbouring states rushing to the state to access the free health care. But we are now streamlining and maximizing

this opportunity for the greater benefit of our people with the introduction and deployment of Kaadi Igbeayo, a multi-purpose smart card with limit•Hon less opportunities. If you are not resident in the state, you cannot have the card and, before you can enjoy our free health now, you must present the card. This is to ensure that the health and other benefits of our people, in relation to education , microcredit, transportation, agric inputs, among others, are prioritized.

Are the achievements in the health sector not on account of the governor being a medical doctor ?

Mimiko is not the only governor who is a medical doctor. The issue is about governance with passion, it’s about advancing the frontiers of governance. Before

Kayode Akinmade

its health and education models.

Ondo State University of Science and Technology founded in Ondo South by the previous government did not take off until this government came in. Today, students of the university are approaching graduation. The other Ondo State-owned university, Akungba-Akoko is one of the best state universities, as rated by the United States Transparency International Standard.

The Senate Building in the university recently commissioned

by Governor Mimiko is the best in Nigeria. More importantly, Adekunle Ajasin University

Health care in Ondo, as bad as the economy is nationwide, is still free. That is why you see people from neighbouring states rushing to the state to access the free health care Mimiko’s government, the only dualised road we had was the Oba Adesida Road, Akure and it was without road furniture. To the glory of God and ingenuity of the Mimiko government, there are about six dualised roads in the state now. Those who knew what Arakale Road used to be should be able to say what it is now; ditto for Owo, Ondo,Igbokoda and other roads that have been dualised or being dualised. These are roads constructed with the full complements including lights, drainage, millennium bus stops; infact with all the road furniture available in developed countries.

Now, see the turnaround in our education system. Apart from the special attention the government is giving to the welfare of teachers, our Mega Schools have become a model.

Other governments have been visiting the state to understudy

charges the least tuition fees in the country. This is what we call social welfare from a responsible government and the people are better for it.

We also have the free school shuttle buses for pupils across the state.

In the area of security, the state has witnessed peace and tranquility occasioned by the responsible leadership of Mimiko. Some of our projects the opposition is criticizing are being copied in some of their states. Go to Osun and Oyo, they are trying to follow on our footsteps. They too are building markets, mega schools and even aping the school free shuttle buses and so on. In Ondo, government creates jobs through mechanised agriculture. A visit to government farms in Auga, Epe, Isuada and Ore will show how well this government has improved agriculture with many of our youths developing careers there. Today, cocoa farmers in

the state will tell you the transformation that has come into their trade as a result of the government revolution in cocoa even as our chocolate experiment won an award in England.

Are you aware that in Ondo now, it takes just eight weeks to get a C of O and for as cheap as N15,000?

And you don’t think the defection of some bigwigs from your party to the opposition will make a difference in future elections in the state like it did at the last presidential election?

Who are the bigwigs? Are you referring to those who left our party on the eve of the House of Assembly election thinking their exit will make a difference and got the greatest shock of their lives? Those you referred to as bigwigs are paper weight and inconsequential as far as Ondo politics is concerned. Some of the so-called bigwigs defected before the state House of Assembly election. Ahead of the presidential election, we had issues but we won bigger at the Assembly election after they had left.

This means that those who left are inconsequential, they are not bigwigs as you described them.

Their leaving has no effect on our party; infact, it brought peace, progress, fresh drive and determination to excel into us and our party remains a strong party.

Do you not think the domineering effect of the APC at the national level would rub off on the electoral fortunes of the APC to the disadvantage of the PDP in Ondo?

Let me say once again that Ondo State has never been hoodwinked by any bandwagon effect. The major consideration has always been performance and commitment to collective goals and ideals. You will recollect that Ondo was in the opposition under the regime of Pa Michael Adekunle Ajasin of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, and yet the people stood by their mandate on account of their value system. Just as it was yesterday, so it is today because the government of the day is delivering on its mandate with life impacting programmes throughout the state.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 43

SENATOR SARAKI

100 DAYS OF EIGHTH SENATE:

The gains of visitation

BY YUSUPH OLANIYONU

L

et me quickly do a defini tion of term here. My mean ing of visitation is the few visits that Senate delegations had made outside parliament to advance the interest of Nigeria. On Wednesday, September 16, 2015, it will be 100 days since the eighth Senate was inaugurated based on the proclamation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The upper legislative house started on a shaky ground as the issue of election of the leadership became mired in eedless controversy, obviously fueled from outside parliament. Today, the leadership, headed by Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has shaken off the initial setback and demonstrated the ability to be the best the country has produced.

While there are so many areas through which one can objectively evaluate the performance of the Senate in 100 days, I have chosen to limit myself to the three visits made by the Legislative house outside Abuja as well as the symbolism and significance of the visit to judge how well it has done.

On August 3, the Senate decided to fulfil its promise to send a delegation to Maiduguri, Borno State capital and centre of the insurgency against the nation by Boko Haram. The decision to send the delegation to Borno State came after an elaborate debate on insecurity in the North-East. During that debate, the Senate President allowed all senators who wanted to contribute to the motion moved

by Senator George Sekibo representing Rivers State. There were chilling reports from personal experiences, losses and deprivations rendered by senators from the affected states. The tales of woes made the chamber to resolve to send a delegation to Maiduguri C M Y K

for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation and the plight of residents.

Apart from Saraki, other members of the delegation include Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; Deputy Chief Whip; Francis Alimikhena; Danjuma Goje; Bukar Abba Ibrahim; Hassan Mohammed; Abubakar Kyari and the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Isa Galaudu.

During the visit, Saraki assured Borno people that the entire country was solidly behind them in their trying period . He said: “We have come to feel your pains, to hear what you have been going through first hand. To seek to understand the severe bloody struggle you have had to endure and go through emotionally, physically, financially and in many other ways which can hardly be put in words”.

The Senate delegation, in company of Governor Shettima, paid homage to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Khanemi, during which they assured that the Senate will do all in its power to ensure that life returned to the state and the geo-political zone. The team later visited the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps located at the Umaru Shehu College of Education, and the Government College, Maiduguri, bristling with over 4,000 displaced persons. They also visited the Dalori IDPs camp housing over 18,000 persons from Bama local government area of Borno State.

Saraki said the resolution of the Senate to send the high powered delegation was a demonstration of the commitment of the upper chamber to find a lasting solution to the plight of the people in the North-East. “We have come to sit with you and listen to you and hopefully together on solutions that would significantly change your situation for the better. We believe that after this visit your sit-

We stand with you against Boko Haram and everything that stands against your security and against your welfare. We stand together with our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari whose singular devotion to ending these senseless killings gives us greater belief that together we will win the war uation will not be the same again. The mission of our visit is simple; we have come to bring you hope and to let you know that the Nigerian Senate has not abandoned you and real change is coming. We are determined to end this carnage, this senseless and sorrowful war. We are determined to defeat Boko Haram. The Nigerian Senate and indeed the National Assembly is willing to support you and your families to ensure that your lives return to normal. We could not in good conscience talk to you from Abuja. No. This new senate would rather come here and this is why we are here,” he stressed.

Saraki added: “We stand with you against Boko Haram and everything that stands against your security and against your welfare. We stand together with our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari whose singular devotion to ending these senseless killings gives us greater belief that together we will win the war. Our president has continued to work night

and day to bring this evil of Boko Haram to a permanent end and we reiterate our resolve to ensure that together we succeed. We stand with our troops and will in the coming days show them that this new Senate will do all that is within its powers of authorization and approvals, support them and provide for them the necessary funding and oversight that will guarantee that they defeat this insurgency.

“The 8th Senate has made the security and welfare of our people priority number one on its agenda. We are very conscious of the level of carnage and destruction that has been wrought on the people here. We will be working closely with our counterparts in the House of Representatives to make sure that we rebuild the economy of the North-East. We will not rest on our oars until normalcy is returned to this troubled region”, he said.

While welcoming the Senate President and his team, Governor Shettima, who spoke in an emotion-laden voice, stated that the visit was historic . “I would like to express my sincere and profound welcome to the Senate President and our respected and distinguished Senators over this official visit to Borno State, which is the first of its kind by any Senate President since the advent of Civilian Administration in 1999.

This is a clear manifestation of your concern for the plight of the people of the North-East region and Borno State in particular,” he said.

The governor observed that there are 26 IDP camps in Maiduguri aside those in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and other states across the country. He urged the National Assembly to pass a bill that will create the North-East Development Commission to handle the issue of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the IDPs and provide employment for youths as was done in the Ni-

ger Delta. Shettima said: “The people of Borno State view this day and this visit as most apt and most significant. I have no doubt in my mind about the seriousness of this administration to putting a permanent end to this senseless bloodletting and madness of a few misguided elements, who hide under the canopy of religion”.

The day after the visit, Senator Ike Ekweremadu led another delegation to Adamawa State, another epicentre of the Boko Haram war. The Senate delegation further gave hope to the people. Through both visits, the senators empathised with residents of the two states and encouraged the political, military and traditional leadership to resist the marauders.

And the result of the visitation is that Saraki and his colleagues have almost become radicalised on the need to end the North-East insurgency as fast as possible.

Today, the Senate has become the evangelist of the gospel of peace in the geo-political zone. Every opportunity the Senate President has, he uses to canvass international support for rebuilding, resettlement and rehabilitation of the people and the environment in the North-East. The Senate President has, during meetings with envoys of foreign countries who pay courtesy visit to his office, urged for support to Nigeria to end the Boko Haram crisis.

Between August 30 and September 2, the Senate made another visitation. This time to New York where a delegation-led by Saraki attended the 4th United Nations International Conference for Heads of Parliaments. The threeman delegation which included Dino Melaye and Andy Uba, during the bilateral meetings with delegations from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, continuously harped on the need for international support for Nigeria, to end the carnage in the NorthEast and resettle the people.

Saraki used the UN platform to urge that insecurity in Nigeria be taken as a global crisis like similar occurrences in other parts of the world. His message resonated well with the world gathering, particularly since he had equally utilised the opportunity an earlier meeting of select parliamentary leaders with the UN scribe, Ban Ki Moon, to canvass that Nigeria be supported to quell the Boko Haram insurgency.

The delegation, also at the various bilateral meetings, lobbied for international support for our economic revival plan. Saraki and his colleagues were able to convince their colleagues in other countries on the on-going genuine attempts to rebuild the Nigerian economy as demonstrated by the policies and programmes of the Buhari administration and the solid support the legislature is giving the executive.

With the New York visit, the Senate convinced the international community that all arms of government in Nigeria are united in the objective of fighting the war against insecurity, economic problems and youth unemployment.

If in 100 days, the Senate has reassured the people that the efforts to end insecurity in North-East has full legislative support, joined the executive in mounting international campaign to support the efforts and utilised all instruments like legislations, oversights and advocacy to further serve Nigerians interests, then the eighth Senate has started well. I have no doubt that it will do better than many Nigerians ever imagined. * Olaniyonu is Special Adviser to the Senate President

PAGE 44—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

With Alaibe as candidate, APC will win Bayelsa guber poll – Senator Brambaifa *Senator John Kojo Brambaifa Senator John Kojo Brambaifa is one of the elders of Bayelsa State behind the aspiration of Mr. Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to clinch the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the Bayelsa State gubernatorial election, holding later this year. Brambaifa, in this interview, speaks on why Alaibe is the candidate to beat in the governorship contest.

R

ECENTLY, you led a group of Bayelsa elders to the APC National Secretariat to obtain nomination and expression of interest forms on behalf of one of you, specifically Mr Timi Alaibe, to enable him run for the governorship of the state. What informed that decision?

Well you know very well the credentials of Timi Alaibe.

When he served the Niger Delta, comprising nine states as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), we all know the result. Alaibe’s credentials are better than any other person’s credentials we have seen in recent times vying in the governorship election. Also we put into consideration the fact that Bayelsa, from inception in 1999, has been so unlucky with leadership. And, therefore, this time around, the elders came together and agreed that we cannot afford to fail. We said we must look for very credible hands to salvage Bayelsans.

So we looked around and saw the credentials and achievements of Alaibe and realized that he is the only outstanding person. This is the reason the elders decided to buy the nomination and expression of interest forms for him and persuaded him to come into the race.

From all indications, he has agreed to join the race; in fact, C M Y K

he has filled and submitted the forms, but the most important thing ahead of him is the primary. How are you working to make sure you go through a rancour free exercise in the state, considering the fact that there is another force, a former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, who has been in the party before your candidate came on board?

We are democrats, we believe in the rule of law. And if you go down memory lane, APC has organized primaries, and the most recent is Kogi State. It was free and fair. The free and fair that we are talking about is a two-way thing.

If a party has good policies, if the party knows what is good, it will always come out with policies that will not enable anybody create an atmosphere that will create unnecessary rancour. Our party is noted for organizing credible primaries.

Because the party has that record, every aspirant will abide by the rules; so it will definitely be free and fair.

Are you confident that your candidate will win the primary and what are the indices of assurances that he will win?

I am absolutely confident because we have worked hard.

This is not a situation where we will sit at home and canvass for delegates support. We will go out, we will meet them, we will sell our candidate to them and we can conservative-

ly say that, if we go for into the primary today, we will get 75% of the votes.

The case of Bayelsa is close to that of Kogi where the APC conducted the primary and a former governor emerged.

Do you foresee a situation like that happening in Bayelsa?

We are talking about change.

In fact, we have sampled opinions and the people are saying that if it is the former governor that becomes the flag bearer of the APC, they will stick to the incumbent governor. I want to ask if you are aware of this scenario and feelings amongst ordinary Bayelsans?

We have sampled opinions and that is why most of us decided to pitch our tent with Alaibe because we need a

You just talked about the possibility of Sylva’s candidature.

Have the elders and chieftains of the APC made attempts to approach him, to talk to him, to appeal to him to allow your candidate fly the flag of the party. Have you done that or you just left it open that everybody should run?

Before we came to this edge, before the mass movement, the great rally that we organized where a mass of people defected to the APC, a group of elders, those of us who wanted to leave the PDP for the APC, went to his house and confronted him to tell us if he was interested in running for the governorship of Bayelsa and he told us, in clear terms, that he was not interested. We were about 15 that met him and

We have sampled opinions and that is why most of us decided to pitch our tent with Alaibe because we need a good candidate to face the ex-governor who has also shown interest good candidate to face the exgovernor who has also shown interest. And because Alaibe’s records stand out, there is no way the people of Bayelsa will not be happy. He is the right candidate. Of course I agree with them. If barely four years ago, the former governor was pelted with sachet water, I don’t see, at least for now, the people changing their minds so soon and forgetting the reason they pelted him with sachet water. I believe Bayelsa would be given the right choice, so that there will be no question of the people getting angry. We are pretty sure that a better candidate will win on the first ballot and Bayelsans will be happy for it. So when he comes up as the candidate of the APC, Bayelsans will massively vote for the party.

he said he wouldn’t contest.

And for somebody who was interested why did he have to wait till the last minute before buying and submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms? On the second leg of your question, why haven’t we talked to him since he showed interest?, we have not done that because we are democrats. And if in an earlier situation he said he was not interested and today he has decided to be interested, let’s go to the field.

Do you take that as betrayal?

I do not because it is his constitutional right to run for the governorship of Bayelsa. You can make a statement today and tomorrow do something else, it is your right. After all

he didn’t sign any agreement to that effect. If you ask him, he could even say he didn’t say it because there was no written undertaking. So it is his constitutional right to say he was not interested and then changed his mind because circumstances may have made him change his mind to contest.

Assuming your candidate wins the primary, how do you intend to face the incumbent governor. Are confident that the APC would win?

I am very confident that the incumbent will fail woefully. In the history of Bayelsa, I have never seen any governor, for three and a half years, who did not commission one project.

One of the indices to judge any governor is how many projects he commissioned during his tenure. Dickson has not commissioned one. There are projects littering the state half done. That is the evidence of lack of planning. That shows his level of planlessness. It also goes to show that he didn’t prioritize and so much money has been pumped into the half projects. The man has performed woefully and Bayelsans are becoming wiser. The Ijaw that people used to know in those days are becoming wiser now. The people are beginning to ask questions. If you know a situation where your child was awarded a scholarship and your child is stranded overseas without money, and you have to now borrow money to rescue the child, what do you think about leader who abandoned that child? Is that leader worth his salt? There is no way that if we go into election people will vote for the incumbent.

Do you share the same confidence, assuming your candidate is not the party’s candidate, will your party still win?

I am a party man. But I don’t think it will happen. I am very confident that my preferred candidate is going to emerge as the flag bearer, so I do not wish to go into that. I know that our candidate will win.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 45

By Olalekan Bilesanmi

P

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari clocked 100 days in office last Sunday. His inauguration as the fourth President since 1999 came with a lot of promises. One of his first actions was the ordering of the country’s military command to Maiduguri, the epicentre of the Boko Haram insurgency. The decision took the war against terrorism right to the door steps of Boko Haram, recording amazing results of conquest against insurgency, release of captured villages, freeing of largely women and children captives and restoration of hope of an end to terrorism.

In order to freeze thr activities of the terrorists, Buhari made diplomatic shuttle to the countries under the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic. The shuttle ultimately produced the Multinational Joint Task Force, which will create a ring around the terrorists. The Lake Chad Basin Commission military deployment has already attracted donations, military platforms and more shared intelligence. To further give a bite to the Multinational Joint Task Force, the President ordered the release of $21m to facilitate the establishment of the headquarters of the force in N’Djamena. The United States of America, USA, also pledged $5 million to the fight against Boko Haram, in addition to material support. This, in addition to other members of the G-7 who, while Buhari visited Germany, opened a new leaf of diplomatic relationship with Nigeria, promising technical and material support to quell the menace of the terrorists and rebuild the Nigerian economy.

As he got the support of the international community, Buhari, back at home, altered the strategy against Boko Haram by changing the service chiefs, and ensuring that the entire operation gets daily monitoring with the military heads now based in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. The President, also, in order to strengthen the nation’s security architecture, approved the recruitment of 10,000 operatives into the Nigerian Police which complemented Buhari’s vision of building a robust and responsive domestic security outfit.

Economy At the outset of his administration, the President approved an intervention fund to pay public servants owed salaries across the states due to the fall in revenue. Buhari’s intervention was principally to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and reduce the level of poverty in the country. Apart from the intervention, funds into the Federation Account witnessed a substantial jump in the month of July, 2015, largely due to the plugging of leakages. The jump was in spite of fall in oil revenue.

Electricity has improved significantly since the President assumed office on May 29, 2015. The biggest beneficiaries of this, of course, are the Small and Medium Enterprises,

Situating Buhari’s 100 days in office SMEs. Buhari’s ascension has also improved the country’s foreign reserves to $31.5 USD in spite of the falling global prices of commodities. From an initial $29.2 USD, the foreign reserves grew to $31.5, further securing the economy against global and domestic shocks.

The change in the leadership of the NNPC was a major stride in restructuring the organization. The appointment of a new Group Managing Director and the slice of Executive Directors from eight to four by the President has repositioned the organization. Closely linked, some refineries in the country have started operations. Kaduna and Port Harcourt refineries are producing at 60 percent capacity, hoping to close-up after a Turn Around Maintenance (TAM). Warri refinery is expected to start operation early next year. Now, fuel queues have gradually faded out at filling stations, especially in Abuja and Lagos where the queues lasted for a while after the inauguration.

One area where Buhari received accolades within the country was his ordering of the fast-track of the Ogoni cleanup, acting on a United Nations Environmental Project Report that had been stalled by previous administrations.

To further demonstrate his penchant for fairness and justice, the President directed the CBN to clear all outstanding allowances of former Niger

*Buhari Delta militants studying in various institutions across the world. The delay in the payment of the allowances had left the Amnesty Programme hanging on a cliff. He also rejigged the Amnesty Programme by changing the leadership, and giving it a new vision of catering for the weak, the poor and the vulnerable. That move was well received by the people of the Niger-Delta.

There used to be Federal Government delegation to Saudi Arabia for annual hajj which, usually, gulped millions of naira. The President has since stopped it. By this decision, the government saved about one million U.S dollars and N30m in local expenses.

Corruption Striking at the heart of corruption, Buhari ordered the closure of multiple accounts in

MDAs and a reduction to the use of Single Treasury Account to promote transparency and accountability.

After three days visit, the President was able to harmonize Nigeria’s relationship with the United States, which faltered under the immediate past administration. The United States, as a result of the visit, promised more support for Nigeria in terms of technical, military and intelligence support to end insurgency in the North-East.

The result of the improved relations between the two countries saw the released evidence by the United States of massive looting and links of monies wired out of the country. The President has directed prosecution. The meeting in the United States also attracted N2.7 trillion investments into Nigeria.

On corruption, the impression of Buhari as incorruptible and the fear of prosecution pushed many to return stolen public funds, with reports saying key actors in the immediate past government have returned huge sums of money.

He has meanwhile set up an advisory committee on war against corruption to design an effective template for fighting corruption Buhari’s leadership has been religiously focused on cutting down the cost of governance while channeling scarce resources to the areas of priority; thus, government’s official travels have been reviewed so that public officers no longer embark on frivolous foreign trips. He also cancelled oil swap deals that had cost the country billions of dollars; resulted in fuel queues due to differences in figures and muddled the country’s reputation multiple interpretations and reported high level corruption. The change in administration saw the monetary value of finished goods and services produced in Nigeria in the second quarter of 2015 recording 2.57 percent growth, says data on Quarterly Gross Domestic Product estimates of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.

In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 90.20 percent to the nation’s overall GDP, marginally higher than both the 89.55 percent share recorded in the first quarter of 2015, and 89.24 percent recorded in the corresponding period of 2014.

I will complete abandoned products of value — Wike

By Jimitota Onoyume

T

RADERS at Rumuolume ni Market abandoned their wares to dance as they saw the convoy of Governor Nyesom Wike who was in the area to inspect work on the abandoned Rumuolumeni Road.

They offered prayers, thanking the governor for resuming work on the dilapidated road.

A resident, who simply gave his name as Ikem, said, for four years, he could not drive his car to his compound. “ I drive to a point on this road and join Keke Napep to my house. This I did for four years until this governor started work on this road”, he said.

Like others, his joy knew no bounds, as he poured encomiums on the governor. “God will bless you, sir, for remembering us”, he said.

As the governor was inspecting the road, some journalists approached him, firing questions from all sides.

Wike was reminded that there was the accusation that he was awarded the contract for the road work by the former government but he abandoned it, an allegation he dismissed as untrue.

“This road was given to a construction firm and it has never been awarded to anybody. As-

suming it was awarded to me, what did you do as the governor? You were there, the person took the money away. There are certain things you don’t say in public. It is not true. The road was awarded to the firm about five years ago but nothing was done, “ he said.

The governor was also told to comment on the allegation by the opposition that most of the projects he commissioned to mark his 100 days in office were about 80 percent complet-

Let me also speak on this Nkpogu Bridge. It was abandoned by the former government. The contractor told us he needed N500 million to fix it.

So we asked him to go ahead. I expect that N500 million should not be a reason this bridge should not be completed

*Wike ed by the former government before it bowed out on May 29.

Wike dismissed the allegation as bad politics on the part of the opposition. He accused the former government of abandoning its responsibility to the people, saying that was why it could not complete so many projects. He said the projects he took over were abandoned, some at 40 percent completion stage.

The governor said he was going to complete every project that was of value started by the former government to ensure Rivers money was not wasted.

“That allegation is neither here nor there. It does not make sense. What they wanted was for government to abandon projects so that government’s funds will be wasted. So that there will be abandoned projects everywhere . What is important is that you (referring to former Governor Chibuike Amaechi) had eight years and you were unable to complete the projects. You abandoned government totally. What you would have done was to complete the projects. Election was done in April; so you still had one month to complete but you did not do anything”, he said.

At Nkpogu Road where the state government is constructing a new bridge, Wike said he summoned the contractor doing the road who told him that the bridge was abandoned and he (contractor) was ready to execute it for the N500 million he earlier quoted.

“Let me also speak on this Nkpogu Bridge. It was abandoned by the former government. The contractor told us he needed N500 million to fix it.

So we asked him to go ahead.

I expect that N500 million should not be a reason this bridge should not be completed. Tomorrow they will tell you this road was almost 99 percent

Continues on page 46

PAGE 46—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

THE NNAMANI/ NNAJI BATTLE FOR ENUGU-EAST

Drama in election petition tribunal as INEC’s counsel disowns employer’s document

By Francis Igata

A

HEAD of the March 28 National Assembly elections in Enugu State, Enugu-East Senatorial District was presented as the zone where the contest would be fiercest of the three districts in the state.

The senatorial segment of the polls in the district paraded political bigwigs.

The candidates were a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, of the Peoples Democratic Change (PDC), incumbent Gil Nnaji of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, a former National Chairman,Association of Local Governments Chairmen, ALGON,Nwabueze Okafor, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA,Ben Nwoye,State Chairman, All Progressives Congress, APC, who was the party’s candidate.

The election later became a two-horse race between Nnaji and Nnamani.

The result of the poll, as declared by INEC, showed that PDP won with 69,544 votes against PDC’s 57,528..

The declaration elicited protests in Enugu metropolis.

But Nnamani calmed frayed nerves, assuring protesters he will challenge the result at the tribunal.

HEARING BEGINS Drama ensued as hearing began in the case in which the former Engu governor is challenging the result when the lawyer representing INEC rejected a document issued by the commission Mr. Benson Ibezim, stunned the tribunal when he rejected a certified true copy of a document issued by INEC, saying it could not be admitted in evidence for doubtful authenticity and competence of the INEC Legal Services Department to endorse it.

The counsel to INEC, third respondent in the petition, told the tribunal he was “in the same boat” with Nnaji and the PDP in objecting to the admission in evidence of a certified true copy of the card reader polling unit accreditation report, even though it was signed by the Director of Legal Services of the electoral commission.

Counsel to the petitioner, Mr. O. Jolaawo, who had earlier tendered four documents for admission in evidence without objection by the respondents, had further sought to tender in evidence the card reader polling unit accreditation report generated by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department of INEC for the presidential/National Assembly elections and signed by the Director of Legal Services of INEC. This was, however, met with stiff objection by the lead counsel to Nnaji, Mr. P.I.N. Ikwueto, SAN, and that of the PDP, Mr. P.M.B. Onyia, saying it did not meet the requirements of the Evidence Act as the INEC Director of Legal Services, who signed the document, was not competent to do so, not being an ICT expert.

Ojolaawo, who immediately faulted the INEC lawyer joining respondents in objecting to a document duly signed by the commission, urged the tribunal to disregard his objection. He averred that even though the counsel to INEC was defending the election in dispute, he could not object to documents authenticated by the commission.

*Nnaji

*Nnamani

Following an admonition by the chairman of the tribunal, Justice M.O Adewara, Ibezim, however, apologised,

promising to desist from objecting to duly certified documents submitted by the commission.

The petitioner’s counsel, in his reply to the objection, insisted that the document met all requirements of the Electoral Act as well as the Evidence Act, arguing further that the INEC Director of Legal Services duly signed the certified report generated by the commission’s ICT Department. He said the certified true copy was in addition backed by a certification by INEC that the document complied with Section 84 of the Evidence Act, for which he paid and also attached the receipt, adding that it was pleaded in the petition and listed among the documents to be tendered in evidence.

In his ruling, Justice Adewara agreed with the petitioner that the certified true copy of the report was accompanied by

Mr. Benson Ibezim, stunned the tribunal when he rejected a certified true copy of a document issued by INEC, saying it could not be admitted in evidence for doubtful authenticity

authentication certificate, dated 15th May 2015 and signed by Mrs. Nnenna A. Essien, Head of Section, Data Warehousing, ICT Department, INEC Headquarters, Abuja, as required by Section 42 of the Evidence Act. He held that unlike the case relied upon by the respondents in objecting to the admission of the report in evidence which was not backed with the authentication certificate, Nnamani complied with the requirements of Section 84 of the Evidence Act. The tribunal chairman held further that the report was relevant, pleaded in the petition and admissible in evidence. He therefore dismissed the objection as lacking in merit and ruled in favour of the petitioner. The report was subsequently admitted and marked as Exhibit CRD1.

CROSS EXAMINATION Contradictory deposition characterised the PDP’s defense at the hearing as a local government collation agent, a witness, whose signature and date on the result sheet showed March 28, said collation started in the wee hours of March 29.

Ebe Eric Chidiebere, collation agent for the PDP in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area where PDC is alleging inflation of results, who took the witness box, confirmed certified true copies of the voters register used in the election for the council area during cross examination by counsel to the petitioner.

However, his evidence stood on its head when he was shown copies of the voters register used in some polling units that had no voting ticks contrary to INEC election manual which stipulates that any voter issued ballot paper must have his name ticked.

Ebe agreed that there were no voting ticks even as he read out to the court, the portion of the election manual which stipulates that any voter issued ballot paper must have his name ticked.

He was also shown the card reader data and result sheets for those polling stations where there were no ticks in the voters register.

100 days: I will complete abandoned products of value — Wike Continued from page 45 completed. Now you see what we are doing here. When this bridge is done, it will ease traffic”, he said.

“We are also working on AbolomaWoji-Akpajo Road which we took over at about 40 percent completion stage.

We are going to complete it this month.

“I have said any useful project abandoned in the state by past governments will be completed because we don’t want to encourage abandoned project syndrome in our state”.

The governor also drove to inspect work at Borikiri, Creek Roads. Excited residents said the roads were in dilapidated state for several years. Wike said he had to engage reputable firms such as Julius Berger, CCECC for his Operation no Pothole project in Port Harcourt and adjoining local governments to achieve durable and quality job.

According to him, the projects being executed by his government so far were funded from the N30 billion loan he had collected, adding that salaries, pension, school fees of students owed overseas by the former government were also paid from the loan. He said the state government did not partake in the bailout fund of the Federal Government,

Wike said he will continue to focus only on projects that his administration will have capacity to complete.

“It does not make sense to build a bridge I know I can’t finish in eight years. I just do the basic things that people can be happy with. These are little things that don’t require much money and people will be happy”, he said.

He also dismissed as untrue the allegation by the opposition that he was working to win the hearts of the people because he was afraid that the election tribunal will nullify his election “I don’t know that they are in the tribunal. I am doing what I told the people I will do from day one. My business is that I have started fulfilling the promises I made to the people, their allegation has no substance.”

Responding to a question on assets declaration, the governor said he had since complied with the law. On the programme of his government to enhance security in the state, the governor said he had continued to provide logistic support to police and other security bodies.

He said his government was also set to deploy two helicopters for security operations in the state.

“Rivers State government paid for helicopters in 2011/2012 but, up till now, the helicopters have not come. This shows our commitment. We have paid

for the insurance, put everything in place for the helicopters to come. They are to enhance security in the state”, he stated.

“We have given logistic support to security agencies. We have virtually improved on the security situations but we can’t say we are there yet. We will continue to support security agencies.

“One problem we have is that, within three months, they have changed how many commissioner of police, brigade commanders, SSS directors? These are people who sat with me to plan, The last commissioner of police that left wanted to work. We had planned strategies and they were all changed. We are still playing politics and not governance”.

The governor said he was not opposed to constructive criticism because it leads to improvement.

Other projects visited were the Faculty of Law building at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology that has been refurbished by his government, East West-Eleme Onne Expressway, Elioparanwo Road, Whimpey, Evo Road, Eagle Island-Iloabuchi Road and bridge as well as Silverbird CinemaAbali Park Road.

To many Rivers residents, it is clear that Wike hit the ground running. The expectation is that he should sustain this tempo of development in the state.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 47

OIL AND GAS

GE in $1billion Nigeria technology transfer bid *Flaunts locally refurbished Christmas Tree subsea production equipment

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BY WALE AKINOLA

raditionally, General Electric (GE), as the name suggests, has huge interests in the power (electricity) sector.

The multinational has a subsidiary (GE Power and Water) wholly devoted to power generation, transmission and distribution across the world.

It manufactures gas engines, gas turbines, wind turbines, steam turbines, generators, nuclear reactors, etc. GE is a big player in the Nigerian power sector where there is dire need of electricity. The subsidiary is also in charge of the conglomerate’s water and process technologies.

But beyond the GE area of core competence, it equally has interests in virtually every area of human needs. The American giant has interests in aviation, capital, healthcare, home and business, transportation, etc, with a subsidiary in charge of each interest. GE’s latest leap in Nigeria is into oil and gas.

Under the auspices of GE Oil and Gas, the leap is not into the exploration or exploitation of the crude, but into the oil servicing sub-sector where GE is currently into the refurbishment of the Christmas Trees subsea production equipment at its Onne, Port Harcourt, Rivers State site. The site occupies over 3,500 sq. meters of land with standard equipment installed.

Officials of GE Oil and Gas described the refurbishment of the subsea production equipment as an innovation in this part of the world as it is the only organisation in sub-Sahara Africa to do so. In essence, before GE Oil and Gas opened the Onne site, oil firms in need of their subsea production equipment refurbishment had to do so abroad, spending huge sums of hard currency in the process.

The officials claimed to have deployed at least two refurbished Christmas Trees recently.

Meanwhile, refurbished Christmas Trees come nearly as new subsea equipment as they have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years.

The GE Oil and Gas officials, Uzochi Nwogwu, Chief Operating Officer, West Africa; Kenny Yeats, Operations Leader/ Regional Services Manager; and Sunny Ojieh, Local Content Manager, West Africa, spoke during a facility tour of the Onne facility by select journalists.

According to Nwogwu, “Onne represents our local content footprint in the oil and gas sector with giant strides in job creation, training and capacity building and supplier development”. The COO explained that the Onne site provides jobs for 600 hires and service trainees, representing 93% of local workforce and seven percent expatriate. He added that the expatriates are trainers while locals carry out the work 100%”.

Indeed, preparatory to the Onne facility, GE Oil and Gas recruited 14 Nigerian graduates of engineering, sent them on a 24-month subsea-based training

The trainees are assigned mentors in the workshop who help them to learn and see more about our products. This has helped them to gain practical exposure, simulation experience, product knowledge and system understanding

in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Brazil.

The trainees, who began the program in June 2013, have since completed the exercise and form the core-technical staff of the facility. The GE Oil and Gas officials told journalists that about $2.4 million was spent training the Nigerian graduates.

Speaking on the rationale behind the training programme, Yeats, said: “Investing in Africa’s future leaders is a big focus for GE because we believe that when you equip people with necessary tools and empower them with specific skills plus techniques, they would be able to deliver sterling performance”.

Nwogwu expressed similar sentiment when he said: “The graduate engineering program is designed to have hands-on experience in subsea production equipment and learn about all the components and how these are assembled. The content is structured to relate to the real world of subsea products and engineering, helping the trainees to connect the dots.

“The trainees are assigned mentors in the workshop who help them to learn and see more about our products. This has helped them to gain practical exposure, simulation experience, product knowledge and system understanding”.

Whereas the sheer size of the Onne facility, the scope of work and the funds sunk are mindboggling, the GE Oil and Gas officials said it will be a tip of the iceberg of the multinational’s operations in Nigeria when another facility in the pipeline in Calabar, Cross River State is completed.

This is understandable to the extent that the Onne site refurbishes subsea production equipment while the Calabar facility will manufacture. The manufacturing facility will create more opportunities for Nigeria as it has the capacity to create 250 direct jobs and estimated 2,000 indirect

operations. Being established in collaboration with Calabar Tech, the GE Oil and Gas officials boasted that the Calabar site will lay the foundation for knowledge and technology transfer to Nigerian sub-suppliers, academic institutions, among others.

Ahead of the take-off of the project, next year (2016), the officials said 15 Nigerian engineering graduates, representing the first batch of trainees, were sent abroad for training in February 2014. The

graduates are made up of three manufacturing engineers and 12 technicians.

“By 2018, this state-of-the-art facility will be a hub for GE’s industrial businesses including turbomachinery, fabrication of subsea wellheads, power generation, aero, distributed power and repair service”, Nwogwu, the COO, GE Oil and Gas, West Africa, said.

The facility, according to him, will include a training centre for technical and leadership development.

“We have signed an MoU with Calabar Tech with commitment to invest in capacity/capability build. GE is investing $2million to support building upgrade, curriculum development, teacher training and equipment upgrade”, he added.

On the financial outlay of the GE Oil and Gas in Nigeria, Nwogwu said the multinational will spend over a billion dollars on the Calabar project, among other projects in the country, over the next five years.

NAIRA DEVALUATION

Purchasing power of households shrink — Survey

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

A

survey conducted by a research firm, TNS, has shown that 66 per cent of households in the country suffer shrinking purchasing power as a result of the devaluation of the Naira.

Assessing the effects of the devaluation, Nigerians, who took part in the survey, said the drop in the value of the currency was bad for the economy as it is the cause of the rise in the price of consumer goods.

According to the report, 66 per cent of households said the increase in dollar value at the expense of the naira has had negative impact on them.

The poll sought respondents’ opinion on four key areas, which include opinion about the country and personal financial situation, assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance and key state institutions, economic, fuel and power issues including terrorism.

The survey noted that 91 per cent of Nigerians support Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade while 86

per cent are optimistic about how they will fare financially in 12 months’ time.

On his speed of administration, 45 per cent think he is slow but steady, 31 per cent disagreed that he is slow while 19 per cent agreed that Buhari is slow. The poll also stated that 59 per cent of Nigerians endorsed the cabinet formation date fixed this month, three months after the president was sworn in. 19 percent agreed that the date is far but necessary while 15 per cent said the date should have been earlier.

On the electricity situation, 74 percent of Nigerians reported improved electricity supply while 78 percent of Nigerians also reported improved fuel supply.

According to the survey, 74 percent Nigerians are more confident that their state governments can better deliver good governance than their national assembly while 65 percent expressed confidence on the senate.

The survey which interviewed 1001 Nigerians showed that Nigerians are highly against legalization of gay marriage in

the country. According to the poll, while 3 percent supported gay marriage, 96 percent are against it.

The survey also said Nigerians are confident in President Muhammadu Buhari’s ability to fix the country.

In the poll, Buhari had overall impressive score among Nigerians who rated his performance high and think he is going in the right direction.

TNS report conducted in the third week of August 2015 among representative adult population in the 6 geopolitical zones further showed 55 percent of Nigerians thinking that the country is headed in the right direction while 74 percent think that the president has performed well so far.

With air of hope among Nigerians and the international community about Nigeria following the emergence of Buhari as president, most Nigerians (84 percent) expressed trust on the president as 84 percent of Nigerians believing that the present administration can win the war against Boko Haram.

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Actualise your dream with prayers

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aiting on the Lord for children didn’t just start.

The Holy Bible has stories of women who were faced with the challenge . Almost all the women who had it broke through.

Let’s begin this week with a message by Pastor Busola Jegede during a programme for women: Daughters of Destiny.

In the message titled, “ The Man Zachariah”, she made the point that whatever challenges we face, we must not stop serving God. She made reference to Luke 1 (114) which narrates the story of Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth who had been waiting on the Lord for children.

According to the Holy Bible, Zachariah and his wife, in spite of the delay in having children, continued to serve the Lord.

She told the congregation that believers need to back up prayers with faith.

According to Jegede, “ God cannot do anything without your faith”.

She advised that anyone waiting on the Lord for anything should have no doubt.

Zachariah expressed doubt, as recorded in Luke 1 vs 18, when he asked the angel who brought the good news about a son on the way for him. He said, “ Whereby shall I

know this, for I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years?”.

Are you tired of waiting?

No. You can’t be tired. As Pastor Oso of the Laughter Foundation Cathedral, Lagos often suggests, pray until you get result.

Several people in this situation have given up. They stopped praying. A lady once got so angry she asked: “ If God would do it, why hasn’t He done it all these years?”

This is the attitude of a person who has submitted to the challenge.

You should not submit to a challenge no matter how insurmountable it appears.

Another way to overcome is to focus on the solution and not the challenge.

How is this done? Remain steadfast with prayer. Fast , sow seeds, make vows .

There are ways that can lead to one’s break through.

Our responsibilitySomething we must always remember is that nearly all human beings have one challenge or the other. Whereas yours may be waiting on the Lord for children, others are waiting on the Lord for marriage partners , financial breakthrough, healing, etc.

Even some of those who have

children have challenges.

Some have children who are hooked on drugs, others have children who are out rightly disobedient.

Challenges come in different forms.

To have a breakthrough, focus on the Lord who is able to do all things.

Luke 1 (37) tells us: “For with God, nothing shall be impossible”.

Have your prayed to the point where the Holy Spirit speaks to you?

Have you taken your prayer level to the point that the Holy Spirit gives you Bible passages ?

Has your prayer level gotten to the point that you sing from your

While waiting, what do you say to yourself? It is important what you say to yourself. If you declare that you are a mother, so shall it be.

The Bible says: “The just shall live by faith”.

dream to life?

All of these may sound strange but people have had such experiences and have broken through.

We must realize that believing God does not begin and end with sermons of preachers. As believers, we have our own responsibility.

God has the final say.

Let me share with you, the story of a lady who I will simply refer to as Flora ( not real name). This lady got married and was pregnant within the first two months of her marriage .

While still waiting to observe the changes in her body before going for pregnancy test, she had a dream in which two women appeared to her and said “ even you are pregnant”.

One of them placed her hand on Flora and that was it. She went for a test and it was negative.

She continued moving from one hospital to another with the support of her husband.

While this was going on, she had another dream in which someone told her: “ You will never have children in this marriage”, but in the same dream, according to the lady, another voice replied: “You are a liar”.

The lady persisted, continued with prayers, worship and service to the Lord.

Today, to the glory of God, she is a mother of children.

Prophetic utterance -While waiting, what do you say to yourself? It is important what you say to yourself. If you declare that you are a mother, so shall it be.

The Bible says: “The just shall live by faith”.

Hebrew 11 vs 1 states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.

Prepare for the birth of your babies. Take physical steps.

Consulting doctors for physical assistance isn’t a sin but we need to back it up with prayer.

In seeking physical help, we must also focus on the spiritual.

Place your trust in God, not on human beings.

Whatever step the doctor takes would fail if the Almighty God does not back it.

At the risk of sounding repetitive, I reiterate that couples must remain united.

Habakkuk 2 vs 3 states: “For the vision is yet for an appointed time but, at the end, it shall speak and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it: because it will surely come, it will not tarry”.

Be watchful - To send this message across, I will refer to the experiences of two women .

The first is a married woman who I’ll simply call Mrs. M. She had a child. In order to manage her home and career, she hired a maid who lived with the couple.

Unknown to the woman, the maid was no ordinary human being.

Mrs. M. had cause to scold her for bad behavior and the girl told her principal’s sibling, who also lived with the couple, that Mrs. M. will never have another child because of some forces ( known to her). Mrs. M’s sibling did not take the statement serious but that was the beginning of a new challenge in that family.

For over 20 years, she had no other child. She moved from one place of worship to another.

By the time she had her second baby, while giving testimony at Laughter Foundation, she told her story and, by then, her first son had graduated.

We’ll return to this issue in details in subsequent columns..

We need to discuss this issue because the experiences of some people have shown that many of the spiritual obstacles to a joyful home are the handiwork of human beings.

Were you at the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s ( RCCG) annual programme for women waiting on the Lord, titled, “ Good News”, and held on September 4? If you missed it, you can obtain the DVD or CD and the Lord will give you good news in Jesus name.

Let’s continue to step up faith, be focused and those who are laughing at you will soon laugh with you in the mighty name of Jesus.

The quest for new economic models for Nigeria,W/Africa

BY UDEME CLEMENT

I

n order to enhance economic growth and productivity in West Africa, senior economists and professionals charged with the responsibility of preparing policy papers, statistical data, forecasts and other inputs in policy making process have been trained on how to upgrade their skills in developing macroeconomic models and the demand for money models in their economies.

Speaking while addressing participants at the opening ceremony of a regional course on modeling and forecasting for policy analysis, designed for senior economists and other professionals in the sub-region, organised by West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), in collaboration with African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), in Lagos, the Director General of WAIFEM, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, said the mission of the institute was to develop, on sustainable basis, expertise in the fields of macroeconomic.

He added, “The expertise will cover debt and financial sector management among the staff of Central Banks, ministries of finance, economic planning and public sector bodies with the core economic management responsibilities. So far, the institute has successfully executed over 520 courses since inception, and these have benefited more than 14,380 participants from the sub-region and beyond. The Institute has the mandate to conduct research and

From L-R: The Director, Administration and Finance, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), Mr. Euraclyn Williams, the Director General of WAIFEM, Prof. Akpan Ekpo, the Director, Macroeconomic Management Department, Mr. Christian Kedze and the Debt Advisor of WAIFEM, Mr. Sam Omoruyi, at the opening ceremony of a regional course on Modeling and Forecasting for Policy Analysis, designed for Senior Economists and other Professional, organised by WAIFEM, in Lagos. consultancy in the areas of macroeconomic policy management and promotion of best practices. WAIFEM will soon commence e-learning programmes (Diploma and advanced Diploma) in banking supervision and public debt management. Plans are far advanced for the Institute to also commence courses in French with the intention of facilitating communication in the ECOWAS sub-region.”

He went on “Econometric modeling/forecasting for policy analysis helps in understanding the operation of an economy, as it enhances the policy and decision making process both at the macro and micro levels. In the implementation of monetary and fiscal policies, econometric method helps to quantify how the economy and monetary/fiscal

policies work. It is also useful in monitoring the economy in making short and long term projections, in order to determine the path to be followed by policy make r s .

For its efficiency, there is the need for assessing trends and developments in the domestic economy, external environment as well as evaluation of impact on monetary policy over the medium term. Also, there is the need for central banks in the region to have a clear understanding of monetary transmission mechanisms. This is realised through macro econometric methods based on the reality of the economy.”

He continued “In doing this, we should have sound systems for acquiring, sharing and analysing economic and financial data, so that policies can respond quickly

to unforeseen developments and steer actions to achieve policy objectives.

When sufficient data are available, policymakers should make use of econometric techniques and models for a better understanding of their economies. These techniques can be used to support good economic analysis, and not as a substitute for it. It is important to understand the linkages between data, economic methods, forecasting, analysis and policy decisions. But, we must understand that data and econometric methods have

limitation, which is why, they are usually supplemented by expert opinion and informed judgement.”

The regional conference, which drew participants from University of Oxford, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), monetary department of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), University of Ibadan and other areas in the sub-region also focused on stimulating economic growth and development within the region and beyond.

Bajaj ventures into home appliances market

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

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ajaj Electricals Limited, a subsidiary of Bajaj Group of Companies, owners of the Bajaj tricycle (known as Keke Marwa), has ventured into the home appliances market in Nigeria. It picked Polaris Trade and Logistics PTL Limited as exclusive distributor.

Addressing traders, salesmen and brand ambassadors at the launch in Lagos, Executive Vice President, Bajaj Electricals Limited, Pradeep Patil, described Bajaj as an enigma in small appliances and a market leader in fans, lightings and power distribution.

He said: “Bajaj Electricals has through its wide range of products provided convenience and happiness to millions of homes in India and other international markets… and with the same passion and

commitment we will proudly assert these world-class products in Nigeria.”

Patil, who doubles as the company’s Business Unit Head – Kitchen Appliances, said: “Appliances isn’t only about quality products but the overall experience of the users and our goal, just as we did in India, is to change the experience of users and bring happiness to many more homes in Nigeria.”

He applauded PTL, Bajaj local partners, describing the company’s experience in brand management and customer service as unprecedented with full infrastructure facilities for distribution, sales and aftermarket services nationwide.

“With the vast experience of our partners in Nigeria, we will continue to expand our network and introduce new and worldclass products and inspire trust,” Mr. Patil affirmed.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, Page

Buhari and us: I stand to be corrected VIEWPOINT

By Philip Afaha

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A President’s scorecard

“What we need to be doing is not just changing who holds power, but changing the way we conceive of power. There is the power we’re all familiar with — power over. But there is another kind of power — power from within.”

(Starhawk, 1979)

B

UHARI has already won the psychological war on corruption - the fear of repercussion, at least, is palpable. Everybody is now scared of stealing and everyone is talking about the war even when not asked. The Nigerian atmosphere is evidently charged with the new spirit of the times. The battle of the minds was won without firing a shot. The next and the main battle front is not only in government offices, but in all strands of the Nigerian tapestry; in banks, churches, mosques, schools, taxis, fuel stations, market stalls, hospitals, the media, sports, security system and even the internet. The only sector of our national life that seemed to be immune from the corruption plague was the morgue—indeed, apart from a few instances where corpses were kidnapped from the Abuja National Hospital, Nigerians don’t steal corpses.

Buhari has gotten all Nigerians to talk not only about, but also publicly against corruption. Nowadays it is fashionable for known corrupticians to buy airtime and talk against corruption on

VIEWPOINT

By Emmanuel Ajibulu

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The best man for the job

H

ON. Gbenga Elegbeleye persona is derived from the stern stuff of life, the compulsive need to weave enduring strands or legacies that would out-live him and the desire to be a change agent in the discharge of the social contract.

A man of great patience and tolerance, his scruples border on the fundamental assumption that life is a selfless service in which there is more to gain in giving of one’s time, energy and resources than in being a docile recipient of its offerings.

Elegbeleye is not only detribalized in the true sense of it but also believes in the Nigerian enterprise and strives within acceptable codes to uphold the sacredness of the country’s values. His visions are ennobled by his belief that the progress of society is predicated on quality

television—to act holy and to dissuade public angst and condemnation. But Buhari knows these persons just like every other Nigerian does. To pretend not to know a thief even when caught until the thief defends himself and proven guilty is one of the funniest lies we‘ve been forced to accept. That is the bullshit about the rule of law. But I’m not against the rule of law— after-all bullshit can also be used to grow flowers. My point is that the particular aspect of the Nigerian rule of law that protects known corrupticians who looted our patrimony is bad bullshit. It is painful to know that these corrupticians are everywhere, constantly spraying their odious stench. One hopes the recently inaugurated Itsay Sagay committee will give the needed teeth and close the loopholes in the Nigerian legal system before these same bad eggs encircle the president.

Buhari is a disciplinarian and everyone knows he came to clean the Aegean stable.

Few days after his swearing in, his brother-in-law was forced to repent, a certain refinery announced its readiness to start production, a certain former minister publicly returned fleet of cars and certain amount of cash and others are running to take refuge in foreign hospital on phantom medical stories. And, most recently, a self-claimed whistle blower rattled EFCC, accusing the very agency saddled with watching over our commonwealth, of stealing over a trillion naira. The fear of Buhari has gripped Nigerians such that the police

were begging applicants not to pay bribe for the upcoming recruitment. I think Buhari has successfully mobilized the nation against corruption and the war is half won!.

The initial challenges that stared the Buhari administration in the face were the renewed terror attacks, long queues at filling stations due to round-tripping and other sleazy deals that surrounded the management of fuel subsidy, and perennial power outages. Buhari‘s responses were swift and surgical; he immediately engaged the stakeholders of the power and petroleum sectors and extracted an understanding that restored normalcy to those critical sectors. On Boko Haram, Buhari rallied countries of the Lake Chad Basin to put a

Buhari is a disciplinarian and everyone knows he came to clean the Aegean stable

multilateral force to confront the terrorists, after relocating the military command centre to Maiduguri and appointing new service chiefs. The military has started recording success.

In the Niger Delta, apart from the recent exploits of the navy pulling down bunkering sites even the ones behind Rivers State Government House, the story of Ogoniland was the saddest of all. This was a community that produced the wealth that the nation survives with but its land cannot breathe life due to the sludge through years of oil exploration. Again Buhari came to the rescue by ensuring the clean-up of that community. He followed it up by appointing a new coordinator to articulate the Amnesty Programme to its true intention. In the South East, Buhari gave due attention to the 2nd Niger Bridge. Initially, the President’s order for a review of the contract was misunderstood by those who felt they were about to be deprived of that strategic infrastructure. But the fact remains that the president was not only nosing for probity, but to ensure its completion and never to be abandoned again.

The Buhari administration has also released funds for the sport sector to enhance their preparation for the next Olympics and sundry competitions. This must have been informed by the fact that apart from sports being a tool for youth employment, nothing conjures national integration than sports; not even religion.

On the diplomatic scene, Buhari’s trips to the Chatham House and the White House were not show trips. They were

Elegbeleye for Ondo governor leadership that aspires to enthrone enduring change through quantum developmental leaps. This was profoundly demonstrated

Significantly, he served as Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports during that period

when Elegbeleye contested and was elected Chairman, Akoko North-East Local Government Council between 1997 and 1998.

During the period, he simultaneously served as a member of the Ondo State Primary Education Board (SPEB).

Subsequently, he was appointed as Chairman, Ondo State Waste Management Authority in 2003, a position he held until 2006. He also represented A k o k o - N o r t h / E a s t / We s t Federal Constituency at the National Assembly from 2007 – 2011.

Significantly, he served as Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports during that period.

At the constituency level, he was profoundly known for legislative youth empowerment, empowerment for old and vulnerable groups, rural development and energy sector development, among

others. Quite a number of Bills and Motions were also credited to him as part of evidences of his quality representation as a federal parliamentarian in the 6th Assembly.

His sterling and indelible achievements as a member of the 6th Assembly earned him the position of DirectorGeneral of National Sports Commission on May 15, 2013.

Elegbeleye transformed Nigeria’s sports sector to meet its set goals in the interest of target groups.

This silent achiever was born in Ikare, Akoko North East Local Government Area of Ondo State. He attended A.U.D Primary School, Ikare, St. Patrick’s’ Secondary School, Iwaro-Oka, University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile Ife and Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti.

Elegbeleye is moderate, introverted, nationalistic in outlook: in contemporary Africa, even in the beguiling hues of Nigeria, these are

49

deft engagements given the calibre of the UK and the US in global affairs and the attendant benefits Nigeria stands to reap.

While I will not encourage praise singing Buhari to start playing god in office, it is unfair to brush aside his efforts especially at this take-off stage.

I salute those criticising Buhari. He needs more criticisms if he must remain focused. But criticisms can also be negative; geared not towards redress but to poison the system and pull down the leader. Recent tirades on Buhari‘s appointments are becoming poisonous. Yet again we are relapsing to our different ethnic choirs while still singing the change song.

Buhari is not oblivious of the Federal Character principle.

But he should make haste to fix his entire team so that his policies, actions and body language can easily be explained to the masses to avoid being constantly misunderstood by the governed. The whole idea of the APC machinery acting as government mouthpiece is not politically correct. There should be a line between podium tirades and articulating government policies and actions for public acceptance.

Public engagement is different from campaign oratory. The masses too should learn to trust their leaders and first flush their minds of seeing government as the oppressor and always playing the victim. The ‘ we‘ versus ‘them‘ mentality is what weakens people’s strength to achieve popular goals. Let’s watch Buhari‘s next moves. I stand to be corrected. *Afaha is a public affairs analyst

labels often ascribed to patriotic politicians. But Elegbeleye is exceptional: he seems to want his achievements as the sounding board of his stead and has been carrying on stoically with the act of governance since his foray into politics right from 1997.

Perhaps this was why the Akoko Youth Vanguard and other well-meaning Ondo State sons and daughters are calling on him to accept the offer of running as governor of Ondo State in 2016. To them, Elegbeleye’s great antecedents and good virtues position him as the next number one citizen of the state. All the three senatorial zones in the state have had the opportunity of producing the governor in the current political dispensation and the position could comfortably go back to the north that started the rotation in 1999, and in this equation Elegbeleye stands a better chance of winning.

*Ajibulu wrote from 3 Arms Zone, Abuja viaemmanuelajibulu@gmail.com

PAGE 50—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Lagos: It’s 100 days of humanitarian approach to governance

By Mike Ebonugwo

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ERHAPS taking a cue from President Muhammadu Buhari who is yet to appoint ministers three months after being sworn into office, most newly elected state governors have stayed shy of announcing commissioners to work with them to deliver the much-talked-about dividends of democracy to the people. It is a development that has sharply been criticised in some quarters as being unhealthy to democratic practices.

Lagos is one such state where the people are eagerly awaiting their governor to announce the appointment of his commissioners and special advisers. But while they wait, it is remarkable that Lagosians have not actually been complaining about the seeming delay. Instead the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, is already being hailed as a man of the people after three months of holding sway in Lagos State.

Some even maintain that he is running a government with human face. This fast growing belief among many in Lagos has been attributed to the fact that though Amode’s cabinet has not been consituted, this has not stopped the Governor from hitting the ground running, especially in addressing immediate challenges bothering Lagosians in different parts of the state.

Humanitarian response To buttress the claim, those who hold this impression readily cite the Governor’s quick humanitarian response to recent tanker fire explosions that occurred in the state, saying his action came as a pleasant surprise to many who could not help but applaud him.

Although he was out of the state when the Iyana Ipaja incident occurred, the Governor had on being informed of it hurriedly returned to Lagos and headed straight to the scene of the blast. He also responded in a similar manner to the fire incident caused by a petrol tanker explosion at Idimu.

In both cases, the Governor was on hand to console and identify with the residents, especially those who suffered losses, just as he made hope-instilling promises to provide them succour to enable them.

The Governor did not stop at this humanitarian gesture in his response to these tanker fire C M Y K

*Baby Oluwajomiloju after the surgery to correct heart defect

**Governor Ambode tragedies. He had subsequently summoned a meeting with petroleum products marketers in addition to setting up a factfinding committee to investigate and ascertain the causes of the incidents.

The Governor was again compelled to take further action in this regard following an accident involving an articulated vehicle which fell off the Ojuelegba bridge and landed on two cars, killing three persons in the process.

It was an accident that provoked another round of condemnation from many angry Lagosians who demanded that the Governor should take urgent action to arrest the ugly trend of tankers and other articulated vehicles frequently getting involved in accidents and endangering the lives of other road users and residents.

Obviously in response to the popular demand, the Ambodeled Lagos State government recently imposed a restriction on articulated vehicles- tankers, trailers and heavy-duty trucksfrom plying the metropolis between the hours of 6am and 9pm.

their home in Agege, Lagos. It was said that when his attention was drawn to the woman’s plight courtesy of newspaper reports, the Governor immediately directed his deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, to provide welfare support for the distraught mother of six. That intervention ensured that today, Mrs Uche, her children and her run-away husband who is back home are living comfortably.

Ambode’s interventionist gesture did not start with Mrs. Uche. He had on his second working day in office intervened to save the life of the 2015 baby of the year in the state, Miss. Oluwajomiloju Goodness Ogundimu, who was diagnosed with a heart defect that required surgery.

The state government had sponsored Baby Ogundimu’s successful surgery in India.

Also singing Governor ’s praises are retirees from the various ministries, parastatals and agencies of the state. Their reason for this is not far to seek.

Ambode early last month ap-

Articulated vehicles This is in addition to a declaration that it would henceforth impound any articulated vehicle which driver flouts the state Traffic Law 2012. Owners of such impounded vehicles would, according to state government officials, would be made to pay the stipulated fine.

Another action that readily endeared Governor Ambode to Lagosians and enhanced his man-of-the- people profile was the kindness he demonstrated towards Mrs. Ruth Uche, the mother of three set of twins whose husband absconded from

The Governor immediately directed his deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, to provide welfare support for the distraught mother of six. That intervention ensured that today, Mrs Uche, her children and her run-away husband who is back home are living comfortably

proved N11billion to offset arrears owed them since 2010.

The gesture which is also intended to take care of outstanding accrued pension rights due to retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme, was, according to Governor Ambode, in line with efforts put in place by his administration to find a holistic solution to the issue of payment of pension entitlements to retirees under the Pay As You Go pension Scheme which was stopped in April 2007.

Perhaps the praise is more resounding among residents in areas of the state with seriously distressed roads. Ask residents of Ikotun, Ejigbo, Oke Afa/Jakande Estate and motorists plying the roads that traverse these areas in Lagos, they may tell you that Ambode is the administrative messiah they had long waited to come to their rescue. Reason?

Administrative messiah The roads in their areas that were before now lined with crater-like potholes are presently receiving a facelift and the people are the happier for it. This is obviously a fulfilment the Governor made to the people when he visited the area on July 14.

In fact, many in the area are already rhapsodising about how their areas would soon be comparable with Ikeja, Surulere and even Victoria Island. “Honestly, Governor Ambode has really surprised me,” declared a highly impressed Ikotun resident, Felix Okwu, a commercial vehicle operator.

He continued: “When he came to this Ikotun area and declared that he would repair all the bad roads here, many of us did not believe him; we thought it was the usual political promise that is easy to make but easy to forget.

But when I saw them actually working on the roads, I could not believe my eyes.”

The on-going face-lift or rehabilitation which began at Ikotun is to stretch to Isolo, according officials of the state government.

In fact, the rehabilitation and

reconstruction of roads are also being felt across the state, with residents and motorists in Ipaja also joining the popular chorus in heaping praises on the Governor. In fact, not long after he was sworn into office, Ambode had embarked on inspections to several areas of the state to ascertain the state of infrastructure there. Among the areas visited were Ipaja, MosanOkunola, Oshodi- Isolo, IkotunEjigbo and Somolu.

Distressed roads in all the areas visited, including those in Ladipo and Mushin, were slated for rehabilitation.

The stock of goodwill Governor Ambode enjoys has also appreciated in value on account of the measures he has already taken to tackle lingering traffic challenges and safeguard life and property. Motorists and other road users are said to be grateful to him for the role he played, in collaboration with others, to curtail the menace of tanker and trailer drivers who daily besieged the Mile Two to Berger end of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, locking traffic days on end.

Criminal activities Confronted with complaints of an upsurge in robbery and other criminal activities, especially in the wake of the infamous Ikorodu robbery incident, Ambode is said to have taken up the matter with the relevant security agencies in the state, encouraging them to up their game in the area of surveillance. The popular belief is that this may have paid off, especially with frequent raids on Oshodi and other crime vulnerable parts of the state by a Special Task Force on Environment which have led to the arrest s of several suspected criminals and other undesirable elements.

The Governor is also reported to have unveiled a new plan to strengthen the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, as well as establish an integrated security and emergency control platform.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 51

T

HE prosperity gospel maintains the redemption in Christ Jesus is also redemption from financial poverty. It says every Christian is called to be rich in dollars and cents. A favourite scripture in this regard comes from Paul, who says: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.” (II Corinthians 8:9).

100 times the value of the airplane. Give one car and the return would furnish you a lifetime of cars.”

Enticing words

Fleecing the flock

This so-called gospel appeals to the rich because it tells them they will become richer. It appeals to the poor because it promises them they will become rich.

It appeals to pastors because it has proved to be an effective way to grease money out of Christians by making them believe if they give to their churches, God would give them a hundredfold return.

Jesus says those who leave their house or land or brothers or sisters or father or mother for the sake of the gospel will receive a hundredfold return. (Matthew 10:29-30). He is clearly referring here to spiritual returns, for no man can have 100 physical mothers and fathers. However, his message has been distorted on the altar of the prosperity gospel.

Thus, Gloria Copeland says: “You give $1 for the gospel’s sake and $100 belongs to you. Give $10 and receive $1,000. Give $1,000 and receive $100,000. Give one house and receive 100 houses or one house worth 100 times as much. Give one airplane and receive

The prosperity gospel is convenient for justifying the wealth of pastors who have become rich at the expense of their congregation. Thus, Marcus Bishop says unapologetically: “Financial prosperity is just as much a part of the Gospel as anything else…I’m not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I’m not ashamed of prosperity. I’m not ashamed that Jesus bought and paid for me to be wealthy. Let me just tell you from the heart of God, preachers are supposed to be rich.”

Kenneth Copeland echoes him. He maintains: “You can draw on heaven like a magnet. We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to get God’s blessings.

Now’s when we need them.”

The prosperity gospel is also lucrative for selling books. The Christian book market is full of “get-richquick tipsters” and “oneminute-solution merchants.” For example, Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now sold millions of copies. It was number one on the New York Times bestseller list.

Osteen tells Christians they can get their best life now; a

BEWARE OF THE PROSPERITY GOSPEL God is contemptuous of prosperity preachers. He says: “They give useless medicine for my people’s grievous wounds, for they assure them all is well when that isn’t so at all!” (Jeremiah 8:10-11) far more marketable proposition than one saying: “Take up your cross and follow Jesus."

Tit for tat The prosperity gospel says in order to receive from God; we first have to first give money to the church.

But Peter said the exact opposite to Simon the sorcerer, who offered him money in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!”

(Acts 8:20).

God is no respecter of persons. He not only prospers the righteous, he also prospers sinners. Bad fortune is not an index of God’s judgement. Neither is prosperity an index of his favour. (Job 21:7-13). Many sinners, atheists and wicked people easily escape calamities, while many are the afflictions of the righteous. (Psalm 34:19).

Solomon says: “Exactly the same thing will finally happen to all of us, whether

we live right and respect God or sin and don’t respect God. Yes, the same thing will happen if we offer sacrifices to God or if we don’t, if we keep our promises or break them.” (Ecclesiastes 9:1-3).

God allows the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Accordingly, he often gives great wealth to the wicked. This tendency baffled Jeremiah who queried God: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”

(Jeremiah 12:1).

Prosperity of fools For the unregenerate, riches can be a curse. If we inherit riches or if our plans succeed beyond our wildest expectations, it is time to pray for the grace to handle it, that it may not alienate us from God: “For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.” (Proverbs 1:32).

Solomon warns: “There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself

poor, yet has great riches.”

(Proverbs 13:7). This means there is a seeming wealth behind which lies deep spiritual poverty and wretchedness. Yet, there is a poverty that makes a man ripe for the kingdom of God. Take another look at the special programs and outreaches organised in the churches and you will discover the emphasis is not on righteousness or the kingdom of God. Instead, banners, posters, handbills and radio jingles proclaim “Unceasing Showers of Blessing,” “Twenty-four Hour Miracles;” or “Stupendous Breakthroughs.”

Hosea dismisses this tendency: “They assemble together for grain and new wine.” (Hosea 7:14) Prosperity preachers mislead Christians. They hold up the candy of their gospel, saying “count the blessings.” But Jesus does the very opposite. He presents the gospel and says “count the cost.” (Luke 14:28-33).

Jesus does not promise us a rose garden in this life.

Instead he tells his disciples: “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

Encouraging the wicked God says to Isaiah: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your

Northern group flays attacks on Oritsejafor ...urges President to probe Jonathan's security chiefs for botched $9.3m arms deal

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA - A NORTHERN Christian group has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order an investigation of persons charged with national security during President Goodluck Jonathan administration to ascertain the truth behind the $9.3 million botched arms deal in South Africa.

The group under the aegis of the Northern Christians Youth Solidarity Movement for Emancipation, Justice and Self Determination also condemned what it described as campaign of calumny against the leader of the Christian community and National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor over the deal involving a private aircraft allegedly owned by him, describing it as reprehensible.

The group in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Mr. James Gani, in Abuja, recommended that anybody found guilty after the probe should be punished in line with the law.

“We demand that those saddled with the responsibility of security matters of the nation in the last administration should be called to explain what they know concerning the South African drama and botched arms deal, rather than trying to rope an innocent

man of God. “The Buhari administration should investigate those who have control over arms purchase and the people charged with the responsibility of ensuring security during the last administration because their office contrived such a high wired intrigue. So, for anybody to call for the probe of Oritsejafor is the height of mischief. In the first place, he was not a member of Jonathan’s cabinet.

“May we also say unequivocally that all the

sacrifices Pastor Oritsejafor has made for Northern Christians and Nigeria even before he became president of CAN, regardless of how they have decided to twist things, can never be forgotten by those who know the truth and peace-loving Nigerians,” the group said.

The statement regretted the orchestrated attempts to bring Oritsejafor into public opprobrium, “because of his consistent inclination to speaking the truth notwithstanding whose ox is gored.”

Gani said: “Nigerians are no fools and will not allow themselves to be fooled by those who seek to strike the Shepherd just in order to get to the sheep; those embarking on the campaign of calumny against Oritsejafor should retrace their steps.

“In this political dispensation, we must all join hands as citizens to not only fight corruption, but also come up with policies that are capable of rewriting the history of this nation by positioning it in the comity of nations of the world economically.

Adventists drum support for Buhari

S

EVENTH-DAY Adventist Church has expressed support for the Muhammadu Buhari administration, praying that the current dispensation would put an end to corruption in Nigeria and give priority attention to welfare of the masses, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. Addressing newsmen ahead of the Reunion & 40th anniversary of Seventh Day Adventist Church, Maryland, president of Western Nigeria Union Conference of the church, Pastor Oyeleke Owolabi called on Nigerians to support President Buhari as a map to Nigeria’s transformation.

According to him, collaborat-

ive efforts of Nigerians would bring about the change that Nigerians have been clamouring for, urging fellow Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari administration.

In his words: “Nigerians are impatient. I don't know how they come about celebrating 100 days in office. This country has been passing through series of crises for years and we want a magic within 100 days. The president is taking his time to appoint ministers because if he rushes, the ministers so appointed might constitute problem rather than solution," he stated.

“I believe that Nigeria has a future under this dispensation but

Nigerians must understand that Buhari cannot do anything if Nigerians are not prepared to do something. Nigeria is a very complex country with over 180 million people. I will call on Nigerians to come on board and support this government," he advised.

He further argued that every Nigerians has a role to play to build a new Nigeria. The cleric also used the occasion to restate his call for govern-ment to schedule elections on any other day except Saturdays, a day of worship by Adventists.

On the event scheduled for Sunday 13-19, September, 2015 at the church premises he said the

voice like a trumpet; tell my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1). Prosperity preachers are averse to doing this for fear of alienating their congregation. Therefore, they fool the gullible, saying: “Get ready, get ready, God is about to give you a blessing that there will not be room enough to contain.”

Prosperity preachers strengthen the hand of evildoers by promising them God’s blessings instead of reproving their sins. (Jeremiah 23:14). They give the wrong impression that God is satisfied with Christians, ensuring that we do not repent of sin. Indeed, as a rule, God does not send messages of prosperity. He is not in the habit of sending messages of peace and prosperity to a sinful world. On the contrary, he sends warnings of wars, famines and plagues. (Jeremiah 28:8-9).

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORD. They continually say to those who despise me, ‘The LORD has said, ‘You shall have peace;’ and to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’” (Jeremiah 23:16-17).

God is contemptuous of prosperity preachers. He says: “All of them, great and small, prophet and priest, have one purpose in mindto get what isn’t theirs. They give useless medicine for my people’s grievous wounds, for they assure them all is well when that isn’t so at all!” (Jeremiah 8:10-11).

“To us, anything outside this will not be acceptable and we believe that other well-meaning Nigerians who are interested in the development of this country and its people will agree with us.

It is said that wise counsel, when heeded, saves the wise.”

The statement further said that Oritsejafor proudly takes responsibility for defending the rights of the Christian community and those of the less privileged, and can never be cowed by the activities of cheap popularity seekers.

According to Gani, his organisation has watched with dismay the campaign of calumny by certain individuals and group of persons against the CAN president because of his uncompromising stance and quality leadership for the Christian community in Nigeria.

theme will be; “Our Maryland Church Thru the Ages: Changing times, changing people, an unchangeable God, fanning the flames.”

Pastor in charge of the Maryland church, Pastor Jaf Okorie said all members who had worshipped in the Maryland church, within and outside Nigeria are expected to celebrate Jesus Christ "with us and the reunion choir will minister.

A building housing the children church, guest house will also be dedicated at the occasion among other activities with the Orangun of Oke-Ila in Osun State as the royal father of the day.

PAGE 52 — SUNDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

Nigeria’s woes started after FESTAC 77 (2) Avwomakpa’s Archbishop God-do-well Avwomakpa in this concluding part of the interview speaks on the alleged N6 billion largese to Christian leaders and many more. Excerpts...

BY SAM EYOBJOKA

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hat as bad as they thought about Nigeria, if Nigerians didn’t want something to happen, and they go in to pray to their God, he said God will change that thing immediately. He said: “While I was in Nigeria, I took people out, they defeated them and my hope was lost and they started singing ‘He’s a miracle working God’ and some were praying. And in my presence, they were able to defeat those people again, and I knew it was not my effort”. He said during the Abiola crisis after the 1993 election, there was going to be war. And that Nigerians went into their churches and prayed all night and the whole thing that was building up came down like a flat tyre. He said: “If I don’t fear anything, I fear the God of Nigeria”. For instance, I’m praying seriously for God to put Nigeria in the place Nigeria is supposed to be through President Muhammadu Buhari at such a time as this.

It is understandable why the South South region and its clerics backed President Goodluck Jonathan in the last election. But I want you to confirm or deny the report that the Presidency gave clerics N6 or N7 billion to mobilize support for him.

If N4 billion cash is put in this house today, imagine that...this house cannot keep that money. No bank you will put that money and you will not see it. So where’s the billions? We cannot wait for a bribe for us to do our own job. This is the difference between some of us and others.

You can see that the money was first N6 billion. It grew to N7 billion. Maybe as time goes on, it’s going to grow to N10 billion. Lie has free transport. Truth has

•Avwomakpa

nobody to help. Lie can be transported free from here to Britain in one second, but truth has nobody to take it from Warri to Sapele. That is a big lie. Those who know about money, when you keep money in a place, the space it will take, we’ll be able to doubt it on that alone. So, such money was not given. I didn’t see such money. You don’t buy me, you don’t bribe me.

As the Chairman of South-South Christians, what’s your agenda for President Buhari?

First of all, we prayed for Goodluck Jonathan to win but we also knew that there was going to be war because it had been revealed. We saw the blood and we saw the victory of Dr. Jonathan. So we had to choose. If we say GEJ should be there, he would be there but there were repercussions. We chose peace instead of leadership. And that’s why I would say it was sacrifice. Every peace needs sacrifice;

so it was the sacrifice that brought us where we are now. That’s why you can see Buhari being able to commend Jonathan.

Guns and ammunitions have nothing to do in Nigeria again. I heard from a very reliable source that the British prime minister said that there was no war in Nigeria, that the illegal weapons that came into Nigeria have no work, and Nigeria has surprised the entire world.

He said again Nigeria has made the world to believe that there’s a God that answers prayers. That is why people are trying to pollute our relationship with God so that we can agree that men should marry men and women should marry women.

If we do it, we will get help from man but it will not last long. But if we don’t do it, we may struggle now, a day is coming that the entire world is going to chase Nigeria like a girl. It’s only few mistakes we made that brought us to where we are now, otherwise you knew that in those days, we wouldn’t eat every rice, we ate Uncle Ben’s. What we are eating today is not Uncle Ben’s. When you start cooking Uncle Ben’s here, the aroma will attend to you five poles away. I remember that in those days, white men came in to marry our daughters and paid bride price because they wanted to become citizens of Nigeria at all costs. Our national anthem was ‘Nigeria we hail thee, though tribes may differ, but in brotherhood we stand’. Then the last verse says ‘Oh God of creation.’

Nigerians were people calling on God and, when money became too much, Nigeria said why not organise Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC) and they sent for every idol to come in from all over the world. But after that festival, the people went home, but the demons refused to go home. Check very well, I’m a historian, that’s where Nigeria began to go down.

This one will strike and we will settle it, and then another will strike and we’ll settle it until we came to SAP. Festac 77 is where we got it wrong.

And how do we get out of it?

We will get out of it. When people accused Gen. Babangida, one of the things I thank God for his life for, it was a

Christian head of state at that time that they gave an ill advice to close down the embassy of Israel and instigated people to fight against Israel. And God said if you come against Israel, ‘I will come against you’. But with all the blame they heaped on Babangida here and there, he was the one who reinstated the embassy.

And so the tree has started growing. We should be careful. We need serious minds who will call a spade a spade. I have not spoken in this government but I shall speak. I’m praying seriously for this government to succeed and that’s it. If I don’t pray for them, then I’m looking for Nigeria to be taken to the mortuary. So that’s where we fell short, and how do we revive this? Number one, Nigeria must repent and go back to God. Those who call themselves Christians should intercede seriously for Nigeria. If intercession are strong, God may not ask everybody, He may just say if I see five who are holy, He will begin to give us answers.

President Buhari is coming into government at a time when things are very hard generally in the entire world. I pray that his head will carry the grace of God. There are people in certain positions and their head will carry grace.

Let me give you a sample, when Obasanjo came into government, oil price was nothing to write home, when he got in, the oil grew. That’s grace. Buhari needs such a head. How does that come? Prayers.

Number two, Buhari should take a good look at agriculture as a source of national income. He should forget about tribal sentiments. He should look at what the nation can produce. Let the West go back to cocoa. Let palm trees come to the South South again. Let fish come to the riverine areas. Let Buhari make sure that he holds agriculture firm because the oil shall rebound and it will be a complement.

Number three, Buhari should avoid any clash between Christians and Muslims.

He should guard against that seriously.

Each time it happens, we are divided. If we were divided in tackling Ebola, Ebola would have killed us.

‘I want to be Ooni Aderin II’

BY ABEL KOLAWOLE

O

MOOBA Adetunji Babatunde Aderin II has declared his intention to become the next Ooni, having applied to the king makers of the ancient town of Ile-Ife. Aderin II is a great grandson and a direct descendant of Aderin Ologbenla, the warrior king of Ife from the Giesi Ruling House.

Ologbenla reigned from 1880 to 1893 and was the last Ooni of Ife from the Giesi Ruling House.

Aderin II’s grandfather, Adetunji Aderin I, whom he is named after, was the eldest son of Aderin Ologbenla and his eldest son, Adeniran Aderin, is his father.

There are four ruling houses in Ife: Lafogido, Osinkola, Ogboru and Giesi.

Each ruling house

•Omoba Adetunji produces the candidate for the Ooni based on rotation.

The rotational procedure requires each ruling house, in a particular order, to produce the candidate for the Ooni, especially after the 1976 resolution where the order was arranged such

that Lafogido is first in line, followed by Osinkola, then Ogboru and finally Giesi.

In 1976, during the reign of Oba Adesoji Aderemi, from the Osinkola Ruling House, the rotation and order of turn had become clearer, such that after Aderemi passed on, the Ogboru Ruling House was next in line to produce the Ooni and, within that ruling house emerged the late Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse II. The rotational cycle, from Aderin Ologbenla 1880-1893 (Giesi Ruling House) to Adelekan Olubuse I 18941930 (Ogboru Ruling House) to Ademiluyi Ajagun 19101930 (Lafogido Ruling House) to Adesoji Aderemi 1930-1980 (Osinkola Ruling House), should have seen Giesi assuming the throne again in 1980 but for the 1976 resolution had to go to

Ogboru, meaning Giesi is next in line after Ogboru.

As the grandson and direct bloodline of Aderin Ologbenla, Aderin II is heir to the throne.

The blood of Aderin Ologbenla flows in his veins and any other candidate from Giesi Ruling House would be, at best, a cousin, an extended family member or someone within the compound.

Born on the 27th of August 1975, he is a graduate of economics from University of Ado-Ekiti and an associate member of the Association of Business Executives, United Kingdom. Aderin is a financial guru and businessman, based in London. He sits on the board of several companies in the UK and Nigeria.

Aderin II is a devout Christian and a lover of tradition. He has financed cultural and heritage

projects to promote the Yoruba culture in the UK and also a campaigner for youth empowerment and development.

In 2014, he was part of a group of young Nigerians who formed the Nigerian Youth Congress and led a team of young people to the House of Parliament for a conference on Youth and Leadership.

Why become king?

Aderin II explained that his reason for stepping up to occupy the Ooni stool is due to the fact he is the great grandson of a warrior-king and it would be a disservice to the legacy of Aderin Ologbenla if he refuses to step up to the plate and fight like a true warrior-king.

“What is mine is mine and it would be wrong not to fight for my right or allow the hard work of my forefathers to be wasted”, Aderin said.

He sees the role of king as one of great sacrifice and service to the people of Ife and the Yoruba people at large and is willing to make that sacrifice.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015, PAGE 53

OYASAF scholar, Wild calls for global presentation of African artists

By JAPHET ALAKAM INTERACTION

I

t was another intellectual gathering at the OYASAF conference centre as art community, collectors, artists and others gathered for the interactive lecture delivered by Johanna Wild, a Ph.D. candidate at Department of Art and Art History, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, U.S. Johanna who was described as one of the outstanding fellows of the OYASAF fellowship programme is not Nigerian, but the search for knowledge pushed her interest to African art. And from her findings in her base, much is not heard about African art except from the contributions of few people. This was what propelled her to carry out a research on African art and as fate would have it, she came to Nigeria courtesy of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) Fellowship as the 2015 beneficiary of the yearly programme.

After her 30 days stay in Lagos, she shared her findings at the well attended lecture tagged, Beyond the Black Atlantic: Artistic Production in Lagos Today.

Based on her earlier knowledge of African art, Wild who had during the month long research visited quite a number of studios and galleries in Lagos disclosed that transnational scholars, critics, and curators have neglected African art on the continent and that “African expatriates such

By JAPHET ALAKAM VISUAL

A

fter the general election and the change of power which slowed down activities in Nigeria, Alexis gallery, one of the new art outlets committed to the promotion of African artists, especially the young ones opened its exhibition doors with another group exhibition titled Fate 11, an exhibition of paintings.

The exhibition which brings to the fore the popular Igbo adage which says that when a journey is good, you embark on it a second time, opened yesterday, 12th of September and will run till the 19th at Alexis Galleries, Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibition which is coming on the heels of the success of the last one in which the gallery organised a group exhibition for five upand-coming artists struggling for recognition last year featured the works of seven up coming artists and a guest artist in the person of George Edozie who just finished his solo exhibition at MOCA Miami. It will feature about 40 works.

As usual, the same fate that

as Shonibare are overburdened by the expectation that they represent Africa, something they decidely cannot do.”

Wild traced the creation of awareness for Contemporary African art in the west to quite a number of efforts that came from writers and curators in the 1990s to the early periods of the last decade. They include Germany-based curator, Okwui Enwezor, Yinka • Prince Engr and Mrs Yemisi Shyllon(middle) with the guest Shonibare and Prof Sylvester lecturer and others after the presentation Ogbechie. She started by exhibitions” of African art African Diaspora artists. reminding the audience of contents.

Wild who thanked OYASAF Ironically, Enwezor is not exactly for the opportunity to meet Yinka Shonibare’s profile as a name in the global the blue-eyed boy being celebrated with many artists, called for a contemporary art scene and across the shades of opinions; the more collaborative work in that her three case studies academia cousin of mainstream order to help African artists. which were analyses of his art curatorial divides has issues According to her, Nigerian works in exhibitions held in with him. For example, Wild cited galleries should try to promote London, Berlin and Paris. And how “Enwezor’s curatorial work works of artists instead of his lecture at Terra Kulture in has been faulted for his privileging leaving the artists to do that by Nigeria, where Shonibare has of African diaspora artists such as themselves. This will enable the not exhibited to drive home his Yinka Shonibare over continental artists to have more international exposure when point. Also is Okwui Enwezor, producers.” a Nigerian-born U.S educated She also said that she came they are promoted by galleries. diaspora curator. According to across U.S.-based Nigerian art After the intellectual exrecise, her, it was Enwezor who historian, Prof. Sylvester Ogbechie Dr. Kunle Filani who spoke in “shaped the field through his who argued that seeing African art the same line with Wild that organisation of large-scale through the dominant Diaspora transnational scholars and

Transnational scholars, critics and curators have neglected African art on the continent, and that African expatriates such as Shonibare are overburdened by the expectation that they represent Africa

artists trained in the U.S. or work under European art settings has imbalance that “had the calamitous effect of essentially writing continent-based African artists out of contemporary art history.”

Wild who was in Lagos, a vibrant and growing contemporary art

scene, showed her audience slides of select Lagos-based artists’ like Ndidi Dike and Peju Alatise whose concepts and appropriation of themes are no less strong, if there should be need for comparison with

curators have not done enough for artists on the continent said, “some diaspora intellectuals are no longer truthful to Africa; some do sociology of art instead of art history.” .

For the art loving CEO of OYASAF, Prince Shyllon, who pointed out many projects OYASAF has carried out this year to promote art, assured that The OYASAF Journal of Art (TOJA), an online journal is on the pipeline and will soon be launched to assist in filling such vacuum.

Fat e1 1 unit es ar tists at Ale xis ate 11 unites artists Alexis brought them together is at work again, as some of them are meeting each other for the first time. The artists are, Afeez Adetunji, Akhile, Darlington A. Chukwumezie, Ike Gerald Chiemezie, Seye Morankinyo, Stanley Dudu, Yemi Uthman, all of whom are among a new generation of Nigerian artists who, are being represented by Lagos-based art galleries, • On Errand and Promising Child 11, some of the works on display while George Edozie, the indication that they are going raise happy children and it guest artist is an established somewhere. For example, in will be easy for them to obey artist and one of the curators the works of Darlington A. the laws of the land.” One of at the Alexis Gallery. Some of Chukwumezie who is inspired his works titled Regina Paella, the works include; Promising by the environment and na- which depicts the artist as a child; Female Model (Aduke) ture, one of his works titled groom with his suit, giving Evening Commerce; On Cell Phone, which depicts a something to his wife shows Errand; Regina Puella(Queen young lady with long hair busy love in addition.

Recall that last year, Alexis Girl) Find Peace withn; 10 with her phone give credence Faces of Onyeoma 11 and to that. He said the work was exhibited 5 artists, but this year others. inspired by the wave of the the number has increased to Some of the works displayed present day which is the cell seven plus the guest artist who is revealed that most of the phone. “The ICT has brought there to encourage them which paintings reflect on some of the world in our hand, people is an indication that the first the issues relating to the day are in the internet browsing or journey was not a flop. For the gallery which has been providing to day activities of Nigerians. chatting at all times.”

Some of the artists are new Ike Gerald, the global peace a platform for upcoming artists faces, but a critical look at artist who has been in the to exhibit their works in a favourable condition and also by their works done in various business for ten years, “I focus signing some of them who they media, shows the passion, on family, love and marital promote as well as protect their feelings and emotions they relationships, this is because if interest, this exhibition provides attach to their art, which is an families are happy, they will another opportunity for them

Zee World brings extraordinary entertainment to Africa

By PRISCA SAM -DURU ENTERTAINMENT

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fter making a dramatic come back into the movie world, Bollywood, the Indian movie industry appears set to take back its former position after it lost to movie industries in countries such as Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil etc.

With prominent features in Zee World, a digital television on DSTV/ GOTV, the Indian movie industry seem charged up to sell every aspect of their culture to the entire world.

Recently, Zee World treated media guest at the MultiChoice Content Showcase in Mauritius to a gastronomic journey of Indian cuisine prior to launching into a discussion about its dynamic channel that has been customized for mainstream audiences in Africa.

Earlier this year, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), one of India’s leading television, media and entertainment companies launched this exciting new television channel. Since then, the channel has offered Africa an extraordinary world of entertainment, and is the first of its kind showcasing Bollywood movies, series, reality and food shows and will be adding much more action packed content.

Zee World has a strong worldwide presence, boasting over 33 channels which entertain 960 million viewers across 169 countries. Pioneers of television entertainment industry in India, ZEEL’s well-known international brands include Zee TV, &TV, Zee Cinema, Zing, Zee Punjabi, Zee Khana Khazana and Zee Living amongst others.

ZEEL first ventured into Africa 18 years ago as the brands first international territory and its widely acclaimed flagship channel ZEE TV has been present on the DStv platform since 1996 and Canal Plus since 2006.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer, ZEE TV AFRICA, Mr. Harish Goyal, said that “ZEE WORLD is the first offering from ZEE for mainstream viewers in Africa. We will be launching another channel for our French audiences in Francophone Africa before the end of this year with more channels scheduled for launch next year.”

He added that “All content on the channel has undergone extensive research and customization, including editing and dubbing. The content research is a continuous process for all upcoming shows in future on Zee World.” to expose some of the young artists to the world.

Patti Chidiac, the curator who is keen on promoting young artists explained the significance of the exhibition, stating, “Fate has brought the artists together in their search for success.”

As usual she relied on the regular sponsors such as Chocolat Royale, Nigeria Info, Cool FM, Wazobia FM, Cool TV, Wazobia TV, Art Café, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Arra Wines, The Homestores Limited, LithoChrome Limited, Avenue Suites Hotel and ISN - Internet Solutions Nigeria Limited to ensure that the young artists are truly represented.

PAGE 54, SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

We must up our game – Oliseh S

UPER eagles of Nigeria coach, Sunday Oliseh has shared his thoughts on why the ‘underdog’ Nations in Africa now challenge the Big Nations but said, the bigger nations must up their game.

At the last AFCON qualifiers round, some shocking results including Nigeria’s lucky draw against Tanzania headlining the series. In a similar stunning manner, Mauritania beat South Africa 3-1 and Sierra Leone also played a 0-0 draw against African Champions Ivory Coast.

All the results happening now, would only have been dreamt of in the past and Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh explains why.

“My personal experience was that the erstwhile smaller nations are not so relatively naive like they used to be.

“They defend better now and prepare better for the ‘big nations,’’ Oliseh explained.

He posited that Tanzania, for instance, trained 2 weeks as a team in Turkey prior to the match against Nigeria, as against the Super Eagles 2 days preparations.

“The general knowledge of the game amongst ‘smaller’ nations is much better now as they regroup better to defend as a team and sometimes take the fight up to the faces of the ‘big’ nations”.

Another factor Oliseh noted that may have brought some parity between the so-called big nations and their less illustrious counterparts is the fact that many smaller

nations have now foreign based professionals all over the world, polishing their trade, sometimes in lower European but competitive leagues and surprise the so called top nations when they meet. But Oliseh had more to the say on the unfolding trend: “The most significant reason, in my opinion, why these big nations struggle against the smaller ones is

possession. He raced into the box unchallenged and tucked the ball beyond the reach of the Nigerian keeper.

Those were the only dramatic moments of a match that was drab in all its content. This was even as the Nigerian team failed to find its rhythm, and was lucky to have a Senegalese side that lacked the ambition to score. The first half ended goalless and on the last count the Eagles massed up four scoring chances, which they failed to put away.

Speaking after the match coach Samson Siasia stated that his wards were simply fortunate to escape with the draw. He admitted that the team played badly adding that such favours will not be handed them in a tighter match up.

rely on these players to often make the difference when we played qualifiers in Africa for major tournaments.

“Though the smaller nations are getting more difficult to break,it is up to nations like Nigeria,Ivory Coast,South Africa etc to raise our level of play to continues to dominate.”

•Wenger

Mourinho: I’m not happy with myself D

EFIANT Jose Mourinho refused to blame his players after Chelsea’s worst start to a Premier League season since 1988 was compounded by a 3-1 defeat by Everton at Goodison Park.

Substitute Steven Naismith came on to score a perfect hat-trick - prompting Toffees supporters to chant ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ in the direction of the Portuguese, who has endured his worst start to any league in his career.

While the under pressure coach insists he is not happy with results, he will not blame his players.

He told BT Sport: ‘I am champion, the players are the champions, the way they are playing is not as bad as the results but in every single game things are going against us.

‘We have to cope with it, football is about results. It’s easy to say and I agree completely, but results are too bad.

‘I don’t blame my players and I don’t blame myself. I don’t accept the results, I am responsible for the team, I

•Mourinho

Senegal Continues from B/P

the dwindling number of African players in major top European clubs and leagues as was the case in the past.

“Take Nigeria (Super Eagles) of the 90’s or Cameroon,we had top players in most major clubsides and leagues in Europe more than most African Nations and could

Arsenal return to winning ways A

“It wasn’t a good game for us. I expected that the team will do better than we did in our first game.

“So many mistakes right from the first half. Losing the ball so easily, and not making the right passes.

We couldn’t even keep the ball and we can’t place five passes among ourselves. It was that terrible and we kept having chances and could not score right in front of the goal.

“The Senegalese didn’t create many chances, but one chance they had, they scored. We had five chances and we could not score. I keep asking the players why they cannot put the ball in the net. It wasn’t a good match and we were just lucky. “ We want to score goals and build more confidence.

We need to learn so that we don’t have problems in future matches,” said the coach.

am not happy with the situation and I am not happy with myself.

‘I am with the players, I cannot be against them, I cannot have a bad feeling with them, that’s what makes me happy. I am happy that tomorrow I have to face them again and train with them and prepare them for the next game.

RSENAL moved up to joint second in the BarclaysPremierLeagueafter Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud both scored as the GunnersbeatStoke2-0atthe Emirates.

Mesut Ozil played a major role in the game’s opening goal, with the German playmaker threading a glorious lofted ball through to Walcott to slot home beyond JackButlandafter31minutes.

The Gunners had to wait until the final five minutes of the game to seal the three points, as substitute Olivier Giroud headed in Santi Cazorla’scross,asStokesunk to the bottom of the Premier League.

His strikers were on target and Arsene Wenger enjoyed a sigh of relief as Arsenal recorded their first home win of the campaign. Wenger rarely fails in this fixture, makingit10outof10athome to Stoke.

•Ronaldo

Ronaldo hits 5 as Real beat Espanyol 6-0 A FTER failing to score in nine games Cristiano Ronaldo had

scored three goals in the first 19 minutes of Real Madrid’s 6-0 win over

Espanyol. He ended up with five, taking him past Raul as the club’s all-time

Everton

Continues from B/P succession after coming on for the injured Muhamed Besic, and while Nemanja Matic’s fine strike halved the deficit before half-time, Chelsea were unable to find an equaliser before the former Rangers man completed his treble eight minutes from time.

Roberto Martinez started John Stones despite the summer saga of Chelsea’s failed efforts to sign him, and the young England defender responded with a superb display.

Mourinho, meanwhile, was left to reflect on a third loss in five Premier League outings this season - the same number Chelsea suffered in the whole of the last campaign.

PRESENTATION: The Dr Rafiu Ladipo Sports Foundation at the weekend, donated T shirts to the Nigeria Union of Journalists. Picture shows President of the Foundation, Dr Rafiu Ladipo(2nd right) presenting the ‘T’ Shirts to NUJ Chairman, Lagos State Council, Deji Elumoye, The Vice Chairman, Jimoh Babatunde and Kehinde Ajayi, Treasurer look on.

highest scorer in La Liga.

Raul had needed 550 games to reach his 228 goals; Ronaldo has now scored 230 goals in just 204 matches.

He still needs five more to become the clubs all time top scorer in all competitions but that record falling is as inevitable as this walk over for Rafa Benitez side.

It was also Ronaldo’s 32nd hat-trick drawing him level with Leo Messi for trebles in Spain both have already left legends such as Alfredo Di Stefano and Zara Telmo behind. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were also in fine form as Real’s formidable front three clicked in some style.

Ronaldo broke the deadlock on seven minutes running on to fine pass from Luka Modric and picking his spot into Pau Lopez’ far corner.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015 PAGE – 55

AFN coaches expectant as track and field events begin A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria coaches here at the All Africa Games have high hopes that the country will surpass the number of medals, Nigerian athletes raked in at the 2011 African Games.

The athletics events begin today at the Kintele Stadium and as the group led by Yusuf Alli loosened up at the warm up racks there was a whiff of expectations, even against the back ground of uncertainty that has become Nigerian track and field.

“Our target is to surpass what we did at the last Games. We know that it wouldn’t be an easy task, but we have our athletes in top shape and ready,” said Alli a former African long jump champion.

Nigeria won 10 gold medals six silver and five bronze in Maputo. But in Brazzaville, the picture is hazy. As other countries notably, Kenya and South Africa have made inroads into Nigeria’s traditional

strong hold of the short and middle distance sprints.

The 100m heats begin this morning and a run down of the top list for African men suggests that Ogho Oghene Egwero and Seye Ogunlewe will have to dig deep to beat the South African Anaso Jobodwana who has 10.13, the fastest time in Africa. In the women Blessing Okagbare and Murielle Ahoure will perhaps put their World Championships nightmare behind and rekindle their rivalry. Okagbare, was still being expected yesterday afternoon.

However, Coach Gabriel Okon waved off the threat posed by South Africa , Ethiopia and Kenya.

“We have done a lot preparations , we went to world championship , so we are considering what we have at hand , and we are going to do much better here in Congo Brazzaville, for track and field , we are going to be best in Africa at this Africa Games.”

Also the Para athletics

events are on, and Adekunle Adesoji is confident that Nigeria will sweep the medals table just like they did in 2011.

“We are sure of getting about five gold medals and hopefully do well in events we are not traditionally

N

IGERIA’S volleyball coach, Tony Ogwumah said that his teams were still in

Nigeria boxers targeted for doping

N

IGERIAN boxers who are riding high at the All African Games were targets of dope test as the event progressed into its final stages yesterday.

As at the time of filing this report five Nigerian boxers made it into the finals, a remarkable achievement for a sport, which was breathing with difficulties in the country. However, there was a massive upward swing for boxers and officials here in Brazzaville and the doping medics were always on the back of the Nigerian boxers who seem to be enjoying the tournament.

“They have always rushed our boxers to the doping room after each bout. Five of them have been tested,” said a medical official attached to the team.

However, the Nigerian officials led by General Kenneth Minimah have kept their cool and supported the team to victory.

“We are very happy with our achievement here. It was a lot of hard work on the path of the boxers and

the Federation,” said a board member of the Nigeria Boxing Federation

Mr. Ogbu Osondu popularly known as ‘Old Skuul”.

Concentrate on winning medals, not money —Yakmut tells athletes

T

HE National Sports Commis-sion has told Nigerian athletes competing at the ongoing All African Games in Congo to concentrate on winning medals, rather than worry about when their allowances would be paid. This is against the back-ground of uneasiness by athletes and officials here in Brazzaville. But the Director General of the NSC, Alhassan Yakmut assured the delegates that there was nothing to worry about.

“We have their monies intact. They will be paid when they have finished their events.

“Those who have finished their events have had theirs and there is no confusion. We want them to concentrate on the task of

P

ORT HARCOURT male and female teams have emerged the winners of Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) Season 5 U-17 football tournament.

In thrilling encounters on Saturday at the Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) Sport Complex, the male team defeated Lagos in a penalty shootout which ended 3-1 after a scoreless draw, while the female Team Port Harcourt U-17 trashed Abuja girls 2-0 to clinch the national final trophy. The third-place position for the male category went to Abuja while the Lagos team emerged third in the female category.

Six teams and 90 players who represented the North, South and West regions began the competition. The Port Harcourt boys and girls represented the South; Abuja teams represented the North Region while boys and girls from Lagos represented the West.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, while presenting the medals and trophies to the Port Harcourt teams, congratulated the youngsters for their outstanding performance in the championship. He noted that their hard work and preparation earned them the victory.

Ogunsanya explained that through the programme, Airtel had created opportunities for thousands of talented Nigerian youths, empowering them to succeed in their football career.

•Oke strong in. Our athletes are ready and are full of confidence,” said the former Paralympics champion in the sprint events.

With six gold, seven silver and eight bronze medals, Nigeria topped the Paraathletics events in Maputo.

We’re still in contention for gold, says volleyball coach Ben Efe reporting live

ARS: P/H teams clear the stakes

doing the country proud rather than worry about money,” said Yakmut.

He added that he was encouraged by Nigeria’s progress so far and would want athletes who have not done their events yet to remain focussed. These words will be music to the ears, no doubt, as some of the worried athletes and coaches do not seem to trust the system, from their expressions.

“There isn’t any payment yet for anyone in our camp.

They said the NSC director-general is coming so we are hopefully waiting,” said a boxing official, yesterday.

As at Friday Nigeria had won nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals with the wrestling, athletics events yet to come.

contention for the volleyball gold even as the competition has become unpredictable.

The male team will be in action today and the coach is hopeful of his team climbing the podium for a medal.

Speaking on the games that have been decided so far, Oguwmah said it has been a tough call. “ It’s been good for us so far , we had good time , we equally had some challenges . Until we are done with all matches, nobody can say which country will win the gold.

It has been tough to be precise. “Nigeria male team had played four matches , winning two and losing two. The female had so far played four games, won two and lost two.

•Yakmut

•Port Harcourt Girls: 2015 ARS champions.

Lagos to host Body Building championship

T

HIS year’s Mr. Flex Nigeria Season 5 Bodybuilding championship will hold on 14th November,2015 in Lagos with about 50 foreign and local athletes vying for honours and the coveted star prize.

Among the foreign based bodybuilders expected to participate at the event is USA-based Nigerian athlete, Gerald Banks and Europe based TY Ogedegbe (2013/ 2014) Musclemannia World Champion.

Others include former ‘Mr California, Bada Lekan, current NPC bodybuilding Champion, current Mr. Flex Nigeria champion, Femi Adesoye, Abdul Rasak, veteran Bodybuilder who currently occupies number 6th position in Africa, Saheed Lawal the second runner up in Mr Flex Nigeria 2014 and host of home athletes.

In the female category tagged Miss Flex Nigeria Figure (second edition), Nigeria’s 20th Commonwealth heroin in the 63kg Weightlifting, Oluwatoyin Adesanya who has also forayed into bodybuilding, will lead the pack with the current female Bodybuilding champion in Nigeria, Gloria Moses.

LafargeHolcim Sports Day: Ewekoro emerge winners

By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta WEKORO cement plant, Friday emerged winners of the annual LafargeHolcim Sports Day organised for staff of the company for both Ewekoro and Sagamu.

Various events which include football, track and field events like high jump, relay race, tug-of-war, dancing and fashion parade among others featured at the competition.

At the end of the day, Ewekoro plant emerged the overall winners of 2015 Sports Day, beating teams from Sagamu plant and Lagos headquarters in almost all the events.

The events, an official said, were organised annually to boost the morale of staff and ensure they embrace healthy living and safety for the staff of the cement company.

This, the statement added, was in line with the company’s philosophy which focuses on sound health, safety and wellness of the entire staff.

Speaking shortly after the event at Ewekoro plant , Adepeju Adebajo, managing director, WAPCO Operations of LafargeHolcim, said, “Sports Day for us in Lafarge is an event that involves not just the employees, but also their families.”

E

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

•ECSTACY: A jubilant Iheanacho wheels away in celebration after scoring moments after entering the game from the substitute’s bench.

Iheanacho, Ighalo thrill Oliseh T

•CELEBRATION: Odion Ighalo celebrates his goal against Swansea yesterday.

Senegal hold Dream Team …Siasia grows grey hair over team’s impotence

N

IGERIA’S Under-23 team were given a thorough shake down by their Senegalese counterparts in the last group B match of the All African Games men soccer event decided yesterday at the Kintele Stadium.

Mustafa Abudullahi came off the bench in the dying minutes and canceled a 1-0 deficit, which the Under-23 Eagles conceded in the 81st minute. Senegalese striker Ibrahim Sorrey Keita caught the Nigeria defence in

S

Ben Efe reporting live

Continues on page 54

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CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Governor of Sokoto State (8) 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 8. Upright (4) 9. Lantern (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 15. Exclamation (2) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 18. Agent (3) 20. Glitters (6) 24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

Everton pile misery on Chelsea

DOWN 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) 3. Observe (5) 4. Lecture (6) 5. Everyone (3) 6. Use (6) 10. Inquires (4) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Resistance unit (3) 17. Coax (4) 19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

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TEVEN Naismith was Everton’s hat-trick hero against Chelsea on Saturday as they beat the beleaguered Premier League champions 3-1 at Goodison Park.

Scotland forward Naismith made the difference as an early first-half substitute as he inspired Everton and condemned Jose Mourinho’s side to a third defeat of what is fast becoming a disastrous title defence.

Naismith scored twice in quick Continues on page 54

RESULTS

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I’m not happy with myself —Mourinho – P.55

AAG

15

WO Nigerian forwards, Odion Ighalo and Kelechi Iheanacho, were their clubs’ heroes on Saturday in the English Premier League.

Ighalo scored the only goal in the 59th minute as Watford got their first victory of the season with a 1-0 result against Swansea.

A happy Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh tweeted after Ighalo’s goal: “Congrats to Odion Ighalo as his goal gives Watford all 3 Points over Swansea.”

Incidentally, Oliseh left both players out of the Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania, which ended goalless.

Iheanacho’s goal, his first official senior strike, was also the winner, but came with more drama.

The youngster scored in the 91st minute, pouncing after the Crystal Palace goalkeeper spilled a Samir Nasri shot to give City their fifth straight victory.

Iheanacho had only been on the pitch for barely one minute after replacing Wilfried Bony.

Ighalo has now scored more league goals (top four tiers) than any other player in England in 2015: 18 in 23 games.

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28

30 31

34 36

32 35

37

38

39 40

41

See solution on page 5

33

Everton Arsenal C. Palace Norwich Watford W/Brom Man Utd.

3 2 0 3 1 0 3

Chelsea Stoke City Man City B/mouth Swansea S/ampton Liverpool

1 0 1 1 0 0 1

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