DILEMMA OVER BOKO HARAM AMNESTY

C M Y K

PAGE 2—SUND AY 2—SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013—P PAGE 3

PAGE 4—SUND AY 4—SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 — PAGE 5

DILEMMA OVER BOKO HARAM AMNESTY

What northern governors can do – Aliyu Continued from page 1 Northern Governors Forum, says he and his colleagues are in the position to tackle the security challenges in their respective states.

“We should not wait for the Federal Government to start the process of making peace with Boko Haram. We must stop the blame game of saying `it is Abuja’ (that should end the insurgency), because Abuja is only to complement the efforts of the state governments while the actual decision and the mobilisation of the people rests with the state governors”, he said.

The Federal Government had set up a committee to advise it on the desirability or otherwise of amnesty for the Islamist group which the leadership rejected, saying it was government and not it that needed amnesty.

The Federal Government’s action came on the heels of the calls for amnesty for Boko Haram by some eminent Nigerians, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, to end the group’s insurgency campaign in the North.

Aliyu, speaking, yesterday, at the 24th Forum of the Speakers of Northern States Houses of Assembly, said there might have been international dimension to the Boko Haram insurgency, stressing that while the proposed amnesty is good, it is not the final solution.

He explained that there was the need to explore other avenues, including the enactment of laws that will enable people contribute to their communities to engender lasting peace , harmony and security in the country.

The governor absolved President Goodluck Jonathan from blame on the security challenge in the North and argued that state governors are in the position to tackle the challenge in their respective states because they have been empowered by the Constitution to do so.

Aliyu commended the president for the establishment of the amnesty committee on Boko Haram.

He urged

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, admiring the new product from the stable of Intafact, a subsidiary of SABmiller, one of the many multinationals that built their facilities in Anambra State, during his routine visit to the facilities in the state Nigerians to support inefficiency in the manageJonathan to succeed in this ment of public funds and overeffort at finding lasting solu- sight function while allowing tion to the insecurity con- the executive and judiciary to carry out their duties. fronting the nation.

Earlier, the acting ChairHe pointed out that the insecurity issue should be man, Northern Speakers Foseen as a collective fight, and rum, Hon. Aminu Musa called on all Nigerians to be Habib, commended Aliyu for honest and sincere in the creating the atmosphere for a discussion of the critical harmonious and cordial working relationship between national issue.

The governor told the the three arms of government Speakers: “As Nigerians of in Niger State.

According to him, “this is northern extraction, you should articulate and what it should be if our aggregate the needs of your democratic ideals should be people which should form the allowed to survive and grow other developed basis of negotiation with the like polity of Nigeria. You should democracies in the world”.

Habib noted that the Forum also have a strong position in the negotiation process was established with the sole because this culture, once aim of advancing legislative established, will reduce the views about democratic pressures being mounted on governance in Nigeria, with the leadership particularly at special attention on the interests of the North. the centre”.

‘Amnesty rejection ridicules “I therefore urge you and your Forum to go back to the govt’ Meanwhile, a House of grassroots to forge more enduring relationships with Representatives member from the people to understand their Plateau State, Mr. Bitrus Kaze, needs and aspirations. We says the rejection of amnesty need such liaison and by Boko Haram ridicules the interface to bring the people Federal Government.

He also warned that if the and government together to check the mounting insecurity rationale behind the offer is an in the North and other parts attempt by Jonathan to court of the country,” Aliyu stated . the North for his political He called on lawmakers to ambition, he would be concentrate on their disappointed.

Kaze, who represents Jos constitutional duties of law making, appropriation, South/Jos East Federal exposing corruption, Constituency, in a statement in Jos, yesterday, wondered why

SOLUTION K

O

G

G

A T

U

B

S I

I

T

A N

N

E

A T

E

A

N

T

D E

X

P

R S

S

A

N

N

L

N

A

U

I

G

S

R

T

I

E

N

S

P

I

E

R

B

Y I

E

N

G

E

R

E

E

D

N

P

N

I

T

D

E

E

D

A

A I

A

L

S

A

R

S

R

E

R

L

G

O

D

U

L

E

N

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

E

T was anguish as victims of recent accident which occurred at Ugbogui village, along the Benin- Ore Road, were given mass burial at First Cemetery along the First East Circular in Benin-City yesterday.

51 bodies were buried after a memorial service conducted by Rev. Barnabas Chukwukere of the End Time Soul Ministry, Benin-City.

The accident, which claimed the lives of the victims, involved a luxury bus, an articulated vehicle and a fuelladen petrol tanker, occurred at about 1:30 pm on Friday,

T

E

B

B

I S

A

L

R E

A V

E

W S

L

N D

E

T

S

shortly after he condoled with the matriach of the Awolowo family, Mrs. HID Awolowo, on the death of her son, Oluwole.

According to Ribadu, who was accompained by a former Aviation Minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, and a former Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Aliyu Moddibo, the activities of the sect had cost the nation fortunes. ”The Federal Government should not rest in its peace moves despite foreseen stumbling blocks. ”It is very sad when I heard that the Boko Haram sect rejected the amnesty offer, but that does not mean government should relent in the move. My view from the onset is that we should pursue the direction of dialogue and not close any door against peace”, the former EFCC boss s a i d . ”From now, the feelers and body language of the sect are n o t encouraging, but that does not mean we should abandon or give up.

We should pursue the direction of peace. ”I urge the Federal Government to continue in the line and direction of looking for a way of addressing and stopping this ” I am also making a direct appeal to those involved to know that they are destroying their own people. They must understand that what they are asking for -Nigeria’s Islamisation - has not worked anywhere in the world and it will not work in Nigeria. What do they want to gain from these senseless killings. In the name of God, let them stop.”

Fani- Kayode, also talking to journalists, condemned the Federal Government’s attitude to the security of the people of the countr y.

He accused government of failing to protect lives and properties, noting that about 4,200 innocent souls had been lost since about two years ago.

He described the administration as an incompetent and irresponsible one, adding that the government is weak in its efforts to consider amnesty for Boko Haram .

Benin-Ore Road crash: 51 bodies get mass burial

P

I

B

O

S

C

S

A

I N

S K

S

T

E

U

A

C

C

B U

U

E

A

M

N U

A

A

X L

R A

E

A

N A

H

A L

O

K

the president would offer amnesty to an unrepentant group which has continued to kill innocent Nigerians despite the offer.

“President Goodluck Jonathan must not sacrifice the security and well-being of innocent citizens in a bid to court regional political patronage. I am unable to see any motivation for rewarding unrepentant killers other than an attempt to please their mentors, who in the long run will never support President Jonathan’s political ambition anyway”, he said.

“In my honest view, granting amnesty to remorseless and unrepentant terrorists is the weirdest policy ever contemplated by any government in the history of Nigeria.

“The pro-amnesty pronouncements and efforts so far by government have been completely rubbished by the intended beneficiaries of the programme themselves; they have continued in their uncurbed destruction of lives and properties of innocent Nigerians virtually on a daily basis.

“It is indescribably sickening that the merchants of death have since declared their innocence and have instead offered amnesty to President Jonathan’s government. The rejection of amnesty by the Boko Haram terrorists has completely exposed the fact that the real motive of the advocates of their amnesty is anything except the security and well-being of Nigerians.“ “I am not sure any government has suffered so much ridicule since Nigeria’s independence. Our national pride and sovereignty is being eroded by inconsistent statements and policies which are antithetical to our security and collective well-being.”“ Ribadu begs Boko Haram Also, yesterday, the Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commissioon, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, appealed to Boko Haram to accept the amnesty offer by the Federal G o v e r n m e n t .

He stated this in Ikenne, Ogun State, while fielding questions from newsmen

I

April 5.

Apart from those who were in the ill-fated vehicles, some passers-by were among the dead while properties worth millions of Naira were burnt in the ensuing inferno.

Speaking at the scene of the mass burial, the Chief Mortician of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Mr. Wilfred Aikhonogie, disclosed that 51 of the 53 bodies of the victims were interred as they could not be identified while two victims, who were recognized, were released to their families.

At the scene of the accident, family members and friends of the victims, clad in black attires, were inconsolable.

A friend of one of the victims, who identified himself as Billy Anyaji, said he was shocked to find out that his friend, Chika Nwafor, had d i e d . ”I had accompanied him to Ekene Motors that very day and not to Young Shall Grow.

What happened and how he ended up at Young Shall Grow, I don’t know but God understands everything that happened in this world,” he said mournfully.

While praying for the repose of the souls of the victims, Chukwukere said a time had been apportioned for every man to die, appealing to the relatives of the deceased to accept what had happened.

PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

ASUU to down tools over kidnapped member

BY FESTUS AHON

A

CADEMIC Staff Union of Universities, Delta State University, Abraka chapter, yesterday, threatened to down tools if its kidnapped member, Dr Mercy Mokobia, a lecturer of science education in the university was not released unconditionally.

Mokobia was reportedly taken on Tuesday night by her abductors who broke into her Obiaruku residence. Chairman of the DELSU, Abraka chapter, Dr Emmanuel Mordi, in a statement, said; “Until this current incident of kidnap, there was a lull in the kidnapping of our members and their spouses which had tended to give lecturers at DELSU, a false sense of security.

“We call on the hoodlums to immediately release Dr (Mrs) Mokobia unconditionally. The host community Obiaruku also has a moral duty to fish out the hoodlums and ensure

the security of our members who live among them. We also urge security agencies to swing to action immediately, apprehend the hoodlums, and free Dr

(Mrs) Mokobia, failing which the union will have no other choice than to ask its members to stay at home in keeping with congress decision of November 23, 2011”.

Adenuga wins Lifetime Achievement award

*As Glo clinches 3 other awards at Titans of Tech Awards convention through per

BY ADEOLA ADENUGA second billing while Globacom bagged the LOBACOM has Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n a l won four awards Company of the Year at the 8th edition Award. of the Titan of Tech Globacom’s Executive Conference and Awards Director, Legal Services, held on Friday at the Mrs Gladys Talabi, and Civic Centre, Lagos.

Director, Customer Care, Globacom Chairman, Dr. Maria Svensson, were Mike Adenuga, Jr, got among the 14 women the highest honour of who bagged the Most Lifetime Achievement Influential Women in Award for being the ICT Awards at the event. number one indigenous The four awards won by contributor in the Globacom at the event t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n were the highest by any sector who broke the organisation.

G

Globacom’s Director, Customer Care, Maria Svensson, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Telecommunications on behalf of Globacom's Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr. (GCON), from former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, at the 8th Titan of Tech Awards, held on Friday at the Civic Centre, VI, Lagos.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 — PAGE 7

Ohaneze, at Kano blast scene, backs amnesty for Boko Haram

BY HENRY UMORU

I

GBO prominent group, Ohaneze Ndi- Igbo, has thrown its weight behind the proposed amnesty for Islamist group, Boko Haram, by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking when he led a delegation of Igbo leaders and lawmakers on a visit to the scene of the recent bomb blast in Sabon-gari, Kano as well as to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, President General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Chief Nnachi Gary Igariwey, hailed the Federal Government for setting up a committee that will, among others, look into the feasibility of granting amnesty to members of Boko Haram. ‘’I express total support for the renewed efforts by the Federal Government to put an end to the challenges of security in the country including the amnesty deal for Boko Haram,‘’ he said.

The President General, who took strong messages of peace, tolerance and harmonious coexistence for a united and indivisible Nigeria to Kano, described the suicide bomb attack at a luxurious bus park in Kano as an attempt to cause disunity among the people of the country.

On the visits were the Chairman of South East Tr a d i t i o n a l Council, Eze Ilomuanya; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Av i a t i o n , Senator Hope Uzodinma, PDP, Imo West representing the South East Members of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, leaders of Orlu Zone in Imo State under the aegis, Orlu Stakeholders Forum, have passed a vote of confidence on Uzodinma, just as the senator urged the people of the senatorial district to put their acts t o g e t h e r, s p e a k i n unison if they must attract Federal Government presence.

Uzodinma noted that the people of Orlu had been without any clear direction and clear leadership.

S p e a k i n g f u r t h e r, Igariwey, who urged the Igbo community in Kano and other parts of the country to cultivate and sustain the spirit of mutual respect, understanding, trust and love with their host communities, insisted on the indivisibility of Nigeria.

At the palace of

Bayero to sympathise with him over the attack on his convoy, the team encouraged him to remain steadfast in his efforts to solidifying the pillars of unity across the ancient city and Nigeria at large.

The emir, however, commended the Igbo leaders for demonstrating high sense of responsibility and patriotism, even as he assured them that peace will return to Kano.

Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); flanked by parents of late Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, Chief and Mrs. Festus Famuagun, during a condolence call on the Ado-Ekiti home of the late Deputy Governor..

Kerry: US, China pledge to work together on N.Korea

BY TONY NWANKWO With agency reports

U

.S. and Chinese leaders said Saturday that their

countries are committed to finding a peaceful way to ensure a nuclear-free Korean peninsula.

“We are determined to make that goal a reality,”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said after talks with Chinese officials and before having dinner with China’s foreign policy chief, Yang Jiechi.

Plane crashes into sea, 45 hurt

BY TONY NWANKWO With agency reports

A

LL 108 passengers and crew survived after a new Lion Air jet crashed into the ocean and snapped into two while attempting to land Saturday on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, injuring up to 45 people.

The injured were taken to several different hospitals for treatment, but there appeared to be no serious injuries, said airport spokesman Alfasyah, who like many Indonesians uses only one name. There were three foreigners on board — two Singaporeans and a French national — all of whom suffered slight injuries.

TV footage showed police and rescuers using rubber boats to evacuate the 101 passengers and seven crew members. The Boeing 737 could be seen sitting in the shallow water with a large crack in its fuselage.

Officials initially said the plane overshot the runway before hitting the water, but a spokesman for Lion Air, a low-cost carrier, said at a news conference that the plane crashed about 50 meters (164 feet) ahead of the runway. The weather was cloudy with rain at the time of the incident.

“It apparently failed to reach the runway and fell into the sea,” said the spokesman, Edward Sirait.

He said the Boeing 737800 Next Generation plane was received by the airline last month and was declared airworthy.

The plane originated in Bandung, the capital of West Java province, and had landed in two other cities on Saturday prior to the crash.

“We are not in a capacity to announce the cause of the crash,” Sirait said, adding that the National Safety Transportation Committee was investigating.

Those on board recalled being terrified as the plane slammed into the water Saturday afternoon.

“The aircraft was in landing position when suddenly I saw it getting closer to the sea, and finally it hit the water,” Dewi, a passenger who sustained head wounds in the crash and uses one name, told The Associated Press.

“All of the passengers were screaming in panic in fear they would drown. I left behind my belongings and went to an emergency door,” she said. “I got out of the plane and swam before rescuers jumped in to help me.”

Rapidly expanding Lion Air is Indonesia’s top discount carrier, holding about a 50 percent market share in the country, a sprawling archipelago of 240 million people that’s seeing a boom in both economic growth and air travel.

“China and the United States must together take steps in order to achieve the goal of a denuclearized Korean peninsula. And today we agreed that further discussions to bear down very quickly with great specificity on exactly how we will accomplish this goal,” America’s top diplomat told reporters.

Yang, speaking through an interpreter, said China was “firmly committed to upholding peace and stability and advancing the denuclearization process on the Korean peninsula.

We maintain that the issue should be handled and

resolved peacefully.”

He said China will work with the U.S. and other nations involved in past international talks on North Korea, adding that “to properly address the Korean nuclear issue serves the interests of all parties.”

Kerry spoke of “our joint commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula in a peaceful manner. We agreed that this is of critical importance for the stability of the region and indeed for the world and indeed for all of our nonproliferation efforts.”

Lagos to curb violence against women

BY ADEOLA ADENUGA

H

UNDREDS of women have in Lagos gathered to reflect on the significant of the International Women’s Day in the context of the prevailing challenges of poverty of the Nigerian woman. The event was organized by the Community Peoples Initiative Against AIDS (COPEAIDS) in collaboration with the Office of the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola. The theme of this year’s celebration by the United Nations was tagged, “A promise is a promise, time for action to end violence against women is now’. However the Lagos audience focused on ‘HIV, Environmental Protection and Sustainable Livelihood in Lagos’.

Dr Joe Okei Odumakin, the leader of Campaign for Democracy, (CD) and coordinator of Women

Arise, said it was time for Nigerian women to press for fundamental changes that would uplift them from a state of economic and political depression.

Odumakin was represented at the occasion

by Mr Gbenga Ganzalo.

Speaking at the event which drew women from across the country, the Executive Director of the Community Peoples Initiative Against, AIDS (COPEAIDS), Mrs Feyisike Adeoye ‘ who spoke on the ‘Environmental Livelihood, and the Challenges of Women in a Developing Economy”, said the forms of violence against women in Nigeria have seen correspondent rise in the spread of HIV and AIDS in Nigeria. She said law enforcement authorities are responding to the issue of violence against women but not with the speed anticipated the victims of injustice.

“It delights our hearts to

see that there is the increasing understanding that environmental sustainability is liked with the fight against deadly diseases including the HIV and AIDs scourge. We need to rise with greater strength against high fatality rate among women, the problems of social dislocation, the challenges of taboos and how they affect women and the generation social and political policies that tend to push women to lowest path of the ladder”, she told the representatives drawn from labour, civil society, women groups and the media.

The representative of the Lagos State Government, Dr (Mrs) Lateefat Adeleye, said the state government has improved in the fight against violence saying that authorities in the state are meeting local and global expectations in the campaign against HIV and AIDS and the violence that target women.

PAGE 8—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

Land reform will empower Nigerians – Falae

BY DAYO JOHNSON

F

ORMER Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, says the Systematic Land Titling and Registration (SLTR) embarked upon by the Federal Government will resolve land disputes across the country.

Falae spoke in Akure at a meeting of stakeholders on SLTR in Akure South council area of the state.

Other opinion leaders and stakeholders who spoke at the meeting include the Deji of Akureland, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, chiefs and village heads who unanimously said that the programme will liberate the people.

The erstwhile SGF said at the sensitisation programme, held at the

Deji’s palace, that the programme is a welcome exercise that will resolve land disputes which had become worrisome across the countr y.

He described the exercise as a revolutionary move to also empower the people because certificates of occupancy (C of O) can be used as collateral to obtain credit for investment.

Adesida, while also speaking at the occasion, said that Ondo people will cooperate to ensure the success of the programme, adding that land owners will be empowered to have access to incontestable C of O while land acquired by government for public interest will be better compensated.

A land specialist with the Growth and Employment in States, GEMS, Austen Okumo,

87,555 pupils seek admission into Unity Schools

BY VINCENT UJUMADU

A

BOUT 87,555 pupils, yesterday, sat for entrance examination in 432 centers nationwide for admission into the Federal Government Colleges across the country.

The Registrar/Chief Executive of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof Promise Okpala, who monitored the exercise in 29 centers in Anambra State, said that barring any unforeseen circumstances, the results of the examination should be ready on Wednesday.

According to him, the results would be sent to the Federal Ministry of Education for final vetting.

Okpala said that Lagos State presented the highest number of candidates with 23,329 while Yobe State has the lowest figure of 86. About 6,211 candidates sat for the examination in Anambra.

The NECO boss, who began the monitoring at the Federal Science and Technical School, Awka, addressed enthusiastic parents who were not allowed to go beyond the school gate, and assured them of the transparency of the exercise.

Deputy Speaker loses sibling

D

EPUTY Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has lost a younger sister, Mrs. Natachi Ben-

Chukwuma.

A statement b y the

family said Mrs. BenChukwuma passed on in

the

early

hours

of

yesterday at an Abuja hospital.

The statement said the deceased died after a protracted illness.

Aged 38, Mrs. BenChukwuma is survived by her husband, a son, an aged mother, brothers and sisters.

You’ve Got Music’ for launching

A

book entitled, ‘You’ve Got Music’ , a handbook for musicians, will be launched in Lagos on April 20. The book is written by Mr Emmanuel Akapo.

At a press conference in Lagos, Akapo, CEO, Tenstring Music Institute, said that no matter how talented you are as a musician, there are certain basic skills and knowledge you need to succeed, saying

talent and passion are only an entry point.

“The book: You’ve Got Music, is my response to the continual demand of my students and clients in over a decade. My goal is to place in your hands a comprehensive resource for your career development - the one you can always refer to for the basic knowledge of music and its business,”the writer said.

who explained the benefits to the stakeholders, said that after the exercise, C of O will be issued within 30 days.

Okumo added that within five years, all lands in Ondo would have been titled.

Speaking at the meeting, the state Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Bode Famose, said the land reform exercise is a sure way for societal transformation.

Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (right) ,with the High Commissioner of Namibia to Nigeria & Ghana, Her Excellency, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, during the courtesy visit of the High Commissioner to the governor's wife in Abeokuta.

FAAC shares N518,389bn amid Minister, Commissioners row

BY NOEL ONOJA

A

FTER several days of inconclusive deliberations, the Federation Accounts and Allocation Committee (FAAC) eventually shared N518,389billion to the three tiers of government for the month of March.

The meeting had been delayed following the

absence of the Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Yerima Ngama.

The action of the Minister did not go down well with the Finance Commissioners who had travelled from their states to Abuja for the meeting. They wondered why Ngama failed to delegate responsibility to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF),

accusing him of breaching the FAAC Act of 1992.

According to the Chairman of Commissioners Forum, Mr. Timothy Odah, “the consistent absence of the Minister to FAAC meeting is not only a disrespect to the entire state commissioners, he has also not accorded enough respect to their governors who sent

3 feared dead as bus plunges into Lagos river

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

T

RAGEDY occurred in the early hours of yesterday when a Toyota Hiace bus plunged into Majidun River, along Mile 12- Ikorodu Road, Lagos.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the three occupants of the vehicle were yet to be recovered at press time.

According to a senior officer of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, who

confirmed the report and craved anonymity, the accident happened at about 6 a.m., which made immediate rescue operation impossible.

An eyewitness account said the vehicle was on high speed before the fatal plunge into the river, as the driver was apparently oblivious of the dangerous bend around the area, coupled withe road expansion project along the axis.

The bus, with Lagos registration number KSF 918 AU, was recovered

around 10.05 a.m. by a combined team of LASTMA officials and local divers.

The bus was said to belong to a Lagos club.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, who also confirmed the accident, urged motorists to exercise patience and be cautious on the road.

A similar accident happened on the road early this year, when a bus plunged into a river but the lone occupant escaped death.

Passengers lambast critics of airport remodelling

BY LAWANI MIKAIRU

A

IR passengers and airline operators have lambasted critics of airport remodelling currently be undertaken by the Aviation Minister, Princes Stella Oduah, and said the exercise has made passenger movement easy and comfortable.

Some of the passengers said the upgrade of facilities has made air travelling easy and pleasurable.

They condemned those who were criticising the projects, calling it ordinary

painting job and said that their condemnation of the projects “showed that they do not have good intention for this country.”

This was corroborated by the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, who said that the rehabilitated airports have improved passenger movement and are attracting more people to travel by air.

One of the passengers, who simply identified himself as Fred, said, “I am surprised that some people who call themselves

industry stakeholders are condemning this laudable work the Federal Government is doing. I have worked in this airport for years before I went into business and I am always travelling from this airport. I am disappointed with the so-called stakeholders because this has shown that they have ulterior motive; their motive is not for the development of this country, but what gets to them as individuals; otherwise they should be encouraging government to continue in what they are doing.”

t h e m . ” Odah said the Minister was fond of giving excuses for his attitude.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government, states and local governments shared N518.389billion for March.

There was no official response from Ngama.

The Minister went straight to inform newsmen about the sharing, stating: “This exceeds the budget for the month of January which was N465.057 by N53.33billion. It also exceeds the amount realised for the month of February by N31.718billion.

The Federal Government gets N273.49billion; the states will take N138.718billion while the local governments will go home with N106.946billion.

“This is in addition to the oil producing states going home with their 13 percent derivation money of N60.457billion.

The Subsidy R e i n v e s t m e n t Programme (SURE-P) money of N35.549billion was also shared to the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The Nigeria National Petroleum Company continued the payment of its indebtedness to the states and local governments even as it paid N7.617billion to the Federation Account”.

Ngama disclosed that the augmentation by FAAC led to the depletion of the country’s Excess Crude Account (ECA) to $ 7 b i l l i o n .

Early this month, the Federal Government approved for sharing by the three tiers of government $2billion from the ECA. The Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has consistently warned against the depletion of the ECA.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 9

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

Need for effective local government administration Dear Sir,

T

HE roadmap to a sustainable and accelerated developed state and nation’s economy lies in the ability of the various local government areas to utilize its natural resources judiciously.

It is a statement of fact that the rich human and natural resources of Nigeria are all embedded in the various local government areas.

Nigeria has enough resources at the local government areas to uplift the country from the list of underdeveloped nations to a developed nation.

The local government council is a veritable tool in achieving the objectives of government. By all standards, the local government is the closest tier of government to the people. This is the grassroots government and has greater accessibility to the rural people than the state or federal government.

Consequently, the key to an accelerated development in the country lies in the development of these local council areas.

On the contrary, local government administration in the country has been so bastardized. The issue of state governors running local government administration like it’s ‘personal exco‘ where local government tenures are truncated abruptly and replaced at will by illegal caretaker committees is an outright abuse of power and must be checked. Local government councils should not be operated by state governors as an avenue to reward political stewards. For crying out loud,

local government representatives are duly elected by the mandate of the electorates and should be allowed to function as such.

If power and functions are adequately decentralized between the federal, state and local government areas, and consequently the grassroot government - the local government administration is independent to function as it should, the states and federal government would have virtually little work to do.

The disparity in the tenure of the various local government councils

across the country should be addressed. This brings us to the issue of a democratically elected local government councils, caretaker committees and permanent secretaries holding forte for as long as God knows when. Section 7, subsection 1of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows for the existence of democratically elected local government councils across the nation. But I am still searching for the section or subsection that allows for caretakers, transition committees or permanent secretaries as the case may

be overseeing the local government councils.

The local government system as a third tier of government as guaranteed under section 7 of the 1999 constitution should be adequately watered and allowed to flourish, for in developing these council areas, the entire country is developed and everybody will feel the impact of government and good governance.

Erekose Peter, University Of Benin, Edo State. erekosepeter@yahoo.com

Still on President Jonathan's visit to Borno State Dear Sir,

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Borno State, I guess was intended to dramatize to Nigerians at home and abroad that despite security challenge to in the country and opposition to his regime, the president could still be received in Borno with respect and enthusiasm.

The government has been handling Boko Haram insurgence with kid gloves.

The presidency felt that Maidugri would be the best place to open secret channels of communication between the Boko Haram sect and Federal government. The bold initiative to visit the embattled state is commendable but the tone adopted by the Commander-in-Chief did little to establish trust. Instead of queerying how one could hold discussion with faceless people, many people expected the president to declare amnesty to the sect to enable all concerned to rethink and drop their arms. He would have said something like “I have come to inquire not to insist,

to listen and learn and to begin what would be a continuing interchange of ideas and insight on how to end the carnage that is being unleashed on innocent Nigerians here in the North.

In addition there would have been a formal dinner-conversation with many prominent northern leaders and the president during the trip. Direct conversations with the political class of the North would be the best way to make progress.

I think this is a wrong time for us to be engaging in finger pointing – who is among, who is supporting who. In this crucial time, we need to be united in one spirit to end further blood shed. A time has come for all Nigerians to rally behind the president.

People had wrongly assumed that the attack on Mali, the presumed headquarters of Boko Haram would bring the sect to their knees but who knows how many they are and where they are located.

There are past leaders who know best how to rally the nation to his support, and

how to inspire their faith and win their trust. Such persons should be sort out to help in this regards. We have not moved in a precipitate fashion. The chairman and ranking members of the senate armed services committee should wade in to proffer solution and seek out ways to hold dialogue through several channels. The presidency must keep a constant check on the way – its orders are being carried out and also whether the orders are being followed at all.

The only way to end the attacks I believe is by conducting negotiations on political issues. The door to peace is wide open and we request the opponents of peace overtures to walk with the presidency through the door. The leadership of our nation is sincere for a settlement. There is nothing to gain by waiting. Let history record it at this critical juncture, let both sides turn their faces towards peace rather than towards conflict and war.

C.C. Okereke Political analyst & commentator

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

On the brink of war: Consider the consequences first -- 2

A week is a long time in politics....

“With all due respect, sir, I have done battle every single day of my life and many men have underestimated me before. This lot seem bound to do the same, but they will rue the day.”-Margret Thatcher

P

EOPLE often say that you remember where you are when important news are delivered. I definitely knew where I was when I heard that Margaret Thatcher died: I was travelling to work and happened to glance at my mobile phone and saw the news. So, I got into work and waited to get some reaction from the people around me. Nothing!

It was just another day but different. Confused? Indifference was not an option.

As you see, in death as in life, at home and abroad, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was lionised and lambasted —both in equal measure.

I do hope that the last couple of days is a learn-

ing curve for our politicians; that what you do for yourself dies with you, what you do for others is what you leave behind. I grew up and I was a student during Thatcher’s administration and the only time I have seen these polarised sentiments was in the heady days of Thatcher.

This lady was tough and she is undeniably Britain’s longest and, some would say, greatest peacetime Prime Minister of the 20th century. Other than Churchill, she will forever be remembered as a great politician and a patriotic Briton She really did transformed the country into an economic force taking its rightful place in the top ranking countries of the developed world. She said: "I am not a consensus politician. I'm a conviction politician. And "the word “NO” was never in her vocabulary which was her strength and her ultimate undoing.

She said “I don't mind how much my ministers’ talk, as

he should point his gun and from which direction he should expect enemy fire. The war which Danjuma tells us had started and which Soyinka

The war which Danjuma tells us had started and which Soyinka warns will inevitably start, is, or, will be, a war without fronts for the simple reason that even the Nigerian army cannot be guaranteed to remain united

,

warns will inevitably start, is, or, will be, a war without fronts for the simple reason that even the Nigerian army cannot be guaranteed to remain united and to fight a common enemy. The enemy might be the man next to each soldier might be the guy next to him in the trenches. The mini-war in Plateau State provides a good illustration of the sort of dilemma in which the members of the Nigerian armed forces find themselves.

When in May 2010, the former editor, Sunday Vanguard, Editor, Alhaji Fola Arogundade, went to Jos, at the beginning

out history. Together, they make it almost impossible to assemble a totally neutral Joint Task Force, JTF. At the heart of the numerous elements contributing to and sustaining the mini-war on the Plateau are JTF members loyal to each of the factions and fully committed to their victory. On all sides and irrespective of whether the battle is waged in Jos, or Bokkos or Wase, the combatants are aiming for total victory – not for negotiated settlement….

N.B. Even the media is strongly biased. Most columnists and editors of the leading eight papers

long as they do what I say."

She was larger than life.

From a working class family, she rose to the dizzy heights of prime minister of Britain. Hers was not mercurial at all; she fought every inch of the way and it took her thirty years to get there. Born one of two girls, she prided herself as capable as anyone if not better.

She was never one to run away from a political argument she thrived on it: "I love argument. I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me - that's not their job."

She came to office when Britain was in economic

knowingly showed hesitation, her enemies may not like her but they admired her spirit and patriotism.

She said: "To those waiting with bated breath for that favourite media catchphrase, the U-turn, I have only one thing to say, you turn if you want to. The lady's not for turning."

What she did with her conservative policies, the changes she made to British life earned a philosophy that was collectively called Thatcherism. The philosophy she espoused did rightfully or wrongfully shape the nation. She encouraged free markets and a small state, that government

,

P

of Nigeria are already at war. For reasons difficult to understand, his views were ignored. Yet, here is a person who, by training and profession, is an expert in the art of war.

As a former Chief of Army Staff and a Minister of Defence, Danjuma should know the basic definition of war and should also be in a position to determine whether one is underway or not.

Then came Professor Wole Soyinka, a pen-warrior, who, like most artists hold a mirror to society’s face forcing us to see ourselves clearly even when we choose to turn our faces from reality. Though not trained in the art of war, Soyinka had read widely. He can recollect precedents in history which are present in Nigeria today; and which portend another civil war – but, one radically different from the 1967-1970 conflict.

In 1967-1970, there was, more or less a “front”; in every theatre of the war, Nigerians were on one side and Biafrans were on the other side. Every soldier knew in which direction

,

“The chaos keeps getting worse in spite of everything they [governments] do to improve discipline and morale”, Boris Pasternak, Russian Author of award winning Dr. Chivago.

ASTERNAK was describing the early stages of the Russian revolution and civil war and the almost total breakdown of law and order which attends such social and political upheavals.

Many leading writers and leaders had repeated that war was imminent in Russia before it occurred. Neither those who desired the war/revolution nor those opposed to it i.e those wanting a more peaceful resolution of the factors propelling the nation to war, were prepared for the carnage which followed.

Tens of millions of souls perished in that adventure.

It was pointed out last week that some leaders had raised alarm that we are either on the brink of war; or we have actually embarked on one. General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) announced several weeks ago that parts

of what had now become an undisguised war between Berom/other Plateau ethnic groups and the Hausa/Fulani, one thing was clear to us. The soldiers lodged in the same hotel with us were as divided as the combatants themselves. It was not entirely their fault. In addition to ethnic differences, there were religious and political motives for fighting. Ethnicity, religion and deadly politics have individually proved explosive in many countries through-

When Maggie is convinced that what she was doing was for the benefit of the country she does not deviate”. She was a forerunner and she led always from the front

ruins and transformed it into an economic force in the world. Her ministers recalled: “We all felt her iron fist, when Maggie is convinced that what she was doing was for the benefit of the country she does not deviate”. She was a forerunner and she led always from the front, never did she

,

should stop planning and regulating business and peoples’ lives.

Arguably,it was free for all but she maintained if you work hard you will reap the reward and a lot of people did to the detriment of others. It was the boom years, the birth of the yuppies and the aspiration

are Christians. Despite all pretences to the contrary, in Jos, we support the Berom, who are predominantly Christian.

Consequently, the Federal government seldom receives accurate information about incidents in the state.

C A L L I N G IGBOBI COLLEGE 58-62 SET

Tempus fugit, means, “time flies”. We all left dear old Igbobi College, fifty years in December.

So our class’ 50th Anniver sary comes up in

April. Please contact Segun George, KSJW, our class President to find about the arrangements.

More to the point, we need your donations, starting from N100,000.

Segun’s number : 08033013349.

P.S. Condolences are in order on account of our dear late ELIJAH JOE, aka Deacon Ayo Ositelu, who was a member of the planning committee for this event until the end. May his soul rest in perpetual peace.

QURAN A-Z IN PRINT; SOON TO BE LAUNCHED -- 1 The appeal made on behalf of the young Muslim Author, Nurudeen Seriki, months ago, to publish his book, has yielded amazing results.

For purposes of transparency and accountability, let me summarise how we got here – especially for those who have either assisted or promised to do so.

Funds promised or donations could not possi-

set. Like anything that goes up must invariably come down, and crashing down it came and the effect is still felt today. So when people took to the street to dance and jubilate at her death it shows that the emotional scars run very deep and after all these time, people have not forgiven her.

No one can doubt the fact that she was principled and hard working and I remember reading somewhere that she said that she only slept for five hours. She said: “What I do think is a man should be encouraged to stand on his own two feet. Yes, we help people. Of course we help people, but for those who can do, they must just get up and do. And if something’s wrong, they shouldn’t just whine about it. They should get in there and do something about it.

Change things.”

Maggie, the iron lady was irascible and irreverent; she was one of a kind and the young pretenders will come and go, she has earned her place in political history whether she liked it or not, and frankly, I don’t think she cared what people thought. She had planned every bit of her funeral and left specific instructions. She was understood to have decided that she should not have a state funeral. She was understood to fear that a parliamentary bill, which would have to be passed to permit

bly get the book published. Providentially, and, unexpectedly, a Christian publisher, Mr Agbo Areo, offered to print 1,000 copies free of charge. But, at that stage, it was still in manuscript, far from publication and I had in the meantime seen the book as an opportunity to make a statement about religious tolerance – especially among Christians and Muslims. We needed a strong partner.

Without hesitation, we turned to Alhaji Animasaun, my Egbon, on this page for almost seventeen years. Incidentally, that perhaps should serve as a lesson for those who might have thought that Alhaji and I had broken off on account of our disagreement on this page. Nothing could be further from the truth. We both grew up, substantially in Lagos, where, people disagree, fight physically one minute and you see them the next drinking together as if nothing had happened. For us, there is never a final fight.

Alhaji, who we pounced upon without calling first, received us and helped to develop the manuscript in a way neither Nurudeen could ever have imagined. In the end, what we now have is more than a book. It is a statement by two Muslims and two Christians that all of us in Nigeria still need each other in order to create something good from nothing.

V i s i t :

www.delesobowale.com

public funds for a state funeral, could prompt a divisive debate. It is also understood that she did not wish to lie in state. I wonder if this could have happened in Nigeria!

Baroness Thatcher’s funeral will take place on Wednesday, 17 April with the whole world watching and many world leaders will fly in to attend her funeral. In spite of her prior instruction, the funeral ceremony will be with full military honours and take place at London's St Paul's Cathedral, following a procession from Westminster.

Do I really think she has been a role model to women? My answer is no. She is who she is, being a woman is not only what defines her, she is much more. I do accept that because as a woman she had to fight her way through so many obstacles and she did so, because she never gave up. No one gave her an easy ride, she fought her way through. Do I admire her spirit? Yes, without an iota of doubt. She lived her political life without compromising her sexuality, her conviction and principles.

A word of advice to our politicians: reflect on your actions as life and history will judge you. Seriously, how many of our politicians would rouse an emotion of admiration? No one is going to live forever .Nigerians are watching and taking notes.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 11

PDP: A body without a head? ture end to the tenure of Dr Bamanga Tukur, the current chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears imminent.

Yemi imagined that the recent adverse criticism by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) of the party’s convention which brought Tukur to office would instigate some members of the PDP to increase the tempo of their bashing

,

O

NE question which a commit tee I once belonged to could not find an answer for was why every Chairman of our electoral bodies of old was always booted out of office. For example, Professor Eme Awa who was appointed to Chair the Commission in 1987 was holding a crucial meeting with electoral commissioners when a radio announcement removed him from office barely a year later. His successor, Professor Humphrey Nwosu organized the world acclaimed best election in Nigeria in 1993 but he was not allowed to release the results. Other Chairmen before them like E. E. Esua and Victor Ovie-Whiskey were not better handled. Incidentally, they had all distinguished themselves in other assignments before being saddled with managing elections. So, why were such outstanding personalities rubbished? The question re-echoed in my subconsciousness, a few days ago when my friend, Yemi, informed me, that a prema-

that it was reportedly made at the height of anti-Tukur campaigns within the PDP. Oh yes, no other executive officer of the party has been subjected to the type of sustained attacks which Tukur has faced since the last one year that he took office. Interestingly, it is not quite easy for any political analyst to comprehend the issues at stake. For instance, what type of chairman do

It is in the character of PDP to put its chairman in the position of a refuse bin before he is booted out. And it has been so since 1999

of their chairman. How come it took INEC about one year to make public its reported negative observation of the convention? This is a poser for another day.

For today, it is instructive

,

PDP members want? Would they prefer a robot, that is, a person who lacks discretion and initiative? I ask this because the first complaint against Bamanga was that he was doing things differ-

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

Demise of the eagle on the tallest Iroko tree Achebe since his death on March 21, it might seem somewhat out of place for another addition to the list.

But then, the late eagle that perched on the tallest Iroko tree of African literature means so much to millions of people across the globe and his literary output so critical in moving African literature from almost complete oblivion to the centre-stage of literary discourse in the 20th century and beyond that there

,

H

AVING concluded the discourse on “The trouble with Nigerians,” it is time to pay tribute to the recently-departed icon of African literature, Prof. Chinualumogu Albert Achebe. Of course, the heading of that discourse was cloned from the title of Achebe’s pamphlet, The trouble with Nigeria, and a few of his views were used to buttress some major points made therein.

Achebe was an accomplished intellectual, Africanist, humanist and teacher.

So it is quite understandable that a broad section of Nigerians and non-Nigerians, ranging from scholars and eminent personalities whose understanding of the “African predicament” was enriched by Achebe’s enthralling writings, to Yoruba irredentists that lampooned him because of his biting indictment of their political hero for genocide and war crimes against the Igbo during the civil war, have unanimously been praising his contributions to African literature, on the one hand, and his uncompromising stand against mediocre and corrupt leadership in Nigeria, on the other. Now, given the unprecedented and universal encomiums for Prof.

Nigeria and Anthills of the Savannah etc. are not as well received as his magnum opus; nonetheless they are significant in their own right.

Since 1958 when Things Fall Apart, his first novel was published, Prof.

Achebe occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of readers of African literature worldwide because of the power, integrity, quiet confidence, reclaimed Africanness and throbbing humanity which his artistic creations so eloquently proclaim. Thus Achebe’s achievement validates the potentiality of

The facts marshalled by Achebe in his book are beyond dispute; the contentious issue is what we make of those facts

will always be room for what can be termed “Achebe Discourse.” Moreover, it is hard to name an African novel that has had as much impact and acceptability as Things Fall Apart, a novel which has reportedly sold over 11 million copies and has been translated into over fifty languages.

Achebe’s other works, such as Arrow of God, A Man of the People, the Trouble with

,

self-transcendence and universality of authentic, factbased imaginative fiction irrespective of its local provenance and inspiration. It is fitting and ironic at the same time that Achebe’s last word in literature is his controversial personal account of the most significant event in Nigeria’s history since independence – the civil war.

By all accounts, the late

ently from how others did it before. For this reason, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) rejected a memorandum from the chairman to reform the party.

In fact, despite the widely held belief that corruption in the party secretariat was being perpetrated by some directors who had spent over eight years in office, a proposal by the chairman to move such directors around was rejected by the NWC. Again, a purely advisory body led by a distinguished second republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme to help the chairman generate ideas and strategies on how to move the party forward was similarly opposed by the members. The argument of the latter was that such a committee was unknown to their party’s constitution. At another point in time, the party’s national secretary allegedly sent a memo to all chairmen of state branches of the party not to relate directly with the national chairman without passing through the national secretary.

One analyst attributes the rumpus to what he described as how Tukur was elected. Whatever is the case, the reality is that PDP members usually treat the chairmanship of their party as if it is a part time or temporary position. In fact, the case of Bamanga Tukur looks like that of a new appointee on probation, but for how long it is to last may be hard to know. This is because it is not about Tukur;

rather, it is in the character of PDP to put its chairman in the position of a refuse bin before he is booted out.

And it has been so since 1999. As in the case of our electoral commission of old which always brutalized its successive chairmen, PDP without being uncharitable, appears to relish being a headless body. With what then does it think? Some say the founding chairman-Chief Solomon Lar was not disgraced out of office but not many agree with the assertion. What about his successors? Barnabas Gemade, Audu Ogbeh, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Vincent Ogbulafor, together with the indomitable Ahmadu Ali who was nicknamed the Garrison Commander were all virtually rubbished.

Our democracy cannot take root, if party management is weak. There is indeed danger when the chairman of the ruling party in a state finds his way to the position of Deputy Governor of that state as PDP did in Kaduna the other day. Also, party activities ought to be chaired by the chairman and they ought to hold in party offices and not at the Presidential Villa or Government Houses in the States. In other words, party leaders should not be subordinated to their members who are elevated to the executive arm of government.

PDP should borrow a leaf from the posture of older politicians. During the second republic for instance, Alhaji Shehu Shagari won election as President under

the banner of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Thereafter, he faced the task of governance while Chief Adisa Akinloye, National Chairman of the party continued to call the shots on party matters. In addition, Shagari deferred to him at all times and refused to be interviewed by journalists on an issue upon which, in the words of Shagari, ‘the boss’ had spoken. It is a posture which puts a political party over its members –a stance which is no doubt more significant today because unlike the past when we had independent candidates, the law now provides that elections can only be won by political parties and not by individuals. This creates party supremacy.

This legal environment of party supremacy is therefore not the time to place party members who win elections over the legal platform which enabled their victory. Elected party members like Governors should not be the only group to nominate members to the different party committees; otherwise they will hold the party to ransom as it frequently happens now in the PDP. In the last few months for example, PDP Governors have been calling for a meeting of their party’s National Executive Committee simply because they want to use their cronies there to dislodge the national chairman. But when will any of such Governors allow a meeting of his own State Executive Committee?

Igwe of African literature was a mild, humble and quiet man who did not deliberately court controversy. Yet his work, There was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra, is the most debated documented story of that horrible tragedy. Most criticisms of what Achebe said in the book are misplaced, because they are based on ignorance, ethnic jingoism and lack of intuitive grasp of the gravity of Achebe’s personal involvement from the Biafran side. Virtually everything he said in the book about Nigeria and Nigerians are matters of common knowledge to those with even a superficial knowledge of Nigerian history.

The major issue is that, in vintage Achebe forthrightness and courage, he scathingly indicted the respected politician, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for the inhuman policies of the Nigerian government against the secessionist easterners, particularly the blockade of Biafra which caused the starvation of over a million people, majority of whom were children, and the wicked policy of giving the defeated Igbo 20 pounds to each person no matter the amount he or she had in the bank before the war started. Because of hysterical emotionalism and hero worship, critics of Achebe’s valid indictment of Awolowo conveniently forgot that there is a difference between historical facts and how the facts are interpreted.

The facts marshalled by Achebe in his book are beyond dispute; the contentious issue is what we make of those facts. That said, the late novelist deserves plau-

dits for drawing attention once again to man-made gaping faultlines in the Nigerian project, and his insistence that for Nigeria to survive and progress Nigerians must strive to construct a nation in which merit, excellence and the capacity to perform, not ethnicity or religious affiliation, determine who gets what in the federation. Prof.

Achebe endeared himself to Nigerians for his principled stance against bad leadership in the country; twice he rejected honourary award from the federal government because he just could not lend credibility to incompetent and corrupt leadership. His indomitable spirit can be gauged from the philosophical fortitude with which he bore a crippling car accident in 1990 that confined him to a wheelchair.

For almost 23 years Prof.

Achebe, like the cosmologist Prof. Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University, defied his disability and continued to enrich humankind with his intellectual output both in and out of the classroom. Without a doubt, that these two great men rose above their physical challenges and contributed significantly to their different areas of competence is a testimony to the capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversities and an inspiration to people weighed down by physical disabilities.

The prodigious contributions of paradigmatic individuals like Achebe tend to make people forget that they are mortal and fallible.

That is why Chimamanda N. Adichie’s critique of Achebe’s There was a Country entitled “I will miss

Chinua Achebe” deserves commendation. Despite her respect and admiration for the late novelist, Adichie boldly identifies errors in some of Achebe’s claims.

For instance, she disagrees with his view that one of the principal reasons for Nigeria’s current backwardness is the failure to fully integrate the Igbo. She argues, correctly, that the country would just be as backward even if the Igbo had been fully integrated – institutional and leadership failures transcend ethnicity.

Additionally, in the light of what Chuks Illoegbunam writes about Mallam Aminu Kano in Ironside (that Aminu Kano actively supported the pogroms against the Igbo living in the north in 1966), the late Kano politician is the last prominent northerner Achebe should speak highly of. These and other mistakes of Prof. Achebe are very minor blips in the literary firmament to which he contributed some of the brightest stars.

His death should remind everyone of the inexorable mortality, transitoriness and perishability of human life, no matter the solidity universality of our achievements, the lofty idealism of our hopes and aspirations, and the dignified humane graciousness of our interaction with others. It compels us to endeavour to autograph our deeds with excellence, for the simple reason that an individual’s life can end at any time. Sincerest condolences to the family of Ogidi’s most celebrated intellectual, humanist and teacher of teachers of teachers, Prof. Chinualumogu Achebe.

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

The contract scandal in Imo equipment remain there, a testimony to the great sham into which was poured billions, down a drain pipe badly conceived and brilliantly misexecuted. The Imo electorate in great pique swept Ohakim out of office, and brought in Rochas, riding on the wave of discontent. Even so, he rode on an equally bogus claim of public spiritedness and philanthropy. He sold the oldest snake oil in the market to the people: he was a man of the people. He had bought their trust with something called the “Rochas foundation” which allegedly awarded scholarship to indigent students. Well, trust the Imo people to be a bit too mushy in their affections on these occasions.

And so, much like that scene in Camara Laye’s Radiance of a King, Rochas rode straight in great and ardent sway to the gubernatorial seat in Owerri, on the platform of the APGA – always the party that wins election in Imo state, even though it was always too weak to defend its mandate or channel the level of public support for it into real

political action. Well, give it to Rochas: he saw a great gap, and he took it.

The leadership of the APGA in Imo state was immediately in his hold.

What Rochas lacks in savvy he made up pro-

,

K

ANAYO Okoro cha, governor of Imo state, has come a long way from his time as a police leg and commercial school teacher in Jos. He is today, governor of Imo state; swept into office by two factors: a most lascklustre Ohakim administration which had grossly underperformed. That administration not only alienated the people of Imo state by what was perceived generally as a hollow and abrasive style of governance, but they had spent much of his equally fateful tenure building castles in the air.

A lot of those invisible castles cost the Imo tax payers quite a pile too.

Among them were the Oak refinery, which now refines a lot of oil in the breach; the Oguta project, and as we see today, thanks to this, even angels now fear to tread in Oguta, and the grandmother of all hokey-pokey, the dredging of the River Nworie and its redesign as a recreational spot: rather than sail boats or Kayaks, or such like, I’m told that the river still bleeds mud, and that some disused

was a surprising choice of course. He quickly settled into his post as Imo’s Deputy Governor. Two incidents quickly marked that office: the kidnappings and deaths that have occurred in his office with the kidnapping and disappearance of a Permanent Secretary in the office of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Ihekwaba, who has since not been seen, and the kidnap and murder of another senior aide in the former Deputy governor’s office. I do not think that journalists in Owerri have paid sufficient attention to the pattern of these incidents

What is the governor’s role in this whole business? This is the question that needs to be clarified, and should not be swept under the carpet

foundly in bluster. He blustered his way to a party ticket. He made deals with Martin Agbaso, who had in fact won the elections that brought Ohakim in to government. That election was annulled; Agbaso went to court, and as we came to learn, was pressured, and then adequately bought-out of his mandate. As fait-acompli, Rochas took Martin Agbaso’s younger brother, Jude Agbaso as his deputy this time around. It

,

around the former Deputy governor, but what is certainly clear is that the move that led to his impeachment is deft political play by Governor Rochas Okorocha. It is called repositioning. The situation itself is worth summarizing: one day, Jude Agbaso was slapped with allegations of taking a N500million bribe from a contractor, Joseph Dina, of JPbros.

Joseph Dina is said to be a Lebanese contractor who does business with

Rochas Okorocha. It makes you wonder certainly about the shenanigans that have gone on in Imo State. First, local contractors are routinely side-stepped, while tax payers money are paid without regard to patrimony, to fronts who have no significant investment or claim in Imo state; who do not compete in clear, open and transparent bids for government contracts but are backdoored to the gravy train because they can pay bribes, and because they have business deals with elected public officials in Imo State who go far afield to recruit evil partners with whom to milk Imo state.

The outrage for me personally is that in this matter, the Imo State House of Assembly, which ought to have established clearer oversight, handled the matter like a witchunt. Here, let me say, that it is not my wish to defend Mr. Jude Agbaso; in fact, I think he may have got his just dessert. Nevertheless, he has raised a rather pertinent and crucial issue: he has disavowed any connections to a bribe on the grounds that he could not authorize, as Deputy governor and Commissioner for Works, a payment to the said contractor. Only the governor, after due verification, can authorize payment for a contract.

Secondly, according to public service regulations established by the act of parliament, neither

the governor nor the Deputy governor, can award a contract. It ought to be the duty of a properly constituted tenders board under the Public Service Commission. Elected or sworn officials who manipulate or influence the bidding process misuse their authority and are liable for prosecution; and this includes the governor.

On what grounds did JPbros therefore offer a bribe to the Deputy governor of Imo State? Was there a properly established, transparent and open public tenders for that contract for which this bribe was offered?

Were local contractors given the first chance to compete fairly for the contract bid for which the said bribe was made? In the final analysis, what is the governor ’s role in this whole business? This is the question that needs to be clarified, and should not be swept under the carpet.

While he has thrown Mr. Agbaso under the bus, and some say, as a way of safeguarding his back as he makes the move for the vice-presidential bid later, outside the APGA, Rochas Okorocha, it seems to me has questions to answer.

Journalists in Imo State are slapping him too nicely on the wrist and have not asked the right questions. Governor Okorocha must come clean, and the Imo state House of Assembly must do its job by initiating wider scrutiny on this matter. It ain’t over yet.

Strong religious and ethnic ties will Fresh oil spill in Bayelsa Standfast, said the spillage ment, the Chairman of the fresh oil spill has re had polluted their source Oil and Gas Committee of foster peace in Nigeria – Babangida Aportedly occurred of drinking water and im- Nembe Kingdom, Chief along the Nembe creek in

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

T

HE former military president, Gen Ibra him Babangida (rtd), has said that strong religious and ethnic ties will strengthen peace in the country.

Babangida stated this, yesterday, in Karu, Nasarawa State at the installation of Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) and Prof Adamu Baike as the Jiji and Kpasi of Karu respectively,

was held at the palace of the Chief of Karu, Mr Luka Panyam-Baba.

The former military leader, who described the conferment of titles on Danjuma and Baike, both non-indigenes of Nasarawa State, as a good development, pointed out that the recognition will strengthen the relationship between indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.

According to him, the antecedents of both recipients would remain indelible in

Delta committee tasked on commitment

T

HE executive chair man, EgbemaGbaramatu Communities Development Foundation, EGCDF, Chief Michael Johnny, has charged the new executive members of the foundation to be steadfast, honest and committed to the success of the foundation.

Johnny, who gave the charge at the first general meeting of the foundation, in Warri, also pointed out that the activities of the foundation is

geared towards the empowerment of the people and the infrastructural development of the various oil bearing communities in Egbema and Gbaramatu.

He advised the executive members to be committed to their respective duties, adding that: “We must give priority to the yearnings and needs of the people and you must always relate with your various communities to ensure that all oil facilities in their communities are protected.”

the history of the state, especially in the health and educational sectors, where they have distinguished themselves. ‘’Baike and Danjuma are embodiments of unity, peace, humility and selfless service to humanity. The honour on Danjuma is natural, having made giant strides in the unity and development of the nation,”he said. ‘’These two individuals are outstanding in their respective endeavours, in the military; a junior officer does not write the report of his superior officer, so I cannot write that of Danjuma because he was my boss.

Danjuma has contributed immensely to Nigeria; if you look at his contributions, they cut across ethnic and religious backgrounds and that is how it should be.

“This conferment should strengthen the cause of peace in our society, especially when individuals are recognised outside their states and communities, i feel this is how it should be.”

In his remarks, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, described Danjuma and Baike as promoters of peace, whose contribution had helped to promote peace and development in the society.

Nembe local government area of Bayelsa State.

According to sources, the spill from the Oil Well 62 was noticed in the early hours of yesterday.

The spill, it was further learnt, had covered the river, mangrove swamp and waterways of the Nembe K i n g d o m .

A fisherman and indigene of the community, Timi

pacted negatively on fishing activities, the means of livelihood of the people of the kingdom. ”We called on the officials of the oil firm involved and reported the spillage but they have not showed up,” he lamented.

Contacted on the develop-

Nengi James, said though he had prevailed on the people of the kingdom against any unlawful action against the company, he was worried by the incessant cases of oil spillages in the kingdom and the poor attitude of the oil firm towards such spills.

Birthday girl

Ewherido hails stability as Mark’s legacy

S

ENATOR Pius Ewherido, DPP, Delta Central, has hailed the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark’s stewardship, praising “his uncommon humility and sense of purpose in recasting the image of the legislative body.”

In a statement on the occasion of Mark’s 65th birthday, Ewherido said the stability in the Senate and the maturity which Mark has brought to the leadership of the chambre were attributes that would go down as legacies of the Mark Senate.

Ewherido, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, further praised the Senate President for the camaraderie he had helped to foster among senators saying it was reflective of the experience, transparency and humility of the senate president.

Little Aishatu Mama Ndujja Modibbo, the daughter of a member of the House of Representatives, Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, was one year old penultimate Saturday with a birthday party at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Yola.

SUNDAY

Vanguard , APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 13

•Militants ... Mind boggling attack on security agents

HORROR AT NOON

How militants killed policemen in Bayelsa State *Inspector murdered 8 months to retirement

T

HE putrid stench of decomposition was the ugly reminder of lives that once bubbled.

For all of four days, their bodies could not be located.

Rotting away in the dingy creeks of Azuzuama community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, the bodies were already even no longer identifiable – apart from the anatomy which portrayed them as men.

The recovery, last Tuesday, of the bodies of 11 of the 12 policemen who were attacked by suspected militants in the creek of Bayelsa State, penultimate Friday, put to rest the speculation that the cops could still be alive.

The bodies were recovered four days after the attack. Miraculously, last Thursday, the twelfth policeman thought to have been dead, re-

appeared.

They were heading to that community to provide security at the burial of the late mother of an ex -militant leader, Kile Selky Torughedi, aka Young Shall Grow, and Senior Special Assistant, SSA, on Marine Waterways Security to the Bayelsa Governor, when their boat was ambushed.

16 policemen were said to have been in the boat at the time of the incident.

Four escaped along with the boat driver. The police said 50 cops were deployed for the mission and they were supposed to be making the trip in a convoy of many boats led by a gunboat.

Then the deceased policemen’s boat, according to the police, was left behind after developing engine fault thus making them easy prey for the attackers.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that it took so long to recover the remains

,

By SAM OYADONGHA

bakar •MD Abu

The policemen and their boat were said to have been riddled with bullets which left some of the bodies torn apart and making it difficult for them to float on the surface of the river after 24 hours

,

of the slain policemen due to the difficult nature of the narrow waterway connected by several creeks.

However, the collaborative effort of the Joint Task Force (JTF), code named Operation Pulo Shield, with the police in the search and rescue operation paid off, leading to the recovery of the corpses.

One of the victims, a senior inspec-

tor, was identified as Joseph Ofujuni.

He was said to be due for retirement in December after putting-in 35 years of service.

Another was identified as Sgt Jack, Constable Ebebi Lucky.

The identities of others could not be ascertained.

One of the survivors was identified as Sgt Clinton Ambayi.

Though journalists were not allowed to see the corpses, which were evacuated into bags by officials of the state ambulance services on arrival at the Bayelsa State Ministry of Transport jetty before they were conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) morgue, the place was filled with the stench of decomposing bodies.

According to an eyewitness, the boat conveying the policemen did not develop engine fault, as claimed

Continues on page 14

PAGE 14 —SUNDAY

Vanguard , APRIL 14, 2013

HORROR AT NOON

How militants killed policemen in Bayelsa State Continued from page 13

,

in some quarters, before they came under attack. It was gathered that the attack occurred along the creek of Lobia II community also in Southern Ijaw LGA. Their assailants were said to have positioned at a jetty along the narrow creek thereby putting them at an advantage to take out their exposed targets.

The policemen were apparently taken unawares by the gunmen who rained bullets on the boat.

While the gunmen pumped bullets into the hapless policemen, a boat allegedly conveying another team of assailants joined in the firing to ensure none of the victims escaped.

The policemen and their boat were said to have been riddled with bullets which left some of the bodies torn apart and making it difficult for them to float on the surface of the river after 24 hours.

B

ut the boat driver miraculously escaped unhurt as he dived into the river. Sgt Clinton and two others, it was learnt, also escaped by diving into the water even as they were given a hot chase by the assailants.

The boat conveying the policemen, according to a source, was not a police boat but was chartered for the occasion.

“It was fitted with double 75 horse power engine as against others that left the FMC waterside for the journey to Azuzuama that fateful day using 200 and 150 horse power mercury double engine”, the source added. This, it was gathered, made the boat carrying the 16 policemen, more than its capacity, to lag behind in what should have been a convoy movement of all the boats heading to Azuzuama for the burial of the late mother of Torughedi. ”When boats are moving in convoy and one of them is lagging behind, the practice is for others to go back and check what was amiss, but, in the case of the boat conveying the police in this convoy, none turned back to know why,” a security operative deployed to the FMC waterside to receive the remains of his slain colleagues on Tuesday lamented.

The atmosphere at the FMC waterside was tense with relations waiting anxiously to catch a glimpse of the remains of their loved ones who though had left for work that fateful Friday with the hope of returning home at the close of work, but never made it back alive.

Some of them didn’t even have an inkling that they would be ordered to proceed to Azuzuama. They got to work that day and were told about the event.

It turned out to be a journey of no return.

The killing not only triggered fresh

Gov. Seriake panic in the oil industry but also left Bayelsa State Police Command and sister security agencies stunned.

Though the tragic incident was not the first time police operatives would be consumed in such a large number in one fell swoop in the creeks of the state; but it was the worst violence seen in the once troubled area since the once rampaging Niger Delta agitators agreed to embrace the Federal Government amnesty.

I

t was, however, learnt that the ambush, which claimed the lives of the policemen, may have been the fallout of alleged disagreement among members of the once united confederates of the defunct South Wing MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) over amnesty proceeds; this claim could not be verified given the recent upsurge of pirates’ attacks in the creeks and waterways.

The serene Azuzuama settlement, tucked away in the deep mangrove, it was learnt, was the bastion of the South Wing MEND, an affiliate of MEND, led by Torughedi, popularly known as the ‘Young Shall Grow’ in the days of militancy in the oil rich region.

The leader of the group later renounced armed struggle like his other confederates to embrace the Federal Government amnesty making Azuzuama and its waterways one of the most peaceful in the predominantly riverine state.

This diminutive ex- militant leader was said to have been having problems with his ‘boys’ who accused him of abandoning them. He was said to have relocated to Yenagoa after embracing the Federal Government amnesty leaving behind his former confederates. His aggrieved ‘boys’ were said to have

It was gathered that ex-militant leaders, including Eris Paul, popularly known as Ogunboss; Ebikabowei VictorBen, known as Boyloaf; and Pastor Reuben Wilson, known as General Pastor; have beefed up their own security to forestall any attack

,

vowed to extract their pound of flesh from him whenever he returned to Azuzuama.

This scenario was like a tinderbox waiting to explode. The ex- militant leader lost his mother and it was her burial he was reportedly going to attend in spite of advice from his close confidants that he should stay away.

He reportedly approached the Bayelsa police authorities in Yenagoa for protection during the burial ceremony. He was obliged.

Sadly, the policemen were heading to Azuzuama when they were ambushed by the gunmen along the waterways.

The attack coincided with the threat by MEND, penultimate week, to resume hostilities in the Niger Delta following the imprisonment of its leader, Henry Okah, in South Africa over his roles in the 2010 independence day bombing in Abuja and another incident in Warri.

Though the tragic incident occurred between 4pm and 5pm penultimate Friday, several attempts to get the state police boss, Mr. Kins Omire, to confirm the incident in the early hours of Saturday were futile as he said he was in a security meeting.

It was not until about 9pm that a visibly troubled police boss, at a media briefing, confirmed the attack on the policemen. Omire, who insisted that the cops were still missing and could not be declared dead until the final outcome of the search and rescue operations, said the armed men ambushed the policemen and made them soft targets.

He noted that the attack was launched by some aggrieved exmilitants while the “missing policemen” were stranded on the waters following an engine problem with

the speed boat conveying them”.

The police boss said, “50 policemen set out on the assignment to Azuzuama. On their way, one of the boats developed engine fault. A Joint Task Force gun boat was moving ahead of them. They were isolated and became soft targets.

Intelligence reports have shown that those involved in the armed attack were hoodlums within an ex-militant group that were supposed to be enjoying amnesty.”

Omire denied the claim of wrongful deployment of the slain policemen to Azuzuama community to provide security at the burial ceremony of the late mother of ‘Young Shall Grow.’

According to him, though the killing of the policemen was unfortunate, the deployment of the policemen was authorized by him and done to provide security to high profile visitors expected at the burial ceremony of the late mother of the ex-militant leader.

The police commissioner said the deployment followed due process and the” disabled nature of the boat conveying the dead policemen made them easy targets for their killers”.

He explained, “As I speak to you, some policemen are still in the community. It was the disabled nature of the speed boat conveying the affected policemen that made them soft targets. We had lots of gunboats and security personnel in the area. As I speak with you now, the entire Azuzuama community is condoned off.”

A

ccording to him, out of the 50 policemen deployed to the Azuzuama community, the 12 declared missing include two inspectors, four non-commissioned officers and six constables.

“The police have launched a high powered investigation headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tuesday Asayamor.”

However, MEND and General Adaka Boro Jnr group, about 48 hours after the attack, struggled to lay claim to the killing of the policemen. In their separate e-mails, the MEND and the Jasper Adaka Boro group insisted that the killing was an outcome of a gun battle between their foot soldiers and security men.

MEND, however, claimed the killing occurred on Saturday instead of Friday as confirmed by the police and indigenes of the community.

The Bayelsa police boss dismissed the claim that MEND was responsible.

In the MEND statement, the spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, claimed that the killing was a confirmation that the penultimate week threat of violence was real and had started.

“For dismissing Hurricane Exodus as an “empty threat” by the Nigerian

Continues on page 15

SUNDAY

Vanguard , APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 15

How militants killed policemen in Bayelsa State Continued from page 14 security forces, heavily armed fighters from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), at about 17:00 hrs, Saturday 06, April 2013, intercepted and engaged government security forces in a fierce gunfight lasting over forty (40) minutes at Azuzama, Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa State, Nigeria,” the email said.

“The clash, which happened in the river, left over fifteen (15) security forces dead as we also lost two (2) of our fighters in the battle.

“We hope this encounter will serve as a lesson to the Joint Task Force (JTF) from making careless utterances that cannot be backed as we remain resolute in our resumption of hostilities.”

“All oil companies and the public are advised to ignore the false sense of security been peddled by the JTF as well as the false comments from a “Comrade Azizi”, who claims to be the spokesman for the group. This person is not known to MEND, does not speak for MEND and his utterances and style do not reflect our plans and actions.”

In its claim of responsibility for the killing, the militant group, led by General Jaspa Adaka Boro (Jnr), insisted that the killing of the policemen was a clear warning to their ex- leader, Torughedi.

According to the group, “What happened yesterday (Friday) was a warning to ‘Young Shall Grow’. We have been sidelined in NNPC, Bajero security jobs because of him.

We want the Federal Government, the Bayelsa government and other

stakeholders to come to our aid. If they refuse, we will blow up the flow stations in the region. It is an armed struggle. We have just started.

The Federal Government should tell him (Young Shall Grow) to empower his boys. We are not afraid.”

In the meantime, the killing, it was learnt, is causing fear within the ranks of ex- militant leaders in Bayelsa.

It was gathered that ex-militant leaders, including Eris Paul, popularly known as Ogunboss; Ebikabowei Victor-Ben, known as Boyloaf; and Pastor Reuben Wilson, known as General Pastor; have beefed up their own security to forestall any attack.

Wilson, who spoke on the development, said the killing of the policemen was a dastardly act and condemnable, saying it could happen to any ex-militant leader in the state due to the alleged involvement of some in the deduction from the allowances of their followers.

According to him, the media should dismiss the claim of responsibility for the policemen killing by MEND. He said, “Our lives are in danger when visiting our areas. Anything can still happen to another leader.

But I don’t think I have any problem with my boys. ”We that are freedom fighters in Bayelsa are saddened that such incident happened in Bayelsa State.

We want to state that the purported MEND claim is false. MEND is not involved and the Amnesty Office is not involved. This is a pure misunderstanding between a leader and his boys. The killing is an attempt to rubbish the Amnesty Programme of

the Federal Government.” Wilson, who is also the president of the coalition of exmilitant leaders for peace under the aegis of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), said, “When we accepted amnesty, the Federal Government made lots of promises to the leaders.

Because of the failure on the part of the Federal Government, the leaders were deducting the allowances of the boys. But if the Federal Government reached out and treat the leaders with respect and fulfill the promises, I don’t think any leader will make such illegal deductions. ”For the leaders, I want them to reach out to their boys. Most of the leaders should talk to their boys and let them know what is happening. At times, the leaders provoke these boys to violence by abandoning them. They should interact and have regular meetings with these boys because they know their capabilities and strength in the handling of weapons.”

Meanwhile, Governor Seriake Dickson has vowed to collaborate with security agencies in the state to ensure the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

He described the death of the policemen as tragic.

Dickson, who spoke in a statement in Yenagoa, stated that government will do everything humanly possible to bring the culprits to book, emphasizing that steps were already being taken to comb the nooks and crannies of the state to apprehend them.

He stated that government cannot fold its arms and watch people take the law in to their hands for whatev-

er reason stressing that government will not relent until acts of criminality and lawlessness are completely eliminated in the state. ”We will not rest on our oars and we will make the environment very, very uncomfortable for criminals and perpetrators of other related offences to operate”, the governor said. ”For the umpteenth time, government is warning our youths and their collaborators, who take delight in kidnapping, maiming and taking the lives of innocent and law abiding citizens, to turn a new leaf or have themselves to blame, because nobody will be spared”.

Dickson renewed his call to parents and guardians to prevail on their children and wards to desist from acts that could jeopardize government’s efforts at achieving enduring peace and accelerated development of every sector of the state’s economy.

Also the leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) in Bayelsa State and the pro-democracy group, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) condemned the killing of the 12 policemen, describing the attack as barbaric and criminal.

According to the ACN, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Christopher Abarowe, the killing is unfortunate, sad and a serious threat to the security situation in the country. The party calls on the state and Federal Government not to treat the attack with dismay but be more proactive and decisive in handling the security challenge facing the nation”, the ACN said

Changing rainfall patterns in Nigeria and global warming

BY OGUNDE SHOLA TOPE

I

T is now very obvious, even to those who had initial doubts about the veracity of the claim by scientists of rising global temperatures, that there is a change in the global climate pattern. Before now, the phrase ‘global warming’ seemed more like a joke; however, with the way climate has changed in recent times, the reality of what had hitherto been considered a fiction, and thought of as only perhaps real in what some termed “the delusional world of the scientist”, is now glaring for all to see. Global warming revolves around rising temperatures which have domino effect on the global landscape. This has been attributed to both natural and human causes. The latter, however, comes tops. The activities of man have had a serious negative impact on the climate. The activities have resulted in the release of harmful gases that have led to rising global temperatures. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, global surface temperatures in 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest on record. Scientists say that the earth could warm by an additional 7.2 degrees fahrenheit during the 21st

century if we fail to reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. Global warming, which has been majorly attributed to anthropogenic factors, top of which is green house gas emissions, has altered climate patterns around the world. Increased temperatures have triggered heat waves, delayed rainfall onset, increased flooding, extinction of wildlife, just to mention a few. In July 2006, severe heat waves in North America contributed to the deaths of at least 225 people.

Hot, dry weather led to a recordsetting 2006 wild land fire season with close to 100,000 fires reported and nearly 10 million acres burned, 125 percent above the decade’s average. Global warming has brought about changes in weather patterns toward an intensified water cycle with stronger floods and droughts. In Nigeria, global warming has had a significant impact on rainfall-undoubtedly, the most significant component in agricultural practice, and the defining element in seasonal change. Rainfall has grown more intense with frequent and devastating floods. 2012 was indeed a tragic year, country wide, as intense rains left in their wake

wanton destruction of lives and properties. On 2, July 2012, many Nigerian coastal and inland cities experienced heavy rains. In midJuly 2012, flooding in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, caused many residents to flee from their homes. In late July 2012, at least 39 people were killed due to flooding in Plateau State. Heavy rainfall caused the Lamingo Dam to overflow near Jos, sweeping across a number of neighborhoods and approximately 200 homes were submerged or destroyed. In that year also, discharge of water from a dam in neighboring Cameroon, as a result of a downpour, triggered one of the most disastrous floods in the northern part of the country. Worst hit was Adamawa State, where no fewer than 89 schools were severely flooded, prompting the state government to indefinitely postpone the resumption of schools for the new academic year.. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, had, in March that year, warned about imminent heavy rainfall and the attendant flooding in many parts of the country, but the warning was either ignored or not taken seriously. Several conferences have been

held on the international scene to check the release of harmful gases that are causing increase in global temperatures. However, in the light of the devastating effects, most nations have still played hide and seek with the issue. It has, therefore, become incumbent upon nations at their own levels to check the problem. All nations must put all hands on deck to adjust to the changing weather patterns. This must not be left to the weather watchers alone, as citizens must change their attitudes too by developing a green disposition towards the environment. This can come in various forms like tree planting, reduced gas emissions, putting up embankments, avoiding the dumping of refuse in drainage channels and clearing blocked channels, etc. Government has a major say in the actualization of all these and must thus work alongside the agencies concerned towards addressing the issue of changing climate patterns occasioned by human actions.

*Tope is an HND II mass communication student of Federal Polytechnic Bida. Email: ogundeshola87@hotmail.com

PAGE 16 —SUND AY —SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

By SONI DANIEL, FAVOUR NNABUGWU and LIVINUS NWABUGHIOGU Chief Nyesom Wike, legal practitioner, politician and public administrator, is part of the team saddled with the Herculean task of repositioning Nigeria’s education sector, as the Minister of State for Education. Unlike a core civil servant, Wike believes in achieving results without undue protocols. According to him, Nigerians are in a hurry to see a change and are not interested in excuses as long as there are challenges capable of drawing back the education system, which holds the key to the nation’s socio-economic advancement.

In this interview, Wike speaks on what the Federal Government has so far achieved, what it is doing to lift the education sector, meet the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs’, targets and make Nigeria proud in the comity of nations. Excerpts:

How we will decide

by Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education *’Says for 15 yrs, Unity Schools had no quality teachers *’We are reducing the number of children out of school’

H

C M Y K

Chief Nyesom Wike ... People are merely expressing opinions on NECO The White Paper Committee may make recommendations to government, which may be accepted or not. Government will not scrap NECO if it thinks it will not be in the interest of Nigerians.

What is paramount is that government will take a decision that will be in the best interest of the people and not based on what some groups or segments would write about to win sentiment.

What has the government done to

,

OW far is it true that the Federal Government has scrapped JAMB and NECO? This government has not scrapped any of those institutions. It is true that a committee was raised by government headed by the former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Steve Orosanya, to look into the number of agencies and departments in the country and to recommend ways of saving costs. That committee made some recommendations to government, which, in turn, set up another panel to write a White Paper on it. As we speak, the White Paper Committee is yet to issue its recommendations to government and I do not know where people are getting the rumours they are spreading across the country, causing apprehension in the process.

How do people jump into conclusion?

Probably somebody might have discussed an opinion and somebody might have said,’ look, this is what I would have done if I were on the committee’, and somebody takes that as government position.

Even assuming that it happens the way people are suggesting, will that reduce the number of intake into universities? As far as I know, it is not the number of exams you write that increases the number of intake, but the facilities that the institutions have on ground.

For example, if a university is supposed to admit one thousand students for a particular year, that is just what it can take and not the number of people who might have written and passed JAMB. No. So, it is not like if JAMB conducts exams, people would have more access to university education in Nigeria. Or that people would not have access to universities if it no longer conducts the examinations.

We know that the National Examinations Council, NECO, came in to check the monopoly that the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, was enjoying. If it is cancelled, Nigerians will return to the dark days. What do you say about that?

I have told you government is yet to take a position on any of these education agencies. People may be expressing their own opinions. The committee that was set up by government will take a final decision on whether NECO will remain or not. Until that is done, the body remains.

ing on what does not give us advantage in any way.

There has been pressure on government to bring the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, and the National Universities Commission, NUC, under one umbrella for effective monitoring and supervision of our tertiary institutions. Is there any plan to merge them?

Let me say that government does not

Technology holds the key to economic transformation and we should not be left behind because of sentiments

bridge the gap between degree and HND holders?

Is the problem of this country the dichotomy between HND and first degree?

Why are we always placing emphasis on something that will not help us? That has to do with the labour market and not the Ministry of Education. The Federal Civil Service Commission that deals with the appointment and promotion of officers should be in a better position to shed light on that matter. Ours is to make sure that Nigerians get quality education so that they can compete globally. I think we should concentrate more on what will make this country great and for our graduates to be able to compete effectively with others from other parts of the world instead of dwell-

,

intend to do a thing like that because these bodies have their statutory roles to play in the advancement of education. I will never be in support of that; rather we should be encouraging more polytechnics in order to be able to produce skilled manpower for this country.

There is no need for all Nigerians to be called graduates. We should encourage technical education, which makes one to be self-reliant. As we speak, we don’t even have enough polytechnics to serve Nigerians who are yearning for the opportunity to get technical know-how that can make them successful in their chosen areas.

Instead of converting polytechnics to universities, we should be talking about how to make technical education readi-

ly available to the youths to make them more productive and creative, be on their own and excel like what obtains in other countries. Technology holds the key to economic transformation and we should not be left behind because of sentiments. Many of the socalled polytechnics have defeated the purpose of their existence by trying to offer courses that should be offered by conventional institutions. You find many of them offering courses in business administration instead of core engineering and technology-based areas that would give their graduates an edge. Obviously, the confusion must be curtailed for the benefit of Nigerians.

But what has the ministry done about it?

The NUC is there to regulate courses offered by the universities.

We don’t give funds to the universities. They get their funding directly from the Federal Ministry of Finance. We don’t appoint Vice Chancellors and we cannot also sack them. People talk about university autonomy. It is the governing councils that have the power to discipline university officers.

Our own is to provide the rules and regulations as supervisors of the system.

But the ministry can direct on what courses the universities and polytechnics should offer and pass same to the NBTE and the NUC. That is what we are saying that each should pursue its core areas at all times and stop dabbling into what does not help them and their students.

We want them to stop pursuing things that are not relevant in their areas of competence. Polytechnics should concentrate on the training of students on engineering, building technology and the likes and stop straying into conventional courses that universities should handle.

The same thing goes for agriculture universities?

The fact that a university is designated as agriculture university does not mean it should not offer some other courses. They can offer agric engineering and other related courses to benefit the community because the concept of a university implies universality.

Government is desirous of providing opportunities for Almajiris. How far has the project gone?

We are happy with the rate we are going in terms of the projects earmarked for the scheme. One of the reasons I have been meeting the contractors and those agencies that awarded the contracts is to enable us find out who is responsible for the nonexecution of the contracts. What has been the bane of contracts supervision in this country before now is lack of supervision.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 — PAGE 17

JAMB, NECO’s fate, and what needs to be done in time to ensure that the schools work effectively for both the staff and students.

W

Chief Wike....One major problem afflicting the educational system is poor leadership We are doing same projects in the South-South and SouthEast to reduce the rate of girlchild drop- out of school. We are encouraging the establishment of vocational schools to provide the platform for people to further their education or acquire skills that can sustain them in life at the end of the day.

W

hat is government doing about students’ low performance in WAEC and NECO? I don’t agree with you. The rate is not dropping but has been increasing since we came into office. When we came into office in 2011, it was only 18 percent pass level. By 2012, the rate of pass had risen to 39 percent. This year, we recorded 50 something percent in core subjects including English and Mathematics because without the two you cannot say you have passed WASCE. One thing about education is that you have to prepare for the results to show. It takes time to prepare for success. By the time we finish the library projects in the Unity Schools and furnish them with books, we would have gone a long way in encouraging students to read more than they are doing.

You cannot ask them to read when there is no place for them to sit down and read and where there are no books in the library. Now that government is providing all these things we are confident that their performance will be better in the years ahead.

One aspects of the school system that seem to have died

a natural death is monitoring and supervision, which was very critical to hard work and discipline among teachers and students in the past. What are you doing to revive the system?

Before this government came into office, the budget for education was nothing to write home about. But because of the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan to the revival of the sector, the budget has been increasing yearly. If you want to achieve quality education without putting in place a good monitoring and supervision agency, then you have not started.

We are fully aware of the im-

,

That is why l invited the agencies awarding the contracts, which are under my purview. l also invite the banks and the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, to find out what the challenges are. My regular meetings with the agencies and contractors have made it possible for me to clear all the challenges on the way of the projects and we have made considerable progress. I do not believe in sitting down in the office and being told about what is going on in the field so that I am not given wrong information.

We are not interested in bureaucracy; from the meetings, we find out who and who is delaying the execution of the contracts. As a result of my insistence that we must also be on the project sites without the knowledge of the contractors, it has become possible for us to get results.

The banks have not been able to withhold money meant for the projects while the consultants do not have any excuse for not approving certificates of work already done by contractors. Look at the library project we are providing at the Federal Government Colleges across the country. Because of the way we are monitoring those handling the projects, I can tell that at least 60 percent of the work is almost completed.

Look at the girl- child schools we are building, they are almost completed because we are there almost every day. I don’t have time sitting in the office. I want to see that is being done at the project sites to minimise the abandonment of government projects. The era of paying out money to nonperforming contractors is over and those who must come to get jobs from the Ministry of Education must be ready to perform or steer clear of our jobs.

What percentage of work has been done?

For UBEC, what has been awarded is about 100 schools.

70 percent of those schools have been completed, but, to me, that is not completion.

We are also doing furnishing.

There is no point completing a building without furnishing it.

As we are completing the furnishing, we are handing the schools over to states.

It’s part of the Federal Government’s contribution to the efforts to reduce the number of children out of school.

And government is not only doing that in the North but also in the other parts of the country.

hat is the ministry is doing to restore the lost glory of Unity Schools?

We are making steady progress in that area. What I can tell you is that the rehabilitation of the schools cannot be done in one day, but we have designed a template to get them refurbished and put them to better use. There were no teachers in many of the schools and some of the teachers were casual staff who were being paid N15,000 a month and their morale was at the lowest ebb until this government came in and changed all that .

It was a sad commentary that for over 15 years no government before President Goodluck Jonathan remembered that they should employ quality teachers for the Unity Schools and motivate them to teach our students.

Right now, we have completed a programme to employ at least 2,000 English and Mathematics teachers for the schools and pay them appropriate salaries to enable them to render effective service to the students.

It is unfortunate that nobody thought about this type of project before the advent of this administration. It is unfortunate too that this government came into power at a time things had gone so bad in virtually all the vital sectors of the economy.

But this government is determined to fix all the problems in the education sec-

It was a sad commentary that for over 15 years no government before President Goodluck Jonathan remembered that they should employ quality teachers for the Unity Schools and motivate them to teach our students

portance of that department and we have taken appropriate steps to restore its pride of place in the scheme of things. That is why we have provided more funds, vehicles and other services necessary to boost its performance and produce concrete results.

Adequate money has also been provided in the budget for that department so that the officers there can easily move about with motivation to see how the schools are working

,

tor. It will take some time and that is why Nigerians should understand with the government and allow it to fix the problems.

Is the government worried that no Nigerian university is among the first 100 in the world?

Absolutely. There is no way a right thinking government like ours will not be concerned. We are aware and we are working very hard to change the situation for the better. We dis-

covered to our chagrin that almost 60 percent of the lecturers in the universities do not have PhD. To address the shortfall, the present administration has begun to train those who make first class in the best schools around the world. The first set of 100 first class beneficiaries have been sent out so that they can come back and teach in our universities. It is the government’s way of appreciating our best brains and encouraging them to come back and give service to the nation. No government in this country has ever done that and we are going to continue to do that until we get the required results. The training will continue yearly and any Nigerian who bags a first class degree is qualified for the scheme. We are confident that, in no distant time, what we are investing today will yield gains in our university system.

I

s the country likely to attain Millennium Development Goals in Education?

What I can say is that we are making serious efforts towards meeting the MDGs in education. 2015 is around the corner and we are optimistic that we will make it. We are conscious of the need to put the right things in place so that the foundation of our education system is strong and able to take us to the next level. That is why we are putting more effort to ensure that there is serious progress in students’ enrolment into basic institutions. We are intensifying effort in providing the facilities to support girl-child education particularly in some parts of the country because of religious factors working against them.

We shall get there.

You have been minister of state for education for about three years now, what have you found out, what is the problem with the Nigerian education system and what do you think should be done?

We knew they were problems and that is why we are here.

But one major problem afflicting the educational system is poor leadership.

And what do I mean by that?

You post principals to schools, if they are going there without providing adequate leadership and making things to work, the whole system collapses and everyone becomes a loser. But if you have a leader who will say ‘this is not acceptable’ and that things must be done right, then you achieve results. You can see that money alone does not make the school system.

You need strong leadership, discipline and students ready to learn and make a change.

So what should be done?

We need to be focused. We need to have the right leadership in our schools and ensure that teachers and students are committed to their work and results will come.

PAGE 18 —SUNDAY

Vanguard , APRIL 14, 2013

EAST-WEST ROAD

The task is daunting; but we will deliver in 2014 —Minister of State for N-Delta

•Says critics don’t understand ministry’s challenges

T

he Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku, is optimistic that the 2014 deadline for the completion of the East West Road project would be met.

Ishaku, in this interview, describes the road project as the flagship of the ministry, faulting critics who say the ministry is a drain pipe on the nation’s resources. Excerpts: Many observers of the activities at the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs have come to a near conclusion that the ministry has failed to deliver on its mandate. Others have gone as far as describing it as a drain on the nation’s resources. Do you subscribe to this perception?

The Niger Delta Ministry was a well thought- out idea. The ministry was a mother of necessity. Before the creation, there were threats in the once neglected region. Oil production which, today, stands at 2.6 million barrels per day fell to 700,000 with rising trend of insecurity.

Inspite of the fact that budget performance in terms of releases to this coordinating mother ministry has been poor since 2009, the ministry, overseen

by Elder Godsday Orubebe, can still boast of being one of the few extraordinarily performing ministries at the federal level.

The late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s administration came up with a call for ceasefire in the Niger Delta which gave birth to amnesty for the region’s militants. After the amnesty, the next stage was putting projects to open up the region and engage the people meaningfully.

So, to me, the ministry is not a drain on the nation’s resources as critics are alleging. MNDA is doing well with regards to its assigned mandates. The issue of poor funding and continuous dwindling of budgetary allocation to the ministry, to a large extent, has slowed pace. There was no way these projects would have been completed without the fundamental resources.

The expected results would have come faster and quicker. But Mr. President has been kind to the ministry through his positive response as indicated in the 2013 budget allocation.

This will, no doubt, spur us up and go a long way to achieving tangible results.

The ministry is also into agriculture. This year, we hope to do a lot more having received substantial amount in this year’s budget to promote agriculture in the region. To enhance this task and vision, we travelled to Israel on a fact- finding mission to adopt

green houses agricultural production methods. While in Israel, we considered adopting their fishery development method to put an end to a drain on our foreign exchange which comes as a result of importation of fish into our country. We all know that the Niger Delta is endowed with the wherewithal to produce fish in large quantities.

Bold transformation?

There is no way the ministry alone can ensure the Niger Delta bold transformation mandate. That is why we are calling on traditional rulers, youths and even the aggrieved as well as our critics, to step across criticism line and embrace this vision. The region belongs to all of us and we must restore it together.

Now, we also need a lot of resources

,

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

•Darius Dickson Ishaku

industrial uses from urban areas to try to reduce the environmental and social impact of the industrial uses. It will provide for localised environmental controls that are specific to the needs of

One other vital challenge we are facing in the region is insecurity. The contractors handling our projects have in many cases been kidnapped and their security men attacked.

The kidnapping of expatriates from site in December and January, somehow, dampened the morale of other contractors

to be able to do even more than this ministry intends to do. We intend to move a lot faster.

Apart from this plan to key into the agricultural sector, what stage are we today in terms of training and provision of other infrastructure in the region?

We have not achieved much in the area of training. We are hoping to do a lot this year. As you are aware, the budget was surrounded with issues, hence, our inability to commence our projects. We are hopeful that once we get what is due to us, we will spring into action, particularly on skill acquisition and on the proposed building of an industrial park.

Can you throw more light on the industrial park?

This is going to take the form of an industrial estate or call it trading park.

It is going to be zoned and planned for the purpose of light industrial development .Turkey is a case study.

Having weighed its advantage, we want to replicate it in the Niger Delta. The park will be located outside the main residential areas of the region. We also hope to provide good transport access.

Our major aim is to attract new businesses to the region by providing an integrated infrastructure in one location. It is also aimed at setting aside

,

an industrial area.

If I am to speak for Nigerians, the East West Road project is of great importance to the region and we all know that the dry season would have availed the ministry a great opportunity to expedite action on the project if it will meet its 2014 completion dateline. With the rainy season approaching, what excuse would the ministry give, if it fails to deliver on this project?

I visited the East- West Road project in December 2012 and January, February 2013 and will be there very shortly. This ministry has received commendations from various groups in the region over the progress of work.

We have also done substantial payments to the contractors who are fully mobilised. You should note that the critical areas such as section 1 and section 11 handled by Setraco have been almost completed. We are hoping that we will not fail Nigerians. Having completed most of the bridges and culverts, they have started laying the road. We are quite aware that the rainy season is around the corner. We are also aware of the promises we have made to deliver on the road. We will not disappoint Nigerians.

One other vital challenge we are facing in the region is insecurity. The

contractors handling our projects have in many cases been kidnapped and their security men attacked. The kidnapping of expatriates from site in December and January, somehow, dampened the morale of other contractors.

Although our contractors are not quite willing to venture into site for fear of the unknown, we have, on our part, mobilised additional security to protect them. We have even gone as far as mobilising and sensitising the people that they cannot get development without peace.

So Setraco may not deliver on Sections 1 and 11of the road following security threats and the kidnapping of their workers?

They have promised that inspite of the security threats they are faced with, they will deliver on the project as agreed. Although we have doubled the security operatives attached to them, we know the kidnapping of their colleagues and the fact that they are surrounded by armed men affect their psyche. We are hoping that the situation will return to normal.

It might also interest you to know that although contractors kidnapped from our sites have been released, heavy ransoms were paid. I assure Nigerians that once there is calm, these contractors who are on top of the job will deliver.

We are really maximising on the dry season to ensure that we achieve a lot before the rain sets in.

The rate of unemployment among the youths in the region is still high.

What is the ministry doing to create jobs for unskilled youths in the region who mostly get involved in anti social acts as a result of idleness?

Given that most of these youths see criminality as a lucrative business, we have outlined result- oriented programmes for unskilled youths that will put them into legitimate businesses.

The skill acquisition centres we are building are more or less like polytechnics. We want to give them skills to make them self- reliant.

SUNDAY Vanguard,

APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 19

EXIT OF AN AMAZON:

Thatcher: Hostile farewell to the Maggie, Milk Snatcher

* Late Mrs Margaret Thatcher

W

HEN Nigeria’s military government nationalised British Petroleum and Standard and Barclay's banks in 1979, it was a rude awakening to Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, who had just taken office from Mr. James Callaghan, as the first woman Prime Minster of Britain.

Mrs. Thatcher who had led the Tory Party to defeat the Labour Party, was made to know that Nigeria's anti-apartheid stance and de-colonisation polices, were not mere diplomatic “feel good” posturing.

Rattled Mrs. Margaret Thatcher attended the summit of Commonwealth Heads of State and Governments in Lusaka, Zambia, with humility and sobriety as she was made to know that Africa has indeed, come of age.

The nationalised companies that were doing business in South Africa were taking Nigeria' s crude oil to sell to South Africa, thereby creating the impression that Nigeria was double dealing and profiting from the evil regime in Pretoria.

At the end of the Lusaka meeting, Mrs. Thatcher was a member of a six-nation committee that was set up by the Commonwealth leaders to produce the blueprint which was used for the Lancaster House constitution debate on the future of Northern Rhodesia, which became independent on April 20, 1980 as Republic of Zimbabwe.

The victory of Ronald Reagan and the emergence of the Republican Party in the United States were to change Mrs. Margaret Thatcher ’s style and political behaviour on the international stage. She called the African National Congress a terrorist organisation and Nelson Mandela she derided as a terrorist. She aligned with the Minority regime in South Africa and became an ardent anti sanctions crusader. Britain and US introduced the lexicon of constructive engagement with the white.

Maggie Thatcher used every opportunity to argue that sanctions will the blacks more than the white people, in South Africa and in the process she succeeded in frustrating the aspirations of the liberation movements in South Africa.

Together with her ideological soul mate in White House, Mrs. Thatcher insisted that Nelson Mandela must renounce violence before he could be released. Namibia suffered greatly as a result. The rebellion led by UNITA and Jonas

Savimbi in Angola became more emboldened while South Africa’s Defence Force became a destabilising force in Southern African region.

In the global arena, Thatcher and Reagan pushed for the adoption of “the Washington Consensus,” produced by the World Bank and the IMF, to deal with the structural contradictions in the neocolonial economies of Third World countries. The neo-liberal policies of UK and US forced the prices of Commodities to collapse in the 1980s.

She struck up a close relationship with U.S. President Ronald Reagan on the Cold War, backed the first President George Bush during the 1991 Gulf War, and was among the first to discover that Gorbachev was a man she could "do business with".

A

t the same time, the US manipulated Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, to sabotage OPEC by over supplying the market to avert rises caused by the outbreak of war between Iran and Iraq. The glut caused by this action resulted in the fall of oil prices.

Nigeria which was emerging as a medium political and economic power was thrown off cuff. Many Third World economies that were dependent on import substation, to protect their primary industries, felt the impact of the Neo-liberal economic policies which Professor Bolaji Akinyemi said “had a devastating effect on their development”. The Former External Affairs Minister said majority of the Third World countries suffered the balance of payment deficit and became encumbered by debt.

He said: “They were forced to devalue their national currencies and to adopt tough fiscal economic policies managed by the Breton wood institutes.” A country like Ghana became bankrupt and Nigeria went from a middle income country to a country where its middle class earned less than one dollar per day. It went from “the Economic Stabilisation Act (1981), to full blown adoption of the IMF-managed economic package called the Structural Adjustment Programme in 1987” Said Prof. Akinyemi By this time, Mrs. Margaret Thatcher had Nigeria where she wanted. In September 1986, her Thatcher administration introduced visa requirement for travelers from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Bangladesh and Pakistan. According to British government, the move was to stem the tide of illegal immigration.

Before that decision, nationals of all Commonwealth nations,

except Sri Lanka did not need visas to travel to the UK. Successive Nigerian government has been grappling with the dislocation of Nigeria's economy but most importantly, the corruption and poverty that it has unleashed.

The making of the Iron Lady Margaret Hilda Thatcher was the daughter grocery shopkeeper in the eastern English town of Grantham. She cultivated the culture of thrift and hard work early in life, before going to Oxford University to study chemistry.

She met Denis, at a Conservative dinner party and they got married in 1951. She transformed her approach to politics and worked hard to topple Mr. Edward Heat as the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975. Four years later, she swept in to Number 10 Downing Street as the Prime Minister and was the longest serving premier with a continuous term of 11 years, the first in over 150 years.

Hostile fare well

M

argaret Thatcher, who died aged 87, from a stroke was the chief priest of “rolled back the hand of state” in social and economic policies,

,

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, FOREIGN AFFAIRS EDITOR, WITH AGENCY REPORTS

are those who denounce her as wicked. In fact some banner inscriptions read: "Rejoice, the Witch is Dead!" The National Union of Mineworkers, which Thatcher virtually destroyed, said on its website. "Good Riddance."

While some people saw her as: "The Woman Who Saved Britain", others declare that she was: "The Woman Who Divided A Nation."

In fact, the Daily Telegraph, shut down internet comments on Thatcher stories due to "foul abuses” from the readers.

Protesters in Brixton, a south London area that was hit by huge riots in 1981during the Thatcher era, hung a banner that read: "The bitch is dead". In Liverpool and Glasgow, two cities ravaged

by Thatcher's dismantling of state industries, there were reports of disturbances.

In Northern Ireland, security forces have been placed on high alert. She narrowly escaped assassination in 1984 when the IRA blew up a hotel where she was staying. Some of her haters have been popping Champagne while others have been mocking her with the song "Ding Dong!

The Witch Is Dead", from 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz." The song has suddenly hit the top ten on the music hart in UK. Prime Minister, David Cameron and some opposition Labour figures such as Tony Blair, who was also

Baroness Thatcher will be eternally honoured for serving her country with immense passion and strong-willed determination as well as for the great transformation that resulted from her economic and social policies

,

imposed privatisation with Iron hand, during 11 years in office She entered the history books as Britain's first woman prime minister and the impact of her economic policies has become the source of negative response to the news of her death.

The former premier died peacefully on Monday morning at the Ritz Hotel after a stroke.

Having retreated into seclusion after being deposed by her party, the death of her businessman husband Denis in 2003 and creeping dementia had kept her out of the public eye for years.

Images of the social upheavals that characterised the early years of her premiership continue to flashback in the minds of Britons and beyond. Reactions to her death has been mixed and hostile, while people like David Cameroon see her as the Woman who "saved our country" there

a for mer premier, have condemned such negative response to her death.

Burial plans

H

er burial has been fixed for April 17 and she had proposed that her body should be cremated. Some Labour MPs have said they would not attend her funeral. Ronnie Campbell, whose constituency in northern England was hard-hit by Thatcher's reforms, said: "I'd rather be put in a torture chamber," than attend a parliamentary session in her honour.

President Goodluck Jonathan who joined other world leaders to mourn the death of Margaret Thatcher described her as one of the world's greatest leaders. He said "Baroness Thatcher will be eternally honoured for serving her country with immense

passion and strong-willed determination as well as for the great transformation that resulted from her economic and social policies which laid the solid basis for the remarkable economic growth that was witnessed in Britain under the Conservative Government that she led.”

In Nigerian Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi told Sunday Vanguard that: “late Baroness Margaret Thatcher was a powerful politician who dominated her national space totally”. He said: ”she had a clear vision of what she wanted Britain to be and was totally committed to that vision”.

She was passionately devoted to Britain but was either unwilling or unable to concede that others could also be devoted to their countries. “She restructured Britain by “destroying the postSecond World War social welfare system, replacing it with the everyman for himself system”. Said Prof. Akinyemi.

Chief Arthur Mbanefo the Odu of Onitsha and Nigeria's former Ambassador to United States said Baroness Margaret Thatcher was “a visionary leader and one of the most successful Prime Ministers that Britain has produced”. According to Chief Mbanefo “Baroness Thatcher will be remembered for her role in the Falklands Island where she went to war in 1982 with Argentina to recover the Island for Britain”.

On her policies on Africa, Ambassador Mbanefo said “initially Baroness Thatcher stuck to the policies that were already laid down on how to deal with the situation in South Africa. “but as time went on she began to see reasons to oppose racism and the white minority rule in South Africa and joined in formulation policies that eventually led to the independence of Zimbabwe and later Namibia, before the dismantling of the to end the white minority regime in South Africa.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku who was Deputy Secretary General of Commonwealth and later the Secretary General of the organisation that was the umbrella body of countries formerly under the British rule told Sunday Vanguard that “Baroness Thatcher was undoubtedly a great Prime Minister, who made great impact on British people.”

Chief Anyaoku who worked closely with the late Iron Lady said although her initial policies towards Africa was hostile, but when she understood the issues involved, she worked towards the resolution of the constitutional crisis in former Rhodesia.

PAGE 20 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

Email: woman.vista@yahoo.co.uk

(07036819426)

Bakassi, our history & future T

HE word ‘dunce’ was freely used by teachers during my primary school days, when you showed ignorance in any subject, even in what the teacher hasn’t taught you, but which is in your text books, or has appeared in the newspapers ..

At College, it gained some sophistication and ‘dunce’ became ‘blockhead’. Whichever the case, if you had an atom of self-respect, you made sure that you avoided what would earn you that name, otherwise, it could become your middle name. So, you had to be one step ahead of the game, and you read as widely as you could (text books, newspapers, etc) and memorized and crammed details about important people, places and evel1ts, both local and international, into your head. Apart from being booed by the class for failing to provide the right answers, you could get caned in front of the class too, if your non-performance is a habit.

There were no calculators, or, internet search engines, etc. to help get answers, yet, as much as possible, you had the answers at the tips of your fingers, just in case you got asked.

While there’s been a huge relief that corporal punishment and forced learning have been much watered down or even eliminated in our educational system, knowledge of any sort has taken a deep dive. Modern day parents, teachers and their wards, seem perfectly happy to be ignorant about everything; except, of course, things that have to do with making money, sports, reality shows, or having a nice time out there. Many citizens are oblivious of history-making events.

This doesn’t seem to ring true, when more things are happening in all areas of life now than ever before, and the world has become a global village through communication - the gsm, internet, radio, television, satellite cable television, and we have more audience participation. Yes, but our knowledge lacks depth, especially if you’re one of those who like a deep understanding of events. Maybe it’s because some of us are from the era when History and Geography were taken seriously as an important part of our life, and taught separately as subjects in class. Drawing the map of Nigeria, West Africa, Africa and the world was a regular assignment, and you knew the names of world capitals and heads of state, by the time you completed your secondary school education. These days, I doubt if all students of higher institutions in the country know all our state capitals and the governors, and the history of our country.

When a friend’s undergraduate son strolled into their sitting room as we were discussing a national newspaper ’s lead headline, ‘Why we lost Bakassi to Cameroun, by Duke’, and we were wondering whether the matter could surface in future, his father asked him how much he knew about it.

“Ah, dad, one can’t know all these things, now. It’s not part of our learning world. We concentrate on our syllabus - what we need to pass the relC M Y K

View-Point

Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor

Everything about Bakassi should be welldocumented and included in our history books. Leaders of another generation in Nigeria, may want to revisit the issue, and successfully bring back the people into this country, who knows? evant examinations. Times have changed, sir.

Only those doing Journalism should bother with world events. I’ve heard Bakassi mentioned, but I wasn’t curious. Why should I be, dad?” he asked.

“You see the ignorance of our future leaders?” scoffed the dad. “He’s heard of the name, but didn’t feel it was necessary to know about it, even if it’s googling it on the internet. Young people’s lack of curiosity in important matters, never ceases to amaze me. “ “Dad, I’m studying Accounting. This name Bakassi is not important to it, is it?” “But it used to be part of our home state. It’s not that far from Calabar.”

“Used to be part of Cross River State? What happened to it, dad? Okay, okay! Can I use your Blackberry to google it?”

“You may google it, but the account in this paper by an ex-governor on why we lost it to Cameroun, may also help, since it involves efforts made by Nigeria to keep it. Here.

Whatever the course you’re taking at the university, you should know the history of our people. You may find yourself a leader some day, who knows? How would you rule well,

if you have no grip of history and geography of the people? Anyway, it isn’t entirely your fault. It’s the educational system. If such an important event took place in our days, our teachers would have made it the topic of the day and discussed it at length in class. Getting people transferred from one country to another one, is not an every day occurrence.” This is true. Future generations are going to wonder how it happened and why we allowed it, and the efforts we made to retain it. On the internet, I had read that on ’10 September 1884, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom had signed a Treaty of Protection with the king and chiefs of Akwa Akpa, known to Europeans as Old Calabar. This enabled the United Kingdom to exercise control over the entire territory around Ca1abar, including Bakassi. However, documents released by the Cameroonians, in parity with that of the British and Germans, clearly places Bakassi under Cameroonian Territory as a consequence of colonial era Anglo-German agreements. Even after Southern Cameroons voted in 1961 to leave Nigeria and became a part of Cameroon, Bakassi remained under Calabar administration in Nigeria until ICJ judgement of 2002.’

All I can remember of the 1961 event is that we got to the classroom one morning and our teacher told us that the map of Nigeria has

been altered, and he showed us the deep curve in the south-east to reflect that part of the country, opting to join the Cameroons. Years later, Sardauna province in the north also opted to join the Cameroon.

We were conscious of these alterations to our map then as pupils, because our teachers made it a point to let us know. Later, they were included in our history books. I hope we still have historians in the country who are compiling present-day events, and the government is funding their researches. Foreigners shouldn’t be, like it was in the past, those who are documenting events in our country.

Our descendants have the right to know the country and its past, and how the leaders handled issues of their day.

Everything about Bakassi should be well-documented and included in our history books. Leaders of another generation in Nigeria, may want to re-visit the issue, and successfully bring back the people into this country, who knows? They need to have a clear-cut account of what really happened in the different eras.

Schools should have well-equipped library which pupils should be encouraged to use, and there should be weekly current affairs classes where topical issues are discussed and debated upon, in order to create national awareness in young people. Merely singing the national anthem and reciting the pledge, are not enough for this.

Bakassi natives protesting ICJ ruling

www.japanesestreets.com Map showing Bakassi Peninsula

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 21

Email: woman.vista@yahoo.co.uk

OL UFUNSO AMOSUN OLUFUNSO ...Uplif ting good go ...Uplifting govvernance in Ogun S tat e Stat tate

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

A

ddressing her by the conventional title “First Lady…” should have been the norm here, but this is one unique woman who has refused to be addressed by that title. She simply prefers to be called “Wife of the Governor of Ogun State”. In her opinion, such bourgeois titles like “First Lady of..” are distracting. A graduate of English Education from the University of Ife with a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Lagos, this charming woman started her education in the United Kingdom where she concluded her primary school education before moving to Yejide Girls Grammar School in Ibadan. She returned to the UK where she began her working career in the 1990s, after graduating from Ife. As the wife of a former senator and now a governor, she’s over the years contributed her own quota to societal development by supporting her husband’s foundation, Senator Ibikunle Amosun-SIA Foundation. Through her Understanding People’s Limiting & Inhibiting Factors Today- UPLIFT Development Foundation, she has through the years demonstrated her commitment towards the well-being of the people of Ogun State. Little wonder she was recently awarded the 2013 City People Award for Excellence as the Best First Lady of the Year. In this interview with Vista Woman, Her Excellency, Mrs.Olufunso Amosun, talks about her UPLIFT Foundation amongst sundry issues.

,

W

HAT ’S your pet project all about?

No. I do not have a pet project; I simply reach out to anybody that I can help in the society.

UPLIF T Development Foundation has always existed even before my husband became a governor.

The foundation’s activities are divided into six groups namely: Uplifting the Widows, Uplifting Unemployed Graduates, Uplifting Women, Free Eye Camp, Uplifting the Aged and Uplifting SS3 Students. In the course of our work with widows, we’ve supported indigent widows with business start-up items such as salon starter kits, table top gas cookers, sewing machines, soft drinks business starter kits, to mention but a few. May & Baker has also supported us by registering interested widows as bonafide distributors, waving cumbersome requirements or monetary deposits. To address youth unemployment amongst university graduates, we also empower graduates with vocational skills, business start-up seminars and materials. As a demonstration of our sensitivity, for graduate mothers, we provide emergency crèches so they too could have the chance to take advantage of the programme. These graduates are taught skills such as barbing, wireworks, millinery, fabric beading, small chops and pastry, event decoration, manicure and pedicure, shoe making, makeup and gele tying, to mention but a few.

We’ve also placed priority on the empowerment of women in the state. Therefore, we’ve distributed deep freezers,

During my husband’s birthday in 2012 for example, instead of felicitations, we invited over 1000 aged persons to join him in celebrating his day. We gave them health tips at the event, including free medical screening

,

motorcycles, generating sets, sewing machines, grinding machines, among other items at distributorship prices to be purchased by members of established cooperatives within the state. They are given the chance to spread the repayment for these items over a 12-month interest-free period.

You also highlighted the organization of a free eye camp; of how much value has this been to the people in the state?

I would humbly say this has been of great benefit to thousands of indigent people in Ogun State. Eyesight is something that can be easily taken for granted and that’s why we’ve stepped up our awareness campaign to reduce loss of sight in the state. We are generally passionate about the health of the people in our state,

especially the less privileged.

In February 2012, UPLIFT collaborated with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation and Enpee Group to organize a free eye camp for over 4,000 people from the 20 local government areas of the state.

An event such as this became particularly necessary with my observance over the years.

I mean, it’s painful to see people go blind simply because of cataract, a disease that could have been cured easily through medical treatment. Ignorance has caused a lot of less privileged people their sights, and that breaks my heart. After the free eye camp, we also carried out free surgeries where necessary.

A

huge number of senior citizens have over the years decried neglect, both by government and even their

children. How is Uplifting the Aged addressing this situation?

That’s a beautiful question.

Through our programmes, we’re giving a sense of belonging to aged people in the state. During my husband’s birthday in 2012 for example, instead of felicitations, we invited over 1000 aged persons to join him in celebrating his day. We gave them health tips at the event, including free medical screening. Realising this was just one day in the life of these people, on my birthday last year, 100 of these indigent aged citizens were identified and have now been put on a monthly plan to receive essential commodities and a monthly stipend to assist them in their daily lives. We also have other programmes for these people which time will not allow me mention.

(07036819426)

You said earlier that you also work with SS3 students; why have you chosen this category of students?

Over the years, the standard of education has pitifully dropped in Nigeria as a whole for various reasons. Choosing SS3 students is a strategy aimed at increasing the motivation of students and to also complement the free education scheme and free text books given all students by my husband’s administration.

As a guidance counselor by profession, I believe in motivating people through a reward system of some sort.

Throughout the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination in 2012, we had jingles on radio and television, informing all SS3 students of the cash gifts and all-expense paid travel trip rewards that awaited the best 20 students. This strategy, to the best of my judgment, actually worked.

You were recognized by the City People recently as the Best First Lady of the Year 2013. If you were to be your own judge, would you say you deserved and actually earned this award?

I would like to believe so to the glory of God. I’ve never gone personally to receive any award, but when that came, stating all the work that I had done, I knew I had to be there myself since it was obviously being given based on merit.

You seem a calm and easygoing person; how are you able to manage the home front for a top politician like your husband?

Well, I guess it has become part and parcel of me and also a way of life because we’re not new in politics. As you know, my husband had been a senator before becoming a governor. So, it’s just basically a way of life for me.

*Mrs Amosun with school pupils

C M Y K

PAGE 22 — SUNDAY VANGUARD , APRIL 14, 2013

I long for intimacy!

Dear Rebecca

I

am 30, and I have job.

All my life, I have never had sex with any girl.

But now I have a great urge to try it. When romancing a girl, I usually get an erection but when it comes to making love I suddenly go weak and limp. This problem has persisted and the girl I’ve been dating for over four years now has decided to leave me.

Because of this problem and the urge to make love, I resorted to masturbation but this has not helped matters. I have lost so many girls because of this and I need to get married.

Do you think this problem is as a result of my long years of living without having sex?

Do you think I am impotent? Please if there is any help you can give either through orthodox or tradomedical, please do so. I am lonely and clouded with sorrow.

Help.

Clifford, Edo State a

REPL Y REPLY

A

n expert says not having sex does not make a man impotent, and that is is panic and anxiety due to lack of experience in sex matters which makes you go limp when trying to have sex.

Since you can get an erection, you are okay and capable of making love. You need to calm down and take things easy and slowly when you are excited and very anxious to penetrate. In this state, a man become nervous as well and the girl would lose respect for him. This fear makes the organ go weak leaving him frustrated and ashamed. If you forget about sex and the actual penetration and concentrate on enjoying body contact with your partner, hugging, kissing and caressing, you will be so much in the mood that the erection will be sustained and sex will happen without much ef-

fort.

You need to be with a partner you are fond of, and who’s fond of you too. Have soft lights and music in the background to make you feel romantic. Not every love making should end in sex, so establish good body contact first and engage in heavy petting without sex. When you have become used to this, it would be easy to go on to sex. There is nothing to be ashamed of if as a man you are inexperienced in sex matters.

Male and female, we should respect our bodies and not make them available to just anyone.

There is a risk of unwanted pregnancies and venereal diseases, which can make both men and woman infertile later.

AIDS KILLS. If a woman asks if you are experienced in sex, say no, and that you have been reserving your body for her, and you are ready to gain experience together with her. She should feel flattered and will put up with clumsiness from you.

There are good books on the functions of the body and sex, in bookshops and department stores.

Dumped after twelve years!

Dear Rebecca

I

am 28 years old and almost going out of my mind.

I’ve been madly in love with a man for twelve years now. We had promised to get married from the onset of the relationship, and parents, friends, villagers and church members are aware of it. Before our relationship he had no job but secured one when our courtship began. His job brought him to Port Harcourt and

We always counsel young ladies who are ready for marriage that if after two years in a relationship, their boyfriends have not made any positive move towards marrying them, they should end the relationship so that they can be free to be courted by other men

I joined him after my graduation.

We have been together until last year when he started singing a different tune- saying he would like to marry two wives. I advised him against it. But he wouldn’t listen. When he could not cope with staying with his bother and his family, he moved in with me. He refused that I should get pregnant because he said he had no place of his own.

This made sense so I accepted. Each day he acts strangely and still insist on marrying two women. I’ve told him the pitfalls in what he wants to do, but it is as though I’m speaking to the wall.

I spoke to the brother about this but he couldn’t come up with anything reasonable. When I went to the bother’s place, he was there. He looked into my bag and found the identity card of my cousin’s husband there.. He asked me about it and I told him he was my boyfriend. I just wanted to see how serious he was .

But it didn’t turn out the way I wanted. He saw this as strong point to hold on to for leaving me.

I begged him and told him the real identity of the man. He refused to listen. I’ve sent people to plead with him but without much success and he has warned me to stop all the pleas else he would harm me.

I am worried because I still love him and wish we get married as we had planned ten years ago.

He asked me to wait for him to settle down before we can have children but now that he has settled

down, he’s full of tricks and leaves me alone.

What can I do to get him back?

Now there is a boy in my office aged between 29 and 30, who had asked me to marry him.

We do the same job but I’m more paid than he, and I just wonder if he can sustain a family on his salary. I want him to hang his job too but this isn’t so easy since he needs money to start a business. His whole family depend on him financially. Please help me.

Peace, .

REPL Y REPLY

Y

ou have been with the first man and acted as a wife to him for so long, that you have both been married to each other and the marriage is now over.

We always counsel young ladies who are ready for marriage that if after two years in a relationship, their boyfriends have not made any positive move towards marrying them, they should end the relationship so that they can be free to be courted by other men. A long courtship in which you live together, hardly pays. The man has enjoyed all the exciting in the lady, (like in many marriages), and since he is not tied to her, he picks up a quarrel with her, refuses all pleas and apologies, and he ends he relationship with a

secret sigh of belief.

He’s now free to have someone new in his lifepreferably a lady who did not know him when he was poor and struggling. A lady who has not helped him financially, and as such cannot be in a position to nag him constantly, and demand good behaviour from him as a right, for being his mentor. Most men want to be in control, and have wives who can look up to them always. Some men with conscience do marry ladies who have helped them. This could be out of love or gratitude.

My advice is that you leave this your boyfriend alone. Actually, you should have got the signal earlier that he doesn’t want marry you, when he began to talk of marrying two wives.

No woman, even those who come from polygamous homes wants to hear that. After all the help and support you rendered him over the years, that showedmthat he does not have any more regards for you. This doesn’t mean he is wicked; he is just selfish and ungrateful, that’s all.

If he seeks for a reconciliation, don’t accept unless you are truly convinced that he will not take another wife. You should be more firm in handling him. At 28, you are young enough to expect courtship and marriage. Leave that to God and don’t rush into any new relationship and be yet another man’s benefactor. Concentrate on your job and activities which keep you busy and happy. You will meet a worthwhile man. Ladies marry in their late thirties and early to mid-forties these days, and they go on to have their Godappointed children.

Your colleague who wants to marry you is too saddled with responsibilities, and all your salary would go into helping his relations. You may not even be able to start a family when you want because you both would be easy helping to educate his people. If you complain, you would become their enemy.

Don’t be his benefactor.

Don’t try to organize him for a better life. In fact mind your own business. I wouldn’t touch him, if I were you. Just tell him that you respect him as a colleague, and you see him as a brother. Don’t confide in him about your love life.

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

SUNDAY Vanguard , APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 23

Arrangee date gone wrong!

R

ECENTLY, Lilian, remember her, called at my place and we decided on the spur of the moment to pay Bose a visit.

A social :fi:iend of several years, her husband left her over a year ago for a younger woman. Most men who have affairs keep the first wife and install their bits-on-the side turned ‘wife’ in a cosy flat. But not Bose’s husband. He would rather live with his new found love full time because she was not the second-fiddle type!

As to be expected, Bimbo was devastated and had sunk into depression barely running her hairdressing salon: and had stopped socialising because she thought every one would be laughing at her. I urged her not to be silly. She wouldn’t be the first wife to be thrown over for a younger model, but she wouldn’t listen, preferring to sit around her house, mopping, obsessing about gray hairs and wrinkles.

How ridiculous can you get? With her flawless ebony skin and her wellgroomed hair, she was still a looker. She was in her 40s afterall, but she couldn’t let any of her friends convince her she still had a lot of ... in her: “Who’d want me with three chldren?”, she’d moan. “Look at all those young girls with their so-

phisticated looks. Why would a man want a wrinkly old bag!”

My heart sank when Bose let us in and we saw the defeated look in her eyes. “I just wish a decent man would toast her.” Lilian whispered as soon as she left to go to the kitchen.

That was when I got my bright idea. A class-mate was having her birthday party in a couple of weeks and I insisted Bose should come with us. I didn’t take no for an answer. Instead, I offered to come and take her myself. I told Lilian of my plan on our way home and she gave a hoot of approval.

I have a current workshop I’m running for a few weeks and this gorgeous forty-something foot-loose and fancy free guy is a participant. He fancies himself a lady’s man and had even propositioned me a few times. He told me arrogantly he’s in-between live-in-Iove. Now, if I could just persuade him to come to the party and cheer Bose up, make her feel like a million dollars, it should lift her spirit no end. Kay was a bit wide-eyed when I told him my plan, especially the bit about not letting Bose know it was a setup. “Why?” he wanted to know. “Is she ugly?” He refused to be a party to the scheme until I promised him I owed him one. He

quickly brightened up.

Come the day of the party and I was really pleased that Bose had made an effort. Who knows, Kay might just discover Bose was up his street! An hour or so after we arrived, I saw Kay amongst some of the guests, chatting away as if he was invited. I didn’t let on to Lilian in case she gave the game away. Casually, 1 nudged Bose. “That man over there’s been staring at you as soon as we came in.”

I lied. “Don’t be silly,” she said, looking really interested. When I pointed him out to her, she visibly brightened. Lilian quickly twigged on to what was going on and gave me a conspiratorial wink. I ignored

her.

“Heh. Candy, What’s up” Kay said cheerfully as he sauntered over. He plunked himself on an empty chair opposite Bose and drawled: “Aren’t you going to introduce your friends?” I introduced Lilian first and shook my head at his discreet inquisitive look. So, now he knew who his quarry was!

He was a born flirt. He complemented Bose on her glowing kin and told her about his job as a banker.

He wanted to know Bose’s current bankers trying to convince her to switch to his bank. “Why don’t I call at the Salon on Monday to discuss the possibilities with you,” he offered. Bose lapped it up and promptly

gave him her card. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “You know you’re a very attractive woman,” he purred. Bose actually perked up. Then he quietly left. “Well, well,” I smirked, “you see: you’ve still got what it takes.” “Oh go on,” Bose laughed, “he was just being :friendly,” but she didn’t stop being her jovial self through the rest of the party. Mr. Smoothy was waiting for me when I got to the lecture room on Monday. “How did I doT’ he said cockily. “For once I had to thank him for’ a job well done. “Remember, you owe me one!” he said. What kinds of payment would he be expecting? If he thought I would be another notch up his belt, then he had another think coming!

For the next few days, Kay kept on irritating me with tales of his conquest and how the best favour I could do myself was go out with him - if only once! In the meantinle, there were a few missed calls on my mobile from Bose. Instead of calling her back however, I decided to pay her a visit: a follow-up to my match making project! I was shocked to see Bose her despondent self again. “Kay didn’t call at the salon as he said he would,” she moaned. “I knew he wouldn’t, he was just stringing me along.” Silly me. I hadn’t thought of what would happen after Kay

took Bose’s card. Thank goodness she didn’t know I knew him. “Could it be he lost your card?” I offered.

But she wouldn’t have any of that. “Maybe he prefers them young like other men do. I must have looked an old bag to him ... “ on and on she went. In the end, I had to console her that someone else was bound to come along. But she couldn’t be comforted no matter how hard I tried.

Kay refused to consider going to the salon for a follow-up, or anywhere else for that matter. As far as he was concerned, he had fulfilled his part of the project’ to meet Bose. “She’s not my type,” he reasoned, “and there is no point leading her on. Who knows, you and I might one day get together and how would it look if I were bonking her and you togethel’?” You wish, I muttered. The man is insufferable. And like all men, he finds the indifferent prey a challenge.

I don’t know why Kay can’t be like most men who don’t often look gift horses in the mouth. Thanks to him, I haven’t been able to muster enough courage to look in on Bose as I used to do once in a while. When I eventually do, I just pray she would have found herself the right man to ring her bell. Otherwise the ghost of my botched matchmaking effort will hunt me for a long time!

08052201867(Text Only)

Enhance your health

I

T gladdens my heart to see lots of people hitting the streets and either walking or jogging. I guess it’s dawning on an appreciable number of people that having not exercised for years has been a negative thing.

Now this human body of ours can be anything we want it to be. If we choose to be overweight with its attendant problems or elect to help the body with moderation in what we eat and drink added with a habit of exercising regularly, the body will go along with it.

The curious thing about our bodies is that we can almost always arrest any negative condition they may have.

I have come across someone so determined he was able to change dramatically from an obsess person to learner individual. In my own case, I traded my stiffness and lack of robust health for a body quite sup-

ple and with the energy a hundred thousand of angels!

Asking my friends to inculcate an exercise programme into their lives, they have been rescued from things like asthma, headaches and indigestion; the women folk have got relief from painful periods and others. Such proofs of the efficacy of exercise is probably what has helped me sustain my practice over the years. In fact, my yoga teacher was proof enough that exercise is beneficial and can be practised for decades if the life is long.

We should learn ways of purifying the body, and put them into practice. We should also learn ways of keeping the body supple and strong. How else can we live and enjoy life?

Unless the doctor decrees otherwise, for most people, fruit juice or simply water (in moderation, of course) too much at a time and

you’d be nauseous (until 10 am or better still mid-day will work wonders.

The system must not be laden with solids, because the energies that must go into house-cleaning the body get diverted for digestion. In this case, there’s always a lack of thorough elimination of wastes and this can and does translate into all kinds of maladies.

According to the rules of natural hygiene appropriation, eating starts at midday and should cease by 8 p.m. It may be between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. The next day is digestion and assimilation time; from 4 am to midday being elimination period.

Sticking to a discipline like natural hygiene the body feels better managed and the results are improved health and vitality.

Apart from the abovementioned discipline of eating and then restraining, another crucial factor is

exercise. In yoga, exercise comprises bending, stretching and twisting the body and an assortment of breathing techniques.

Being the most ancient physical culture known to man, it has helped the health of thousands over the ages and still does.

Here are some yoga postures to try out.

The Twist Technique Sitting down on your practice mat or rug with legs stretched out in front of you, bend the right knee and cross the right leg over the left thigh with the foot firmly planted down.

Now, bring the left hand to clutch the outside of the

* The Twist

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

right thigh with the pit of the elbow against the right knee. Place the right hand at the lower back with the palm on lap.

Look over the right shoulder holding high the head and turn the trunk rightwards. Breathe deeply.

Hold the pose for a slow count to 10 and repeat on the other side with similar arrangements of the hands.

Benefits: This posture helps with the lateral flexibility of the spine. It gives an effective massage to the abdominal, organs, that way improving digestion and elimination. It also positively affects the kidneys.

The Triangle pose Technique: Stand with feets apart.

Bend the right knee to waist level with toes pointing forward. Keep the left leg slanted with the knee locked. Keep the hands at shoulder level. Hold-up straight the trunk. Count to 10 and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The triangle posture helps to keep the front thigh muscles in great tone. It can also check a stoopy trunk.

P AGE 24 —SUNDAY Vanguard , APRIL 14 , 2013

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

Post-nuptial depression? The aftermath of an expensive wedding

S

HOW-STOPPER weddings are a delight any day.

They should be. They have gulped millions of Naira not to talk of the stress both families have to go through before the, D-day_ Matters are made worse by the wedding planners who tell you how lavish the wedding should be, and give you elaborate innovations the young couple never even thought of! Decades back, weddings were a far cry from what they now are - as expenses go. Couples rarely lived together and after the wedding, there was the excitement of moving in with your new partner and living together for the first time. These days, however, the newly-weds have had the ‘looking’ and there isn’t much to look forward to. Dora, who got married less than a year ago, in an extravagant ceremony, confesses that she is not so sure she wants to stay married. Part of the problem with this type of wedding is that there is no way the actual marriage can match such excitement.

She says, “1 wanted a wedding to remember and went about it with a vengeance. A huge tent with air conditioning was erected on a field and all our savings went into decorating all the chairs, tasteful drapes had to match the decoration and the tent. The cake, a mas-

terpiece, cost an arm and a leg! We had an array of flowers and fruits,.some of which were flown in from South Africa. My expensive bridal dress with that of the groom and the bridal train gears, were all something to behold. Even the music took a lot of planning. A few days to the wedding, guests flew in fi:om Britain, South Africa and the United States.

“1 felt elated to be surrounded by family and friends, all making efforts to give their best.

When it was all over, whenever, I felt terrible all I could do was re-live my wedding day and how wonderful it was. For all those preparations, 1 was the centre of atten-

tion. Then, suddenly after the wedding day, life went back to normal~ the general project was over and I suffered what is termed a post-nuptial depression.

My new husband was fed up with me. We were supposed to be having a wonderful, extravagant twoweek honeymoon in Dubai~ not a postmortem of an event that should remain a pleasant memory.

“Even after the honeymoon, I couldn’t tear myself away from the wedding photos and videos. I spent hours endlessly looking at them, reliving the day. After work, 1 would move around the house in the evenings, wondering what to do.

‘When I was planning the wedding, there was always something to

choose or someone to contact urgently. Now, much as I loved my husband, I felt restless as there was no reason to keep meeting up with friends and family to plan anything elaborate.

“Our evenings reverted to the humdrum of dinner and watching the box - rather than talking about wedding sitting, plans - or what type of decor to have. I also found myself inexplicably irritated by my husband. When I was planning the wedding, there was so much to do that I ignored the little niggles every couple have. But, as we began married life and should have been so happy, these became magni-

Meleye Dan danny00melie@gmail.com

Lock me up in love

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"

All the days

All days are night to see till I see thee, And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me.

If your heart is a prison I will like to be sentence and locked in it forever, they should not just lock it and keep the key in a position where the next governor would see and decide to release me in the next 10 years. Let them lock it and throw the key into the ocean.

I love you, I want to dwell in your heart forever.

Kelechi Ndubisi kconeofafrica@gmail.com, 08032900530

fied and we began bickering which we never did before. After the fun of our wedding, married life felt flat. .. “ Unfortunately, it is not just the brides that suffer post-nuptial depression. Most young grooms admitted that they also felt incredibly low after the wedding.

The saving grace for the bride is that she falls pregnant quickly, or is already pregnant before the wedding and fills her day with something exciting; the arrival of a baby. The poor husband needs to find another focus in his life - something to plan for, like a new baby, perhaps.

However, it’s now been discovered that postnuptial depression is contributing to marriages breaking up very quickly. According to a psychotherapist, “All those brides painstakingly planning their big day and who are likely to risk massive anti-climax after the event need to be careful. Potentially, starting your marriage feeling such huge disappointment is dangerous. This high expectation of marriage is ultimately a contributing factor to the rise in divorce.”

“The worry is that after the trauma of planning their wedding, some couples are not prepared for the realities and believe just being married is all their relationship takes.

I tell couples to think

back to when they first met and try to enjoy some of the simple things in life. They also need to realize that they can’t live in a state of permanent excitement and feeling they must always be planning a project.

Getting Your Love Life Back After The Wedding Making a big commitment such as marriage can have detrimental effect on your sex life. But, it doesn’t have to if you follow these five-step plans to revive things in the bedroom department.

Step 1: Agree you won’t have sex for seven days.

That will take the pressure off and let you both relax.

Step 2: Use the breathing space to get back ‘into’ each other again; enjoy each other’s company.

Step 3: Discuss exactly what marriage means to you. Is it that once you have wedded, you should settle down and not be sexy?

Step 4: Start from scratch on sex. Kiss and cuddle, focus on foreplay but don’t go to orgasm yet.

Step 5: Allow your passion to build up over the week. Not being able to have intercourse will make you want it even more. If desire is still low, don’t panic. Get the help of a counsellor.

Worth of true love Many crave for true love but are not ready to work for it. It is like going to the market to buy a fairly used cloth or aluko, how will that relationship stand when things are not going on smoothly; that is already made love. Imagine, you save some cash for a very long time and use it to buy something, won't you treasure it?

Love from the scratch is best cos both parties will treasure each other and cope in troubled time; this is genuine love.

Imoudu Jeremiah, moudujeremiah@yahoo.com 08038797372, Auchi, Edo State.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013—PAGE 25

God, why did four family members die on daughter’s graduation day?’

•Puzzle over the survival of 5-mth-old victim

BY BOSE ADELAJA

F

C M Y K

,

RIDAY is usually a special day many Muslim families look forward to, but to the members of the Bello family of Bayeku area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, Friday, April 6, 2013 will remain fresh in their memories for some time to come. That was the day four members of the family and a neighbour died prematurely in an auto crash.

A five months old baby of the family escaped the incident unhurt.

Prior to that day, the family had planned triple celebrations: their daughter’s graduation ceremony, car dedication of their son and the head of the family ’s trip abroad alongside the matriachax. All the plans came to nought as a result of the tragedy.

The head of the family, popularlly called Alhaji Bello, was a prominent figure in Bayeku following his sponsorship of many Muslim programmes including the recent turbanning of the first Imam of the community which took place the Sunday preceding his sudden death.

As part of the arrangements for the trip abroad, Alhaji Bello had placed a change of name notice in Vanguard which was published on the day of crash. The family had not even bought a copy of the paper before the accident occurred around 12noon at Agbowa-Ikosi area of Lagos State.

Five persons including the five month old baby were in one of the cars the family members were travelling in while two others were in another as they headed for the graduation ceremony of their daughter at a tertiary educational institution in Ogun State.

All the five persons in one car with the exception of the baby: Alhaji Bello, his daughter- in- law and her parents, together with a neighbour, died while the matriach and her son in the other car survived.

An eye witness, Madam Kehinde Olufade, said the family had had a smooth journey until they approached a crater at Ikosi where motorists had to slow down. But due to the dilapidated nature of Agbowa road, a trailer left its own side of the road and faced the car Alhaji Bello was driv-

Five persons including the five month old baby were in one of the cars the family members were travelling in while two others were in another as they headed for the graduation ceremony of their daughter at a tertiary educational institution in Ogun State.

ing, forcing him to manouver before a tipper rammed into him from behind.

The car landed in a ditch. ‘’As soon as the car landed in the ditch, the tipper also lost control and fell on top of the car killing the four members of the family and their neighbour on the spot.The Bellos daughter-in-law, who was carrying her five months old baby at the time of incident,

,

*Alhaji Bello ... row in community over deaths in auto crash

died while the baby miraculously survived”,the eye witness narrated When the news of their demise filtered into their community, it unsettled residents.

The community development association (CDA) wanted the victims buried before sunset in accordance with Muslim tradition, but some indigenes countered them, saying some rituals must be performed be-

fore the arrival of the corpses in the community as the death of the family members portended a bad omen. .

The victims were buried same day as shops and business centres were closed while some indigenes, led by one ‘Lagatha’, a mechanic, organised a weeklong ritual which involved the Oro festival.

However, the traditional head of the

Solumade family in the community kicked against the ritual, saying it was not with the consent of Bayeku indigenes. According to the baale in-waiting, Chief Adesina Solumade, some people in the community were behind the ritual. “Gone are the days when rituals were performed anyhow. The community comprises of Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers and their opinions must be sought before any ritual is performed. As far as I am concerned, the victims died a natural death and this has not called for ritual as organised by the residents,’’ he said.

Bello family members were yet to comprehend the demise of the victims when Sunday Vanguard visited the family.

The matriach, Mrs Bello Adedoyin Busayo, and her son refused to talk about the tragedy. The matriach simply said in Yoruba ‘amuwa Olorun ni’ (God knows about it).

A close friend of the Bellos, who pleaded anonymity, said he was with the family the day before the tragic incident and they shared ideas. “Alhaji Bello told me of his plan to donate poles for the construction of community mosque, his plans to travel overseas with the family matriach and the daughter ’s graduation ceremony which he never attended,”he said.

Another resident, Mrs. Musa Mayam, who saw the victims when they set out for the journey, said, ‘’I saw all of them before they took off, but I never knew that was the last time I would see them,’’ she said.

'People mistake church for healthcare' necessities of life would always want to engage in violence. So,

BY PEACE ONYEUKWU

A medical practitioner with over thirty years of expertise, Dr.Onyemuwa Okorie is the Medical Director of Onyems B Hospital. During a chat at the opening of his newest branch in Festac area of Lagos, he stressed the need for government to consider budgetary formulations that would encourage the growth and development of healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Excerpts: What’s your assessment of government’s commitment to healthcare delivery?

Government really has to do more. It’s ridiculous to have a budget whose allocation to defence surpasses that of healthcare! Our increasing need for security is geared towards tackling violence, and we should realise that violence is the brainchild of a stressed and unhealthy society. We should be more concerned about appeasing people with human face, and not ghosts. A man who lacks the basic

the ideal panacea to peace is the provision of those basic necessities.

What recommendations would you therefore proffer for healthcare delivery?

Like I said, the key thing is finance; more budget to make it work. The poor also should be able to access the system. Tertiary healthcare should be improved. It’s quite sad that we always have to carry people to America and India for kidney transplant! Meanwhile, in Iraq, people sell their kidneys for money because it is very easy to carry-out a transplant! Meanwhile, here, if you have renal failure and you don’t run to a newspaper to advertise that you cannot afford a transplant, you are dead!

Only a minute percentage of these people are even able to access travel documents! Tell me, why must we travel abroad for virtually every medical attention? As a matter of fact, it should not be news worthy that there was a transplant at the University Teaching Hospitals in Ilorin because open heart surgeries are a daily routine in hospitals in Pakistan, India, U.S, Egypt and South Africa to mention but a few!

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

BY GODFREY OSAKWE

T

* Otu Odu Ahaba, led Enyi Mrs. T.A. Giwa Amu

* A cross section of royal fathers with Chief Newton Jibunoh

Anioma festival of many colours •’Why we honoured Keshi, Prof.Nwoko

* Asala Amaka Dance Group from Agbor entertaining member of trustee, OFAAC, Chief (Dr.) Newton Jibunoh, HRM. Obinwanyi Modupe Edozien, wife to Asagba of Asaba, Barr. Lady T. A. Giwa Amu, Enyi Okpataku, Chief Clement T. Ofuani, the Odua of Ubulu Okiti, Mrs. Ify Kagho, Dr. & Mrs. Charles Mekwunye, Mr. Frank Onwachi, MON. The officiating minister at the thanksgiving service, Rt. Rev. Justus N. Mogekwu, prayed for divine direction for Anioma people and OFAAC. The festival, held under the theme, Celebrating the Heart and Soul of Anioma, took place at the Arcade Ground, Asaba. It was a symphony of dances, music, fashion and creative arts of Anioma people.

Guests had the best of Anioma culture and hospitality. On display were the legendary Egwu Oshushu, Agwuba-royal dance, occupational

,

HE 10th anniversary of the Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture, OFAAC , held in Asaba from March 29 to April 1, was celebrated with a public lecture, awards, thanksgiving service, visits to Anioma monarchs and cultural festival. The activities were full of excitement with memories of the culture and value that distinguish the people from other tribes in Nigeria.

Two Anioma great sons, Chief Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, the Super Eagles Coach; and Prof Demas Nwoko,a renowned artist and designer, were honoured for their achievements. Keshi’s award was presented by Chief Philip Asiodu, an OFAAC trustee. “No honour is better than the one received from one’s own people at home,” Keshi said.

Nwoko, receiving his own award from HRH Obi Prof.

Chike Edozien, declared, “It is a measure of true greatness, a situation where you bring joy and fulfillment to millions of people; you attract more friends and relatives without you knowing everybody, but everybody knows you”.

During the anniversary lecture entitled, Prospect, Potentials and Place of Anioma in the Geopolitical Evolution of Nigeria, Prof. Sam Ukala, former Provost, Delta State University, Anwai Campus, advised Anioma people to unite under a single body Arc. Kester Ifeadi, President of OFAAC, in his address, said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is more like wrapping a gift and not presenting it”. He said the choice of Keshi for an award was because of the feat he achieved at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa. He described Nwoko as an acclaimed painter, designer and sculptor. “We as Anioma people may not have all the silver and gold to thank the awardees for their great accomplishments, but we know that coming together in the magnitude of today’s occasion sends a brighter message of gratitude to all on the need to engage in productive ventures, as there is dignity in labour,” Ifeadi said.

Eminent personalities at the event included Chief Festus Okubor who represented Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Benjamin Elue, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief Philip Asiodu, former Permanent Secretary, Prof. Pat Utomi, co-founder, Lagos Business School and

* Onu Anioma of Owa Alero, the overall winners with their cash prize of N300,000 and plaque

The Igbanke community in Edo State stepped out in style to the rhythmic music of Anioma in solidarity with their kith and kin in Anioma land.

,

dance, Egwu-Ajah - maiden dance, Uloko dance, Olingba dance, Amala and contemporary dance.

The Igbanke community in Edo State stepped out in style to the rhythmic music of Anioma in solidarity with their kith and kin in Anioma land.

Other events were wresting and flute competitions. The overall best performance went to Onu Anioma of Owa Alero. Delta State Polytechnic Dance Group, Ogwashi-Uku was second and Anionye Dance Group from Otolokpo third. In the primary school category, Seat of Wisdom, Kwale came first; Royal Foundation Primary Kwale was second while Ogonma Primary School, Ogwashi-Uku was third.

More than 79 monarchs attended the anniversary from within and outside Anioma. They were treated to a banquet that rounded off the anniversary.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 — PAGE 27

C M Y K

PAGE 28—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

The Senate President @ 65 T

hough it was the usual glitzy affair when the Senate President, Senator David Mark, clocked 65, last weekend, the occasion was a special one as it left a sweet memory at least for the people of Benue State.

The country's number three citizen celebrated the birthday in his country home of Otukpo and the highpoint was the laying of foundation stone of a stadium, to be known as 'David Mark Sports Complex'. Photos by Abayomi Adesida

L- R: Papal Nuncio Arch bishop Augustine Kasugga, Sen. David Mark and the Bishop of Otukpo Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Michael Apochi.

Archbishop Augustine Kassuga commissioning the chapel built by the Senate President.

Burial

Mrs. Funmi Igbiti recently invited friends to j o i n her in Owo, Ondo State for the burial of her mother, the late Chief (Mrs) Eunice Adepate Onabanjo, aka Iya Egbe Ajihinrere of St. Michael African Church, Owo, who passed on at the age of 80.

The Benue State gov, Hon. Gabriel Suswan, presenting a birthday card to Sen. David Mark

L-R: Gabriel Suswan, Sen. David Mark and Hon. Hassan Sale

The ICAN fund-raising dinner

M

embers of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) came together last week for their annual President Dinner and the investiture of Patron.

The fun-filled outing also included launching of N50 million fund for the insitute building.

Photos by Diran Oshe

Mrs Funmi Igbiti (middle), her husband, Edwin (right), and brother, Mr Daisi Onabanjo.

Traditional marriage

The 48th President of ICAN, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi , receiving an award from Prince Joseph Adebayo, an ICAN past President, while Chief Raphael O Anyama, the 18th Chairman, Lagos Mainland of the institute, watches.

L- R: Otunba Olufemi Deru, ICAN 2nd Deputy President, Mr. Adedoyin Owolabi and Chief Raphael O Anyama.

C M Y K

L- R: Mr. Chris Onwuasigwe , Managing Partner, Alpha Patners; Mrs Shakirat Babatunde, ICAN Council member; and Mr. Sunday Bammeke .

From left: Dr. Oluseun Olufade and his bride, Dr. Ann Igbre at their traditional wedding in Asaba,Delta State recently.With them are the groom's parents, Pastor Joke and Dr. Babatunde Olufade.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 —29

Chizo K anu-Ir oegbu bags Mast er’s of La w Kanu-Ir anu-Iroegbu Master’s Law

I

t was indeed a moment of joy and one to savour when Barrister (Mrs) Chizo Kanu-Iroegbu upped her profile by bagging a Master’s of Law (LL.M) degree from the prestigious University of London.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Barbican Centre, London, and the graduand was joined in the joy of the day by her husband, John Kanu-Iroegbu and a few other friends. Below are some of the photos taken at the ceremony.

Barr. Chizo Kanu-Iroegbu (2ndl) and fellow graduands

Barr. Chizo Kanu-Iroegbu (2nd L) with fellow graduands Barr. Chizo flamked by husband (l) and Chief (Mrs) Mgbeobuna (r)

L-R: Mr John Kanu-Iroegbu and Barr. Chizo KanuIroegbu with Chief and Chief (Mrs) Mgbeobuna

Barr. Chizo Kanu-Iroegbu and a friend

Owolabi gives daughter in marriage

I

t was a day of joy for the families of Dr. Abdulateef Owolabi-Lawal and Alhaji Kamarise when Alhaji Kamarise’s son, Bolaji, took for wife, Bolaji, the daughter of Dr. Owolabi.

The Nikai, officiated by the Missioner of Ansar-

Bride’s parents: Alhaji and Alhaja Owolabi

Groom’s parents: Alhaji and Alhaja Kamarise

Udeen Society of Nigeria, took place at the 10 Degrees Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

The graduand, Barr. Chizo Kanu-Iroegbu (

The graduand, Barr. Chizo Kanu-Iroegbu, with her husband, Mr. John Kanu-Iroegbu

Eunice and Moses

F

ormer Eunice Jato Bom and Moses Iortswam Jime got married at the URCC Church(NKST), Igbudu Mbaav, Turan Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State

Alhaji Abdulateef Ekundayo, presenting the marriage certificate to the couple.

Missioner of of Ansarudeen Ansarudeen Society Society of of Missioner Nigeria,Sheikh Abdurrahman Hamad, Nigeria,Sheikh Abdurrahman Hamad, officiating officiating the Nikai the Nikai

The couple: Mr and Mrs Moses Iortswam Jime

PAGE 30 —SUNDAY

C M Y K

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 — PAGE 31

C M Y K

PAGE 32—SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

I met my husband in prison — Joe OkeiOdumakin

’How my activism put my father in trouble with Abacha Says she was detained 17 times I would have been a nun

D

R JOSEPHINE Obiajulu Okei Odumakin has lived a better part of her life as an activist. She has traversed, courageously, where even some men fear to tread. She remained consistent without minding the hazards to her person in a society where critical voices are loathed by an unjust system which rewards the crook and punishes the just.

Her consistency and unwavering determination for survival of democracy in Nigeria made Professor Wole Soyinka to describe her as “a tireless fighter whose frail bearing bellies an inner strength and resilience purpose, a veteran of affirmative marches, of crude arrests and detentions, baton charges and tear gas who has lent luster to the struggle for justice and human dignity, who remain an inspiration of men and women, old and young.” She was recently honoured in America with the Woman of Courage award.

In this no-holds- barred interaction, she tells her story.

Excerpts: To people, you are just an activist, but who exactly is Joe Odumakin?

Joe Okei-Odumakin was born on 4 July, 1966 in Zaria, Kaduna State. I have three elder brothers and lost a youngC M Y K

er one while growing up. I grew up as a tom boy because I was born in the midst of boys, I play football a lot. I love defending people’s rights and it started during my kindergarten level.

I attended a missionary school because my parents were staunch Catholics; I had wanted to be a nun. That was what I wanted all my life. I attended St Barnabas Primary School. After that, I attended Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, Ilorin because my parents were based in Ilorin.

I did my A Levels in Kwara State Polytechnic where I was at the School of Basic Studies in 1984. Like I said, I wanted to be a nun at the age of 14 but my father threatened to disown me. I was too young to be disowned. Not only did my father threaten to disown me, he also was to print my obituary because he said I did not want to procreate.

After that I cried all through the day and night, I then told my mum to tell my father that I was willing to continue my education. When my father returned from his trip to the United Kingdom, he then took me to one Dr Acho, who was the Director of Basic Studies, and told him that that I would be living in his house. I lived there for a week and promised my father I would stay on campus. My father then opened a hard cover note book for me to clock in and out.

After a year, I saw a poster

,

BY DAPO AKINREFON & CHARLES KUMOLU

Not only did my father threaten to disown me, he also was to print my obituary because he said I did not want to procreate

,

which read, ‘Rethink Nigeria’, which was a left wing movement, and seeing it, I felt I should go for the meeting. On getting there, I went through the agenda, but there was no opening or closing prayer and I made an observation but people shouted at the same time ‘ who brought this thing here?

Throw her out, they are talking about serious national issues and this thing is talking about prayers’. So, I had to leave. But three weeks after, I was called upon again. I was addressed as ‘reverend sister, and told, ‘ we won’t include opening or closing prayers, but you can come for our meeting’.

I went there and still ob-

served the same thing. They were so violent with me, held me by neck and led me out and, since then, I vowed never to be part of the meeting.

That was how after my A Levels, I got admission into ABU Zaria but the institution was too far for me and my second choice was the University of Ilorin where I read English Education and graduated in 1987.

I did my Youth Service at the 35 th Amphibious Battalion with soldiers. I interacted with the soldiers intensely. I came back to the University of Ilorin in 1990 to do my master ’s in guidance and counseling.

While I was at the University of Ilorin in 1985, I had a lecturer who saw that I was brilliant and asked what I wanted to become in life and I told her that I wanted to become a nun.

She was the one who motivated me to read about Martin Luther King and other people like Karl Max, Malcom X. That was how the thing started in January 10, 1985 and,

by March 1985, the position of secretary for Women in Nigeria, Kwara State branch was vacant. When it was time for us to reel out our manifesto, first person to speak; I started quoting from Martin Luther King’s book, people started hailing me and the third person did not bother to come up.

That was how I became the secretary of Women in Nigeria, Kwara State branch in

1985. That was how I became born again into the struggle.

But what motivated you to become an activist?

One quotation stuck me when I read Martin Luther King where he said ‘our lives begin to end when we keep silent about things that matter ’. I felt my life was ending because I was silent about things that matter. I called my lawyer-friend and told him to prepare my will and, then, I had mattress and books. I told him that ‘if anything happens, give my mattress to motherless babies, give my books to the University of Ilorin library’.

What motivated me really were those books that I read and I wondered how people were giving their lives to the struggle. I wondered how Rosa Parks refused to get up in the bus and so I found out that a lot of people had given their lives to struggles.

I situated that within the Nigerian context and I pondered on military dictatorship in Nigeria.

I also had to fathom the fact that we got independence in 1960 and, by 1985, if a child was born at that time, that child would have become a man or woman; and if that man is still on diapers, there is cause for one to worry. That was how I started and then, Karl Max had said that every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor. All those things and several other things and then situating it to our own environment, it was then I saw a leaflet with the name of Dr Beko Ransome Kuti, President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, and I called him on phone.

We spoke and I introduced myself, that I was the secretary for Women in Nigeria. He said he was in Lagos and asked me if I wanted to come over and I said yes. The next day, I took off for Lagos; when I saw him, he was packing his books and he said he had an appointment with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi and that he needed to confirm from Gani if he could come with me.

He put a call through to Gani and he said I could come. That was how we went to Gani’s chambers. It was the same day that I saw him (Beko), Gani and also Fela. By the time we were through with Gani, Beko was going to see Fela and he asked if I wanted to see Fela and I said I would like to see Fela. Fela, apart from Bob Marley, was another musician I loved listening to.

When I saw Fela, he asked in pidgin, ‘ wetin be your name? (What is your name?) I said Joe, he said ‘that one no be name; wetin be your native name?’I told him Obiagali. He said what was the meaning and I said my, ‘Mind is not at

Continues on page 33

SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013 — PAGE 33

‘My activism put my father in trouble with Abacha’ Continued from page 32 rest’. Then said a few things about Nigeria.

There were a lot of things I picked from Fela’s life and that was how I started. We had Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in 1989, Campaign for Democracy in 1991, Institute for Human Rights and Democratic Studies but my own base was Ilorin.

Anything that I am doing, I put 100 percent commitment to it, and so, in terms of the struggle, I was dedicated. We took the Jehovah Witness approach and then, in Kwara State, I started as secretary, then treasurer, deputy and then chairperson.

Batted with urine

to wear skirt *Okei-Odumakin...I vowed never vant, he was serving under a military government and I was the one leading the protest.

They went and ransacked his house, he was also arrested, and it was like that for sometime.

I also remember the time I swore in my life never to put on skirt. It was during one of the rallies that we had which was against Abacha in 1994. I was in Ilorin. I was in shirt and blouse and I was the one leading the protest While I was addressing the rally, soldiers came around and I was serious beaten. My shirt was torn and I was thrown inside the gutter.

,

I was in and out of detention for about 17 times. At that time, I always liked to go to the hottest zone each time there was heavy protest. During the IBB time, when they were to paste posters, I came to Lagos for a meeting and I said, ‘ if I am in Lagos, I will follow them to paste posters at Dodan Barracks’, but Beko advised that I go back to my base in Ilorin. I went back to Ilorin but I made sure I pasted my posters at the police headquarters. We went for the pasting at 1 a.m and somebody with a bike would take us, drop us very close and then will go and take cover.

So, I pasted mine at the police headquarters but some of the security bulbs there were not functional; it was under that cover that I put starch and pasted. But, unfortunately for me that day, a police officer was talking with his colleague.

The person came near where I was pasting and I had to lie still and he urinated all over my head but I was still lying down. At the end, being a tipsy person, he stepped on something and called for a torch to be brought.

The moment I heard that, I didn’t know whether to run or lie down. When the person brought the torch, he thought it was a big snake as he saw somebody lying on the ground. He flashed the torch and saw posters with Babangida’s face being crossed. He said ‘ you have the effrontery to come to the police headquarters?’

Immediately after that, he picked me up and started beating me. The other one said, ‘Why are you wasting time, kill her ’, but the bike man that brought us said ‘don’t kill her oh, we have seen you’.

They poured the starch on me and the next thing I knew was that I found myself in the cell, I was already tired. When I woke up, I was covered with starch and I was like that for two days. I also recollect what my mother was telling my father that he should have allowed me to be a nun.

My father was a top civil ser-

but I put a stop to it because when anytime I get there by 10 am, people who have problems will come and those who appreciate me.

I will be in the market from ten in the morning to two in the afternoon and will end up buying nothing. Now, I send people to the market to help me buy things and, when I am around, I like cooking. The house must be thoroughly cleaned; the bed sheet must be thoroughly cleaned and, then, when I was growing up, I know that my dad still had time to look at my homework.

I still find time to look at my children’s homework.

The person came near where I was pasting (anti-Abacha posters) and I had to lie still and he urinated all over my head but I was still lying down. At the end, being a tipsy person, he stepped on something and called for a torch to be brought

But fortunately, I saw a scarf which I tied around my waist because my skirt had been torn and I had virtually nothing on. I was seriously beaten and, in the course of that, I sustained serious injuries, I was kicked underneath several times. That was how they took me to the cell and I was like that for three days. That was the last time I vowed never to put on skirt.

With this robust story, how have you been able to marry activism with the home front?

If one fails in one, one has failed in all. I learnt from my mother when I was growing up. If I am going for the protest or anything, I make sure that I prepare about six different kinds of soup and keep them in the freezer just like I learnt from my mother who always went once a while to the market.

I used to go to the market,

,

Honestly, balancing the home front has not been easy because, in those days during the military dictatorship, I had vowed that I was not going to marry except there was democracy until I met Comrade Yinka Odumakin in prison; one thing led to the other and we got married. Shortly after our marriage, there was no honeymoon. We were in a hotel in Ilorin and the manager called us that we should leave.

Why? They said some troublesome people were in the hotel and that he did not want to leave his job as manager. After the reception in Ilorin, we got to the hotel around 2:30 pm and, ten minutes after we got there, we decided to leave for Lagos.

When we arrived Lagos, we had to leave for Pa Ajasin’s burial the next day.

One thing was that in 1998,

13 months after my marriage, I was to address a press conference in Pa Abraham Adesanya’s office. That morning, I was feeling funny. We were to go to Apapa, but, had to go to the doctor ’s place. The doctor said it was labour sign and I said, ‘ doctor, you have to stop this labour because I have a press conference to address’. The doctor said the labour sign was advanced labour, this was around 7:30 am.

My mother was with me in the hospital, and then, by 9:10 am, the baby came; the baby sneezed and cried. As they were cleaning the baby, I left for Apapa to address the press conference. Nobody knew that I had just delivered a baby not to talk of being pregnant except my husband who was also at the press conference.

Immediately after the press briefing, I returned to the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital, my mother asked where I was and I told her that I went to address a press conference; my mother then said ‘ you are an extremely strong girl’. I told the doctor to discharge me because there was nothing wrong with me. That was how we left.

Aside activism, what are your other hobbies?

I read a lot and I love watching History Channel.

There is this argument in some quarters that the death of Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome Kuti, Pa Abraham Adesanya and others has really affected activism in Nigeria and has made activism to be on the decline. What is your position because many people believe that most of the ills in the country are going unchallenged and what you people usually do now is to make noise?

Beko Ransome-Kuti was the live wire of the human rights movement, while Gani was the heart beat of the struggle. At the inception of this same struggle, there was a rallying

point because we had military dictatorship. The likes of Beko and Gani went to the battle with their eyes closed and their death has left a gap in the human rights and pro-democracy movement.

We still have some of our warriors around like Professor Wole Soyinka but, really, one of the things that have kept us down in this country remains the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference. I know that until Beko breathed his last, he worked tirelessly for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference. Not only him, Pa Enahoro and Gani all worked for us to have SNC. The practical example Beko took then at the Theatre Arts at Iganmu in 1990 which Babangida smashed, he said there were no-go areas on the issue of nationhood.

The issue is not whether Nigeria needs a Sovereign National Conference but the thing is that can we still get delegates in the midst of Boko Haram in the North, in the midst of kidnapping in the East?

The reason some of us did not participate in politics then was that we had the feeling that the Constitution that we have is not perfect. There is nobody that will go in there that will not come out unscratched. Some activists joined politics because they felt we should not sweep the house from outside but from inside and, unfortunately, they were swept off because they campaigned for Obasanjo’s third term.

Few of the activist felt they could not remain on the streets, like what happened in 1999 and, then, powerful people who had business in governance could just hijack it. If we were part of the making of governance, it is not going to be possible, but one thing you should know is that all of us cannot go into politics. The reason some of us have not dared it is because the Constitution is totally flawed, it is not workable. Secondly, we must create an enabling environment where people can come and there will be a level playing ground, the electoral system should be properly strengthened; our institutions should also be properly strengthened.

Like what you just said that a lot of people just come around to make noise, one thing you should know is that activism is a very laborious task. Going out to sensitize and mobilize people is laborious. You should also realize that we do not have that central issue that brings all of us together.

There is the need for total stock-taking and change of tactics. We have always agitated for non-violent protests, I remember a time during the struggle that over 200 people were killed, I was shot on my right leg. There is no other language than a non-violent language.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

Banking recapitalisation is fundamental policy error—Ex Finance Minister . Says CBN cashless concept is a misnomer BY

UDEME

Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, served as a member of the Development Committee of World Bank. He worked as former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in Imo State, exMinister of Finance, under two regimes, Federal Minister of National Planning and Minister of Transport. He was designated Nigeria’s Candidate for the Deputy Director General position at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 1999. He served in a special Niger Delta Technical Committee on the final resolution of the Niger Delta crisis. In January 2012, he was also appointed to chair the Special Task Force on the Nigerian refineries. In the concluding part of the interview with him, he speaks on the banking consolidation, on-going reforms in the financial sector and the need for the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure increased rural banking in the country.

Excerpts

Y

OU worked as Commissioner of Finance and Economic Planning in IMO State, Finance Minister under two regimes, With your experience, how will you assess the cashless monetary policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), being implemented in some parts of the country?

To start with, there should be a proper definition of the monetary policy of the CBN in trying to reduce cash transactions in the economy.

The reason being that, the word cashless, is a misnomer.

We can’t be talking cashlessness in the cities, rather we should emphasize non cash instruments and not cashless economy. Not America, Japan, China, Russia,Indonesia, Singapore Switzerland and other advanced economies have reduced cash to zero. That is why I called it a misnomer, because there must still be cash transactions. For instance, in America, you pay cash for hair cut. The Fiduciary policies on management of currency and financial instruments in the economy are geared towards reducing the use of cash and correspondently moving into the use of non cash methods of transactions. Such methods include the use of cheques, Automated Teller Machines

Dr Kalu Idika Kalu.... We need banks in rural areas to give loans to farmers.

(ATM), Point of Sales (PoS), in such places need cash for credit cards, electronic money daily business transactions. transfers and other financial For instance, a good number instruments other than cash. of people live in the rural These instruments when areas where there are no banks adequately utilised can reduce and they use cash on a daily the proportion of cash in the basis. So, if CBN is talking of system. For instance, in super cashless economy, where will individuals be markets, shops, everywhere these people need goods and classified?

Banking recapitalisation has services, they should be able

,

STORIES CLEMENT

Consolidation ought to reflect the growth of market demand for financial services in the economy and not a situation where banks are forced by the law to consolidate

to issue credit cards for immediate transactions instead of carrying large volumes of cash about.

The apex bank as the monetary authority has the autonomy to formulate and implement monetary policies to regulate the financial sector of the economy. Don’t you think that the current cashless policy is one of such initiatives?

Obviously, it is the duty of CBN to regulate the financial industry in order to reduce inflation in the economy. In doing that, the apex bank should not be talking about cashlessness, because there are areas you cannot talk of cashless economy since people

,

further shrunk the number of banks in Nigeria , even as new banks are not coming up.

From your experience as a member of the Development Committee at the World Bank, don’t you think the banking sector is over regulated?

I had cautioned that the financial sector is not separate on its own but providing services to align with the market forces of demand for money in the economy. This demand for money is the function for distribution and production of real goods and services. You cannot get up one day and say all banks must get minimum capital of 25billion.

Instead, the assets they are

asked to operate must be function of demand in the system. There should be thrust of banking expansion and not forceful consolidation. Small banks must be efficiently managed not by the functions of their capital base. They should promote agriculture and people in real farming getting easy access to small loans.

Are you saying that the consolidation policy was wrongly conceived?

It was a fundamental error in policy. You can advise banks to increase their assets base and to merge if need be.

Consolidation ought to reflect the growth of market demand for financial services in the economy and not a situation where banks are forced by the law to consolidate. The current management of the CBN has been trying to correct this mistake to ensure focus and realignment in the system. For instance, I chaired the launching of a recent book, ‘Financialism: Water from an empty well’, published by the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, which talked elaborately on the real work of capital on procurement, goods and services in the economy. We must grow the economy in order to develop the banking system by deepening the

growth of banking industry.

Why are many places in the rural areas un-banked?

This is the question that CBN should answer. We need banks in rural areas to give loans to farmers, to enable them buy fertilizer, weeds killer and other basic things they need to increase productivity in large scale farming. Though some people also complain of insecurity especially for few banks operating in the rural areas, the merit system must be kept. It is the duty of government to secure the economic environment, because without security, we cannot have tangible savings and investments in the country.

What made government not to take IMF loan after so many debates on the issue?

What I want people to understand here is that, borrowing or resources mobilisation to expand capacity in the economy does not necessarily mean IMF loan. It simply means sourcing for funds from the big financial institutions and global lenders to invest in capital projects already identified by government. This is a function of demand. These projects must be viable to outweigh the cost, for government to develop the economy and pay back the loan like what obtains in developed countries.

Stakeholders raise the alarm over N40 billion Cabotage Fund

T

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has been urged to resist moves by politicians hiding behind phantom shipping companies to access the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), already estimated at about N40billion The Chief Executive Officer, Ships & Ports Communication, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said this in a chat with Sunday Vanguard Business in Lagos, alleging attempt by entrenched interests to foist an unqualified firm on NIMASA as Consultant to the Cabotage Fund.

He said: “Four banks have been appointed as Primary Lending Institutions (PLIs) for the CVFF and since NIMASA has a whole department devoted to overseeing the implementation of Cabotage, there is no need to appoint any consultant to the Fund, especially when the so-called potential consultant was

deliberately positioned to do the bidding for politicians and entrenched interests, who are not qualified to benefit from the Cabotage Fund”.

Akinola added, “NIMASA must scrutinise applications for the CVFF carefully to avoid a recurrence of past experience, especially with regards to the Ships Acquisition and Ship Building Fund (SASBF). In the 1980s and 1990s, the National Maritime Authority, now known as NIMASA, administered the Ship Acquisition and Ship Building Fund (SASBF) through which it gave loans that were intended to encourage ownership of ships by Nigerians. While a few number of genuine Nigerian ship owners benefited from the SASBF and bought ships, though old and rusty, several briefcase ship owners and cronies of the then military junta also dipped their hands in the till and diverted the money to other uses”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 35

The job creation question

,

BY STEVE USMAN

S

MALL and medium scale businesses anywhere in the world serve as a very potent force for job creation, poverty alleviation and overall healthy economic growth. In the last 26 years, the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has championed the cause of mass job creation through skill acquisition in the areas of vocation, agriculture, entrepreneurship and business as well as transient job opportunities. As at the end of 2011, over three million unemployed persons have been put to gainful employment by the body through the various programmes.

The achievements are attributed to prudent management of resources.

With the advent of oil economy in Nigeria, there has been a systematic abandonment of the agricultural sector through rural-urban drift in search of paid employment which today is almost non-existent. In a bid to awaken the interest of unemployed youths in agriculture and to exploit the tremendous opportunities for

Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, NDE DG employment and wealth creation in the agriculture sector and, consequently, stem the rural-urban drift, the NDE designed training programmes for youths in agriculture. The programme focuses on modern agricultural practices in crop production, crop processing and preservation, livestock production and management and other agro-allied ventures.

This is handled under the Rural Agricultural Development Training Scheme (RADTS) at Agricultural Skills Training Centers (ASTC's) which are established in almost all the states of the

The challenges notwithstanding, the Directorate has vigorously pursued its mandate of mass job creation through collaboration with stakeholders

,

federation and Abuja..

The NDE also uses a timetested systematic process in the creation of new micro enterprises. Through sound entrepreneurship training such as Start Your Own Business training (SYOB), Improve Your Business (IYB) and facilitation of access to soft loans, beneficiaries are ushered into the new world of personal enterprise and are also assisted to remain afloat.

Pursuant to her drive to provide capital for these budding businessmen and women, NDE has collaborated with such credit granting

institutions like NCRDB, now known as Bank of Agriculture (BOA), NEXIM and NERFUND for start up capital for her beneficiaries.

The Directorate, apart from its regular programmes, introduced new ones targeted at addressing the immediate needs of the economy and supporting the micro-economic policies of the Federal Government. Recently, the NDE launched some job creation schemes in support of the cash-less economy initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). It floated the Qik-Qik and Easy-Biz Business Ownership Schemes to create employment opportunities for graduates on the cashless economy platform.

The two schemes operate as a suite of services manned by young and well trained Nigerians who offer services on a cash-less basis ranging from air time vending to cash transfers, airline ticket bookings and lottery.

Over the years, the NDE has assisted young Nigerians to become self-employed in diverse fields while equally supporting the new businesses thus created. Micro business concerns created by the NDE have enjoyed the privilege of exposure to world class

business platforms. The body's beneficiaries are regular participants/exhibitors at the three major international trade fairs in Nigeria namely: Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos International Trade Fairs.

It buys an entire pavilion and allows its beneficiaries to exhibit their goods and services therein at no cost to them. This way, the beneficiaries are able to rub shoulders with already established businesses. In the last two years, NDE has organised her own homegrown trade fairs designed specifically for her programme beneficiaries in order to stimulate commerce at the grassroots through what it calls ‘’NDE Zonal Domestic Trade Fairs’’.

The challenges notwithstanding, the Directorate has vigorously pursued its mandate of mass job creation through collaboration with stakeholders such as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Office of the Vice President, Office of the First Lady, the National Assembly, NGOs, faith and community based organizations.

Economy in the first quarter not satisfactory —Prof. Ekpo Akpan H. Ekpo is a Professor of Economics, specialising in macro/micro economics, public sector and quantitative methods. He is currently the Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management. He speaks in this interview with Sunday Vanguard, on the state of the economy in the first quarter, issues in budget 2013, economic growth rate, incidence of poverty and the need for the CBN to coordinate expenditure of sub-national governments to enhance robust monetary and fiscal policy framework for the economy.

S a professor of Economics, how will you assess the nation’s economy in the first quarter?

The economy in the first quarter is not satisfactory. We still have very high rate of unemployment, which is about 23.9 per cent, approximately 24 per cent. Statistics revealed that over 20million youths are currently unemployed and some people are even putting the figures at 30million. The recent report from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that even some PhD holders are unemployed.

Why do we have foreigners managing barbing saloons,

A

super markets and other micro businesses which Nigerians ought to do?

I called it the New Scramble for Nigeria . The capitalist will sell you even the rope with which you will hang him with.

The solution requires significant government intervention to regulate the system and create a level playing environment for indigenous firms to operate.

There are a lot of opportunities in Nigeria and Indians are coming here to invest. The question is, are they carrying Nigerians along? They get low interest rate loans from Europe and invest in Nigeria , and at the end, the make all the profits and take the money back, leaving our economy with nothing. In economics, we call it portfolio investments.

They should build factories and invest in manufacturing to create jobs, leave super markets and saloon businesses for Nigerians. Government must intervene to help Nigerians out of abject poverty.

Why do we have good economic policies and technocrats in different sectors yet the economy is not functioning optimally?

The problem is structural. For instance, we do not have good roads. We have crude oil but we import the refined petroleum products, which does not make economic sense.

just a little decrease, compared to the unemployment rate in the country. The lending rate is still on the high side, there is epileptic power supply and economic growth is low in the

,

BY UDEME CLEMENT

Prof. Akpan Ekpo Our public health system has collapsed. If you are sick and cannot go to India , you are finished. So, we must shift from the primary structure to manufacturing, and from small scale agriculture to modern agriculture with maximum outputs. If Jonathan can revamp the health sector, invest in human capital formation/development and provide electricity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to grow, then we can go to sleep. Also, we need a functional rail system to link the whole country and move good and services across the country and within the subregion.

Which area will you rate government high?

Well, in all fairness, relative poverty has declined by only two per cent, according to World Bank report, but that is

Over 20million youths are currently unemployed and some people are even putting the figures at 30million. The recent report from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that even some PhD holders are unemployed

,

first quarter of 2013. Aside from these, there is slow implementation of the current budget due to the disagreement between the executive and members of the parliament on the budget.

Inflation rate is easing with single digit, as the current inflation rate is less than 10 per cent. There should be reduction in banks lending rate to a single digit. This will allow players in the real sector

of the economy to borrow at cheaper rates.

Realistically speaking, it is difficult for manufacturers in Nigeria to borrow at the rates of between 20 and 23 per cent and be able to meet the cost of production, increase productivity and pay back the loan at the stipulated period.

Are the on-going reforms in the banking industry making positive impact in the economy in terms of output optimisation?

The CBN reforms averted what can be described as systemic failure. But another thing is that, mergers and acquisitions have further reduced the number of commercial banks, thereby making the industry less competitive. Clearly, we can simply say that what we have today is like Oligopolistic banking system, with just few banks controlling the entire industry, which is not the best for a developing economy like ours. The cashless policy is already making positive impact in Lagos state. My advice is that the CBN should not implement cashless monetary policy in all states of the federation, because about 70 per cent of the population reside in the rural areas. So, as the economy modernises, it will just take shape by itself.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

BRANDS DIFFERENTIATION

Price Differentiation This is the most basic form of differentiation, although there are a few variations on the theme: Super Discount Differentiation based on being the cheapest. It’s clear to see why it appeals to consumers, but it’s a cul-de-sac for the brand: evereroding profit margins and constant compromises on quality make it difficult to sustain.

Highest Price People sometimes use price as a proxy for determining ‘quality’, particularly in complex or technical categories. This technique interprets that insight to suggest that a high price is actually desirable in certain circumstances.

This is particularly true in the pharmaceutical and child-care categories, where brands often play on people’s fears of the perceived ‘compromise’ they associate with cheaper brands.

It is also a favourite technique amongst luxury brands, who use exaggerated pricing to transform their offerings into status symbols and badges of wealth and success.

Mid Point Adopting a price point that lies between the prices of existing competitors establishes a safe, ‘middle-of-the-road’ positioning that neither offends nor excites anyone. It appeals to people who want to compromise, and as a consequence, it rarely delivers meaningful differentiation. .Quantifiable Superiority The brand differentiates its offering via measurable attributes, e.g.: The speed of a computer processor The amount of legroom on an airline The number of years a malt whisky has been aged This approach works well for brands that can deliver superior functional performance over time.

However, the brand risks losing its differentiation if another brand can deliver similar or superior performance, or if another brand succeeds in changing the basis for comparison to a different product or brand attribute.

It’s worth noting that brands can celebrate any attribute they choose, regardless of whether that attribute contributes significantly to its offering’s core performance, provided it can justify the relevance of that attribute.

There are a few variations on the Quantifiable Superiority approach: Size Matters This approach focuses on a comparative maximum or minimum of size, irrespective of how this impacts actual value – i.e. quantity over quality:

*

rooms

The hotel with the most

* The cable plan with the most channels * The smallest phone on the market A parallel to this is the ‘blanket advertising’ approach, where the brand attempts to differentiate by shouting as loudly as it can, so that people simply can’t ignore it.

These approaches are neither pretty nor subtle – they are the marketing equivalent of a man measuring his appendage – but their use is still widespread.

However, such popularity does not denote effectiveness.

Safety in Numbers This approach harnesses the ‘herd instinct’, using rational claims to overcome more subjective concerns: “Millions of satisfied customers can’t be wrong” “The nation’s favourite” “We work with more Fortune 500 brands than any of our competitors” This works well in categories where measures of performance are more subjective; where people aren’t sure what really matters; or where competing brands emphasise a variety of unconnected attributes.

Interestingly, brands can also harness the opposite approach – ‘small for a reason’ – to equal effect, e.g.: “For those who know the difference” “Think different” “Go your own way” This is ultimately a volume limiting strategy, but the approach supports premium pricing that can offset lower unit sales. .

Distribution The places where you make your brand available will play a strong part in establishing and reinforcing your positioning.

However, distribution can also be

,

One of marketing’s key tasks is differentiation: helping a brand to stand out from the crowd of other options. There are many different ways to differentiate a brand, but there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer; it’s simply a case of understanding what works best for your brand and the kinds of people you want to attract.

Credit: This article is culled from a web resource: building better brand relationships « eskimon. Published October 8, 2009 It requires considerable commitment to introduce and maintain, and it’s fairly obvious if the brand doesn’t achieve it (“they ’re everywhere, except when I need them!”).

However, when implemented successfully, it creates ‘monopoly through ubiquity ’; although it might not be a person’s favourite brand, they will continue to choose it because it’s always there when others aren’t.

Exclusivity Conversely, restricting the supply and availability of your brand can help to make it more desirable, particularly in categories like luxury and ‘gadget’ technology.

It can work well for highquality brands if used in conjunction with other approaches – notably highest price - but basing an entire differentiation strategy on restricted availability will most likely just frustrate people and accelerate the brand’s demise. .Heritage This approach plays on the belief that longevity is a reliable indication of experience and trustworthiness; e.g.: “Established in 1823” “A family recipe handed down over the generations” “The original…”

We’ve already seen how outstanding promotion or unexpectedly high pricing work, but downplaying such elements can also work when carefully implemented

,

used as a differentiation strategy in its own right.

Brands like Avon, Tupperware, and even Dell managed to break free from the traditional confines of their categories by making their brands available through new and relevant channels.

There are two broad routes to differentiated distribution: Wherever, whenever Although it may not the key pillar of the brand’s differentiation, this approach is most famously adopted by Coke, with their ‘always within arm’s reach‘ philosophy. Quick-service restaurants and mobile communications networks often emphasise it too.

Although not as extreme, this approach suffers from issues similar to Safety in Numbers: it is very effective in situations where people don’t know much about the category, or where it’s difficult to compare competitor claims, but it loses its advantage as soon as a competitor establishes a more compelling basis for comparison.

Rational Advantage The brand demonstrates or claims superiority through a rational benefit of its offering, e.g.: * Saves you time

*

“Won’t let you down”

* Simple enough for anyone to use This approach shifts the focus from the functional attribute to the benefit that the attribute delivers, but it suffers from risks similar to those associated with the Quantifiable Superiority approach, and consequently may not be sustainable.

Augmented Product Effectively a derivative of the Rational Advantage approach, this approach highlights advantages offered by features other than the core product, e.g.: The purchase experience After-sales support Distribution or delivery When used correctly, these features become more important than the product offering itself, and help to establish deep and lasting relationships with the brand’s customers. .

Outstanding Promotion Although common and seemingly attractive, this approach is highly risky, because it encourages people to focus on superficial aspects of the brand that have little to do with the product’s core benefit.

While this may be acceptable in spontaneous, low-risk purchase categories such as snacks, it is rarely sustainable elsewhere.

However, attractive packaging, beautiful merchandising, and slick advertising all help to solicit attention that enables the brand to introduce more complex or substantial dimensions of differentiation.

The Secret Formula, or Magic Ingredient This approach bridges functional and emotional claims by harnessing what could be termed ‘irrational functional’ claims: “A formula known only to 3 people in the world” “With patented compound Q16e” “A secret blend of 11 unique herbs and spices” Brands that have used this approach to varying degrees of success include KFC, Kellogg’s Frosties, as well as numerous cosmetics brands.

When it harnesses a relevant truth, or is executed with appropriate humour, this approach can be highly engaging.

However, beware of relying on shallow claims, particularly in relation to pseudo-science; while you may fool people for a short

while, if people discover or perceive that your brand is all ‘hot air ’, you won’t have any equity left. .Implied Superiority Exaggerating or downplaying other elements of the marketing mix can infer superiority on the product itself.

We’ve already seen how outstanding promotion or unexpectedly high pricing work, but downplaying such elements can also work when carefully implemented: Purposely bland packaging in a category where extravagance is the norm “A well-kept secret – the specialist connoisseur ’s brand” “We don’t need to advertise; this product sells itself ” This approach can afford high margins, but is not without risk.

In particular, it suffers from the ‘emperor ’s new clothes’ dilemma: it works brilliantly provided there’s real substance behind the exaggeration.

Subjective Superiority The brand asserts its superiority based on subjective measures that are difficult to measure: “Best-tasting brand” “Probably the best lager in the world” “If your pet could choose, they would buy this brand” This approach is often carefully controlled by law to prevent misleading advertising.

However, provided the brand stays within relevant guidelines, and as long as the execution fits clearly with the brand’s overall personality, it can successfully engage audiences.

It seems particularly effective when used with irreverent humour. .Emotional Appeals The brand highlights how it makes you feel, rather than what it does: “Open happiness” “A glass and a half full of joy” This is an exceptionally powerful route to differentiation, because it allows the brand to break free from the limitations associated with functional product features, and instead focus on areas that foster more enduring bonds.

The brand can emphasise any emotion it likes, but those emotions that people commonly associate with the product’s functional benefits are often the simplest to establish.

It’s worth noting that brands can still gain an advantage over competitors by harnessing emotions that are generic to the category, provided they are the first or most credible claimants.

Flattery and Justification This approach is more of an advertising technique than a unique differentiating approach, but deserves mention due to its ability to engage specific groups: “Because you’re worth it” “You deserve it” “Go on, indulge yourself ” There are many variations on this theme, but they all pander to some sense of inner insecurity.

Although not particularly subtle, this approach can establish a deep bond, and is therefore worthy of consideration.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013— PAGE 37

Aliko Mohammed Dangote....If you ask me whether the future is brighter than today, I would say yes; but the people must be ready to pay for services and pay their taxes

ALIKO DANGOTE UNSCRIPTED

The gravest danger confronting Nigeria Speaks on plan to build $8bn refinery ’There are more mineral resources to make Nigeria more prosperous’

BY JIDE AJANI

H

e could pass for just any other guest. But he is

unmistakably familiar.

Charming but humble! Stupendously wealthy, yet radiates simplicity. Strolling in, unassuming, was Africa’s richest man. It was his birthday. Dressed in a black suite with a black shinny cock shoe to match, Aliko Mohammed Dangote kept his appointment for 9am.

Unlike the rambunctious entry of Nigeria’s men of means and power, Dangote walked in with just a few of his executives. After the informal handshake and introduction, he grabbed the microphone to make some opening remarks which turned out not to be mere remarks. He made earth-shaking revelations about his person, the conglomerate he runs (Dangote Group), the Nigerian economy and how things can get better in a very competitive environ-

ment of clashing political and socioeconomic interests.

At first, the tempo was cool – the usual compliments of not having time to rub minds, examine developments in the country with a view to proffering solutions – and the usual pleasantries, until Dangote explained that the real danger confronting the Nigerian state is the infrastructure deficit in a country where the population growth has choked existing facilities. He made it clear that the problems confronting Nigeria today did not just start - they are a cummulation of many years of misgovernance and lack of vision.

Shall we blame President Goodluck Jonathan? No! On the Economic Management Team of President Jonathan, Dangote explained that the team is working hard to ensure that good policy frameworks are put in place with a view to building a more prosperous nation. The EMT is as bothered as President Jonathan to bequeath a better economy to Nigerians.

But, at the point when Dangote said the danger posed by infrastructure deficit is far graver than the Boko Haram threat, all heads turned in his direction.

Mind you, his audience was a group of select senior journalists in Nigeria.

“Why should we in Nigeria, blessed with many mineral resources, be where we are”, he asked?

“The mineral resources we have can replace and be better than the crude oil.

“Some ask where the minerals are but they are there.

“Even in the Economic Management Team, EMT, we ask and look for ways to make it possible to clear goods from the ports within 48 hours.

“But I say it would not be possible and the cost adds to everything. “To clear a container in Lagos it would take about $1000 but in Brazil where they are not even efficient, it costs less than $100 to clear the same container.

“The issue which people seem to forget is that the last port we built in Nigeria, the Tin Can Island Port, was built in 1978 – look at the population of Nigeria at that time, the size of the economy, crude oil was being sold for about $9 and compare with the expansion of the economy and the population and people think we should still manage with the same facility?

“God forbid, some people were expressing fears about Third Mainland Bridge; God forbid I say, should something happen to that bridge, how would people move around in Lagos?

Look at how difficult it is for people to move around now and it is being said that by 2020 Nigeria’s population would be about 200 million".

Our Investments, Our Vision “Before we were making money from our other businesses like sugar, salt, flour and putting the money in cement but by 2010 we were able to pay all the banks.

“I don’t have any issue with government raising money, that is, loan, so long as it is spent well. Beyond the issue of Boko Haram and insecurity, the greatest threat that confronts us is the threat of decaying and decayed infrastructure. And this is not just in Nigeria but in all of Africa, the greatest threat is infrastructure".

Decayed Infrastructure, The Greatest Threat “Somebody was asked how he would operate in government and the person said he would face only two things – infrastructure and education. And he was asked what about the rest. He said with infrastructure, other things

Continues on page 38

PAGE 38—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

would follow. “This is what I think confronts us as the greatest danger even beyond Boko Haram”.

His audience laughs but he charges back with bluntness: “No! It is true.

“The biggest problem of anybody is when you taste money; you were once

rich and then you become poor. It is very bad. Nothing can be worse than that.

"It is when that money goes that you’ll see the true colour of everybody – your wife, your children (a round of raucous laughter)

Alternative To Crude Oil “If today oil prices collapse, do we have alternatives?

“I tell people that we do. Some of us may be manufacturing in our own little way, but in a very big country like Nigeria with its population, that is simply not enough.

“We are heavily into cement – meanwhile limestone is the cheapest of all the mineral resources we have. There are other minerals that are even more lucrative and more profitable that government is looking to exploring.

“The problem is that even when you begin to explore, how do you move the goods around.

“We’ve also been talking about new ports but there are challenges”.

Scavengers On The Loose “Look, let me tell you what we have in Nigeria: We have scavengers who hold licenses but wait and do nothing.

People just grab opportunities and wait to see what happens rather than operate with the licenses “Government has issued 19 licenses for refineries and everybody is holding the licenses and claim that they are waiting for foreign investors. Mind you, the foreign investors are not fools”.

The Role of Foreign Investors “Foreign investors did not build South Korea – South Koreans developed their country; the Germans built their economy, an economy that was once in ruins. The Germans suffered a lot but now they are the best.

“What foreign investments are we getting?

“Meanwhile, Sanusi Lamido has done his best by holding inflation down, holding exchange and interest rates down; because in an economy that does not export much, the best you can do is to have a strong currency so that life would be a bit easy. Though interest rates may be high but that should not stop a business from operating.

“When we were building Obajana Cement factory, we were paying as high as 42% interest rate at some point in 2004/2005 – some banks charged that much and we didn’t pay dividends for some eight or nine years; but after sorting out our loans we paid the accumulated dividends. “The foreign investor I would prefer is the one that goes to Ekiti for instance and sets up a factory because even if the investor wants to leave Nigeria, he would sell off his investment but the ones investing in our bonds can just wake up one day, re-discount it and just leave because our rates are fine”.

Concessioning “If you concession, it is not a bad idea because government can not do everything. In Dubai and some other more developed economies, that is what is happening. I was reading some paper in Dubai during the week and the leader of the country was thanking the trans-

port authority for saving the government $60 billion over a period of five years – meanwhile, the savings was calculated in form of man hours.

“If you look at those who work with us for example, the drivers, they bear so much. Imagine someone who leaves his house by 4 or 4:30 am and does not return home until 10 or 11pm! How would he have time for himself and the children – and these things come round to create an environment that is not overall conducive for upbringing of a child. “There is hope if we do the right things. “It does not matter who provides the service; the people would be willing to pay”.

The Future Is Brighter “If you ask me whether the future is

brighter than today, I would say yes; but the people must be ready to pay for services and pay their taxes. A simple example! At Obajana where we are producing at a current capacity of 10 million tonnes per year, which is $1.7 billion, we can continue to produce cement for the next 100years with the same capacity but you do not rest – mind you, limestone is the cheapest mineral resource in Nigeria, so if people look inward they would see the opportunities for greatness”.

An Example From Lula of Brazil “Look at the example of Lula Da Silva of Brazil, the country used to be heavily indebted. “By the time he left he cleared the debt. But the policies he put in place for education and housing engendered serious development. He said people in government were bringing proposals which were lies to him but he was resolute and he stood his ground. “By the time he left office, he had built 18 standard universities. Before he left office, Brazil had $467 billion in reserves. “These things can only be possible when people pay their taxes.

“Nobody is perfect. “We need to come

,

Continued from page 37

DANGOTE... If you build the refinery alone, you might not make so much money uncles and even neighbours; but this generation is more self-centred and cares only about themselves, the ‘me’.

If people really care about their children they would work to make the future better. “Without good infrastructure, the future is bleak”.

Between Vision And Planning “You must have a vision and not just a vision but you must have a plan that would make you fulfill that vision. For us at Dangote, for instance, just conception and planning alone sometimes takes two years. You must also put in place processes of how to execute the plans. Our vision in the next fives years is to be a company that has about $75billion in market capitalization, be number one in Africa and one of the first 100 in the world”.

The Scourge of Subsidy On the issue of subsidy and the education that Nigerians really need, Dangote became very passionate. He

If today oil prices collapse, do we have alternatives? I tell people that we do. Some of us may be manufacturing in our own little way, but in a very big country like Nigeria with its population, that is simply not enough

,

out and pay our taxes. “Today I’m conscious about the concerns of other shareholders.

“If where there were no shareholders, the people in the office may allow me some leverage because I am the boss and owner but when there are shareholders, those who would have to process the papers that would grant me undue privilege but who are now shareholders would raise questions because that act would not be in line with best practices so the company is quarantined from such indulgences and fraud. Once the people know that you’re cheating, they too will begin to cheat. Listed companies are more open to transparency”.

The Negative Paradigm Shift “There is a world of difference between our parents and this generation.

“Our parents were more caring within the capacity they could muster because they cared for the children, the wife, their own parents, their farms and

said as Nigerians, there is need for an understanding of the issues and a proper place for government policies and the commitment of Nigerians too.

At lunch with one African president, “he told me how his country dealt with the issue of subsidy and how people resisted. When they had subsidy on diesel, some people changed their cars to cars that ran on diesel; that when they removed subsidy on diesel, the bills went down but kerosene which still enjoyed subsidy had its bills going up.

He said it was not easy but he prayed over it and went ahead to do it in a systematic way such that funds which would have gone into subsidy were dedicated for some specific projects.

Now that president even charges 10% on PMS and diesel".

When President Jonathan tried removing the subsidy on petrol, Nigerians went wild in anger.

Dangote continues: “Would you believe that in 2011 and 2012, Nigeria paid

$30 billion in subsidy, money which would have been used to build at least 20 refineries – that was the finding of a report! How can we say that people are stealing crude and we are running about, going to night clubs and we are happy as a people?

"The total tax collected in Nigeria is just about $10 billion. How much is that in a country as big as Nigeria”.

In response to a question on the building of refineries even in a regulated environment like Nigeria, he said “may be we at Dangote now would be referred to as being insane because we are going ahead to build a refinery very soon in Nigeria.”

To this, a question was immediately thrown at him: “What are you going to do with it”?

“We would sell”, Dangote immediately responded.

“If you build the refinery alone you might not make so much money but you’ll need to build a petro-chemical plant because of the by-products. “The investment is going to be about $8billion. “Meanwhile the fuel they import for us is the worst and we pay them for the best. “When we have our refinery, we would sell to them here and we can even cut the cost – no shipping, no demurrage. “We cannot continue to behave the way we are behaving now.

“Look, by 2020, Nigeria’s population is expected to hit 200million. So, how would you handle cargo or shipping of products for 200million people with the existing facilities that we have today?

How would you distribute? The pipelines are not functioning; the roads are not good. The ports are not there. We should make up our minds on what we want to do. Something drastic needs to be done.

“What I think we should do is that we should attain self-sufficiency instead of this 20:2020 thing.

“Government should encourage Nigerians as it is doing to invest in Nigeria but some times we are the architect of our problems. Part of the problems we had about Benue Cement was that the people said Obasanjo hated them that was why he sold the other cement companies to foreigners and sold BCC to a Nigerian. When you go to deal with some officials the first thing they ask for is technical partner and we tell them we do not have because we have the technical know how – this is what we do. “We’ve already commissioned a company to help us build a factory for the production of Urea and Ammonia and it would not only provide employment but in the area of fertilizer production it would serve some purpose.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 39

The university degree not superior to HND —Onukaogu

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

A

S a teacher and head of a polytechnic, aren’t you disturbed by the disparity between HND and B. Sc/B.A? There is no disparity. What we have are idle minds, minds that are not well equipped, minds that think that the brandishing of certificate is what determines; there is no disparity. The Nigerian Law and Educational Policy is very clear about it. Those who think about disparity are those who think that the eyes must perform the same function as the noses or the fore limbs must perform the same function as the hind limbs. It can never be so. But think of the entire system as a human body, then you know that none is superior and none is inferior. So, the idea of thinking about the superiority or inferiority of a B.Sc and HND is something that derived from a negative mind and a mind that is not well informed. Let me tell you, School Cert is not even inferior to B.Sc. The artisan is not inferior to the engineer. The professor is not superior to the headmaster. Everybody has his role in the system. Where

C M Y K

* Onukaogu ... No disparity anyone fails, the entire system collapses. So, there is no real controversy. It is just ignorance that is playing itself out in Nigeria.

If that is the case, why do some employers of labour put bar against the holders of HND? When I was growing up, we had Standard Bank of West Africa, Barclays Bank, First Bank is not what it is today. If you were to work in those banks, you didn’t even need Grade One, you didn’t need School Cert. All you needed was to fail your School Cert or to have what we called “Government Class Four ”. The reason was that these ones are not going to leave tomorrow for the university. And they worked in those banks. And the banks did not fail. What am I saying? You don’t need B.Sc to be a counter-clerk in any bank. What is happening is that banks are exploiting the economic situation. When you hear of slave labour, when you hear of the exploitation of the youth; that is what is h a p p e n i n g .

There is a bank; I won’t mention its name, that hires staff with HND and others for N30.000 per month to do the job that they do and, at the end of the year, declare billions.

What is happening is that the economy is low and the employer has his way. You don’t even need Adams Smith

economics to know that there is a relationship between supply and demand. The supply now is far more than the demand in terms of labour arising from the economy.

That’s why you hear Dangote talking about PhD holders applying to be drivers in his establishments. So, what is happening is that the banking institutions in particular and several others are just exploiting the downturn in the economy. The day the economy picks up; you will look for people without

do they have, particularly those doing white collar jobs? Some of them are not more than technicians or technologists.

They are very well paid, not on the basis of their certificates but on the basis of their productivity. I have built so many projects in Abia State Polytechnic and I have had situations where we have gone to Togo, to Benin Republic to look for bricklayers who know how to plaster. We would have been willing to pay them more than we would have been willing to pay those

,

He showed passion as he spoke. He also radiated adequate knowledge of the topic being evaluated. And so, at every stage of the interview, Elder Alwell Abalogu Onukaogu, Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, cited instances and made several allusions to support his views. Even though he is a product of the university system, he doesn’t believe that there exists any dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelors of Science/ Arts (B.Sc/B.A) degrees awarded by the polytechnics and the universities respectively. Rather he said the holders of both certificates play complementary roles.

Excerpts:

The university person designs and leaves it as designed. But until it comes into functionality which is the duty of the polytechnic graduate, it is useless.

So, no one can do without the other.

Someone has to do the designing.

Someone has to do the actualization

certificates to play their role in the economy. Now, when I say that there is no dichotomy, what I mean is that the educational system is so clad that the polytechnic product has a specific role to play which the university graduate cannot. The university graduate has a specific role to play which the polytechnic graduate cannot. Those in the oil companies, what degrees

,

degree holders. So, it is not a question of whether you are a university product or a polytechnic product.

Everybody has a role to play.

The most important thing is, can you play your role e f f e c t i v e l y ?

Would you have held this opinion assuming you were not within the

polytechnic system?

I have university first and second degrees and I know what I was trained to be and I know it took me about five years of hard work to acclimatize and domesticatemyself to the polytechnic environment. And I know what we teach and I know the circumstances under which we study. So I am in a good position to know. The university graduate is a theorist. He is a designer. He draws the plans, he does the concept, but he cannot bring them into being, but the polytechnic person practicalizes. He realizes.

He nurtures. That is the difference. The university person designs and leaves it as designed. But until it comes into functionality which is the duty of the polytechnic graduate, it is useless. So, no one can do without the other. Someone has to do the designing.

Someone has to do the actualization.

Some people believe that the society stigmatizes the polytechnic graduate…

I said it is a mindset. That is the problem and this is happening because of the pace of the economy. Before I went to Government College in 1976, my brother, who is ,today, a Professor of English in the University of

Continues on page 40

PAGE 40.SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

the roof of the house. We spend so much money designing the roof, consolidating it and we put the roof on a feeble foundations. That’s why it is collapsing. The foundation is the primary and secondary schools. Look at our primary and secondary schools and see what they are. You have about 150 polytechnics and universities of science and technology; we don’t have up to 60 technical colleges. Of the secondary schools we have, 20 percent of them may not have functional physics,chemistry and biology laboratories. But we have very sophisticated tertiary institutions in science and technology. We have roofs, the lighting system is euphoric, long span, everything, but the foundation is on Indian bamboo. It cannot last.

Continued from page 39

If that is the case, why are people with university degrees placed on salary scales higher than their HND c o u n t e r p a r t s ?

It is still a mindset.Those who went with degrees to the banks went to apply their theories in failure. I told you that those in Barclays Bank could not have failed.

Now, because of salary scales of bankers, those who had degrees caused the banks to collapse. The collapse of banks was facilitated by them.

Now, you don’t need a B.Sc to punch a computer to balance an account in a bank. Anybody who has a reasonable level of computer literacy can work in a bank because programs have been set and put in them. You know it and you operate them. You have first class in economics and you go and sit in a computer in a bank and you say they are paying you. I have said that the banks are

*Onukaogu ... No tales of superiority or inferiority

‘The university degree not superior to HND’ exploiting a situation where the economy is slow, where there are so many unemployed people looking for very few jobs. Let me tell you, in the next six months, if the situation does not change, you need to have a PhD to be a bank clerk.

How would you rate admission into universities and the p o l y t e c h n i c s ?

We do the same entrance examination. The entry qualifications are the same: five credits for polytechnics, five credits for universities.

Have you not noticed the preference for university?

The simple reason is that we are in a culture where people are fooled into thinking that brandishing the degree is an indication of knowledge. One of the problems we have in the education system in Nigeria today is that education is no longer for the educatable. The educatable, many of them can’t even go to school. Those who go to school are those who can afford the fees. Tell me, which honest civil servant or public servant can train a child in Covenant University?

Which honest public servant or civil servant can train a child in Madonna University, not to talk of the one in Adamawa they call American University? When we went to school, you didn’t need to be a rich father. All you needed was to show the potentials and government will make sure you they train you. Today, only those who can pay can go to university, when I say “can pay”, not only paying

,

Ife, was a clerk in the Ministry of Works in Abakalika. He had a boss who had City and Guild and he was in charge of road maintenance from Abakalika to Ogoja. The Head of Ministry of Works in Abakalika was a B.Sc holder in civil engineering but the man who did his work was a City and Guildl’s man and it was so in various other divisions. If you go to Shell, some of these expatriates don’t even have degrees. They are people with diplomas in underwater wielding. But once you leave the university or the polytechnic at convocation, nobody will ask you which school you attended. What is important is, what is your contribution? As a bricklayer, can you plaster well? If you are a carpenter, can you do the job well? That is what is important. It is only in those days when you are doing your convocation that people will say,’This one went to university, and this one went to polytechnic’. In the end, it is your output that determines your value in the society. The medical doctor, for instance, the greatest surgeon, as competent as he is, cannot do without anesthesia, and s o m e t i m e he cannot do the work of the radiologist who will look at the inner organs and tell him his findings. He cannot even do without the technician who will mount the light. If in the process any of these electrical appliances fails, all will come to naught. What I am saying is that every sub unit is supposed to contribute to the success of the total system.

Nobody is superior to the other.

We do the same entrance examination. The entry qualifications are the same: five credits for polytechnics, five credits for universities

,

the fees but also the lecturers, so that even when they don’t go to class, they get their certificates and come out.

In the polytechnic system, you hardly can see a professor?

Can you recall how both systems came into being?

The law that established the polytechnicsystem says it is our duty to produce middlelevel manpower. The law that established the university says that their duty is toproduce high-level manpower. Let us assume that the university produces the head and secondary school produce the limbs, we produce the linear region, tell me a human being that does not have head and has leg whether he is alive.

Sometimes, like the men say they are the head of the family. Tell me a family that succeeds without the neck. So, the principle of complementary is there. In the US and other advanced countries, the university lecturer/ professor has his recognition, so does the mechanic, so does the brick layer. But here, if you are not a scientist, you are doomed.

Tell me a country that legislates against arts in

preference of science. A good government will give level playing ground so that you realize what you can according to the competence.

You have been a teacher in both systems. How would you compare both?

I will never talk about tales of superiority or inferiority, better or worse, but I will say that when I taught in the university, I taught as somebody contributing his quota. I don’t think that the quota I contributed to the university system is superior to what I am contributing in the polytechnic; in fact, it is more difficult in the polytechnic that teaching in the university. In the polytechnic, you are in an environment that people find difficult to appreciate. For you to perform to the level of appreciation of the biased general public, you have to work harder than in the university. But I thank God that I am serving in the polytechnic sector because any country that does not pay adequate attention to its technicians is doomed. The problem we have in this country is that we are much more concerned with

There are calls to confer university status on some polytechnnic. What do you think?

It is not necessary. Let the universities do their job, let the polytechnic do their job.

The bricklayer can never be forced to be a carpenter and vice versa. Polytechnics have a mandate. Let us do our job and let the universities do their job. Can everybody be a graduate? Is it necessary? Is it necessary that every body must have PhD? The National Universities Commission (NUC) says for you to be in the university, you must have a PhD. Nonsense. Big nonsense and that is why today, many people who have not gone to university have acquired PhD. It wasn’t so before. Those who are making these decrees did not acquire PhD. The NUC Executive Secretary, ask him, did he have PhD before he taught in the university?

He didn’t. If you had second class upper or a good first degree, you became a g r a d u a t e assistant or a research fellow and then you started teaching and understudying the senior people and you began to read.

In the next five to six years, you own your PhD. So, the university did not allow its best brains to leave the shores. They did not work in oil companies. They did not go to banks. That’s how it was done. That’s why somebody like Achebe became a professor without PhD. But today, you go and get all sorts of people to acquire Ph.D through dubious and bogus means. That does not make them good university teachers. Some sound first degrees, second class upper and school cert holders can do far better than people with amorphous PhDs. I am not saying that it is a crime to have Ph.D but I am saying that you don’t need to start with PhD.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 41

Anambra: Why we can’t hold LG elections now – SSG Commission (ANSIEC) will proceed to conduct the election.

So there is no problem there. The fact is that you cannot put the cart before the horse in this case.

On clamour by Anambra North to produce the next governor.

It is not a clamour rather it is a clarion call to discuss what has been the entrenched equilibrium and lack of equity in the way the state has run since 1991. Since 1991, the leadership of Anambra State, the governorship has been dominated by the South and Central senatorial zones and the Northern senatorial zone has so far not held any governorship position and it is believed that this the time we allow somebody from the North to emerge and take that position. It is not zoned by any means but it is at least a shared view by well-meaning Anambrarians, some of them from the South, some of them from the Central, a view shared by the leadership of Anambra in the person of Governor Peter Obi and a view shared by the people of the North which is comprised of the people of Omambala, Oyi, Onitsha and Ogbaru and the discussion is still ongoing and I think it is a vibrant discussion.

What we said is that charity begins at home because it will be an anomaly for Igbo who continue to canvass for an Igbo Presidency, seeking equity and equilibrium to turn around at home and marginalise their kit and kin or refuse to grant the

,

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE Anambra State is one of the 17 states that do not have democracy at the local council level. The Nigerian Governors’ Forum, recently, advised such states to shape up and conduct council polls. In this interview, Secretary to the Anambra State Government, SSG, Oseloka Obaze, who is from Anambra North and considered to be eyeing the governorship seat, says the state cannot hold council polls now because of an avalanche of pending litigation.

He also speaks on the need for Anambra North to produce the next governor among others.

On the Governors Forum charge to Anambra and 16 other states to conduct council polls.

We have spoken about this severally. We are constrained in holding the election because there are several cases before the law court and being a lawabiding government that believes in due process and the rule of law, we will not be in contempt of court to proceed to hold an election when those cases are not resolved. I have said it often time that if those who are in court withdraw the cases from the state and the Attorney General of the state confirms that those cases have been successfully withdrawn then there is nothing that will disturb the conduct of the election, the governor will proceed to call for an election and Anambra State Independent Electoral

Our people who are on the street hawking materials are not employable unless you are going to employ them as truck pushers

,

same benefit of being able to run for the governorship. So that is the reality. But mind you, nobody has said that only the people from Anambra North senatorial district should run to the exclusion of the people of the South and Central. I have not heard that. All they are saying is that we must reach a meeting of the minds which say yes for a change. We want somebody from Anambra North to emerge. At the end of the day it is the electorate of Anambra that will vote. It is not something you can impose on anybody.

On speculations that he or his brother has Governor Peter Obi’s backing to become the next governor of the state.

In politics, people can speculate what they want. I am from the North and my brother is from the North. But I cannot

Mr. Oseloka Obaze compete against my brother neither would he compete against me. But I think that even His Excellency, Governor Obi has said that he does not know who will succeed him and that it is only God that knows who the next successor is and I think at this point, it will be presumptuous for anybody to think that they know who is going to succeed Peter Obi, that is something that is left to the Anambra electorate and free and fair elections. We saw what happened in Edo and Ondo states. If we have free and fair election, the right person will emerge and Anambra electorate will vote with their conscience that is the way I see it. Based on speculation, it is a democracy and people are free to speculate what they want. I know that neither I nor my brother has

declared that we are running for any office.

On job creation efforts of the state government.

Unemployment is a global problem, it is not peculiar to Nigeria, it is also not peculiar to Anambra State but it is a challenge we face. What we are trying to do as you have observed, is that we have not employed in the state government for a while; we are going to open that up in months ahead. Hopefully, we are starting with 3000 people perhaps in the educational sector. Generally, unemployment is addressed when you create wealth, build industries which allows people to be employed, and people who are employed earn income and invest it, they generate more wealth and then cut down the level of unemployment. It’s simple. We need to hasten whatever we are doing to allow more foreign and domestic investors to come into Anambra State, establish their businesses and employ more people. But we also have to understand that we face a unique challenge. We have a large labour force of largely unskilled labour. Our people who are on the street hawking materials are not employable unless you are going to employ them as truck pushers. You cannot employ them as vigilante because they lack basic requirement to that. For the youth, those have already missed boat will have to find a way to accommodate. The most important thing is to keep the younger ones in school where they are educated sufficiently to continue to the higher institutions or even if they don’t go the higher institutions, they can go to the vocational schools where they come out as skilled labour. We have experienced a diminution of artisans, people who perform the highly needed menial jobs, lay ties, carpentry.

Centenary and the Nigerian woman

T

HE neo-colonial influences, political upheavals, economic military brouhaha, maladministration, and the civil war have all been found in Nigeria’s encyclopaedia in the past one hundred years.

When these negative scenarios go head-to-head with the positive sides of this country, it is obvious that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The climax is the sustained democratic rule.

The political development of Nigerian women has not been tremendous. Colonial policies denied them franchise. Facts show that it was only during the 1950s that three women were appointed into the House of Chiefs.

Following the mass exodus of able-bodied men to wage labour, the burden of feeding the nation fell squarely on women.

Around 1965, just 6.9 per cent of the salaried workforce were women; by 1970, 8.7 per cent of the staff in the Federal Civil Service were women. In 1980, women’s ratio went up to 12.6 per cent. Not quite long ago, women were not allowed to obtain bail for suspects. The statutory provisions still do not

favour women in many respects, including divorce and inheritance.

The Second Republic saw better prospects for Nigerian women. A few Nigerian women won elections into the House of Representatives. Also there were only two women appointed federal ministers.

In the contemporary, the achievements of Nigerian women have risen meteorically.

Nigeria’s image globally was also set aglow in November 2001 when Agbani Darego became the first native Sub-Saharan African to claim the Miss World title. The same success story follows Chimamanda Adichie in the literary world.

Until the Obasanjo administration from 1999 to 2007, Nigeria’s economy was headed for cul-de-sac. He brought in the likes of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a World Bank economic guru and a host of others.

The National Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC, before the appointment of Dora Akunyili as the director general by the same Obasanjo administration, was a shadow of itself.

Against this backdrop, the theme of Nigeria’s centenary

celebrations, which is ‘100 Years of the Nigerian Woman’, seems a well-thought-out concept to honour who honour is due. The centenary planners, headed by Senator Anyim Pius Anyim,

,

BY CHIJOKE JAMES

Following the mass exodus of able-bodied men to wage labour, the burden of feeding the nation fell squarely on women

,

should be applauded for the incorporation the Nigerian woman as a major activity in the celebrations.

It also vindicates President Jonathan’s belief in the Nigerian woman as the whirligig upon which this country has achieved a lot.

It is expected that the two-day conference, holding at Eko

Hotel and Suite, Lagos, between 18 and 19 April, 2013, will be used to celebrate the milestones and achievements of Nigerian women. It will also serve as the avenue to produce the framework of the Nigerian Country Report on Women.

The objectives of the celebrations include: to reinforce the role of women in nation-building, reiterate preexisting calls for action in gender equality and women’s rights, display through exhibition documentaries and presentations the contributions of women in arts, sciences, corporate Nigeria, small business, leadership and development.

Others are to: salute outstanding women, provide a window in the Nigerian centenary calendar for actualising activities dedicated to women and women activities, and advocate for legislation to support girl-child education.

Nigeria’s First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan will declare the event open while the chairperson is Justice Mariam Aloma Murktar, chief justice of Nigeria. The speakers include Prof. Funke Adebayo, professor of history and strategic studies, University of Lagos; Chief Mrs

Toyin Olakunri, former president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; Mrs Priscilla Kuye, former president, Nigerian Bar Association; Prof.

Aigbemi Spiff of the Office of the First Lady, and Mrs Josephine Anenih, former minister of women affairs. The second session will be chaired by Ms Ama Pepple, minister of lands, housing and urban development, while the lead speaker is Prof.

Olabisi Aina, dean, faculty of social sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The panellists include Hajiya Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, Economic Community of West African State,ECOWAS, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; Dr (Mrs) Doyin Abiola, Former MD, Concord Newspapers and Mrs Aisha MohammedOyebode, CEO, Murtala Mohammed Foundation.

With this array of the epitome of the Nigerian woman, it is hoped that the Jonathan administration will not only sustain the 35 per cent affirmative action for women, but leapfrog it to 50 per cent.

*Chijoke is a commentator on national issues (koosdonkelly@yahoo.com) C M Y K

PAGE 42—SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

BY NNAMDI KEN AMOBI

T

all over the world. For the Ogidi nation, it is particularly agonizing.

Our loss is immeasurable. As we weep, the cry has been: can we ever replace this man? The “Eagle on the Iroko” has fluttered its fatigued wide wings and flown away; and disappeared. The man that put Ogidi on the world map of literature and culture has joined his ancestors.

Ogidi is an Igbo nation with a rich well-documented history dating back approximately one half of a millennium. The town is well known in and around Anambra State. It is town of approximately 200,000 proud and productive people; currently mostly Christians but with rich and valuable vestiges of traditional religion. It is the headquarters of the Idemili North Local Government area; with neighboring towns of Nkpor, Oze, Obosi, Umuoji, Ogbunike, Umunachi, Umudioka and Abatete.

Mention Ogidi, and what comes to mind to most people in the state is the famous yearly Nwafor Festival.

But google Ogidi and the name Chinua Achebe pops up with it.

It is Chinua Achebe that is now most associated with Ogidi, and for that Ogidi Inwele indigenes owe incalculable gratitude to their illustrious son, now departed.

Chinua Achebe has gone to commune with Ezechuamagha the progenitor of the Ogidi nation. Oral history tells us that Ezechuamagha is the father of Inwele; and Inwele is the father of Ogidi. This historical

C M Y K

Chinua Achebe: Ogidi man first, Ogidi man last teaching was embraced and given resonance by Chinua Achebe, the historian and Chinua Achebe the anthropologist.

In Ogidi culture, and indeed Igbo culture, the belief is that famous people are demigods; demigods are deified mortal and do not die, they merely return to their ancestors.

In 1985 when Igwe Amobi III of Ogidi joined his ancestors, one tribute that stood out prominently was that written by Chinua Achebe. Chinua Achebe, in the characteristic style of the master wordsmith himself, penned a glowing tribute to Igwe Amobi III at Igwe’s funeral in 1985. The “Eagle on the Iroko” prayed and dedicated the soul of the departed Ogidi ruler to Ezechumagha.

Now another colossus has departed, it is our turn to do the same for Professor Chinua Achebe. We send our fervent supplications to our great progenitor to receive Chief Chinua Achebe listen to him, guide and protect him.

Achebe will dutifully and willingly carry our message to Ezechuamagha to intervene in the currently troubled affairs of Ogidi. Presently in Ogidi, the “arrow of God” may have been miss-directed; the ebullient and proud Ogidi man is “no longer at ease”; the center is not holding securely, even though

,

HE departure of High Chief Chinua Achebe (Ugo belu n’oji – The Eagle on the Iroko) is painful to many Nigerians and peoples

Professor Achebe was indeed a proud Ogidi man. His Christianity did not becloud his acceptance of Ogidi culture

,

Late Chinua Achebe “things have not fallen apart” completely. Ogidi has not had an Igwe since the departure of Igwe Amobi IV in 1998. All manners of intrigue and acrimony have bedeviled the emergence of the next Igwe.

Persons both qualified and unqualified have laid claim to the ancient throne that have been in existence since 1904. We need Ezechuamagha to intervene.

Professor Chinua Achebe was born in Ogidi in 1930. His early life experiences were shaped and sharpened from exposure and interactions with the rich and admired Ogidi culture. His magnum opus, “Things Fall Apart” is undoubtedly influenced by Ogidi culture. If you like the African culture as narrated in “Things

Fall Apart;” you will also like Ogidi culture.

Professor Achebe was indeed a proud Ogidi man.

His Christianity did not becloud his acceptance of Ogidi culture.

He was a onetime National President General of Ogidi Union and served the community creditably with a high sense of pride. He fully accepted the Ogidi culture: became initiated into all traditional adolescent groups; became a member of the Ogidi Age-grade of Government; took the Ogidi ozo title, got inducted into the Ogidi Ndi-Ichie society and wears the symbolic red cap with pride.

To cap it all, he was appointed a member of Ichie Ume, an Ogidi High Chief; one honor he accepted with grace and gratitude.

The courage, candor and character you see in Chief

Achebe, is symptomatic of the resolve of the many Ogidi people. It is the same dogged resolve exhibited by the fictional Okonkwo in “Things Fall Apart.” Christianity came to Onitsha in 1857; even though Ogidi is less than ten kilometers from Onitsha, it took more than twenty years for Christian Evangelists to fully penetrate and reach converts in Ogidi.

The reason? Ogidi man was opinionated, dogged, and proud of his heritage and beliefs.

Doesn’t that remind you of Okonkwo in “Things Fall Apart?” Doesn’t that remind you of Chinua Achebe, the man?

The last published work of Professor Chinua Achebe “There was a Country, a personal history of the Biafra.” has generated a lot comments both in agreement and in disagreement. The truth is the man wrote his personal opinion whether you agree or not. But what is certain is that this book was written with pride not prejudice; pride about being an Igbo man and pain about the recollections of what his Igbo people suffered during the Biafran War; and not prejudice against any particular persons or ethnic group. The tone and tenor of that work is vintage Achebe; he was never a timid writer, he calls it as he sees it.

“The Eagle on the Iroko” was an Ogidi man first; before we all knew him as the world’s master story teller, the renowned master wordsmith that reshaped the English language to accommodate Igbo voices and Ogidi concepts. Achebe is Ogidi man last; it is in Ogidi that his remains will be committed to mother earth.

-Ijediogor Godwin, (NEWS EDITOR) Saturday Guardian N e w s p a p e r ingodwyn@journalist.com, ingodwyn2007@gmail.com)

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 43 sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

When women gather expecting God to do it again

By SAM EYOBOKA

F

ROM the different approaches into Warri, it was obvious that something extraordinary was in the offing. Large billboards strategically located loudly tell the visitor to the oil city that women were gathering there for Daughters of Sarah international convention 2013—an annual spiritual fiesta sponsored by the Women Fellowship of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri. It was a time of refreshing and a moment when women from all walks of life renew and sharpen themselves for the task of nation building and home keeping, as well as spiritual empowerment.

For five days, women from every part of the country joined hands to receive others from Benin Republic, Cameroun, Togo and several others that attended from Europe and the US. The theme of this programme was: ‘He will do it again,’ and of course, seasoned ministers of the gospel including the new PFN first lady, Rev. (Mrs.) Abiola Omobude, Rev. Funke Adejumo, Dr. (Mrs.) Beatrice Odunze as well as a very charismatic American preacher, Bishop Deitra Walker. And the chief host of the programme, Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor.

When women gather they talk and pray about issues that affect them, their husbands, their children and inadvertently the nation. So, despite the theme of ‘He will do it again’, the speakers always found ample opportunity to speak to their ilk on the family, marriage, domestic violence, who takes the bills, economy, politics, their responsibility at home. Recognizing that women are the greatest enemies of themselves, they very often stress the need for women to embrace politics to actualize their individual dreams.

Mrs. Odunze spoke on marriage and the responsibility of the women to make her marriage a success, saying that an ideal housewife must be humble, God-fearing,

beautiful and intelligent and must watch over her children.

Adejumo who took the first message on the opening day of the convention, charged the womenfolk to be on their guard at all times, maintaining that any woman who always wait for her husband before she can make soup in the house is not fit to exist.

The host of the event, Pastor Helen Oritsejafor demonstrated her loyalty to her husband when she intermittently prostrated before him, describing Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as “the Lion of Africa and a man who will close his account just to put a smile on the face of another man; a husband of husbands, a father of fathers and a lover of the poor people.” All through the days of the spiritual fiesta she daily extolled the virtues of CAN president as members of the church urged her on while she wished that every woman would emulate her as she revered her husband. She took it a step further on the final day of the programme by urging every woman to sing a love song for her spouse and at the end of it, renew her love for her husband.

In her sermon titled ‘Follow your dream’, she outlined seven cardinal objectives that will make one actualize her dream, saying “your dream is not determined by the size of

your body or family. Your dream and the type of person you want to eventually be in life will be determined by the kind of people you associate with.”

The 4-day programme also witnessed the free distribution of thousands of wrappers often labelled Single in the Niger Delta and abada in the South East to delegates and first timers to the church. This is in addition to free accommodation and feeding

throughout the duration of the programme.

The trade fair/exhibition that is always associated with the Daughters of Sarah convention is expected to run till the end of March as exhibitors of various goods and services make brisk business within the premises of the Word pof Life Bible Church.

Rev. (Mrs.) Lois Angula of Resurrection Word Ministries, Jimeta, Yola and Pastor (Mrs.) Sarah Yakubu Jigo, a single

*Chief host, Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor(r) with the new chairman of PFN Women's Wing, Rev. (Mrs.) Abiola Omobude during the just concluded Daughters of Sarah International conference at the Word of Life Bible Church, Warri.

*A cross section of women at the Daughters of Sarah annual conference

Mantle Prayer Mountain marks first anniversary

W

HEN Pastor Olaomo Isaac received a call to establish a prayer mountain inside a thick forest in Sagamu, Ogun State, many called him names while others deserted him as they wondered what a former Fuji musician who had served notable ministries in Lagos State could be doing in a forest, reC M Y K

ports BOSE ADELAJA. The cleric ignored the challenges and headed for EwuOluwo to start the ministry under a kolanut tree in February 2012. Today, the Mountain has blossomed with proofs and worshippers gathered recently for the first anniversary where both notable and upcoming artistes showcased

their God-given talents at an event that was anchored by the seasoned broadcaster, Olutoye Olatunji popularly called IreAyo of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation OGBC 2, while the sermon was handled by former regional overseer, Deeper Christian Life Ministries, Dr. Peter Olusola Atoyebi with the Baale of Ado-Omitutu

Chief Awonusi in attendance.

Speaking with Vanguard shortly after the programme, Pastor Atoyebi advised journalists to celebrate Godly people, noting that corruption would have been a thing of the past if the media had not given undue publicity to greedy politicians.

He said it's high time Nige-

mother of seven children from Maiduguri, Borno State hailed the programme, saying that they have benefited immensely. The twosome expressed gratitude to the organisers of the programme who freely distributed one wrapper each to all the delegates and first timers in addition to other gifts.

Asked to evaluate this year’s programme, Mrs. Oritsejafor said: "This is the best DOS convention in the history of Word of Life Bible Church. It was incredible. We visited markets in different parts of Warri before the convention to sensitise people about the programme and all the speakers had been marvelous. There have been all kinds of healings and deliverances et al.

"And God also blessed us with a man, our own father, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor whose vision we are building on. He believes so much on the empowerment of women and has given the platform to reach out to our womenfolk across the nation and beyond. He was here throughout the programme, praying and blessing people as part of his contribution to the development of the womenfolk.

"We had to empower some women in line with what our Lord Jesus Christ said that when He "was hungry, you gave me food, I was naked you clothed me. We had an opportunity to give thousands of Single wrapper to the less privileged among us," she added.

She also explained why she took time off to evangelise in several markets in the Warri area just before the programme, saying that very often Christians believe that those in the markets are established Christians who do not need the gospel.

"How wrong? The Lord stirred it in my heart to take the gospel to the market place because not all those who are in the market are born again Christians. And God confirmed His word as hundreds gave their lives to Christ during those crusades," she said.

rian youths discovered leaders of integrity and emulate them, rather than running after ungodly politicians.

'Let the youths discover leaders of integrity in Nigeria and emulate, also, they should avoid bad leaders that will lead them to corruption. We have to work hard. Leaders should have the fear of God. They should remember theirorigin.''

PAGE 44 — SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

Apostolic Faith re-enacts Christ's Crucifixion

By SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

C

HRISTIANS worldwide, on S u n d a y , marked Easter in commemoration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Easter, a cardinal feast in the Christian liturgical year, is thought to be a joyous celebration of the eternal life in Jesus Christ bought through his sacrifice on Calvary cross.

As part of celebration, the Apostolic Faith Church, Anthony Village in Lagos on Easter Sunday held its traditional Easter Musical Concert. The church well-known for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through prayer, preaching and publishing themed this year concert: “I gave my life for you”.

At the concert, the Orchestra Choir of the Apostolic Faith Church treated guests to brilliant performances of classical and local pieces meant to

highlight the true essense and reason for the season.

The cocert was admixture of several genres of music laced with the dramatisation of events leading upto the persecution, Last Supper, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with 13 young members of the church playing Jesus Christ and his dieciples just as different persons did the narration.

The orchestra said to be the largest orchestra in Africa played different sophisticated music with instruments like pipe organ, grand piano, saxophones, flutes, harps, trumpets, violins, violas, tubas, cello, double bass, and many others.

For about three hours, the orchestra choir treated guests to the best of golden tunes accompanied by soul-lifting sounds from keyboards, wood wind, brass, percussion and voice in their varieties which

comprised of soprano, treble, alto, contralto, tenor and base.

The conductors were not left out as they added flavour to the choir presentations as they carefully directed the choir.

The church all hailed the choir past master Mr. John Aina when he mounted the stage to conduct a Yoruba song that was arranged by him, Kabo Ojo Rere, a song that rendered with all enthusiasm.

Some of the songs rendered included, The old rugged cross, Were you there?, Church Sonata No 4 in D Major, Easter Tunes which was arranged by Dare, Joshua and Funke, Christ is risen today, Hosanna S’omo Dafidi and several others.

The highpoint of the concert was the presentation of the Easter Cantata, a dramatision of the song, The Glory of Easter. The song told the story of the Last Supper till the crucification and resurrection of Jesus

*A Cross section of the Orchestra and Choir of The Apostolic Faith Church singing during the 2013 Easter Concert programme at the church headquarters,Campground Road, Anthony Village, Lagos on Sunday.

Photo by Lamidi Bamidele Christ in a simple form.

The song dramatised the story of Jesus' agony on the way of the cross, as the dramatis personae included the Jews, persecutors of Jesus Christ, Mary, sympathisers amongst others taking the audience through the story of the crucifixion.

The District Superintendent West and Central Africa headquarters, Rev. Bayo Adeniran said that the Easter musical concert is one of the several programmes organised by the church to remind the people about the second coming of

Methodist renews call for return of mission schools

By OLAYINKA LATONA

D

IOCESAN Bishop of Dio cese of Lagos Central, Methodist Church Nigeria, Bishop Kehinde Adeyemi has renewed call for government to return mission schools to their owners.

Making the call at the diocesan 4th Synod at Wesley Methodist Church, Ajegunle, Lagos, Bishop Adeyemi ar-

gued that the takeover of mission schools had massive negative effect on the lives of many of today’s children since all they got was education without morals.

He therefore urged state governments who are yet to return such schools, to do so without any further delay as this will have tremendous impact on the future generation of Nigerian chil-

dren.

His words: “The beginning of decay in our moral and social value system can be traced to the incursion of government into primary and secondary education.

Children were only receiving education without morals and the fear of God. "Government should return mission schools to missionaries so that the-

*From Left: Past Lay President, Sir E.A. Akintan, Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Rt. Rev. Oladapo Babalola, Bishop of Lagos Central, Rt. Rev. Kehinde Adeyemi, Lay President of the Diocese, Barrister Remi Olukoga and Bishop of Ikorodu Diocese, Rt. Rev. Olumuyiwa Odejayi during the 4th Synod of Diocese of Lagos Central at the Wesley Methodist Church Nigeria, Ajegunle, Lagos.

C M Y K

se children, right from their formative years, will be taught morals with fear of God which will go a long way to correct some of the ills in our society,” he stated.

Speaking on the theme of the synod: “What if the Lord had not been on our side”, Adeyemi admonished Nigerians to return to God, adding that despite all the challenges confronting the country “God is still by our side.

“Nigerians should know that it is the grace and mercy of God that has been sustaining the country. Let us love one another; do away with tribalism and religious differences. We should not kill ourselves in the name of religion, instead we should see ourselves as one and think on how we can move this country ahead,” he said.

The cleric also revealed that the diocese recently completed a 128-bed space building for the students of Wesley University of Science & Ondo, Technology (WUSTO).

Jesus Christ and live Godliness life.

Adeniran ceased the opportunity to call on Nigerians to go back to God, live sacrificial lives and be committed in ensuring that corruption becomes a thing of past in the country.

He said corruption is not only a reproach to the country or the international communities but also to God. In his words: “Leaders and followers must do a personal commitment in ensuring that sin and corruption in particular become things of the past in Nigeria. Corruption is not a thing we should handle with kid cloves but everybody must have a disdain for corruption.

"The nation is being called to make a personal commitment to say no to corruption and we cannot do it alone but God will help us to make the nation a country of integrity befitting of us.”

Continuing he said: “Let all Nigerians sacrifice their lives, invest all they have into this nation with hope that the country will be better and there is hope.

Nigerians and Nigeria

itself have hope, if there is godliness in government and somebody makes a personal sacrifice to lead the way and many others will follow.

"Let all of us invest our talents and skills to eradicate corruption in this nation,” he appealed, noting that for Nigeria to be a better society there is need for both the leaders and the elderly ones among us to showcase good moral values to the coming generations.

Also speaking, former head of Interim Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan descvribed the event as a worthwhle occasion capable of drawing participants c;loser to God. Shonekan said the nation will be a better place if all Nigerians imbibe the virtues exhibited by Jesus Christ during his earthly sorjourn, noting that current trials in the country would soon be a thing of the past..

Eminent persons who attended the concert include former Lagos State governor, BrigadierGeneral Mobolaji Johnson, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Tunde Lemo and a host of others.

Pastor writes book on soul winning

A

MINISTER of God, Pastor Samuel Olulowo recently tried his skills at writing when he debuted with a publication titled; Soul Winning Today, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. The 53-page booklet focused on evangelism and attempt to simplify the art of witnessing.

Each chapter has revision questions with practical assignments which will efficiently enhance soul winners to win more souls into the kingdom of God. According to the author, the book is not superior to other like-minded books but rather serves as complementary and that it can be applied as bible study outlines, Sunday school booklet amongst others.

Pastor Olulowo said the book would help people apply anointed methods, technology, facilities and skills in witnessing, especially as the world has become a global village.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 45

SWORD OF THE SPIRIT I AM GREATER THAN ISAIAH

M

Y name is Femi Ari bisala.

You may know me as the writer of these articles of faith.

What you may not know, however, is that I am a great man. Indeed, I am greater than Prophet

Sons of God are greater than all the Old Testament prophets

Isaiah. I am greater than Jeremiah and Ezekiel. I am greater than Elijah and Elisha. As a matter of fact, I am greater than all the Old Testament prophets.

Witness of God John says: “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” (I John 5:9). I received the witness of my greatness from the Lord himself. Right from the beginning of my relationship with him, he has been at pains to make me understand and receive his witness of my lofty status in Christ. Jesus says: “Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11). By receiving the kingdom of God, I became greater than John the Baptist, who in turn is greater than all the Old Testament prophets. Therefore, I am greater than all the Old Testament prophets.

T

he very second time the Lord Jesus spoke to me directly, he referred me to Matthew 13:1316. This has him saying to me: “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.”

I understand this to mean after 41 years of walking in darkness, the Lord finally opened my eyes and ears. I discovered thereafter, that “many prophets and righteous men desired to see what I see, and did not see it, and to hear what I hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:17). This is because these men of old never had the privilege I have of listening to the teachings of Jesus and receiving the vision and illumination that come from his words. This is the tragedy of Paul.

He never heard Jesus preach and teach. He refused to receive the word of Jesus from the apostles. Therefore, he was severely handicapped.

Sons and servants

Because of this handicap, Paul refers to himself as “a slave of God.” (Titus 1:1). This shows he does not know the doctrine of Jesus. A son of God would never refer to himself as a slave of God. Slavery is anathema to children of God. A slave is bought, but a son is birthed. A slave does not have the guarantee of eternal life that is the birthright of a son. Jesus says: “A slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:35).

Jesus is the quintessential Son of God. But God calls Moses his servant. (Joshua 1:2). Elijah also refers to himself as a servant of God. (I Kings 18: 36). At the Mount of Transfiguration, God brought these two powerhouses of the Old Testament to talk to Jesus. Then he sent an important message to his disciples: “A cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’ And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only.” (Mark 9:78). In effect, there was a baton-change.

God said “listen to my son: stop listening to my servants.”

S

ervants of God have limited knowledge of God. Jesus says: “A servant does not know what his master is doing.” (John 15:15).

Therefore, if we were to learn about God from his servants, including Moses and the prophets, our knowledge would be limited. Furthermore, Jesus maintains: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40). This makes Moses and the prophets inevitably inadequate teachers. If we were to learn at their feet, our knowledge could never exceed their limitations. But if we were to learn from Jesus, we would receive perfect knowledge.

God told Moses he would be sending yet another Jewish prophet like him whose word must be obeyed.

(Deuteronomy 18:18-19). If servant Moses had been capable of doing a perfect job, that would not have been necessary. That other prophet of promise is Jesus: the son of God.

Let there be light Therefore, once I received from Jesus the power to become a son of God, I began to ask and to seek and to knock. Jesus says: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

(Matthew 7:7). I had a bone to pick with God especially. David was so centred on God; he even listened in on a

conversation between God the Father and Jesus. He says in the psalms: “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies your footstool.’” (Psalm 110:1).

I

told the Lord this was unacceptable.

If he could give such a mighty revelation to David, a servant of God; he could jolly well give it to me as well; after all, I am his son and thereby, greater than David.

I harassed God about this repeatedly until one day, during a church prayer-meeting at Pentecostal Assembly, he asked me to tilt back my chair. When I did, I could hear the gentleman behind me praying in tongues. Then suddenly, something dramatic happened. The Lord opened my ears and the man’s “tongues” turned into perfect Queen’s English.

To my astonishment, I discovered the Holy Spirit was the one praying through him. What would God’s Spirit pray to God? I was privileged to hear everything. The Holy Spirit was praising God.

I

have never heard such exuberant praise in my life. I cannot recall again exactly what he said. I just know I was dumbfounded. I was struck by the diction. It was superlative praise; far superior to anything written by David in the psalms. I kept thinking: “Oh, how I wish I could record this!” But if I had, it would just have come out as someone praying in tongues. After a while, the revelation simply rolled away; replaced again by tongues. When I shared it with the man concerned after the service, he was just as flabbergasted as I was.

So let me repeat this again; without bothering about those always inclined to take offence. I am greater than Isaiah.

I am greater than David.

I am greater than all the Old Testament prophets.

AND SO ARE YOU IF YOU ARE A SON OF GOD. Jesus says: “He who is of God hears God's words.” (John 8:47).

PRAY AND PREVAIL “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3).

F

ROM our understanding of the scriptures and from real life experiences, we know that God answers prayers today. Speaking about God the Bible says: "O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come" (Psalm 65:2).

However, it is one thing to pray, it is another thing to prevail in prayer. Prevailing prayer is that prayer that gets heaven’s attention and secures what you desire from God. Specific answer is the proof that you have prevailed in your prayer before God. I therefore want to urge you not only to pray, but to be sure you secure your heart’s desire before God when you pray, according to what He has promised in His Word.

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24).

Why is it that some people pray and they do not get the answer they require to their prayers?

1. If you are living in sin and iniquity either because you have not been saved or you are in any act of unholiness, then your prayer will not be answered by God unless you first repent. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18) (Matthew 11:25-26; Isaiah 59:1-2; I John 5:14; I John 3:22; I Peter 3:7).

2. If you are not praying in faith, or you are doubleminded, then God will not answer your prayer; except you start to pray in faith.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” (James 1:67). (Mark 11:23-24; Hebrew 11:6; Luke 1:45; Matthew 9:29; John 11:40).

3. If what you are asking does not line up with the Word of God, then you should not expect an answer.

The Word of God is the will of God. When we pray in a way that is contrary to the will of God, God will not answer.

“And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” (I John 5:14). (James 4:3; John 15:7; Jeremiah 1:12; Matthew 6:10).

4. If your motive for asking is wrong — not to glorify God but to consume it upon your lust.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3).

5. If you do not pray fervently with all your heart, with boldness and authority in the name of Jesus, demonic forces may successfully resist the answer to your prayer, but if you pray fervently in faith with all your heart, your prayer shall prevail. (Matthew 18:18; James 5:16; Hebrew 5:7; Psalm 5:3; Psalm 50:15).

Today, make sure you not only pray, ensure you deal with all that may hinder your prayer, successfully, and that you receive specific answers to your prayers.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

Adebiyi urges Christians to be committed in God's work

O

UT-GOING Anglican bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Very Rev. Peter Adebiyi has called on Christians all over the world to be more committed to the things of God and serve Him diligently so as to be rewarded on the last day, reports EBUN SESSOU. The call was made at the just concluded 2nd Session of the 5th Synod of the church as the bishop urged people to consider the work of God as priority and yardstick to enter into eternity.

In a theme titled; "Occupy till I come", Bishop Adebiyi urged people to do the business of God with all diligent until he comes, adding that it is a clear instruction and command to all mankind.

PAGE 46 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

Amaechi and Personality of the Year Award: A Reflection

BY DAKUKU PETERSIDE TRIBUTE IN BRIEF Reward for hardwork, honesty, purposeful leadership

O

N April 6, the world lit erally stood still for Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers State. On that day, Amaechi received the Personality of the Year Award from Vanguard Media Limited at the Expo Hall, Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. The event, which attracted individuals of all shades, was a culmination of unprecedented goodwill messages from the public including an advertorial signed by 200 members of the House of Representatives and 33 serving Senators of the Federal Republic.

These indeed heralded the colourful ceremony.

I left the event with an impression: hard work, honesty and purposeful leadership will permanently etch a good leader’s name in the minds of his people. Today in Rivers State, Amaechi is like a folk hero. By deliberately remaining focused, honest and committed to the improvement of the lives of the people on every sphere, the governor will forever remain a reference point. Therefore the recognition from Vanguard and the testimonies that followed could not have come at a better time.

In Rivers State,Amaechi leads the people with great respect, realism and pragmatism. The fact that he is a stickler for transparency and accountability is well known. And his commitment to infrastructural development has changed the course of social infrastructure in our country. In less

VIEWPOINT

BY BOLA OKE

Governor Amaechi than seven years, the governor changed the face of education in Rivers State, raised the bar of primary health care, revolutionised road construction, upscaled power generation, reinvented agriculture, engendered accountability in government business, renewed hope through an unprecedented job creation scheme and returned power to the people through regular interface with the electorate at various Town Hall meetings. For many of us, a revolution is currently going on across our dear state and we are grateful to God for the gift of a visionary and dynamic leader.

Outside our state, our governor is also a source of pride. As Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum, Amaechi provides the necessary leadership for his colleagues and takes responsibility where necessary for collective actions. Understandably too, he has had to pay dearly for these actions especially when they appear antithetical to the interest of some powerful groups in the country, especially at the centre.

But his efforts at courageously steering the ship of Nigeria’s Governors Forum have not gone un-

noticed. Vanguard Personality of the Year, just like other unsung awards, is a fitting honour for a man who is fast becoming the symbol of our democracy. Like most Nigerians, I think the Rivers State governor truly earned this recognition with his numerous struggles and a desire for the enthronement of true democratic values.

Under his Chairmanship, the Governors Forum has championed many courses including the restoration of fiscal federalism such as the forum’s insistence that the Sovereign Wealth Fund must be properly structured to reflect true federalism, instituted legal cases to seek proper interpretation of the intendment of the various constitutional issues and defence of the of the federal structure. Amaechi and his colleagues also insist that the country must operate a befitting federal structure which encourages devolution of more powers to the states in line with the tenets of true federalism so as to engender accountability, transparency and performance.

Without sounding immodest, the intellectually ebullient governor represents the face of 21st century politics in Nigeria and future leaders of this country have one or two lessons to learn him.

He has chosen to live for something more honourable than the transient quest for political power typical of an average Nigerian politician. According to Sun Myung Moon, Korean religious leader best known as the founder of the Unification Church, ‘a man must live for something greater than himself ’. Understandably, the price for this path has also not only been immeas-

urable but harrowing.

So, routinely, he faces opposition and antagonism for taking this less travelled road, not just from a few powerful individuals at the centre but also from the ruling political elite. For putting his face to a collective decision, the Rivers State governor is always misunderstood, vilified and persecuted. But Amaechi must be commended by all for departing from our nation’s ‘survivalist’ approach to politics.

Today, Amaechi represents courage, honesty, transparency, dynamism, innovation and other virtues that are in short supply in

,

TRIB UTE TRIBUTE

Today, Amaechi represents courage, honesty, transparency, dynamism, innovation and other virtues that are in short supply in our political space.

Those who hate him do so for the wrong reasons

,

our political space. Those who hate him do so for the wrong reasons. But, like most patriots, the governor is sustained by his strong belief in truth and, on this score, he is confident that history will be fair.

But, by far, the most enduring of what promises to be a lasting legacy is the courage

to dare. The nerve to question power for the common good places Amaechi far and above his peers. And it is interesting to note that all the issues that placed him on collision course with some interest in his party and a few individuals in the Presidency and a handful of his colleagues in the Governors Forum are without any immediate or long term benefits to him. And a few persons pursuing their individual political agenda have lashed in on these perceived differences between him and a section of his party and the Presidency.

Like every statesman, he will, therefore, be remembered for his actions. That remembrance, it appears, has only just begun and Vanguard is leading the charge. And like a great and unselfish leader, he has already dedicated the award to the people of Rivers State, arguing that, without them, there would not have been an Amaechi in the first place.

Clearly, Amaechi has a strong pillar in his unshaken faith in the Almighty God. He believes and depends totally on God with a strong conviction that acting without divine direction is a step to disaster.

And he believes that God has brought him this far and He alone can sustain him. This, therefore, underscores the strength of his conviction and serves as a propelling force in his struggle for the common good.

Peterside, who represents Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream)

Playing games with Osun's destiny

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

VIEWPOINT

W

HAT is happening in Osun State today is very instructive. It is also a cautionary tale. For it is a clear indication of the underdevelopment of the structure of Nigeria’s political economy. This is of course the result of the long years of military rule which has inevitably stultified the natural evolution of political parties, structures and formations.

This is the most rational way to explain the politics of fear and loathing currently deployed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State of Osun. Ordinarily the PDP in Osun ought to be a government- in- waiting, waiting in the wings to take over power from the incumbent government. It is therefore rather unfortunate for both the deepening of the democratic process and for the people of the state that the state PDP is far, very far from being a government- in- waiting.

It is well understood that in a sensible democracy, a govern-

ment in waiting uses the luxury of opposition to put together a well articulated alternative perspective. For,unburdened with the day -to- day administrative chores of governance, the opposition can sit back and reflect. By so doing, it can develop a clear, convincing alternative programme of development. This will then be suitably articulated and disseminated in order to win hearts and minds thereby leading to resounding victory at the polls.

This was precisely the route taken by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola when he took on the then incumbent government of Olagunsoye Oyinlola at the polls. His effort paid off handsomely. This is because his six- point programme of action addressed the yawning gaps in the administration of Osun State. Of course those of a highly partisan mindset will prefer to use the term “maladministration’’ to describe the Oyinlola's government instead.

The convincing alternative perspective offered by Aregbesola proved to be inspiring enough to convince an overwhelming majority of the electorate as to

the need for change. This was subsequently attested to by the courts. And of course the rest is history. This is the best way to take in preparing for power. For it is incontrovertible that the sixpoint agenda has provided a sol-

,

Contrieved upheavals in Osun will lead to nowhere

The convincing alternative perspective offered

by Aregbesola proved to be inspiring enough to convince an overwhelming majority of the electorate as to the need for change

,

id compass for good governance.

For this reason, the question has to be asked, why isn’t the PDP in Osun following the route take

so successfully by Aregbesola?

The answer is straight forward.

The path taken has been so successful it has put the PDP in a quandary. By preparing so well for office, Aregbesola hit the ground running from day one.

He has diligently pursued his sixpoint agenda with positive effect.

To facilitate his programme-driven administration, he has also assembled a very good team of able, policy-driven technocrats. Today, two years on,the State of Osun looks and feels good.

The result of Aregbeola’s positively impactful governance means that he is in a formidable position vis-a- vis next year’s governorship election. In the conventional wisdom of independent analysts, the probability quotient therefore is that a landslide reelection is Aregbesola’s for the taking. In view of the level of performance, this can hardly be surprising. If we may recall, in a similar situation, the level of performance of the Lagos State helmsman Babatunde Fashola also prodded observers to forecast a landslide victory for him.

This of course came to pass.

For this reason, with electoral annihilation staring them in the face, the PDP has had to react.

This is understandable. What is not acceptable, however, is the irrational tenor of their response.

For instead of presenting a credible alternative programme superior to Aregbesola’s, what we have on offer is an offering of blood and thunder.

This is why in the absence of a credible alternative programme the Osun PDP has resorted to fear and loathing. For this reason, the usual suspects who wish to be governor without the persona are busy buying government memos from disloyal civil servants and publishing same as adverts in the press.

This is why the contrived upheavals about religion and workers industrial action are not unconnected with the desperation of the PDP. These utterly reprehensible antics, sleight of hand and underhand practices fly- in- the- face of democratic practice. Fortunately, a weary electorate in thestate know instinctively and also from experience that all of these will lead to nowhere.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 47

Why the Chinese want your business

BY ABUBAKAR TANIMU

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Concerns over broadcasting deal

C

HINA'S biggest private sector media player is StarTimes.

When it launched on the continent, StarTimes adopted a strategy of offering to assist the state broadcaster in the digital migration process in exchange for the opportunity to get enough channels to run a pay TV service. On its debut in Nigeria three years ago, StarTimes was received with a degree of warmth. Its promise of cheaper Digital Terrestrial Television, DTT, service seduced many into believing that they could spend considerably less on access to top-class DTT offerings. It was also feverishly promoted, with a win-win rhetoric, as part of China’s direct investment in Nigeria. It has not quite worked out that way. In Nigeria, its operation is the product of a Joint Venture, JV, agreement between her and the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA. At best, the relationship has master-servant written boldly over it.

The NTA owns 30 per cent shareholding, acquired at a cost of N750million paid on NTA’s behalf by the Federal Government to the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, in form of operating licence fee. The agreement kicked off on 1 March 2010, first as a trial. On 29 July of the same year, it was fully launched. Its purpose, as stated by the NTAStarTV Network Limited website, is "to pro-

vide digital pay television services to Nigerians".

This, however, was not what the Federal Government stated as the mandate of the agreement. The mandate, according to the Federal Government, is for NTAStarTV Network Limited to assist the country ’s desire to achieve digital migration, the deadline of which is 1 January

,

TRIB UTE TRIBUTE

Managers exploiting the cheap labour available in African nations have reportedly dishonored pay contracts and prohibited unions and protests, both of which are actions that reveal a disregard for the rights of workers

,

2015.

While the agreement allows the provision of part-pay TV and part free-to-air services of their DTT platform, what Nigerians have been served by NTAStarTV Network is only pay TV service. This is evidenced by what subscribers experience at the expiration of their subscription. On expiry, viewers immediately lose access to the payTV platform as well as free-to-air channels, a state of affairs that curtails their freedom

to information. Perhaps coming from China where rights are breached for fun, StarTimes does not consider this as aberrant. Another downside of the agreement is the asphyxiating grip the Chinese company has on NTA. Terms of the agreement forbid the NTA from entering into any relationship with another broadcaster, satellite or terrestrial. In addition, NTA was compelled to annul those it had entered into before the agreement.

As a result, broadcasters with which NTA had agreements before StarTimes came were forced to remove all broadcasting equipment from sites it shared with the NTA, a situation that ensured that their investments on site-sharing with the NTA and on training its engineers did not deliver hoped-for dividends. Even the NTA shot itself in the foot, as it lost the income it raked it from the money paid for those shared sites.

Until early this year, StarTimes’ sold first generation decoders, which had been phased out in a number of African countries, to its Nigerian subscribers.

This was in total indifference to the fact that Nigeria had committed to migration to the second generation decoders, DVBT2 technology, as far back as 2008. How and why it got away with this remains a mystery. Industry watchers reckoned that the National Braodcasting Commission was muscled into silence by the NTAStarTV network.

StarTimes’ sale of first generation decoders provoked anger in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, countries, which, in readiness for the digital migration deadline, had adopted DVB-T2 as the standard for digital broadcast-

ing. The anger was on account of the fear that continued sale of first generation decoders may predispose subscribers to unpleasant consequences of having to pay for second generation decoders at the expiration of the digital migration deadline. Kenyan and Ugandan authorities set a deadline for a halt to the use of first generation decoders for 21 December 2012.

This sparked fears that StarTimes was planning to dump decoders rejected elsewhere on Nigerians, especially as it continued to run price slash promos of its decoder, offering it for N2,999. StarTimes defended the charge with the claim that it would soon commence the sale of T-2 decoders–despite the country’s commitment to T-2 since 2008.

The digital migration process, on which StarTimes pledged help, is in the process of being hobbled by its agreement with the NTA. Industry sources claim that the Digital Migration White Paper recommends that a minimum of two or a maximum of three signal distributors will be licensed by government when the transition analogue to digital terrestrial technology begins. Government is in the process of constituting a Digital Implementation Team, which will be made up of industry experts and stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. And with 157 transmission sites across the country, NTA has been recommended as the public broadcasting signal distributor. Industry sources say the leading candidates for the chairmanship of the Digital Implementation Team are former NTA chiefs. In the event of this happening, the

team’s first step may be the ratification of the NTA as the signal distributor.

This will put in NTA’s hands all distribution frequencies in the country, compelling operators to go to the NBC for licensing and the NTA for frequencies.

On the surface, this poses no danger. However, with the NTA/ StarTimes welded together, it has the potential of ensuring that the control of a field as sensitive as broadcasting is in the hands of a Chinese firm since NTA, which has zero technological function in the DTT roll-out, has yielded this to StarTimes. This also has the potential of encouraging the Chinese to force-feed Nigerians with their soaps and other programmes in a bid to establish a cultural hegemony.

In addition, NTA, as the public signal distributor, will have almost unfettered control over broadcasters, who will be dependent on it for frequencies. The Chinese have a reputation for self-interested policies and attitudes that show scarce concern for where they operate. Indifference to worker welfare has already generated resentment in many African countries. Many infrastructure deals signed by Chinese firms mandate that the majority of labour for the projects must be Chinese, precluding Africans from fully benefitting from the inflow of Chinese investment. This deprives locals of jobs and fosters discontent, as workers cannot reap the expected benefits of the influx of new projects.

The limited employment opportunities for African workers have also become synonymous with bad working conditions, low pay or abusive practices. Managers exploiting the cheap labour available in African nations have reportedly dishonored pay contracts and prohibited unions and protests, both of which are actions that reveal a disregard for the rights of workers.

Alamieyeseigha’s pardon: An unncessary outrage

BY BEN NANAGHAN VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A governor and his struggles

A

deafening din rent the air on Tuesday March 12, 2013 when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan granted unconditional pardon to former Bayelsan Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and others.

Others are Gen. Oladipo Diya, a former Chief of General Staff, Late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar ’Adua, late Gen. Abudukareem Adisa, Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Major Fadipe, Major Bello Magaji and Alhaji Mustapha Bulama, the former Managing Director of the Bank of the North and Alhaji Mohammed Lima Biu. But the pardon that attracted the greatest criticism and ire was that of the former Bayela State Governor, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha. It was a plethora of hatefilled antagonism. An unrelenting and unreserved damnation of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

But why did Alamieseigha’s pardon draw so much bad blood and flak? Why not Generals Diya,

Adisa, Yar Adua and Olanrewaju who were pardoned for treasonable felony-a greater crime against the state. Which is a more serious crime, money laundering or treasonable felony? In civilized climes, treasonable felony attracts the death sentence while money laundering and corruption does not attract death penalty.

Some Jonathan bashers contend that it was an inexplicable folly for the President to pardon a group of military persons who were given clemency by former President Abdulsalami Abubakar as gazetted on March 4, 1999. Even a very popular Lagos tabloid takes this position in its editorial of March 4, 2013 under “Jonathan's unforgivable state pardon”. But unfortunately the paper could not distinguish between clemency and state pardon.

Former President Abdulsalami Abubakar granted General Diya and co general clemency in 1999 but they were granted unconditional pardon on March 12, 2013.

A reprieve of clemency is a mitigation, commutation or lessening of a sentence already imposed. It does not affect the legal guilt of a convict or person. Conversely a pardon completely wipes out the legal effects of a conviction as it is an executive order vacating a conviction.

The American constitution gives unlimited powers to its President to grant pardons. The only limiting clause is that the offence has to be committed against the state and so civil cases are beyond his powers. Also

,

VIEWPOINT

The Presidential pardon to the former Bayelsan governor is a befitting reward to a man who has worked relentlessly for the unity and prosperity of a country he loves so much

,

his powers are not limited as compared to the Nigerian President who has to carry the National Council of State along as enshrined in article 175 section 2 of the Nigerian Constitution.

After the Presidential pardon, Gen. Oladipo Diya called a press conference and contributed to discussions on the polity. He can

now contribute positively to political debates and even vote and be voted for. He can now aspire to be whatever he wants to be. All these he could not have done after the purported 1999 clemency. This is because clemency reduces the severity of the conviction while an unconditional pardon vacates and obliterates the conviction and all the limitations the aforesaid conviction carries.

Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha according to his statements was hounded out of Government House in Yenegoa by a former Nigerian President with whom he had a personal rift. He was impeached as Bayelsan governor without due process as even the House of Assembly was physically moved to Lagos where Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha was hurriedly impeached with a doctored quorum.

His trial was fast forwarded by EFCC and finally jailed for money laundering and corruption with most of the illegally acquired wealth returned to Bayelsa State. He has since over the years turned a new leaf, shown immense remorse and even contributed elaborately to the peace that now reigns in the Niger Delta which has in turn had a multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy. Even while Chief Alamieyeseigha was in jail he was still a

great sobering influence on the Niger Delta youths.

Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha was not called Governor-General of the Ijaw nation for the fun of it.

He earned it, he merited it and he deserved it. DSP Alamieyeseigha is a rallying point for all Ijaws in the Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Ondo, Edo and even Akwa Ibom states.

The Presidential pardon to the former Bayelsan governor is a befitting reward to a man who has worked relentlessly for the unity and prosperity of a country he loves so much. It is also a good restitution for a man who was literarily dragged on a tarred road by affective machinery of state power.

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, most Nigerians have now become aware that the executive order of state pardon is one of the duties of a sitting Nigerian president. When Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu were granted state pardon, the reception was a carnival like celebration all over southern Nigeria especially in the southwest and southeastern regions.

Nigeria belongs to all of us and nobody can play God who is not God. Ben Nanaghan, bennanaghan@yahoo.com

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

chimeena@yahoo.com 08056180157

A performance by Kogi dance truope

Lokoja in the Centenary Celebration •Gov Idris Wada of Kogi State

BY ONWUKAMIKE & ENO LOUIS ENOBAKHERE

E

very Easter Monday, the historic importance of Lokoja, the colonial capital of Nigeria is reenacted as indigenes of the State, via-a-vis politicians, technocrats top military brass and corporate citizens congregate atop popular Mount Patti.

According to the Times of London in its edition of January 8, 1897 (a few days before Oba Ovonramwen of Benin Kingdom was taken to Calabar after the punitive expedition) ,Sir Goldie left England on December 4 and reached Lokoja, the Military capital of the Niger Company on New Year ’s Day. That settlement in the Northern fringe of Nigerian by the Niger Delta company inaugurated the historical and political interference with indigenous administrative systems by the British invading exploiters.

Interestingly as it were, it is also atop this 1,500 miles above sea level mount Patti, a point from where one can get an artistic view of where Niger and Benue rivers come together to form the Niger Delta that emptied into the ocean and thus define our great country, Nigeria that

Mungo Park, the acclaimed discoverer of the Niger was conquered.

So, the yearly retreat to Mount Patti every Easter is both symbolic as it is ritualistic. It’s symbolism lies in the fact that just as Christ died and rose on Easter Sunday and through his resurrection guarantee salvation and freedom to humanity, such retreat to the mountain in all its ritualistic paraphernalia re- affirms the people’s joy in their new lease of life through political and economic freedoms.

Lokoja is also important in another great sense. It was in this great town that the British flag, Union Jack replaced the Niger Company ’s flag on 1 st January, 1900.

And also,Lugard, Nigeria’s first Governor General assumed office in the city of Lokoja.

But Nigeria’s centenary celebration is next year 2014.

And as usual the streets of Abuja will be lined up with masquerades, girls in skimpy skirts, school children lining the routes …

But, where does Lokoja, the cradle of great Nigerian story come in?

Given the historic place of Lokoja in Nigeria’s history, the question is now asked: what is the place of this historic city in the planned

2014 centenary celebration by the Federal government?

It is our thinking that the whole idea behind this celebration is to wake up those places that the county’s rich and dynamic history took places. Come 2014, Abuja will become part of this history. But viewed carefully, one can argue that the city of Abuja is too young now to be the centrifugal force for such a

celebration.

Does this sound controversial? Yes, I love controversy. It makes the world go round.

Viewed from all angles, Lokoja is, if not one of the fit places , the most appropriate place to host this national party. First, its geographical location is very excellent and provides the needed conjugal environment for this kind of

show.

Staged atop’this historic mount Patti, spectators like people sitting on a theatre stage will eternally savour from the arresting beauty of Benue and Niger confluence as different carnival floats regale the audience with unmatched displays.

Given also the importance of Lokoja, telecommunication giants like MTN and Glo can come in to make hosting of centenary in Lokoja a dream come through. With their partnership with State government, it will be possible for an exhibition of the nation’s rich arts and culture to be hosted and in this way help open up Mount Patti and the entire state as another significant tourist destination point.

This is also the time that parastatals of culture like National Institute of Hospitality and Tourism should make the states to feel the impact of budget allocations to their sectors and stop behaving as if the budgets are only meant to run for Abuja activities.

Beyond configuring Lokoja into the Centenary routes, there is also nothing wrong with the President making Lokoja a kind of Camp Davies, Nigerian version of American President’s retreat home.

After all, Abuja is home for the Ministries and parastatals and also the chaos that accompanies such environs.

Receiving important dignitaries atop Mount Patti and having dinner with them there with a view of the confluence, the very heart of Nigeria will leave a lasting memory and impression in their minds.

Seven Nigerian Writers participate in Women Conference in Ghana T

he Organization of Women Writers of Africa (OWWA) and New York University (NYU), in collaboration with the Ghanaian Mbaasem Foundation and the Spanish Fundación Mujeres por África (Women for Africa Foundation), will present “Yari Yari Ntoaso: Continuing the Dialogue – An International Conference on Literature by Women of African Ancestry ”. Major conference will put writers, critics, and readers from across Africa, the USA, Europe, and the Caribbean in dialogue with each other in Accra, Ghana, May 16-19, 2013. Seven talented Nigerians, including celebrated playwright and scholar Tess Onwueme, journalist and blogger Wana Udobang, novelist Lola Shoneyin, performance artist Wura-Natasha Ogunji, editor and publisher Bibi Bakare, children’s author Akachi Ezeigbo, and young adult novelist Nnedi Okorafor speak about their work on topics ranging from identity, craft of writing, to literary activism. These authors will be joined by other well-known writers

such as: Angela Davis (USA), Ama Ata Aidoo (Ghana), Natalia Molebatsi (South Africa), Yolanda Arroyo Pizarro (Puerto Rico), Sapphire (USA), Veronique Tadjo (Côte d’Ivoire), Evelyne Trouillot (Haiti), many others.

Yari Yari Ntoaso will consist of panels, readings, performances, and workshops, and will be devoted to the study, evaluation, and celebration of the creativity and diversity of women writers of African descent. Yari means the future in the Kuranko language of Sierra Leone; Ntoaso means understanding and agreement in the Akan language of Ghana.

Fifteen years after OWWA’s first major conference, Yari Yari Ntoaso continues the dialogue of previous Yari Yari gatherings, connecting writers, scholars, and readers.

In addition to the exciting panels, the conference program includes a Saturday morning “storytime” for children, workshops for adult and youth, and the opportunity to meet writers and purchase their books.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013, PAGE 49

Elegant narrative of a stewardress W

“

elcome. Come share my life, my story”, appears to be what the smiling, elegant, traditionally attired Dame Virgy Etiaba is saying to you. That indeed is the impression you get as you take the beautifully finished book off the shelf. The clean, clear photograph of the lady is set on a black background, with both name and title embossed in gold.

I looked for this book, in my quest for answers to nagging questions about Etiaba’s brief tenure as Governor of Anambra State. There had been rumours that humongous sums of money, in the billions, had been spirited away in a matter of weeks! It must be quickly noted here that Anambra has probably the most vibrant, productive rumour mills in the world, so I had to be cautious.

If however, in just 100 days of her ‘ reign’ as empress, Etiaba flagged off several road projects and invested heavily in the state’s Orient Petroleum company, where were the billions left to be spirited away? How many ‘billions’ did Anambra State have, in the first instance? We would get answers from the book after all!

I

wanted a clear picture of the process that led to the emergence of Peter Obi as governor, especially in the light of the common belief that uncle Peter did all the electioneering work and that Mama Anambra was just the token face of the female race!

I also sought insight into WHO vivacious Dame Etiaba really is, especially in the light of her lawyer son, Emeka’s attempt to succeed the administration his mother served in, as Executive Governor. Did Mr. Peter Obi actually vow not to contest for a second ter m? Was this Emeka’s raison d’être? Did Dim Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu endorse Emeka Etiaba for Governor? Why did Ojukwu later capitulate and swing in favour of incumbent Governor Peter Obi? Was the fact that Emeka Ojukwu, jnr worked in Government House, a factor here? Or did Mr. Obi present a better ‘package’, when he decided he wanted a second term, after all?

Etiaba is the only person I know of any where In the world, who has served as

Deputy Governor, Governor and then Deputy Governor again, in the same administration. Since Mr. Peter Obi is yet to give an account of those interesting times, this book would thus provide an invaluable firsthand account, whatever biases there might be, if any.

And, wait a minute, did Dame Etiaba really leave APGA to join PDP? How could she have survived such apparent political hara-kiri?

Few people would have placed a bet on the duo of APGA’s Philosopher/Trader Peter Obi and ‘School M’am’ Virgy Etiaba, winning the gubernatorial election in Anambra State, the home and strong hold of the People’s Democratic Party. Not a few were shocked when they eventually won, fair and square. Etiaba has given an interesting, illuminating account of that process. She also examines the developments that followed, barely seven months into their tenure, as Governor Peter Obi received his political baptism of fire in an impeachment that was later reversed. For the first time, I read the peculiar Impeachment Notice served on ‘Mr. Peter Obi and Dame

,

BY OSITA IKE. REVIEW

‘Please tell the beloved Achebes’

I

heard the news: Okosisi Dalu.

But not Achebe No! Not the Achebe we know He just cannot fall For wherever he is He stands Taller Than all Your father, our brother Chinua Achebe, the master storyteller Yesterday made his grand exit Into eternity

My Life, My Story – Autobiography of Nigeria’s First Female Governor;Virgy Etiaba; Gallery Publications, 2012; PP.320 in different contexts. Dame signed Anambra State’s Child Rights bill into law as Governor and flagged off ‘Suba kwa Igbo’, an attempt to stop Igbo language and culture from sliding irreversibly into extinction! It

The book’s thirty five chapters, divided into five parts, run through her childhood, education, her spiritual journey and family life

,

Virgy Etiaba’. A process that created TWO Speakers in the same House of Assembly. Of significance is the fact that the Impeachment Train took off in full steam after the visit to Anambra State by the amiable, foxy Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR! A newspaper review is too short to highlight the myriad issues, events and experiences captured in this largely historical 320-page narrative dedicated to Dame’s beloved late husband, Bennet ‘BMC’ Etiaba, Esq. It examines some aspects of education, lauding strides in girl child education, which Dame notes she benefitted from. Community health, social welfare, nationhood, nationalism, ideology, politics, religion and religionin-politics are also dwelt upon

was thus not surprising that the altruistic Dame set up the philanthropic Dame Virgy Etiaba Foundation that has catered to widows, orphans, the physically challenged, prisoners and the less privileged.

T

he book’s thirty five chapters, divided into five parts, run through her childhood, education, her spiritual journey and family life. It records the battle with cancer, challenges of widowhood, on to Nigeria’s variegated history, the economy and expectedly, politics and religion, from the vantage position of a major player. A generous dose of photographs and the selected speeches of some Nigerian heroes make this book an invaluable reference work.

Sadly some of our present national leaders do not appear to learn from history or want to avoid making the mistakes others made, so I shall not bother to recommend the book to them.

T

he book’s Post Script’s introductory quote is most apt for a nation planning to celebrate its centenary. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, ‘To call women the weaker sex is a libel; it is man’s injustice to woman. If by strength you meant brute strength, then, indeed a woman is less brutal than a man. If strength is moral power, then a woman is immeasurably a man’s superior. Has she not greater intuition, is she not more self-sacrificing, has she not got greater powers of endurance, has she not greater courage? Without her, a man could not be. If non violence is the law of our being, the future is with a woman. Who can make a more effective appeal to the heart than a woman?” I shall thus pray for Nigeria with a woman as President, a woman as IGP, a woman as Chief of the Army, Air Force and Navy and we shall see , as we say in pidgin, “Who born Boko Haram dem”!

I shall end where I started – the rumours of billions of airborne naira…The answers, my friends, lie in the book.

With resounding harvests of creativity, yet He left a gaping hole in your heart With many million dripping eyes all around the world A Monumental Loss it is!

Irreplaceable, I know.

But do, take heart.

Our world—the Literary Universe, more so–– Will never be the same without him Okosisi na ami mkpulu!

Neither will the Dead For in his gentle assertive way He will probe them all awake Yes! Awake from too much sleep Faking a blind eye to our mounting mess here Fuming and choking The few whose conscience dare to live

Okosisi Adago!

Sure!

But tell them Tell the Dead Achebe’s coming To ever tell it as it is–– As he did here–– For he will live and thrive and drive awake The slumbering Dead To retail Truth to the Living–– Where Truth Daily Lies, Dies, or is short-lived So Chinelo, Chidi, Ike, Nneka...

Please help me hug Mama Christie–– And may you find Strength when you need it Ndo!

b y Pr of.T ess Prof.T of.Tess Osonye Onwueme

PAGE 50—

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

H

Love

i, few things in life can cause us to experience such a broad range of emotions, from the floating in air feeling of being in love for the very first time to the pain and agony of our most recent broken heart. In between, somewhere we find the love we not only can live with, but want to live for. Cheers!

N e t w o r k i n g / Sponsorship

•Oyinyinka, needs some one to sponsor her education.

08052144217, 08127504708 •Chris, needs someone to sponsor his business.

08061117420 •Loveth, needs someone to sponsors, for her education 07062987754 •Jennet, 20, from Abuja, needs a good and caring actor and actress that can help her in to Nolly wood.

08082114184, 08021271380 •Mary, from Asaba, needs a goodly person that can sponsor her school of nursing. 07067455490 •A guy, from Delta state, needs sponsorship for his football career.08108250615 •Jossy, 24, handsome and resides in Benin, needs a woman for business.

07037377374

how to be social.

08167468137 •Felix, 32, resides in Delta state, needs an intelligent female, for friendship.

08050864630 •Sylvester, 40, needs male and female friends

caring responsible, employed or a business man, for a serious marriage not for friendship .08137828007 •Prisca 25, elegant, very fair and tall with a killing buttock and a very curvy shape needs a man aged 32 and above for a lasting union.08188687691 •Floxy, 29, chocolate in colour, with an appealing backside and soft skin needs a mature caring man aged 35 and above for a serious relationship 08085427643 •Belinda, 28, big, curvy and attractive with a fare body and nice shape needs a man aged 35 and above to call her own

Links

•Lucky, now a pastor, wishes to linkup with miss, Josephine Grace-Edo from Ewoyimi, in Edo state an exstudent, of Phide Commercial College, Agbor, between1978-1980, Josephine, briefly worked with Momoh saw-mill Agbor between 1980-1981and resided in War ri.

07063643479081, 07063643479 •Chapp-Jumbo G.N, MFR, wishes to link up with Nnamdi Ukandu, they were close friends at Uniport in the early 80s and graduated in 1984 but have since lost contact since then.

07034255354

Friends Searching Female

•Suzan, 20, sexy, educated and beautiful, needs male and female friends.

08168436659 •Glory, 18, a student and resides in Edo state, needs cool male and female friends.

08136606109 •Florence, 18, tall, slim, fair in complexion and from Delta state, Warri, needs a caring, smart, God fearing and financially stable and generous male friend.

07065192380

Searching Male

•Nosa, 18, from Benin, needs friends that are sociable and can teach him

08097065205, 07087699800 •Johnson, 27, good looking and resides in Lagos, needs female friends.08095873735 •Destiny, from Delta state, needs a reputable female friend.08064910479 •John, 24, from Delta state, but resides in Lagos, needs a God fearing girl with manners as friend.

08036326230 •A guy, needs a pretty lady friend, who is God fearing.

07068981158 •Samuel, 39, 6.2ft tall an engineer resides in Lagos, needs a lady, aged 23-32, who is pretty, for friendship.

08067003799, 08035301022 •Jeff, 18, needs a girlfriend from Asaba, Delta state, aged 18 and above.08103661258 •Jerry, a graduate and resides in Lagos, needs new friends, to hang out with.

08133160560, 07034511088 •Chike, 30, employed and resides in Awka, needs mature mutual friends.

08063369246, 08128882254

Lovers Searching Female

•A lady, 28, a student and an orphan, Igbo by tribe, needs a truthful educated and born again widower with little kids, aged 3040years,not a divorce, who is

08036703491 •Nina, beautiful, tall and sexy, needs a matured man for a serious relationship.

07066507371 •Nneka, 25, student, 5;10, creamy complexion, intelligent, slim, sexy and a new generation model, needs a good heart-ed man aged 40 and above who can handle my high libido 08091295675 •Chidimma, 23, a final year student, slim, tall, dark and pretty with an attractive cleavage needs an intelligent, well composed man aged 35 and above who knows what it takes to possess a queen.

07012283875 •Prisca 25, elegant, very fair and tall with a killing buttock and a very curvy shape needs a man aged 32 and above for a lasting union.08188687691 •Floxy, 29, chocolate in colour, with an appealing backside and soft skin needs a mature caring man aged 35 and above for a serious relationship 08085427643 •Belinda, 28, big, curvy and attractive with a fare body and nice shape needs a man aged 35 and above to call her own 08036703491 •Jenny, 24, chocolate, pretty and bursty undergradute needs a kind, mature and hard working man for a serious relationahip that will

DISCLAIMER! Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking.

Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For enquiries, text or call 08026651636

lead to marriage. 08137140059 •Peace, 23 years old, a student, needs an educated and working class man around the globe for a serious relationship that can lead to marriage.

07063426864 •Stella, 23, nice, pretty, busty, young and undergraduate needs a kind and generous sugar daddy for a sexual relationship. 08102362446 •Imisola, 37, tall, pretty, chocolate in complexion and a business lady, fun to be with, needs a loving, caring and gentle man, for a serious relationship, aged 45 and above. 08089362621 •Chichi, 30, from Imo state, needs a born again charismatic man who is ready to settle down.08120364186 •Jessica, 20, from Abia state, but resides in Anambra state, needs a God fearing man, who is tall, fair in complexion, employed and single.

07030242520 •Helen, tall, slim, a graduate and HIV positive need a man with same status for marriage aged 30-45.08130756418 •Peace, 24, from Delta state, but resides in Benin City, needs a handsome Christian guy who is romantic, educated and employed for marriage.07053798716 •Sophia, 23, from Calabar, needs a man, for a relationship.

08074758393 •Samanta, 20, resides in Abuja, needs a tall, fair in complexion and handsome guy, who is rich and can take good care of her.08074478321 •Mary, 25, needs a man, for a serious relationship.

08068684663, 08139364219 •Faith, 23, a student and resides in Warri, needs a guy, aged 28-33, who is a good Christian for a good relationship. 07054258112 •Onyi, 25, sexy, fair in complexion,eloquent and educated, needs a man who is educated and employed, for an affair, aged 35 and above.08082180900 •Cassandra, 24, resides in Asaba, needs a God fearing man, who is humble, intelligent, gentle, respectful, a graduate and employed, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage, aged 26-27.

07069179596 •Anny, 28, 5.6ft tall, a Christian, a graduate and resides in Lagos, needs a guy, who is 5.7ft tall, a Christian, aged 3542, who is a graduate, employed and resides in either Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt, for a serious relationship.08052575814 •Kate, 24 and busty, needs a hot and dynamic man, for a serious relationship.

08165741029 •Ogochukwu, 25,.resides in Anambra state, needs a man, who is God fearing, caring, dark in complexion, wealth and a businessman, aged 39-43, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage. 08063876298 •Lisa, 26, a student, needs a matured man, aged 35-48, for a romantic relationship.

08069404887 •Olive, 36, beautiful, intelligent, sincere and God fearing, needs a guy, who is God fearing, honest, intelligent and handsome. 07025725627

Searching Male

•Faye, needs a good looking lady, for a serious relationship.

07030449020 •Daniel, needs a woman who

is ready for a serious relationship.08021054321 •Joe, tall and caring, needs a caring and loving woman, aged 45-50, for a serious relationship. 07025295520 •Uche, 32, resides in Benin, needs an employed and God fearing lady, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage. 08063536684 •Chris,dark in complexion, needs a lady for a serious relationship that can lead to marriage . 08130734007 •Onos, needs a lady, from Benin, for a romantic relationship.

08076011763 •Rapheal, chocolate in complexion, tall, needs a matured, pretty and well to do lady, for a serious relationship.

08026696958 •Capt.A.I.T, 42, from Delta a sailor, .resides in Port Harcourt, needs a good looking lady, aged 35-40. 07066753236 •Michael, fair in completion, resides in Lagos state, needs a girl, for a relationship.

08038642748 •Maclean, a business man, from Delta state, needs a lady, for a relationship. 08176154508 •Malik, 42, resides in Abuja and financially ok, needs an elegantly lady, with flat tommy, for a serious relationship, that can lead to marriage.

08123118995 •Manny, 40, tall and serious minded business man, needs a big, fat and busty, employed or business woman, aged 45-60, for a romantic relationship.

08187143811 •Ndifreke, from Uyo, needs a girl that is physical challenge, not blind, not deaf and dump but educated, for a serious relationship. 07032948455 •Paul, 40, employed and resides in Edo state, needs an employed and God fearing Christian lady, who is ready for marriage.08170225005 •Fred, 60, a retiree in Edo state and divorced, needs a lady, aged 40 and above for a relationship that will lead to marriage. 08134772442 •George, needs a lady, who is ready, for a serious relationship. 07033244556 •Prince, 22, tall, handsome, hairy, dark in complexion, nice and resides in Benin, needs a matured lady, that can take care of him. 07062803876 •Louis, 22, needs a good looking and nice girl, aged 1522, who resides in Onitsha.

08095868652 •Stanley, 32, nice and humble, from Edo state, needs an average height and fat lady, for a serious relationship.

08066583411 •Valentine, God fearing and hardworking, needs a God fearing lady, for engagement.

08170288483 •Uche, 25, needs a lady, aged 23 and above, for marriage 08164627192 •Joshua, 49, tall, slim, dark in complexion and caring, needs a lady, for marriage.

08065586189 •Kelvin, tall, cool, romantic, simple, employed and from Abia state, but resides in Lagos, needs a nice and matured, employed lady, aged 20-30.08155861574 •Vincent, 24, resides in Awka, needs a nice and friendly girl, from either Delta or Awka, aged 17-26 for friendship.

07034345991, 0817265422 •Ike, 36, needs a matured, educated and responsible Christian lady, for marriage, aged 25.08022720904

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL, 14, 2013, PAGE 51

•Sammy, 42, handsome, intelligent, needs a young, busty, beautifulundergraduate girl, aged 20-25 for a fun filled relationship.

0 7 0 8 9 1 1 1 8 9 7 , 08024997544 •Jack, 38, a legal practitioner, dark in complexion and good looking, needs a university graduate, beautiful and fair in complexion lady, for a s e r i o u s relationship.08071888833 •Carter, 24, average, dark in complexion, needs a mature, sexy and wealthy lady who resides in Delta state for a serious relationship.

07035163648 •Promise, 29, from Abia state, needs a true, loving and a caring lady, for a relationship.

0 7 0 3 0 5 2 3 6 9 4 , 08183834598 •Timo, 33, tall, dark in complexion, needs a sexy lady, aged 40-45, for hot relationship.

0 8 0 7 5 1 1 0 1 4 5 , 08063177119 •Nnamdi, 31, tall, dark in complexion and handsome, needs a tall lady for a relationship.

08037591322 •Lucky, form Delta state, needs a fair in complexion and God fearing, girl aged 18-29, f o r marriage.08162069385, 08035961184 •Mike, employed, from Edo state, but resides in Lagos, needs a tall pretty employed and level headed girl, for a serious relationship.

08109342040 •Ajibade, 43, tall, dark in complexion, handsome, employed, Yoruba, by tribe and resides in Lagos needs a matured, beautiful and caring lady, who is slim, tall, for a relationship.08084356538 •Sky, needs a God fearing, tall and slim, lady, who is a graduate and resides in Lagos, aged 25-35, for a sincere relationship that would lead to a marriage.

08037874624 •Seal, resides in Abuja, and needs a woman, aged 35-60, for a relationship.08163243011 •Ola, 30, a businessman, resides in Lagos, needs a lady, for a relationship.

08169812632 •Christian, 26, needs a young and matured lady for a serious relationship.08184021968

Sugar Cares Searching Female

•Princess, fair in complexion, tall, slim, pretty, a student and also a model, from Owerri, needs a sugar daddy, who is generous, that will pamper, spoil and take care of her finan-

cially.08032638739 •Cherry, 21, needs a sugar daddy that can take care of her expenses.08166245147.

•Amaka, 24, pretty, needs a caring sugar daddy.07067133345 •Pamela, 23, dark in complexion and not too tall, needs a sugar daddy who will establish her.

08155521556 •Gorgeous, 25, beautiful,

romantic, looking 4 a well to do lady or sugar mummy for finacial assistance in return for a lasting and a sincere r e l a t i o n s h i p .

08123637011 •Alex, cute, slim and from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy.

07033547860 •Frank, 26, handsome, average height, a graduate and from Delta

need a rich sugar daddy, to take care of her and her education.

08100656795 •Ela, 25, beautiful, strong and fragile, needs a generous sugar daddy, who is ready to take care of her finacialy. 08100656795 •Bella, 22, pretty and an undergraduate, needs a kind, employed and generous sugar daddy that can take good care of her.

08081928839, 08068695412 •Cherry, 21, needs a sugar daddy that is ready to take good care of her. 08166245147 •Nancy, 20, chocolate in complexion, busty, tall, big, bold, beautiful, sexy, romantic, a student and resides in Benin, needs a rich sugar daddy, who will take good care of her.

07033049892 • Te s s y , 2 1 , s l i m , beautiful, average height and from Delta state, needs a sugar daddy that will assist her financially.

08166103753 •Nancy, 20, chocolate in complexion, busty, tall, big, bold, beautiful, sexy, romantic, a student and resides in Benin, needs a rich sugar daddy, who will take good care of her.

07033049892

state, needs a sugar mummy aged 35-50, that also resides in Delta state. 08036802458 •George, 21, dark in complexion, handsome and resides in Onitsha Anambra state, needs a rich sugar mummy.

07031530544 •Daniel, 29, tall, dark in complexion, a graduate and resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, aged.

39-50.

08035562584 •Olawale, 35, tall, light in complexion, handsome and romantic, from Osun state, needs a rich, loving, caring and romantic sugar mummy, who can take good care of him. 08031161373 •David, 40 handsome, fair in complexion, average height, needs a pretty and caring sugar mummy, aged 45-65.

08032121904 •Prince, 29, 5.6ft tall, from Delta state, needs a nice and caring sugar mummy, aged 40-55.

0 8 1 6 4 2 6 2 2 3 0 , 08124593715 •John, 40, needs a sexy sugar mummy from the south south.

0 8 0 3 7 6 2 8 4 1 4 , 08188246099 •John, 22, an undergraduate, needs a sugar mummy.

08071315044 •Onos, cool, nice and resides in Warri, needs a good looking sugar mummy, for a relationship.07066943866 •Jossy, 25, needs a sugar mummy for a serious r e l a t i o n s h i p 08181108178,08065188360 •Anthony, 22, from Benin, needs a sugar mummy, who can take good care of him, for a good relationship.

0 8 0 3 0 7 2 7 7 9 0 ,

Searching Male

•Alvin, 30, a chef, in Kaduna state, needs a clean, pretty, sexy, caring and hot sugar mummy, aged 30-65, for serious relationship. nestysunfacebook.com, 08092270425 •Clinton 30 yrs a graduate lives in Delta trust worthy, energetic &

08051759663 •Oma, tall, handsome and dark in complexion, needs a nice, sexy and romantic sugar mummy.

08154480295 •Mike, 26, tall, slim and needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.

08030841577 •Daniel, 25, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-45.

08068340314 •Ciao, 34, self employed and fun loving, needs a sugar mummy, aged 40-50.

08099680092.

•Toye, average height and dark in complexion, needs a sugar mummy, who is busty, for a r e l a t i o n s h i p .

07084438384 •Ufuoma, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-45, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. 08091988956, 08026907302 •Ben, 26, handsome resides in Abuja, needs a beautiful and sexy sugar mummy, within Abuja, aged 40-50, for a romantic relationship.

08033009826 •Promise, 28, handsome, sexy, romantic and from Imo state, needs a sexy, fun loving, financially stable and caring sugar mummy, for a relationship.08035236806 •Frank, 26, handsome, average height and a graduate, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-50, who resides in Delta state.08036802458 •Leo, tall, cute, nice and needs a caring mature and sexy sugar mummy, who can take good care of him.

08066280253.

•Kayode, 27, 5.6ft tall, handsome, fair, educated, 5.6ft, athletic, energetic and romantic, needs a nice sugar mummy in Akure, Ondo state, aged 35-45.

07033796433 •Kratos, 23, resides in Delta, needs a sexy and wealthy sugar mummy, aged 30-55, for an affair.

07062993101 •Isesele, 33, needs a sugar mummy.

07038260095 •Ox, 39, 6ft tall, chocolate in complexion, handsome, slim, caring, strong and a graduate, needs a sugar mummy, age is not a barrier.08139307506 •Olly, 45, nice and caring, needs a big sugar mummy, for a relationship.08071550826 •Flavour, dark in complexion and energetic, needs a sugar mummy.08184676246 •Steven , 25, from Delta state, Warri, needs a matured sugar mummy, who is busty and lovely, for a serious relation-

ship. 08155636126, 08155636126 •Tim, from Asaba Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-37.

07060986620 •Clem, 26 and resides in Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 3545, to take care of him.

08137040311, 08125094739 •Cj,26, needs a fair in complexion sugar mummy, aged,37-43,who is financially buoyant .07035501090 •Solomon, handsome, from Asaba Delta state, a rich sugar mummy.07036486880 •Clarence, 30, employed and resides in Warri, needs a beautiful, romantic and caring sugar mummy, for a relationship. 08062665481 •Theophilus, 27, resides in Lagos, needs a rich sugar mummy, who is busting, for a relationship.07064793494 •Jk,26,tall,darkin complexion, from Delta state, needs a rich sugar mummy.

08169791715, 08060818806 •Imori, 30, resides in Delta state, needs a diligent and discreet sugar mummy.

07034744297 •Eric, needs a sugar mummy, aged 45 and above. 07064433505 •Ben, 30, handsome, a graduate, but unemployed, needs a sugar mummy, for a serious relationship. 08168095714 •Johnson, 23, from Warri, needs a sugar mummy, who can take of him.08186783929, 07037788245 •James, from Abia state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 45-50.

08068286589 •Frank, 27, tall, handsome and a graduate, needs a sugar mummy.08135972659 •Ti, 20, resides in Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, who is caring and generous, to see him through school.

08136089147 •Stan, 27, good looking, fair in complexion, needs a good looking sugar mummy, who will love and take good care of him.07054099872 •BJ, 32, slim and tall, needs a mature, sexy and romantic sugar mummy for discreet relationship.08034088397, 08077622887 •Olusegun,45, average height, dark in complexion, handsome and resides in Warri, needs a nice and sexy sugar mummy of any age. 07033325414 •Samuel, 19, average height and chocolate in complexion, needs a sugar mummy, who resides in Delta state.

08136081996 •Oj,25, tall and dark in complexion.needs a caring and serious sugar mummy, in Abuja.07085520160 •Jesse, 28, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy.08166156133 •Good luck, nice and

sharp, needs a sugar mummy, who resides in either East or South, for a relationship.

08164771913 •Frank, 35, decent, neat, handsome, gentle and talented, needs a rich and employed sugar mummy of any age. 08122397827, 07060499631 •George, from Calabar, needs a beautiful sugar mummy.08182437234 •Imeh, 35, a business man, resides in Lagos, needs a nice, caring, rich and sexy sugar mummy that will help him financially, for a serious relationship.

08127629751, 07065827729 •Francisco, 27, handsome and resides in Onisha, needs a wealthy sugar mummy, aged 30- 50, for affairs.08069514616, 08094987971 •Onyebu, handsome, light in complexion and resides in Owerri, needs a caring sugar mummy for a relationship.

08082777167 •Osaze, 24, slim, tall, handsome, and jovial a student, needs a romantic and caring sugar mummy.

08032935910, 08080683210 •Allison, 24, a student, needs a sugar mummy that resides in either Jos or Abuja, for a relationship.08062107825, 08130121842 •Nicky, 24 slim handsome and resides in Lagos, needs a romantic and mature sugar mummy, for an intimate relationship.

08132930030 or nickyfank@ymail.com •Desmond, 24, tall, dark in complexion, and handsome, needs a sugar mummy for a rel a t i o n s h i p .

08105489310 •Kenneth, tall, handsome, dark in complexion and resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy.08162189971 •Otega, 24, handsome, a student and resides in Delta state, needs a caring sugar mummy.

08032173872,08060794276 •A guy,handsome, needs sugar mummy, in Lagos.08168331388 •Dan, 35, humble and a graduate, needs a romantic, active and rich sugar mummy, for relationship.08084054160 •Ade, 30, tall, slim, sexy and from Ogun state, needs a beautiful, caring, sexy and romantic sugar mummy.

08026644549, 08034556941 •Iyke, 22, resides in Abuja, needs a rich sugar mummy, who resides in Abuja, for a relationshi. 08100189147 •Stephen, needs a sugar mummy, aged 50 and above.

08061394887 •Jd, 25, needs a woman, who can take good care of him.08031876557

PAGE 52—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

Edo LG polls:Tension in Èdo Council over arrest of ACN candidate after killings

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

T

Relations of the deceased and sympathizers at the graveside of accident victims along Benin – Ore Road that occurred last week which claimed the lives of over 100 people during their burial at the cemetary in Benin City.

Photos by Barnabas Uzosike.

E N S I O N heightened in Fugar in Etsako Central Local Government Council of Edo State yesterday following the arrest of the chairmanship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)in the area in the April 20 local government elections in the state, Mr Emmanuel Momoh, by the police.

The member representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly, Johnson Oghuma, who

called for his immediate release, accused a top Presidency official from the state of ordering the arrest of the ACN candidate who was flown to Abuja and vowed that youths of the area will not fold their arms in the face of what he described as “intimidation of ACN members and destruction of their properties”.

Two persons were shot dead in the area on Wednesday following the fracas that erupted after a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, identified as Abraham, rammed a vehicle into the campaign train of the ACN members

and left over five persons with serious injuries. The incident triggered a crisis.

Four houses and six vehicles were set ablaze while two persons lost their l i v e s .

The lawmaker, who addressed newsmen in Benin City, said “Momoph’s arrest is unacceptable because he has not committed any offence. The Presidency official is using his powers to intimidate our people but if Momoh is not released we will resist it.

Why did they not arrest the PDP candidate, besides Momoh was not there when the incident h a p p e n e d .

FG warned against toying with child rights

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

Delta North PDP Chairman, Ogbuefi Anigala, commissioning the Ambulance van donated to Obiaruku General Hospital by DESOPADEC. 2nd left: Ken Okolugbo, Oguefi Anigala, cutting the tape and Director of Obiaruku General Hospital, Dr. Henry Gbenedion at the ceremony.

Worried by child abuse cases in the country, the Executive Director, Chijindu Eze Foundation, Eze Saint Chima, has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure that the rights of all children in Nigeria are properly protected.

Chima, who made the appeal in Lagos during a visit to Berth Torrey Home, Awuwo Odofin, a home for the mentally challenged persons, urged government to provide proper alternative care for children who have been abandoned or forced to leave their family or community.

Women group in Anambra prays for Obiogbolu

By Lekan Bilesanmi

A

group of women, Umuada Anambra, has decided to involve God in the forth-coming Anambra State governorship election when it organized a one-day prayer programme.

The programme, which came up at St. Andrews playing pitch, Nnewi, saw a good number of

women turning up.

The women wanted God to enthrone an administration that will not criminalize their children and husbands through un-employment and prayed that God will assist Dr. Alex Obiogbolu to achieve his ambition of piloting the s t a t e .

The group, led by Princess Edith Anukwu, bemoaned the situation

where women suddenly become breadwinners in many families through backbreaking efforts, which the women prayed should not continue. The women, after their prayers, organized themselves into a prayer chain to make supplication for Obiogbolu, his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and Anambra state for thirty days.

He noted that it is also the duty of government to guarantee that all children’s basic needs are met as well as ensure that those who violate children’s rights are punished.

“We are calling upon government to recommit

itself to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The foundation believes that the children rights as enshrined in the Child’s Act 2003 must be protected. We work tirelessly to ensure that children’s right are

respected and that government fulfils its legal obligations. We also believe strongly in the power of education to help protect children’s rights and are working tirelessly to ensure that children are empowered with an awareness of their rights.’

Ijaw mourns Esiri as veteran actor goes home

T

HE Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has described the late Nollywood actor, Chief Justus Esiri, as a blessing to the Niger Delta in general and the Urhobo nation in particular.

In a condolence message by Comrade Joseph Evah, on behalf of the group, it stated that the talented actor displayed drama dexterity before the world as proof that Niger Delta region produces all manner of talents that can compete with other brains anywhere in the world.

“We are proud that the late Justus Desire’s photograph is displayed among the great men and women on the wall of the Niger Delta Hall of Fame, established by Ijaw Monitoring Group,

where over 350 great personalities are inducted. We urge the Delta State government and the Federal

Government to acknowledge this rare breed of the professional actor who did much to motivate the younger generation.

Ezeife mourns slain deputy

A

former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, yesterday, described his late deputy, Chief Chudi Nwike, who was allegedly killed by kidnappers in Delta State, as a man who served his people diligently.

Nwike was kidnapped two weeks ago and his abductors demanded N30 million ransom, but before the money could be provided, his dead body and that of the person who went to pay the ransom were found somewhere in Delta

State.

Ezeife said he enjoyed a good working relationship with him, adding that Nwike was diligent in the discharge of his duties.

“Why on earth would this man go this way? He was my deputy and he worked so hard while we were in office. He would work from seven in the morning till evening and we enjoyed a harmonious relationship while in office. I am shocked at what happened and it is indeed sad”, he told Sunday Vanguard.

Understanding the Issues in Alamieyeseigha’s Pardon

BY IFIDON UNUIGBE

T

HE uproar against the presidential pardon granted the former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D i e p r e y e Alamieyeseigha, has been unprecedented.

While some of the comments have been based on sound though not infallible logic, others have simply been based on emotions, ignoring facts of our national histor y, the

constitutionality of the pardon and his postconviction contribution to national peace and development.

Reading some of the comments of those against the former governor ’s pardon, it is clear that those against it have played on the falsehood of the events surrounding his impeachment and subsequent plea bargain. It is equally clear that the case has become a collateral damage of the fight for 2015 as well as the

growing national consciousness against corruption.

B e s i d e s Alamieyeseigha, others granted pardon were former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, the late Maj. Gen. Shehu Musa Yar ’Adua; former Bank of the North Managing Director, Mohammed Bulama; former Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya; former Minister of Works, the late Maj. Gen. Abdulkareem Adisa, Major Bello Magaji and Muhammad

Biu. The late Yar’Adua, Diya and the late Adisa were convicted for their alleged involvement in the phantom coup against the then Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha, in 1995.

While Yar ’Adua died in prison in December 1997, Adisa died following an accident several years after he was released from detention.

However, of all the beneficiaries of the state pardon, that of Alamieyeseigha

attracted public opprobrium for President Goodluck Jonathan.

Those against the decision of the president predicated their position on the simple argument that it could further encourage corruption.

But critics who condemned the pardon as immoral have failed to see where, indeed, the morality lies. It lies in a justice system that doesn’t seek to condemn but correct; doesn’t destroy but directs; and doesn’t eliminate but elevates second chances.

All over the world, pardons are granted when individuals, who committed crimes, have demonstrated that they have fulfilled their debt to society. Thus, pardons are sometimes offered to persons who are wrongfully convicted or those who were convicted and have turned a new leaf.

Interestingly, no one has argued against the constitutional right of the president to grant pardon to persons convicted of any crime.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013 — 53

Identifying enemies of Nigeria Football League

By HARRY IWUALA

C

HANGE is a guaranteed constant that is naturally bound to be consistently resisted by the ever present forces comfortable with the status quo. Nigerian clubs returned from continental campaigns last week soiled by humiliating defeats arising from the crisis that has bedeviled the domestic league since May last year when powers higher than Chief Victor Baribote decreed he must leave the office of the now defunct Nigeria Premier League (NPL) Board Chairman. The crisis actually began with the reluctant exit of Chief Oyuki Obaseki, the pioneer Chairman of the NPL Board but came to a head when the Sports Minister, Alhaji Bolaji Abdullahi insisted that the 2012-13 season must not kick-off with Baribote as Chairman. The Board got kicked out and the Minister drew a master stroke by setting up a Management team that even his hardest critics acknowledged to be first rate.

Expectedly, there have been forces campaigning underground to scuttle the fresh breath of administration that has shown excellent signs of delivering the needed reforms to the league administration. Using all manner of subterfuge including induced media harangues, these forces which have held the league down for years are rallying to truncate the objectives of the proposed reforms. It is very evident from the advertorial recently placed by the Chairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Mr. Nduka Irabor that the reform is positioned to inject a transparent process that will confer integrity to the league.

But it appears that we are either not listening sufficiently

•Irabor, mandated to rebuild the league

•Abdullahi, supports restructuring

or have deliberately refused to understand and accept the new direction. A number of irritant questions keep popping up despite repeated clarifications from the LMC. At a recent Media Roundtable with members of the Lagos State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Irabor endured the stress of sounding like a broken record over the same issues.

What is emerging now is that some tendencies often referred to as Club Owners have become jittery over the business plans of LMC which is not in tandem with the way they are used to doing business. They are still living in a world where decision affecting the league business is discussed at a Congress and not at an Annual General Meeting (AGM). It may still come down to mean same thing but the fact is that Congresses are held in football

by Federations, Confederations and the world governing body, FIFA. In the operating manuals of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and as is well known in commercial enterprises which the League is situated, it is the AGM that approves policy directions.

Here are men, majority of who are political appointees liable to sack at the whims of state

governors parading as owners of football clubs and instigating rebellion against moves to properly dimension football as a profitable business. They know that the moment football is placed on the right commercial pedestal, their subterfuge for collecting scarce government resources to run the clubs will be exposed.

Rather than work towards making the clubs less dependent on government funding, they team up to frustrate every effort aimed at organizing football the global way.

I

t would have made sense if these folks have withdrawn their teams from the league to drive home whatever point they are making. But they will not do that because it will equally mean their government subvention will be put on hold as it was done since May 2012 to last month. It is only Baribote and Senator Bukola Saraki that can truly lay claim to the sobriquet, Club Owner and are the only ones who know what it takes to finance a club. The rest are caretakers and agents of government who treat club business the same way government property tend to be treated. But the LMC is even saying they want to encourage

Footballer stunned as scuffed shot goes in I

•Danilo C M Y K

n a turn of events that will give any player who takes a horrible shot a bit of hope, a striker for Brazilian thirddivision club Crac learned that you should never turn your back on a ball in mid-air.

With his side already up 2-0 in a Copa do Brasil match against first-division side Nautico, Danilo lost his balance and flubbed a shot into the night sky. Angry about his miscue, immediately turned and jogged back up the pitch under the assumption that the ball would go into the stands. Instead, it came down at a steep angle and snuck between the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand the crossbar to go in for a goal.

Danilo finally turned back around to find his teammates celebrating and put together what happened, turning his anguish into a smile. Surely he will now claim that the shot came off exactly how he planned it.

•Jalla, queries LMC’s legality a more enduring club ownership that will move away from government or one-man ownership to public ownership through investments by interested businessmen and fans.

Despite the grumblings and misrepresentations that the company is working to deny existing clubs of places in the reformed league, the position as explained at the roundtable in Lagos is that a new threshold is being created which in the next two to three seasons will become operational. The plan is that only clubs that meet the minimum requirements will enroll to be part of the league and such minimum requirements include evidence of financial capacity to meet obligations, existence of standard youth teams, contract templates for recruitment of players and coaches and guarantees to protect rights of league sponsors. It is just like the Central Bank’s policy on

licensing of banks which requires them to meet certain conditions to operate. As a regulator, the LMC is within rights to insist on certain guarantees especially in a country where club managers have shown a predilection to maltreat players and coaches.

The LMC is also saying that there has to be a reform in sponsorship processes to allow more inflow of fund to the league and clubs. Over the years, we have had sponsorship models that shut out big brands from club deals simply because their competitor has been signed on by the league body.

With the new regime, clubs can sign on with any brand though the number of such will be limited in order not to dilute the equity of the major sponsor. This is already working in Ghana and has been practiced in Europe and with this direction, we can now have a vibrant financial environment to the benefit of brands and the clubs.

The Broadcast right is also being reviewed to conform to international standards and ensure that clubs are adequately remunerated unlike what obtained in the defunct NPL where an agency collects over N750m and remits a mere N150m to the league.

It is easy to understand why there is a fight to stop the LMC and Nigerians must rise to resist these leeches so our players and coaches can enjoy their labour.

•Iwuala (youdees@gmail.com), a Sports and Media Consultant based in Lagos

Arsenal fan bags 3yr ban for monkey taunts at Bale

A

n Arsenal fan has been banned from watching football for three years after being found guilty of throwing a banana at a player.

Thomas Flint was also fined £250 at a magistrates’ court in London for the incident, which was not racially-motivated: the player he threw a banana at was Tottenham’s Gareth Bale, who was taking a corner kick during the derby match at White Hart Lane on March 3.

Magistrate Rebecca Crane told Flint he had been guilty of “disgraceful behaviour” and that he had allowed his feelings about the Spurs v Arsenal derby, “to boil over into hostility for a single player and the opposing team. It could have boiled over into violence.’’

Flint, a 23-year-old carpenter from Enfield, faces a further sanction, this time handed out by the club he supports: Arsenal

said before the trial that they would ban him for life if found guilty. Flint admitted the offence of “using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause alarm”, and threw himself on the mercy of the court.

•Flint

54 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 14, 2013

Brazil 2014: Bazuaye, Okosieme charge Eagles to make World Cup priority •Plead for Odemwingie’s return him.

However, I think that the nation is bigger than any individual. Keshi has done well,, but he alone can not do it, he needs the support of all to achieve his set out goal,”Bazuaye stressed.

In his reaction, ex-Eagles prolific winger, Ndubuisi Okosieme charged Super Eagles players to prove to the world that they are truly African champions by ensuring that they secure the 2014 World Cup ticket.

“It is a big joy for Nigeria to win the African Cup of Nations after so many years. Good a thing we did very well but that is not to say that we have arrived. There is still a

BY OJIEVA EHIOSUN

F

ORMER Nigeria Internationals, Baldwin Bazuaye and Ndubuisi Okosieme, have expressed optimism in the ability of the coach Stephen Keshi – led Super Eagles to qualify for the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil.

Speaking on the chances of the Eagles getting the ticket, the duo hinted that the team have all it takes to have Nigeria’s flag hoisted in Brazil, stressing that more priority should be given to the World Cup preparations rather than the Confederation Cup. According to Bazuaye, “This is no time to blame Keshi or the players for playing 1-1 draw against the Harambee Stars of Kenya, the most important thing is that we got a point from the game.

What if the boys had lost the game Heaven would not fall. So I’m happy that we are on top in the Group with four points.

All they need to do now is to be more focused for the next game.

Being African champions, Super Eagles are a team to beat. The most important thing is for the technical crew to beef up the team by inviting more experienced players that are capable of standing any team during and after the qualifiers,” he said.

The one-time assistant coach of Lobi Stars of Makurdi appealed to the head of Super Eagles technical crew, Stephen Keshi to do every thing

EP Guardiola has identified an Arsenal player as one of his first potential signings at Bayern Munich, reports the Daily Mail.

The paper says that centre-back Laurent Koscielny is on Bayern’s wish list as they look to replace veteran Daniel van Buyten who is likely to leave the Bundesliga giants in the summer.

According to the Mail: “Koscielny was tracked by Barcelona during Guardiola’s final season in Spain and his since continued to go from strength to strength since his arrival in North London three years ago. “ The paper says that Bayern would also like Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels but that deal is unlikely as the two clubs have been at war over the Bayern’s pursuit of striker Robert Lewandowski.

C M Y K

Eagles to win the World Cup,”he said.

Meanwhile, the duo have agreed to offer themselves for any national team job, particularly the U-17 junior national team. “ Nobody in Nigeria is born a coach, it is all based on experience , zeal, determination, commitment and hard work.

With the level I have reached in this business of football, there is no team that I can not handle. I think Nigerians look down on those that have seen it all in this game.I tell you that if I’m given the job to handle the U-17 today, I will take them to the peak. I know what I’m capable of doing.

My time will definitely come,” he said.

Ekeji quits with a strong legacy

BY OSARETIN EMUZE

F

•Odemwingie within his power to recall Osaze Odemwingie and other out of favour Super Eagles players for the interest of the nation’s football.

“As I speak to you now, I’m not happy that Peter Osaze Odemwingie is still missing from the Eagles list. If you do not know, let me tell you that I personally brought up Osaze, because when he was growing up, I used to hold his hand to the field to watch football.

Later, he became a ball

boy, but today I’m elated that he is up there.

To me, no matter how you look at it, Osaze is a good player, and any coach that is worth his salt needs good players to make his dream a reality. I know that Osaze has always got himself involved in controversies which is not good for his career, but one good thing about him is that he will always tell you the truth. May be that is why many people don’t like

Guardiola plans to raid Arsenal for Bayern

P

long way to go in the rebuilding process of a new national team capable of rewriting the history of our football. Now that we are back on track, we must give more priority to the forthcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

As a matter of fact, the Eagles must prove to the world that winning the Nations Cup was not a fluke. And all they own Nigerians now is to do every thing within their power to pick the World Cup ticket.

And I want to use this medium to appeal to the NFF to give the team all necessary assistance needed for them to make the World Cup dream a reality. It is not impossible for the Super

Prising away Koscielny won’t be easy either as the French international signed a new deal with Arsenal only last summer.

The Mail picks up on quotes from the 27-yearold from just last month when he said: “I still have four years left on my contract after June. I feel good in the club - they have faith in me. I’m happy in London, my family too. I’m not thinking about [leaving].”

However, Guardiola showed his ability to prise away Arsenal assets while at Barcelona – Cesc Fabregas being the most famous example – and is expected to be handed a huge war chest to stamp his authority on the already elite squad he will inherit from Jupp Heynckes.

To some other rumours and Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is keen on a

summer move for Manchester City defender Micah Richards according to the Daily Mirror but will face competition.

The paper says: “Liverpool have made an enquiry and are among a clutch of clubs who are interested in signing 24-year-old Richards.

ORMER Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief Dr Patrick Ekeji finally retired from the service last week after serving his country meritoriously for over four decades as a player, coach and administrator.

Ekeji carved a niche for himself in all spheres of life, leaving a legacy for others to follow. As a player, he was part of the team that won gold in the football event of the 2nd All Africa Games hosted in Lagos, in 1973.

Thirty years after he again led the country to win the All Africa Games hosted in Abuja as the Director of Sports in the Sports Ministry, a feat no other director, dead or living had achieved since Nigeria got her independence fron the British in 1960: Aside that, the Aboh-Mbaise High Chief also contributed immensely to the development of sports in the country and formulated several sports po-

Wigan breeze past Millwall, await Man City/Chelsea in final

W

IGAN Athletic reached the FA Cup final for the first time in their 81-year history with a deserved victory over Championship side Millwall at Wembley in a match marred by serious crowd violence.

Shaun Maloney’s firsthalf goal put Roberto Martinez’s Premier League side on their way

and Callum McManaman secured a meeting with Chelsea or Manchester City next month when he finished off a flowing move 12 minutes from time.

Sadly, however, the occasion was scarred in the closing stages as scuffles broke out in several areas of Millwall’s allocated end.

•Ekeji lices that would have taken sports to Eldorado but for government bureaucracy that killed his dreams and vision for sports in the country.

Under him sports men and women enjoyed the best of time as thier allowances were paid as at when due. He was an apostle of public and private sector partnership in sports and through this he created the concept Team Nigeria and took Nigeria sports to the Stock Exchange in 2003.

This again was killed during the brief period he left the sports ministry.

His vision and mission for Nigerian sports was second to none but he failed to achieve most of them because of government’s insensitivity resulting most times in the failure to release funds on time for major competitions, culminating in Nigeria not wining medals at major competitions, the most recent being the London 2012 Olympic Games.

During his reign as Director General of the NSC, Nigeria soared higher in sports despite

frustrations from various quarters. Take it or leave it, Nigeria won the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa under his tenure.

For first time ever in the history of Nigeria, team sports shone like million stars. In the Abuja All Africa Games, Nigeria won gold in Volleyball, Basketball, lawn tennis and cycling for the first time in the history of the Games which began in 1965. Basketball qualified for the London 2012 Olympics.

This was due to the ingenuity of Dr Ekeji. His long time camping in Cuba, Bulgaria and Germany and his vision to engage the services of experts from those countries to train our athletes did the magic.

Chief Ekeji is not only a guru but a sports icon that should be consulted by all.

Please, take a bow. You succeeded where others failed. You are a man of vision, your humility, principles, milk of human kindness, steadfastness, frankness and strictness will surely be missed.

One thing is however clear, when the history of Nigerian sports is to be written or told, your good works will never be forgotten. Generations yet unborn will read about your exploits which began over forty years ago as a player, coach and administrator.

All those who criticized your style of leadership never really understood your person. They will surely know the difference now.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013 — 55

COWAP marks WHO’s day in Lagos

CONFEDERATIONS CUP:

CAF throws out Heartland from race T

HE Confederation of African Football, CAF has thrown out Nigeria’s representatives in the 2013 CAF Confederation Cup, Heartland Football Club of Owerri from the competition and given their opponents, US Bitam of Gabon the ticket into the next round of the competition, citing article 16 of the competition’s regulations.

After a meeting of its Inter-clubs Committee to consider Heartland’s protest, CAF ruled that Heartland’s failure to show up for the second leg match in Gabon was entirley their fault.

CAF wrote on its website that “ In relation to the match initially scheduled on Saturday April 06 th which did not take place between US Bitam (Gabon) and Heartland (Nigeria) in the frame of the 10th edition of the Orange Confederation Cup 2013, the referees and officials registered the absence of Heartland team at the time of kick off.

The 1st leg match played in Nigeria ended with a score of 2-1 in favour of Heartland and the return leg was scheduled on April 6 th at 16h00 in Libreville – Gabon.

The CAF Inter-clubs Committee considered that the absence of the team from Nigeria was mainly the responsibility of the club Heartland, rather than a case of force majeure.

Consequently, and in conformity with article 16 of the competition regulations:‘If for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match-except in case of force majeure accepted by the Organising Committee- or if it refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the permission of the referee, it shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated from the competition. The same shall apply to the teams which were declared disqualified by decision of CAF.’ And without considering other possible sanctions to be applied during the next meeting of the CAF inter-clubs Committee in May in Cairo, the CAF Inter-cubs Committee considers the team Heartland eliminated from the competition.

The US Bitam team will therefore face the team of USM Algiers for the next round of the competition.

F

*Ndubuoke

2013 Polo: Kufena Wins General Hassan Cup

T

HE ongoing MTN 2013 International Polo Tournament that has been “the-talk-of-the-town” within and outside the country has produced its first set of winners, even as the prestigious event braces up for its grand finale, this weekend. The first cup of the event which was decided before a full house, at the legendary Zaria polo ground, was the General Hassan Cup, won by the top-firing Zaria Kufena to emerge the proud winners in the MTN powered tourney.

To clinch the coveted title, the quar-

tet of Abubakar Sani, Hassan Gashash, Ibrahim Paki and Nasiru Mohammed, edged out top rivals, Zaria Kubanni, a formidable team which paraded Jibril Magaji, Mobarak Tanko, Umar Abdullahi and Aliyu Umar Ilo, to clinch the coveted title.

The Sarkin Zazzau Jafaru Memorial Cup, the Commandant Cup and the Unity Bank Cup were also carted home, while

the biggest title, the Royal Signal Cup will be decided, this weekend, in the grand finale of the prestigious MTN polo fiesta. The royal prize played in honour of the late Sarkin Zazzau Jafaru, the Commandant Cup and the Unity Bank Cup, were the major subsidiary prizes in the prestigious polo extravaganza.

from Rangers were not ‘domiciled’ with the league body.

If so, how come Mba was cleared to play for Warri Wolves? Or is it possible the NPL was not aware of the transfer? It then means there are many more Mbas who are illegally playing for clubs in the league without proper transfer and documentation.

If we may ask, who is this Rangers official who denied the Enugu club their transfer fee and why have the authorities not taken up the matter till now? Is it possible that a bigger amount was announced as Mba’s transfer fee and a little was actually paid into the club official’s account and the balance kept by Warri Wolves officials?

Nigerians need to know.

Coming to the NFF, the football body is as confused if not more confused than both clubs who are trying to hide something from Nigerians on the Mba messy transfer deal. If not why would the NFF in a space of four months, state that Mba belongs to both Warri Wolves and Rangers.

In January when the final list of players who were selected for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations was

released by the NFF, Mba was listed as a Rangers player. The list was public knowledge and Warri Wolves cannot claim not to have seen it and yet they never complained or protested.

Could it be that then they felt Mba was no longer relevant in their plans for the league and were happy to lose him to Ranger? Spokesman of Warri Wolves, Moses Etu, in one of his reactions told journalists that they allowed Mba to go because they really didn’t need him anymore. Then too, he failed to say that the player had not been paid salary for about three months before he left for Rangers.

The NFF confirmed their confused state when during the week, a list of 30 players invited by Super Eagles chief coach, Stephen Keshi was released and they listed Mba as a Warri Wolves player. Why the volte face? Somebody is hiding something in the NFF hence after their investigation, both clubs were asked to go and settle the rift and come out with an acceptable transfer fee for the player or they will fix it by themselves. That is a decision of a culpable body, pure and simple.

The Mba saga has not only damaged the player’s reputation but has put Nigeria in general as not only a disorganised country but a corrupt one too. The earlier the mess is cleared and the culprits sanctioned, the better for our football and image as a country,.

Mba saga: NFF, NPL, Warri Wolves, Rangers culpable I

HAD decided I’ll not write on the Sunday Mba saga again after speaking with Amaju Pinnick, Chairman of Warri Wolves Football Club who told me that someone within the football or league house contributed to the mess in the Mba transfer issue.

When pressed to mention the culprit so that the matter could be trashed once and for all, Pinnick said they, at Warri Wolves, would not want anybody to lose his job. At this stage I said, then there is no need writing or talking about the issue again.

I have decided to break that self imposed ban because of the reaction of one of the country’s most respected football administrators and analysts, Pa John Ojidoh who reacted from his Illah base in Delta State the other day.

To Pa Ojidoh, Mba

belongs to Warri Wolves based on the documents he saw but I must say here that those documents were not fool proof as some were plain sheets while the player ’s signature were not appended on the socalled contract papers.

We should not duel so much on the so-called contracts entered into between Mba and Rangers on one hand and Mba and Warri Wolves on the other because most, if not all football clubs in Nigeria, have no genuine contracts with players or coaches.

One thing I will make bold to say here is that from the presentation by the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Rangers, Warri Wolves and even the League body, not the one now being managed by Nduka Irabor, are all culpable in the transfer mess which has really exposed our

ollowing the celebration of the World Health Organisation, WHO day tagged, ‘hypertension day’ the Charity Organization for the Welfare of the Aged People COWAP, in the same vain organized an elderly walk around recently in FESTAC town, Lagos, reports Olayinka Ajayi The exercise which was graced by mostly pensioners was a long distance walk intended to take off stress from them. President of the NGO, Mr.Esan Olushola speaking at the event, admonished the elders to make sure they exercised twice daily in other to keep fit.

“Overcome the psychology of weakness, walk around and make exercise a lifestyle,” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Chaplain Darlington charged participants to do exercises regularly even though they may experience pain in their joint, stressing that, “joint pain during exercises is inevitable for beginners but in continuity lies fitness and strength.”

football system as very corrupt.

Let me begin with both Wolves and Rangers. Why would Warri Wolves pay Rangers for a player and the money is not paid into the club’s account but into the personal account of an official of Rangers? If the transfer money was really paid, was it receipted and by whom, Rangers or the official into whose account the money was paid?

Why would Warri Wolves connive with a Rangers official to transfer the club’s money into a wrong account? Why was the NFF or the NPL, as the case may be, not notified about the ‘deal’ ?

We know that when a player is properly transferred, before he starts playing for his new club, the transfer documents are deposited with the league body. We were told by the NFF investigation panel that Mba’s transfer papers

On Yobo and Keshi

One feels that after the Emmanuel Emenike complain, Stephen Keshi should have found a way to relate well with his players instead of tearing themselves apart on daily basis via the news media, like the present drama being displayed by Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo.

One thing is however clear here, no one player is indispensable. Osaze Odemwingie was dropped from the Eagles and he thought the team would fail but it turned out opposite.

Again people are saying that Yobo is needed in the team for his experience and all worth not. How much value did he add to the Nations Cup triumph but he still benefited all the same. Yobo has a clear agenda, that is to continue to extend his record of most capped Eagles in history. But must it be at the country’s detriment.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 14, 2013

CAN Under-17:

Eaglets face Gabonese test N

IGERIA’s Under-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets won all their qualification games for the Cup of Africa Nations Under17 tournament, but now it is crunch time in Morocco where they will face Gabon in the group B opener.

The Eaglets return to the tournament after three years of absence and according to coach Manu Garba, their aim is not just to win a qualification ticket to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates, but to win just like the Super Eagles did in South Africa early this year.

“We are steadfast about our main objective of qualifying for the World Cup as African champions and by the grace of God, we shall succeed,” said Garba.

“The ball is now in the court of the players and they know what is expected. What we want is for Nigerians to continue to assist them with their prayers and we shall be victorious,” he noted.

The squad began training three hours after arriving in Marrakech from Lagos with limbering exercises at the Youssef Ben Ali Stadium on Wednesday, before continuing on Thursday at the Stade Zarktoni.

Garba who was part of the coaching crew in 2007 when the Eaglets ruled the world said that his boys are ready to play and

win.

“I don’t think these boys would suffer stage fright. Why do I say this? If a team can travel out of the shores of the country and win all its qualifying matches, I think such team deserves some respect.

“I remember that some people thought we were going to be eliminated by Mali after we beat them 2-0 in Calabar. They felt that Mali had better advantage because of their size and coupled with the fact that the second leg was going to be away in Bamako.

•Moses

FA CUP:

Toure brothers battle Mikel, Moses again A

S Manchester City take on Chelsea today in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Wembly Stadium, there will be a carry over of an unfinished battle from the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Yaya and Kolo Toure were in the wrong end of the rainbow as John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses emerged victory at the South Africa 2013 tournament

at the expense of the the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire whom they knocked out in the semifinal with the Toure brothers playing active roles. As City and Chelsea size up for a ticket to the final of the FA Cup, there is every probability the African connection will come into play.

Moses and Mikel had a hand in the fall of the Elephants in South Africa and they have also

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Nigerian state (4) 3. Niger-Delta tribe (8) 6. W. African country (5) 8. Wind instrument (4) 9. Vast (8) 11. Meadow (3) 12. Smallest part (4) 13. Unemployed (4) 14. Have ambition (6) 16. Attachment (5) 18. Spy (5) 20. Hangs around (7) 22. Irritate jokingly (5) 24. Nigerian state (5) 26. U.S. currency unit (4) 29. Insects (4) 30. Orb (4) 31. Sailor (3) 32. Hoped for (8) 33. Smooth (4) 34. Tox (5) 35. Sun-measuring equipments (8) 36. Consolidates (4)

• Toure

DOWN 1. Nigerian state (7) 2. Middle Belt tribe (5) 3. Nigerian tribe (6) 4. Distending (7) 5. Examine (7) 7. Stockpile (5) 10. Seize with teeth (4) 14. Engine part (4) 15. Cereal (3) 17. No (Scottish) (3) 18. Enquires (4) 19. Pen tip (3) 21. Maiden name (3) 22. Businessmen (7) 23. Hang (7) 25. Isles (7) 26. U.S. currency unit (4) 27. Sportswear firm (6) 28. Go in (5) 30. Makes beer (5)

SOLUTION on page 15

contributed to Chelsea’s upward swing in domestic and continental campaigns. Moses scored on Thursday during their Europa Cup quarterfinal second leg against Rubin Kazan. He will be in action today and so will Yaya Toure who is the powerhouse in the City midfield and made a great difference in their derby against Manchester United last Monday.

However, there is so much at stake for the two clubs much more their African imports.

There is only one word to describe Chelsea’s grip on the FA Cup in recent years - incredible.

Before 1997, Chelsea had only won the trophy once in their 92-year history and have been runners-up on three occasions. But in the last 17 seasons, they have reached the final seven times, with six victories.

Their record is particularly impressive since the new Wembley Stadium was completed in 2007. Chelsea won the first FA Cup final to be held there, and they have not lost in six subsequent visits in the competition, including three more finals.

Excluding penalty shoot-outs, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 29 FA Cup ties, winning 23 and drawing six.

Chelsea’s history in the FA Cup and at Wembley bodes well but their recent head-to-head record against City is far less encouraging.

The London side have won only two of their last nine meetings with City in all competitions, losing six and drawing the other.

In their last five matches in the Premier League and Community Shield, City have enjoyed more possession on four occasions, including when they played more than 30 minutes with 10 men when Gael Clichy was sent off during Chelsea’s win at Stamford Bridge in December 2011.

Results Arsenal 3 Norwich Aston Villa 1 Fulham Everton 2 QPR Reading 0 Liverpool S’hampton 1 West Ham FA Cup Millwall 0 Wigan 2 Today’s matches Newcastle v Sunderland 12pm Stoke v Man Utd 2.5pm FA Cup Chelsea v Man City 4pm

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa.

Advert Dept: :01- 7924470; Hotline: 01- 4707189; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail website: sundayvanguard@yahoo.com, editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com. Advert:advert@vanguardngr.com.

Internet: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: JIDE AJANI. All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K

1 1 0 0 1