Edo Buber Elections - Early result favours Oshiomhole

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People waiting for accreditation at Ogbomoide Primary School in Iruekpen.

ACN, PDP trade claims Continued from page 5

voting.

In Edo North Senatorial District, late arrival of voting materials was pronounced in many areas.

The situation was blamed on the insistence of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for the election, to be paid their allowances before hand.

In some parts of AkokoEdo local government area, some communities like Ikpeshi, Egbigere, Enwan, Atte in ward eight got their materials very late. In Ikpeshi, materials arrived 12.45, and as a result, accreditation and voting went on simultaneously to cover up the lost hours and there was no presence of policemen or even men of the Civil Defence Corps. There was fighting in Egbigere inside because of disagreement by the politicians.

But in Igarra in Akoko Edo, accreditation started as early as 8.30 am. But it was not the same case in Ibillo, Ikiran Ole, Ikiran Oke, Lampese, Ugboshi-afe and Ugboshi-ele, where materials were late, just as it was in Ibillo.

Oshiomhole angry Piqued by the late arrival of materials at the

polling centres in many parts of the state, Oshiomhole warned that they could be no winner where people were not allowed to vote.

The ACN candidate spoke with newsmen at the Iyamho Primary School, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area where he voted.

“They plan not to bring out the voting materials on time and, as we speak, in Oredo Local government area, Benin City and Egor local government area, the heart of Benin City, materials have not got to majority of the polling booths after 11 am and at the New Era College, Upper Mission Road, they brought fake voters register different from the one the people registered,” he said.

According to him, “if accreditation is to stop by 12pm and by 11 am, it is after 11 am now, there are no materials in some polling booths, it then means Prof. Atahiru Jega and INEC have no plans to conduct election. The whole idea is to frustrate the people so that they will not be able to vote, and they will declare a fake result.

“Prof Jega and INEC have been an embarrassment to the nation. I am in shock with all the arrangements they have made sensitizing the

people, and I told them, INEC need to be sensitized. INEC is the weakest link in the Nigeria democratic chain. I have no faith in what INEC is doing in Benin City.

“This is designed for where majority of the people are denied the right to vote and this time around I have told them this country either decides on whether to move on or move back, I see sponsored editorials saying whatever happens we will go to court, but today we have to sort out the issues once and for all.”

Oshiomhole said he held Jega responsible for the failure of the election and for disenfranchising

the people as INEC has connived with the PDP to perpetrate in scientific rigging.

“They planned it and executed it this way. It is a shame that they have programmed this to embarrass the Nigeria nation. If INEC do not allow the people to vote and they pronounce the winner there will be trouble .He said, “fifty five percent of voters are in Edo South and forty percent in Benin City, and they think they can deprive the people the opportunity to vote,” the can candidate said. “ Prof. Jega has failed up because I wrote a petition that they are buying voter’s cards. We

will all go to court before God. They know that if it is two people remaining, they will not vote for them.”

G o v e r n o r ’ s condemnation hastyPDP Director of Publicity of the PDP in Edo State, Mr. Okharedia Ihimekpen, who reacted to Oshiomhole’s condemnation of the process, said the governor had seen the writing on the wall and was trying to raise unnecessary alarm in order to rationalize his eventual defeat at the poll. Ihimekpen said that Oshiomhole had suddenly realized that “the security and the electoral body are insisting on accreditation of voters whose names are in the voters register in line with the one man, one vote mantra.” He went on: “Reports that reached us from Oshiomhole’s area in Edo North indicated that under-age voters and persons without voter cards were not allowed to get into the premises of the polling station by security men. “The governor gave himself away as a possible beneficiary of votes by these unqualified voters when he claimed that voters in the area have been disenfranchised.

Is he saying those not qualified to vote should be allowed to do so?”

Ihimekpen stated that the governor’s claim that INEC planned to rig the election in Edo South was also ridiculous and patently deceptive, pointing out that “Edo South is the stronghold of the PDP governorship

candidate, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) and a majority of his supporters are from the zone. “If Oshiomhole is claiming that INEC is planning to rig election in Edo South, it stands to reason that the rigging is being done against our candidate whose stronghold is Edo South. Is Oshiomhole saying that Edo South people will reject their son?” He, however, said that “reports that have reached us thus far from Edo South Senatorial Zone did not suggest any manipulation by the INEC. The report was that the electoral body had been on top of some minor hitches in the distribution of materials in some isolated polling units, about two or three and the issue had been resolved and the process was progressing smoothly.” Ihimekpen advised that rather than resort to these “frenzied and desperate antics of intimidation and blackmail against the INEC, the parties must do all within their powers to assist the electoral body to deliver on a credible election.”

‘Election free, fair’ Speaking on the Edo poll, yesterday, the PDP Director of Mobilistion, Paschal Ugome (Ominimini) described it as free and fair. He said the rsult appeared to have “ reflected the minds of the people of my area and other places where I monitored” He added: “The conduct of the election was very credible”.

Some chiefs waiting to vote. Photo: Barnabas Uzosike, Nath Onojake and Akpokona Omafuaire.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 — PAGE 7

Commercial aircraft rams into airforce plane

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

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From left: Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Mr. Tunji Bello, Commissioner for Environment, and Dr. Taofeek Folami, Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, during the 2012 Tree Planting Campaign held at Odiolowo Ojuwoye LCDA, Lagos, yesterday.

commercial aircraft, en route Lagos from Jos, rammed its wings into an airforce C-130 aircraft on the tarmac of Jos airport as it was about to take off, yesterday.

The C-130 aircraft was in Jos to airlift students of the Airforce Military School and Airforce Girls Military School both in the Plateau State capital when the accident occurred.

As a result of the accident, a substantial part of the mainframe of the commercial aircraft,

Bayelsa: Why we made Patience Jonathan perm sec

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Gowon Airport, Heipang Jos”.

“The incident happened at about 1345hrs today when the Arik aircraft was taxiing at the airport tarmac in preparation for take-off.

The tank 1 wing tip of the NAF C-130 was damaged while the wing of the Arik aircraft was dismembered and hung on the NAF aircraft”.

“There was no casualty recorded during the incident, however, the 2 aircraft had to abort their missions. The NAF C130 was in Jos to airlift students of the Air Force Military School and Air Force Girls Military School . Meanwhile, a joint investigation by the Nigerian Air Force and Arik Airline management has commenced”.

DPO shot in Abakaliki

By ADEOLA ADENUGA

AYELSA State government says the appointment of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as a permanent secretary is in recognition of her services to the state and nation, coupled with the fact that she was a directorate level officer in its civil service.

“Unknown to a number of people, the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, joined the Rivers State Civil Service in the 90s, and upon the election of her husband as Deputy Governor in 1999, transferred her service to the civil service of Bayelsa State. She rose through the ranks of the public service of Bayelsa State and was last appointed into the directorate cadre as a Level 15 officer in 2005”, it said.

The state government’s statement was in response to the criticisms which trailed the inclusion of the First Lady’s name in the list of 19 public servants appointed permanent secretaries on July 11.

According to the statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Public Affairs) to Bayelsa State Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, “by the traditions of the state civil service, officers on directorate level, some of whom are even junior to her (Patience Jonathan) present position, have been appointed as permanent secretaries before now”.

The statement went on: “Even among the list of those currently appointed, not all of them are the most senior officers.

Appointment is a combination of leadership, output, dedication, geographical spread etc which informs a governor’s exercise of his discretionary powers to appoint permanent secretaries in consultation

a Boeing 737-700 with registration No. 5NMJI, was taken off on impact while its dismembered body remained hanging on the C-130 aircraft.

A joint investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the accident, which recorded no casualty, involving NAF, the airline and the relevant Nigerian aviation bodies has commenced.

A statement released by the Nigerian Airforce on the incident by Wing Commander A. Makun, Deputy Director, Directorate of Airforce information said: “ An Arik Airline Boeing 737700 with registration No 5NMJI on a routine flight to Lagos brushed the wing of a parked Nigerian Air Force C-130 (NAF 917) at the Yakubu

with the appropriate authorities.

“We want to place it on record that His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, is convinced firstly, that wives of governors, vice presidents, Presidents and all other spouses whose positions are not recognized by the laws of the country and are not funded by the government should be

encouraged and supported to pursue and maintain their independent careers.

Happily, there are several instances in this country where wives of presidents, governors, national assembly members etc have gained recognition and have been rewarded in their chosen careers.

“His Excellency believes that wives of such public officers should not suffer prejudices or deprivation merely as a result of the

positions occupied by their husbands.

“We believe that in this particular instance, her services to the development of Bayelsa State and Nigeria as wife of a deputy governor, governor, vice president and now President qualify as essential service which should be recognized and rewarded, not derided and denigrated on the altar of politics”.

BY PETER OKUTU

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Divisional Police Officer, Mr. M e s h a c k Okpara, formerly in charge of Kpirikpiri police station in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, was, at the weekend, shot along Ngbukobe area by suspected hired

Police intercept 8,450 ammunition concealed in T-shirt cartons

BY EVELYN USMAN & RUTH CHUKWUEMEKA

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AGOS State Police Command has smashed a syndicate that specialized in illegal importation of ammunition from neighboring West African countries, arresting three suspected members, including retired naval officer.

The suspects, alleged to be traders at the popular Onitsha market, usually concealed the ammunition inside their goods, using the method to evade security checks at the border.

But luck ran out on them after the surveillance team of Trade Fair Division, under Area ‘E’ Command intercepted a Volkswagen bus loaded with goods from Seme border, on Wednesday, at the Trade Fair Complex.

The vehicle was reportedly taken to the station based on suspicion, where a startling discovery of 8,450 live cartridges, concealed inside cartons of T-shirts was made, when

searched.

Parading the suspects before journalists, yesterday, at the command headquarters, Ikeja, the Command boss, Mr Umar Manko, revealed that “after close examination, a navy warrant officer’s WO2 uniform, identity card, beret, badges and shoes of a retired naval officer, who was in charge of the vehicle, at the time of

arrest, were found .

“Investigation was extended to Onitsha, Anambra State, leading to the arrest of one Udeh, who is one of the owners of the consignment. He offered the sum of N61,200 to the police to influence the release of the consignment and was arrested in the process”.

However, when the retired naval officer was

questioned, he denied knowledge of the contents of the cartons, saying he was only called upon to convey the goods to Trade Fair by one Ejike. He also denied wearing the military uniform, saying he only kept it in the vehicle in order to wade off motor park touts and policemen whom he accused of always harassing them on the road.

assassins.

The DPO, who was in Abakaliki to formally hand over to his successor, was said to have been ambushed after the exercise and shot in several parts of his body.

Before the incident, the victim was to resume duties as DPO of Ezza North local government area where he was transferred to.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of Ebonyi State Police Command, DSP Sylvester Igbo, disclosed that the DPO had been taken to hospital where he was receiving treatment, adding that the condition of the victim was stable.

According to the PPRO, some of the suspected assassins had been arrested while investigation into the incident had commenced.

Igbo noted that the police was yet to ascertain the objective behind the plot to assassinate Okpara but however expressed optimism that details surrounding the attack would soon be unravelled.

CAN flays suicide attack on Shehu of Borno, dep Gov

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HE President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, has condemned the attempt on the lives of the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garba Elkanemi and the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar, when a 15-year old suicide bomber struck outside the Shehu’s palace mosque moments after the jumat prayers.

Five persons were killed while several others, including two soldiers were injured.

Oritsejafor, in a statement, yesterday, commiserated with the government of Borno State and families of those who lost their loved ones in the attack.

Noting that there is a world of difference between Islam and Islamicism, the CAN leader said this is the reason the United States

of America must designate the Jama’atu Ahlissunna Lidda Awati Wal-Jihad, meaning ‘people committed to the propagation of the prophet’s teachings and Jihad’, popularly known as Boko Haram, as “Foreign Terrorist Organisation”.

Oritsejafor urged the Shehu of Borno who, with the deputy governor were the targets of the suicide bomber, not to be deterred by the attack. He implored the Shehu to continue to

work for the peace and unity of Nigeria, “the evil machinations of those who masterminded the attack notwithstanding.”

He appealed to all Nigerians and indeed those who hold human life sacred , “ who a re in positions to end this orgy of violence and blood-letting to team up with the Federal Government in its search for meaning in our national life.”

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PDP governorship flag bearer, Major General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) arriving the Garrick Memorial College in Benin City.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State casting his vote at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho Primary School, Iyamho, for 2012 governorship election in the state, yesterday. Photos: Barnabas Uzosike, Nath Onojake and Akpokona Omafuaire.

Gen.Charles Airhiavbere casting his vote at Unit 20, Ward 1, Gar rick Memorial Primary School, Benin City.

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Pius Odubu addressing the press after casting his vote.

Jubilation at Itohan Girls Grammar School, Ward 6, Sapele Road, Benin City after the announcement of ACN as winner in the Ward.

Gen. Charles Airhiavbere and wife, Yetunde at Garrick School, Benin during the election.

Hajia Aishetu Oshiomhole, mother of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State queuing to cast her vote at Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho Primary School, Iyamho.

A large crowd of voters at Payne Primary School in Benin-City.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 — PAGE 9

Voters protesting over accreditation for the governorship election yesterday. Photos: Barnabas Uzosike, Nath Onojake and Akpokona Omafuaire.

A large crowd at Aruosa Primary School at Ehor.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole collecting his ballot paper to cast his vote.

Electoral officers counting votes.

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From left: Mr. Kassim Gaidam, Rec. Commissioner, Edo State and DIG Marvel Akpoyibo addressing protesters.

A large crowd of voters at Girls Primary School at Uromi.

Voters at Ukpenu Primary School, Ekpoma waiting to cast their votes, despite the heavy rainfall yesterday.Photo by Ajayi Anuoluwapo

Voters waiting for accreditation.

PAGE 10 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

Eight days of horror in kidnappers den, by victim

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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L-R: CEO, Seven Paints Ltd., and District 9110 Governor-elect, Rotary International Rotn. Olugbemiga Olowu, Mrs. Yewande Ode, the Director, Laysol Agric Limited, Mrs. Bolade Olowu and the CEO Laysol Nigeria Limited, Mr. Olayiwola Olowu at the Funeral Service for Pa Special Apostle Olubunmi Olowu at Ikoyi, Lagos.

3 student leaders die in Akure -- Owo Road crash accident that claimed the

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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HREE students union leaders from tertiary institutions in Ondo State have been killed in an accident which occurred on AkureOwo Road.

A truck was said to have rammed into the vehicle the students were traveling in, resulting in the deaths. Some of their colleagues traveling with them in the vehicle survived.

Speaking during a visit to the survivors receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Gov Olusegun Mimiko, who rushed down to Akure from Lagos upon hearing of the incident, described it as one acci-

dent too many.

While commiserating with the families of the victims and the student body at large, the governor described the deaths as a painful loss and prayed God to give the families the strength to bear the loss. He assured that the state government will ensure that the survivors have access to first class treatment for quick recovery.

Meanwhile, students of the Federal University Technology Akure ( F U TA ) , y e s t e r d a y, protested against trucks on the Akure-Owo Road, insisting that government must restrict their movement to the night. One of the late student leaders was from FUTA. The students, after receiving details of how the

lives of their colleagues occurred, trooped to the streets in protest against articulated vehicles on the roads in the state, imploring government to regulate their activities.

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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OVERNOR The odore Orji has threatened to dethrone any traditional ruler in Abia State found to be engaging in or aiding and abetting oil pipelines vandalization or illegal oil bunkering.

Orji handed down the warning when he met

•Throws weight behind state police

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MMEDIATE past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has justified the inclusion of security vote in the nation’s constitution.

The former governor also threw his weight behind the clamour for state police, saying it will aid the reduction of crime in the country.

But he regretted that the statute book has clipped the hands of governors to effectively take charge of security in their states.

The former governor said this in a lecture entitled: “Security vote: Whose security and at what cost?” he delivered to a roundtable organized

by the Institute of Directors in Lagos.

He said there was nothing wrong with the provision of security vote for the governors or such other officers with executive powers but argued that the vote should be properly accounted for.

Daniel noted that security matters are a wideranging phenomenon, applying to many things and situations, and under different circumstances.

“The issue of how the socalled security votes allotted to state governors are expended should be of lesser value. What ought to be of concern to us all, in public discourse, should be the state of our insecurity, and how we should respond to it, at whatever cost”, he said.

away and it was later he found out that his supervisor was also kidnapped.

“They blindfolded us and were beating us with cutlass to tell them where our managing director is living in Warri and that they were recruited by somebody he has problem with on the dredging project to take his life”.

“We were starved for three days before they started giving us little food, they thoroughly dealt with us”, he added.

A reliable source said, last night, that the AntiTerrorism Squad, ATS, Warri had arrested four persons, in connection with the kidnap and that a monarch was suspected to be the brain behind the abduction.

Spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, Mr. Charles Muka, promised to find out the details and reach Sunday Vanguard when contacted him for comments.

Orji threatens to dethrone monarchs over pipelines vandalisation

Daniel justifies security vote

BY DAPO AKINREFON

kidnap victim, Denson Ojutuiwon, who was released Friday night after spending eight days in a kidnappers’ den in Delta State, has narrated how he and his fellow worker were whipped with cutlass, tortured and starved of food by their captors.

Ojutuiwon, a dredging master with Practical Dredging and Marine Company Limited, Effurun, Delta state, was abducted along with his supervisor, Robinson Gbakena, at Egrangbene community in Burutu Local Government, July 6, where the company was carrying out a dredging project.

Their kidnappers, who kept sending threat messages to the managing director of the company, Owen Nanakumoh, said they were hired by an unnamed sponsor to as-

sassinate Nanakumoh and demanded N30 million ransom to free the workers.

They said they took the workers hostages because they did not see the managing director when they stormed the project site.

Ojutuiwon, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, yesterday, said they were taken to a location on Warri-Burutu River on Friday night and abandoned there by the kidnappers after which they were brought to Warri by a Good Samaritan.

He said, “We were in Egrangbene for a dredging project, we were sleeping on July 6 after closing from work when some persons, armed with cutlass and guns came in the night, they started beating us, asking us, where is your managing director”.

Ojutuiwon said he was blindfolded and taken

He explained that state chief executives are usually faced with so many daunting security issues that are hardly in the public domain.

with traditional rulers from the oil communities of Ukwa West and Osisioma Ngwa council areas of the state following increased activities of pipeline vandals in the areas.

The governor’s threat was also prompted by the allegation that some traditional rulers and well placed people from the LGAs were involved in the illegal activities.

Meanwhile, Orji has sent a bill to the state House of Assembly proposing that illegal bunkering and breaking of pipelines be made capital offences.

According to him, government had received petitions that some royal fathers were involved in illegal oil bunkering and vandalization of oil pipe-

Rotary battles polio

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE

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HE Rotary District 9125, Lagos yesterday took its campaign against polio in Nigeria to another level with a football match between the men’s wing of the service organisation and the women’s wing.

The match which was organised by the Abuja Presidents Forum of Rotary International took place at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja. The

tournament was also used to mark the end of Rotary year 2011/2012 ended two goals apiece.

The new governor of the district, Felix Obadan, said the match is to usher in Rotary year 2012/2013 of the district, create awareness and promote the polio eradication efforts in Nigeria. “Our mantra has been to kick polio out of the world.

Remember also that many Rotary ambassadors are football stars,” he added.

lines. He warned such people to desist forthwith or face being disgraced by government.

“I have called you for a special purpose. The major thing I have called you is because of what is happening in your areas,

breaking of oil pipelines and stealing oil. The activities of these people have affected the allocation of the state. Because of this, we have for some months received nothing from 13% derivation and it is affecting the development of the state,” the governor said.

Island Club warns against mono-economy

BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

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SLAND Club of Lagos has attributed the lull in the nation’s economy to total dependency on oil and gas.

Calling for diversification from what it called mono-economy policy, the club called for substantial investment in agriculture, warning that the failure to yield to this call may have multiple effects on the nation’s economy in the future.

According to the Chairman of the Club, Prince Ademola Dada, the investment in the agricultural sector will apart from boosting food production, will generate employment for the teeming youth in the country.

Advising the Federal Government to invest heavily in the Agricultural sector, Prince Dada said, agriculture assisted in the rapid development of the old Regions in the

60s, where he said Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Premier of the old Western region introduced farm settlements, with the aims of encouraging young people to live on their farms which have amenities that were almost as good as the ones in towns.

He said, this idea was pioneered in the country

by Chief Obafemi Awolwo during his tenure as Premier of the defunct Western Region. ”Encouraging young people to live on farms was instrumental to the agricultural revolution recorded by the Awolowoled administration. The idea later spread to the eastern part of Nigeria and for many years the country not only had enough for local consumption, it also had enough to export. But like many good things in the country, the idea has since been jettisoned”, Dada stated.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 — PAGE 11

Woman, 70, killed for alleged witchcraft •Ekiti govt cries foul

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI, Ado Ekiti

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KITI State govern ment is sad over the killing in Omuo Ekiti of a seventy-year old woman identified as Madam Rebecca Adewunmi accused of witchcraft.

The daughter of the deceased woman, Mrs. Grace Smith, said some youths in the community conspired to kill her mother.

The State Commission-

er for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, yesterday, described the act as criminal, barbaric and a contravention of laid down laws.

Richie-Adewusi, who lamented that such an unfortunate incidence could still happen in this modern age, said it was sad that the poor old woman was killed based on alleged dream by a little girl that she had a hand in the illness of her stepson.

Why quality education is elusive, by Prof. Aina

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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IGERIAN Library Association, NLA, weekend, said that the sustenance of the ‘Bring the Book Back Project’, recently launched by the Federal Government, largely depends on the availability of standard public libraries throughout the country, just as it accused government of indirectly sabotaging its efforts on reading campaign.

The National President of NLA, Prof. Lenrie Aina, who stated this at a media briefing on the Golden Jubilee of the Association in Abuja, noted that NLA was “not satisfied with the development of the public libraries in Nigeria”.

The don insisted that “as long as we continue to neglect public libraries, we will continue to witness mass failure of stu-

dents in our public examinations”.

He added: “It has been proved beyond doubt that countries that have well developed public libraries perform better in all areas of human development, and the reverse is the case where public libraries are neglected’ as we are currently witnessing in Nigeria.

“We are using this medium to appeal to the Nigerian University Commission, NUC, to direct universities in Nigeria to set aside at least five percent of their budgets, for the development of their libraries, since it is well known that a university library constitutes the heart of a university.

“Therefore, we call on NUC, to re-introduce this policy and make it mandatory and ensure that university librarians are signatories to the account, once it is established”.

Way out of insecurity, by Baraje

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI, Ilorin

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HE immediate past acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has charged the Federal Government to ensure that about 80 per cent of Nigerian youths have access to functional education capable of giving them gainful employment to discourage them from going into crime.

Baraje, who believed that functional education would drastically reduce the security problem being faced in the country, added that the system would also secure better future for the country.

The former PDP boss made the call at the grad-

uation ceremony and presentation of Shahadah to 41 students of Baraje Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies held at the permanent site of the school in Ilorin.

He noted that his intention is to secure the future of the youth through education.

He dismissed the insinuation in certain quarters that the Arabic school system breeds terrorism, adding that Islam from the onset has been a religion of peace.

Baraje urged scholars to continue to preach the teaching of Islam and the need for peaceful co-existence.

He admonished those in authority to always assist the less privileged for the benefit of mankind.

The Commissioner also faulted the failure of the police to make any arrest since June 30 when the incident occurred, just because some prominent leaders in the community reportedly advised the police against wading into a witchcraft case.

Saying that the signing into law of the Ekiti State Gender Based Violence Prohibition bill by Governor Kayode Fayemi last November had made such barbaric act a criminal matter in Ekiti State with great consequences, she called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

“It is clear that the perpetrators of this dastardly act have contravened this law and they should be made to face the full wrath of the law. This act is condemnable and we hope the law enforcement agents will live up to their responsibility and bring all the perpetrators to book”, she added.

Meanwhile, counsel to the family of the deceased, Mr. Femi Omotoso, has, in a petition to Ekiti State Police Command, demanded investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of the woman and prosecution of the culprits.

From left: Mr. Fabian Ajogwe, General Secretary, Governing Council, Aare Afe Babalola, President & Chairman of Council, Mr. Ighodalo Imadegbelo, SAN, awarded Fellow of the Institute and Mr. Ade Ipaye, Attorney General/ Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State during the annual presidential dinner/ presentation of awards and certificates of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Nigeria that held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

From left: The secretary, Mr. Ochefu Raphael, the chairman, Mr. Wasiu Owolabi Akinwande and the tresurer, Mr Emeka Okolie, receiving the certificate of registration from the ERCAAN state governor, Mr Niyi Onagoroye, during the presentation of certificate of office to the new zonal executive ERCAAN Festac by the national president.

FG tasks agric staff on value chain initiative

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FFICIALS of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development have been warned against any act capable of harming the value chain initiative of the Federal Government.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyebola Oyemomi gave the warning while addressing staff and G. E. S. desk officers posted to South – South and South – East States in Abakaliki, Enugu, Calabar, Umuahia, Awka, Port Harcourt, Asaba, Yenagoa, Owerri.

Oyemomi, who represented the Minister of Ariculture and Rural Development, at the flag off ceremonies in the two regions performed by the respective state governors, told the staff to live up to the expectations of the Federal Government by ensuring the success of the value chain commodities and that basic farming inputs such as fertil-

izer and improved seedlings get to farmers on time.

He said that whereas the Federal Government has disengaged from distribution and procurement of inputs to agro-dealers, seed and fertilizer companies, they, as extension and agric. experts, should ensure that the right thing is done so that no registered farmer in the data

base complains of lack of attention.

The Permanent Secretary pointed out that the essence for the ministry ’s decentralization across the 36 states, the FCT and the six geo-political zones was to cater for farmers so that the nation’s policy on food security will be greatly realized at all levels.

He also charged them

to update their skills, particularly on the current Agricultural Transformation Agenda and the Growth Enhancement Support scheme of the present administration, so as to impact on stakeholders such as commercial banks, agrodealers, input companies and the young graduate farmers in the two regions.

Egbema CDC donates items, lauds Uduaghan

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HE leadership of Egbema Community Development Committee, CDC, in Warri North local government area of Delta State, has donated goods worth millions of naira to natives and communities in Egbema kingdom.

Chairman of the committee, Chief Evans Abulu, while presenting the items to the beneficiaries,

commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for providing the funds.

He said the gesture was line with Governor Uduaghan’s human capital development agenda, adding that Governor Uduaghan was committed to empowering the people of Egbema kingdom.

The CDC boss, also advised the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the

items, which include motor-saw Machines, 42" Plasma Tv, power generating sets, computers, Internet facilities and thousands of notebooks.

He urged the people of Egbema kingdom to continue to support the present administration of Governor Uduaghan, revealing that the governor has been funding the committee adequately

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

JOS AND THE UNKNOWN FULANI HERDSMEN

Who will give a damn?

By Jide Ajani

I

t represents a tragic par ody. The killing, in broad day light, of a senator and the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, only serves to make blind folly of the assurances given by Information Minister, Labaran Maku, that parents who were worried about the posting of their wards for the mandatory national service were creating unnecessary panic. For a nation where presidential condolences have become two-a-penny, the latest round of attacks would swell the cabinet wherein condolence letters are filed – one to the deceased senator ’s family; another to the Majority Leader’s family; a special one to the government and people of Plateau State; and for the villagers, they do not really matter so you needn’t “give a damn”.

Well, with the spineless killings in Jos, last weekend, would anyone “give a damn” now? On a matter as weighty as moral force in a corrupt society, the leader who says “I don’t give a damn” in any context particular only presents himself as one with lit-

zWhat nobody will tell you about the killings! zSen. Datong may have seen this coming

Villagers trying to put out fire in one of the houses torched by suspected Fulani herdsmen during the attacks on villages in Barakin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of Plateau State on Saturday. tle or no commitment to the fight against the monster.

In a country where police and army camouflages as well as bullet proof vests have become so cheap, where AK-47 rifles come in handy for ‘herdsmen’ on a mission to kill and destroy, then there is more than meets the eye in the

unchecked activities of a few untouchables. It was even so bad for Senator Datong and the Majority Leader that they were forced to join those they planned to bury in the great beyond via a mortal ambush.

And whereas leaders of the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise

known as Boko Haram, have jumped into the fray claiming responsibility, the point that concerns Nigerians now is not about who did it but the way it was done; and why it should be done.

Had the herdsmen known, Datong was already fighting their cause in the Senate.

Senator Zaynab Kure from Niger State had presented a Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment, Presentation and Control of National Grazing Reserves and Livestock Routes and the creation of National Grazing Reserve Commission and for purposes connected therewith.

When this Bill went through second reading on March 1, 2012, before it was referred to the Committee which was expected to report back early next month, Datong spoke passionately in favour of the Bill, noting that since rearing of animals was done by a particular group of people in the country, there was the need to encourage them to acquire land for the venture but stressed that such should be

done without encroaching on other peoples’ rights. During his presentation, as if relating to the incessant crises sparked by grazing, Datong would have wanted the legislation ready last month. He should know. His Plateau State has become a war zone on account of grazing and the repeated clashes between herdsmen and indigenes leading to loss of lives. People have been killed and may be killed many times over because of this.

Datong needed a stop to this hence his passionate presentation in support of the Bill.

He spoke as if he knew something might give again as had almost always been the case.

But little did he know that, as noted by Senate President David Mark, “he would become a sacrificial lamb.” (See SENATE SESSIONS ON WHAT DATONG WOULD HAVE BEEN DOING IF HE WERE ALIVE) For the once peaceful city of Jos, Plateau State, which was not conquered by the Hausa Fulani, the present series of crises rocking the area borders on nothing more than attempts at a renewed form of Jihad by other means; but this time, for political reasons.

Yet, to fully understand the implications of Nigeria’s own Nero fiddling while our Rome burns, just imagine a crusade as in yester-centuries being re-enacted in Nigeria under the leadership of a Muslim President. Or imagine a Nigerian President of northern extraction fiddling away while militants in the south target only Muslims.

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hereas the insurgency in the North continue in a seemingly unbridled manner, the mix of herdsmen in this fray only serves to further poison and exacerbate an already bad situation.

Firstly, it should be understood that the killings are not about to stop in so far as President Goodluck Jonathan is seen for what he is: A pacifist. In any case, if Jonathan continues to think that those doing what they are doing would empathize and stop, then he wants something to give – from him, might it be added. Is it not obvious to him now that his tenure, which some still see as having been hijacked, is meant to be made miserable?

Secondly, because dialogue is not about to be explored, but which itself continues to be seen as a poisoned chalice by those for whom it is meant, is it not time for those in authority to device other means

Continues on page 13

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 , PAGE 13

Continued from page 12

I

f in doubt, check this out: During one of the earlier killings, the state government filed a suit seeking to affirm its right to investigate the crisis but later backed out under apparent pressure from the federal authorities and, therefore, the attempt to prosecute suspects arrested in connection with the carnage could not happen as their case files were taken to Abuja and were never returned! In fact, this was a major issue presented to the Abisoye

One of those killed in Saturday's attack being picked up by villagers.

What nobody will tell you about the killings!

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of stopping this carnage – at least that was one of the reasons given by Mr. President, a need for a change of tactics, for removing his National Security Adviser, NSA, and the Minister of Defence?

In addition, how does a government hope to stop an act when serial offenders have never been known to have been convicted? The impressions is already out there that the herdsmen are untouchable, therefore, why should the herdsmen not continue to torch, maim and kill brazenly? Mind you, this did not start today. President Jonathan's luck ran for cover because he merely inherited this. It is not his making There had been instances of wanton destruction of lives and property by the herdsmen in times past (see 2010, Killings and Destruction Unlimited; or JOS KILLINGS: HIGH PROFILE DEATHS AS METAPHOR) Another issue to ponder is: Why, in the last 11 years, has Plateau State become a killing field such that the federal authorities have become so complicit.

The herdsmen who kill and destroy are not spirits. They come from a direction and head back in a direction. So, the question to ask is, why have they not been apprehended?

Presidential Panel investigating the 2008 crisis which, ironically, was holding public sitting in the state when one of such violent attacks erupted.

“We note with concern”, a

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memorandum from the state to the panel insisted, “the apparent confusion in a matter that should have been guided by the Constitution and rule of law. This not only characterized the numerous

investigative panels set up by federal and state institutions on the crises but also followed through in the investigation processes as to who has jurisdiction over what. And here we hasten to mention the case of the 26 suspected mercenaries who were arrested in Jos but mysteriously moved to Abuja and released for undisclosed reasons by the Police Force Headquarters,” the memorandum concluded.

Governor Jonah Jang repeated the importance of sanctioning those behind the crises when he received the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, and the then Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, when they paid separate vis-

its to the state. He said punishing offenders would serve as a deterrent to would-be trouble makers. Nobody would tell you that earlier offenders have almost always been set free.

The herdsmen who kill and destroy are not spirits. They come from a direction and head back in a direction. So, the question to ask is, why have they not been apprehended?

Well, if those apprehended are moved to Abuja and released, why should rightthinking members of the public in Jos risk their lives to attempt an arrest again?

Ve r d i c t : Preparations should be made for more condolence letters from the highest authorities.

And why not, since the nation has equally written condolence letters to Britain and Italy on account of the activities of insurgents in Sokoto.

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t least 24hours after, the appointment was not turned down by the First Lady who could turn round when the heat turns on to say she never solicited for it, nor was she consulted. Such acts only tend to make a mockery of governance at a time of serious national calamities; worse, coming from a state governor endorsed by Mr. President; and at a time like this.

In truth and indeed, except President Jonathan disembarks from his pacifist posture, Nigeria may be in for a long season of mourning and condolences. Those who are ready to make his administration miserable are not about to stop and they will continue in the face of shambolic policy framework and mode of engagement.

JOS’ KILLING FIELDS

2010, Killings and Destruction Unlimited

A synopsis of the monthly killings in the year 2010, yet, the heinous crimes had always been attributed to unknown herdsmen none of whom has been successfuly prosecuted January 17- 19 The first ‘baptism of fire’ was witnessed on Sunday January 17 which sparked off about four days of violence in different parts of the state. The crisis resulted in reprisals which ran through the year and claimed several lives. It was allegedly sparked off by a disagreement among two groups of youth in Nasarawa Gwom areas over an attempt by a man to rebuild his house burnt during the November, 2008 crisis.

The youths were said to have gone violent and allegedly started attacking people who were coming from the church. It later took ethnoreligious dimension resulting in several killings, burning and destruction of property, spreading to other parts of the state including Kuru-Jenta and Bukuru.

February 18 There was another uprising in Farin Gada area of Jos North Local Government area after some people protesting the alleged refusal to allow them bury a lost relation at a burial ground in the area went violent killing an Igbo trader. The tension created another pandemonium in the entire city and almost turned into an ethnic war but for prompt moves which doused the tension.

commando style torching the houses and hacking down the villagers as they ran out.

March 7 - 9 Hundreds of people mostly women and children were massacred at Dogon NaHauwa, Retsat and Jeji villages when suspected Fulani herdsmen launched what was termed reprisal attacks over the alleged killing of their kith and kin in the January mayhem.

They were said to have stormed the village

March 19 It was another tense day for Jos residents as a student of the Jos Campus of Plateau State Polytechnic was killed and six others were injured following a clash between security men and students. The students went on rampage smashing cars as they

March 17 Thirteen people were killed at Byei village in Riyom Local Government Area by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Among those slain were six women including a pregnant woman who was burnt with a child strapped on her back.

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he protracted crisis in Plateau State which has spanned over a decade and which so far has defied every measure taken, reached a head, on Sunday, as the nation lost a serving senator in the person of Dr. Gyang Dantong and the Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Gyang Fulani, who was representing Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area in the House. They, along with over a hundred others, died as a result of a coordinated attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen on villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas.

Dare devil gunmen, said to have numbered well over 100, were said to have raided over 12 villages, penultimate Saturday, killing people and torching houses. By the time the assailants, reportedly dressed in military camouflages and bullet prove vests, were done, close to 40 people lay dead.

Unknown to many, about 50 women, children and the aged who had run into a church at Maseh village on hearing of the attacks, were set ablaze inside the church to roast to death.

As leaders of the people, Dantong, who represented the area in the Senate, Representative Simon Mwadkon (Barkin-Ladi/ Riyom) and Gyang Fulani, had, along with others, gone to Maseh where the victims of the attacks were being given a mass burial. They were apparently there to demonstrate their concern for the plight of their people which they had expressed severally even in their respective legislatures. Except for Mwadkon, who is alive by some divine intervention since

SEN. DATONG AND HON. FULANI

High profile deaths as metaphor

unleash such terror without being detected and challenged.

“The only way we can give the Nigerian people a sense of security is that we get the people who have carried out this act. Otherwise I don’t think that people would be able to maintain some sense of security themselves and even confidence in us. We need to give people confidence, we swore to the constitution to protect lives and property. It has been happening and we the present leaders believe that it is your problem, it is Plateau problem. But it is not a Plateau problem, it is our problem and we must join you in finding solution to it. The general insecurity in the north has become a source of concern to all of us and as leaders of Northern stock. We have to, more than any other persons, find a solution to it”, Suswam said.

A

Late Senator Gyang Dantong

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By Taye Obateru

Late Mr. Gyang Fulani speaking before his death

Is the Federal Government just there to supervise the killing of its citizens every day? We have resolved as a House that Mr. President owes us explanation and he should come out and tell Nigerians what is going on

he also fainted but was later revived, the other two paid the supreme price in what some have described as “service of their people.”

Probably because of the two prominent people who died, the latest attacks appear to be attracting more attention than

Continued from page 13 barricaded the highway in front of their school. The students claimed to have arrested a man whom they suspect had explosives in a bag and resisted an attempt by soldiers of the Special Task Force to take him away saying they did not trust them. It came at a time allegation of bias against the soldiers was rife in parts of the city.

March 25 A fracas after a football match in Bukuru area resulted in pandemonium. A group said to have been unhappy about the outcome of the match reportedly went violent attacking innocent passersby, injuring some of them. The mere talk about another violence created pandemonium in the city.

April 6 Three people were killed in Jos after an interdenominational service organized by the Jos North Local Government Area Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) was hijacked by hoodlums. Some of those who attended the service held at Rwang Pam Stadium were said to be returning to their churches in a procession when they were attacked by hoodlums around Nasarawa

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previous ones. Some have observed that if a serving senator could die in such a circumstance, it is clear that there is no security for the ordinary man. To some others, the death of the two legislators is a metaphor on the state of security in the country.

Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State described it as a national shame when he led a delegation on condolence visit to Plateau State last week.

According to him, “This incident is of course a shame to the entire nation that a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic and a member of the House could die in an incident such as this. This is unfortunate and this must attract the concern of all wellmeaning Nigerians. I believe also, as leaders, we should not stand by and watch this drift into an irreversible crisis in this country.” He, like many other Nigerians, wondered how a large number of people would move round with arms to

Gwom. The violence spread to Dogon Dutse and Dutse Uku areas resulting in deaths.

April 11 Two houses were attacked at Kuru Jenta in Jos South Local Government area allegedly by Fulanis on a revenge mission over the killing of a lot of their kins in the January 19 attack on the village.

One of the houses was torched April 12 An explosion in Dadin-Kowa area of Jos threw the city into another day of unease. An 18-year old, Abdulsamad Mohammed was fiddling with an explosive device when it exploded and chopped off his hands injuring his two roommates. Abdulsamad told the police that he picked the container which looked like a fire extinguisher without knowing it was an explosive, but the incident caused panic as word went round that someone was trying to plant a bomb in a residence.

April 18 Two people were shot dead at Bisichi in Barking Ladi Local Government area by men of the Special Task Force when they allegedly engaged the security men said to be responding to a distress call in a shootout. However, the villagers claimed

civil rights group, the Christian Foundation for Social Justice and Equity, expressed similar concerns about the seeming helplessness of security agencies to end the activities of the marauders who appear to be having a field day in the two local government areas. In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Joseph Sangosanya, the group said the state of emergency declared in the local government areas had been fruitless.

“We found these unfortunate outrageous killings embarrassing. The fact was that Kakuruk and over eight other neighbouring villages in Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas were attacked by unknown gunmen on Saturday and simple intelligent calculation will dictate that the two local Continues on page 13

that those killed were members of the vigilante group formed following repeated attacks on villages in the area accusing soldiers of extra-judicial killing, an allegation dismissed by the task force.

April 19 - 20 Tempers rose in the state again following the killing of five people at Rim and Tass by suspected Fulani herdsmen. Youth from the area went violent the following day as they took over the Abuja-Jos highway and attacked travelers killing seven people in the process.

April 24 Two journalists were killed in Jos while on official assignment in Yan Shanu area by a group said to be protesting the killing of a commercial motorcycle rider around Tina Junction. The journalists, Nathan Dabak and Sunde Bwede, ran into the mob and were attacked and stabbed severally. The whole city was again thrown into confusion.

May 22- 23 Three Fulani herdsmen were killed at Tusun village of Barakin Ladi Local Government Area. This

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 , PAGE 15

Continued from page 12 councils will witness security beef up immediately after the attacks to protect remaining villagers from further foreseeable attacks.

“We can authoritatively state that intelligence failure on the part of the Special Task Force in the state was solely responsible for the death of the two legislators and over sixty people that were killed on Sunday. We also want to affirm that security agencies failed to comb the two LGAs and that gave the attackers ample opportunities to mobilize and carry out the deadly Sunday attack. We also view these attacks as attempted ethnic cleansing with over 120 people mostly women and children killed in the villages in less than a week” the statement said.

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o some other Nigerians the failure of the Federal Government to be decisive about the problem resulted in the latest situation. To them, if the Federal Government had done what ought to be done, the attackers would not have had the effrontery to continue their raids. Others have even accused some members of the security agencies of complicity in the attacks. At an emergency sitting in honour of their majority leader, the Plateau State House of Assembly expressed regret that the killings had gone on unchecked for years leading to the death of their member.

The Deputy Speaker Mr. Johnbull Shekarau who presided at the sitting summed up the feelings of members saying, “The violence in the state and in the country is getting to its climax. Is the Federal Government just there to supervise the killing of its

Carnage they wrote

High profile deaths as metaphor citizens every day? We have resolved as a House that Mr. President owes us explanation and he should come out and tell Nigerians what is going on.

We have also resolved that this House is demanding for a state police because it is obvious the federal police have failed woefully. We are also demanding immediate withdrawal of soldiers from the streets of Plateau and return the responsibility of securing citizens to the governor of the state who is the chief security officer of the state.”

On its part the Plateau Traditional Council viewed the situation as a declaration of war on the state which now makes people to live in fear and feel insecure in their homes.

Chairman of the Council, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Gyang Buba, when he led other traditional rulers on a

Continued from page 14 sparked off another round of violence on May 23 when the corpses were taken to the Jos Central Mosque for funeral rites. The reprisal violence again resulted in the killing of innocent people paralyzing the city again.

June 6 – 9 Violent protests in the Plateau State capital over a law passed by the state government banning the operation of commercial motor cycles in the state.

The matter again took ethno-religious dimension as a section saw the law as targeted at them resulting in killings. The protesters also attacked ECWA Good News Church and the state government was forced to abandon the enforcement of the law.

July 17 There was an attack on Mazah, a hilly village in Jos North Local Government area by suspected Fulani people leaving seven people dead. The village was said to have been attacked at about 1.am when the people were fast asleep. Some houses and a church were torched. The attack again created tension in the state.

October 25 Six people including two women and four

Gov Jang condolence visit to Jang over the recent killings, wondered why it was difficult for security agencies to arrest any of the attackers.

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he Gbong Gwom called for serious action to save

the situation and avoid he prediction of a break-up of the country from coming to pass adding, “those who desire the unity of this country must ensure that we sit down and discuss what these issues are in sincerity and iron them out accordingly because we cannot continue to pretend that all is well with this country. All is definitely not well. We know that there are people who wish this country are apart but we must not through our actions or inactions, allow for such prophets of doom to have their way. It will not augur well.”

Governor Jang concurred, noting that the dimension the problem was assuming had taken the matter beyond people quarrelling among themselves as it has always been, to outright invasion. According to him, “from the attacks of last weekend, we see people

children were killed when hoodlums attacked Rawhinku village in Bassa Local Government area at about 12 midnight. Tempers again rose over attacks of innocent residents of villages in the hinterland who were not part of the previous violence in the state.

November 3 A bomb scare at the Jos High Court created tension in the state capital. There had been a rumour that explosives had been planted within the premises of the high court which threw workers, judges and lawyers into panic. The anti-bomb unit of the police had to move in to sweep the whole premises but found nothing.

November 16 A Sallah Day violence again truncated the peace of Jos as a group went on rampage in Dogon Karfe area after a clash with security men who tried to check the reckless riding of motorcycles by some of them. A staff of the Plateau State Water Board was among those killed while several others were injured. A police van was smashed and shops along Constitution Hill Road were vandalized.

December 3 Eight people were killed and four injured when hoodlums attacked Rikwe Chongu another village in Bassa Local Government Area at about 2.30am. Five of those killed were women and children. It heightened tension among residents of the state.

December 13

coming in various military and police uniforms with bullet proof vests on them with heavy armour. We have never had this kind of strength of armour from these attacks like the one we had over the weekend. It is therefore clear to us that it is not just the ordinary Fulanis that have been careless of their cows eating the farmers’ farm produce. These are people who have invaded us and they have entrenched themselves in some parts of the state. So they are virtually occupying our land on the Plateau.”

Notwithstanding the divergent views on the situation, it is obvious that it has become a hydra-headed problem which needs drastic action to solve. One can only hope that like Senate President David Mark said, the latest killings would signal the beginning of sincere efforts to end the crisis in Plateau State.

There was tension in Nasarawa Gwom area when some youths tried to resist the erection of a fence round St. Michael Primary School by the Jos North Local Government. The youth claimed that it would block their access to their homes, but the LG said an initial agreement was reached with the communities to leave some feet for the fence. The argument almost degenerated as people were again divided along ethno-ethnic lines.

December 20 Another attack on a village, this time, in Jos South Local Government Area, was recorded. Suspected cattle rustlers attacked Gongoshong village near KVom with guns killing three people. They allegedly made away with 40 cows. Ironically, 19 youths from the village who mobilized to give the attackers a hot chase were rounded up by soldiers for allegedly being in possession of guns sparking protests from women of the village who wondered why the victim should become the accused. However, security men insisted that the youth had no licence for the guns.

December 24 Body count: 32 dead; 74 hospitalised. In what could be described as the “mother” of the spate of violence (until last weekend) seven explosions occurred in two parts of the state capital on Christmas Eve leaving many dead and several injured. It was a new dimension to the saga of violence in Jos and resulted in reprisal attacks for the next two days which left more people dead and more properties destroyed.

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

debbiemoments@gmail.com

How Nigerians oppress Nigerians (2)

ise the reputation of her employer.

In better organised societies where human beings are treated with dignity and respect, the customer is king; in Nigeria unless you are a political or military bigwig or prominent business tycoon, cleric or a wellknown face in the entertainment industry you will be treated like a “thing,” like a mosquito buzzing in the ear. Most Nigerians in positions of power and influence, no matter how lowly that position might be, behave like power-intoxicated tyrants towards ordinary people. It does not matter whether the person is a bank cashier, office assistant, gateman etc. – the point is that an average Nigerian is a megalomaniac and enjoys oppressing others at the slightest opportunity.

Probably, such attitude

is a carry-over of authoritarian mentality associated with military dictatorships and disregard for civilised values and conduct. People should be courageous: they must not allow anybody to put them down. The second incident that motivated this essay, as already indicated, took place at the car park of

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UT an ill-temper ed employee like her should not be placed in a position that requires constant interaction with members of the public, because sooner or later she would jeopard-

son of low mentality can be so inconsiderate and insensitive. After waiting for about 25 minutes for the owner of the vehicle to appear without success, I squeezed myself in from the right side to the driver ’s seat. On my way home I pondered the stupidity and wickedness of Nigerian drivers generally, and concluded

Officials of LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Corp marshals, traffic wardens and uniformed touts complicate the chaotic traffic situation in Lagos

the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos.

That very day, July 2, I had worked for hours in the office. Around 7 pm or thereabout, I decided to go home and rest. At the park, I saw a red Honda CR-V with registration number AH 40 GGE stupidly parked so close to my vehicle that it was impossible for me to enter. Obviously, only a per-

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that something is fundamentally wrong with our attitude to one another, especially with respect to duty of care and sensitivity to other road users.

Beastly behaviour while driving is not restricted to commercial bus drivers (including BRT drivers in Lagos) and okada riders; supposedly respectable members of the

Ever changing times (1) alise that most of the stories that get passed down are coloured by age and nostalgia but pictures support my view of a better age and time and we all know that pictures do not lie. or all the gains of technology the sixties in my opinion remain one of the most beautiful decades that the 20th century ever had, the sixties had passion, hope and a million ideologies; the sixties was the time that man wanted to make a change for the better, love thrived in the decade and a revolution was born. What wouldn’t I give to have been a part of the movement of free thinking and fun. I even like their fashion and crazy make up; it just screams fun. So much so we are copying them with our platforms and afros! I was born in 1969, but how much fun could

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a baby have had especially one born in the middle of the Nigerian civil war? What I love about the sixties is the pace of life; it wasn’t frantic and desperate. According to my late mom,

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IMES are never the same, it seems the universe is in a constant state of perpetual motion. The result is an evolution of man and humanity and different worlds emerge as time passes. I have always doubted my place in this generation; I don’t always fit in with the ideas of my contemporaries and my sense of not belonging is re enforced by my choices that are not always the expected or approved.

Over the years I have concluded that I am an old soul in a young body (not so young these days) and will never fully accept or conform to civilisation and norms. I enjoy listening to older people tell tales of yesteryears and often wish that I had been there to peep into what I imagine were better times with even better values. I re-

society who own very expensive cars and Sport Utility Vehicles oftentimes drive as if they forgot their brains at home or in the office, as if the cars they drive are far more intelligent than themselves. In a typical Lagos traffic scenario, for instance, it is very common to observe a welldressed man or woman

in an expensive automobile stubbornly trying to prevent another vehicle from changing lanes, even when the other driver had communicated his intention with the pointer or trafficator. Curiously, drivers in our country prefer waving of hand to the trafficator! I cannot understand why someone driving a vehicle in lane B several meters behind another vehicle in lane A should suddenly accelerate just to prevent the latter from moving over to B. Suffice it to say, however, that the level of indiscipline and impatience by drivers makes Lucifer a saint in comparison. Officials of LASTMA, Federal Road Safety Corp marshals, traffic wardens and uniformed touts complicate the chaotic traffic situation in Lagos. There are minor traffic infractions which can be more appropriately handled by simply cautioning the offender; but a typical LASTMA official would behave as if the person had committed the worst traffic offense in the world. About two years ago I was driving along Ikorodu road on my way to Vanguard Newspa-

wasn’t so frantic and the ambitions so desperate.

The sixties may not have recorded the same level of technological advancements that are common place now and yes there were conflicts and wars but I think the decade we are in moves so fast we all may crash if we don’t slow down.

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here were so many expectations of the sixties that people were bound to be disappointed. Ideology without concerted and sustained effort dies and the next decade was the eye opener when reality

Ideology without concerted and sustained effort dies and the next decade was the eye opener when reality came calling

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it was sedate and relaxed. People cared about the quality of life, they worked and played in equal measures! I am convinced it would be a better world if the pace

came calling. For all of the free thinking and fun people enjoyed, decision making remained in the hands of those who were ruthless and far from free

pers to see a friend. As I got to the overhead bridge at Anthony, I began trafficating to my right to signal that I intend to enter the inside lane so that I could turn right later and connect Oshodi-Mile-2-Apapa expressway. But drivers on that lane ignored my signal until I got to the point where I had to turn.

As I tried to maneouvre into the right lane from the left, a LASTMA official flagged me down and I stopped.

He approached my vehicle and asked why I wanted to turn from the outside lane. I explained to him that I have been trafficating to enter the right lane from the flyover but drivers on my right did not give me the chance to do so. Meanwhile my trafficator light was on, indicating the direction I wanted to go.

He insisted that my car must be towed to the nearest LASTMA office.

Luckily, after about 10 minutes of heated arguments, a traffic warden who knew me intervened and I was allowed to continue my journey.

I commend traffic wardens, LASTMA and FRSC officials who are doing a lot of good work on Lagos roads. However, the relevant authorities should identify bad eggs in these organisations and sanction them.

I now turn to the oppressively deteriorating quality of service provided by GSM network operators.

Sometime ago I was using made-in-China phones because they are affordable and can ac-

commodate two sim cards simultaneously. Thus, if a particular network provider is messing up, I could easily use the second one. But these phones are not durable.

Now, I have three top quality phones containing MTN, Airtel and Glo sim cards, so that I can switch from one network to another. From the beginning of this year there is noticeable deterioration in the quality of services provided by these companies.

Aside from strange voices answering calls, the recorded voices which respond when there is failure in connection are irritating. For example, according to MTN, “The subscriber you are calling is not available. Please try again later.” Airtel will tell you that “Dialed number is either switched off or is out of Airtel coverage area.”

Glo’s message is the most annoying and silly: “User is busy on the other call, Please try after sometime.” Customers also pay even when contact was not established.

To add insult to injury network providers extort money from customers through tricky and bogus advertisements promising to reward “lucky winners” with millions of naira, cars and other enticing prices. In my view the Nigerian Communications Commission and relevant committees of the bribe-intoxicated National Assembly, due to corruption, incom pe-

in thought or deed. Case in point of Richard Nixon; the american president caught with his hands in the cookie jar.

The seventies came and the eyes of man opened to the reality of need and ambition; there was less optimism and a lot more cynicism, most people felt let down by the revolution that didn’t pan out; change had not happened like they hoped and they started to dream less, they settled down into middle class living; the children of the revolution had grown up and there were bills to pay!!

Growing up in the seventies was pretty okay. I was telling a fellow parent in my children’s school that I had a better childhood than my children do. We played and were allowed to be children, we developed social skills from earlier on.

Children now are inundated with after school lessons and anytime I complain I am told that they are being prepared to compete in a much more aggressive and competitive world than I knew. I don’t disagree but I don’t think its a better world; there is a time for every purpose under heaven and they are missing the season of

their childhood.

tence an

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he Eighties came and the true nature of man began to emerge, with the loss of optimism, came a different revolution; every man for himself, it became a dog eat dog world and even the middle class was at risk; this decade gave birth to unprecedented corruption and the ultimate acquisition of power. In Nigeria, the decline of nationhood began. I remember the regular coup d’etas and how natural it was to suddenly hear a soldier on television dissolve the constitution as another junta emerged!!

Who can forget martial music and the speeches that always began with “My fellow Nigerians”. I remember the emergence of the generals that are still hungry for power even now; as if they didn’t do enough damage last time round! The 1st republic had failed and ruthlessly annihilated and the 2nd one had been terminated in much the same manner! There were military tribunals and executions; there was the apathy that followed; it was suicidal taking on the guys with big guns!! (to be continued.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE17

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HE ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in mo ments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. Revere n d M a r t i n L u t h e r K i n g , J r, On October 6, 1973, on the eve of the Yom Kippur, the holiest holiday for Jews, during which the religion forbids them to bear arms, Egypt attacked Israel and for a while the Arab country was winning. But, soon the holy days were over and the Israelis handed the Arab countries their third defeat since 1948. Humiliated the oil producing countries of the Middle East began an oil embargo on the Western countries—especially America— which was perceived as being respon-

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There is no single evidence of Federal or State government presence in the community. For all they received in return for the oil taken from their land the Federal government might as well been giving the oil away for nothing – which was all they got

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sible for their loss. Within weeks the global price of crude oil, which had remained stable at $3 per barrel, shot up to $12. From that time till now, crude oil prices had been escalating creating billionaires everywhere in the world – including Nigeria. At its peak, the price of crude oil even reached up to $140 per barrel. But for the people of Abigborodo, a community floating on oil and gas, time stood still. There is no single evidence of Federal or State government presence in the community. For all they received in return for the oil taken from their land the Federal government might as well been giving the oil away for nothing –which was all they got.

Fortunately, change is coming. A road and bridge, as well as several culverts, are being built through absolute mangrove forest and marshland to link the people of these communities, forgotten by all, to the rest of the world. A ring rod is under construction; Alma College is rapidly developing to be one of the finest secondary schools in Nigeria complete with good teachers; solar power has made Problem Has Changed Name (PHCN) and its Minister totally dispensable; water will soon flow; internet connection is shaping up and modern houses are springing up. It is too little but, one hopes not too late. The State Government has done everything.

It will be interesting to know which of several Federal Ministries –

Health, Education, Women’s Affairs, Youth and Sports, Power, Niger Delta, Water Resources, Agriculture or the NDDC – all feeding fat on its oil — will be the first to visit Abigborodo and acknowledge that there are Nigerians living there to whom they owe duties which have not been dischared.

There can be no dispute that if the governor of Delta State had not come from there. The roads or other structures would never have been built.

It is also a testimony to the guts of the present governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, that he seized the opportunity to re-dress over half a century of injustice from which his people had suffered. When the road is completed, a very expensive project because mountains of sand have to be piled on the road-bed before asphalt is applied and drainage systems will have to be created ad well, travel between Sapele and Abigborodo, which now takes over twenty minutes on water will be completed in less than three minutes. More importantly, it will open a lot of communities to the world and for further development.

My only prayer is that the next governor of Delta State will come from one of the minority ethnic groups – Ika, Isoko, Anioma, Ijaw etc – in order for the next major investment to take place in that area. If it must be ‘turn-byturn” then let’s be honest about it. That is the lesson I came away with on this trip.

NEXT: From Abigborodo to Nnewi: Spreading the Gospel of investment.

CARELESS TALK FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH “The right to talk does not include the right to be taken seriously”. Hubert Humphrey, , US Vice-President under President Johns o n .

GOVERNOR AMECHI (PDP) of Rivers State reportedly said that if the nation fails the media must be held responsible. I hope he was misquoted. I deliberately reminded our readers that the governor belongs to the PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED. More than Boko Haram, the PDP is the number one plague Nigeria suffers today; for the simple reason that it is omnipresent in Nigeria bringing corruption in its trail. Its president had just announced to the whole world that he doesn’t “give a damn” about probity even if Channels and the media talk about it all day “from HEAVEN”.

T h a t ’s u n d e r s t a n d a b l e ; those who visit HELL on fellow Nigerians cannot listen to voices from holy places.

The young and the ruthless How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life, you will have been a l l o f t h e s e . - G e o rg e Wa s h i n g t o n Carver

A

friend had a close shave recently with some bur glars who laid in wait for her while she drove out of her compound around 5am in order to beat the traffic in Lagos .

As soon as she drove out of her gate, they shoved a gun in her direction and proceeded to frogmarch her back to her home. Another relieved her of her car keys. She was forced back into the house at gunpoint. What has seemed like ages, she took them through every room and watched them ransack her house, from top to bottom.

They helped themselves to her electronic goods, jewellery and then, for good measure, she was roughed up and whacked with the butt of the gun for daring to look at them in the face.

This was so surreal that she got on to the social network and told us about her harrowing experience.

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Fact finding in Abigborodo, Delta State — 2

Any government that fails to take note and falls to act does so at its peril

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Of course, we were relived and the usual sentiments ensued: thanking God for her good fortune( I mean, life is priceless) that material things can be replaced and so forth.

When someone goes through such experience, it leaves an indelible mark on one’s emotional health and some people bounced back eventually. In o t h e r s , i t a ff e c t s t h e m s o d e e p l y.

They may be traumatised for a long time to come that it may impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Sadly, what happens in my friend’s case is not an isolated one. Up and down the country , there are so many young people who have chosen this alternative life style to the detriment of ordinary hard working citizens. What went wrong? Why are able bodied young people choosing this abhorrent way of life? Surely robbing or killing should not be one of them.

Statistics have shown that there are a large number of young people who are not in gainful employment or studying.

But there is no definitive number of how many 16 to 25 year-olds are unemployed, in training or in education in Nigeria. The adage, that the devil finds work for idle hands is true.

Many of these young people have fallen by the wayside with no stake or positive aspiration and many feel that they have been excluded from mainstream life.

Research has shown that if young people are not engaged in education, employment and training (EET). We, as a society, are storing problems for

the future.

In the UK, policy makers have indentified that more has got to be done for this group.

In Nigeria, statistics show that significantly less has been spent over the years on education and this is having an impact on the young people. Any government that fails to take note and falls to act does so at its peril. In the UK , last year ’s riot was a jolt that made the government take notice and act to address this vacuum. We are not out of the woods yet. But the UK government is proposing to ensure that young people stay in school until 18 as opposed to the mandatory 16.

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e a l i s t i c a l l y, m o s t o f t h e o u n g people in Nigeria do not have this luxury. So the alternative seem to be alluring; grievous bodily harm, thuggery, kidnapping to order contract killing ,extortion and so on. Before you accuse me of fear mongering, please understand me, I am not saying that all the young people are wayward and criminally directed. They are not. The bad ones are giving the others a bad name. But it has become unnerving when you see young people milling around , am sure the thought must have crossed your mind.

It is alarming, how many are lurking around and they have become so audacious and ruthless. These hoodlums try to justify this by saying that they do not have enough money, or they dropped out of school, can’t afford school or they don’t have a job and so on.

They have disengaged with society at large. We need to reengage those who are on the periphery to move in the right direction. I hear you say these people are murderers, thieves and so on.

If we do not want more of the same we need to prepare them for a better future. I am not saying what they do is right but many have been disadvantaged and face so many obstacles: grinding poverty, ill health, broken homes, poor living conditions.

We need to enable participation, an inclusive programme and apprentice to employment programme. The government has to make the system deliver by recognising the needs of the young people. So that they can regain confidence and self worth.

High youth unemployment is one of the biggest problems confronting societies around the world, condemning a whole generation to a life of much reduced income and exclusion.

The government should provide a quality educational experience, a sustainable employment and we need to cultivate a culture of aspiration in the community.

The saying maybe a cliché but it is undeniably true: knowledge is power. This holds true more so in Nigeria.

The work conditions of the population, in general and of youngsters, in particular, depend on the effectiveness of the education system. y

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

Who can stop justice for sale in Nigeria? checkpoints. One of our greatest jurists, Chukwudifu Oputa, once revealed that there are lawyers in Nigeria who after having charged their own fees, charge extra for the judge!

For our nation, such unwholesome behaviour happens more in election cases. The scandals are no less shameful today as they were in the past; a good example being the infamous role of our judiciary in the June 12, 1993 election.

The drama began when

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HE popular saying that change is the only thing that is constant in life is difficult to sustain in Nigeria because things hardly change here. Indeed, the few changes which occur in our public affairs are usually negative. Thus, the expectation that the assumption of office, tomorrow, of a new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), would bring positive changes to the nation’s justice delivery system may be elusive. Oh yes, the deterioration in the Nigerian judiciary is enough to make an average citizen to despair. For too long, analysts consoled everyone with the argument that the bad eggs in the Judiciary were only at the lower levels making it look logical that all the ills can easily be resolved through the appellate system which offers an upward review of cases. Today however, no one is sure if our higher courts are not doing more harm than the lower ones. Public affairs commentators who raised alarm as the situation worsened by the day were dubbed as alarmists and arm chair critics until some of our judges started behaving like policemen at

the court in the matter. A few days later, an astonished populace got to know through the media that the then Chief Judge of Abuja, Justice Dahiru Saleh had made another ruling suspending further release of the results of the election and also issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the then Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Professor Humphrey Nwosu and his principal staff for noncompliance with the earlier ruling of Justice Ikpeme.

Incidentally, a persuasive

The Nigerian judiciary is enough to make an average citizen to despair.

Justice Bassey Ikpeme, the “midnight judge” made a ruling a few hours to the casting of ballot to stop the conduct of the election. To the applause of the public, the electoral body ignored the ruling and went ahead with the election because Section 19 of the relevant Decree – No. 13 of 1993 ousted the jurisdiction of

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road map had earlier been drawn by Justice G. A. Oguntade who was then at the court of appeal when he ruled that “ where a court makes an order in contravention of a statutory provision which forbids it from making such order, the order so made is null and void and no appeal need be filed against the order ”.

Boko Haram: The harder they come is to design the silver bullet against Boko Haram. But there are no silver bullets in these matters. There were muted noises of disagreement about the president’s choice and its timing. General Azazi himself in a powerful parting shot basically accused the president of Nigeria of pussy-footing on national security issues.

Azazi revealed that he had sought the clearance of the president to bring in and interrogate a former Nigerian military Head of state over suspicions of his involvement in the unfolding terrorist campaign.

The president, Azazi said, not only rejected his proposals but accused his National Security Adviser of an attempt to compromise and bring down his presidency. I did not know what to make of Azazi’s statement and claims. First, the National Security Adviser to the president does not determine who to interrogate and how. He formulates policies and advises the president on national security protocols. The National Security Adviser has no field operational function so to say. The key field operators on national domestic and foreign security remain the heads of the Nigerian Intelligence and secret Services.

The heads of these servic-

es determine, through their operational capacities the threat levels that confronts Nigeria, and using both covert and overt means, anticipates and hopefully nips such threats in the bud.

It should therefore be the duty of the Director of the State Security Services – the SSS , the domestic in-

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HE president re cently made changes at the top echelon of his national Security advisory staff, and this has, not unexpectedly, attracted all kinds of reactions, most of it, frankly dilatory and ignorant. On return from his Brazilian jamboree, the president summarily removed former National Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi, whom he replaced with Mr. Sambo Dasuki, a retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army.

He also removed the Minister of Defence, and there has not been any replacement yet. For a while though, speculation was rife that General Gusau, former National Security Adviser was penciled down for Defence. The president’s later reaction in response to questions about these changes suggests that he had relieved these men of their duties, not because they were not hardworking, but because the fight against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups required a new strategy. It was part of that new strategy to bring Sambo Dasuki, son of the deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki of Sokoto, and former military aide to General Ibrahim Babangida. Mr. Dasuki presumably

Every other person with a legal background except Justice Saleh was able to recognize that the ruling of Oguntade being a superior court was on the basic principle of judicial precedent binding on high courts.

During the Abacha military era, government said it had to disband the 1998 local government election tribunals because, “petitions, allegations of bribe taking and even confessional statements by some members of the election tribunals threatened to undermine the credibility of the judicial process”.

nfortunately, the he NJC admitted that U T hope that our bad the CJN should not judiciary would go with the have gotten himself into the military has since been shattered as the problem has escalated since the return of democracy in 1999.

During the 2011 elections, there were hundreds of exparte orders restraining INEC from accepting and recognizing some candidates nominated for elections by their political parties. With more election cases to contend with than the election itself, the chairman of the commission, Prof Attahiru Jega had to formally draw the CJN’s attention to what he called an “emerging trend in the political process where exparte orders are granted at the top of a hat by judges”.

INEC’s pain could not have been more than that of General Muhammadu Buhari who must have gathered from sources like the Wikileaks that the court victory secured by his opponent concerning the 2007 election was purchased.

Sokoto case yet lacked the courage to blame him for doing so. Also, whereas it claimed that Justice Salami’s allegation against the CJN was not true meaning that the Appeal Court President lied on oath, the NJC as an administrative body went ahead to penalize the ‘proven’ crime of perjury by ordering Salami to apologize to Katsina-Alu. The entire episode which looked like a serialized television comedy opened up the Judiciary for the nation to see that Nigerian judges are not ghosts. They live among us; they oppress themselves; they pay lip service to the rule of law and its due process; they donot abide by the simple principles of natural justice; they donot just tell lies-they do so on oath; making it obvious that they are neither better nor worse than the rest of us.

Perhaps society can better

cy must seek a presidential clearance to bring in the subject for interrogation.

But the proof must be ironclad, otherwise, the president is profoundly correct to reject any moves to violate the person and privacy of a former Head of state.

However, the president fails if he thinks his office is higher and requires greater protection than the Federal Republic of Nigeria. By that I mean, he must consider every actionable intelligence, and act with conviction and courage, when such is provided to him by the agencies constituted to protect the nation. In this matter, and as this Boko

security and defence infrastructure to a faction capable of raising the stakes in this cat- and-mouse game of terrorism.

Is Sambo Dasuki the right man for the job? Well, the president has sought clearance from his American principals, and the US has endorsed Sambo Dasuki.

So, Sambo Dasuki is alright – he is made in America.

What I find quite increasingly intriguing is how Nigeria’s domestic national security issues have become a matter for American intervention. And here I was thinking all the while that Nigeria was a sovereign nation. Last week, Nigerian Christians even called for the US blacklisting of Boko Haram as a terrorist organization, as if that act alone, guarantees the safety of Nigerians in their own country. So, the Americans name Boko Haram a terrorist organization tomorrow, in what particular way does it stop the attacks on Nigeria? Of course American reluctance to blacklist Boko Haram, is a very intriguing fact in itself.

This has led many to increasingly suspect, that on this Boko Haram question, there is far more than meets the eye. Yes. The Nigerian media, without the real tools to go beyond the surface and investigate this phenomenon has also, I must confess, brokered more myth than reality.

No newspaper editor or National Security reporter can truly say that they know anything beyond the general surface, or that they have sources within the intelligence community, that

There are many who see that by ceding his National Security leadership to officers with connections to General Babangida, Goodluck Jonathan has become an unwitting proxy to a very powerful faction of the Nigerian elite

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telligence arm of the Nigerian Secret Service, to determine who to arrest, interrogate, or place under surveillance based on wellgrounded rather than whimsical evidence.

If the head of this agency has such an iron-clad proof that a former Head of State of Nigeria has met, is connected, and provides even abstract logistical support to a terrorist group currently attacking the foundations of Nigeria, that agen-

Within a short while, the fear that the manipulation of election cases was itself routed at the very top of the judiciary was brought to the fore by the shameful roles of our top most judges in such cases like the Sokoto governorship election petition. It was a battle which threw the then CJN, Justice Katsina-Alu and the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Salami into a big dungeon from where the judiciary is yet to resurrect following the ignoble showing of the National Judicial Council (NJC)

Haram issue grows more complex, there can be no sacred cows. All legitimate options must be on the table. In any case, there are many who see that by ceding his National Security leadership to officers with connections to General Babangida, Goodluck Jonathan has become an unwitting proxy to a very powerful faction of the Nigerian elite.

Worse still, he may have been railroaded into handing over Nigeria’s national

appreciate our judges now that they have shown to us they are only human. The Judiciary on its own part needs to know that every societal group has its bad eggs and that they can be at any level in the group.

Indeed, the leader may sometimes turn out to be the bad egg and when it so, the group must summon enough courage to embrace leadership change. If the NJC had had the courage to do so in the Katsina-Alu/ Salami feud, it would have made a greater mark instead of circumlocuting to avoid washing the dirty linen in public.

The tenure of Justice Musdapher ends today with very little change to the situation probably because the tenure was short.

The new CJN, Justice Aloma Mukthar whose tenure begins tomorrow, is no doubt best positioned to break away from the old order and make her mark.

Luckily, she is known for her courage and dynamism being among the only 3 Justices who were able to rule that the 2007 Presidential election was as defective as the blind man saw it. Having thus established that she is incorruptible; to achieve her promise to lead by example and above board would be with ease.

As the first female chief registrar of the High Court in Kano State, first female judge in that state and in the whole of the north, first female Justice of the supreme court and now the first female CJN, she may be the first to begin, in the next 24 hours, the process of ending Nigeria’s subsisting system of justice for sale. might tell them exactly what Boko Haram is. The media lapped up the profile quickly provided to them about Sambo Dasuki, but where does he fall within the equation? What is say, the connection between Sambo Dasuki, who was once wanted for coup plotting in Nigeria, with the current Sultan of Sokoto, whose own career in Nigeria’s military Intelligence Services, having served as military attaché in the Nigerian Embassies in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, in the crucial years in the formation of Al-Qaeda, and his presumable contacts within Pakistan’s dreaded ISI is both intriguing and vital.

How does it play out? The Sultan is either an asset or a powerful adversary. In the general context of developments in Africa from Egypt, to Sudan, Somalia and Mali, where does the elite of the Islamic North – I make this clear distinction with the Christian North – fit in the developing situation, particularly given their historical alliances with the powerful Islamic forces in that conurbation?

We must study the history of the Jihadi movement starting with the Mahdist movement in Sudan and Dan Fodio Jihad in the 18th century, and its current Wahhabi roots in Saudi Arabia. Are we in the grip of a 21st century rebirth of these movements? These are questions that we must somehow answer because frankly, I do not think that the president is getting a broad, global, and strategic picture of these evolving situations.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 19

Threats from all sides!

Dear Rebecca

I

AM a nineteen year old boy. My girlfriend is seventeen but big for her age and bigger than me. Our relationship started July last year.

A year after, my brother no longer wants to see her in our compound, and her brothers too do not want me to come to their place. We have both suffered on their account, and my girlfriend is now hard on me, although we are still fond of each other.

How do I bring her to visit at my place when my brother does not want to see her? How do I conduct myself before her brothers in order to make them accept me? She is so good to me. What am I going to do? I have suffered so much because of her, and at a time, I was sent away from home by my people.

Unhappy boy.

REPL Y REPLY

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INCE both of you are still living at home and being cared for by members of your family, I would advise that in the interest of peace, you should cool the relationship. Your families must have good reasons for not supporting your friendship any more, after allowing it for one year. Was there a quarrel between the two families?

You did not say what you both do, but could it be that you are both still studying, and your constant visits to each other prevented you from doing well at your studies? Or were you both caught in a compromising situation, trying to have sex?

It is unusual for two families to institute a ban of visit at the same time like they have done in your case. However, you both have to thread carefully and be sensible, so as not to incur the anger of your families. Explain this to your girlfriend.

There should be no secret meeting anywhere.

Greet each other when you meet and then move on. I know this is not easy when you are young and are fond of each other, but it can be done. Have other girls as friends too and carry on with what-

ever you are doing about your future. Until a girl is married, her family constantly has to fret over her, so that she does not move with wayward and irresponsible people, which may lead to unwanted pregnancy and interrupted/abandoned studies. Understand this and conduct yourself properly. I am sure your people will not object to your relationship later when you have both got jobs, or are firmly established in a business, and you can stand on your own feet financially.

I find my ex more exciting than my husband!

Dear Rebecca

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’M sure you don’t get this sort of prob lem, because I’ve noticed that the majority of those who send in their problems to you are mostly te enagers and

young adults.

I’m in my late thirties and have been married to my childhood friend for twelve years. We have already, the three children we had agreed to have. The union continues to be good, but I must confess that it is becoming more and more boring. This is mainly because we know everything about each other, are the same age, and we can predict accurately, the reaction of each other in any given situation.

We grew up on the same estate alright, and were friends, but while at our respective university, we dated other people because we weren’t in a committed relationship then, but started that when we found ourselves in the same camp for NYSC, and served in the same state. We were so delighted to be away from our families and in the same town that a romantic relationship soon developed. At the end of service he proposed and I accepted. Our parents told us they knew that we would end up man and wife. He de-flowered me.

He’s a nice, considerate and responsible husband and father, but I don’t get excited by his touch anymore. In short I now find him dull. This feeling began when I ran into the boy I dated at the university. He’s so so ro-

mantic! He says he’s married with a child, but doesn’t wear his wedding ring because he no longer loves his wife who he had to marry because he got her pregnant. He said I was always on his mind whenever he thought of marriage in the past, but he knew he wouldn’t be ready when I was ready for marriage because he had responsibilities in his family.

I was sorry to hear that his marriage wasn’t a happy one, but I was delighted to see him, just as he was to see me too. We discovered that we work in the same area. He invited me to lunch one afternoon, and soon we were having lunch together at least twice a week. This has been on for about five months now. There’s some body contact of

hugging, kissing and holding hands, but no sex. We both agreed that that would never be part of the friendship. I look forward to our lunch dates with a lot of excitement, and he says he does too. I don’t have any guilt feelings about these meetings, rather, it has helped to improve my relationship because I no longer see him as dull. I confided in my mum, who’s my best friend, and I was shocked when she condemned my meetings with the man, and said that I was cheating on my husband by allowing hugs and kisses from my ex, and enjoying his touch. She said I should stop seeing him at once.

That would break my heart. Ma, do you see our meetings as adultery? I don’t. Thank you, ma, for your response.

Anonymous, Lagos.

REPL Y REPLY

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’M sure you’d be disappointed to hear that I agree with your mum that you should stop seeing the other man at once. This relationship or friendship as you call it, is dangerous and it may ruin your marriage in the long run if you don’t nip it in the bud right now, and your husband is told of these your trysts, or he discovers them himself. It’s a terrible thing when trust is gone from a union. It’s hard to restore it again.

Think of how disappointed your children would be if they heard that their mother has been going on dates with

another man. The secure world they thought their parents had built for them would crumble immediately and this might affect their health and progress at school.

Marriage is a serious business, and the vows we make are for life.

There’s no half way about it. Usually, it’s men who find their wives dull and then seek for excitement outside. How would you feel if you discover that your husband has been having lunch dates with an ex-girlfriend; with or without sex? Isn’t that a betrayal of the trust you have in him as your husband,

and the father of your children? Remember that you took a vow to love him in sickness and in health, in riches and in poverty, and to the exclusion of any other!

To me, this includes whether a spouse has become fat , ugly, dull or not. Or whether he’s lost his job or fortunes or not.

These are things we should consider very carefully before we marry someone. The character of a person is more important and longer-lasting than how romantic, goodlooking, rich and well-spoken he is. No-one is going to believe that your dates with that man has not included sex, or will never include sex. If it doesn’t now, it will later.

If you can hold hands, hug and kiss, you’re just a step away from intimacy. Marriage doesn’t stop us from getting attracted to other members of the opposite sex. Far from it. As a married person, you know that you shouldn’t allow a romantic relationship of any sort with another person. Yes, it does happen that a bride who was a virgin, or, who hasn’t had much sexual experience may be curious later to know how intimacy would be with other men. Same thing with a man who’s not had many sexual adventures before he got married.

Again, some of those men and women who did, may also continue

philandering after marriage. That’s why much discipline in curbing lust for sex is needed by everybody. It’s bad enough having sex before marriage and exposing one’s self to sex-related diseases, unwanted pregnancy and likely abortion, but committing adultery is even worse because God is firmly against it. Sex is not the fun that many people make it out to be.

There’s no guarantee that if you have sex with that your first boyfriend, you would enjoy it, or even still find him exciting later. You may both end up feeling guilty and disliking each other; each accusing the other of luring him/her into sin!

I suggest you revive your affection for your husband gradually, as you think of all his good points, and begin to long for his touch again. An expert says lust is all in the mind, and no-one can claim that he/she couldn’t help fornicating or committing adultery.

With the help of God, you can control your feelings.

Also, it’s quite possible for you to enjoy physical contact with your husband again, if you resolve to do this.

So, tell the other man that those lunch dates must stop at once, and that you made a vow to God that you wouldn’t go on one again. Be firm about this, and don’t even go for a final lunch to end

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

PAGE 20 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012

Pregnant without a man (3)

L

ESLEY Brown, who died recently at 64, was the first mum to give birth to a ‘test tube’ baby (Louise Joy Brown) on July 25, 1978 in England. Louise, presently in her 30s, is still alive, strong, hale and hearty.

According to figures, over five million babies have been born by In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) since it was first used 36 years ago. Celebrities like Brooke Shield, Celine Dion and Courtney Cox had several attempts at IVF before they became pregnant and had their babies. According to a beneficiary of IVF, “in vitro is a wonderful thing that people can do in this day and age and I’m lucky enough to be able to afford it.”

Leftover embryos or eggs after IVF After the completion of a successful IVF procedure, the leftover embryos or eggs can be donated to other couples who might need them. With the woman’s or couple’s permission, the embryos or eggs may be donated to help other women or couples as a means of third party reproduction.

In embryo donation, after successfully transferring the embryo into the womb of the beneficiary woman, the resulting child is considered the child of the woman who carries it and gives birth, and not that of the embryo donor; the same applies in egg or sperm donation.

Typically, genetic parents donate the eggs to a fertility clinic or embryo bank where they are preserved until a carrier is found for them. Typically, the process of matching the embryos with the prospective parents is conducted by the agency itself, at which time the clinic transfers ownership of the embryos to the prospective parents.

Live birth rate The live birth rate is the percentage of all IVF cycles that lead to birth. In 2006, Canadian clinics reported a live birth rate of 27%. Birth rates in younger patients were slightly higher, with a success rate of 35.3% for those who are 21 and younger. Success rates for older patients were also lower and decrease with age, with 37-year-olds at 27.4% and no live births for those older than 48, the oldest group evaluated. Further, pregnancy rates can be increased by the placement of several embryos at the risk of increasing the chance for multiples.

Success or failure factors The main potential factors that influence pregnancy (and live birth) rates in IVF have been suggested to be maternal age, duration of infertility, and number of oocytes, all reflecting ovarian function. Optimal woman’s age is 23–39 years at time of treatment.

Other factors Other determinants of outcome of IVF include: .

Tobacco smoking reduces the chances of IVF producing a live birth by 34% and increases the risk of an IVF pregnancy miscarrying by 30%. .

A body mass index (BMI) over 27 causes a 33% decrease in likelihood to have a live birth after the first cycle of IVF, compared to those with a BMI between 20 and 27. Also, pregnant women who are obese have higher rates of congenital abnormality, miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hypertension, problems during delivery. Ide-

al body mass index is 19–30. .

Success with previous pregnancy and/or live birth increases chances .

Low alcohol/caffeine intake increases success rate .

Level of DNA fragmentation as measured by e.g maternal age and / or semen quality. .

The number of embryos transferred in the treatment cycle. .

Other factors of semen quality for the sperm provider. .

Some studies also suggest the autoimmune disease may also play a role in decreasing IVF success rates by interfering with proper implantation of the embryo after transfer.

Aspirin, however, was shown by a metaanalysis to not improve pregnancy rates after IVF. In the United States, women seeking to be an embryo recipient undergo infectious disease screening, and tests to determine the best placement location and timing before the actual embryo transfer occurs.

Alternatives to donating unused embryos are destroying them (or having them implanted at a time where pregnancy is very unlikely), keeping them frozen indefinitely, or donating them. Some people believe donation of leftover embryos for research is a good alternative to discarding the embryos when patients receive proper, honest and clear information about the research project, the procedures and the scientific values.

Ethics/ Issues In many cases where sperm and eggs or embryos have been carelessly mixed-up in the laboratory like the transfer of wrong embryo, legal action against the IVF provider and complex paternity suits have ensued. An example is the case of a woman in California who received the embryo of another couple and was notified of this mistake after the birth of her son. This has led to many authorities and individual clinics implementing procedures to minimise the risk of such mix-ups. Some clinics use a double witnessing system, where the identity of specimens is checked by two people at each point at which specimens are transferred. Alternatively, technological solutions are gaining favour, to reduce the manpower cost of manual double witnessing, and to further reduce the risk of human error. Technological solutions typically involve tagging individual specimen containers with uniquely numbered tags which can be identified by readers connected to a computer. The computer tracks specimens throughout the process and alerts the embryologist if non-matching specimens are identified.

Another concern is that people will screen in or out for particular traits.For example, a deaf British couple, Tom and Paula Lichy, have petitioned to create a deaf baby using IVF. Some medical ethicists have been very critical of this approach. Jacob Appel wrote that “intentionally culling out blind or deaf embryos might prevent considerable future suffering, while a policy that allowed deaf or blind parents to select for such traits intentionally would be far more troublesome.”[74] Current state of the industry Many people do not oppose the IVF practice itself (i.e. the creating of a pregnancy through “artificial” ways) but are highly critical of the current state of the industry.

Such individuals argue that the industry has now become a multi-billion industry, which is widely unregulated and prone to serious abuses in the desire of practitioners to obtain profit. For instance, in 2008, a California physician transferred 12 embryos to a woman who gave birth to octuplets. This made international news, and led to accusations that many doctors are willing to endanger the health and even the lives of women in order to gain money.

SUND AY Vanguard, JUL Y 15, 2012, PAGE 21 JULY SUNDA bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

Sons who beat up their mum’s violent lover

W

HEN Joju met Mark, her second husband seven years ago at an end-of-year party a friend invited her to, she was very cautions. At 38, she’d been widowed for close to six years and a mum to two sons aged 15 and 13.

“I’d had a few dodgy relationships since my husband died,” she said, “and at 38, wasn’t really in the mood for any man to walk in and out of my life again. I wanted a stable relationship even if it wasn’t going to lead to marriage.

“Mark was a couple of years older, a divorcee with quite good looks and a responsible job.

He’d spare no expense at wooing me and I was flattered. Could this be it?

He had three children from his first marriage and they lived with his ex. I’d seen them on and off at Mark’s house and they seemed well-behaved to me. Mark also had a cordial relationship with his ex. Too cordial for an ex, she allegedly cheated on him.

“After we got married in a quiet registry do, I moved into his house with my children. It was an ideal relationship except for one thing Mark’s ex-wife. She was always on the phone wanting one favour or the other for the children.

Whenever she called, Mark would rush to her place with loads of goodies meant for the children or with a couple of artisans to do odd jobs at her place. At first, I didn’t mind, after all, we were

newly weds, savouring the delights of being madly in love. Gradually though, I began seething with jealousy. `Are you really that interested in those kids that much, or is your ex the attraction?’

I used to ask him whenever he got ready for yet another visit to his ex.

“Often times, when we were alone in bed, his phone would beep with text messages from her.

I’d bristled. It was like she’d just found her way into our bedroom. It was one thing him being a good dad, a different kettle of fish that he was still tied to her. Seeing how insecure I was, Mark started attacking my confidence. ‘Why are you always running down the mother of my children?

‘He would shout whenever I protested his constant runs to his ex’s place, `do you think you’re more important to me than her and my children? I don’t begrudge your children living with us, so back off!’ I would remind him that I was the one financially responsible for my children’s upkeep and that really got him mad.

“He started becoming jealous of the way I dressed, the friends I kept and often referred to me as a cold-hearted bitch! Where was all that love he pretended he had to give? His violent ways manifested the day he came back from the office and met me wearing a rather daring but fetching trousers suit to go to a friend’s 40th birthday party. ‘All you care about is looking

Y

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

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

My Woman

I cant relax for a minute without swimming in thought of you. you have occupy all he space in my

good isn’t it?,’ he sneered.

‘You just love yourself too much. You couldn’t even wait for me to have my meals before you leave the house’. I was getting a bit irritated by now. He had refused to come to the party with me saying he would be busy in the office. 1 wasn’t even expecting him when he showed up. I started arguing back and he suddenly attacked my dress, rippling the top to bits. 1 was shocked, by the time my two sons came back to the house, the place was all smashed up.

“Their presence seemed to bring Mark down to earth and he stormed off.

I really looked a fright and my sons’ faces were like granite, they knew we argued a lot - but for things to come to actual battering was too much for them to understand. I felt really ashamed that I’d been degraded that much.

When he came back late in the night, he was full of apologies, promising to replace my torn clothes and to make peace with my sons. A few weeks later at about five in the morning, his phone beeped as usual and this time, I read the message: Could you come down with the money on your way to work? Love x. Love?

“What love from an exwife? I shook him violently awake. “Your love is texting you at 5 O’clock in the morning,” I yelled, engulfed with jealousy and anger. He looked ready for another fight and I threw his mobile phone at him. It landed smack on his head and I flounced into the kitchen. Hearing his footsteps, I turned to give him a piece of my mind when I suddenly

heart that I can't concentrate on anything else but you.If this love of mine is as a result of the love charm that you have use on me, please tell the native doctor to elongate it for eternity... I don''t want to stop loving you, the truth is, I love to love you.. you remain my best friend on earth.

Kelechi Ndubisi kconeofafrica@gmail.com, 08032900530

Out of Love...

When hope disintegrates, and dreams turn into ash and homes and hearts are robbed of laughter, and joy is lost to tears, love will last through it all,perfect, pure, and healing just as God intended.

And through love, the birds will sing again, and the hail winds shaking your whole world will still, and the beauty of life will spill through the clouds like golden rays; for out of love, hope will grow, and

saw stars - he’d given me a huge slap on the face!

As I tried to hold on to him, he continued pummeling me until I crashed to the floor. The abusive words he hurled at me were really hurtful.

“It was then I saw my two strapping sons - one had a huge stick in his hand and wacked him on the head with it . Before he realised what hit him, the two of them charged at him and it was scary to see the extent of their fury.” `Touch our mum again’, the eldest yelled, ‘and you’ll be dead, I assure you’, `whacking him all over some more.

He certainly looked half dead by now and I told my sons to get out of the house. I ached all over but managed to get into my car to drive all of us to my mum’s. By the time he came back to the

house, I’d moved most of my things out of the nightmarish place I once called my matrimonial home. Now I was out of his hair, I thought, he would have all the time for his ex.

“I was actually shocked when he started making moves for me to come back! Come back to what?

What had really changed and how could a man be so nice and loving one minute and turn into a monster the next? I certainly didn’t want my sons exposed to violence and the way they turned up their nose whenever Mark’s name cropped up, I knew they wouldn’t come with me, if 1 decided to go back . My sons are my life, and I won’t give them up for a monster who could easily have maimed or killed me but for their intervention”.

when there's hope, to nourish the soul, dreams and happiness will inevitably blossom again.

Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015. dekris4real@gmail.com

My love for you beyond measure

Even if all the atoms of my life were exploded and scattered, each tiny individual bit of it, will still love you. Benita Njideka Chimezie my love for you is beyond measure because no human language can adequately convey the deep sentiment of my love to you.

Godfrey Iwuorie chidi geochi171@yahoo.com 08064349445

PAGE 22—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

News: State of the nation INSURG ENCE

"A man enters your house and defecates on the floor,... present him a bouquet of roses?"

M A I L B A G

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

Sovereign National Conference instead of 2015 elections Dear Sir,

T

HE Jos pogrom is a barbaric act and it hast ens the fact that

Nigerian needs a sovereign national conference or a referendum to determine its future with the continuous bloodbath.

Ethnic tensions, which led to the

pogrom of May 1966 against Southerners predominantly Igbos in Northern Nigeria, were significant straws that led to the Nigerian civil war of 6 July – 15 January 1970. The pogroms were still repeated in July and September of 1966.

That civil war caused the estimated

death of over 1 million Nigerians.

Presently, the Boko Haram sponsors have pushed Nigeria to the threshold that led to that civil war. B o ko Haram has increased ethnic tensions and has

been continuously conducting a systematic pogrom against Christians and churches in Northern Nigeria,

SOS to Governor Uduaghan on Jesse road Dear Sir,

P

ERMIT me to use your source of news to commend His

Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State for his three point agenda which has also positively affected the Idjerhe kingdom (Anglicized Jesse) in Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State.

The governor approved the construction of the dual carriage road connecting Jesse to the Warri-Benin Road and the work was actually started. It was quite a relief for the agrarian community as the indigenes commended the governor for his infrastructural disposition towards the more than 32 towns and villages in the community.

Without doubt the Jesse kingdom has benefitted from the Delta government infrastructural programmes since 1999 in the areas of road and electricity provision to nearly all the nooks and crannies. It was therefore an icing on the cake when the Uduaghan administration flagged off the construction of a dual carriage way into the kingdom to accelerate the transportation of food stuff from the farm and the towns to such urban towns like Sapele, Warri, Benin, Lagos, etc.

It was therefore a drawback to observe that the enthusiasm and spirit that attracted the people to the project is waning as there are signs of

discontinuation of the construction of the road. As at moment, the dual carriage way is getting deplorable as motorists, okada riders, pedestrians and other road users meander from one side of the road to the other to avoid being trapped on the larger than pot holes and wide gullies on the road.

The coming of the rains has made matters worse.

Considering that the road construction falls under the three point agenda of Governor Uduaghan administration, the Jesse people expressed the hope that the Delta State amiable governor would galvanise the contractor handling the Jesse dual carriage way back to work. Kudos.

Sam Anagbo Temienor 08035182376

Bomb-blasts & the issue of compensation Dear Sir,

M

AJORITY of Nigerians, especially those living here in the north where religious riots, and now, bomblasts, is rampant, are glad to hear of the recent declaration by Kaduna State government (and probably some other governors in the north of the affected states, especially Borno and Plateau) to donate some compensation money to the surviving victims of the recent bombblasts that sparked off the riots, sometime last month.

Though, this is not the first time that this government or some other governors in the north would donate some compensation, both in cash and in kind, to the victims of such disasters, this is to act as relief to whatever traumatic effects, be it physical or psychological, the crises might have caused the victims and/or their families or dependants.

The same thing also goes to the recent announcement last month of the Imo State government of Sir. Rochas Okorocha to donate a given sum of money as compensation to the families of the victims of the June-Dana Air crash disaster that claimed the lives of about 153 Nigerians.

I think this initiative or effort, like that of the Kaduna State government and some other northern governors whose states were being affected by crises is a welcome relief but I consider it a waste of valuable time and resources as it can not solve the problem of poverty in the affected states.

The only solution is for them to use the compensation money to provide infrastructure .

A Stitch in time saves nine!

Nwando Obianyor (Miss), Malali, Kaduna.

08032349037

which is the more reason why Nigerians need a sovereign national conference or a referendum instead of conducting another election that may lead to more bombings and genocide.

While people argue over the right and wrong of the violence in the North, Boko H aram is rushing like a whirlwind to wipe the North of every Christian, of every Southerner and every Muslim in the opposition before the 2015 elections.

A pogrom is ongoing. We cannot pretend not to know. We can no longer turn our face or pretend that all is well. We can no longer feel safe in our pretence because those who have died at once felt safe too. There is no safety in pretence and there is no pretence in death.

Time is running out. What is silence if it will lead to a man’s death? What is silence if it will lead to the destruction of one’s brothers and kindred?

As of today, the sponsors of Boko Haram are Nigerians. The suicide bombers are Nigerians. The actors and directors live in Nigeria. The victims are Nigerians. Property being destroyed all belongs to Nigerians. Is be ing a Nigerian now a curse? Is being a Nigerian now a route to death or a deathly route of horror? O! Why should a Nigerian become a prey to another Nigerian in Nigeria?

Is politics more important than the life of a Nigerian?

The ongoing killings have nothing to do with Goodluck Jonathan as a person. It is a clear preparation for 2015 elections. But should Southerners and Christians be killed and sacrificed as baboons and dogs? Should all Christians be killed in the North in the name of Boko Haram? This is the time for Nigerians to come together and decide how we can live in Nigeria Efemena Agadama, Poet, playwright and activist wrote in from London.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 23

0808 066 0660 (Texts only!)

When your sister is the other woman!

M

ARIA and Faith were very close sisters with only fifteen months between them.

Always in and out of each other ’s pockets, Maria was on a visit to Faith this fateful day her lfie turned upside down. Faith was in the bathroom and Maria needed to get a message to Alex, her boyfriend of three years.

“My mobile was out of credit,” said Maria, “So I grabbed Faith’s phone.

‘I’m just going to use your mobile to text Alex,’ I called out. But she was in the shower so didn’t hear me. Thinking she wouldn’t mind, I went ahead anyway. But as I scrolled through the menu, I was surprised to see the first message in her box was from Alex.

“Thinking he might have been trying to get hold of me, I opened the message. It read: ‘Can you get away? I want to see you asap (as soon as possible)? My mind swirled. Was this my Alex? There must be an innocent explanation. But I told myself to get real and stop making excuses for them. They must be having an affair. Lately, they’d been very friendly towards each other and Alex never complained if we had to go out with Faith. In fact he seemed to look forward to seeing

her!

“Trying to control my anger and tears, I wasn’t sure what I should do.

Should I confront them?

Then suddenly, Faith came out of her room and grabbed her phone, heading for the door.

‘See you later,’ she called - and with that she was gone. So I decided to turn detective and follow her. Outside, I watched as she strutted down the street and turned off to the next street where Alex lived.

Burning with furry, I followed her into his ground floor flat. ‘So you two are having an affair!’

I spat. Alex looked bemused. ‘What?’ he said.

‘Don’t be ridiculous. Of course we’re not having an affair ’. ‘Don’t lie to me,’ I fumed, trembling.

‘I just read the text you sent to her. I’ve just caught her red-handed’.

‘It’s not what you think,’ Faith said. ‘We just arranged to meet so we could check out the new shopping mall. That’s all.’

“I desperately wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. Our relationship would never be the same again if I was right about them having an affair. Faith gently put her hand on my arm.

‘You’re still depressed from losing your job,’ she soothed. ‘I’d never

try to steal your boyfriend.’ There was an awkward silence and I began to doubt myself.

Afterall, the text message I’d found hadn’t actually said anything incriminating. ‘Sorry’ I said, suddenly embarrassed. ‘I jumped to the wrong conclusion.’ Yet deep down, I still couldn’t shake the awful feeling there was something going on.

Not long after this incident, Alex and 1 had one of our blazing rows and he sneered: ‘You think you’re clever. You think you know everything ,don’t you? Well, I’ve got news for you. 1 am sleeping with your sister!’ Seeing the shock in my eyes, he quickly

Tightening the abdominals ups, others from legraises and so on.

But there are some less familiar practices that deal with flabby stomach a lot more thoroughly.

Besides strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, some of these practices can be used for purification purposes along with drinking large quantities of salt water.

The following exercise will help trim the waist and keep it so, forever. I have had the same waistline since the past thirty years and I am fifty two now. If yours truly can do it, so can you! All it takes is diligence. Lets consider the Rocking.

Technique: Sit with the knees drawn and the hands placed at the back of the knees. Now, lunge both legs forwards and quickly draw them back and thrust them forth again. Keep this to and fro movement of the feet going continually. If you break the rhythm by

hesitating you rill immediately fail to keep going. You may do as few as 5 thrusts and withdrawals of the feet initially and then increase

,

F

OR most people over thirty the ab dominal region gets to be the least toned set of muscles of the body.

We work with our hands and walk with our feet, therefore, somehow, those parts are almost always in better shape than the abdominal wall.

A trim waistline doesn’t only look impressive aesthetically, it also speaks volumes of the state of health of the individual.

Reduce the girth and presto! You instantly look youthful. You will begin to digest your food and absorb it more efficiently.

Once the belly is shrunk appreciably, we can then learn to perform certain exercises which can help the system achieve better bowel action - a veritable way f eliminating toxins.

As regards exercise, there are countless ways to deal with the bulge of the belly. Some get results from practising dit-

The Rocking toughens the upper thigh and abdominal muscles. The exercise is reputed to also improve the soundness of sleep

,

the number of times as you improve.

Benefits: The Rocking toughens the upper thigh and abdominal muscles.

The exercise is reputed to also improve the soundness of sleep.

The Abdominal Lift

wreaked on our relationship. The love between us had diminished. All the trust we’d had was gone. ‘I’m sorry’ was all she could say. Then, as if I hadn’t suffered enough, 1 started bleeding a few days later. I’d suspected I might be pregnant, but the stress of their betrayal took my mind off it . Now I’d had a miscarriage.

“Alex begged constantly to be given a second chance vowing he’d never cheat again.

Through my loss, people gathered to comfort me my mum, my friends.

And then came the one person I’d thought I’d never want to see again: my sister. She didn’t say anything. She just held me tight. And in that moment, I vowed to do my best to forgive. She was only 18. Who doesn’t make mistakes at that age? But it was hard.

“Alex and I tried to make a go of the relationship. We even had a son together. Yet, despite our best efforts, things were never the same and we broke up. Happily, I now have a new man I’m engaged to and I’ll make sure Faith’s kept at arm’s length from my fiance. Even now she and I are no way near as close as we were. I might have forgiven her ? but I’ll never forget.”

grabbed my arm. ‘I didn’t mean that,’ he said, looking panicked: ‘I just said it in the heat of the moment.’ He continued to deny what he said but I knew it would gnaw away at me until 1 had proof one way or the other. So, later, when he was in the bathroom, I reached for his mobile and sent my sister a text: ‘Fancy coming round?’

Her reply flashed up moments later - and destroyed my world. ‘I don’t want one-night stands any more,’ it said.

‘I want a serious relationship and you can’t give me that because you’re still with Maria.’

“It was proof of the ultimate betrayal - my lit-

tle sister was sleeping with the love of my life!

When Alex came out of the bathroom, I showed him the text . ‘It was just a one-off ’ he babbled.

‘Stop lying to me! I shrieked. ‘Stop treating me like an idiot.’ 1 was fuming. Yet my anger at him was nothing compared to what I felt for Faith. My own flesh and blood! Usually, she was the one who helped me through heartbreak. Now she was the cause of it.

“The next day, I went to see her. I ranted and raved until I managed to calm down.

“How could you?’ I said quietly. By now she was crying, finally realising the damage she’d

Technique: Standing with the feet about a foot apart, breathe in deeply and exhale forcefully.

Now, with the breath out, draw in the muscles of the abdomen until you have a hollow forming beneath the ribs. The hands should be placed on the thighs and the knees bent a little. Keep the trunk a bit tipped forward but don’t lower it.

Maintain the retraction of the diaphragm by keeping both hands firmly pressed against the thighs as you lean on them.

Keep the position for as long as can be without breathing.

Then, ease up, stand erect and begin to breathe normally. Repeat only once more if you’re just stating this exercise.

As regards this very exercise, Indra Devi advises gradually bringing it up to seven times adding one time each week.

Warning: People with a weak heart or serious abdominal or circulatory problems should refrain from this exercise.

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

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD,JULY 15, 2012

Re: Teach earning & budgetting M

ONEY issues are always seri ous issues, anywhere, any time. There’s precious little that you can do without money. We may well talk of the great divide between the rich and the poor, which in the past has led to revolutions in some nations, and is still causing great distress in countries around the world, but a lack of good management of funds is what is pulling down the economy of several Eurozone countries right now and making them fall like a pack of cards, e.g. Greece, while Spain, Italy and a few others are on the brink, we’re told. There was a pathetic picture in a British paper the other week, showing some well-dressed people in a town in Greece, queuing up for soup in plastic bowls that the local government was dispensing to help citizens whose fortunes are down and who needed help with nutritious feeding. It was a sorry sight as some of them tried to maintain their dignity as they waited patiently to be served. From their outfits and accessories, some of them had known some luxury in the past.

Fortunately for us, this isn’t happening in our country yet, even with the collapse of several banks and businesses.

Experts tell us that the major reason for the collapse of any economy is faulty handling of funds; where you spend more than what comes in.

Readers who sent in their views on the piece I put out the other week on the need to teach our young people earning and budgetting, approve the idea, but some think that greed and irresponsible spending and lending are traits we need to get rid of.

‘Mrs Ovbiagele, it was interesting to note in your article that there is an initiative, led by the Personal finance Education Group charity and sponsored by HSBC, that financial topics are slotted into lessons across the curriculum in some schools in Britain. I think every country needs this since there’s no country whose economy has not been affected by their own reckless spending, or that of other nations. The earlier money sense and worth is taught and absorbed, the better for the management of the nations funds, and even personal funds, no matter how small. - Seyi, Ikeja.’

‘Madam, I liked your suggestions, but teaching young people how to manage the money they have in hand, and use it wisely, is part of our culture; at least where I come from in Ogun State. First of all, children there are brought up to avoid waste of any sort. Then they’re involved in the earnings in the family as they help in whatever trade or business their parents are engaged in. Or, they’re established in their own petty trading as soon as they’re able to use money. We’re brought up to spend only when we have to, and to haggle well before buying.

Most of our young people are wise in their spending. Well, maybe because we’re a mainly an ethnic group of traders. - Shade, Epe, Lagos State.’

‘Helen, we may well give lessons on earning and budgetting to our young children, but will that get rid of the greed in the society? That’s what’s responsible for slow progress in our country as people steal public funds without any restraint, inflate budget for contracts, siphon money out of the country, etc. Of what use will the lessons be to the children, if all they see around them, even in their families, are people making money through cheating, stealing and fraud?

When you’ve got your money that way, you would hardly be concerned about going for bargain, or spending within

View-Point

Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor

budgetting, but why, madam, do you think it’s only the children/ young people who need these lessons? I think all civil servants, and the rest of the working community, including educationists, need them. Regular courses should be run by experts on how to go for bargain, and spend money within their earning. The need to save should be thrown in too. The importance of saving for the rainy day was built into the upbringing of the older generation, but sadly, that’s absent these days. We seem to have a generation of wasteful spenders who don’t know how to budget within their earnings. Thanks, M.T., Lagos.’

‘Madam, I’m afraid you face an uphill task when you recommend we do here, what is being done in some British schools. According to your piece, a charity group was

sponsored by a financial institution, HSBC, to carry out the project within five years in selected schools. Which financial institution will do that here when most of them have not been managing their own finances well?

They lent out money without adequate colleterals, and ended with bad loans, which brought down their establishments, and some of them had to be bailed out, while some were re-branded. You could say their own bad experience would make them want to back such a project, but I can assure you that none of them would.

The government? They will not either, because they are not managing our money well, and at any given time, there are allegations of fraud and frivolous spending. What we should crave is a society of honest people of integrity, with responsible and sane spending habit, devoid of inflated contract deals.’

We thank all those who wrote in.

Of what use will the lessons be to the children, if all they see around them, even in their families, are people making money through cheating, stealing and fraud? your earnings. I think lessons on integrity, honesty and a responsible attitude in the use of money would be more profitable. - Deacon Matt, Kaduna.’

‘You’re right, madam. Some public servants cannot distinguish between public money and their own personal money, so, they fritter away our money with impunity.

A lesson throughout their educational career, on how to manage earning and spending could curb their frivolous spending habit. At least, they would have it embedded in their minds that they need to get good bargain for the money in their possession. If they’re in a contract-awarding position, they would carefully consider the options before them, and their worth, before they give out contracts. We hear of government awarding contracts to a company with the highest quotations, for no just cause; thinking that high fees means good performance. It may not always be a case of palms being greased, but that of irresponsible spending.’

‘I think the initiators of that project in selected British schools of teaching children how to budget on the money in their possession should be commended. How to manage money efficiently has always been a problem from the beginning of human existence. It’s what leads people into endless borrowing. The saying, ‘cut your coat according to your size, has been changed to ‘cut your coat according to your cloth’ , going by the economic trend of these present times. A well-adjusted adult is the person who spends money with a sense of caution and responsibility.

Spending wildly, can also lead to lending out money wildly, which was what led to the downfall of banks across the world; triggering off economic crisis, which has ruined lives. - Ezekiel, Aba’ ‘I understand the need to catch them young in the matter of earning and

WILLS-INDIA-FASHION-WEEK-2012 bollywoodfanatikleri.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 25

How free fuel killed hundreds

•’It is the worst single and painful tragedy after the civil war’ JIMITOTA ONOYUME

T

HE sight was horrible.

Many sympathisers screamed as they saw the charred remains of about two hundred persons that roasted while scooping fuel on Thursday from a petrol tanker that fell, spilling its contents at Ula Okogbe, Ahoada West, Rivers State end of the East West Road.

It is still not clear how many persons died in the painful incident but unconfirmed sources put the figure at about two hundred.

Thirty four motorbikes, four vehicles, including the trailer that sparked the fire, were among items consumed in the early morning inferno. About fifty persons were rushed to hospital for various degrees of burns.

Wailings became uncontrollable at the site when the remains of the victims were packed into a van for mass burial. “What a way to die”, a sympathiser lamented as the van conveying them drove out of sight.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi, commenting on the incident, said he was deeply saddened by it. The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dave Iyofor,to Sunday Vanguard said he was cutting short his trip to Abuja to visit the scene of tragedy.

“We are on our way from Abuja. The governor was really devastated by the incident. He has cut short his trip to Abuja so as to get to the scene of the accident”, Iyofor said.

The governor later ordered that those who made it to hospital should be given adequate medical attention.

Meanwhile, there were fears at press time that some of the hospitalised victims might give up at the hospital. “We may still lose as many as 70 per cent of the victims”, a statement from the Ministry of Information quoted the Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Emeka Nwogu, as saying. According to the statement, the commissioner and his team were on ground at the hospital supervising first aid services on the casualties.

The Commissioner of Health, Dr Sampson Parker, who spoke to newsmen at the General Hospital in Ahoada East where some of the victims were rushed to, described the incident as the worst single and painful tragedy in the state

after the civil war .“I will describe this as the single worst incident that has happened to Rivers State since the civil war; it is even worse than the Sosoliso crash that we experienced before now. It’s quite a pity.

“The situation would have been saved if they didn’t go there because when the accident happened ,there was no fire.The fire, as I heard, started when they started scooping fuel; so the situation would have been saved if people didn’t go there to scoop fuel.”

Continuing, the

• The tanker that sent victims to early graves

• Charred remains of the ill-fated tanker commissioner said amid tears it was a national disaster. “As far as I’m concerned, this a national disaster.I think this is the worst single disaster that has happened to Nigeria, I don’t know which other one because the corpses I counted alone, those ones that are there alone are over 200 littered about and they have not finished counting.

Cremation is what we see at the site, some people are burnt to ashes, so how many can you count? Look at the number that have been taken to several hospitals”.

How it happened overnor Amaechi has ordered full scale investigation into the incident to unravel what informed it, but ,in the meantime, community sources blamed it on recklessness on the part of a commercial bus driver.

Some of them who volunteered comments said the bus driver that was coming from Bayelsa end of the East West Road hit a Toyota Corolla car from the rear, thus causing the driver of the car to lose control. And, in a bid to avoid

G

• Sympathizers at the scene of tragedy

• Some of the Okadas torched a head-on collision with the petrol tanker driver who was coming from the opposite direction, forcefully swerved to the other end of the road. The weight of the tank made his vehicle to lose balance and fell on its side.

They said the tanker driver, who came out unhurt, pleaded with the community folks not to go close to the tanker until the petrol completely emptied into the ground but they ignored him.

Some others blamed the incident on bad road, stressing that if the road was good, the tanker would not have fallen when it forcefully avoided a head -on collision. “You can see

that the tanker fell into a ditch.

If this portion of the road was good, it would not have fallen”.

According to the sources, locals started scooping fuel in buckets and Jerry cans from about 7am until about 10am when the tanker burst into flames. “Some of the Okada riders were so excited filling their tanks before the fire caught up with them”, an eye witness said.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that people rushed out with fifty -litre Jerry cans and all sizes of buckets. A pregnant woman was among those reportedly roasted.

Unit Commander, Ahoada of

the Federal Road Safety Command, Mr A. Adedeye, who was on ground with his men, also blamed recklessness on the part of road users for the accident. The road safety official said traffic situation would have been very chaotic if the tanker had fallen on the road.

Sunday Vanguard later gathered that some of the victims rushed to the General Hospital Ahoada East were later referred for better medicare to Port Harcourt.“It is a General Hospital, so they said they did not have capacity to manage the cases; so some were rushed to Port Harcourt”, a source hinted

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012

Country News

Call me directly to report crime – Police boss Indabawa JIMITOTA ONOYUME

How has it been since you became Commissioner of Police, Rivers State? t has been tough, hectic and very challenging. I came from Nasarawa as Commissioner of Police.

That is a different environment compared to Rivers where you have people from all tribes including foreigners. So you can imagine the challenges.

What has support from the people been like in terms of helping to police the state?

It has been fairly okay but I need more. Some people only show concern when they are involved. For instance, maybe a relation is arrested, this is one instance you get some people calling. You hardly get their calls on criminal matters. People should help us fight crime by calling to give us useful information. I have been receiving information but I want more, it will help the state.

How can the people really assist?

My phone numbers are open, call them. I have never hidden my numbers. They can also call the police numbers, you will get response. You don’t have to show your identity when you call. You can choose to hide your numbers and call our Control Room, tell us about suspicious movements in your area and we will act. You don’t have to wait until they come to your house, when you see them in a neighbour’s house, call the police directly.

How has the state government been supporting your operations?

The governor has been wonderful.

He has been providing us with petrol; he is always in town unlike some governors who are never in their states. You can always reach him with information on matters relating to crime.

Let’s look at the battle against oil bunkering. How is the police helping to curb it in the state?

The Joint Task Force (army) are handling it. I think they have a directive to destroy vessels used for bunkering; there is drastic reduction in bunkering activities now in the state. For some time now, I have not received report from my colleague, the Brigade Commander, on activities of illegal bunkers because he shares information on such incident with us the police. So there is reduction in bunkering.

There are Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the country. How best can residents of the state help the police in the state in the face of the attacks?

I

C M Y K

Information.

•Says people shy away from This is the best way to help their most important role on s e c u r i t y security agencies. The residents are not experts in security but if they see anything suspicious, they should tell us before things go wrong. That is the most important role the populace can play. No matter how small, let us know any suspicious movement in your neighbourhood. For instance, recently, somebody left his bag to go and pray at the mosque in the Town Area of Port Harcourt. Before he came back, people had called us to raise the alarm. Though the man later came to pick his bag before we got there, it was good that residents could act the way they did in the face of the suspicion. This is what we want, give us information.

How are you working to give your command a good image particularly with the battered image the police has all over the country?

I have been doing my best. One thing I don’t condone for any reason is corruption.

I have dismissed four policemen since I came. When it comes to the use of excessive force, abuse of human rights and corruption, I don’t take them.

There was an incident involving five of your men at Elenlenwo area where they reportedly beat up a Mobile Policemen •Mr Mohammed Indabawa for refusing them to take bribe. What is the latest on the issue?

I have sent my report to the Inspector One striking thing about Rivers State Commissioner of Police, General of Police, IG. An Inspector was Mr Mohammed Indabawa, is that he picks his calls directly. involved in that case and I don’t have He is not bothered if the number is registered in his phone or powers to punish an Inspector by the not, he answers the call. If for any reason he misses a call, he police regulation. The best thing I could rings back. do was to forward my report. I could not In the course of this interview, he said this was a practice he punish the others who are within my nurtured overtime because some calls could give vital powers to deal with because it is proper information to enhance police operations. He appealed to for all of them to appear the same time for residents to always call his lines or the police control room to necessary action. furnish his command with suspicious movements in their What are you doing with kidnappers so neighbourhood. Excerpts: far arrested in the state?

Surgical feat on civil war knee injury at DELSUTH

BY SEUN OYEWOLE

D

ELTA State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara has recorded a major medical feat by successfully performing a knee replacement surgery.

The operation, the first in the institution, was carried out on a 74year-old Pa Thomas Akhalumemo, who sustained the knee injury as a soldier in 1968 during the civil war and had sought solution without success.

According to Professor Chukwuedo Iwegbu, who led a team of consultants surgeons and an anaesthetist, the operation involved the replacement of the diseased surfaces of the knee with artificial

materials called prosthesis.

Iwegbu, an international orthopaedic consultant surgeon described the surgical success as a major milestone since the institution was commissioned in 2010, saying when more materials are put in place, the issue of patients travelling abroad for medical attention would be a thing of the past.

A similar operation was done at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) about a week after that of DELSUTH, but, according to Professor Iwegbu, while that of DELSUTH was performed entirely by internal consultants and the patients discharged, the UBTH case was done with the aid of an external consultant and the patient yet to be discharged.

He said DELSUTH did not announce the success of the operation because it is against medical practice to do so especially when the patient is still recuperating, adding that doing so would amount to putting the cart before the horse.

Pa Akhalumemo said his ordeal started in 1968 during the civil war when he was wounded as a soldier and had been in pains and unable to move freely since then.

He said he had been to several places for treatment and placed on medications but to no avail until the affected leg was successfully operated on at DELSUTH, adding that he could now walk freely without a walking stick or support from anyone.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 27

By Gift Gabriel

People called me ‘mad’ when I left my London job – Adebimpe Adeyi, Brownies World MD * ‘Life is no longer just about formal education’ line of makeup, seven years ago, was a huge risk because the terrain was yet to be fully accepted. There were very few makeup houses, and even the House of Tara did not have the offices it now has. On this premise, Bimpe’s mum and friends were not wrong to have called her “mad” when they found out her plans.

The first few months at Brownies were however not bad. As her network of customers rang her for products, she directed them to her studio.

Through recommendations and referrals, her network began to expand.

S

EVEN years ago when graduates would gratefully grab whatever job offer was brought their way due to job scarcity, Adebimpe Adeyi was too glad to resign from her highly-paid employment to pursue her own dream. Even her employer’s decision to transfer her to their UK office wasn’t strong enough to convince her. More absurd about her action was that Bimpe was resigning just to have enough time to sell makeup products! Her mother and everyone else thought she was going crazy, but today, her courage has paid off! That little enterprise has metamorphosed into one of Nigeria’s leading makeup studios, Brownies World, that has so far created employment for many and also produced about 200 makeup artists. Brownies World has also recently branched into photography with the launch of Flicker’s Studio.

Adebimpe Adeyi

Taxes and bills

Mouth-watering job against passion

,

Unlike many graduates who would scout endlessly in search of meaningful employment, Adeyi Adebimpe was very lucky. Her first job was an assistant managerial position at the country headoffice of the London College of Business and Computer Studies. Her doggedness soon paid off and she was appointed the Manager of the firm which had over eight branches in different states across Nigeria.

What buttered bread for a fresh graduate, many would think, but Bimpe had other plans up her sleeves.

“As far back as when I began studying Business Administration at the University of Ado Ekiti, I already had the name Brownies World and had mapped out all the aspects. I just needed to work and gather resources to be able to set up Brownies. My job at the London College of Business and Computer Studies was very lucrative because it also involved helping clients procure visas and I was earning good salary. The company had a school in London for which we prepared candidates here in Nigeria before sending them to London. We later opened another arm which involved training executive management staff of top companies in Nigeria. Still, I couldn’t find satisfaction.

“As a little girl, I could remember that my dad would always call me to the sitting room whenever fashion shows were aired on TV because he knew I liked things that had to

Venturing full-time into the line of makeup, seven years ago, was a huge risk because the terrain was yet to be fully accepted

do with beauty. Hence, from my first year in the university, I joined the organisers of our campus pageant and began teaching models how to catwalk, among other things”, Bimpe who also holds a post graduate degree in information technology shares.

The days of little beginning

In her second year at the London College of Business and Computer Studies, she became increasingly restless and knew it was time to pursue her own dream; not to continue helping others fulfil theirs.

When it was 4pm, Bimpe would go to supply makeup

,

products to bank staff at their offices. Gradually, many began consulting her about makeups.

Afterwards, they started coming to her for the fixing of eyelashes and nails. Suddenly, the routine of sitting in the office and writing proposals became too boring for her.

UK transfer plot

A

LREADY, Bimpe’s Managing Director was suspecting her resignation plan. To stop her, he therefore decided on transferring her to the UK head-office where she was to replace a lady who was relocating with her husband.

“I knew going to the UK would spoil my plans, especially as I had just registered Brownies World. I therefore purposely omitted some documents while filing for my visa so that the embassy rejected me twice.

After that, for the first time in three years, I took my official leave, and throughout that leave, I switched-off my phone.

I used that period to prepare for the take-off of Brownies World. I rented a shop at Opebi in Ikeja but had to keep it under locks because I was yet to resign. When I went back to work, I feigned illness and went to Germany to study at a renowned makeup and beauty school, and soon after I returned, I tendered my resignation letter which my boss actually refused to take from me. I however dropped it with his subordinate”, she explains.

Venturing uncertainty

into

Venturing full-time into the

Opebi, being a high-brow area, the business soon began to suffer from different taxes and bills, and Bimpe needed to device more business strategies to justify her bills and taxes. She delved into teaching the art of makeup, and the school has till date trained about 200 from across and outside Nigeria.

She has since 2008 contributed immensely to the annual Nigerian Fashion Show and other big events in the industry, and has recently, branched into photography with the launch Flicker ’s Studio.

Now, she says, “Those who called me ‘mad’ when I made my choice seven years ago, including my mum, now tell me they are proud of me!

“I encourage people to learn skills because life is no longer just about formal education. I don’t even know where my certificate is anymore! Some will say: Oh Bimpe, what if I don’t get customers!’ and I tell them such can only happen when you are not good! Just focus on quality, affordability, good customer care, and being a unique brand. Most of our jobs come from referrals because, at Brownies, we put all these into consideration.

“Do you know how many people get married every weekend and cannot even find a makeup artist to book? On the flip side, do you know how many universities we have in Nigeria? Do you know many people put in for accounting, business administration or even medicine? Do you know how many graduates join the job market every year? Why do bankers and marketers steal from their job hours to go learn skills? In all, I would encourage that everyone finds her passion because not everybody can do business or be a risk-taker.”

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult. - Seneca

28 —SUNDAY, Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012

With Ayo Onikoyi

08033286159

Glorious exit of Margaret Akerele

From Right; Chief (Mrs) Folashade Ogunbiyi, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Lady Gbeminiyi Smith, and Sir Kehinde Smith

I

f the dead could actually see, Late Mrs Margaret Ayodele Akerele (nee Francis) would be fulfilled in her grave as her family, friends, inlaws and associates gathered in her honour at the Church of Assumption on Tuesday to give her a burial befitting a departing royalty.

It was a huge family reunion as the Akereles, the Francis, the Ogunbiyis, the Smiths and other close relatives came in their numbers to pay their last respect to the woman they loved and cherished. Photos by Kehinde Gbadamosi

R-L: Mr Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross River, and Mrs Francisco Abosede, former Commissioner for Physical Planning, Lagos State

R-L: Miss Feranmi Ogunbiyi, Mr Tokunbo Ogunbiyi, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, and Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulere, Lagos State Deputy Governor R-L; Ms Lola Ibi Aboderin, Engr John Akinola Martins, Mrs Funke Ogunnoiki, Miss Temitayo Martins-Lawrence and Mr Bosun Akerele

R-L; Mrs Omolara Thomas, Olori Ladun Sijuade, and Mrs Patricia Akapo

L-R: Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Mr Bambo Adesanya, [SAN], Mr Toyin Okeowo, and Mr Akin Adesokan

Pastor Obby Okeke marks 50 R-L; Lady Maiden Ibru, Mrs Shasanya, and Mrs Feyi Roland

Mina

Nwanbuogor and Edgar THE families of Ehizua Inyinbor of Odiguele in Esan North East Local Government of Edo State and late Chief Obazee Edo-Ogiamien of Oredo Local Government of Edo State became one recently when their children; Nwanbuogor Inyinbor and Edgar Osayomwanbor Ogiamien got married at the St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Benin City.

L-R: Mr. Ogiamien, uncle to the groom, the couple, and bride’s father, an ace Broadcaster, Mr. Martin Inyinbor.

R-L; Mrs Derin Disu, Mrs Ola Adeola and Mrs Oludofun Ruka

Adebobola and Victor

THE General Overseer of Christian Brethren Ministry, Benin City, Pastor Mrs. Obby Okeke recently clocked 50 and the occasion became a big celebration which attracted her church members as well as members of the public who were treated to a grand reception at the church premises

MR Victor Agbeja and former Miss Adebobola Ademisoye Formalised their relationship in a traditional wedding at the University of Ibadan, UI, Cooperative Hall, Oyo State. Adebobola is the daughter of Comrade Adetunji Ademisoye, Lagos State Secretary of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Related Association, NASU.

Mr Victor Agbeja and former Miss Adebobola Ademisoye during their tradtional wedding

Pastor Mrs. Obby Okeke being assisted by her husband, Pastor Clement Okeke

SUNDAY, Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012 —29

With Ayo Onikoyi

08033286159

Rotn. K amoru Omot osho sstteps in as R ot ar Kamoru Omotosho Rot otar aryy District Governor o t a r y

R

From left; Rotn. Kennedy Ejakpomewhe, Immediate Past District Governor, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria, decorating the new District Governor for 2012-2013, Rotn. Kamoru Omotosho while his wife, Susan watche

International District 9 1 1 0 , Nigeria yet again updated her history books when Rotarian Kamoru Omotosho, a seasoned medical doctor, received the baton as the new District Governor for the 2012-2013 Rotary Year.

Many Rotarians of note including other past governors, chapter presidents and some notable personalities graced the event that took place at the Agip Recital Hall of Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, penultimate Saturday.

Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

R-L:Rotn. Richard Giwa-Osagie, Past Distric Governor; Mrs Adetutu Obadan and Rotarian Felix Obadan

R-L: Rotn. Kamoru Omotosho, New District Governor; Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Dr. David Okello, Country Rep., WHO

Blissful wedding of Eghonghon and Efetobore

T

he traditional marriage and wedding between former Miss Eghonghon Katherine Ebade, daughter of Mr Patrick Ebade, a serving deputy comptroller of Customs from Eguare Ewohimi in Esan Southeast Local Government Area of Edo state, and Arc Efetobore Joseph Okorare, son of Chief Gabby Okorare, a fine artist and public relations consultant from Ovu Inland Ehiope East Local Government Area of Delta state took place in Lagos at the Sir. Olubi Centre, Multipurpose hall, Okota.

Very important personalities both from home and abroad graced the event.

L-R: Rotn. Joke Kukoyi, Past District Chairman;Rotn. Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Past District Governor and his wife, Julia

Inner Wheel Club projects INNER Wheel Club Festac Town has concluded their service projects for the Inner Wheel year 2011/2012 Inner Wheel year with the theme “ Think Ahead, Aim High” under the leadership of IWM Chidiebere Nesta Onuoha

From Left: Bride's father, Mr. Pat Ebade, the groom's mother, Mrs. Rose Okorare, the groom , Arc. Efetobore Okorare, the bride , Mrs. Eghonghon Okorare, bride’s mother, Mrs. Ebade and groom's father, Chief Gabby Okorare Presentation of two in One Oxygen Concentrator, Blood Pressure Apparatus, and Bed sheets/ Pillow cases to Amuwo Odofin Primary Health Care Centre, Festac Town Lagos

Efetobore and Eghonghon Okorare in their traditional Ishan attire

Arc Efetobore and Mrs. Eghonghon Okorare in their blue traditional Urhobo attire.

Presentation of television, DVD and Educational compact discs to 5 th Avenue Nursery/Primary School, Festac Town Lagos.

PAGE 30 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 31

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

A

against it, as we are confident that its outcome will be disastrous.

The Russian opposition seems adamant that the election that brought President Vladimir Putin to power is flawed. For a developed nation, will this lingering perception not affect the image of Russia abroad?

I think that not so many people, even in the opposition groups, really regard Vladimir Putin as an illegitimate president, as he was elected by almost two thirds of the Russian voters. Rather, the dissatisfaction of some people, first of all, in Moscow and several other big cities, was provoked by the circumstances of the parliamentary election held three months prior to the presidential trial. It is necessary to mention that the

mbassador Alexander Polyakor is the Rusian Ambassandor to Nigeria. In this interview, he speaks on his country’s relations with Nigeria, the Syrian crisis and the politics of Middle-East. Excerpts:

Ambassador Alexander Polyakor

Middle East dictators still enjoy unconditional US support — Russian Envoy zOn Syria: There is no alternative to political solution z‘We can help Nigeria on Boko Haram if …’ basis of bilateral ties and offer mutually beneficial joint projects.

On the global stage, Russia belongs to the exclusive club of nuclear powers. What is the position of Russia on the opposition of Western powers to Iran acquiring nuclear capability?

Russia shares concerns of the whole international community, not of the Western world only, over a possible military component of the Iranian nuclear program. Being guided by a series of UN Security Council resolutions, together with the US and the European Union, we urge Tehran to entirely clarify its intentions and discard these concerns.

A

t the same time, we ac knowledge Iran’s right for the peaceful use of nuclear energy, on the condition that all relevant Security Council resolutions and IAEA requirements be implemented.

Diplomacy seems to be failing in getting Iran to negotiate its nuclear ambitions and military action has been mooted in some quarters. Will Russia support military action

,

What is the state of relations between Nigeria and Russia and the volume of trade between the two countries as we speak?

In terms of politics, the relations have been developing very well. Our partnership is based on a favorable historical background: Russia has never been a colonial power in Africa and it contributed a lot to the attainment of Africa ’s independence and the subsequent establishment of African sovereign states. Suffice it to say that about ten thousand Nigerians have graduated from our institutions of higher education so far, and, today, Russia is ahead of other countries in a number of state-funded scholarships (70) annually granted to Nigeria.

The first ever visit to Abuja by the President of the Russian Federation in June 2009 serves as an evidence of the high quality of our bilateral relations and mutual determination to take the relationship to the level of strategic partnership. Consultations by the Permanent Secretary of the Nigerian Foreign Ministry were successfully held in Moscow recently, in the course of which it was agreed that we should work towards a return visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Russia , tentatively next year.

Unfortunately, our trade and economic relations significantly lag behind the possible and desirable level. The volume of bilateral trade amounted to only US $300 million last year (taking into account trade through intermediaries, as the CBN estimates, it has exceeded US $1 billion). However, it is not correct to jump to conclusions considering the trade volume only. The inter-governmental agreement on cooperation, construction, operation and decommissioning of a nuclear power plant in Nigeria signed on June 4th in Moscow, for instance, opened immense prospects of economic and technological cooperation between our two countries — though more likely with a medium- and long-term impact.

What areas of improvement is the Russian government looking at in its relations with Nigeria?

Actually, the answer to this question is already given: we are prepared and willing to make our political dialogue more active, enhance the legal

Russia is ahead of other countries in a number of statefunded scholarships (70) annually granted to Nigeria

,

against Iran ?

Quite on the contrary, genuine diplomatic efforts to find a suited-for-all solution to the socalled Iranian nuclear problem have started just now. Representatives of Russia , the US , the EU and Iran held intensive talks in Moscow recently. A difficult process of convergence of views between these sides, as it seems to us, has eventually started there. Obviously, time and mutual political will are needed to get this done. And as for any probable “military solution” debated in some Western and Israeli circles, Russia utterly and strongly stands

Russian government, quite seriously, reacted to the expressions of the resentment and thus significantly simplified the way of the registration of political parties which gives the opposition a possibility to organize itself in the struggle for power within the legitimate framework of democratic procedures. A recently adopted Act on the toughening of responsibility for disturbances during mass gatherings and rallies is directed only against those who do not want “to play by the rules” generally accepted in all civilized countries, but apply violence and disrupt public order. Touching upon the issue of the international reputation of Russia, I would like to say that, obviously, there are some persistent efforts carried out by the Western mass media to spoil the image of Russia, as they report on the events taking place in Moscow deliberately in the worst light withholding at the same time full information about the circumstances, for example, of the severe dispersal of protest actions of the Occupy Wall Street movement in the West. It seems to me that the Nigerian public could have appraised these

events more unprejudiced as it is very much aware of the use of “double standards” in the interpretation in the West of events which are suited for the ruling circles and those events that are not to their liking.

Russian relationship with the US government seems to blow hot and cold every now and then. Why is it so?

You know the dynamics of Russian-US relations has one fascinating regularity: our relations tend to deteriorate during the US election race, and improve after the next in turn American president is swornin and a new administration is formed. The same is happening now when one of the candidates seeks to reap benefits from “playing the anti-Russian card”, but the currently in force head of state tries to keep him away from such an opportunity. We hope that regardless of the outcome of their struggle for the presidential seat, our relations will return to the more or less normal state in half a year.

W

hy is it so difficult to get Russia and America to see eye to eye on the solution to the Syrian crisis?

Russia and the US actually are not that dramatically divided on Syria as it may seem.

During the off-the-record talks, our US colleagues assess the developments in Syria in a far more reasonable and cautious way, sharing much of our concerns about a likely destabilization of one of the key Middle East countries and the region as a whole. US public diplomacy, however, sometimes tries to benefit from heavy rhetoric condemning Moscow of all deadly sins, but being not so innocent itself: much blood has been shed in Libya , dictatorial Gulf regimes still enjoy unconditional US support despite violent suppression of the democratic movement, as it has happened in Bahrain .

In the view of Russia , what is the most effective way out of the looming civil war in Syria?

The answer is obvious: there is no alternative to political solution in Syria , even if someone somewhere is so much eager to overthrow the regime by all means, including physical extermination or deportation of entire ethno-religious parts of the society. All parties to the conflict must put an end to violence and enter into negotiations in order to work out a comprehensive compromise. Otherwise, a civil war in fact is inevitable. The Russian initiative to convene a representative international conference on Syrian reconciliation, which has been recently held in Geneva .

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 33

Educational system here lacks application of knowledge—Adeola Oduyemi Adeola Hollway Oduyemi is the founder and Executive Director of IHH Educational Consultant, a Training Company based in Ontario Canada. She is an educationist and instructor who specialises in early childhood development.

She is also a therapist and member of a Multi-disciplinary team of Applied Behavior Analysts (ABA).

She has over fifteen years of experience in Nigeria and Canada, working with children with special needs and advocating the importance of laying quality foundation of learning in early years. Her strong passion for educational development is without doubt contagious as she provides young children with learning skills that will help them succeed all through life and school. Recently she had a chat with Esther Onyegbula when she visited Nigeria for a paper presentation on “Educating a child on the spectrum”.

Enjoy!!!

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA When was IHH Educational consultant established?

T was established in 2010. We fo cus a lot on early childhood de velopment because it is the foundation stage. It is at that stage that you notice red flags for child development that indicates whether a child is developing properly or not. Early childhood is a very passionate topic for me when it comes to laying solid foundation for children to build life skills and education.

It is all about helping children turn into individuals that will grow into their optimum ability. I train a lot of schools in Nigeria even though I reside in Canada. We also do special services for individuals who have special needs.

When you compare the Nigerian educational system with what obtains abroad, what would you say is lacking in child development?

I think personnel training is lacking, especially with child development. Our culture has a good support system which is a very strong tool that educational professionals can work with and harness. Honestly, parents should train the people that are in their children’s lives, the caregivers, and the people that surround their children. When you train the people and care givers who surround a child, the programs and the skills that they acquire, they will also be able to transfer on to the children.

What do you think should be done about our educational system to improve the quality of education?

What is lacking in Nigeria educational system is the application of knowledge acquired. Nigerians have very good teachers but it is all theoretical. Until

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we create a system where all the theories that students learn are applied in life situations, our educational system won’t improve.

But we have Nigerian students who do extremely well when they go abroad to study, why is this so?

The reason why most students from Nigeria who go abroad to study are doing very well again is that by the time they get abroad, they are taught to apply whatever they have learnt. And then you hear parents brag that their child got scholarship.

It is because they used the application of the skills and the knowledge they have acquired over the years, which is actually skill building.

How can knowledge gathering be turned into skill building?

Teachers need to train every year. It is an on-going process. Acquisition of knowledge is forever ongoing; it is never static. In my environment in Ontario, Canada, teachers’ training is done

Adeola Hollway Oduyemi ....Acquisition of knowledge is forever ongoing; it is

never static

What is lacking in Nigeria educational system is the application of knowledge acquired.

Nigerians have very good teachers but it is all theoretical

every summer.

Teache r s train for what we call the AQ(s) always.

If we want to have progress and turn knowledge gathering into skill build-

ing, things need to change because the society is changing. Our society today is not the same as ten years ago.

The society ten years ago is not the society of the seventies. But unfortunately, we are still using the same knowledge and methodology which is outdated. We can’t keep using the same methodology and make any meaningful difference or progress.

What you mean is that our methodology does not meet the demands of our present society?

Definitely these method needs to be improved. Our teachers needs to be encouraged, supported and compensated adequately so that they will want to do more. That way, teaching will become something they look forward to do.

In your opinion, what is the reason why most companies find it difficult to employ graduates in spite of their qualifications?

It has to do with changing the methodology and the curriculum so that graduates from higher institutions would be able to apply what they have learnt.

We will continue to have unemployable graduates with first and second class certificates until they are able to employ what they have learnt.

What has life taught you in your years of living and working outside your country?

Living outside Nigeria has taught me to appreciate my culture and its values.

I appreciate my culture the more and love my people the more.

PAGE 34— SUNDAY

VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

‘What we expect in reviewed petroleum industry law’ T

HE oil and gas sector of Nigeria’s economy is poised for greater economic activities this fiscal year as the petroleum minister, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, disclosed, last week, that the revised version of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be sent to the National Assembly for consideration within 14 days. The Bill, which has been in parliament since 2008 recently received fresh attention, as the PIB Technical Committee set up to re-examine the legislation reviewed the bill to remove the certain clauses, with a view to ensuring a level playing ground for international oil companies and local firms operating in the industry.

Speaking while leading a delegation of the Special Task Force on the Review of the PIB and the PIB Technical Committee to submit the reviewed Bill to President Goodluck Jonathan, the minister said, “The Bill will ensure that going forward, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is professionally run, and that it engages professionals in the oil and gas sector to work within it, which is not the case at present.

The review of the Bill, which lasted about six months, was painstaking and has been infused with such details as fiscal regime, domestic gas, reconfiguration of the NNPC and administrative roles within the oil sector to fast track development”.

Allison-Madueke explained that the reconfiguration of the NNPC is to ensure that going forward, it becomes the commercial entity that it is ought to be, such that Nigeria can grow a first-rate national oil company that will grow over the years to compete with other national oil companies like Petronas, Petrobras, among others.

“The President has directed that the Ministry of Petroleum joins relevant government stakeholders to embark on the final overview, and prepare it for presentation to the Federal Executive Council. This is not a small Bill but a critical Bill for Nigeria ’s economy and for our oil and gas sector. At this point, government will do the final review and put it in front of the FEC for approval. Part of that process is that it will go through the attorney-general’s office.”

Major objectives he PIB was designed to streamline operations in the oil and gas industry, to further enhance more revenue generation geared towards economic growth and development and to make the NNPC function as a commercial venture by raising money from the capital market for its operations and to bear the costs of its transactions. The initiative was to curtail corruption in the corporation in order make the sector viable for greater productivity. Surprisingly, the previous administration formally

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came to an end by May 29, 2011, but the Bill that had passed through the first and second reading, and was thoroughly scrutinised by the National Assembly was not signed into law.

Endorsement

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STORIES BY UDEME CLEMENT

the decline in FDI by over 29 per cent, though there are other factors like the security challenge and lack of adequate infrastructure development.

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Deregulation is the solution to the problems in the sector

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Notwithstanding the criticism and reservations expressed by the IOCs about the possibility of the Bill to create monopoly for government, considering the mono-cultural system of Nigeria ’s economy, the PIB received wide acceptance as it was endorsed by the IMF. The IMF expressed satisfaction that the legislation was designed to ensure a level playing ground for IOCs and local firms operating in the

PIB and deregulation ome stakeholders who spoke with Sunday Business explained that government needs to fully deregulate the downstream sector of the oil industry and encourage people to invest in refineries for the Bill to achieve the set objectives in the long-run. They believe that once the sector is deregulated, challenges associated with scarcity of petroleum products would disappear. Though initial difficulty may arise, it would only have a very short life span and within two to three years, the challenges would be over. A local investor said, “Deregulation is the solution to the problems in the sector. In the downstream sector, we started about 103 years ago, while the upstream, that is , the exploration, commenced five decades ago, yet we are not moving forward like other countries”.

The PIB needs immediate

Mrs. Alison-Madueke industry. Also, local investors said that the Bill would enhance influx of foreign direct investments (FDI) into the country, sanitise the industry for serious investors to come in and create jobs to tackle the prevalent problem of unemployment in the country.

Before the review, some investors complained that nonpassage of the PIB contributed to

passage to prevent the downstream sector from sudden collapse, as Nigeria ’s economy reportedly loses over $287million monthly for non-passage of the Bill into law.

PIB and privatisation of refineries As investors expect the passage of the Bill, many stakeholders are calling on government to privatise the refineries to enable them function optimally.

In a chat with Sunday Business, the executive secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Femi Olawore, said, “Government should privatise the refineries and speed up the project of building new refineries in the country, otherwise government will continue to spend money and nothing tangible will come out of it. Government should also encourage private investors to build refineries.”

Thus, the Nigerian government just has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with US-based Vulcan Petroleum Resources Limited and a local firm to build six oil refineries in the country.

The project with estimated monetary value of N697.5 billion ($4.5billion), aims to have a refining capacity of 180,000 barrels per day, even as Nigeria produces about 2 million barrels of crude a day, making the country the world’s eighth largest producer of crude oil

Customs intercepts arms, ammunition at airport

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HE Murtala Muhammed International Airport , (MMIA) Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has impounded air rifles and numerous security gadgets imported into the country through the airport.

The arms and ammunition concealed in a large carton of Golf bag were intercepted at the unit of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) during operations by officers.

This is making the third time in four months that the Command seized arms/ammunitions, explosives, air-pistols and other types of security equipment brought into the country by different importers.

Displaying the gadgets before newsmen at the Command, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of MMIA, Comptroller Charles Edike, explained that the items, which included air rifles, electronic ear-muff, complete eye-shield, among other security equipment were imported into the country from United State of America (USA).

He said, “We are battle-ready for smugglers because the airport is a no-go-area for any illegality.

We are alert, our eyes are wide open and we have mapped out a new strategy to ensure that offensive items are not smuggled into the country through the airport”.

The CAC who expressed displeasure about incessant

…Arraigns high profile individual HE Nigeria Customs T Service (NCS) Ogun State Command has impounded 683

cartons of frozen turkey and chicken with the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N3.2million, as well as five vehicles and one motorcycle used as means of conveyance of the products.

Relatedly, the Command also arraigned a high profile individual in a court within its jurisdiction, for smuggling vehicles into the country without appropriate payment of import duty, even as one offender charged to court by the Command for contravening customs law was jailed for two years. Also, another suspect is already in Customs net waiting to be charged to court for falsification of customs papers.

Addressing Journalists at Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, DC Akande Bamidele said, “Since 28 May, 2012 to date,

when full war was declared on smuggling of these products, 2,852 cartons valued at over N13million had been seized. This Command is in its full steam to stem the activities of criminals who must surrender in no distant time, abandon smuggling and resort to doing legitimate businesses, which would not constitute economic sabotage to government’s effort in developing our economy. These products because it its nature are disposed by burning.”

He added, “Between 5 and 12 July this years, we recorded seizures of 27 vehicles smuggled into the country without payment of import duty. Of particular interest is the vehicle you can see here with O.P.C. Squad, Ogun State as registration number. We are not relenting and the tempo of our anti-smuggling drive must continue to be enhanced and sustained.”

importation of arms/ ammunitions, explosives and various security equipment into the country re-affirmed the commitment of his Command to tackle any form of illegality at the airport. “We are working

tirelessly to curb smuggling within the airport. We are warning smugglers to desist from illegal importation of offensive items into the country and allow sanity in our economic environment”, he maintained.

From left: The Branch Manager, Muritala Branch, Ilorin, Mr. Abdulraham Yusuff; Branch Manager, Market Branch, Ilorin, Mr. John Odeomenam and Committee member, Aim, Save & Win Promo, Mr. Monsur Mussa at the Bank's sensitization road show/ market storm on the on-going promo in Ilorin.

From left: Mr. Olajimde Bashorun, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative, Lagos State; Prince Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner; Chief Bamidele Odunsi, 1st Vice President, Lagos State Coopertive Federation and Mrs Ayo Awokulehin, Director of Cooperatives, Lagos State, during the press briefing of Lagos Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives on 2012 International Cooperative Day held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos . Photo by Lamidi Bamidele.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 35

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here is a growing concern that NYSC is more interested in deploying corps members than in ensuring their safety…

No. That is not a fair claim.

We want corps members to be safe, and we are doing everything possible to ensure their safety. It is only when corps members are alive that they can render service to the country. So, their safety comes first.

It is non-negotiable. Even when our mandate is to equitably distribute corps manpower in all the states of the Federation, we are not unmindful of the security challenges in some parts of the country. And that is why we have not held orientation exercises in both Borno and Yobe states since November last year because of the peculiar situations in those places.

But there was a recent uproar because of deployment of corps members to these same states…

The uproar could have been occasioned by two things. One factor could be the upsurge of violence in some states around the time people received their call-up letters. And the other could be due to misunderstanding. It is true that the call-up letters of some corps members read Borno and Yobe states. But it is just to ensure adherence to the law that stipulates equitable distribution of corps manpower. It does not mean that those corps members were heading for Yobe and Borno states.

The orientation for those two states will take place in Nassarrawa and Benue: Borno State will hold its orientation in Benue State and Yobe State will hold its orientation in Nassarrawa State.

After the orientation, it is only corps members who insist on going to those states that will be posted there. That has been clarified. But we also have five additional states where we give corps members the option to redeploy if they feel unsafe. These are Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Plateau and Kano. We also identify some particularly volatile local government areas that we don’t send corps members to for primary assignments.

Since the 2011 elections, security has been the main issue with NYSC. What else are you doing to ensure safety of corps members?

As I said before, we believe corps members can only serve their country when they are alive and safe. We are doing a lot to ensure that corps members are safe and that they feel safe from the camps, through their primary assignment to their passing out, and not just

'Security of corps members is paramount' Brigadier-General N.T. Okore-Affia, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, recently, met with some journalists to discuss topical issues about the scheme.

mary assignment their full data such as names, state codes, places of primary assignment, and addresses of security agencies within that area are sent by the state coordinators to the headquarters.

It is then uploaded into our system. One of the major pieces of information that we request from corps members is their phone numbers so that when the corps member calls with that particular number his or her data page will appear on the screen including the place of primary assignment.

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mmediately, we can iden tify the contact of the security agency within that place and then we relay the distress call to them. The Distress Call Centre was commissioned by the former Minister of Youth Development in February this year. It has been in operations since then. Corps members have sent us complaints of the general type, but we are yet to receive any real distress call. But the facility is there to ensure that corps members who are in distress anywhere in the country can receive help and on time. All corps members have the number.

It seems corps members are now less loved than before…

I won’t say so because we have gone to some communities where primary healthcare delivery and education sectors depend solely on NYSC manpower and these communities are most appreciative of the presence of corps members.

Each year we have presidential honours awards ceremony for corps member who have

Brigadier-General N.T. Okore-Affia

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in those volatile states but all over the country. We have doubled security personnel at the orientation camps. We have increased number of armed soldiers, mobile policemen, SSS operatives and members of the Civil Defence Corps in the orientation camps across the country.

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fter orientation, we give the location of the lodges of corps members to the State Police Command, the State Security Service and the civil defence corps so that they would easily know where to go to in case of emergency involving corps members. We are also partnering more intensely with the state governments and they have been very responsive. We have also set up a distress call centre where corps members in distress can call in to receive help on time. We have started train-

April 2011, there have been calls for NYSC to be scrapped. Has the scheme not truly outlived its usefulness?

NYSC is still useful and still relevant. What happened last year is regrettable. Our hearts continue to go to those who lost loved ones. But that tragedy should make us do more to guarantee the security of corps members.

The fact that we have security challenges now should not make us overlook the need for national unity and integration.

More than ever before, that need is still there. It is also true that NYSC might not have been adapted to the changing times.

This calls for reform, not abolition. We must not be deterred by prevailing circumstances to give up on the dreams and aspirations of our founding fathers. But we are also not unmindful of the peculiar moment we live in and we cannot put any corps member in harm’s way. We will do our best to make corps members secure. But we want to urge Nigerians to believe that if we stand up as one, we can overcome this scourge and reclaim our nation for us all and for posterity.

So what is being done to reform the NYSC? A lot is being done to reposition the scheme to give more value to the participating corps members and to the country at large. We have expanded the scope of our skills acquisition programme. More time in the orientation timetable is now dedicated to skills acquisitions and entrepreneurship development. The aim is to empower corps members to employ themselves and others after their service year.

Corps members ing corps members in self-defence and we also issue security tips to them for them to understand their environment, where not to go, and how to conduct themselves in a security-conscious way.

You Mentioned the NYSC Distress Call Centre. How does that work?

It is IT-based. When corps members are deployed for pri-

executed projects beneficial to their host communities nationwide. One of the criteria is that you must serve in a state other than your own for your project to be considered for presentation. This means that corps members are still doing their best to win the hearts and mind of their host communities.

After the sad events of

e also have the war against poverty initiative which is part of the MDG poverty reduction goal and we give interest-free loans to interested corps members to start their own small scale businesses. We want to empower them to be self-reliant and if they start businesses that succeed, those corps members will by extension require extra hands and the multiplier effect will pull more people out from the unemployment market.

To also ensure that corps members serve with dignity and contribute more to the country, we now post them to only four sectors for primary assignment: agriculture, education, health and infrastructure. This posting policy, which we started with Batch A 2012, was designed to bring back the concept of national service into the youth service.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 with the changing nature and complexity of crime in the country”.

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e also announced the donation of 11 police posts and three stations to the FCT Police command.

Mohammed said the posts and stations were in Garki, Wuse, Utako, Maitama, Jabi, Wuye, Durumi and Daki Biyu Districts.

The minister lamented terrorism which has swept throughout the country like wild fire, bringing, in its wake, fear and uncertainty among the citizenry and spreading like cancer which no one is immune from its potent danger.

The minister called on aggrieved persons in the country to take advantage of the window provided to embrace dialogue as announced by government; stressing that the Federal Government has repeatedly expressed its commitment to the efficacy of dialogue in resolving any kind of problem.

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

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Driving

Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed

IG, Mohammed Abubakar

FCTA tightens security in Abuja, neighbouring states capital territory and neighbouring states.”

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he neighbouring states include Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Kaduna, Kogi and Benue.

The IG cautioned, “Any member who allows himself to be caught will be sanctioned. ”Each and everyone of you have to responsible to his duties to protect lives and property of the people.”

Assuring that the country

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HE Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, did not mince words when he said government facilities like vehicles will no longer be misused by those in charge.

Abuja, before the insurgency of Boko Haram, used to be generally safe, though, like any other cities of the world, caution and common sense still prevailed. Visitors are, however, not told that they need to be aware that there are armed robbery, car jacking and other security risks, such as driving late at night and boarding of taxi that already has an occupant with the driver.

Though occasional social, religious and ethnic unrest present security threat, political gatherings, street demonstrations and workers protests also have the potential to turn violent.

Unfortunately, the penal system moves very slowly in Nigeria and the police lack the necessary training and equipment to investigate crime but, with the provision of new vehicles, it is believed that there will be considerable improvement in the mandate of the police in particular.

It was against this backdrop that the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Abubakar, warned security operatives, especially the police personnel, against reckless usage of 114 vehicles valued at N900million newly procured for them.

Abubakar said he will not hesitate to sanction any member of the force that misuses government vehicles for reasons other than the purpose for which they were provided, that is, protection of lives and property.

The IG spoke at the commissioning in Abuja of the vehicles by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, for distribution to security operatives as follows: Nigeria Police, 75; military, 10; SSS, 10; Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, 2; Immigration, 2; Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, 1; Prisons, 2; the Nigeria Civil Defence Service Corps, 1 and Special Duties, 11.

Abubakar said the vehicles were the first of its kind in the history of security management and control in the country.

He said, “I want to sound a note of warning to all users of these vehicles that we shall not tolerate any act of recklessness from officers that will use these vehicles. ”These vehicles are provided for mobility and prompt response of security operatives to securing lives and property in the federal

challenges in the country will degenerate to religious war”. ”We just have to have faith in the country, we must have faith in the leadership of FCT and we must have faith in the President of this country. ”One of the problems we had was mobility and, with these vehicles, we can eliminate 114 road blocks as we can now move about without any d e l a y ” .

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he FCT Minister, Mohammed, handed-

It was for this reason that the Acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, warned officers and men of the police force against reckless usage of the 114 vehicles valued at N900million provided for them recently

cannot be divided as a result of the security problem, Major-General N. M. Nasamu thanked the two FCT ministers for their support to enhance security in the capital while urging the general public to help security operatives with information that would help to carry out their job effectively.

According to him, “We cannot have a country where we cannot live together as one. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the security

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over the 114 vehicles, fitted with communication and security gadgets at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10, Garki I District, Abuja.

Mohammed said the procurement of the vehicles wouldn’t have been possible without the approval of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He stated. “This huge investment has been done to safeguard lives and property of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, including members of the diplomatic community”.

He expressed the hope that the gesture would improve upon the capacity of the security agencies to prevent and fight crime.

The minister remarked that security and safety anxieties are the realities of city life anywhere on the universe especially in a growing city like Abuja, and that the FCT administration will continue to provide the needed metropolitan infrastructure and services.

Mohammed assured that the FCT administration is committed to the security of lives and property.

He challenged security agents in the Federal Capital Territory to continue to work towards the elimination of criminal activities, emphasizing that to whom much is given, much is expected.

The minister acknowledged the shared vision, commitment and enormous contributions made by successive FCT administrations toward equipping the security agencies to enable them perform their statutory functions optimally; recalling that the FCT administration had donated over 150 vehicles to security agencies since 2007.

His words: “We have a duty not only to assure our citizens that we are on top of the situation but also to be seen to be doing so. It is our collective responsibility, in this turbulent period, to evolve new strategies to meet

in

Abuja

Undoubtedly, Abuja’s road conditions are fairly good.

Major streets are wide, well maintained and generally well sign posted though unpaved side streets can be difficult to manoeuvre. What really makes driving in Abuja a challenge, however, is the lack of skill of the drivers; the condition of many of the vehicles and the loosely followed rules of the road which often result to fatal accidents and loss of lives in the metropolis.

Security Trust Fund In order to confront security challenges in the Federal Capital Territory and environs headlong, the FCT administration is considering the setting up of the FCT Security Fund. Sen. Bala Mohammed, the minister in charge of the territory, said the FCT administration was collaborating with security agencies and other stakeholders to set up the trust fund.

The minister revealed that, as part of their corporate social responsibility, multinationals like construction firms and financial institutions operating in the Federal Capital Territor y will be challenged to contribute to the fund.

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ccording to him, the fund, when established, will complement the efforts of government and thereby provide such institutions and organizations the opportunity to fully participate in securing lives and property in territory.

Mohammed reiterated that security is everybody ’s business and therefore should not be left in the hands of the government alone.

He said the private sector, the diplomatic community and development partners would be encouraged to contribute to the fund to acquire operational equipment for security agencies to enhance their capacity to combat crime.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 37

ABUJA IN BRIEF

By Favour Nnabugwu

FCT Queens protests four-year unpaid salaries EDERAL Capital Territory (FCT) women football team, FCT Queens, have expressed their grievance to the FCT Minister, F Senator Bala Mohammed, over the team’s four year outstanding salaries.

The queens storm the Area 11 office complex of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to protest the non-payment of the salaries and allowances.

The women footballers alleged that the salaries and allowances since 2007 had not been paid and that the body language of the administration suggested the issue is not a priority to the authorities.

Numbering over 30, the players carried various placards with such inscriptions as, “Pay us our money to pay our debts,” “You are fighting prostitution, yet you are forcing us into prostitution.”

They also lamented their neglect by the FCT Sports Council which, according to them, had not paid their allowances for participating in the National Sports Festivals in Kaduna and Port Harcourt in 2009 and 2011 respectively. Led by the team captain, Oluchi Eze, the players revealed that the administration had not paid them any form of salary or fee from 2008 to 2011.

“They said they were going to pay us for the last one year but instead of paying us they kept telling us come today, come tomorrow,” the captain said. “They said the new administration had said it would not honour their former arrangement with the erstwhile management of the club under the defunct women commission of the FCT, a position they said they were not comfortable with.”

The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister, Jubril Wowo, assured the footballers that the matter would be given expeditious attention by the authorities. said.

FCDA demolishes 500 shanties, shops in Gwagwalada

zStreet

traders in Abuja

Keep off Abuja roads

By Favour Nnabugwu

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ORRIED by the menace of street trading and its associated security challenge, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has warned street traders in and around Abuja metropolis to stay off the roads.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, disclosed the stand of the administration against street hawking, emphasizing that the ban on it

still stands.

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters, Sen. Jibril Wowo, in a chat with reporters in his office, Mohammed commended the traders sense of economic activity but condemned the dangerous style they choose to do business, thereby risking their lives in traffic.

He said that his administration would not take the repeated return to the streets by the hawkers.

The minister pointed out that the risk associated with the trade is e n o r m o u s .

According to him: “No matter how attractive street hawking may appear to our people who choose to sell in the traffic, the exposure to risk and associated danger of their trade is of serious concern to the administration.

“God forbid, a single loss of life due to mechanical faults or other accidents cannot be compared to the entire profit made by all the traders put together. It is important that they weigh the option of safer trade to this dangerous trade they engage in.

“It is difficult to comprehend the wisdom behind a child, man or woman running after a moving car to sell wares for as

low as N50. What is the economy of that style of trade given the risk associated with the business pattern, the hawker could fall if he or she loses his balance in traffic.”

The minister called on the street hawkers to take advantage of some of the administration’s programmes aimed at empowering the economically challenged residents of the territory like the Bwari Vocational and Rehabilitation Center for the Physically Challenged Persons, and ChildHawkers and Street Kids.

Mohammed insisted that the overall development of the children is a fundamental right owed them and should be pursued by their parents and government.

This, he noted, informed the administration’s decision to revamp the Bwari Centre where over 57 persons were equipped with skills and basic work tool in various areas of skill empowerment to enable them start-off on their business after six months of training.

The Abuja Enterprise Agency, AEA, is another institutionalplatform of the administration for people who have business ideas to be further groomed through industry-linkedmentorship for them to improve on their business and they enjoy the administration’s support through business growth.

Mohammed, who noted that government alone cannot provide the entire population of the destitute in the FCT with the skills, equipment and funds to develop their personal and family economy, maintained that strong partnership with the private sector could offer panacea to the problem.

The minister maintained that government will continue to provide the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and boost the economy of the territor y.

He pointed out that as the world observed the International Widows Day, the challenge of the many widows amongst the women should be supported by all and sundry to reduce their role in the social menace occasioned by poverty and poor judgment of imminent danger of their trade.

“We can make a whole lot of difference if well meaning individuals, corporate and nongovernmental organizations pursue and increase activities in assisting this class of Nigerians who have shown industry running the streets selling. I am convinced that appropriate information support could make them significant contributors to our society. They are part of us, they need our support,” Mohammed concluded.

Hawkers around Banex also get quit notice

Illegal traders around Banex Plaza, Abuja have been enjoined to withdraw from the area to make way for access and smooth

business operations else they would be forced to so.

Consequently, the management of Banex Plaza has inaugurated its reconstituted Environment and Security Task Force, ESTF, to checkmate the activities of illegal traders and those engaged in anti social activities in and around the plaza.

Chief Executive Officer of Banex Plaza, Rev. Victor Mbanisi, said the move was to reduce the security risk in the area through regular cleaning of the business environment and preventing persons whose trades create cover for people with illm o t i v e s .

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has demolished over 500 shanties and make shift shops to pave the way for completion of the Gwagwalada Modern Market.

Development Control Department of the Administration, which executed the demolition, said the occupants had been served notice on the planned demolition since November 2011.

Spokesperson of the department, Mrs. Josie Mudashiru, said the department began a partial removal of the temporal structures in February when the notice served had reached five months.

According to her, “The action became necessary by the department as the notice served to the occupant was ignored: “Notice was served in November 2011, the department commenced partial removal in February, after five months grace period to quit and was not complied with, hence the massive removal of 4th July,” Mudashiru submitted.

She said the removal of the shanties would continue until the last structure is removed to enable the modern market occupy its place of pride in the development of the territor y.

Mudashiru said that the FCT Development Control Department does not only concern itself with the development of the Federal Capital City alone as its mandate covers the entire territory, saying any obstacle to the master plan would be removed.

’FCT Emergency response within 5 minutes’

Distress call within the Federal Capital Territory would receive a spontaneous response within five minutes, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed, has said.

Bala made this disclosure while receiving the UNICEF Assistant Country Representative, Zone C, Kaduna, Mr. James Mogaju, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

Bala said such quick response is for health emergency within the city as a measure to reduce worsening health conditions by residents where such quick intervention could make the huge difference of keeping victims alive.

For this to be actualized, the minister said that FCT Administration has re-positioned the Urban Affairs Department under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council so that it could “respond to emergency at a record time of five minutes within the Federal Capital City, Abuja.”

FCTA generates N1.1b IGR in June

The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, says the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) generated N1.10billion revenue in June.

The minister, at the FCT Area Councils Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) attended by all the chairmen of the six area councils in Abuja, also confirmed that the sum of N1.743 billion being allocation from the Federation Account for May 2012 was allocated to the six area councils.The area councils are Abaji, Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali.

Akinjide, who was represented by the Director of Admin & Finance, Area Councils Services Secretariat, Alhaji Yusuf TsaiyaOloye Olajumoke bu, explained that the Abuja GeographiAkinjide cal Information System (AGIS) contributed N486.82 million out of the total IGR for the month.

She said, “We achieved an IGR of N1.101 billion in June 2012. Of this amount, the sum of N486.82 million was realised by AGIS while Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) collected N304.01 million; Water Board recorded N202.57 million; Abuja Environmental Protection Board, N60.52 million, and Directorate of Road Traffic Services, N34.14 million.”

PAGE 38—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

T

HE Senate during the week was thrown into mourning, one of the darkest moments in the national Assembly, as senators wore long faces, following the death of one of theirs, the Chairman, Committee on Health, Senator Gyang Dalyop Dantong, PDP, Plateau North. Senator Dantong died alongside the Majority Leader, Plateau State House of Assembly, representing Barkin Ladi Constituency, Gyang Fulani, on Sunday at Matse Village, Riyom Local Government Area, when suspected Fulani herdsmen invaded the village and attacked the people.

The taciturn, unassuming senator was there with others for the mass burial of 63 victims of penultimate Saturday’s attack in Karkuruk, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, of the state. With the painful nature of Senator Dantong’s death, the senate suspended plenary to honour him. He was a member, Senate Committees on Aviation, Solid Minerals and MDGs as well.

Senate President, David Mark who led other Senators in a procession to sign the condolence register, stressed that Senator Dantong must not die in vain.

According to Mark, “We should never get tired of preaching that there has to be dialogue because that is the only solution; every other solution is not going to be a last-

By Henry Umoru

If Sen. Datong were around, he would have…. ing solution. Once there is dialogue and people are able to speak out their mind and it is resolved and decisions are taken, then it will be a lasting solution. He has become the sacrificial lamb now, and his death will be in vain if we continue with this madness beyond this point.

If Dantong were to be around

If Senator Dantong were to be alive, as Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, his Veterinary Surgeons (Amendment Bill) which was first read 17 November 2011 and due for second reading would have come up for reading.

And Senator Dantong would have spoken passionately again when discussions on a Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment, Presentation and Control of National Grazing Reserves and Livestock Routes and the creation of National Grazing Reserve Commission and for purposes connected therewith, sponsored by Senator Zaynab Kure, PDP, Niger South, a bill to address the recurring clashes between Fulani nomads and farmers in the country, comes up.

When the bill went through second reading on March 1, 2012, before it was referred to the Committee which was ex-

pected to report back in the next four weeks, the late senator spoke in favour of the bill where he noted that since rearing of animals was done by a particular group of people in the country, there was the need to encourage them to acquire land for the venture. He however noted that government should be very careful in such land allocations in order not to infringe on the rights of other people like farmers and the rural communities.

While commending the sponsor of the bill on the grounds that animal rearing was one of the most important occupations of the people for large scale production of meat and milk as well as a means of farming and a medium of acquiring wealth, the senator stressed that the acquisition of land for public purposes like schools, hospitals, markets and grazing reserves were very important issues of development that should be at the front burner of policy making and implementation.

First Female Chief Justice of Nigeria spits fire before senators

Senators during the week cleared the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

The new CJN who is 68 years old, has to her credit many first to boast of. She was the first female Magistrate in the Northern part of the country, first female Chief Registrar in

the North, first female Justice of the Supreme Court, among others.

At the screening before the Senators, the new CJN did not hide it. She opened up and told the senators of the plans she has for the nation’s judicial system, just as she vowed to weed out bad judges from the judiciary as that will help restore public confidence in the nation’s judiciary.

She showed her brilliance throughout the two hours she spent before the senators for the screening, even as she admitted that corruption has eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation’s judiciary. But she told the lawmakers that total cleansing to rid the judiciary of bad eggs has become imperative.

According to her, “Corruption is in every system of our society and I cannot pretend that it is not in the judiciary.

What I intend to do to curb this is to lead by example and to hope and pray that others will follow. As the chairman of the National Judicial Council, I will encourage internal cleansing based on petition.

But that is not to say that I will condone frivolous petitions.

Each petition will be looked at on its merit. And I will also seek the permission of my colleagues in the council to ensure that discipline is enforced accordingly.

The new Chief Justice of Nigeria will in the next two years showcase to Nigerians her plans for the judiciary.

NYSC posting controversy: On whose side is Minister of Youth?

BY CALEB AYANSINA

T

HE recent position of the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-kadir, no doubt typified the kind of leadership exhibited by our so called leaders, who undoubtedly fought and forced themselves on the people who even outrightly rejected them.

There is no gain saying , if one says that, the nation is at the verge of looming in to the state of anarchy, as some security agents charged with the responsibility of protecting the unprotected now allegedly turned to carnivorous beings, feeding fact on their prays.

Insecurity, terrorist group known as Boko Haram were aided by lackadaisical attitude of our leaders, which culminated to poverty that ravaged the entire country is now the order of the day.

It is a pity that solders and other security agents were alleged to have blocked the only escaped route for the mourners at the mass burial in Jos, Plateau State, when the bullets of the blood thirsty terrorist rented the atmosphere, more than 86 people including two lawmakers were killed in the mayhem.

This unrest propelled the recent peaceful protest that trailed the posting of the 2012 batch ‘B’ corps members to

volatile states like; Boron, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Yobe and Bauch.

“We prefer to die here instead of being killed by Boko Haram in the North” were the words coming out of the prospective National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Corps Members (CMs) posted to the volatile states.

As management of NYSC battling for the principle of equitable distribution of CMs among the 36 states of the federation and FCT, CMs as well as parents were struggling for the survival of their lives and future.

But many questions that keep coming to mind are; the rules and regulations of NYSC or the protection of the life of the CMs, which one is paramount?

Earlier, the minister noted that many Nigerians have died in past for the country to remain as a single entity given example of people who died during the civil war. is words, “to use the NYSC as a scapegoat in trying to H exploit the very volatile situation

of this country is very unfair and distressful in particular.

“There is apprehension in some places but that is not to say people are not currently living there. Nigeria is not in a war situation, we need to exhibit high sense of patriotism in this nation, drumming war or violence that is not there, it is not going to benefit us as a nation.

On the recent position of the National Assembly on the positing of corps members to some parts of the North, the minister explained that, it was not superior to the position of the Nigeria Constitution on the scheme. y position is that of the law, because the NYSC is M a constitutional issue, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is supreme, because of the importance of the scheme to the national integration of Nigerians and to bring about harmony amongst Nigeria, the proponent of the 1979 constitution deem it fit to make the NYSC as part of the constitution.

“So if you are going to make any amendments or alter any thing in the NYSC, you have to alter the constitution, in that posting of corps members to states other than their own except in some special circumstances is governed by the law and most be strictly adhered to. So for any resolution or reaction to some outcry or reservation by some corps members are uncalled for.

Inuwa maintained that the protests that trailed the posting were orchestrated by the saboteurs who had never seen any thing good in the policies of

the present administration.

“We have noted with dismay the purported reactions or protest of some so called corps members who converged at the headquarters of the scheme to protest their posting to some state agitating that they should be allowed to be redeployed.

“Government is not unaware of the activities of some Nigerians who are bent on sabotaging whatever the Federal government is doing, using every opportunity that present itself either positive or negative to undermine the activities of the state. oing by the reaction of the Minister of Youth G Development, Inuwa Abdul-

kadir, that CMs must be ready to serve in crisis prone-states as a sacrifice for the nation unity, one would wonder what is the position of the leaders at the helm of youth’s affairs in Nigeria?

It is pertinent to ask Inuwa Abdul-Kadir candidly that on whose side is he? Is he supporting the killing and dehumanization of CMs, all in the name of national unity?

At this junction, Nigerians through the social media were forced to enquired, if the minister has signed agreement with the deadly terrorist sect to provide them more prays by

posting innocent CMs to volatile and unfamiliar terrains where even the original occupants are living with their hearts in their mouths, probably sleeping with one eye open.

“I am sure the minister has a member of his family whether immediate or not that is serving; he should be whiling to post such a person to the states. What is happening is not civil war but genocide, and to sacrifice for your country you don’t have to commit suicide.

“Come to think of it, how many of those who graduated as indigenes of these northern states are being posted to the states. We are tired of being sacrificial lambs for one Nigeria, when we all know that Nigeria is not one”. Adubina Akinwale said.

“This shows the level of nonchallant attitude of our so called leaders, for a long time corps members have been murdered in cold blood in the north in the name of serving their nation and that issue has never been addressed, just because it’s not their kids and relations does not mean they don’t have loved ones, who miss them and have left a painful vacuum in their hearts.

“Let their own children go and sacrifice their own lives in the rebellious northern states for the love of their country. Nonsense!”

Another concluded.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 39

Brand Equity as Asset W

share of target audience or consumer-mind), its strength as a competitor at the market in the consideration bracket of those emotional or rational reasonsfor within its market, versus competing brands, its market share, the quality of perception it enjoys at the market place by reason of its character and its personality in its totality.

Hence a brand's equity is the sum total of those elements that makes up the personality of the brand (some of which are broadly mentioned above) in value terms.

To a large extent, the rate or speed of shelf off-take a brand enjoys is dependent upon the level and quality of awareness it enjoys at the given market (among its target audience/market). So many other controllable variables that drive growth and market performance depend on the level and quality of consumer awareness the brand enjoys. That explains why 60 to 70% of advertising objectives most times is about increasing a brand's awareness level among its target audience.

Unfortunately, it is this predominant advertising (and marketing) objective that takes away the shine of equity as a measure of a brand's strength and value. Rather than connecting every such tactical strategic engagement towards short term market gains as a part of building the sum total of the brand's equity, most line-managers take their eyes off the equity and concentrate on the immediate. So, for instance, in so far as the brand post good volume in the market, the appreciation of its equity ends there.

Space will not permit us in the treatment of such oth-

,

E once treated the issue of brand and brand equity in one of our past editions. In it we did establish the importance of brand equity in marketing, looking at it as a success driver, an element indicative of brand strength and/or measure of brand success at the market place. From that perspective, the measure of a brand's equity is a direct indication of its share of market, versus competition. Looking at brand equity from that perspective is appreciating it as a measure of value.

However, brand equity is much larger than a measure of value or market success, and we intend to expand our appreciation of that brand property in this edition, such that will enable a fuller and more rewarding appreciation of its definition, importance and application.

As a concept, Brand Equity is the sum total of the entire elements that makes up the brand; it is an aggregate of a whole. The equity of a brand is the summation of its assets. But we need to break it down further here, to enable easy relativity for our readers that are not professionals in advertising and brands management. Perhaps that better establish the position of a brand's equity as its asset.

Perhaps we need to look at the brand in isolation of 'equity', to better identify equity and its importance in the life and person of a brand.

A brand is basically made up of two elements; the product (offer) and a name. Where these two are not present together, other categorization other than a brand exists. So, the offer must have a name to become a brand, verse-versa.

A brand is a personification of a promise with a name. Therefore, it possesses the following as characteristics: * Emotions passion, anger, feel, smell, likes and dislikes, etc * Physical attributes size, weight, complexion, etc * Identity (name, address, personality) * Friends and associates * Responsibility * Sensory organs ability to perceive * Norms, attitude, traditions, character all such that makes up its personality or identity.

The list goes on and on.

However, the balancing part of a brand is its EQUITY that part of its personality that bothers on its strength, value, quality and over all market performance. So, a brand's equity will come to play in the consideration of elements such as the level of awareness it enjoys at the market, its (its

No matter the amount of efforts put in capturing a brand's desired image, the market's perception of the brand is determined by the consumer's firsthand experience

,

er aspects of brand equity here, but we like to emphasize the following: * A brand's value can be measured and stored in its equity * At maturity, a brand's equity becomes its most priced asset * A brand's asset is a very strong negotiation tool * From birth, all that is done in form of brand management is EQUITY building * A brand is only a success when its equity is of optimal value * A brand's equity is the last thing to die when a brand goes down * A brand equity can last well over 20 to 30 years after it ceases to exist physically * A brand's equity is strong enough to bring a dying brand back to life Essentially, therefore, brand equity must be properly appreciated for what it is in order to build in our practice some structures that will guide brand managers towards taking deliberate steps to work for it. If we appreciate the fact that every marketing objective and attendant marketing support initiative is about adding to the value of

its equity, the easier it will be for us to connect with the relationship between a brand's share of consumer mind (which sum total equals the brand's market share) and its equity. As earlier stated above, a brand's equity is the sum total of the properties that make up the brand. So on the market position pyramid, stages of brand's market performance is broadly categorized in three: leader, follower and laggard.

Each of these three categories only reflects the power and efficiency of the various brands' equity at the market place.

For purposes of demonstration, let us consider an aspect of brand equity as a success driver in brands management looking at image perception. To begin with, perception is all about the consumer's experience in relation to the given brand. Whether a given target consumer will engage a given brand after the first experience depends largely on the experience at the first contact. The desired image for any brand is very important; hence it is an issue of primary consideration in the strategic planning process.

It is expressly captured in the creative brief forms. Deliber-

ate effort is required in agreeing the image desired for a brand, which must align with its value-essence and promise.

However, no matter the amount of efforts put in capturing a brand's desired image, the market's perception of the brand is determined by the consumer's firsthand experience. Take for example the issue of delivering on promise as a build up towards a brand's image. It is given that a brand knows the target market's value touch-points, prior to its making its promise and stating its desired image. It therefore means that if that brand does not deliver on its promise, it immediately earns for itself the image of a liar. So, if the BIC Ballpoint pen fails to “flow till the last drop� the target user immediately disconnects from it, for reason of deception (or failure mildly put).

Looking at the larger picture, therefore, if managers of that brand appreciate the fact that ensuring the brand delivers on its promise goes far beyond actualizing sales to adding to its total equity for the long run, they will invest more to maintain that aspect of its personality. That is the essence of this article. We have also mentioned that the problem with most brand managers today is that they look at the immediate gains instead of long term benefits.

That is why so much is compromised today. As a result, some brands will boldly engage in seasonal sales promotion but deliberately skew the process to make sure big value prices are not won by anybody because nobody can immediately determine the sincerity of such exercises.

But the sad news for such brands is that the market is taking note of such sharp practices, and questions are being asked. Cumulatively, the image or market perception of the guilty brands is adding up for the day of reckoning. It may not seem threatening now, but someday a competing offer will give vent to the negatives that will disgrace all such brands.

Within the context of this topic, therefore, BRAND EQUITY must be considered in its influence and importance, more in futuristic terms.

Looking at a brand's equity, therefore, it comes across as the power of the brand and the measure of the brand's success. A brand's equity is its most priced and enduring asset. It outlives the brand's physically determined values.

Our brands managers today must carry this in their subconscious.

PAGE 40—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

APGA crisis: Umeh ran a one-man show — Masalla, factional Ag. National Chairman with some members of the National Assembly of the p a r t y ?

What he is doing will not help his matter in any way.

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

Factional Acting National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Alhaji Sadeeq Ibrahim Masalla,speaks on the many controversial issues in the party including the sack of the founding National Chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie. Masalla says the other factional Chairman,Chief Victor Umeh, ran a one-man show.

After he was suspended, he said you and some other members had been suspended too...

He cannot build something on nothing. He has been suspended, so what ever he does is illegal. He is a drowning man,so he will try to raise his hands above his head to see if there will be any help. There is only one APGA, which I am the Acting chairman of; every other member of the party, including the elected members, are with us here.

Again, let me tell you that the

B

That means you were part of the Umeh leadership of the p a r t y .

So to say...but I was never given the chance as provided by the constitution of the party to perform my duties as the Deputy National Chair man of the party, in charge of North. I can say I was just there for ceremonial purposes. My office was redundant because the former National Chairman, Umeh, didn’t allow any other officer of the party at the national level to work. The situation then was so bad in the party leadership so much so that whenever Umeh was not in Abuja, nothing happened until he returned.

So, does it mean the constitution of the party failed to stipulate clearly the duties of national officers?

APGA has a constitution, and the constitution provides the duties of every officer of the party. As the Deputy National Chairman, North, I was to act in the absence of the National Chairman, but Umeh never allowed us to follow the party ’s constitution. He would not call meetings, not even of the NWC and NEC, he was doing everything alone, taking decision without consulting a n y b o d y .

Are you saying Umeh operated or ran APGA outside its constitution?

That is one of the 13 points we raised against him before he was suspended from the party.

Why was it impossible for you and other leaders of the party to question his style of l e a d e r s h i p ?

Umeh was a sole administrator of APGA. He always challenged anybody to dare to ask question about the way he was running the party.

The other weapon he always

Alhaji Sadeeq Ibrahim Masalla used was suspension of members who challenged him. Immediately after we suspended the founding chairman of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Umeh started having problem with leaders of the party like Dr. Ekwu, Prince Njamanze, Dr. Adams, Hajia Rakat among others. The problem he had with these persons was that they questioned his one-man leadership system. He sacked them. The one-man show continued until recently when we called a meeting and said it was enough and we suspended him and the national secretary, Alhai Sani Shinkafi, from the party. We also set up a seven-man committee to look at the 13 issues we raised against them.

Has the committee submitted its report?

The committee is doing its job, it invited Umeh and Shinkafi to appear before it to answer questions, but they didn’t go. As far as the party is concerned, Umeh and Shinkafi are suspended. Our party constitution says that one-third of the NWC can call a meeting and take decisions, that we have done and suspended them for violating the party constitution and other things. So anything they are doing, including those they are bringing to Abuja to adopt and pass a vote of confidence on them, is illegal and we are not bothered about any illegality. And anybody who is currently doing anything with either or both of them in the name of APGA is doing so at his own risk, because they are no longer officers and members of the party. APGA as a party is bigger than Umeh.

He must also answer to all the charges against him. If he fails to do that, we will push the case to the relevant

,

EFORE your appointment as the Acting National Chairman of APGA, what was your position?

I was the Deputy National Chairman, North.

He must also answer to all the charges against him. If he fails to do that, we will push the case to the relevant authorities to take action against him

,

authorities to take action against him, and check our claims if we are right or wrong. He must explain why there are no offices of the party across the country, but Anambra and Imo states.

political party monitoring unit of INEC is watching what we are doing; very soon, the commission will take a stand on APGA, because we intimate them with developments in the party.

Are you saying that your party does not have offices all over the country?

Of course we don’t have. The last time money was given to party officers at the various states to pay their rent was in 2005 when N250, 000 was given to state chairmen... since then, Umeh has not bothered if there are offices of the party that should be paid for anywhere. He was not the one paying the rent in Anambra and Imo. Meanwhile, the report of the seven-man committee will be submitted to the NEC meeting that will hold soon; when the report comes, we shall ratify and then take further action against Umeh and Shinkafi..

Do you have the support of the elected members of your party, including the two g o v e r n o r s ?

Yes, they are with us. Last Friday, I led the national officers of the party to meet with our members in the National Assembly. Our senator and Hon. Uche Ekwunife were not around, but we met with other members of the party in the National Assembly, and we discussed the issues at stake and they refuted the claim by Umeh that members of the National Assembly of the party had passed a vote of confidence on him. They told us that they didn’t do any such thing, they said that they were at the party secretariat on a fact-finding mission and not to pass a vote of confidence on Umeh or anybody. Last Sunday, we had a meeting in Awka, the two governors were at the meeting and the wife of our

Umeh has been suspended and you have been appointed Acting National Chairman, but Umeh has refused to go. Are you you aware of a meeting he had

late leader, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, was also there; some of the National Assembly members were also there.

Were Umeh and Shinkafi at the meeting?

They were not there, and because they failed to come, the meeting couldn’t hold as it should, because we wanted them to be there so they could answer our questions.

How true is the insinuation that the two APGA governors are also quarreling, and have also taken sides on the crisis, with Peter Obi supporting you, while Rochas Okorocha is supporting Umeh?

The governors are not quarreling. If they are, Obi would not have invited Okorocha to Awka for a party meeting, and other leaders of the party including Chief Tim Melakaya.. I can tell you that the governors are not quarreling, the claim is just a strategy by the Umeh group to give the public the impression they have the support of a governor.

How are you going about the reconciliation of aggrieved members of the party?

We are seriously working to ensure that our party is repositioned and restructured. We have already set up a reconciliation committee, to reach out to our members that were expelled and those that left the party on their own, due to the Umeh style of leadership; we want to bring everybody back so that we can build a strong A P G A .

Is your founding chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, part of the reconciliation?

He is. When I looked at the pros and cons of our action against him, last year, I personally went to Okorie to tender my sincere apologies.

When I did this, I didn’t know that, today, I will be the Acting Chairman of the party.

I told him that what we did was wrong and that I had come to realize my mistakes for the role I played against him in the party. If a National Chairman of a party is removed, there is order of succession. There are Deputy Chairmen one of whom should have succeeded the Chairman, and not the National Treasurer. At the time Umeh took over, it was wrong for him to have taken over since he was the Treasurer of the party, and there were those senior to him in the APGA leadership ladder. Umeh, at that time, was number eight in the h i e r a r c h y .

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 41

Nigeria is ripe for state police with modifications – Obegolu *’Why I want to be NBA’s secretary’ Mr Emeka Obegolu is the outgoing Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. He is also a candidate for the post of Secretary General in this month’s election of the association, slated for Abuja.

In this interview, he speaks on some national issues and what he to offer if he emerges the Secretary General of NBA. Excerpts:

W

HAT is your reaction to President Goodluck Jonathan’s refusal to make his assets declaration public, despite the request by many Nigerians for him to do so?

The president is not bound to publicly disclose the content of his assets declaration form. The requirement of the law is that he should declare his assets with the Code of Conduct Bureau before taking his oath of office. So, having done that, the president would be within his rights to consider the clamour for public declaration superfluous.

Having said that, let me also say that Nigerians have come to expect that the battle against corruption should be led by persons, who not only meet the minimum requirement of the law, but persons, who should be seen to be manifestly above board.

Nigerians are clamouring for public declaration by the president, not because Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is president today, but because we think that the leadership should lead by example and once he does that, the clamour will flow from the members of the Federal Executive Council to the governors, commissioners, council chairmen and councillors.

These are the little gestures by the leadership that will add up to give the needed boost to communal fight against corruption.

The issue of insecurity in the country has almost become a burden on government as well as on Nigerians. What do you think government should do to address the situation?

Security is the responsibility of every Nigerian, from the law enforcement agencies to neighborhood associations, community associations, faithbased organisations, and everyone indeed.

The government needs to engender the trust and confidence of Nigerians that there is sincerity of commitment on the part of government to provide security for Nigerians irrespective of tribe, ethnic group, religion, state of origin, among others.

Government has to address the declining morale in the police and other security agencies

arising from poor training, inadequate facilities, poor remuneration, among others.

Security agencies must also adopt a more friendly and mutually respectful, information sharing and cordial relationship with communities, where they operate.

The time has come for government to also give more serious consideration to the

,

BY INNOCENT ANABA

The time has come for government to also give more serious consideration to the vexed issue of state police as practised in other federal states

,

vexed issue of state police as practised in other federal states, with some modifications to address the legitimate concerns raised by those opposed to the adoption of state police in Nigeria. All over the world, effective policing is communally inspired as the motivation remains the protection of the welfare and safety of the members of the community.

The request for appointment of practising lawyers into the Bench of the Supreme Court has

*Mr Emeka Obegolu been on for a while. What is your view on this?

Appointment of justices to the highest court in Nigeria should be based on merit and nothing more pretentious.

C Everyone who M meets the requirement for appointment Y ought to be K considered on merit irrespective of whether the person is a practising lawyer or a judge.

Because the court is the number one court in Nigeria and appeals lie from there to God, it becomes imperative that only the best legal brains in the country should be found there.

The NBA had bowed to pressure and shifted the venue of its national conference to Abuja, following concerns over insecurity. Do you think the call for the shift in venue was justified initially?

The NBA President, being fully aware of his responsibility to Nigerian lawyers, in consultation with elders and

stakeholders, and upon review of the security situation in the country, particularly the venue chosen by NBA NEC for the holding of the delegates conference, decided to change the venue from Kaduna to Abuja.

Ours is a responsive administration and the security and welfare of NBA members will always guide the decision making process. When the security situation in Kaduna became obviously dangerous for lawyers to congregate, the President consulted widely and changed the venue.

You are an aspirant to the position of NBA Secretary General in the forthcoming election. What would you say are the challenges facing the association and how do you intend to tackle them?

The major point of my aspiration is to bridge the gap between NBA and its members.

Having served as Publicity Secretary for close to two years,

I have come to realise that members do not have a personal relationship with the NBA and I traced the problem to nonavailability of direct membership benefits for members.

Part of the things I would want to do differently upon assumption of office as General Secretary is to generate membership benefits for members such that will justify their membership of a professional association and make it beneficial for members to pay their Bar Practising fees.

With the completion of the lawyers database verification exercise, each lawyer will have a space within our website where he/she can print his practice licence each year, access the NBA electronic library, which I will introduce as a membership benefit, register for conferences and print out receipt therefrom, and generally operate as an individual member of NBA. I will support branches through the creation of a Branch Support and Advisory Directorate within the secretariat to conduct compliance audit and engender peer review mechanism for branches.

The NBA secretariat must brace up to re-connect with members and deliver cuttingedge membership services comparable to what the International Bar Association offers to those of us who are members. I am offering myself to be the agent of the change most members want to see.

The Senate has called for memorandum from the public ahead of another constitution review. What aspects of the constitution would you want reviewed?

The NBA constitutional review retreat documented the consensus amongst members in a single document forwarded to the National Assembly joint committee on constitutional review. That document captures the position of the NBA on the various proposals contained therein and, as the National Publicity Secretary, I adopt the recommendations contained in that document as mine.

Lessons of Oyo 3,000 workers sack

BY IRETI AWODELE

O

TUNBA Adebayo A l a o - A k a l a , a p p a r e n t l y genuinely moved by the allegations of rot in the civil and public service of the state, empowered a consulting firm called Captain Consultin to do an audit of the state public

service. As it had been briefed, the firm did the job to the best of its knowledge and, upon the interrogation of the credentials of workers in the state, brought out a list of alleged forgers of school certificates, birth certificates, alleged ghost workers and workers who had disciplinary cases against them like stealing and allied offences.

They were about 4,0 00.

Unfortunately for probity and good governance, the report came out at a time when election was afoot and AlaoAkala, bothered more about the quest to remain in office than instilling sanity in the system, kept the list under his table. Take that, as dramatists say, as Act One, Scene One. Act One Scene Two: AlaoAkala even made a peremptory attempt to instill this rare sanity by sacking a negligible few among these workers, according to reports.

He, however, buckled and kept the rest securely locked up inside his drawers. Act One Scene Three: Apology to William Shakespeare, AlaoAkala exeunt and his successor, Ab iola Ajimob, enters the scene.

Act Two Scene One: Ajimobi swears to the people of Oyo State that he had come to protect the integrity of the Oyo public service and to take it away from the drudgery and insan ity of the past

decades that had conspired to stagnate its movement. The whole civil service of the Western Region which makes up the states of the current South West of Nigeria, took their leave from the Oyo civil service of the Western Region. Thus, it is incumbent on this public service to show the way in probity and sanity.

Ajimobi thus empanelled a committee, headed by the state Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, to thoroughly scan the names he inherited from Alao-Akala. In

the process, many of the names were dropped by Ajimobi himself and the committee for ambivalent identification in the forgery triangle. The governor had earlier told the committee, based on the time-worn dictum of law and exegeses of the holy writ, that it is better for a guilty person to go scot free than for an innocent man to be crucified.

Act Two Scene Three: After summoning the consulting firm to his office, Ajimobi wrung off it a letter of indemnity to guarantee that the state government would not suffer from whatever mistake the firm might

Continues on page 42

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

Why we introduced 'the fourth-tier of govt 'in Imo, by Agbasu

BY FINTAN IBEGWAM

MANY people don’t seem to understand the community government which has already taken off in the state. Can you explain what you want to achieve with the community council government?

The concept of the community government is a way of taking development and government to the rural areas or communities. The local governments were created in the constitution to take development to the rural areas but that is not working.

The administration of Imo State under Owelle Rochas Okorocha came up with an idea for a third tier of government in Imo State which will help to reach the people in the rural community. This is a structural way of reaching the people in the communities or rural areas for the purpose of unlocking the resources there. If we want to make these communities to be economically viable, we must go back to the land, that

Jude Agbasu is, go back to agriculture and the easiest way to go back to agriculture is through community government, where people will now be empowered to unravel the

,

GOVERNOR Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, recently, introduced what can be called the fourth tier government system known as Community Council Government.

Deputy Governor Jude Agbasu speaks on what motivated the move and other projects being handled by the government of Imo State. Excerpts:

kobo. If the common denomination in our currency is not in use and it has no purchasing power, it means the economy is sick. If we develop our agricultural sector properly, food will be cheaper and this will make the purchasing power of our money stronger. Our currency is naira and kobo but you cannot find the kobo in use today. This can only happen if governance is brought down to the communities. The governor wants the communities to feel the impact of government. The people who want to farm will be provided with fund to work in any field they want, even it is bush meat rearing. Any

If you do wrong or steal in the community, it will continue haunting you and your family for a long time even if you pay back.

resources that are there. Now, you hear of unemployment, but, in the olden days, only few people worked as civil servants, and people did not say that they were unemployed. The value of our currency was high, penny was useful that time, but now you cannot buy anything with

,

where you drop cassava in Imo State, it will germinate.

The product of cassava we eat is chaff but the main product cassava is the starch extracted. We extract starch in our rural communities and throw it away. This is used in pharmaceuticals, textile industries and it has various

other uses. What we want is to partner with the people in agriculture and introduce funding and machines like tractors and other agricultural mechineries and stop people from tilling the land with hands and hoes, then, when they harvest, we let them take that part they have been taking for years and the starch they have been throwing away for years that is useless for them, we can buy and export and earn foreign exchange.

Meanwhile, people are getting fed. The only way all these things can happen is through the fourth tier communities council government, that is what Governor Okorocha wants to happen.

It is not easy to embezzle community money because in the communities, they know themselves. It may be easier to embezzle at local and state governments, but not easy in the community. If you do wrong or steal in the community, it will continue haunting you and your family for a long time even if you pay back. What we want to do is to take this back to the community and use it to drive the economy in the state. If we do it well, and I know we will do it well, we will not be depend on oil money. Our palm oil, if tapped well, will return more money than crude oil. That is what we want to do with the community council government.

There is the local

government and you are having this community government. What is the difference? What will the local government be doing?

The local governments are still fulfilling the roles assigned to them by the constitution. The community government is interested in unlocking the latent resources in their land through agriculture and also join hands together to secure their places. In every community, they know each other, they know the thieves, it is the home rat that tells the one outside that there is a piece of fish in the house; the community council government is capable of revolutionizing our lives in terms of provisions of services, security, healthcare, education, if the community government checks the schools and asks questions on the attendance of teachers and the headmasters and know what is happening there, the standard will improve.

Where is the fund for the community council government coming from?

The community government is being funded by the state government.

Has the State House of Assembly passed the law on this community government?

Yes, there is a Community Council Government Law in force in Imo State now.

Who supervises the community government?

The Ministry of Local Government is there and some civil servants have been seconded to the communities to go and set up the community council government, after six months they will go back to their ministries. Their job is to set it up and make sure that the people are capable of running it. This is the only way we can have a simple, understandable definition of democracy, a government of the people by the people and for the people.

Lessons of Oyo 3,000 workers sack have made. This produces a binary result. One, it makes the firm to know that it could not afford to be lopsided in its judgement and, second, it saves the state fund, in case of litigation.

Act Three Scene One: Upon all these four major steps he had taken to ensure that the innocent is not unjustly punished and to ensure that there is a thorough safeguard for them, Mr. Probity Abiola Ajimobi ordered that the letters of disengagement should be served on all. If some hawks in the government had their way, the forgers of certificates and those who had been categorized as ghost workers would, by now, be cooling their feet in detention for the serious malfeasance of forgery but the man at the helms of affairs kicked against it, saying the government had instilled enough deterrent in making a public example of the victims.

To be fair to the conscientious people of Oyo State and many of those who were sacked, they accepted their fates with equanimity. They are even grateful that the government did

not seek to retrieve the multiple billions of Naira they had collected over the years fraudulently or turn them over to the law because, in the face of law, those who were disengaged were never employees of government ab-initio.

But some unconscionable characters in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have been instigating one of their own to pillory this highly applauded government move.

The character has been standing logic, truth, commonsense

and equity in the face by impugning this highly lauded implementation of decency in office. His reason for this is not only laughable but obtuse.

One, he claims to be representing a group in the PDP which, as at today, is a non-existent and unrecognized construct in the party. Second, I am told that this visceral attack on every good policy of the Ajimobi government that this character has pursued in the last one year, the end product is to seek to squeeze some acquaintance from the ACN government. Third, many right-thinking persons have

been asking themselves, how can anyone who claims to retain a modicum of humanity in him defend systemic corruption this unabashedly?

The rhetorical question, laced with innuendoes, posed

,

Continued from page 41

Many rightthinking persons have been asking themselves, how can anyone who claims to retain a modicum of humanity in him defend systemic corruption this unabashedly?

,

by Ajimobi at the inauguration of another review panel to look into claims of those who say they were unfairly sacked has also received the blind and irrational harangue of this

lickspittle. Ajimobi had asked the people of Oyo State, and I quote: “But, I say once again, ours is a listening government. If this is the consensus of the good people of Oyo State that anyone who has stolen government money; anyone who falsified age; anyone who falsified certificates; anyone who is a ghost worker, we should leave them in the system, so be it.

We will respect the wishes of our people but I must tell you, if we do this, this state will not move forward.” But this character was either too dumb to penetrate this literature or too enmeshed in the rot of the past to access the sincerity of the statement. Surely, his certificates should be scanned!

I, and like many people in Oyo State, have been inundated with calls for mercy by many victims of the purge.

All the requests have been towards asking for mercy. A particular man, whom we all know is 72 years old and who was sacked for doctoring his age, was forthright enough to own up to this misdemeanor,

saying that he and many others falsified their ages at the time because it was a Nigerian phenomenon to doctor ages. Our qualified graduates roam the streets jobless because many civil servants who were not qualified ab-initio have refused to leave, doctoring their

ages and credentials. But, must this continue? Must we continue to salivate for the order of America, the candor of UK and not imbibe their process? This is a question that we all must answer.

In saner climes not buffeted by the un-enduring shenanigans of politics, this act of probity by the Ajimobi government would be on the lips of praise-singers forever.

Nigeria must elect to either stand on the path of probity wholesale and reap the dividends of probity or stand by fraud and corruption and reap its maggots. We cannot desire the order of America and the process of an organized society and be enmeshed in the chaos of fraud and forgery. The choice, apparently, is ours.

*Awodele, an Oyo State indigene, lives in Davis, California.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 43

Climate Change: It’s time to act, says Fashola

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State yesterday led tree planting exercise across the state to mitigate the effects of climate change that has posed serious threat to weather conditions across the globe, saying it was high time to make a change in reducing the negative effects of greenhouse on the environment.

Fashola, who spoke at the 2012 annual Tree Planting Campaign, tagged“, Plant a Tree For a Better Climate,” stressed that the essence of planting trees in the environment can nolonger be overemphasized, hence, the urgent need by residents to complement government’s drive in its determination to green

the environment thereby making it a better, safer place to live in.

He said: “ You can see extreme rainfall in the last 48 hours and not more than 50,000 people have been displaced in Japan. You can see the rain in Mississippi and in Newcastle, and there is still more to come. “ We can see now that the solutions we put in place last year has reduced the flood we experienced last year in some areas including Agege, Lekki and Arigbanla, Idi Araba, there is no flood there again despite the heavy rains. It means that the solutions we are implementing are working.

“We have not gotten to some areas, but we would get there. I understand that there is a problem in Alpha Beach but would get

Be good ambassadors, Commandant tells graduands

BY TONY NWANKWO

G

RADUANDS of Nigerian Navy Secondary School (NNSS), Ojo, Lagos State has been urged to be good ambassadors of the school in whatever future endeavours they embark upon. S peaking at the Annual Valedictory and Prize Giving Day party held in honour of graduating students in Lagos, school Navy commanda nt, Commander S.A. Ogwu, urged them to maintain the high moral standards which is the hallmark for which the school is known.

Navy Commander Ogwu said the students were like eagles released into society, who the school management could vouch for, both in their academic excellence and their moral standards as

far as the Nigerian education system was concerned.

He advised the graduands not to join the negative forces now prevalent in society, but to see themselves as worthy ambassadors of the school anywhere they go.

The event had in attendance the naval flag commanding officer, Rear Admiral A.O.A. Ikioda, represented by Navy Captain Arikpo; national president of Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA), Hajia Aminat Modupe Ibrahim (Mother of the Day), represented by NOWA national vice president, Mrs. Tessy Ijeoma; Director, Naval Education, Commod ore M.I. Mankilik, represented by Deputy Director, Naval Education, Commodore A. Almu, Dr. (Mrs.) Ifeyinwa Adegbulugbe, the first head girl of the school.

there, let me say however that before we come, there is a lot that you can do to help yourself. Plant a tree today, nurture a tree, protect a tree, do not allow any citizen to cut trees”.

Fashola, added that the state government has procured modern tractors to transplant tree,” it could move one tree from one location to the other without killing the tree.”

327 Nigerian deportees from Libya arrive Lagos Airport

BY DANIEL ETEGHE

N

O fewer than 327 Nigerian deportees including eleven infants yesterday arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos after being deported from Libya.

The deportees arrived aboard an Air Mephis aircraft with registration number 5U-BME, at the cargo axis of the airport about 6.00 pm.

The deportees were received on arrival by officials of the National E m e r g e n c y Management Agency ( NEMA), the Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA and other security agents around the airport.

As the aircraft taxied to the cargo shed axis of

BY CALEB AYANSINA

N

ATIONAL Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has requested for more participation in governance as well as autonomy for local government authority as the third tier of government in Nigeria, as the National Assembly set for second phase of 1999 constitutional amendment process.

The group also canvassed the rights of the

the airport, two Bus Rapis Transit ( BRT) vehicles were stationed at the apron to convey the deportees including those who were assisted into the buses to a location, from where NEMA officials will

release them to travel to their states of origin.

As the deportees alighted from the aircraft, they shared experiences of their harrowing sojourn in the North African country, affirming that they were

maltreated by the Arabs.

According to an official of NEMA, the first batch of the deportees consisted of a group of 113 females, and 47 males, while the second batch will be 167 males.

Shema saves N9bn for Katsina

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

G

OVERNOR I b r a h i m Shema says his administration saved over N9 billion for Katsina State as interests generated from the allocations to the state from the federation account which were deposited in fixed deposit accounts.

Shema, who disclosed this while presenting his

administration’s scorecard in the last five years to the indigenes and stakeholders living outside the state, at an interactive session in Abuja, also restated g o v e r n m e n t ’ s commitment to take the state to next level of growth and development.

The governor, who promised that his current administration will explore other sources of revenue for the state, said the government will

work to develop the area of taxation He said: “Taxation is the way to enhance development. We are trying and working very hard to look at that sector.”

According to him, “if Lagos State Government is realising over N22 billion monthly from tax and internally generated revenue, then we have to look at that sector too if we should fast track development in the state”.

How to stem unemployment, by Senator Adesoun

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

S

ENATOR Ayo Adeseun (Oyo State) has warned that the people are doomed if concrete steps are not taken in the

Youths seek more participation, autonomy for LGs in Constitution amendment physically impaired persons to be enshrined in the constitution, while endorsing independent candidacy.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the National President of NYCN, Wale Ajani, said it was unfortunate that state governors have turned local government into a mere salary paying institution.

“The local government chairmen in the few places where they are elected, and the transitional committee administrator as in majority of the local

From left: Mr. Sam Akinsulere, Training Consultant; Mr. Toye Olusi, Vice Chairman, Lagos Island West Local Government Area and Mrs. Anire CeleyOkogun, MD, Chanelle MFB, at the one-day Youth Empowerment Workshop organized by Chanelle MFB in partnership with Lagos Island West LGA recently.

councils are turned into puppets of the governors only collecting enough to pay salaries and basic overhead”, Ajani stated.

“It is almost a decade since the last time Nigerians heard or saw projects executed by the local government councils.

It is painful indeed that our governors have for the past thirteen years appropriated funds made for local government administration and have virtually killed the local government system yet they claim they are serving the interest of the people.

country to arrest the rising trend of unemployment in the next two years.

The lawmaker, who disclosed this during an inspection tour of Model Skills Acquisition Training Centre at Onipaanu, Surulere LGA, Oyo State, by the director general of the National Directorate of Employment, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, pointed out that unemployment rate in Nigeria has assumed a dangerous proportion He however commended the effort NDE and other relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the policies of the Federal Government aimed at combating the menace of unemployment as well as poverty reduction in the country; He urged the NDE director general to ensure that the newly completed structures at

Model Skills Acquisition Training Centers in the state are well equipped for the commencement of training to enable the

unemployed persons acquire marketable skills that would make them employable and selfreliant

Group hails Jonathan over NIMASA DG’s appointment

P

RESIDENT G o o d l u c k Jonathan has been commended for appointing Mr. Patrick Akpobuloukemi as Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in c o m m u n i t i e s ’ empowerment and peace advancement in the Niger Delta.

Contributing founders of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, in Bomadi axis, Mr. Moses Eseimokumoh, Bedford Abule, Mr. Stanley Patrick and

Phillip Kase in their commendation, noted that Akpobuloukemi’s a c c e s s i b i l i t y / empowerment strides have helped reduce sea piracy in Niger Delta.

The group also lauded the Presidential Adviser and Chairman of the Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kingsley Kuku and Nicholas Mutu, B o m a d i / Pa t a n i representative in the National Assembly, for collaborating with the NIMASA DG in translating President Jonathan’s peace dream in the Niger Delta to reality.

PAGE 44 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

Why Boko Haram targets our churches churches---ECWA President

It is hardly news that the Boko Haram Sect has been targeting churches for suicide bomb attacks in parts of the North which has resulted in deaths and destructions. However, by no design or mere coincidence, some churches appear to have been more at the receiving end than others. The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) is one of them. TAYE OBATERU spoke to the President of ECWA, Dr. Jeremiah Gado who bared his mind on why he thinks his church has been targeted by the Boko Haram, the losses suffered by the church and other issues: What would you say is the level of losses ECWA has incurred in human and material terms as a result of violent attacks on your churches?

I have not been able to ascertain the level of damage done to the four or five churches because, as you know, there is curfew (in Kaduna State at the time of the interview), but I have spoken to people on the ground. Many people have been killed, many others are in the hospital.

I think we still have 12 people who are lying critically ill in the hospital.

That is what befell us on Sunday and like I have said, we did not commit any crime. Our crime is simply worshipping God the best way we know how, on Sunday. There are people who want to impose their will on us, who do not want to see us just as Jesus predicted. So we are not surprised but you see, as citizens of this country, we have a right to defend ourselves. We are not helpless. Our God is with us. We are actually searching our souls, we are also praying and fasting so that God will instruct us on what to do.

Why do you think the group which started by saying it was against Western education, has suddenly shifted its focus to launching suicide attacks on churches and Christians and why has it been difficult for government to end the bombings?

I believe people who are doing this, are doing it because they think Nigeria cannot be ruled by another person but them and that is a lie. They have believed so for so many years. Nigeria belongs to all of us. God never made a mistake by putting Muslims, Christians or what they call infidels together.

No! Nobody is an infidel.

The traditional religionist has a right to Nigeria,

Christians have a right to Nigeria, and Muslims have a right to Nigeria. Any of these people have a right to rule Nigeria and I know those who are sponsoring or financing Boko Haram are doing it to discredit this government. They want us to blame President Jonathan for the situation that is happening.

They want us to say that he is not powerful or lack the ability to rule but no we will not say that. They are the ones undermining his government and we will not play their game.

We will not blame Jonathan. We are rather encouraging Jonathan. You see if Nigeria is attacked as a sovereign nation, what will you expect the president to do? You will expect the president to mobilize all the forces in Nigeria to

Boko Haram issue which they believe is the reason it has lingered...

The reason why this thing is still lingering is that Boko Haram is not restricted to Nigeria.

They have reared their heads in Chad, Ghana, Gambia and Burkina Faso and the leaders dealt with them resolutely, firmly and that’s what we are calling on this government to do.

President Jonathan is trying and he should keep up with the efforts to end this problem but he should not fear. What is terror? It is to instill fear, to strike fear into people, to make political demands using force.

This is why many believe that Boko Haram should be listed on the world terrorist list despite opposition to this from some quarters.

They are a terrorist organization, so let them be listed as one.

Dr. Jeremiah Gado

ment that is meant to protect us is not doing so, it should not expect us to fold our hands and be killed like chickens.

People who are doing this, are doing it because they think Nigeria cannot be ruled by another person but them and that is a lie fight the invading enemy. Now, this is an enemy to the sovereignty and unity of Nigeria and so we are calling on Jonathan to mobilize and hear what God said to Jonathan (in the Bible); “Be strong and be of good courage, do not fear”.

You see, Muslims who want peace, Christians who want peace and all those in between who want peace will back this government if it takes any measure that will put this to rest.

Many people have blamed government of not being decisive enough in handling the

Do you agree with those who feel that President Jonathan has not shown enough will to tackle the problem?

I believe Jonathan has everything needed to actually bring this to an end. We are calling on him to use every force to checkmate them and those who are sponsoring them. He (Jonathan) knows them. The intelligence know who they are. He should go after them with every force that this nation can muster. That is our call. We would give him time, time is running out because we are provoked whenever we are attacked. If the govern-

No! We have a right to defend ourselves. It is our God-given right to defend ourselves. So we are not going to give in to people who think that if they are not ruling this nation, nobody should rule it. We will say no.

They will not get our votes. We will exercise our civic duties through the ballot box and we will not vote for people who are killing us and burning our churches. God forbid!

Why do you think they are targeting ECWA churches?

ECWA church is strong in the North. They think that if they uproot ECWA

church in the North, they can declare Islam. They are targeting our churches because we are strong. We are an indigenous church. We didn't come from anywhere. We started here. That is why they are targeting our church-es. They are trying to eliminate these churches to scare us into running or migrating to another place, but we're going nowhere. This is our country. God put us here. We need to come together to find a way to co-exist peacefully with one another. And the government has the instrument to enforce that.

Let them be seen to be doing that and not let people take laws into their hands. That’s why we are calling on youths not to take law into their hands because there are law enforcement agencies. But if the law enforcement agencies are seen to be co-operating with the enemy, then we have no other way but to defend ourselves.

What security measures have you put in place to prevent further attacks

on your churches?

We have erected barriers. As you know the first church that was bombed, the bomber went through the gate. He went through barriers, the bomb exploded at the gate but it caused so much damage. So we are reviewing our security system and you will see that in due course. I don’t want to talk about it now but we are putting measures in place.

The reprisals that followed the bomb attacks in Kaduna have been faulted in some quarters. What is your position on this?

Those burning churches and going after Christians are doing so because they sincerely believe they are offering God a sacrifice. But what is happening should not take us by surprise because Jesus prepared us for what is happening but we should not respond in kind. It is not the way Jesus would want us to go about it. We do not want reprisal; we do not want revenge be Continued on Page 45

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012--- PAGE 45

WHY CHRIS TIANS W ON’T GO TO CHRISTIANS WON’T HEA VEN HEAVEN

E

VERY Christian expects to go to heaven. But surprisingly, Jesus’ kingdom dynamics predicts different. Jesus says: “The last will be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16). Christians are today’s first who will be tomorrow’s last. Jesus says furthermore: “The sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12). Christians are today’s sons of the kingdom.

Believing a lie The Jews were convinced their place in God’s kingdom was secure as sons of Abraham. But paradoxically, their place was in jeopardy for precisely that very reason. (Matthew 3:8-10).

The kingdom of heaven is not prepared for the sons of Abraham. In order to inherit eternal life, the sons of Abraham have to forsake Abraham, their father, and become sons of God. (Matthew 19:29).

Not understanding kingdom dynamics, Paul says: “All Israel will be saved.”

(Romans 11:26). But in truth, no Israelite can be saved. The kingdom of God does not recognise Israel. For an Israelite to be saved, he has to be born again into an entirely new nation; the “little flock” of God. (Luke 12:32). Jesus proclaimed God’s verdict on Israel: “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.”

(Matthew 21:43).

Alas, Christians face a similar predicament today. We declare we are saved by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. However, this very belief will lead to our condemnation.

God despises sacrifices.

He says: “Whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck. They have chosen their own ways, and their souls delight in their abominations.”

(Isaiah 66:3-4).

The temple cult

In biblical Israel, you

Most Christians remain far from the kingdom of God because we still believe pre-eminently in sacrifices were deemed righteous if you participated in the sacrificial rituals. However, Jesus was always found among “sinners;” those ostracised for their non-participation in the temple cult. When queried about this anomaly, Jesus’ said he has no interest in anyone who trusts in rituals. He is only interested in those who rely exclusively on God’s mercy. He declared: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13).

Most Christians have refused to learn what Jesus means. Jesus knew some would later maintain his death was a sacrifice for sins. Therefore, he recommended a study of the scriptures in order to controvert such thinking. God says repeatedly through his prophets that he desires mercy and not sacrifice.

(Hosea 6:6). He says through Jeremiah: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices.” (Jeremiah 7:21-22).

Indeed, speaking through David, Jesus promised God he would not give sacrifices and offerings on his incarnation.

He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, "Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:68).

However, the ears of most Christians remain closed. We fail to recognise the voice of the Good Shepherd in that messianic psalm. We insist on sacrifices; what

Jesus plainly says God neither desires nor requires. Therefore, God says: “These have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations. I also will choose affliction for them.” (Isaiah 66:34).

God approved of Jesus’ refusal to participate in the sacrificial rituals in the temple. After over 30 years, God validated Jesus’ positions by proclaiming to the Jews: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3: 17). Jesus viewed the sacrificial system with disdain. He started his ministry by forcibly clearing out the sacrificial implements from the temple (John 2:14-16); and he ended his ministry by repeating the same action emphatically.

(Matthew 21:12-13).

Mercy, not sacrifice According to Jesus, God’s mercy is readily available to those who repent and forgive those who offend them. (Matthew 6:14-15). But first, we have to stop trusting in vain sacrifices. When a scribe asked him which commandment is the first of all, Jesus said it is the commandment to love the one and only God. The scribe replied: “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

(Mark 12:32-33).

Jesus commended this man’s statement, but remarked: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34). The man was not yet in the kingdom because he still did not recognise that his offerings and sacrifices were of absolutely no value to God. But he was not far from the

kingdom because he had taken the first steps in diminishing their value.

However, most Christians remain far from the kingdom of God because we still believe pre-eminently in sacrifices.

Jesus warns: “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20). However, the righteousness of today’s Christian is far less than that of the scribes and the Pharisees. While they only believed in the sacrifice of animals, Christians today believe in the sacrifice of a human-being. Moses warned the Israelites against such evil tendencies: “You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.”

(Deuteronomy 12:31).

Repent or perish When Herod killed some Galileans even while they were offering sacrifices to God, some wondered why God refused to protect them. The conclusion was that their sins must have been great. But Jesus said their sins were no greater than those of others.

Their blunder was in offering sacrifices (which God did not require); instead of repenting (which was God’s requirement). Jesus then declared that all those who make the same mistake will suffer the same fate: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:2-3).

Christians are committing the same blunder today by claiming the sacrifice of Jesus has earned us the forgiveness of sins. As long as we continue in this delusion, we will not do what God requires, which is to repent of sin.

As long as we rely on Jesus’ alleged sacrifice, we cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Our loss is the gain of others with better understanding: “It shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ there it shall be said to them, ‘You are sons of the living God.’” (Hosea 1:10).

'Our chur ches and churches Boko Haram' Continued from Page 44

cause God says “leave vengeance to me”. So my appeal to the youth, our young men and young women is; “Do not take the law into your hands”. The God that we serve is going to fight for us; our God is not dead. If people fight for their gods, our God will fight for us. Leave the fighting to God. God’s way of dealing with it will be sweeter and more devastating than the way we will deal with it. So my appeal to the youth is that, please and please, do not do anything that will not be a good testimony to what Jesus said would happen. Having said that, I want to present Jesus Christ to the world, because He is the way, the truth and the life and all that He had said so far none has been proven to be a lie. Every prediction and prophecy of Jesus Christ has come true. He is God. He created this world. He knows what is going to happen. He knows the beginning from the end, and the end from the beginning. That is why we put our faith in Him because He knows what is going on.

He has predicted that we are going to be persecuted so if it is happening to us now, we should rejoice that our Lord prepared us for such a time, and therefore we should not be taken unawares.

My condolence goes to all those who are suffering as a result of their faith. They were killed, maimed and bombed not because they committed any crime in this nation, it is because they are Christians and Jesus said: “If they hated me, they would hate you.”

Jesus Christ is the way to God and He has never advocated violence. He never forced or terrorized anybody to accept the Christian faith. He appeals to the heart and mind and that is, what we do. So Jesus Christ is actually what the world needs. The reason why these people are doing what they are doing is because they do not have peace with God. How true is the belief by some people that the division in the Body of Christ has made it impossible for Christians to have a co-ordinated response to the problem?

We have different denominations in Christianity and any denomination that is attacked, all of us feel the impact of the attack and it is uniting us and we are coming together. When we are going to respond, we are going to respond as a Body of Christ. We are not divided because our enemies don’t differentiate between churches. So we are united. It is an opportunity for us to show who our God is, coming together and focussing on the major thing, which is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I said before, the reason why they are attacking us is because of the fact that we belong to Jesus. When Jesus was here on earth, they killed Him and they said 'we are killing you because you claim to be the son of God.' Jesus said, He is God, who is man to say He is not God. So the reason why we are being killed is not because of the hospital, schools we built or for taking care of the poor. If Boko Haram claims to be fighting injustice, who is fighting injustice more than the Church? If it is because of poverty, who is fighting poverty more than the Church? The Church is fighting poverty, injustice for the common people. So they are killing us because we belong to Jesus and because they don’t want to hear the name of Jesus. It is Jesus who is going to change the world. So we are making no apology to anybody.

What message do you have for your teeming members whose faith might have been shaken by recent events?

Every ECWA member should jubilate that what Jesus said is now coming true in our own time. We should count ourselves blessed for being persecuted for the faith we have. It is the civil responsibility of Nigerian government to protect everybody, according to the constitution. So I say, do not relent; do not be scared; be ready to defend ourselves as citizens of this country. That is my advice to all ECWA members. Pray that the Lord will comfort all those who have been bereaved, heal those who have been injured. I’m calling on the Nigerian government to pay compensation for every church that has been bombed. For example, there is a church that was burnt down last year in Gombe. Up till now, the church has not received a kobo from the Federal Government. Imagine if it was a mosque; do you think it will happen?

PAGE 46—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

The poor husband, the rich wife and Boko Haram(1)

BY FEMI FANI-KAYODE VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A nation divided on ethnic and religious lines.

I

have nothing against the Islamic faith. As a matter of fact, some of my most loyal friends are practising Muslims. I also have many Muslims in my family and my maternal great grandmother was a pure Fulani woman from Sokoto State. I do however have

to say that I completely disagree with my respected brother, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, when he suggested (in an article titled, ‘’How To Address The Boko Haram Problem In Nigeria’’, 25th June, 2011) that President Goodluck Jonathan should seek dialogue and enter into negotiations with Boko Haram, the ruthless Muslim fundamentalist sect and Islamist terrorist group that has killed thousands of innocent and defenceless Nigerian men, women and children in the last few years.

In my view, the solution is simple. Boko Haram must be utterly crushed by government and certainly not negotiated with. This is because, in a civilised society, there can never be dialogue with those that seek to establish a 17th century Islamic fundamentalist caliphate all over the world and

those that seek to impose their strange values on the rest of humanity. There is no doubt in my mind that Boko Haram is part of the world-wide Al Qaeda-sponsored ‘’global jihad’’ and, if we give them one inch, they will definitely take a mile. We cannot afford to have peace with them on any terms or peace with them at the cost of our hard-earned civil liberties, cherished values, plural multi-cultural society and modern way of life. There must come a time when we, as a nation, can boldly say ‘’enough is enough’’ and when we draw the line in the sand. And if Boko Haram crosses that line, they must be confronted by the full force of the Nigerian armed forces regardless of the collateral damage and immense infrastructural destruction that this will cause in various northern cities. President Olusegun Obasanjo did this ruthlessly and efficiently in the town of Odi in the Niger Delta area a number of years ago with remarkable success. Now there you had a Commander in Chief. By the time the Nigerian Army finished shelling Odi from the land, the sea and the air, there was not one building left standing except for, interestingly, the local bank. Why should the same treatment not be meted out today to any city or community in our country that grants the foot soldiers of Boko Haram support, a safe haven or shelter. This is because they are not true Muslims or believers in God. Rather, they are a cancer that must be identified, isolated and cut out before they spread their terrible disease of hate, extremism, violence and intolerance throughout the feder-

ation. That is what a strong, focused, resolute and purposeful government ought to do. Sadly, we have not seen any such thing from our government. Instead what we have witnessed from them are a series of feeble and pathetic pleas for dialogue with the enemy and the shameful display of weakness, incompetence and insensitivity. To make matters worse, the National Chairman of the President’s own ruling PDP, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, recently declared that Boko Haram was ‘’fighting for justice’’. I really do wonder what type of ‘’justice’’ he is referring to when churches are now being blown up every Sunday morning all over the North and when thousands of defenceless Christians are being slaughtered on a daily basis. Is that what the Chairman calls ‘’fighting for justice’’. Are these the people that are denying Boko Haram their justice and that are denying them their rights? Are they the ones that killed their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, a few years ago? Boko Haram started by targeting government institutions and security agencies with extreme and deadly violence but now they have graduated to killing the followers of Christ and they have made known their intention to wipe out Christianity in northern Nigeria and to stop Christians from peacefully worshipping their God. Is that the just cause that they are fighting for?

Mujahid Asari Dokubo has also said that Islam is playing a ‘’second fiddle’’ role in Nigeria and that Judaeo-Christian beliefs ‘’dominate the country’’. This is

not true. It is a fallacy and it is intellectually dishonest. Nigeria is a secular state and, if anything, since independence it is the northern Muslims, more than anyone else, that have dominated the Nigerian state and it’s institutions.

The records are there for all to see. We must understand that Boko Haram, what they stand for and what they seek to establish is patently evil and that what they are doing represents the greatest threat to Nigerian unity since our civil war. They are not just a dan-

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VIEWPOINT

There must come a time when we, as a nation, can boldly say ‘’enough is enough’’ and when we draw the line in the sand. And if any group crosses that line, they must be confronted

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ger to Christians but they also present a very real threat to the lives of all true Muslims as well.

True Muslims like Mujahid Asari Dokubo would do better by trying to educate and enlighten their more extremist Boko Haram Islamist brothers to stop the violence, to stop the slaughtering of Christians and true Muslims

alike, to stop destabilising the Nigerian state, to stop trying to Islamise northern Nigeria, to stop trying to return our country to the dark ages of the 17th century and to stop trying to wage a global war of terror against the rest of humanity from northern Nigeria.

We as a people must not allow ourselves to be intimidated by their evil agenda and we must vigorously and courageously wipe them out no matter what it takes.

No responsible and strong government would compromise or enter into negotiations with

such barbarous men.

This is because their agenda is not only evil but it is also anti-Christ. To throw down the gauntlet and confront such evil is one of the major challenges of our time and it is a challenge that our government must not fail to rise up to in a fearless, vigorous and responsible manner.

Sadly, in his response to me, Dokubo appeared a little offended at what he described as my ‘’derogatory language’’ towards Muslims and reminded me that he himself was a practising and devout Muslim and he advised me to ‘’desist’’. My response to him was that my so-called ‘’derogatory language’’ was not directed against the moderate Muslims but rather against the ‘’Islamists’’ and I was sure that he must know the difference between the two. I went further by advising him to please understand that just as he said that he is ‘’a Muslim’’, I am also ‘’a Christian’’.

To be continued

Akwa Ibom: Running

BY IBIPOBONG UDOM

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Free and compulsory education taking foothold in Akwa Ibom State.

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KPAN Inyang-Bassey hails from Ekom-Iman in Etinan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State; like most other boys of his age, he was ferried off to Lagos at a tender age. His reasons for relocating to Lagos include being a first class house-help, an outstanding gate-keeper or an achieved house boy. Make no mistake; Akpan’s story is a true reflection of the stories of thousands of Akwa Ibom State indigenes in the past, people who in their prime have become house boys and girls and had no hopes of education for better and improved lives.

For years, the state topped the chart in the production of househelps, as youths of the state are taken to the big cities of Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Abuja and others in their thousands because their parents could either not send them to schools or they had simply given up hope about education in its entirety. At least, these were the developments from the long years of military rule till around 2007 when a new dawn emerged for the education sec-

tor in the state.

Piqued by his experiences while working in Lagos, whereby whenever he went to visit his friends, an Okon or Akpan would be at the gate as gateman while an Ekaette or Imaobong would be in the house to serve water and food; Godswill Akpabio never hid his intention for the youths of the state. He even made a vow that if he ever became the governor of the state, youths of the state would no longer be known as servants and house helps, but would rise to become managers, directors and CEOs of multinational companies.

In his campaign message, he had spoken of his vision for an Akwa Ibom with a functional and quality education that will serve as catalyst for development, poverty alleviation and a foundation for the transformation of the state to an industrial one, where its key establishments in the state would be manned by its citizens because of the education they must have received over the years. When in 2007 he eventually emerged as governor, there was no doubt that the educational sector in the state was about to witness a surgical operation, one that would forever change the stories of millions of Akwa Ibom youths for good.

By 2008, the journey to reform the education sector had started, beginning with the introduction of free and compulsory education from primary to senior secondary level. Akpabio’s free edu-

cation program is not just free for the sake of being free, it is highly monitored by a agency put in place to ensure total compliance.

Apart from being tuition free, the students are provided with free text and exercise books as well as uniforms. Just as the late Premier of Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose idea of development and emancipation was predicated on solid education, Akpabio sought a state with greater values for the youths and to achieve that end, he followed

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VIEWPOINT

goes to each secondary school student. In effect, the school enrolment in the 1,110 primary schools and 230 secondary schools in the state have tripled to a staggering 156, 761 and it is the highest in the south south geo-political zone as the state continued to enforce a zero tolerance for child illiteracy. The 2010 National Literacy Survey also showed that the state under the Akpabio-led administration has a literacy rate in any language of about 79 percent. The

In five years, Akpabio has gone about making his vision for a better Akwa Ibom State a reality and, in doing so, has placed education on an important spot

the master—Awolowo. He would later say at the Tribune Man of the Year Award in 2010 that he was following Chief Awolowo’s example in declaring free and compulsory education.

Apart from the compulsory free education programme introduced by the governor, he also instituted a scheme that could be described as first of its kind in the country with the payment of subventions to students in order to ensure that education is completely free. Each primary school pupil has a subvention of N100 per term while N300 per term

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state’s free education policy, surprisingly, is for the benefit of every Nigerian child resident in Akwa Ibom State. Apart from the free education policy, the Child Rights Act is in full force in the state, a system that ensures that children must be in school and failure of any child to take hold of that opportunity would be blamed on the parents. Since the declaration of this laudable policy, hardly if at all,would you find a child of school going age on the streets during school hours, in fact, it is a taboo.

The governor has continued to

give hope to thousands of parents and youths of the state annually with the payment of Senior Secondary School Certificates Examination fees, such that people whose education had been free until SS3 would not cite lack of funds for not taking the final examination. More so, several intervention efforts had been made and are still being made to improve the tertiary institutions, ranging from the construction of libraries and laboratories to payment of bursaries to law and medical students. The state has also established its own university to cater for the envisaged large turn out of school certificate holders who would want to further their education up to the tertiary level as a result of the free and compulsory education of the Akpabio-led administration.

In five years, Akpabio has gone about making his vision for a better Akwa Ibom State a reality and, in doing so, has placed education in an important spot; demonstrating the true spirit of Awoism. While he is not one of the self-professed progressives, his actions and efforts which have returned the state to the acme of excellence in education sure indicate that the governor is one; and he is no newspaper progressive but one that seeks the progress of the state through the progress of the youths; for they say that knowledge is power. *Udom, a public affairs analyst, lives in Abuja.

Contribution of not more than 1,200 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 47

Harmonious leadership

BY EDDIE ONUZURUIKE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A new dispensation in governance in Abia State.

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HERE is no doubt that a model of leadership worthy of emulation is unfolding in Abia State.

You can’t appreciate this experience more until you cast your mind back to previous years of governance in the state.

With hindsight and insight to compare and contrast, you will see the facts laid bare like an old family photograph would do.

It is evident and many can still recall the ugly and laughable incidents where a former governor of the state swapped some upstarts in the House of Assembly like stubborn fleas. Another government exhibited same trait of intolerance, highhandedness and unilateralism to the max-

imum as deputy governors were frequently removed and replaced, commissioners dismissed on air and placed on the most wanted list of law enforcement agencies, sometimes with bounties on their heads.

It is also on record that Abia legislators sometime took flight to Abuja and sought protection from the president and National Assembly. In the same Assembly, a minority sacked the ma-

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VIEWPOINT

in maintaining internal democracy. It is a known fact that the alleged inordinate ambition, highhandedness that brooked no divergent opinion did not happen in the state assemblies alone but rattled the National Assembly from 2000 to 2003.

Before the emergence of Orji as governor, our traditional rulers were treated with disdain as they go cap in hand, begging for things that should have ordinarily

Governor T.A. Orji, has maintained a noninterference style with the House of Assembly, ministry and other agencies

jority, but today, we have been spared such vulgar political adventurism.

Governor T.A. Orji, has maintained a non-interference style with the House of Assembly, ministry and other agencies.

The Ude Okochukwuled House is exemplary

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been for the asking, but, today, the story has astronomically changed.

The chairman of the traditional council is chauffeured in a Prado jeep and his three deputies in the three senatorial zones flaunt the Avensis models with relish. The

chairmen of the traditional council in the 17 LGAs enjoy other brands of new cars. Some LGA bosses have procured buses for these revered chieftains to enable group movement, endearing Orji to the communities.

The governor makes it a point of duty to worship in many denominations without preferences. He appointed Sir Cletus Onyejekwe as SSA on religious affairs, to buttress the inter-faith understanding that has already taken root. A typical example is the interdenominational worship that took place at Michael Okpara auditorium on May 27, 2012, where clerics officiated from many churches be they Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, or Pentecostal. Even Muslims in our midst are not relegated or discriminated against as there exists an Islamic Pilgrims Board and their members appointed into in the Ochendo administration.

Ochendo promoted all

civil servants to the next level from inception and, today, in Nigeria, Abia, is the only state that is paying N20,100 as minimum wage. He is in constant dialogue with labour and appointed the former labour boss, Comrade Lucky Akabuike, as an aide on labour matters to guide him properly. The NUT and lecturers in our tertiary institutions are well accommodated.

Even our neighbouring states Akwa-Ibom, Cross-River, Rivers and Ebonyi seem to enjoy the harmony that is cascading from the Ochendo leadership. The border clashes which characterized most of the border communities and led to bloodbath are brought to the barest minimum.

In a closely knit relationship with his ruling party, the PDP, Orji maintains the same policy of harmoniously nurturing internal democracy where Senator Emma Nwaka calls the shots.

For the first time in Abia, federal legislators of the Senate and House

of Representatives enjoy the most cordial relationship ever experienced in the state.

There are consultations, consensus and positive resolution eliciting the best from our Abuja ambassadors to the extent that they bring the full essence of representation rather than past cases where they represented their selfish interests only. Interestingly, on May 29, 2012, Hon Uzo Azubuike, in a goodwill message spoke glaringly about the state of affairs in the state and communicated that his speech was a consensus opinion of all the federal legislators. Not only the federal legislators, the stakeholders and elders’ council, who used to be distant watchers in the events of the state are now in the mainstream of events to the extent that an oracular figure like Professor Joe Irukwu spoke passionately and encouragingly about governance in Abia. * Onuzuruike is an Umuahia based public affairs analyst.

What you didn’t know about Iroko

BY FUNKE ADETUNJI VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The transformational strides in Ondo State.

R

ECENTLY, the Iroko of Nigerian politics, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, held the audience at the Oduduwa Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo University spellbound as he delivered a lecture that drew roaring applause.

Shouts of “Irokooooo!” rent the air, as the rave of the moment and hope of the future let members of the academic community into the phenomenal revolution going on in Ondo State.

The professors knew better than to call the mega schools and the free shuttle buses white elephants; they drank in the glory of the mega schools and gave Mimiko a resounding ovation, an occasion made all the more epochal because the governor is a prod-

uct of the university, and here he was telling the students that there was nothing special about him but the grace of God, and praying that they too would become governors, presidents and statements—but with a caveat: The vehicle that will transport that prayer into fulfilment is education. The consensus in that hall was clear: ‘Never since Obafemi Awolowo have we seen anything like this.’

Traditional rulers from Akokoland, the seat of the opposition ACN, also, recently, declared unflinching support for the governor, and so did Obas from Ilaje land led

by HRM Fredrick Akinruntan. And to cap it all, members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) literally brought Akure to a standstill, bearing the good tidings of Iroko everywhere. Yes, labour dumped its traditional restraint and took a solid position on not just a performing governor but a political eagle, farsighted and powerfully visionar y, above the crass din of no-hopers

and political lepers working in vain to arrest the change. And then it became clear that the peo ple’s governor, the

change agent, the man whom the pretenders to Awoism daily strive to denigrate because he would not be part of their fraud, was already on his way into the hall of fame. For the first time in the history of unionism in the state, members of the NLC pub-

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VIEWPOINT

ers-friendly governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko. It is in view of this that our teeming workers and other good people of Ondo State assemble here today to identify with the good work of our Comrade Governor and endorse him without any reservation for a second term in office as the governor of our Sunshine State. This will afford him the golden opportunity to continue with his divine agenda and people-orient-

As Mimiko declares for a second term, it will be another step into greater glory

licly wore the LP orange vests and baseball caps to endorse Mimiko.

The state chairperson of the NLC, Comrade Bosede Daramola, said: “In Ondo State, we have been enjoying a government that fits into the postulation of democracy by Abraham Lincoln under the able leadership of our visionary, dynamic, pragmatic, articulate, hardworking, work-

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ed programmes which will further transform our beloved state into the land of our collective dream.”

This is the man the ACN/ PDP no-hopers are up against. The Ondo people have expressed their resolve to disgrace the opposition. As Mimiko declares for a second term, it will be another step into greater glory. And let no one judge the opposition too harshly:

they tried, but the water of Mimko’s sterling performance has outweighed the yam flour with which they could have made their

Oka. As the Yoruba say, Eni Olorun da ko se farawe. End of story.

But why do the no-hopers rage when their fate is so clear, their doom so certain and their October tears so irreversible?

Iroko is the father of trees, the king of the forest which thrives in its God-given domain, unfettered by lesser trees, and majestic in its solid essence. Symbolically, Iroko connotes splendour, resilience, stolidity, healthiness, pulchritude and majesty.

Mimiko, current republic’s most decorated governor, brings into governance a unique blend of ideology shaped by the pragmatics of the Nigerian socio-political and socio-economic ecology, a visionary and revolutionary template defined by solid performance as opposed to ideological legalese, unbridled propaganda in the face of lustreless performance and verbal pro-

gressivism lacking in requisite action. The Mimiko mystique is urbane, cultured, and decorum-driven even in the face of relentless assaults by intellectual minions, half-baked ideologues and moral misfits.

The Iroko ise takun takun mantra, rooted in tested cultural ethos, is, analysts say, dialectically interrogatory rather than unthinkingly celebratory of history, political culture; in short, the very essence, meaning and direction of governance. Call it the new Awoism, Mimikoesque or whatever, it is the only vision/paradigm shift that serves as a benchmark for contemporary African developmental leadership, whether you are thinking of education, the health sector or the environment. Indeed, those who call him Iroko do so

in deep appreciation of his sterling qualities as an agent of change.

Declare, Mimiko will and win, he will. *Adetunji is resident in Akure.

Contribution of not more than 1,200 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

TRIBUTE Ambassador Olusegun Olusola: A true friend, compassionate philanthropist ‘We’ve nothing to show for and arts connoisseur

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Amb. Olusegun Olusola

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N the words of Nic colo Machiavelli, “a return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an influence that the good men strive to imitate him, and the wicked are ashamed to lead a life so contrary to his example”.

The life of Ambassador Olusegun Olusola is summed up in this famous quote. I was on my way out of the country when I got a call from his dear son, Jimi, informing me that his father, my very good friend, took ill and was in hospital. The usual conviviality of his company convinced me that I would meet him on my return to crack some of those wicked jokes we used to share and talk him back to health. Nay, it was not to be as I received a call from Jimi again in the morning on Friday 21st June breaking the news of his dad’s passing to eternal glory.

I was numb at the news. Segun and I had been friends since 1967 when our paths crossed by a seemingly providential connection that brought us together. I had just returned from England, after my first expedition, driving through the Sahara and he was a reporter/journalist with a weekly column in the Daily Times under the pen name “Automan”. A consummate journalist, he interviewed me and wrote a beautiful piece about my expedition. With a generosity of spirit that blew me away, he introduced me to Sam Amuka of the Daily Times (Sad Sam) and there began a close friendship that would last 45 years until that most guaranteed earthly end of all mortals did us part - death! Segun was ever so willing to assist, right from day one!

With the car I drove down from London to Lagos impounded by the Nigeria Customs, he introduced me to the late Alex Akinyele, who was then the Public Relations Officer of the Customs, to assist. It was through his intervention that my car was released.

His confidence, affability and vivacity soon won me over and I would visit his TV office almost every week until one day he said he was keen to come and visit me in my office but he was told that I was

when Segun was the Managing Director of NTA Zone C, based in Enugu. He would stop over at my village in what is now Delta State for the weekend and even on many occasions, on his own, whilst I would be in Lagos.

With his brilliance, his fertile and inquisitive mind, it was not unexpected when he was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia.

He invited my family and I over as his guests. It is therefore with a para-

Africa and the rest of humanity have lost a genuinely compassionate and selfless man, who saw the good in every human being

always under the bridge – I was working on the foundation of Eko Bridge at the time!. He would go on to visit me at the bridge the following day and almost every other day from then on. We were part of each other’s lives and, in 1988, when I became the Chairman/ CEO of Costain West Africa, he was invited to the Board where he served as a director for ten meritorious years.

Segun was an arts connoisseur, one of the many things we shared a passion for – especially, in my case, visual arts. An orator extraordinaire and prolific writer, Segun had a way with words, weaving and wrapping words around his pen like a tangible, delicate phenomenon.

When I found and opened DIDI Museum in 1983, he wrote the foreword to the museum’s brochure and here is a poignant extract from his piece “…the task of driving alone on a road journey across the Sahara expanse, from Algiers to Timbuktu and the hazardous preoccupation with pile-driving in the Lagos swamps may not signpost the foundation structures upon which the now famous Didi Museum was constructed, but the identification of Newton Jibunoh.”

He had been a Trustee of Didi Museum since its inauguration in May 1983, giving freely his time, artistic knowledge, advice and guidance all in his commitment to see to the preservation of our unique works of arts for future generations.

I recall, with fondness and nostalgia, the 80s

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being an oil producing kingdom’

BY GAB EJUWA

Olorogun Daji Eunice Oguma is the president of Urhobo Progress Union, Women’s Wing, Ughievwen Kingdom Chapter, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

In this interview, she bares her mind on the recent visit of the Delta State Deputy Governor’s wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nelly Tuwere Utuama, to Ughievwen Kingdom and among other issues Excerpts:

doxical sense of sadness and gratitude that I mourn the departure of my good friend to the great beyond: Sadness that Nigeria has lost one of her most patriotic and ardent defenders. Africa and the rest of humanity have lost a genuinely compassionate and selfless man, who saw the good in every human being.

More profoundly, I am grateful to God for blessing this country with such a rare gem as Ambassador Olusegun Olusola and a great philanthropist that I am proud to call a friend.

Besides being an outstanding champion of the arts in Nigeria, he had a deep concern for the plight of African refugees. For this, he became the voice of the voiceless! He provided succour to those displaced and traumatised victims of senseless wars across Africa through his foundation - African Refugees Foundation (AREF).

In a world where love and hope are in short supply, he extended the love of God and the hope of a better tomorrow to thousands of refugees.

There are times when words alone are not enough to express one’s feelings or sorrow.

Speak though, one still must!

Ambassador Olusegun Olusola, baba Olujimi, a man of many parts. He will be sorely missed! His signature “ìrùkèrè” will be sorely missed! His legacy lives on! Segun, rest in peace.

Yours Sincerely

What are the challenges of the office of the president of UPU Women’s Wing? he challenges abound all over the place.

One of them is finance because women need money to educate themselves in order to be exposed. Education is not gotten from one place, you must travel to acquire education. Like when I was the chairperson of the National Council of Women Societies in Ughelli South Local Government Area, I took some women to Abuja and it was educative. But now I no longer have access to such things because my position is restricted to Ughievwen kingdom, and, as you know, Urhobo Progress ‘Union does not give us money to do anything but I am trying with the little I have to help.

When there is any function, I try to cater for their transportation for them to see things for themselves, so that they can change from their age long backwardness to people who are exposed and enlightened because if they are exposed and enlightened, they will also transfer it to their own children and husband. And the society will be a better place. If you educate a woman, you educate the whole nation; youth restiveness will be a thing of the past. Finance is our major problem, even if we write to banks, they don’t give us anything.

Ughievwen is an oil producing kingdom but there is nothing to show for it.

By right, we ought to have light in the town.

* Jibunoh OON, FNIOB, D. Sc.is founderm, FADE Africa

What is your comment on the recent visit of the deputy governor’s wife

T

•Olorogun Daji Eunice Oguma

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BY NEWTON JIBUNOH

Finance is our major problem, even if we write to banks, they don’t give us anything

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to Ughievwen Kingdom? hen you see an enlightened person, you see the hall mark in that person.

From the visitation, I know that the education Dr. (Mrs.) Nelly Tuwere Utuama had undergone is showing in her life because, in recent times, there have been turbulence in the kingdom and the sub-clan where she comes hails from, which is Otokutu town in Uhurie sub-clan of Ughievwen kingdom and, being the wife of the deputy governor of Delta State, she had shown that she is not partial to any of her brothers whether from Orhowhe, Owahwa, Ukpedi or Uhurie subclans. The law has taken its course, a decision has been reached and the kingship of Ughievwen kingdom goes to Owahwa sub-clan for now and is in the person of HRM Matthew Edirin

W

Egbi, Owahwa II, Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom.

The deputy governor’s wife is not taking sides; her own is that since the court has ruled, it is good enough for the kingdom.

That is one area I see her as enlightened, wise and a good daughter of Ughievwen Kingdom and her husband and as such a second mother in Delta.

Why the large turn out of women during her visit?

I wouldn’t want to give to my self the power that I do not have, I ascribe the large turnout to the divine grace of God. Because if God is in charge, nobody can upturn an event and, having stretched her hands of fellowship to other women, we must reciprocate.

I and Chief (Mrs.) Maria Boro, two of us, were appointed by her Excellency to invite the women and they heeded the invitation. And having been given that mandate, we saw it as a challenge that our sister and our wife could not sent us on an errand and we will fail bearing it in mind that I am from the grassroots.

Does this large turnout show that Ughievwen Kingdom is now united?

The unity has always been with us. It all depends on the individuals handling issues at a particular time.

And we are united with the wife of the deputy governor. Even if she comes again tomorrow, there will still be a large turnout because we are always with her and she is always in touch with us.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012, PAGE 49

chimeena@yahoo.com

Lagos on World Music Day

Ivie: Anagbado’s exposé of functional art

BY CORNEL ONUOHA VISUAL

S

A scene from a musical performance

MUSIC

I

n Lagos, this year’s World Music Day has come and gone, courtesy of the National Troupe of Nigeria.

But having come and gone, the memory lingers on. The lingering memory is not as a result of fulfillment of expectations going by the demands of the event which would have involved an almost all day fun filled musical concert.

But this kind of grand expectation was absent and the occasion in this regard failed completely to provide an essential platform for a show casing of the rich musical heritage of the country which cuts across many genres.

However, the organizers of the event, the National Troupe of Nigeria was intelligent enough to beef up the lack and disappointment by looking behind the scene to bringing on board hitherto unknown pupils with great talents to make the day for huge Lagos music lovers,.

The invitation of school pupils of the Lagos State based Pacelli School for the Blind and Partially Sighted therefore, became for the troupe, a strong platform for the celebration, showcasing and identification of hidden talents among disabled ones in society.

While on stage the disabled pupils performed to the admiration of the audience.

The rendition of the country’s national anthem and their delivery of some Christian songs was so well done and delivered in a manner so natural and professional that every Dick and Harry in the hall saw and agreed, with the Artistic Director of the Troupe, Martin Adaji, who in his opening remark, pointed out,

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BY MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU & AISHA MOHAMMADE TIFFIN

African musical instrument probably presents the most diversified source of information on the artistic values

,

“ that there is ability in disability.”

It should however be noted that the commitment of the Troupe under the directorship of Adaji since assumption of office has been committed to the development of hidden talents; and especially among the children.

This commitment equally informed the troupe’s annual dramatised story telling competition, with which is presently used to introducing gifted and talented pupils to creative potentials and possibilities in the arts.

H

owever, what was lacking in adequate concert performances at the event was made up with a very useful and engaging talk shop that bothered on music and issues around the creative industry.

To kick start the debate was notable reggae artist and Chairman, Musical Society of Nigeria, MCSN, Orits Williki,who spoke on the topic: Copyright in Nigeria: The Potentials, Challenges

and the way Forward.

In his presentation, Williki identified some of the challenges that militate against effective realization of copyright goals in the country.

Some of these challenges, he identified to include; regulatory challenges and interpretation and implementation of the copyright legislation.

“The copyright owner is the focus of legislation, but NCC and other relevant agencies have succeeded in misinterpreting the Act to make the NCC the focus of the provision of the Act.” He said.

Speaking to the audience as a guest lecturer, Biodun Adebiyi of the Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Lagos State University anchored his own contribution on the topic, Music as Social Calendar.

A

debiyi’s paper examined in detail the symbiotic relationship between music as a cultural form and communication as a social messenger.

The paper traced how different musical forms and instruments have been used over time to communicate important social, religious and political messages.

According to him, “As a cultural indicator, an African musical instrument probably presents the most diversified source of information on the artistic values, religious beliefs, family life and general structure of society.

“For example in Ghana traditional society, eligible maidens searching for husbands go to market places and sit down at vantage positions; and as unmarried males they fancy as husbands pass by, they shake their rattles to attract attention.”

The event was graced by popular actor of the Village Headmaster saga, Dejumo Lewis, Aig Imoukhouede, Sola Onayiga (Ireti) and Mayo Ayilara.

et to make its official debut with an exposé of a series of products dubbed Ivie, is a creative arts company, Lizaad. According to Chuma Anagbado, illustrator and founder, Lizaad is a creative arts company set up to seek and provide functional applications for a new art form, which he calls Spontinism.

With artworks which he refers to, simply as illustrations, the artist and founder of Lizaad explains that Spontinism is a kind of art that is largely indigenous and cultural.

“It is my own creation. But it is inspired by the art of my people. They are basic illustrations, very simple and not too detailed. But they still send across as much message as any detailed drawing would.

“You can call it line drawing if

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products will be continually showcased. This maiden edition will feature framed Art and handmade T-Shirts,” he stated.

The Fine and Applied Arts graduate from the University of Benin said that the artistic exposition opened on Saturday, 7th July.

In putting up these art pieces, proponent of the new form minimizes colour and space but maximizes light probably because of its functional nature.

A number of his illustrations are tied around geographical boundaries and happenings.

Among the ‘illustrated cities’ in his collection are Abuja, Benin City, Port Harcourt, L agos, Port Harcourt and Warri. He also touches on national issues including the current

It is my own creation, but it is inspired by the art of my people

you want. In the arts, this type of art is generally found in the genre known as “urban art” he explained.

Chuma further explains that beyond aesthetics, Spontinism works better as functional art. This is why, “in this exhibition, we will be having two products; handmade t-shirts and framed artworks. For the next exhibition, we will diversify to include more products such as Jeanswear, shoes, hand bags, furniture etc.”

This is the first in a series of exposeés where new

,

scourge of terrorism ravaging the northern part of the country. ith about 20 illustrations on various colours of t-shirts, Chuma explains the whole idea behind Spontinism.

“I call it Spontinism in the sense that the time it takes me to create one piece is short though the time it takes me to conceptualise it is very long. It might even take months. But once I start with the first line,I don’t I drop the pen till the work is done completely. Everything just comes spontaneously. “He said.

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Boko Haram, one of the art works displayed

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 — PAGE 5

Voters on queue at Garrick School, Benin to cast their votes during yesterday’s governorship election in Edo State. Photo by Nath Onojake.

District, which has seven local governments, the turnout was impressive.

However, there was tension at the early hours of the day due to delay in delivering voting materials to the polling units. Accreditation was billed to start by 8 a.m. but did not commence until about 10 a.m.11a.m. particularly in Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba Okhai Local Government Councils, all in the heart of Benin City.

However, the situation was better in the rural areas such as Orhionmwon, Uhumnwonde, Ovia North East and Ovia South West.

There was crisis at Garrick Memorial Primary School, Oredo in Unit 19 where two alleged fake voters registers were produced by INEC. The names in the register corresponded with the voters who insisted that they registered in the unit but their pictures were missing.

Consequently, the ACN members in the unit insisted that the people who, according

Large turn out in Edo guber election Continued from page 1

State governorship election.

Early results from some polling units in Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts appeared to favour Governor Adams Oshomhole, the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. For instance, the candidate reportedly won in seven of the 10 wards in Igueben Local Government in the Central District with a wide margin and Oredo LGA in Edo South.

Other highlights of the election included the loss of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the polling unit where its candidate, General Charles Arhievbere, voted. The PDP also lost in the polling units where

two other bigwigs – Chief Ogiadomhe, who is chief of staff to the president, and Dr. Sam Ogbemudia – cast their votes.

The poll was characterized by late arrival of voting materials in some polling centres, forcing a visibly angry ACN candidate, Oshiomhole, to say that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had failed the people.

The PDP described the statement as hasty.

In several polling centres, the names of many prospective voters were on the register but their photographs were missing, thus creating crisis as to whether or not they could vote.

The response of INEC was

SOLUTION

that it supplied the register to the parties some four weeks ago and expected them to make their observations for correction.

The election took a tragic turn after a boat conveying voting materials to the riverine area of Ologbo in Ikpoba Okhai Local Government Area of the state capsized.

Four persons on board the boat including two inspectors, one constable and one adhoc INEC staff were reportedly killed.

‘Fake Voters Register’ In Edo South Senatorial

to them, looked strange, could not vote. This is the ward of the candidate of the PDP, Airhiavbere. Voting was initially suspended in the unit.

In Orhionmwon Local Government Council, accreditation commenced at about 8:30 a.m. and was peaceful. The Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu; and the Director General of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organization, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who voted in his Ugboko ward, commended the exercise and expressed optimism that it is ACN all the way. Also, Airhiavbere, who voted at

Garrik Memorial School, told newsmen at about 1 pm. that the exercise was peaceful.

When he was asked to comment on those whom ACN members insisted that they should not be allowed to vote because their pictures were not found in the voters register in his polling unit, Airhiavbere said: “I am not holding brief for anybody but don’t forget we did not do verification in Edo State. This may have been responsible.

But, we have seen a lot of good signs from the process”.

Asked to react on the alarm raised by Oshiomhole at the early hours of the day that the INEC was colluding with the PDP to disenfranchise voters in Edo South by supplying materials late, Airhaivbere said: “It is too early for any candidate to complain. This is just 1 o’clock. That is Oshiomhole’s way of heating up the polity ”.

In Uhumnwonde Local Government where the Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, voted, he described the exercise as peaceful.

Former House of Representatives member, Patrick Obahiagbon, who voted in Ward 3 unit 4, Oredo, predicted that the ACN will defeat the PDP with a large margin.

In Owan West where the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP, Johnson Abulagba, hails from, there was fracas in Ward 6 where some thugs allegedly stormed the polling units and had to be stopped by the armed soldiers and policemen. The incident happened shortly after it was found out that 200 people were prevented from Continues on page 6

Oshiomhole in early lead Continued from page 1

117, PDP 27. At Okhwae, ACN polled 221, PDP 71.

At Umuakpe in Oredo Local Government Area, ACN polled 173 to PDPs 20.

In Ozalla, Owan West Local Government Area, ACN won all the units of Ward 1 with total of 1137 for ACN and 599 for PDP. Jubilations akin to a festivity now ongoing at Ozalla.

At Okada Grammar School, ACN won by 265 to PDPs 62 At Eweka primary School at Egor local Government, ACN polled 300 to PDPs 17; at the Oba Market in Oredo ACN polled 404 to PDPs 54.

At the S&T in Egor Local Government, ACN polled 200 to PDPs 25.

The Ward 6, the total sum of Units 1 to 10 in Niger College, Ikpoba Okha LG indicates that ACN won by 1575 to PDPs 54.

In Ovia North East, Ward 1, Unit 3: ACN 256, PDP 52.

Etasko east ward 10 unit 1: ACN 400, PDP 28.

Egor, Unit 11, Ward 9 ACN 75, PDP 9; Ovia North East, ACN 149, PDP 12; Gapiona Oredo Local Government, ACN 897, PDP 10.

Ugonoba Orhiomwon LG, ACN 293, PDP 82 Egor Ward 3 unit 18 ACN 367, PDP 9; Unit 19 ACN 339, PDP 14 Ayua Etsako West Ward 9, Unit 13; ACN 494, PDP 51; Unit 14 ACN 767, PDP 15 Ekpoma, Unit 7, ACN 144, PDP 122; Unit 8 ACN 118, PDP 130; Unit 9 ACN 148, PDP 142; Unit 10 ACN 147, PDP 126 total ACN 557, PDP 520 Ugonoba in Orhiomwon LG, ACN 293, PDP 82 EZOMO PRY SCH OREDO WARD 3 UNIT 8, ACN – 183, PDP – 30, CPC 5 UNIT 9, ACN – 202, PDP – 55, CPC – 1; UNIT 10, ACN – 192, PDP – 31 Uhiele – Ekopma: PDP- 616, ACN – 54, Igueben local government. ACN so far won 7 of the 10 Wards in the local government, ACN leading in Ubiaja, Ohordua, Ewatto, Ugboha and Ewohimi in Esan-South East local government, AC N leading in Ward 1 and Ward 11 in Esan West local government area.

PAGE 50—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012

chimeena@yahoo.com

Home in honour of Wole Soyinka …our experiences

Prof Wole Soyinka

BY MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU CELEBRA TION CELEBRATION Yesterday at the June 12 Culture Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Home, a play written by Samm Art Williams was staged as part of activities by Zimrage Multimedia Company to mark Professor Wole Soyinka’s 78th birthday. Among the cast that delivered the scripts are actors and actresses drawn from Nigeria and abroad. Interestingly, some members of this interesting cast are coming to Nigeria and Africa for the first time. In this conversation therefore, the cast of Home share their experiences about the country and the play with Vanguard’s Arts on Sunday.

Bashar Evans Y experience last year was more than I ex pected; it was an exchange that I didn’t expect. I felt so much love from the community and everywhere we went in Nigeria. It was so much love, even more than the American love; there is a real and honest thing here, and everyone was very welcoming. I plan to entertain, and make sure that everyone connects to the story that I will be telling.

Doing it a second time…it feels great coming back to do it again, to be able to entertain with a different type of performance, getting to the different levels and range, areas that are way different from what I had done before, but in a way similar to what I had done before, a different aspect of my performance. I intend to consolidate on the achievement of last year by doing it again. I am not afraid. I want to give more than the last time; I can give more.

Lauren Connor I just love meeting people from different cultures, understanding how people live and work. And when you hear about Africa in America, people just say you are from Africa, you are descendants of slaves, and it never really hits you. But when we arrived, and I got off the plane, I just saw all these black people, and it was really amazing. So I am just looking forward to learning from you all, being able to immerse myself as much as possible in the life here. Talking about what I have learnt in America about Africa, one learns that everyone here is poor, dirty and people are living in huts, and people are mean.

Then they talk about a lot of animals like tigers running everywhere. I have parents who are very rooted in African Ameri-

can history; my dad is really into it, and he would tell me that ‘you know we are kings and queens, we have resources and we are proud’ so I got that perspective from him before I got into school.

This (the opportunity to be here to perform) is amazing, and I am very much looking forward to it. One, to get another professional acting opportunity, and two, to be able to go out there and perform to a whole different audience like I might not be familiar with, and one never knows what to expect, and that would be exciting…Just to be able to see reactions help me as an artiste. So, I am looking forward to it.

I think the play really gives an accurate perception of what African-Americans go through…I feel like the audience would understand what it is for us in America; I am sure they already know. I really feel like it would be helpful to you understanding us, and to us understanding you, and to depict the struggles on the two sides.

There are a lot of things that happen in the play that are really truthful, so hopefully, we will be able to cross-over and get a better understanding of each other.

Femi Ogunjobi (Nigerian actor based

in London) It means a lot to be in this performance; the message of the play resonates with me, and I believe that Nigerians will be able to identify with the play. It may be an African American play, but the story is one that Nigerians would be able to relate to because that story is the story of every Nigerian. Though it is an American play, it is a play that you and I can identify with in terms of how things will go as you make decisions, and do your day-to-day things.

There are many symbolic things in the play that you as a Nigerian would identify with. or me personally, it is a lucky home coming. There are two F Africans – one is the Africa of the

government people, which is bad, and the other of the people getting by with their lives. I identify with the latter one where people are getting by with their lives, taking those individual decisions, which either make or unmake a man. There is a symbolic reference to crossroads in the play. I believe a crossroad is a road that we all get to at one point in our lives, a point where you decide to either go this or that way, and you know it is those situations that count in life. I will say it is more about the individual against every odd that he comes across, while trying to survive.

I believe that is what happens (universally). Government or no government, people have to do what they have to do to survive, and we devise all sorts of means to combat the odds that we meet. This play is about taking decisions, dealing with the consequences of your decisions, and knowing when to chop and

How Okecha discovers His People

M

C M Y K

change things. I have to go back to something I can identify with a lot. This play will tell an average Nigerian that even in all those so-called whiteman’s country, people have their day-to-day struggles, like we do here. Everything is not rosy. In this play, you see people going through all those stages of life that if you pick a man in Abeokuta, and take away the language barrier…I think the play will bring reality into people’s expectations by letting them know that things are not as glamorous as they may appear. We have our reasons why we take such decisions, and that is what I referred to when I said there is something symbolic in the play, like where the play is situated. We always find ourselves at crossroads every time.

Brandi Austin This is my first time in Africa, but I have been here in Nigeria in my head, many times. In the States, I have a few friends who are Nigerians, so I had more of a realistic perception of what it would be like. The first thing that really struck me when I came here is that as I arrived and walked off the plane, the first thing I heard was ‘hi pretty,’ and I said ‘oh my God, I am home’. The second thing is that this place is owned and run by African people.

As an African American, I am marginalised in society, and the government is all white, so coming here I also see that you guys have billboards and all the people in the advertisement are black people, whereas in America, out of every ten, there may be just one billboard that has a black person in it. It is just amazing to be in a place where I feel completely accepted, and embraced.

Representative of Delta State Governor, Hon. Charles Emetulu, unveils the book with Prof Steve Okecha (left), the Iyase of Benin at the event.

BY SONY NEME

BOOK LAUNCH

P

ROFESSOR Steve Okecha, Spe cial Adviser on Technical Educa tion to the Minister of Education recently launched a book titled ‘’Now l Know My People’: A Commentary on the Ndokwa Nation. Prof Okecha, former lecturer, Ahmadu Bello University and an astute university administrator brought his vast experience as a widely travelled scholar of international repute to bear at the double honours on the day he also laid bare “away with the Oligarchs – a hard knock on oppressors of the people in whatever guise.

The event took place at St George's Grammar School hall, Obinomba, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State. It was a day that also provided a platform where Okecha’s contributions as

a member of Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of Niger Delta, CENND, was appreciated and commended.

Educated at Government College, Ughelli, Delta State, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State and University of Uppsala, Sweden, Okecha, said the launch is a continuation of his crusade for the emancipation of Ndokwa people. Prof Jeff Mokolia, Head, Dept of Language and Linguistics, Delta State University , Abraka reviewed the book.

Reviewing the book, Mokolia remarked that , Okecha, a versatile chemist, environmental activist and poet explained that for over 30 years he has been physically, emotionally, visibly and through over 60 lectures, several pamphlets and books involved in the crusade, preaching sermons on related issues to make his people contribute to the development of Nigerian nation state.

“Is worth reading as it is enticing and entertaining, should be an eye opener for

the people and outsiders”. He said.

The book , the reviewer equally pointed out, reviews the intrigues that trail recentleadership, chieftaincy institution, government insensitivity, fundamental human rights vis-à-vis Obiaruku Massacre, sharing of government amenities among other issues in Ndokwa land and Delta State in general.

According to Okecha, the idea of writing the book was conceived on 26 December 2009 when a group named Ndokwa Leaders of Thought met in Kwale to dissolve the executive of the Ndokwa National Union, NNU, under his leadership.

He expressed shock as those who purportedly dissolved it were not bonafide members of the NNU, just as it was only the secretary of the NNU that was at the meeting.

“The group constituted a care taker committee under the leadership of Engr Toni Ezeukwu to oversee the affairs of the NNU. Of course, my executive saw the so called dissolution as the joke of the year.

“Two days after, 28 December 2009, Ezeukwu, Madam Mary Chukwuma and another man visited me at my Obiaruku residence, strangely to pledge their loyalty to me as their leader. They said l should regard them as my children.” He said.

Okecha was not alone in the thunderbolts that stroke the event venue. First to speak was the chairman of the day, Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN who said Ndokwa people are not alone in need of a direction, but the entire populace.

Chief Asemota, National Co- coordinator, Ethnics Nationalities Movement, ENM, added that , “It was my belief that we need, in addition to helping our individual nationalities discover their lost glories, assist in helping to revamp the psyche of our people generally because it is not only Ndokwa people that need the revamping but all Nigerians”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 — PAGE 51

PAGE 52—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JULY 15, 2012 •Sarah, dark in complexion

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Spirit of love

ove helps the weak, love contains the spirit, love embellishes, for love is co herent. Love is the problem, yet it is also the solution.

They say, love is confusing, love is illusive, Love is lame, where as lust is amusing. They say, love is a traitor, love is addiction. How can love heal the heart, but still cause the affliction? Love is pain, love is bliss, Love is the acceptance,for all that exists. cheers!

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SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNLY15 , 2012 — 53

T

HEY are the two indelible images of the 2008 Beijing Olympics — celebration after celebration of gold medals and world records by the American swimmer and the Jamaican sprinter. Because of what they did four years ago, all eyes will be on them when they return to their sports’ biggest stages during the London Games, which open July 27.

Unbeatable then, they’re not expected to overwhelm the rest of the world — and the clock — quite the same way this time. And each one likely faces a strong challenge from a teammate.

Phelps, who eclipsed Mark Spitz’s record total with eight gold medals, now must worry about being faster than Ryan Lochte.

Bolt, the first man to break world records while winning the 100 and 200 meters and 400 relay at the same Olympic track meet, must be wary of what times Yohan Blake will produce.

“I actually think it’s a very similar parallel between Phelps and Bolt because I feel like the said he feels these competition is closer. It’s Olympics are “my time,” not a question of whether and at last year’s world they’re not going to do championships showed well at the Olympic he wasn’t intimidated by Games. They are. It’s a Phelps, beating him twice question of whether the in head-to-head meets. pack has gotten a lot Then again, Phelps closer to both of them,” figures to be in better form said Ato Boldon, a at London, and he sent sprinter who won four an undeniable message medals for Trinidad and to his biggest rival by Tobago over two Summer beating him in three out Games and will be part of of four events at the US NBC’s broadcasts from trials last month. the 80,000-seat Olympic “We both hate to lose to Stadium. one another,” Phelps said.

Lochte repeatedly has “Every time I do get in the

Olympics: Bolt, Phelps face tough test water, no matter what stroke it is, he does bring everything out of me and I think that’s something that I haven’t had with too many competitors throughout my career.”

One thing Phelps won’t attempt in London: winning another eight gold medals. After qualifying for the same events he competed in at the last two Olympics, he dropped the 200 freestyle. That leaves Phelps with two races against Lochte: the 200

and 400 individual medleys.

“Four years ago, we were trying to literally do everything,” Phelps said.

“At this point it’s, ‘Let’s go out. Let’s have some fun.

Let’s relax a little bit.’”

Bolt is looking for another three-peat, but a bit of the aura has faded.

“He’s not, in a lot of people’s eyes, going in as an overwhelming favorite. So how does he respond to that?” Boldon said. “You’re tested when you’re really challenged,

C

hief Adegboye Onigbinde, 74, is a technical committee member of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, and a former coach of the Super Eagles to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. He was the first indigenous coach to take the Eagles to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire but lost1-3 to Cameroon. Despite the silver medal, Onigbinde was relieved of his job. He said though it was painful he took it in good faith and never saw it as a problem. He believes that whatever situation he finds himself today was destined by God. Excerpts:

My toughest moments

I

t is usually difficult to say I have had or encountered difficulties in life. I believe anything that has happened to me in my life was destined

by God. I may not have understood immediately but later it would turn out for good. For example, I won silver in the 1984 Africa Nations Cup but was relieved of my job as the coach of the national team, till date nobody has told me that my tenure was a failure but I was removed. And people came to me urging me to pull some strings, that was in 1985.

My involvement in CAF

I

n 1988, at the Africa Cup of Nations, when Issa Hayatou was elected as the President of the Confederation of African Football, CAF, he wanted to get people

’

And people came to me urging me to pull some strings

’

colored spikes had an untied lace.

And it didn’t matter that Bolt even lost some time by mugging for the cameras with about 20 meters to go, stretching his arms out with palms up, then pounding his chest. Well, it mattered to one person International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, who chastised the sprinter for not showing opponents enough respect

happens in my life today, I look up to God for solution, especially to give me wisdom on how to go about it. And I did same when I was relieved of my job as the national team coach, and that is the way I take things up till today.

announce the name until I got to the dressing room.

And that was how people like Vincent Enyeama and other Super Eagles stars were brought to limelight.

My problem with my employer

The frustrations I suffered after winning silver — Onigbinde

who understood the game then a Tunisian wanted to know who brought Nigeria to Côte d’Ivoire in 1984.

That was how they started looking for me and that I was how I got into CAF. If I was still in the national team then, people would have said I won’t have time for CAF. Also, If

and he wasn’t really challenged in Beijing.

Pretty much every one of his races was a blowout.”

That is not at all an exaggeration.

When Bolt’s comingout party started at those Olympics with a world record of 9.69 seconds in the 100, he won by a huge 0.20 — a huge two-tenths of a second - leaving a gap of several feet between himself and the rest of the field at the finish line. Didn’t matter that one of his gold-

•Chief Onigbinde I had caused trouble or commotion because of the way I was maltreated by the federation, people would have protested when I got

the CAF job, saying I’m a trouble maker. That would have been the end of my coming to work in CAF. So, anything that

L

et me tell you another practical example which has run me into trouble with a lot of football administrators as a coach.

The fact that I always expose my team list hours before the match was always a problem for them as they were not comfortable with it. In most cases when they are forceful, the best I could do was to stand my ground.

In some cases, I did not decide until probably two hours before the match because I would always communicating with my creator to tell me what to do. An example is the match against England at the 2002 World Cup. A day before the match, I assembled the board and told them I was going to use Nigeria’s future team and that was what God told me to do. They were all agitating, appealing to me to stick to their plans but I said no way. Believe me, God had already given me instruction on what to do.

They asked for the team list but when I told them it was not ready, they never believed me. I did not

Overcoming my trials

S

o when you put your mind on negativity you tend to have problems. Though it hurts as a human being, especially having put much effort on the job but like I said, I wasn’t bothered by the situation at that time. With the wisdom of God, I surmounted my predicament.

Lesson learned

I

n a nutshell, I have learned to work according to the direction of God and His wisdom.

And That is what has kept me going at 74, alongside a positive mind. So, I have never seen any situation as the end of the world for me.

My advice

N

o matter what the situation is in life, take life as it comes because you can not be wiser than God. If your belief is so absolute that God is the only power that exists, then your problems are solved.

As a human being, it may hurt but it does not last.

54 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JULY 15, 2012

Milan confirm Benfica after Taiwo

I

TALIAN Serie A side AC Milan have confirmed that Portuguese club Benfica are interested in signing Nigeria star defender Taye Taiwo.

Mikel keeps No.12 shirt N

I G E R I A international Mikel Obi will keep his jersey number 12 after his EPL side Chelsea released the new numbering for the 2012/2013 season.

Mikel is set for the USA with the rest of the squad for the preseason training.

According to a report on Chelsea official website, Jose Bosingwa and Solomon Kalou’s shirt numbers have been assigned to new players, while Didier Drogba’s jersey number 11 has not been assigned to any player yet.

Kevin De Bruyne will wear 14, a number that was unused in the last campaign.

Eden Hazard got number 17 previously worn by Jose Bosingwa and Marko Marin is was assigned jersey number 21 following the departure of Salomon Kalou.

Chelsea and their new signings are due to fly to the United States on Saturday to beginning their pre-season tour.

Lagos Friday, was not ready to beg the issue and asserted that if the current local coaching crew of Keshi, Sylvanus Okpala and Daniel Amokachi fail, then it should be good bye to indigenous coaching handling the Super Eagles.

“Keshi, Okpala and Amokachi should be able to restore the hope of Nigerians in the Super Eagles, if they don’t succeed then no more local coaches should handle the team again. We have tried our local coaches enough, if Keshi, Okpala and Amokachi fail, then we have to look for a very good foreign coach to handle the team,”he stressed.

He also advised Keshi to look for local players who are more hungry to make a name in football to prosecute matches for him especially in the final Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia, adding that most of

who has also been linked with English Premier League side Newcastle United, joined the Rossoneri on a free transfer from French club Olympique Marseille last summer, but he has yet to establish himself at the San Siro.

The defender has returned to the club for preseason training after spending last season on loan at EPL outfit Queens Park Rangers, but he will now be allowed to search for a new club.

After featuring in just four Serie A games for Milan, the Nigeria international made 15 Premier League appearances for QPR last term.

Flying Eagles test-run with ABC on Sunday.

Y

DROGBA IN CHINA.....Policemen surround former Chelsea star Didier Drogba (centre) upon his arrival at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai. Drogba signed with Shanghai Shenhua on a two-year contract that will reportedly make him China’s highest-paid player.

the foreign-based players the country relied on in the past are no longer a force to reckon with.

“I believe the local players who are more hungry to make a name should be involved in Keshi’s plan.

Most of the foreign players are not doing well. Osaze (Odemwingie) didn’t do well last season, Yakubu didn’t do too well, yes he scored some goals but we want a striker that can also create goals. Age is also not on his side anymore,”Onye, fondly called Mature in his playing days, said.

There has been a lot of pressure on Keshi to invite some of the foreign-based players like Odemwingie and John Mikel Obi he left out in both the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers the team have prosecuted so far, as some Nigerians believe they are still needed in the team to provide the experience which the local players seem to lack.

OUTHFUL Nigeria Premier League side ABS FC of Ilorin have replaced Benin Republic U20 team to test the readiness of the Flying Eagles in a friendly on Sunday.

Benin Republic pulled out of Sunday ’s 2013 African Youth Championship warm-up against Nigeria in Lagos following internal wrangling in the country ’s football federation.

The ABS vs Flying Eagles match will be played at the Ilorin Township Stadium, also

Nadal in Olympic battle

No more local coaches Continues from BP

AC Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida confirmed the Nigerian could join Benfica during this transfer window.

“Taiwo could join Benfica,” the Milan chief was quoted as saying in Record.

“The transfer is possible in any form (loan or permanent), everything will depend on the proposals received by the player and his agent, who will also submit names of interested parties.”

Benfica are searching for a new left-back as they are not entirely sold on the Brazilian Emerson and they believe Taiwo would be a good addition to the squad.

The Nigeria full-back,

R

AFAEL Nadal is bat tling hard to recover from a knee complaint and be fit for the defence of his Olympic crown.

The 26-year-old is due to carry the Spanish flag and lead his nation’s team at the opening ceremony in London.

Speaking as he received the flag from the Spanish Olympic Committee, he said: “I am doing everything possible to recover.

“After (winning the French open at) Roland Garros I had a difficult time, but the excitement is at its maximum, I am working as hard as I can and hopefully I will be at 100%.

“I am the one who is most worried. I hope that things improve and my intention is to arrive in London well prepared and recuperated. It is for this that I work every day.

“Carrying the flag will be something unforgettable and I hope that Spain continue on the path of success it has been on for the past few years.”

African youth champions Nigeria are preparing for a July 29 first leg qualifier away in Tanzania.

The second leg match will be played in Nigeria on August 11.

3SC suf fer setback

M

UTIU Adegoke ad mits 3SC’s attempt to qualify for the Caf Confederation Cup would now require a herculean effort following their 0-2 defeat to Jigawa Stars.

The Ibadan side had risen to 6th place in the premier league following up an impressive goalless draw in Ijebu-Ode against Sunshine Stars with a 2-0 home defeat of Akwa United, but the loss to Jigawa Stars has seen them slip to 8th.

Though it is still mathematically possible to achieve their dreams of qualifying for Africa, Adegoke told SuperSport.com that it would be difficult considering they come up against very strong opposition in the remaining fixtures.

Enyimba decide Fed Cup fate

N

•Eguawoen

PL side, Enyimba will decide today their participation in the Bauchi Group A centre of the 2012 Federation Cup. Enyimba are still holed up in Katsina-Ala after the midweek’s matchday 34 at Lobi Stars.

Teams at the Bauchi centre are still holding out after they raised securi-

ty concern in the Northern state with the NFF insisting that the centre is safe for football.

None of the four teams at the centre namely Enyimba, Warri Wolves, Lobi Stars and Samba have arrived the state as at Saturday for the start of the group games on Monday.

An official of Enyimba, Okey Nwabekee told SuperSport.com that Sunday will be the decision day as far as their Cup participation at the Bauchi centre is concerned.

“Tomorrow (Sunday) a decision will be taken whether or not we’ll take part in the group games at the Bauchi centre.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNLY15 , 2012 — 55

FIF A house of corruption 4th Chief of Naval Staff swimming begins

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, CALABAR

T

HE 4th Chief of Naval Staff Open swimming completion organized by the Nigeria Swimming Federation in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy has kicked off at the swimming pool of the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar,

the Cross River State capital Addressing journalists in Calabar, chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Navy Commodore Babalola Egbedina said that 32 swimming events comprising of 16 males and 16 females will be competing laurels in the event.

Commodore Egbedina also disclosed that there

will be 28 individual events and that participants were expected from states that have swimmers.

He said that the Chief of Naval Staff Open Swimming competition has been an event that had acquired annual ring to it and that the decision to host the competition in Cross River state was to put a seal of continuity into the development of swimming.

Estelle Dogbe, Director, Youth Enpowerment & Development Intiative and Mr. Patrick Utomi, Public & Government Affairs with a team at the Skillz Naija VCT Malaria Football Tournament sponsored by ExxonMobil Foundation at Abete, Iwaya, Yaba, Lagos. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

Ebon yi reaf ow ar ds Ebonyi reafff irms commitment ttow owar ards spor vt of sporting activities in the other sectors, requires partsportt de devt

BY PETER OKUTU

C

ONTRARY to insin uations in some quarters that Governor Martin Elechi has not done so much to improve the development of sports in the state, the government at the weekend debunked such claims,“saying, the reverse was the case as it has invested huge resources towards the development of sports in the state.

State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Chief Samuel Ngbada who stated this while receiving executives and members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Ebonyi state chapter in his office, noted that the present administration had not relented in sponsoring sports men and women to several national tournaments within and outside the state.

Ngbada called on the private sector to complement the effort of government towards the advancement

state, insisting that government, because of its pressing commitments in

nership so as to create lasting impact in the area of sports development.“

Racing Eagles appoints manager

BY IME BASSEY

N

IGERIAN Racing Eagles (NRE) has appointed former Lotus Renault F1 team manager, John Wickham as its team manager.

Owner of the team, Ribi Adeshokan, who disclosed this to Saturday Vanguard Sports from London said that Wickham’s appointment will bring growth and international competitiveness to NRE as his wealth of experience in driving development will serve as a springboard for drivers’ discovery and advancement.

“We have appointed

John Wickham, former Team Manager of Renault Lotus F1 in 2011, Bentley GT and Audi UK Sport as Nigeria Racing Eagles Team Manager. John’s appointment is a big catch for us because of his Formula 1 experience, which I believe will give us huge attraction in Nigeria and globally,” he said.

Adeshokan added that Racing Eagles will compete in four races before the end of the year, precisely from September.

The races include, Silverstone BGT, Moscow FIA GT3, Barcelona Open GT and Abu Dhabi 12hr.

U

NFOLDING events at the house of world’s football governing body, FIFA clearly shows that the house is not only one of corruption but peopled by evil men, like its president, Joseph Sepp Blatter once described some of them at the tick of the bribe for vote scandal which consumed our own Dr Amos Adamu and Tahitian, Reynald Temarii in late 2010.

While the Adamu and Temarri scandal lasted, some members of the football family, called the BBC and London Sunday Times names for stking the fire, stressing that they were just trying to bring down FIFA because England failed to clinch the bid for the 2018 World Cup which was won by Russia.

Like the proverbial tortoise which is famed for always being in the news for negative reasons, FIFA was in the news again last year when the lid was blown open over another bribery scam, this time involving two top shots and vice presidents of the body, Jack Warner of the Trinidad and Tobago and the Qatari who sought to unseat Blatter, Mohammed Bin Hammam.

Both men denied complicity in the bribery scam but proofs against them were overwhelming and they were shown the way out, keeping to Blatter ’s vow to rid FIFA of the ‘devils’ in football. Warner threatened to spill the beans and expose Blatter but he later ate his words and was allowed to just resign instead of being humiliated out.

Before the ISL scandal which has now indicted Blatter’s successor and longest serving FIFA president, Joao Havelange and his son-in-law, Ricardo Teixeira, who until recently was head of the Brazilian Football Association, Havelange had also been indicted in another scandal in the International Olympic Committee, IOC but before was investigated, he threw in the towel.

The ISL scandal has exposed FIFA as a body filled with corrupt people who can tempt the holiest of men once he agrees to be part of them. No wonder the members are always protecting one another irrespective of the allegation brought against them.

It is now clear that members have used the hosting of its competitions to fleece countries of tax payers money and Nigeria is a very good example.

Warner proved the master in this act as he visited the country several times

when Nigeria hosted both the U-20 and U-17 World Cups in 1999 and 2009 respectively.

Even though they had it easy in 1999 under the military government of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua could not be fooled as he had to slash the bogus budget brought to him for the U-17 World Cup in 2009.

FIFA’s men, both within and from outside found another way to rob Nigeria of her money insisting on handling some projects for the hosting of the competition which they claim must be of FIFA standard. But when European or American countries like Scotland and Canada hosted in 1989 and 2007 respectively, the world saw the use of makeshift stands around some playgrounds but in Nigeria, government was forced to build stadia with bloated budgets which European countries have said are four times higher than what they use to put up their own structures.

The ISL scandal which has now consumed Havelange and Teixeira happened while Blatter was secretary general and one therefore wonders if it could have happened without Blatter’s knowledge. Havelange planted Blatter as his successor over Europe’s Lennart Johansson and hence the marketing scam was able to be covered for so long until now.

Pressure should be mounted on Warner who vowed to expose other FIFA men who are neck deep in bribery. He was Blatter’s hench man for a very long time, cris-crossing countries, pretending to be supervising projects for the hosting of FIFA events and should know so much.

That he was advised to resign and charges against him dropped leaves much to be desired and should be investigated. He must have been begged to mellow as his expose may have a telling effect on FIFA as a body and football in general.

The case of Warner, Hammam and now Havelange and Teixeira would make Adamu a saint after all. Adamu and Temarii only attempted to collect bribe but Hammam actually bribed Warner and his CONCACAF officials for votes while Havelange and Teixeira took bribe running into millions of dollars. All these show that FIFA is nothing but a house of corruption.

Congr ats D’T iger Congrats D’Tiger igerss N

IGERIA’S national male basketball team, D’Tigers last weekend qualified for the Olympic Games, the first time in Nigeria’s Olympic history. Nobody gave them a chance when they left for the qualifiers in Venezuela, especially after losing their first game to the host.

Hope was however rekindled after they beat Europe’s power house, Lithuania to qualify for the quarter final and Greece to pick the semi final ticket.

Even though they lost the semi final to Russia to miss an automatic ticket, Nigerians prayed they should pick the third available ticket in the third place match.

They didn’t disappoint and just like they did in Maputo, Mozambique to win their first All Africa Games gold last year, the team propelled by Olumide Oyedeji overcame Dominican Republic fighting with the Nigerian spirit in them.

SUNDAY Vanguard, July 15, 2012

Drogba gets hero’s welcome in China

I

VORY Coast football star Didier Drogba has arrived to a hero’s welcome in China, to take up a contract to play

for Shanghai Shenhua.

Hundreds of fans of the struggling Chinese Super League team greeted the 34-

Onye’s verdict: No more local coaches if Keshi fails

By Patrick Omorodion

F

ROM their days as Green Eagles to Super Eagles, the national male football team have been tutored by several local coaches namely Adegboye Onigbinde, Paul Hamilton, Monday Sinclair, Christian Chukwu, Austin Eguavoen, Shaibu Amodu, Samson Siasia and currently Stephen Keshi.

Of all these, Onigbinde seems to have the best credentials, having taken the team to the final of the Africa Nations Cup in 1984, losing to Cameroon and getting the silver consolation. Eguavoen and then Amodu followed with a bronze medal performance.

Siasia appears to be the one who Nigerians expected most from but ended up becoming the worst, not even qualifying for the Nations Cup. The slide occasioned by Siasia’s poor handling of the team, is what Keshi is saddled with rectifying and Nigerians from all walks of life are praying for him to succeed but former junior international, Kingsley Onye is not one to pray but has said it is success or nothing.

Ever outspoken, Onye, speaking on a Brila FM radio programme monitored in

JOYOUS....Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare celebrates after winning the women’s 100m final at the 2012 Diamond League athletics meet at Crystal Palace in London on July 14. Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce came second. Photo: AFP

year-old former Chelsea star at Shanghai’s Pudong airport.

Drogba’s reported $300,000 (£193,000) a week salary makes him one of the world’s highest paid footballers.

Drogba is among many foreign stars who have made recent moves to China.

He joins former Chelsea colleague Nicolas Anelka at Shanghai Shenhua.

Soon after his arrival, Drogba insisted he had not come for the money.

He said: “It would have been easier for me to stay in Europe, but I chose China.

Money is not the most important [thing]. I am here for a whole new experience.”

The BBC’s John Sudworth in Shanghai says that Shenhua is a club with an ambition that far outstrips its modest earnings.

Drogba’s reputed salary is not far off the club’s total revenue from ticket sales and advertising combined, he says.

Like other big spending Chinese clubs, our correspondent says, the maths add up only because of the big spending ways of the owners and the multi-billion-dollar companies they run.

The hope is that the injection of new foreign talent will help to raise standards in China.

Nadal in Olympic battle — P.54

Continues on P54

•Nadal

Mikel keeps No.12 shirt

Milan confirm Benfica after Taiwo — P.54

ACROSS 1. Nigeria’s neighbour (8) 4. Nigerian tribe (4) 6. Bird of prey (5) 7. Geometrical shape (8) 8. Shaft (4) 9. Tidy (4) 10. Turncoat (8) 11. One (4) 12. Within (2) 13. Boxes in training (5) 15. Tub (4) 18. Looked at (4) 21. Nigerian state (4) 23. Notion (4) 25. Sports field (5) 27. Above (2) 28. Image (4) 29. Lowers (8) 30. Emblem (4) 31. Hausa boy’s name (4) 32. Dared (8) 34. Barrier (5) 35. Friend (4) 36. Gently (8)

DOWN 1.Bed (3) 2. Enugu soccer team (7) 3. Maiden name (3) 4. Planet (7) 5. Chosen by vote (7) 9. After this (4) 10. Knock (3) 14. Nigerian Grammy Laureate (3) 16. Hatchet (3) 17. Hello (2) 19. Still (3) 20. Mathematical constant (2) 21. Anambra city (7) 22. Cancel (7) 24. Extinct flightless bird (4) 25. Sowed (7) 26. Lettuce (3) 32. Animal doctor (3) 33. Twelve hours (3)

•Mikel SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE

5

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