More crude oil gas pipelines bombed

C M Y K

PAGE 2 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

C M Y K

SUND AY Vanguard , JANU ARY 17 , 2016, P AGE 3 SUNDA JANUARY

C M Y K

PAGE 4 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 5

RETURN OF N-DELTA MILITANCY?

FOR LATE LADOKE AKINTOLA

Major crude oil, gas pipelines bombed

By Emma Amaize ttacks on oil installations in Delta A State entered the third day,

yesterday, as militants blew-up major crude oil and gas pipelines to the Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, Tank Farm in Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.

Blown up on Friday night was the main crude line from Makaraba through Otunana and Abiteye to Escravos while Olero to Escravos gas line was attacked in the early hours of yesterday.

Earlier on Thursday, the Escravos – Warri – Abuja – Lagos pipelines came under attack. The Itsekiri raised the alarm, yesterday, that the attacks could metamorphose into another Ijaw-Itsekiri war.

These acts of sabotage are coming at a time when global crude oil price continues its downward move.

THE military, yesterday, deployed army and naval personnel in the creeks of Delta State to contain the militants.

Our source, who spoke from one of the Ijaw communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, at about 5.30 pm said, “The situation is not clear yet, but there are gunboats everywhere. It is a combined team of soldiers and navy people patrolling the creeks.

“Movement is restricted.

The military personnel are going about to show their presence and scare the militants, who strike in the night and not in the daytime. But, at least, their presence has shown that the military was ready to confront them.”

The authorities, caught napping by the resumption of hostilities four days ago, reportedly saw the danger of allowing further bombings and mobilised to counter the militants.

After bombing the Escravos-Warri-AbujaLagos pipelines at about 10.00 pm on Thursday, the militants were

•Military deploy troops

emboldened to blow up Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL’s Utunana – Makaraba crude oil line at 10.30 pm on Friday and proceeded to bomb Olero gas line in the early hours of yesterday.

Their target it is believed is to cripple crude oil production and arm-twist the Federal Government.

Already, CNL, heavily hit by the Thursday and Friday attacks, was considering shutting down operations, even as workers have been restricted to their camps in the affected locations.

The Itsekiri fear Chair, Itsekiri Regional Development Council, IRDC, Chief Ayiri Emami, expressed concern, yesterday, that with attacks targeted at oil facilities in Itsekiri towns and villages, it might metamorphose into another Ijaw/Itsekiri war.

He said those carrying out the attacks were Ijaw militants known to the security agencies, state and federal governments, and challenged them to rein in the gunmen.

Meanwhile, ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, maintained, yesterday, that he had no hands in the bombings. His media adviser, Paul Bebenimibo, told Sunday Vanguard: “Tompolo has nothing to do with the ongoing attacks.”

Emami, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard on phone, said, “The situation right now is unpredictable.

This was how the Itsekiri and Ijaw crisis started in 2003 and 2007.

Government and security agencies know the person blowing up the pipelines and his boys, they cannot say that that they do not know them. I do not see how the entire local government area should be put on edge because of one person and his selfish interests.”

He went on “We are concerned because they have left their areas to bomb oil facilities in Itsekiri areas of Dibi,

Abiteye and Kpokpo and the next thing now; they want to bomb Itsekiri villages. They started on Thursday night; government and security agents are looking at them, so they continued again on Friday night.

“Probably, they will continue again on Saturday night. That is why we are calling on government to stop them because we know their plan. They want to make this place ungovernable, but we will not fold our arms and watch them.

“It is the same set of boys who blew up the EscravosWarri-Lagos-Abuja gas pipeline that they sent to blow up Chevron pipelines.

They have been holding nocturnal meetings on where to bomb in the last few days.”

Last night, on industry source told Sunday Vanguard that CNL and other oil companies in the riverside areas of Delta State were on the verge of shutting operations out of fear of the unknown.

‘Tompolo stepped on toes’ Also, yesterday, the Warri

From left, Daughter of late Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Dr. Abimbola Akintola; Representative of the Governor of Lagos State and Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Tunde Durosinmi-Etti; Chairman of the event and former Vice-President of Nigeria, Sir Alex Ekweume, his wife Dr. Helen; and the Guest Lecturer, Prof.

Akinjide Osuntokun, at a public lecture to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the passage of former Premier of the old Western Region, Late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, held at NIIA, Victoria Island on Saturday in Lagos Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group, WIPMG, Warri, Delta State, said Ekpemupolo stepped on powerful toes while executing his contract to protect gvernment oil installations and the forces have now coalesced against him.

The group, in a statement by its chair, Chief Patrick Bigha, condemning the bombing of crude oil and gas pipelines in Warri in the last few days, said the involvement of All Progressives Congress, APC chieftains in

Bayelsa state, who are out to spite Tompolo should not be ruled out.

It said: “The Warri Ijaw Peace Monitoring Group wishes to condemn the renewed wanton destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

We are truly disturbed with this happening as the Nigerian economy is in a bad shape; therefore, we are calling on those behind this act to cease hostilities immediately.

“We are not happy over the incident as it look like a smear campaign against

the person of High Chief G o v e r n m e n t Ekpemupolo,because of his position in the Bayelsa State governorship election as well as the issue with the EFCC, which is a legal issue that will be appropriately addressed.

“It is worthy of note that Tompolo will not embark on such self destructive mission as one that fervently believes in the Nigeria project, and has contributed to peace building and development of Nigeria.”

Lassa fever: Lagos shuts hospital, quarantines 40 Chioma Obinna & Monsuru Olowoopejo

F

ollowing the fear of the outbreak of Lassa fever in Lagos, the state government, yesterday, placed 25 health workers and 15 patients under surveillance.

The state government also shut Ahmmadiyyah Hospital, Ojokoro in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area where the first case of the disease was reported in the state.

This came barely 24 hours after the Lagos government confirmed the first case of the fever in the state.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the patient, 25-year-old Ahmed Fasasi, an undergraduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, was at the Accident and Emergency Unit of Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, where he was being isolated.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this, in a statement, added that the state government had commenced contact tracing for residents who had contacts with the first case.

“Ahmmadiyyah Hospital, where the first case of the disease in Lagos was reported, is now under surveillance and there will be no service delivery in the facility until further notice.

“The 15 in-patients as well as 25 health workers in the facility are being monitored for the next 21 days.

Contacts tracing is ongoing; and currently we have 92 contacts and all are

..tracing 92 contacts …first contact now stable being followed-up,” Idris added.

The commissioner, however, urged residents to watch out for the signs and symptoms of Lassa fever which often occur within 1-3 weeks after the patient contacts the virus.

His words, “Early symptoms of the disease include: fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. Late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding

from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood. It could progress to coma, shock and death.” ….On how first case arrive Lagos He noted that the first case recorded in the state was presently being treated at LUTH, saying “his condition is stable.”

He stated that the 25-yearold patient fell ill after arriving Lagos and was

Why Nigeria is going down the hill —Ekwueme •50 years after, 1966 coup still haunts us –Prof Osuntokun

By Akoma Chinweoke

F

or mer Vice President Alex Ekwueme has warned that unless Nigeria learns from the mistakes of the past, it would continuously go down the hill.

Ekwueme spoke yesterday, in Lagos, at a public lecture to th commemorate the 50 anniversary of the passage of Chief Samuel Lodoke Akinola, a former Premier of the defunct Western Region. He said Akintola was one of those who made Nigerian politics

interesting in the First Republic. Also speaking at the event, Prof. Akinjide Osuntokun, the guest lecturer, whose piece was titled, Tomorrow As Yesterday: The Essential Samuel Ladoke Akinola, noted that 50 years provide a time- frame within which an objective assessment of past events can be viewed.

He regretted that five decades after Akintola was cut down by a band of rebellious soldiers in a coup d’ etat that led to a chain of events that disrupted democratic trajectory of Nigeria, the consequences still haunt Nigeria.

“The dust of history

taken to Ahmmadiyyah Hospital, Ojokoro on January 9.

Idris explained that the patient complained of fever, sore throat and difficulty in swallowing.

“He was subsequently placed on admission for six days and was thereafter referred by the private hospital to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) on the 14th of January, 2016 because the fever was persistent and his condition was not improving. He was confirmed as a case of Lassa fever on the 15th of January, 2016 at LUTH,” he stated. presumably would have settled and emotional trauma would somehow have been healed because time is a healer. Therefore what happened in the past even though it has implication for the present and for the future does not necessarily determine the trajectory of events in the present,”the professor stated.. “History repeats itself and, as George Santayana said, when history repeats itself, it comes as a tragedy and those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. This is why it is very important to study the past in order for the present not to repeat the mistakes of the past”.

Osuntokun however, said it is unfortunate that the country has not learnt from the lessons from the past, adding that this explained why it keeps doing the same thing and expecting different result.

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016

‘MISSING 2016 BUDGET’

Aso Rock moves to douse tension •Senate berates Bisi Akande

By Gbenga Olarinoye

W

orried by the controversy dogging the 2016 Budget at the National Assemble, there were indications at the weekend that President Muhammadu Buhari is set to decontaminate the odium of the situation.

Sunday Vanguard was informed by usually dependable sources inside Aso Rock Presidential Villa that “some tacit clarifications might be made tomorrow”.

The source disclosed that the difference spotted by the Senate “does not really affect the substance of the budget to the extent that there is a serious breach”.

Meanwhile, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and one-time governor of Osun State, while commenting on the 2016 Budget controversy during an interview, lampooned the Senate leadership for what he described as an act of

indiscipline.

The APC chieftain said his party was mindful of the consequences of allowing wrong people to be at the helm of affairs which was the reason the party wanted disciplined individuals to lead the Senate.

“Nigeria’s budget is a huge document and one wonders how such a document could be missing in the Senate. The development is a fallout of indiscipline that brought the current leadership of the Senate into the position and, as you know, that was not the choice of our party”, Akande stated. But in a reaction, the Senate told Akande that he got it wrong. The Senate said it was regrettable that a man of the former party leader’s status would respond to mere speculation without crosschecking his facts or, worse still, eager to latch on to any opportunity to bring to disrepute the leadership of the Senate because he failed to get his choice candidates elected.

In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate urged Akande to check his records properly so that he

I spent my money on Jonathan’s campaign — Anenih Wale Akinola

A

former Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, has given an insight into the controversial N260 million he received from the embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuko (retd), during the Jonathan administration.

Sunday Vanguard learnt, at the weekend, that Anenih shed light on the money in a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The money is the subject of a probe by the EFCC as part of the investigation into the $2.1 billion arms money Dasuki allegedly disbursed for purposes other than security.

A source at that anti-graft agency quoted the former BoT Chairman of the PDP as saying, in the letter, that the N260 million was a refund of the N400 million he disbursed, on the instruction of Jonathan to elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai; the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae; and the leader of the Accord Party, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja, among others, for ‘special political assignments’ ahead of the 2015 polls.

The source added that Anenih claimed that he merely, on request, gave the former President his bank account details into which the refund should be made, and that he was not in the position to ask Jonathan how he was

going to source money for the refund or through which office it would be made.

Falae and Ladoja have confirmed receiving N100 million each from the PDP leader while Yakassai took N63 million.

According to the EFCC source, Anenih explained that the N263 million he gave to the three men was N3 million in excess of the N260 million paid him, while he had outstanding balance of N180 million to collect from the former President.

“The PDP leader made it clear in the letter to the EFCC that he was not a beneficiary of the money and that he was only acting on the instruction of Jonathan to disburse it”, the source stated.

Other disbursements Anenih made on Jonathan’s instruction to bring the total to N400 million, according to the letter, include N25 million to a former deputy governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Muktari Shagari, and N35 million to a delegation of local government leaders from Katsina State.

Besides, Anenih was said to have indicated in the letter that, on the instruction of the former President, the BoT of the PDP then, under his chair, embarked on a nationwide reconciliation tour and that the money he spent on hiring private jet during the tour, among other responses, was also not refunded to him.

The PDP leader pointed out that, in spite of his commitment to stabilising the party and its leadership and to ensure post-election peace, he was pressurized to resign as BoT chair on trumped-up charges of anti-party activities and alleged overbearing influence.

could see that “at no time did the Senate say the 2016 Budget was missing”.

Rather, Abdullahi noted, the legislative house had insisted in several official statements and press interviews by its principal officers that the budget was not missing but that two different versions are now available.

He explained that the statement by Akande was another expression of the frustration that the former governor of Osun State suffers for not being able to impose his men on the Senate as leaders.

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (centre); Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. Babachir David Lawal (2nd right); Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Kelechi Igwe (left); Former Governor of Ebonyi State, Sen. Dr. Sam O. Egwu (2nd left); and Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Barr. James Ocholi, at the official visit/ formal commissioning of CBN Road at the Centenary City, Abakaliki.

Biafra: Tension as MASSOB,IPOB ‘resume protests Kanu, who was arrested by public to stay at home from order in a statement by his tomorrow’ for the Department of State tomorrow(Monday) as Commissioner

By Francis Igata

T

here was tension in the South-East, yesterday, following the threat by the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra,MASSOB,and the Indigenous People of Biafra,IPOB, to, from tomorrow,lock down the region in protests, over the continued detention of Radio Biafra Director,Nnamdi Kanu.

Security,DSS, on October 17,2015, on arrival from the United Kingdom, has been in DSS detention facility in Abuja even though the Magistrate Court,Wuse 11,and Federal High Court,Abuja Division had both granted him bail and ordered his release.

In a statement by the MASSOB National Director of Information, Samuel Edeson, and IPOB Secretary,Ibem Ugwuoke Ibem, yesterday,the proBiafra groups warned the

there will be massive civil disobedience,protests and demonstrations in the South-East and parts of the South-South to force the Federal Government to comply with the court orders.

In the meantime, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has ordered security operatives to arrest any pro-Biafra element flouting the ban against secessionist protests in any part of the state. The governor, who gave the

Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, yesterday, said government will not tolerate any form of proBiafra protest in any part of Rivers. Tam-George said the governor had to reiterate the ban on pro-Biafra protests in the state following reports that some agitators were embarking on illegal separatist processions and demonstrations in parts of Oyigbo local government area.

FOREX CRISIS: Naira may crash further this week

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

B

anks have recorded near zero foreign currency deposit inflow from high net-worth individuals indicating that their domiciliary account customers are staying cautious on the reversal of foreign currency deposit ban by Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, early last week.

The development has sustained scarcity of foreign exchange in the market as well as the high exchange rate above N300/ USD1 CBN had hoped to buoy foreign currency supply from independent sources through the de-freezing of foreign currency deposits, and hence help douse the pressure on exchange rate which had accentuated last week.

Sunday Vanguard investigations last weekend, however, showed that only low-end domiciliary account holders responded to the policy with a few dollar deposits, a situation which prompted some of the banks to send out marketing sensitization to their customers to come forward and deposit their dollar with them.

Some of the bankers who spoke to Sunday Vanguard

expressed surprise that much dollar did not come in during the week contrary to the expectations that customers who had inundated them with inquiry on how to deposit their foreign currencies did not turn up in response to CBN's directive.

CBN had, mid last year, barred banks from accepting foreign currency deposits from their customers, a development that cut most of the customers napping, with foreign currency cash in their homes, with the attendant danger.

Last week, CBN reversed itself, allowing the deposits but it appeared the domiciliary account depositors have found alternatives.

Some of the bankers told Sunday Vanguard that some of the depositors now trade or invest their dollar cash with Bureau de Changes, BDCs, where exchange rates and returns on investments are far higher, not minding the risks involved.

However, they also explained that some of the bigger volume customers are finding options with foreign bank accounts.

Consequently, the expected inflow of dollar into the domiciliary accounts with local banks did not come as much

as was anticipated.

But some financial sector observers said the high volume dollar account customers were skeptical about the policy reversal which was silent on withdrawals.

The CBN foreign currency deposit restriction policies had come with imposition of limits on foreign currency withdrawals, but the unbanning of deposits last week was silent on withdrawals.

This gap, according to the analysts, may have short-circuited the expected positive response from most domiciliary account holders especially the high-end customers.

Commenting on the policy reversal, financial sector analysts at Afrinvest Group said "CBN reneged on its earlier policy, announcing its decision to allow commercial banks accept foreign currency deposits but was not clear on whether foreign currency transfers or withdrawals can be made".

They are also worried that despite the huge crash in value of the Naira against world's major currencies, CBN maintained its official rate at N197/ USD1 thereby creating wider parallel market margin of about 50 per cent, the highest so far in the history of Nigeria's

er insis ts on account 2016 Budget: Delt Deltaa Speak Speaker insists accountability ability,, ability positioned to meeting the demands pr obity ansparency ofmakingwellfocusedresearched our legislative duties and other probity obity,, tr transparency

S

peaker, Delta House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, Tuesday, said the house would ensure accountability,probity,transparency and efficiency in the implementation, monitoring and evaluationofthe2016budgeteven as he praised the judiciary for the sound judgment in favour of governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Igbuya said the house is adequately

and people oriented laws that will impact positively on the people.

Igbuya advised his colleagues to brace up for the ever-evolving and unfinished business of state developmentasthemonthsahead will be challenging. “We have shown uncommon resilience, maturity and understanding. Our display of competence, patriotism andcommitmenttodutywhichwe demonstrated while carrying out

assignments,hasinnosmallmeans translatedtothesuccesstheHouse has enjoyed. We should not compromiseorbetraythemandate the people gave us for pecuniary gains.Wemustworkhardtosecure abetterlifeandgreateropportunities for them through viable and pragmatic laws and other legislative instruments that would ensure viable socio-economic and infrastructuraltransformationinall the29constituenciesinthestate.

currency market.

Consequently, Afrinvest stated that "this calls for a quick response of the monetary authority given the huge margin between the official and parallel market rates.

"With foreign reserves at lows of US$28.7 billion and oil prices at US$29.47 per barrel, a compelling argument to devalue the Naira at the next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting cannot be jettisoned", it stated. Analysts at Cowry Asset Management, a Lagos based investment house, expressed discomfort at the policy reversal which they believe fell short of capturing other factors that would have made it achieve desired results. They stated, "we are worried that the policies of CBN on the foreign exchange management seem to be made in silos as all the ramifications didn't seem to have been factored in before the announcements, hence the frequent reversals and consequent loss of confidence by the business and investing public.

"We will advice the Monetary authorities to articulate an integrated policy on foreign exchange management taking into consideration the fiscal policy objectives of the federal government.

"We also think that CBN being the recipient and owner of 90% of the country's foreign exchange earnings must evolve a channel for injecting dollar cash liquidity into the system, to meet legitimate needs". Concluding its prognosis of the foreign currency market situation, Cowry Assets analysts stated, "this week we expect further depreciation of the Naira at the alternative market segments on aggravated supply scarcity buoyed by the closure of CBN’s window to BDCs".

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 7

‘Frustration drove me to take young girls abroad for prostitution!’

•Diary of a human-trafficking victim-turned-trafficker

By Olayinka Latona

U

doka Enohuean (not real names) is a self-confessed human trafficking survivor.

According to her, in a bid to get a lucrative job and make life meaningful for her family, she ran into trouble as she became a prostitute in Burkina Faso.

Meanwhile, the job did not give her the money she craved for.

The native of Ishan, Edo State said: “I was 18 years old when a business woman in our community took some ladies and I to Burkina Faso.

The initial deal was that she will take us to Senegal and then to Europe.

But, surprisingly, she took us to Burkina Faso and she was nowhere to be found the following morning we arrived there. Unknown to us, she had sold us to a man”, She told her story to Sunday Vanguard during the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church yearly programme, tagged, ‘Mgbidi 2015?.”

“Immediately, our heads, armpit, private parts were shaved and the hair used to initiate us into some cult.

So horrifying, some of the girls went mad during the initiation. You could be asked to visit a burial ground late in the night for the ritual or sleep with a dead body. Later, we lived in a hotel where we operated as prostitutes and what we earned used to pay this man every day. Everything turned gloomy for me. I found myself in thick darkness of prostitution that I could not deliver myself from. It was a horrible situation,”the victim said.

“We had a booklet each where we

recorded our returns everyday and once the money for which we were sold to the man was paid, which could be paid within five to nine months, freedom will be organised for such a person.

“My boss took us to a native doctor who gave us some charm to protect us from being arrested by law enforcement agents, With the aid of the charm, we could manipulate men to give us more cash after sex.

“Within months, I completed my payment but I was tired of such a life and I told my boss I wanted to go back home. But she refused. So I ran to the community leader for help.

I also went to the Nigerian embassy in Burkinan Faso but no one listened to me. Rather, the government officials of that country arrested me and took me to Abuja where I was detained with criminals for three months in a police station. I was later paraded as a criminal.”

Revenge mission “After my release, I was determined to take thousands of Nigerian girls to Burkina Faso. I became a girl-trafficker. I traveled to my village, dressing gorgeously and flaunting money to young girls.

I was able to take some girls to Burkina Faso. I did this in annoyance because when I needed help, government officials refused to help me because the people involved in child-trafficking knew many security agents and they could bribe their way out. I realized if one could join the group, it was easy to take girls out of the country. ‘ Traffickers take advantage of porous border’

cases of those trafficked abroad, especially for prostitution, with a view to helping them. We have hundreds of

our girls who are tired of the business of prostitution abroad but now have nowhere to turn to”, she said.

Removal of fuel subsidy: Group backs FG

“The Seme border was a no-go area for us because security personnel there were very strict, but we always bribed our way through the Saki border. And there was no need for international passport to cross the border at the Saki border.

An identity card was enough, especially if it was accompanied by a few Naira notes and we always had a smooth journey. Most of the officers there knew we were involved in human trafficking”.

Cry to government Enohuean, now mother of five children, called on the Federal Government to tackle youth unemployment from further being trafficked abroad for prostitution, adding that many of the girls become victims because of their quest for employment and better life outside the country. “An unemployed hand is a prey for traffickers. State and federal governments should please set up a body to look into the

A group,Niger-Delta Security Outfit ‘Coast Guard of the Federation’ has backed the Federal Government's plan to remove fuel subsidy.

The security outfit headed by the Commandant, General Bibi Oduku declared this while launching information system on best way to protect oil facilities and checking the excesses of militants in the riverine area through the anti-corruption unit of the guard. Oduku stated that the outfit is in total support of the current anti-corruption crusade of the Federal Government, saying it is the beginning of better things to come. He revealed that the outfit is mapping out

plans to checkmate the activities of hoodlums in the riverine areas, vowing that they will stop at nothing to ensure that development gets to the various riverine communities.

While commending the Joint Task force, JTF and other security agencies for maintaining peace and order in the region, Commander Oduku said if the region is secure, local and foreign investors can come and invest in the area.

Onuesoke tasks Urhobo Social Club, Lagos Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has enjoined members of Urhobo Social Club based in Lagos to key into the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to fast-track the development of the state.

Onuesoke, who made the appeal during a grand reception organized for the group at the palacestof Ovie of Olomu, Ohworode 1 , said Urhobo had been in opposition in the state for too long, adding that joining Okowa in building the state would move Delta forward in the social and economic spheres while Urhobos would also benefit from the system. He said already, the Urhobos have started benefiting from Okowa’s government

hence they got key appointments in the government, adding that majority of Urhobo youths are gainfully employed in Delta Job and Wealth Creation Scheme known as OkowaPlus.

Onuesoke pointed out that the Urhobo Social Club in Lagos made up of businessmen and professionals would contribute a great deal to the development of Delta State due to their vast academic knowledge and experience should they key into the administration of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Boko Haram: Buhari orders reinstatement of Ex-GOC

By Kingsley Omonobi, Abuja

P

resident Muham madu Buhari has di rected the Nigerian Army to immediately reinstate Major General Ahmed

Muhammed, the erstwhile General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 7th Division of the Army, Maiduguri, Borno State whose official vehicle was fired at by troops protesting the death of their

colleagues in a Boko Haram ambush.

Consequently, the former GOC has been recalled and is awaiting posting by the Army headquarters.

Fish Plus Tombola Club elects Executive Officers The Fish Plus Tombola Club, a recreational club has elected officers to run its affairs for the next calender year. According to release by Sam Okoro –Igunere, those elected are, Ernest Nwabueze, President, Rex Ejumudo vice president. Others include Prosper Owivri as secretary, Okwoho Faras as Assistant Secretary; Sgt Elams was elected as Provost while Pius Olokor was elected Treasurer.

The election which was supervised by a three man committee includes Navy Cdre OH Okunbor (rtd), Rachael Solomon and Navy Cdre Osabuohien (rtd) who chaired the committee. Also in attendance were members of the Navy Quarters sports club who acted as observers Other elected officers are Bola Adesida as Social/Publicity secretary, Matthew Duru as Financial secretary and Barr Akpomerha Akpomerha as Membership secretary.

PAGE 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Wanted: A new national political party (2) President Buhari may “mean well for the

country, especially on the matter of fighting corruption and indiscipline. But, his maiden media chat shows a man still sadly trapped in the past, a man moving along haphazardly into the future along a single track. He must be prevailed upon urgently to reform and mend his ways if democracy is to survive, let alone flourish.” ake a guess who wrote those words. Was it Olisa Metuh? FaniKayode? Femi Aribisala?

Ayodele Fayose? The answer is: none of the usual “suspects”. Then who wrote it? Step

T

forward Akinlotan of the PALL ADIUM, on the back page of the NATION, who on Sunday, January 3, 2016, fired what might turn out to be the first, and certainly not the last, salvo in a war for the soul of the APC. The exquisitely written article was accompanied with a cartoon of President Buhari, half in military uniform and half in mufti – undoubtedly designed to remind us of the President’s past as a draconian military Head of State.

When my vendour delivered the paper on that Sunday, folded with the cartoon showing, I actually thought he had mistakenly brought another paper instead of

rexmarinus@hotmail.com

Nigeria’s “free market” of corruption

T

here is a link to the introduction and application of the

IMF and World Bank’s

concepts of “liberalization,” “privatization,” and the “free market” to the exponential rise of corruption in Nigeria.

There was always corruption in government, but before the advent of the IMF conditions, corruption in the public system was at its very minimal; what was known then as corruption would today pale in the face of the systemic subversion that has since buckled public governance in Nigeria.

An organized government must have an in-built control system to contain damage to the business of public governance.

“Liberalization” was a catchphrase that basically sought to reduce, water-down, or remove government regulations, or the systems of control that kept the “free market” at bay: basically, the policy of de-regulation implied less law, less oversight, less control of the blind phenomenon called “market forces.” Shorn of all euphemism, it is C M Y K

the principle that sees the national economic space as a frontiers space with economic cowboys shooting from the hip to achieve the highest value and profit. It is the legitimizing of profiteering by an oligarchy. Society had to be defined in terms of “insiders” and “outsiders,” and “ winners” or “losers.

The losers were often naturally, given the limited nature of resource, far more of the population, while winners, because of the rigged process of advantages, necessarily very few in number.

The very idea of a free market by its own very internal logic and nature is extremely corrupt.

The destruction of the public system, and all the key institutions that undergirded it, led to the decline of public accountability.

The weakening of the public system was predicated on the strategic reduction and subversion of the institutional means by which the state exerted control, and reduced the plural autarchies that have now increasingly assumed the power of

the NATION. Like most people, I was aware, even before the elections, that the contraption, called APC, will not last the distance.

Too many individuals who should ordinarily not be seen together had jumped into the leaky boat.

Unlike most people, I was sure that the alliance would not last till 2019 once the glue that bound them together – getting rid of Jonathan and the PDP had been removed. But, I was not prepared for the break to occur so soon.

The PALLADIUM is not just another column; it has been one of the gospels of the ACN progressives. Its author had been one the architects and promoters of that political machine and its owner. Owner you ask? Yes, owner, because if there had been, in recent times, a political machine owned by one man, it was the ACN. Every decision, including minor ones like choosing Ward Councilors, had to be made at one address at Ikoyi. To that political “Mecca” or “Jerusalem”, everyone having any aspiration within ACN, trooped to be anointed.

What of the Chairman of

the state: the oligarchs who now own everything that once belonged to the state and the commonwealth through “privatization.”

Nigerians publicly fought Babangida over the prospects of “privatizing” Nigeria’s public corporations. The IMF and the World Bank had told the government to sell it all off – privatize it all to limit waste and inefficiency. Good public Investments made in the 1950s, ‘60s ‘70s and ‘80s were sold off or strategically undermined to create space for private investment – NITEL, Nigerian Shipping Line, Nigerian Airways, Nigerian Railways, the Vehicle Assembly Plants; the Textile Mills; the Breweries; etc. Good industries that provided good jobs, and helped to create and maintain a good middle class, with good pay, were liquidated, sold off, or allowed to die.

Government-owned Banks were either privatized or liquidated, and all their assets sold to individuals who had been allowed to steal or borrow government funds in order to buy government-owned investments. Those with authority sold some either to themselves or to their proxies. In Imo state for example, Ike Nwachukwu as military governor sold industries which the Mbakwe government had borrowed to build, among them the Paint and Resin Industry in Mbaise, which he sold to himself; a controversial purchase for which he should still be held

the party you ask? He had a name; but he was totally without a voice. An echo rang out more clearly than the poor metaphor for a figure-head. It was the PALL ADIUM and SNOOPI NG AROUND columns who gave us a clear picture of what the owner was thinking. And, they are remarkably reliable. So, that piece on the first Sunday of 2016 left only one question in the mind of regular readers of that paper and who had the insight into the machine’s operations. Was PALLADIUM speaking the

and undisguised mouthpiece or he will denounce him and re-pledge his loyalty to the President and party. There can be no other choice.

Irrespective of what the owner does, his relationship with the President had been damaged. Granted, media practitioners like to make distinctions between the publisher of a paper and the contents of the paper. Politicians and “Mili-ticians” don’t.

As far as they are concerned the publisher

Unlike most people, I was sure that the alliance would not last till 2019 once the glue that bound them together – getting rid of Jonathan and the PDP - had been removed.

But, I was not prepared for the break to occur so soon mind of the owner of ACN? If he wasn’t, he had opened a breach between the “owner ” of ACN and the President – and several other people within the party who would consider the piece disloyal. Consequently, the “owner” will have one of two choices to make. He will either stand by his columnist

is responsible for what is in the paper.

But, what if PALL ADIUM was speaking for the “owner” of ACN? That would be worse for the APC; because with just one column, the basis of the alliance between ACN and CPC, which formed

accountable. In his coming as civilian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, once himself a soldier, and a very key ally of the “international community ” literally transferred the offices of Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning to the Headquarters of the World Bank and the IMF. As President, Obasanjo

which an organized national and nationalist government uses the means of the state, and through a highly systematized process of economic and political control creates state infrastructure, and state-driven industry, for effective and relatively even distribution of national wealth, and to drive growth.

The key example of this is China.

Crony capitalism is the means by which those who seize the power of the state use it to distribute the wealth of the state to a few oligarchs, mostly their friends, members of their families, or lovers – basically a narrow population – to control and dominate state wealth for the maintenance of the idea of private property. In State capitalism, State and private property exist side-by side. In crony capitalism, with its in-built condition of extreme corruption, private capital is like the lean, hungry cows of the Pharaonic visions, swallowing the fat, study, and healthy cows. The public school system – the great equalizer – are undermined, so that the private schools can thrive. The great public institutions like Kings College, the Government Colleges at Umuahia, Ibadan, Zaria or Ughelli – once the great national pride of Nigeria – are as a result underfunded and abandoned, so that the private, for profit secondary schools, may now thrive. The great

Nigerians publicly fought Babangida over the prospects of “privatizing” Nigeria’s public corporations.

The IMF and the World Bank had told the government to sell it all off – privatize it all to limit waste and inefficiency

supervised the complete and utter liquidation of Nigeria. Under Obasanjo, Nigeria’s public holdings, from factories to government housing stock was liquidated; privatized and sold in what should pass for the most brazen form of profiteering and looting of any nation in history. It was the transfer of Nigeria’s wealth through the patronage system to Obasanjo’s allies in a move that typified the highest character of the “free market” – crony capitalism, as distinct from “state capitalism.” State capitalism is a system by

the nucleus of the APC must have been removed.

Distrust had become so deep that it can no longer be hidden from the public.

If so, there are other consequences that follow such disagreements when they blow open. For a start, the ACN members now on the Federal cabinet, as Ministers, will face the same choices opened to Awolowo and Akintola supporters in the old Western Regional House of Assembly. Will they remain loyal to their former leader in ACN or will they join him in the trenches? Ah! PALLADIUM PALAVER!!!..

To be continued.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE “Metuh being investigated over N400m.”

NATION, January 4, 2016.

“EFCC traces N400m to army officer ’s account”.

PUNCH, January 7, 2016.

They claim there are no sacred cows in this fight against corruption. When it is Methu or Bello, their names are mentioned immediately. An army officer obviously has no name to be mentioned. Abi? Indeed, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” George Orwell, 1903-1950. We are watching the new face of the corruption of the judicial process…

public universities are, with their national research infrastructure and orientation, established to serve a thriving public system are deliberately destroyed, so that the private universities built by the likes of Obasanjo may take over. Public government is undermined.

Onceupon- a time in Nigeria, the best educated Nigerians from the best universities in the world were recruited to public service; now the public system is structured in such a way that the private sector takes the best, and leaves the dregs for the public system. In fact, the public service stopped recruiting, because it no longer serves the public, yet, government’s operational overhead grows in paying for ghost services.

All these because a public system was deliberately corrupted and undermined to clear grounds for the “private sector,”- another word for cronyism - starting with the so-called “IMF conditionalities.” It was no wonder therefore that Nigerians felt utterly outraged by the visit and reception accorded to Ms. Christine Lagarde, the Managing Director of the IMF who visited Nigeria, soon after President Buhari announced his budget, and after she left, the budget submitted to the National Assembly went missing, and resurfaced with alterations. The Budget submitted by Buhari continues on this beaten-track of national corruption, and worse, it lacks imagination.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 9

Budget 2016 as a puzzle to economists

BY DELE SOBOWALE “Faith is a sounder guide than reason. Reason can only go so far; but faith has no limits.

Blaise Pascal, 1623-1662.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 54).

I

n more than twenty years of analyzing annual budgets presented by the Federal Government, military or civilian, the 2016 budget is the first that has received partial endorsement – based on faith.

Assessed purely on the basis of pure reason, it has no chance of success. All the quantitative economic indices suggest that it should just be thrown in the trash can and forgotten. Yet, there is that gut feeling that somehow fortune will smile on Nigeria and the disaster being predicted in most quarters might not occur.

Incidentally, the faith in the possibility of a good outcome was provided by Buhari’s successor as military Head of State – General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB. In an address delivered on Saturday, October 26, 1985, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, near Jos, IBB acknowledged that “It is true that we have run through one of the greatest financial bonanzas that ever happened to a nation truly in need, so fast and so recklessly that we may wonder if it ever happened at all.” What IBB called a great financial bonanza in 1985 would be less than a month’s expenditure under Jonathan in 2013 or 2014.

Yet, we are back again in penury in 2016. However, IBB left a message of hope which inspires the faith underlying this column today when he said “but I believe wholeheartedly in the promise of God, that in the middle of the utmost adversity, He [God] creates and brings forth a new and greater glory and more auspicious circumstances for people that suffer. In this moment of hardship and difficulties, we should therefore take a close look at ourselves with renewed vision and together resolve to conquer our adversity.” It was probably the best address ever by any Head of State in Nigeria at any time of trouble – notwithstanding the fact that the speaker did little to “walk the talk”.

As it turned out, God did intervene, briefly during IBB’s administration. The Gulf War, the first between the USA and Iraq, drove the price of crude oil up again and resulted in the Gulf War

C M Y

bonanza in the early 1990s.

Unfortunately, like the other windfall which IBB alluded to in his fine speech, nobody, till today, can provide a credible account of what happened to that avalanche of good fortune. It certainly failed to bring forth “a new and greater glory” to Nigeria. Despite the personal failings of its author, there is a message in that IBB address which can help us in our current circumstances.

However, before addressing the areas where faith can help tremendously in our present circumstances, it is pertinent to acknowledge the daunting obstacles confronting us. Because “miracles happen to those who believe in them” (VBQ, p 160), it will require a miracle to overcome the biggest impediments standing in the way of achieving our goals. They are in the order of prominence:

•Senator Udoma number of days, week and months. That is a fact we ignore at our peril.

· crude oil prices · external loans · internal loans · non-oil revenue · time Because time is not generally recognized as an economic resource, permit me to start with it.

TIME AS AN ECONOMIC FACTOR This article was delayed for two days for one reason only. The most current global price of crude oil was needed to illustrate the importance of time in our calculations about the economy. Drawing on experience gained as a Financial Analyst at Polaroid Corporation, a Fortune 500 company in the early 1970s, an annual budget is quickly reduced to daily targets. The framers of the 2016 Budget had saved us that exercise. The budget had been bottomed on $38 per barrel and 2.2 million barrels per day.

Given that as background, the analyst is confronted with the fact that on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, the prevalent price of crude is $31 per barrel. The price might drop below the psychological level pf $30 per barrel before the end of January. Even now every dollar drop represents a bigger percentage drop from the last one.We have lost 18 percent of budgeted revenue on price alone. Did we export 2.2 million barrels? Most unlikely! Irrespective of the shortfall, the total negative variance from budget might be in the order of 20-25 per cent – just in the first twelve days.

With only nineteen days left in January 2016, it is almost certain that the nation will start the year on its back foot – with only eleven months left to recover from the shortfall of January. Each passing day, week or month in which there is a negative variance passes the burden of achieving target to a dwindling

Even now every dollar drop represents a bigger percentage drop from the last one.We have lost 18 percent of budgeted revenue on price alone

SLIPPERY OIL It was about thirty three years ago when the price of crude oil went into a tail-spin, diving from a record high of $38 per barrel in 1981 to $9.95 per barrel during IBB’s administration. Apart from the economic recession it brought in its wake, it also made it impossible for Nigeria to repay her external and domestic debts, as and when due. We joined the group of debt defaulters. Relief only came after years in 1995-2003 when the price of crude started on an upward escalator, once again – resulting in the historic measure taken during Obasanjo’s regime to get us out of debt. Today, twelve years after Okonjo-Iweala negotiated our way out of debt, we are back in it. And like a bad dream, we are set to get deeper in debt on account of unpredictable, but downward trending, price of crude oil.

For years, I have used self-developed econometric models to forecast the direction of the price of crude oil and share prices on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. Those who have followed the forecasts would testify to their accuracy. In 2014, the average price of crude for 2015 was projected at $5040; it ended in December at $38 while averaging $42 per barrel. Investors on the NSE were warned to get out because another terrible year was coming. The capital market shed about 20 per cent in 2014.

But, because this article is written to inspire hope in the economy, readers will permit the omission of any forecasts on the two accounts – especially the average price of crude oil.

The 2016 Budget had attempted to reduce the nation’s reliance on oil revenue, but, the transfer of burden to other sources of revenue will neither be immediate nor will it be certain.

Similarly, the heavy dependence on debt is at best risky. At worst, it is better left unsaid.

One thing is certain, the faith of the budget for 2016 will still be largely decided by crude oil – price and quantities exported.

We need divine intervention if the price is not going to head for the basement.

EXTERNAL LOANS

On the day the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, arrived in Nigeria, for talks with Nigerian officials, CHANNELS TELEVISION, unquestionably the nation’s best, on the 10 pm news asked me if the IMF was in Nigeria to discuss a loan as many Nigerians feared. My answer was unequivocal. “The IMF is not in Nigeria to discuss loan, at least not yet. At any rate, the IMF does not grant loans, contrary to conventional wisdom in Nigeria.

But, its recommendations make it easier or more difficult for a nation to obtain loans from the global financial community – which is a closed shop.

That closed community of lenders, banks and nations which have excess External Reserves, ER, or Sovereign Wealth Funds, SWF, continuously seek avenues for placement of their excess funds – at a profit. Loans are different from grants. The latter is never repaid; the former is expected to be repaid – as and when due.

Examples are provided below of nations with huge SWF. As at the beginning of 2012 the SWF account of selected nations were as follows: * United Arab Emirates, UAE, $627bn. * Saudi Arabia $430bn * Kuwait $202bn * Quatar $85bn * Nigeria $1bn It requires no rocket scientist intelligence to know where Nigeria will be going in search of the external loans it needs to fund its deficit.

There is only one problem with that region which also requires divine intervention – religion; or, specifically, Islam. The current problem with Shii’tes in Nigeria had repercussions all the way to Iran – which is also sitting on huge SWF from which we can expect to

Continues on page 11

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke

T

hey emerged from a closed door session last Tuesday, the first day of resumption without saying a word. Even several efforts made by journalists covering the National Assembly to get them to speak on what transpired during the one-hour long session could not convince the senators. They maintained sealed lips as if they had taken oath in a shrine and were afraid of violating the oath so as not to incure the wrath of violation.

Even the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi, whose duty it is to brief newsmen of developments during such closed-door sessions was not handy. He had, on storming out of the secret meeting, disappeared!

He neither went to his office nor kept his known mobile lines on for calls! The development created suspicion and anxiety from the newsmen who had waited impatiently outside for the legislators to come out and disclose their discussion.

When some of them who were prevailed on earlier by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to maintain sealed lips could not stomach what they termed “national embarrassment”, they then spilled the beans—the 2016 Budget has been stolen from us. That was the subject of our discussion at the closed door session this morning, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, told journalists.

It was a hard thing to believe.

How can a budget proposal that was openly presented to the Senate and the House of Representatives by President Muhammadu Buhari go missing? How can the President and his economic team burn the midnight candle to prepare the country’s 2016 proposed expenditures only to be sabotaged by some people that don’t want his administration to succeed?

These were some rhetorical questions in the minds of the president’s admirers when the news broke last Tuesday that the 2016 Appropriation Bill, submitted to both chambers of the National Assembly, was missing.

Yes, the hard and soft copies of the 2016 budget documents which the president submitted to the National Assembly on December 22, 2015, was declared missing by the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, APC, Borno South, at a closed-door door meeting of the Senate that fateful day.

It was the day the Red Chamber had set to commence deliberation on the proposed budget.

Ndume explained that deliberation on the budget could therefore not begin until fresh copies of the documents were obtained from the presidency, the Ministry of Finance or that of national planning.

After extensive deliberation on the matter, the Chairman, Senate Committee on

C M Y K

•President Muhammadu Buhari

•Senate President, Bukola Saraki

2016 Budget :The cat and mouse game between Senate and Presidency Appropriation, Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central, was subsequently mandated to lead a search for the documents and liaise with the presidency, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, and the Ministry of National Planning on the matter.

It was gathered that senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, accused the Presidency of being behind the theft of the documents, an accusation rejected by their APC counterparts, who reportedly said it was too early to speculate.

The PDP senators also said they suspected that the presidency might have colluded with the management of the National Assembly to quietly withdraw the documents after detecting some discrepancies in them.

President Buhari had on December 22,2015 presented a N6.08 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2016 to a joint session of the National Assembly.

Copies were, however, not distributed to lawmakers before they proceeded on Christmas and New Year holidays.

But weeks after the budget was presented to lawmakers, there were speculations that Buhari had withdrawn the documents to enable him to correct some discrepancies, a claim the presidency and the national planning ministry denied.

The next day, being Thursday, the PDP senators, through Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, PDP Abia South, followed the matter, with a question to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, to

How can a budget proposal that was openly presented to the Senate and the House of Representatives by President Muhammadu Buhari go missing?

explain the status of the budget.

Saraki said the committee had up till Thursday, being next day, to submit the report.

Abaribe’s question was based on an initial pronouncement

by Saraki that the senators were going to commence the debate on the budget on Tuesday, next week. But following the development in the media, the Senate, in an official statement, through its spokesman, Aliyu Sabi, denied that the budget was missing.

“We have reeled out our time table for working on the budget. So, how can the same budget be missing? The Senate President never said or admitted that the budget is missing and there was nothing that he said while presiding over the plenary that could be logically interpreted to mean an admission that the budget is missing.

But the defence put by the

Senate spokesman was punctured by the Senate President,himself on Thursday, when he openly said the Red Chamber was not in possession of the original copy of the budget presented by the president.

Saraki, instead, alleged that the hard copy of the 2016 budget presented to the National Assembly, by the Presidency, was fake.

He specifically said the hard copy of the budget presented to the Senate was different from the one laid before the two chambers of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari, shortly before both chambers embarked on the break, last December.

Saraki spoke, after the Senate resumed debate on the report of alleged missing budget, after about a two-hour long closed-door held to discuss the report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which was set up to investigate the alleged missing budget.

He particularly said the report of the committee fingered the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, for the act.

He said the Senate had suspended it’s initial plan to begin consideration of the 2016 appropriation bill until the Presidency submits the soft copy of the original budget that was laid before the two chambers of the legislature.

He said : “We have received the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions on investigations surrounding 2016 Appropriation Bill. Our finding is that Senator Ita Enang, the

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate),Ita Enang printed copies of the 2016 Appropriation Bill and brought to the Senate.

“We have discovered that what he brought is different from the version presented by Mr President. We have resolved to consider only the version presented by Mr President as soon as we receive soft copy of the original document from the executive.

But briefing newsmen, after the day’s plenary, Senate spokesperson, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, said, “The report about a missing budget is not true.’”

“We don’t have a budget that is missing. But you recalled that the senate president did inform Nigerians that there is an issue that a committee was asked to investigate. The investigation by the committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, has been submitted in the executive session. It was a decision we took at the last executive session.

“Our findings are these: That Mr . President did lay the budget before the joint session of the National Assembly and thereafter, the senate went on recess and upon resumption, copies of the document were produced by Senator Ita Enang, who is the SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters ( Senate ) and the copies were submitted to Senate and House of Representatives.

“What we found out is that the document submitted by Senator Ita Enang, upon our resumption, has some differences, discrepancies with what was originally laid

by Mr President in the joint sitting of the National Assembly.

“However, the senate in defence of its own integrity, honour, will not work with what has not been laid on the floor of the National Assembly.

We are constitutionally mandated and duty bound to consider only that budget that had been so laid by Mr President.

“Right now, for reproduction, we are awaiting the soft copy of the originally submitted budget so that the National Assembly can reproduce the copy itself. That is the only time we can have confidence in the document we want to work with.

Meanwhile, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang, who is at the centre of the development, refused to comment on the level of his involvement, as alleged by the Senate.

Enang told journalists who sought his view on the matter that he would not join issues with senators.

“I have chosen not to comment on this issue for personal reasons. ‘’We must work together to make the Senate as an institution to grow. The President is my boss and the senators are my bosses. I won’t join issues with them. So, let the whole matter remain as it is”, he said.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 11

Budget 2016 as a puzzle to economists Continued from page 9 borrow. The IMF is the global Credit Bureau and, whether Nigerians like it or not, it is to the IMF that lenders turn to obtain a signal whether it is safe to lend or not. Nigerian economic policy makers will be advised to ignore “voice of the people”. As Alcuin, 735-804AD, has warned leaders, “Nor should we listen to those who say “the voice of the people is the voice of God” for the turbulence of the mob is always close to insanity.” (VBQ p 265). We should strive to convince the IMF, not an easy task admittedly, that we are credit worthy. Otherwise there will be little loan forthcoming. We should not cut our noses to spite IMF’s face!

INTERNAL LOANS Because it is easy to be misunderstood at this time, when the nation is in a frenzy about Dasukigate, readers should remember that the writer had published a book titled PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED. In it amounts were clearly stated and documented and the culprits named. So, what follows is not a defence of “looters”, as may later be determined by the law courts, after due process has been observed. What follows is a statement of facts as known to economists.

Domestic loans to governments are provided by a very tiny percentage of the population.

Usually undertaken through the purchase of government bonds and other securities, it is again a small and closed shop operated by a few people with excess funds. It is quite possible that less than two million Nigerians, out of our population of 170 million are involved. Unfortunately, some of the same individuals (and only God knows how many) are among those now being hounded on account of Dasukigate. It is safe to say that investing in government securities will not be their top priority at the moment and might

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

A

s the controversy and allegation of smuggling of a fake version of the 2016 Appropriation Bill into the National Assembly, especially in the senate, continues, the House of Representatives is claiming ignorance of the existence of any such document in its possession. The House said what is before members is the authentic copy presented by President Muhammadu Buhari during the joint session on 26th December.

Upon hearing of the alleged missing budget, Sunday Vanguard made inquiries from the leadership of the House and the House spokesman, Hon. Abdulrasak Namdas, said that the document was intact in the House.

According to him, “As far as the House of Representatives is concerned, there is nothing like missing budget. As from tomorrow (January 13, 2016) by the grace of God, we shall begin to distribute copies of the

not be for quite a while.

That leaves institutions – banks, insurance companies, pension funds and the Central Bank – to provide the needed funds. In some respects they are captive lenders – they cannot decline to lend. The Central Bank in particular, as the Federal Government’s banker of last resort must lend. But, even then, there are statutory limits which cannot be exceeded by those institutions without doing worse damage to the economy. If individual lenders exit the market in large numbers, the government might find it difficult to raise the domestic debts it requires. The commercial and development banks are bleeding at the moment; and 2016 might leave them worse than 2015.

Even the most incurable optimist must admit that reason alone cannot solve that puzzle.

NON-OIL REVENUE From 2016, non-oil revenue is expected to play a more significant role in contributing to budget execution. Taxes, tariffs and duties will be more aggressively collected; leakages will be blocked; more export of solid minerals will be pursued with vigour; and agriculture will receive greater attention. The skeptics will readily point out that “ we have heard that stuff before and nothing has changed”. They will be partly right. Every government since 1984 had made the same promises – none had fulfilled them.

Invariably, the first sign of rebound of crude oil prices sends those in government back to sharing oil money and ignoring the non-oil income earners. It might happen again this time. But, then it might not.

Two reasons provide optimism that a subtle change has occurred in the executive branch of government. The

•Senator Udoma first is the realization that Nigeria can no longer delay building on her potentials in the non-oil sector. The unemployment “time bomb”, to which former President Obasanjo drew the nation’s attention, is a sword hanging by a hair on the nation’s head.

The fear of the consequences of the ‘time bomb’ will certainly spur us to action. As Lucretius, c97-54B.C said, “It is fear that first made the gods”. (VBQ p 59). But, fear alone will not do the trick.

In every great enterprise, a few people have come together at a point in time, as if divinely selected, and they have achieved wonderful things for their nations. It is possible that Nigeria, this time has the team that will achieve mission impossible – simply because the consequences of failure are too catastrophic to contemplate.

THE GANG OF SIX The great Chinese leader, late Chairman Mao Tse-Tung, and his three closest advisers were generally referred to as the Gang of Four. They launched China on the path to greatness and its

FAKE BUDGET We’re not in possession of fake 2016 budget — Reps

budget to members for deliberations.”

Consequently, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Wednesday, January 13, ordered the Clerk of the House, Mr Sani Omolori, to circulate copies of the alleged ‘missing’ Budget to all lawmakers.

He said, “All members should

send their staff with valid identification to the appropriation committee office to pick up copies of the 2016 budget.

“People should not give information that is not clear but look for clarification on such matters.”

Speaking to Sunday

manifest destiny, as the second largest economy today; and possibly the largest by 2050. It was not always that way. In the 1960s and early 1970s China was a big for nothing joke to university students reading economics in the USA. Everybody has stopped laughing now. It took four leaders casting their lengthened shadows over the nation to turn things around.

Nigeria’s “Gang of Six” comprises of five men and one woman – President Buhari, Fashola, Udoma, Amechi, Adeosun and Fowler – a President, four Ministers and the Internal Revenue Service Chief. On their shoulders rest the economic fate of this nation. Given their antecedents, there is no reason to doubt their passion for results and their ability to deliver, as best as they can, on the promises of economic progress so far made. They cannot, and will not achieve everything in three years (the first year is largely gone because time kept ticking away from May 29), but, they can demonstrate in that time the future possibilities that will result in ultimate success.

Because of space constraints, no profile of the six will be presented; neither will the attributes that mark them out as potential winners will be provided now. But, as time goes on, these will be discussed.

are just as vital. They run into hundreds and involve over 50,000 appointments. If it takes seven months to appoint thirty eight ministers, how long will be required to fill all the other important posts?

Regarding mistakes, Edward Phelps, (VBQ p 161) had warned us that “The man who makes no mistakes, usually does not make anything.” President Buhari should constitute the boards of the agencies as soon as possible – even if it involves making mistakes with some of the appointments. He can start by not re-cycling old hands.

DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS In a rare demonstration of candor by a President, Buhari recently admitted that he had been slow in making appointments – while giving the excuse that he was attempting to avoid making mistakes. But, the President needs to be reminded that only God never makes mistakes. There is nothing to suggest that errors will not be made even if he takes a million years to make decisions.

Meanwhile, Ministers alone cannot run their ministries.

Several of then have departments, agencies and commissions which

CONCLUSION “Faith in itself is the starting point of all achievement. Within each of us are powers which, if we will discover and use, could make us achieve our dreams and desires….” Professor Sidney Newton Bremmer in SPIRIT OF APPOLO [the American space project], 1993. (VBQ p 54). For great achievements we need to have faith in some people; let them know we believe in them and give them all the encouragement they need to succeed. They will make history, undoubtedly. But, so will Nigeria.

By contrast, permit me to recall a personal experience with one of the strangest men I have ever worked with in my life. He had another name, but, nobody remembers what it was. He was only known as “CAN’T BE DONE”. At the SUNRISE BOTTLING COMPANY, at Ijebu-Ode, where I was General Manager and the man was typist/ secretary, as well as everywhere in Ijebu-Ode, the man was legendary for declaring that anything proposed to be done by anybody – federal Government, State or Local “can’t be done”. Even at the bottling plant, everything “can’t be done”. I inherited him and discovered that, indeed with him around, nothing could be done. I fired him. Suddenly, a lot of things got done which had proved “impossible” before. Faith.

Vanguard, the member representing Etsako Federal Constituency of Edo State and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Rep Philip Shaibu, said it was unthinkable that the budget presented to the National Assembly could disappear like that. Shaibu who was a former Minority leader in Edo State House of Assembly said that even if the presidency wants to withdraw the budget presented for any reason, it could formally write the National Assembly for the withdrawal of the initial one and then come forward with the amended version.

However, with the disclosure by the senate president, Bukola Saraki that the document being circulated in the senate was different from what the President presented, the House of Representatives insisted that it was not in possession of any fake budget as alleged in the red chamber.

Fielding question from Sunday Vanguard while

briefing journalists, Chairman of the committee on media and public affairs, Abdulrasak Namdas, said that the only 2016 budget proposal before the House was the original copy that was presented by President Muhammadu Buhari on December 22, 2015.

Also speaking, the deputy chairman of the committee, Rep Jonathan Gbefwi, (PDPNasarawa) said that the lawmakers would accord the budget the priority it deserves.

He said, “Of course we are not undermining the importance of any other bill but we all know that the Appropriation Bill is the one that is very important and timely.

As there appears to be disagreement between the senate and the House over the authenticity of the budget document in the National Assembly, there has not been any comparison between what the senate claims is the fake document and what the House has as the authentic copy of the 2016 Appropriation.

C M Y K

PAGE 12 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016,

OWHORODE OF OLOMU KINGDOM AT 99 All roads led to the Olomu Kingdom in Delta State when the Owhorode, HRM, Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogoni-Oghoro

I (JP), clocked 99. The occasion in pictures

R-L: HRM. Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, HRM. Orhue I, the Ovie of Okpe Kingdom and His Majesty Ikenwoli I, the Olu of Warri Kingdom.

Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro I exchanging pleasantries with Prof. Alfred Achebe while the HRM, Oni of Olomu Kingdom watches.

HRM. Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro I (JP) , and some of his children and grand children as well as some members of his Council of Chiefs.

Ovie Richard Layeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro , Oni of Olomu Kingdom with the Urobo Social Club Women, Lagos.

Odili and the Abuja IDPs warm handshake

BY SONI DANIEL, Northern Region Editor The man is a household name when it comes to philanthropy. As the bombs began to boom in the NorthEast, his heart began to bleed for victims. The other day, he brought succour on wheel to the victims to ameliorate their plight and it was something to cheer about by the 903 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the camp located in New Kuchingoro, behind Games Village in the Kaura District, Abuja. That day, Saturday, December 19, 2015, marked the birth of Jesus Christ, or Christmas, for the IDPs in that camp while the actual celebration took place on December 25 across the globe.

It was the day Atimoh Odili Foundation, an Abuja based non-governmental organization, visited the camp to show love to these Nigerians whose lives have been devastated by insecurity in the North-East.

The foundation, established by businessman and investor, Austin Odili, is committed to the eradication of poverty by providing tools for sustainable development to vulnerable people living in rural communities across Africa.

Apart from giving the IDPs and their family members a sense of belonging as other Nigerians in the spirit of Christmas, the foundation presented foodstuffs, clothing and sundry items C M Y K

•A cross section of members of Atimoh Odili Foundation during their visit to the IDP camps

worth over N20 million.

During the visit, items presented to the IDPs included 1,000 bags of 25 kilogramme bags of rice;

1,000 mattresses; 1,000 cartons of tomato paste; 1,000 cartons of powder milk; 1,500 blankets; 1,500 pair of slippers and 600 small packets of salt.

The foundation left the IDPs with a message of hope for a better future, promising to sponsor the training of those of them willing to participate in its skills acquisition programme.

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

Managing Director of the foundation, Chioma Nwigwe, said the donation was part of its a one-year project to eradicate hunger and malnutrition among the people. Ms. Nwigwe said the proposed skills acquisition programme was expected to commence in March to help

Ovie Richard Kayeguen Ogbon Ogoni-Oghoro I , Chief Fidelix Tilije (6th from right) representing Delta State Governor, Sen.(Dr.) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Solomon Awhinawhi, member of House of Representatives, SSA to Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo (4th & 5th ), Chief Gabriel Ojoba, Hon. Oghene Emma Egoh, Rep of Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Olorogun Oviri Okiemute Okwagbe (Esama) and Gen. O. Obada (1st- 4th from left

empower the IDPs and help re-integrate them.

“We do not think just distributing food items will help them when they eventually go back home,” Ms. Nwigwe said.

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

“If we provide them food, we would have fed them for a day. But, if we train them and give them skills to work and earn a living, we would have provided them a source to feed for life.”

Nwigwe explained that the foundation would not “dash anybody money”, rather the educated ones among the IDPs would be trained on skills that would

Clef t, palat hildren: R ot ar hief Omot osho ttoo the rescue Cleft, palatee cchildren: Rot otar aryy cchief Omotosho

By Demola Akinyemi, ILORIN

O District Governor 9125 of Rotary International,Dr T Mike Omotosho, who is from

Kwara State,since he joined the club about 15 years ago, it was like giving back to the society.

At the 2016 Mike Omotosho annual lecture and book presentation,heldunderthe theme,”MakingPoverty Eradication Our Collective Responsibility”, which took placeinAbuja,hewasexpressly clear that poverty is an endemic problem in Nigeria and that it is the responsibility of big players to ensure that the

scourge is demystified. From the key speaker at the occasion, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State ,to the Minister ofAgriculture,ChiefAudu Ogbeh,whomadespecial presentation, among other dignitaries,everyonesubmitted thattheremustbesynergy among big players to reduce must be reduced so that Nigeria can be a better place for everyone to live.

Omotosho noted, in an interviewwithSunday Vanguard, that the flagship project of Rotary International is global polio eradication ,stressing that this goal has beenachieved,”aswehave ensured that there is no polio in

the whole world again” Omotosho recalled that there were 125 countries with polio in 1988 when Rotary International started the fight against polio.

“Now there are just two countries left,Pakistan and Afghanistan.InNigeria,weare not polio free yet,only that we have been deleted from the list of polio endemic nations,”he stressed.

Meanwhile, Rotary International, under his leadership,inconjunctionwith a US based organisation, Alliance for Smiles, Kwara State government and Mike Omotosho Foundation, has commenced the sponsorship

of free cleft and palate surgery for 100 children and adults across the country.

The first phase of the free 10-day surgery held at the General Hospital, Ilorin.

Contrary to the belief in some quarters, Omotosho noted that the sufferers are no victims of spiritual attack, neither is the problem hereditary but a genetic malfunction and congenital deformity from

* Omotosho

help them set up small businesses for their upkeep and sustenance. She said the foundation has set aside some money to provide soft loans and business outlines to successful participants in the training to help the IDPs start their businesses.

Chairman of the IDPs, Philemon Emmanuel, who spoke on behalf of about 903 indigenes of Borno state and 52 others from Adamawa, said he was overwhelmed by the kind gesture of the foundation “I cannot express our gratitude enough on behalf of the IDPs here,” Mr. Emmanuel told Ms. Nwigwe. “Since we came here in January 2014, we have not seen the kind of support like the foundation has brought for us”.

birth.

He explained that the victims have problems and so cannot be as healthy as other babies.

He added that if the victims survivethechildhoodage,they won’t be able to talk well,stressing that most of them survivethebabystage,while those who survived are often objects of stigmatisation.

Omotosho explained that preparatory to the free surgery in Ilorin,massive publicity was done across the country to inform the public of the event.

He added that the club embarked on the free surgery because parents of victims of the disease are poor and thus unable to offset an average cost of $1,000 for the corrective cosmeticsurgery.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 13

Some hot, daring revelations of 2015 ( 3 ) IK Ogbonna and I share same mental disorder, says Colombian wife

N

ollywood actor and model, IK Ogbonna and his Colombian wife have always been a spectacle of wonder. Though married now with a bouncing baby boy but the couple really turned on the fire while they were dating all through last year. The duo hooked up off a couple of romantic exchanges over the Instagram and bang they were in each other’s arms No doubt the lovebirds share something in common and if what the Colombian shared on her Instagram page last year is anything to go by, it seems they share more than love.

As she put “ IK Ogbonna and I share exactly the same mental disorder,we simply must stick to each other forever ,no one else could possibly understand”

Every woman is a prostitute

•IK Ogbonna and wife

—Bose Arowosegbe

W

I’m divorcing my husband soon — Ella Martins B

eninese singer, actress and virtual artist, Ella Martins, became popular in Nigeria in 2014when a story about her and Genevieve Nnaji went viral that they were lesbians. In 2015 she made another declaration many of her colleagues would do anything to keep under wraps. She declared that she would be divorcing her husband whom she married at 14 when she ran away from home. “ I have been married a long time but most people don’t see me as a married woman because I have been living apart from my husband for years now. My husband is German and we are legally married. We married when I was 14 years old. By the time I was 21 I was already tired with the marriage and I guess so was my husband. Both of us have been living separately for years now” she revealed.

•Bose Arowosegbe

•Ella Martins

I can smok 4/7 smokee shisha 224/7

•Afrocandy

Ban porn sites in Nigeria, miss me shaking my bum bum — Afrocandy

W

— Ella Mensah

G

hanaian actress, Ella Mensah is fast becoming the most popular Ghollywood actress in Nollywood. She was one of the adorable actresses that glamourised the Potpourri pages in 2015. In one of her chats with us, the Crime to Christ fame maker says she smokes but not cigarettes.“Yeah, because when I post pictures on my social media and I have smoke in my mouth, a lot of people start saying, so she smokes, she’s this, she’s that, and I tell people that in life you do what makes you happy. We all know smoking kills so if you want to smoke and kill yourself, that’s your problem”she explains I love shisha, I love shisha so badly that if all I wanted I have them and I don’t have to work again, I can smoke shisha 24/7 all day everyday” she quips.

hen busty Yoruba actress, Bose Arowosegbe premiered her film ‘Tani Asewo’, meaning ‘Who’s a prostitute’ she made an assertion that got some many women angry. She said all women are prostitutes.

“It’s because people think that actresses are prostitutes.

To say the truth, I believe that all women are prostitutes.

People who think it’s only actresses should go to other fields and see what they do there” she told our reporter, explaining the inspiration behind the film.

When the reporter suggested she should have used another title for the film instead of calling all women prostitutes, she shot back, “Like which one? Maybe you should give me a title to use. To me, I still insist that every woman is a prostitute”.

•Ella Mensah

hen the news was making rounds that the Nigerian government was pondering banning of porn sites in the country, the acclaimed porn queen, Judith Mazagwu, better known as Afrocandy had her answer ready. She told Potpourri from her US base through Whatsapp what she feels about it.

“Well in my opinion, I think it will be a good thing for them if that would help them concentrate on their jobs than browsing porn sites and watching porn all day instead of doing the jobs they were elected to do but they will miss me shaking my bum bum” she said.

She continued: “But my question is, how are they going to do that? Are they going to shut down all the cyber cafes in Nigeria, shut down all the Internet Providers, close all access to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the rest of them? For your information, all the sites I mentioned above are all porn sites in disguise and I know many government officials are on these sites.

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

PAGE 14— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Debbie Rise, record label at war

Korede Bello begs school management to sit for upcoming exams E

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

2

016 has been called the year of beefs by music pundits and the year appears to be moving in that direction. First off was the Olamide and Don Jazzy saga which has been settled, Cynthia Morgan and Davido and now Debie Rise is at war with her record label 800 •Debie Records. The season 3 winner of Nigeria Idol recently took to her instargram account to state that she has dumped her record label.

She puts it this way: “This is to officially announce that I Olurishe Deborah also known as Debbie Rise am no longer under contract with my former record label/management. Despite failing to perform their nd contractual obligation scheduled for the 2 week of August 2015, the record label went ahead to unilaterally, unduly, unlawfully unfairly repudiate the then existing contract on the th 13 of August 2015.” In their response, 800 Records states that Debie Rise is still signed to their label and her contract won’t end until 2019 “This is to inform the general public that the artist known as “Debie Rise” (Miss. Olurise Deborah Ebunoluwa) is still signed to and under contract with 800 Records .Please note that the exclusive recording and management contract between us and Debie Rise has not been terminated or repudiated as falsely insinuated and same is valid and subsists until 2019!Take notice that any party contracting with Debie Rise as a recording or performing artist and/or in respect of sales of any of her songs or anything to do with entertainment, without our prior consent/authorization would be doing so at its/his/her peril and we shall not hesitate to bring the full wrath of the law to bear on such individual and/or organization; including suing them for aiding and inducing breach of contract and account for profit.” This isn’t the first time an artiste will be at war with a record label. In time past, artistes like Vector , Brymo and Soul E had contractual issues with their former record labels.

Potpourri of African music unleashed at Glo-C AF Aw ar ds 20 15 Glo-CAF Awar ards 201

Omawumi and Salif Kaita

I

C M Y K

t was a fusion of sublime African music and football at the 2015 edition of Glo-CAF Awards when top rated African musicians converged on Abuja to render some of the best tunes Africa has ever produced. The artistes who performed in duets, expressed the oneness and diversity of the African people by displaying creatively, a blend of traditional and urban music, matching it up with African dance A sonorous rendition of the National anthem by diva, Ego Ogabru with instrumentals from King Sunny Ade and Bezuwa Idakula was the curtain-raiser for the glamourous event.

Ghana’s Shatta Wale and

Nigeria’s Korede Bello followeed with scintillating performance. A stunning collabo between Black Mambazo and Ego gave the event a phonic acapella that aided digestion of the sumptuous meal served at the ball.

The duo of Morocco’s Ahmed Soultan and Nigeria’s Di’ja Blell took the ceremony a notch higher after the presentation of some awards, while the mixture of highlife and alternative soul by King Sunny Ade and Bez provided a jazzy atmosphere when they performed ‘That stupid song.’

The musical collaborations continued with the Afro pop

•Korede Bello

verybody knows that Korede Bello is a student at Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and It is no longer news that a lecturer had threatened to resign if the Mavin Records fast-rising act, is allowed to write the forthcoming examinations after failing to meet up with the compulsory 70% class attendance set by the school.

But what is news is that after the music act was informed of his ineligibility to take the exams he allegedly went to meet with top officials of the school to find a way out, using his star status as a leverage but it seems he has hit a stonewall as the lecturer on his case is hell-bent on making good his threats.

Report also has it that the singer came to school and was seen begging one of the school’s notable official to lean on the lecturer in question but Potpourri can tell you that his situation is not looking particularly good.

uattees d a r ra g ts s r rt a e v ti a re MTN’s c shine at Kakadu it is

w arts n has shown ho TN Foundatio the development of creativeu to ad ak ng K contributi concluded yhouse as the recently in the countryusical plays initiated by Plauction had and Wakaa m Bolanle Austen-Peters Prod Initiative and aries of the MTNF-Muson o musical some benefici ogramme shining at the twgip and Scholarship pr hich held at the popular A is worthy drama plays w uson Center in Lagos. “It e MTNFShell hall of Mme of the beneficiaries of th excelled of note that so ship programme who have plays. For Muson Scholar careers are part of the twojayi & Lawal in their chosenof the beneficiaries - Ayo A tively instance, two uated in 2008 & 2014 respec, The Seyi who grad e cast and crew for ‘WakaaMusic were part of thle the former is the play ’s the Musical.’ Whi tter is the Tenor Sax. We at bold Director, the lae really excited about these xecutive Foundation ar r beneficiaries,” said the E onny moves from ou e MTN Foundation, Ms. N Secretary for th e trials, Ugboma a play about thgraduates is al ic us M e six young Wakaa! Th experiences of em after performance by the legendary successes and ckgrounds. A bet among th of life and s with varied ba d a twist when the realitie y revealed Salif Keita from Mali supported graduation ha r choices hit them.The stor le face in

by Nigeria’s Omawumi Megbele in an invocation to Africa, “Africa the folly of theiand challenges young peop the struggles road. o!” Then followed the duo of old with Nigeria and abby a need to reconnect the urney back Kach and D’Bang who pushed jo ed a ov as m al w Also, the fun higher by performing “Top arly the adu, the Music the young, Kakgives the audience, particul rly life of of the World” and his brand new ea It e y. th or to st ght in into hi song, ‘Emergency’, which he TNF music ration, an insi younger gene independent nation. The Mented in premiered at the show. It is an Nigeria as an ogramme which is implem igeria afro pop song that is bound to scholarship prith the Musical Society of Nflair for rule the airwaves. Ageless Awilo partnership wtargeted at students with a ficiaries an Longomba and Flavour took the (MUSON) is holarship provides the bene ation event to its climax. music. The sc acquire quality music educic. In its All award winners joined the opportunity to MUSON Diploma in Mus have performing artistes on stage when leading to theexistence, over 200 students her 60 they performed a new Globacom hile anot nine years of anthem in demonstration of the programme w training. e th om fr d te oing gradua unity and together which the esently underg students are pr theme canvassed.

M

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 15

•Dickson

•Sylva

THE BAYELSA ‘CREEK CONTEST’

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

T

o close observers of Bayelsa politics, the just concluded governorship election in the predominantly riverine state is the most keenly contested poll in the history of the state.

It will go down in history as the most violent poll ever in the state after months of scheming by political rivals.

Though the election has been won and lost, it was one Bayelsans and Nigerians will not forget in a hurry, as the victory of Governor Seriake Dickson, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over his arch rival, Timipre Sylva, of the All Progressive Congress (APC), helped to maintain the dominance of the former party in the South – South and saved the country from sliding into a one – party state.

Many had contended that with the APC change mantra to buoyed by its victory at the federal level and the boastful posture of its members that the oil rich Bayelsa will fall, the development would have had a domino effect on elections in the geo political zone, which has remained a PDP stronghold, in favour of the APC. The opposition’s confidence was further boosted by the growing complaint against the strict fiscal policies (blocking of loopholes) of the Dickson – led administration, which many believed had denied people ‘stomach infrastructure’ regardless of

C M Y K

‘Painful cost’ of an election his remarkable performance in the area of infrastructural development.

In spite of the supreme confidence of the APC that it would dismantle the PDP hegemony in Bayelsa, the homestead of former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was roundly defeated by the ruling party.

To some observers, the APC was the cause of its undoing. The observers cited the lack of internal democracy in the conduct of the primary election that threw up former Governor Timipre Sylva as its governorship candidate.

They also cited the violence that played out during the September 22, 2015 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa which culminated in the rescheduling of the exercise as well as the spat between Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Sylva, which mirrored the bitter rivalry within the APC in the build – up to the state governorship poll.

Also, some of the new entrants to the party from the PDP were treated as

It will go down in history as the most violent poll ever in the state after months of scheming by political rivals

nobodies and never consulted for their input, a development the PDP capitalized on to consolidate its grip on by wooing some of those that defected back to its fold.

It would be recalled that prior to the defeat of the PDP at the federal level, Sylva and his loyalists, led by the state Chairman of the APC, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, on one hand, and Preye Aganaba, a close associate of a former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, on the other, had laboured to stabilize the APC in Bayelsa.

Accordingly, they had the privilege of picking the executive committee of the party from the state to the ward level. Their influence was, however, out to test when some celebrated names in the politics of Bayelsa dumped the PDP for the APC, hoping to pick the party’s ticket.

Sylva, according to sources, had given those who defected to the APC his word that he was not contesting the governorship race.

Timi Alaibe, a former

Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was one of the many PDP bigwigs who moved to the APC. This, according to reports, unsettled some of Sylva’s loyalists, especially as some elders, led by former Senator John Brambaifa, did not pretend that Alaibe was the best choice to fly the APC flag at the governorship poll.

But it was clear that the party was heading for bigger trouble when about 19 of the defectors from the PDP, including Prof Tarilah Tebepah, Amb Emmanuel Otiotio, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Dickson, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, and a former House of Representatives member, Warman Ogoriba, picked forms to contest the party primary.

Others were Senator Clever Ikisikpo, Dr Augustine Ogionwo Febo, Dr Imoro Kubor, Mrs, Charity Vedalago, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, Pastor Tonye Aprela, Mr. George Ombeh, Christopher Enai, Francis Ebitei, Preye Aganaba and Amb Felix Oboro.

The struggle for the APC ticket would have been a plus for the APC if Sylva had not indicated interest.

The latter waited until the closing date to pick the nomination form.

Some of the PDP chieftains that moved to the party, like Brambaifa, Chief Alex Ekiotenne and their supporters, were forced to retrace their step and

Continues on page 16

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016

possible to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Continued from page 15 returned to the PDP, accusing the former governor of betraying the agreement that he would not run.

But sources close to Sylva defended his action, saying he was prevailed upon to give the governorship race a shot by some powerful forces at the Presidency, believing he had what it took to deliver the state to the APC. Sylva and Alaibe, both with the required war chest, became the leading aspirants to clinch the party’s ticket.

In his message to the delegates, the former governor expressed confidence that he was going to emerge the winner of the primary to lead the party in the governorship election.

Alaibe, in his own message to the delegates, said: “As you head to the primary, ask yourself – Is a new and better Bayelsa possible? Are the challenges surmountable? Are there things we can do differently?

“Your answers to these questions will point to the reality that Bayelsans yearn for an effective change, different from the regime of insecurity that sees huge numbers of our people kidnapped and maimed everyday by faceless bandits who have also seized our water ways, with our government seemingly unable to do anything about it.”

It was, however, gathered that the choice of Oshiomhole as Chairman of the electoral panel for the primary election did not go down well with Sylva’s camp based on reports that he (Oshiomhole) had been lobbying the Presidency and the leadership of the APC to prevail on Sylva not to run the election and allow Alaibe to contest because of the groundswell of support for the latter.

Alaibe withdraws from primary But Alaibe, seen by many as the best to give the incumbent governor and the PDP a good fight, pulled out of the APC primary at the last-minute after it became obvious that some forces were bent on foisting Sylva on the party.

Alaibe, in a statement, said the decision to withdraw from the contest was in the interest of the party, state and collateral consequences.

Sylva went on to win the rescheduled primary, a development said to have been celebrated at the Bayelsa Government House.

The contention was that an Alaibe ticket would have been a bigger challenge for the PDP. But the PDP, conscious of the fact that it was no longer in control at the federal level and the vociferous boasting of the APC that it was time the state returned to the C M Y K

•Voting on election day!

‘Painful cost’ of an election' mainstream (align with the centre), deviced the strategy of early preparation and campaign which eventually worked in its favour.

Many believed that Dickson’s community-based campaign approach was the difference between the two contenders. The incumbent, during his campaign dubbed, community- to-community campaign meet the people tour, visited virtually all the communities in the state to solicit the support of the people and also seized the opportunity to tell what his administration was doing to bring the dividends of democracy to their doorsteps.

The strategy helped his cause as it swayed several undecided voters to key into his vision. Dickson could also be said to be lucky for having some old politicians around him who, though may not have the resources to throw around, command the respect of their people.

It was, therefore, not surprising when the governor emerged victorious after the keenly contested governorship election, concluded on January 9, making him the second Bayelsa governor to secure second term in office.

Fondly called ‘Countryman Governor’, Dickson had maintained a commanding lead in the governorship election held on December 5, 2015 when he won in six out of the seven councils in the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. His victory dance was, however, put in abeyance pending the conclusion of the election in units and constituencies where election results were not produced on December 5.

As the results from the hugely contested Ijaw South Local Government Area were declared, the celebration that was initially in muted form in the Dickson camp went full blast.

Sylva had given the impression that he would

reverse Dickson’s 30,000 plus lead with the results from Southern Ijaw.

However, when the results were declared, it became an anti-climax for the APC candidate as the governor won in the stronghold of his now late patron, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Dickson won in Southern Ijaw with 23,081 votes to the 10,216 polled by Sylva.

Dickson polled 134,988 voters to triumph over Sylva who polled 86,852 votes. A total of 232,167 votes were cast in the election out of which 6,647 were invalid.

APC agent kicks Following the declaration of the results, Barrister Otiotio, agent of the APC candidate, renounced the declaration of Dickson as the winner, saying the

Dickson polled 134,988 voters to triumph over Sylva who polled 86,852 votes. A total of 232,167 votes were cast in the election out of which 6,647 were invalid

election should have been declared inconclusive following the claim that the difference between the two leading candidates was less than the number of cancelled votes. He also alleged irregularities in voting in some sections of the state.

PDP agent counters The claim was immediately dismissed by Agbedi, the PDP agent, who blamed the irregularities on the APC even as he claimed the performance of the governor as the reason for the PDP victory. The state chapter of the PDP, however, rued what it described as the cost of human lives it took the party to achieve victory.

Victory at painful costPDP The party stated this through the Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, shortly after the declaration of the results.

“It’s painful that this victory has come with so much pain because we lost dear ones. Those who died are our brothers. So many are yet in the hospitals nursing life threatening injuries because our opponents wanted to win at all cost. We wish to express our deepest condolences once again and to assure them that their death will not be in vain”, it stated.

Dickson thanks electorate, says no celebration In his acceptance speech, Dickson thanked the electorate for ensuring his election for another four years, but said there would be no celebration because of the number of lives that had been lost. The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel IworisoMarkson, however, vowed that he would do everything

Sylva rejects outcome of poll, heads to tribunal However, Sylva rejected the outcome of the poll, saying he would challenge it at the tribunal. Slammed the state INEC describing it as a PDP rigging machine.

His words, “I am sure you are aware of my complaints about INEC in Bayelsa. I had initially complained about the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Baritoh Kpagih and the Administrative Secretary of INEC. I said it repeatedly and even put it to writing.

“Usually before a general election, the INEC officials are switched. But they chose to keep the PDP rigging machine. This was the same rigging machine that returned former President Goodluck Jonathan 100 per cent. We felt these people could not conduct a free and fair election. All our cry fell on deaf ears.

“Even the REC descended into the arena by accusing a faceless candidate of offering him bribe. A REC that was arguing with a candidate is allowed to conduct an election. This is strange”.

On the alleged failure by the INEC to declare the rerun poll inclusive due to the alleged differences between the number of cancelled votes of 53,000 and the lead secured by Dickson of PDP at 46,000, he said INEC violated the law.

He said, “the law does not say supplementary election cannot be declared inconclusive. The law has been turned down and it is not right. It was due to the fact that the INEC is desperate to announce the result. I did not just write the petition .”

The APC governorship candidate also decried the refusal of the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Zane Akpagu, to rule on complaints and petitions by the APC on alleged rigging and other irregularities.

“The panel said they don’t have power to cancel results in the local government levels, but they invoked such power to cancel the Southern Ijaw election. Suddenly they did not have such powers anymore ,” he said.

Sylva described the election as a turnkey; one “purchased in bulk by the PDP from the Bayelsa INEC.” He said when he complained strongly to the REC, Baritoh Kpagih, on the faulty recruitment process, “the REC told me that he was directed to recruit experienced hands. They were SPOs and Collation Officers recruited to rig.

They successfully kept a rigging machine of the PDP.”

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

'Adult nursing': Men who compete with babies over breast milk!

A

couple of years back, when I first learnt of 'adult nursing' I was greatly amused. Was there no depth these men would not sink in their fixation with boobs?

Now they’d carried it off to a ridiculous extent. (Adult nursing) is the term used for men who enjoy being breastfed by a nursing mother! According to James, one of these rare (is it really rare, I wonder) breed of men: “I once tried adult nursing with my exgirlfriend and loved the intimacy and comfort it gave me. I sought this woman who offered her milk for a fee, out to experience the same feeding. I know adult nursing is often sexual but I personally don’t get a sexual thrill from it. ... “ Some few months after this, I mentioned this particular habit to a male discussant on a different topic entirely but he let me into his experience. “When my wife was breast-feeding our first child”, he said, “she looked so erotic with her boobs dripping milk that I felt aroused. As soon as she finished nursing our child, I latched on to a nipple but I nearly gagged. The thing wasn’t as delicious as I thought. “Wow, it seems adult nursing could be a real money spinner. Carol,

a 27-year old single mother who couldn’t afford to pay her rent said, she was introduced to adult nursing by a friend when she hit rock-bottom. This friend who seemed so normal and nice and who’d been a bundle of help in my grapple with single parenthood told me who charged men a lot of money an hour to let them drink her baby milk”, she said.

I was disgusted, it was the most perverted thing I’d ever heard.

What did these men get out of it?

Sexual kicks? Didn’t that make my friend some sort of prostitute?

She said she’d been really struggling for money and discovered there was a market for adult nursing. It wasn’t sexual, she assured me. The guys who came to her do it to feel mothered. It still sounded gross, but I now felt differently about it. With her help, I was able to get a list of men who would happily pay for the privilege. I nervously range them and requested they send photo IDs and recent test results showing they’d no sexually transmitted infections. I was surprised to hear they all sound friendly. But I was still worried, so I asked an openminded male friend to act as my bodyguard.

“My first client was a 28 years old computer analyst who told me he’d tried it once and liked it.

He booked a local hotel room and left instructions at reception that I should be taken to the room. as soon as I arrived. I waited anxiously for him and it

all felt seedy and weird. When he arrived, he seemed friendly and relaxed.

He paid me up-front and gave me something extra for my “bodyguard”. I then positioned myself on the bed, pulled up my top, unclipped my frontfastening maternity bra and gave him my left breast. I was sure he could hear my heart thumping against my ribs, in shame at what I was doing. If he did, he didn’t give any indication. He just lay across me like a big baby and I cradled his head. He was silent,

didn’t seem aroused. Yet his large lips and strong suction felt so wrong. It was strange and unnatural compared to feeding my little girl, and it felt as if I was betraying her.

1 was on the verge of tears and tried not to look at him.

After 10 minutes, I asked him to swap breasts and he sucked my right for a further 10. Then he sat up. I cleaned my breasts with disinfectant wipes before pulling down my top.

“How was it:, I asked awkwardly. ‘“Great,” he said.`Can we do it again this week?’ Lured by money, I agreed. I was just glad it was over. Three days later, I saw him again and this time, it was easier. After 1 got to know him better, he started coming to my house.

“Initially, I felt guilty depriving my little girl-I’d planned to feed her myself for the first few months, at least. But the reason I was doing this was to keep a roof over our heads.

That’s how I squared it with myself. Over the following months, 1 developed a business-like approach to the whole process. Now I regularly see other clients too. I no longer look down on these men - adult nursing seems a relatively harmless desire, My daughter is eight months now and my milk is slowly drying up.

Still, I’ve made more than enough money to keep food on the table regularly and a roof over our heads ...

“When 1 had my third child”, said Emily in a newspaper interview, “I started ‘milk banking”,donating excess breast milk to premature babies at my local hospital. My husband and I had been blessed with three healthy kids and wanted to help give poorly babies the best chance of survival.

When Emily was six months, 1 felt I’d given the best of my milk to help sick babies, so I stored the extra in my freezer and searched online to see if anyone would buy it. I imagined there’d be men with adult nursing fantasies, but that didn’t bother me. 1 just wanted to make money.

“I soon found a site with

all sorts of people looking to buy breast milk. So 1 added my details:”Breast milk available, price depends on quantity”. The first sale was to a woman wanting some for her four month- old baby. She couldn’t produce enough herself and I sold her 11 pints for about N12,000.-.

I delivered them in person bottled wrapped in cool bags. When a man contacted me a month later, I was more cautious and used a special refrigerator courier services to deliver a pint.

I’d upped my price too, realising I could sell a pint for as much as N10,000.

“A Multiple sclerosis sufferer bought a pint believing the protein could help his symptoms. A cancer sufferer hoped it would boost his immune system.

Neither theory has been medically proven, but I liked to think I was helping. Several months later, a local couple emailed, asking if I could provide two pints.1 was delighted with the generous fee, didn’t asked what they planned to do with it. Two months on, they still buy two pints every week.

“I hope to find proper work when the children are older. But for now, selling my milk means I can choose my hours and make time for the kids.”

08052201867(Text Only)

The Shoulderstand and Single Leg Raise Postures

T

C M Y K

hese two postures will give your nerves the much needed vitality and also help you to reduce excess fat accumulated during the yuletide.

The Shoulderstand To do the shoulderstand, lie down on your back with palms on the floor, slowly inhale and raise both legs. With the elbows down, bring both hands to support the hips with the body resting on the nape of the neck and shoulders. Press the chin firmly against the chest. Now, push the trunk upward while straightening the knees with the legs in a straight vertical line.

Do abdominal breathing-in and out movement of the abdomen on account of breathe. Keep very still.

You may close your eyes to avoid distractions. Remain in the posture for as long as it is comfortable.

To return to lying position, just bend the knees, then curve the spine, gradually unfolding it like when one unrolls a carpet. With the whole back on the floor, straighten the knees and gently lower your legs to

the ground.

Take a little rest flat on your back.

Benefits: The shoulderstand affects the thyroid and sex glands. It gives vitality to the nerves, purifies the blood and promotes good circulation.

With this exercise, the lower organs are strengthened and made to stay in place. It is especially recommended for women after child birth. Of immense help to sufferers of asthma, constipation and piles it must be practised with deligence. It is of great help in overcoming painful menstration and other female disorders. In the menfolk, seminal weakness is corrected, manly vigour preserved.

Caution: People with organic disorders of the thyroid should refrain from this exercise and should be done for short periods - thirty seconds to a minute by those afflicted with chronic nasal catarrh.

The Single Leg Raise: Technique: Lying flat on your belly, place the hands by your side. With your chin on the floor, raise up the left leg to an angle of about 90 degrees from the floor. Hold the posture for about 10 - 15 seconds. Change legs and re-

peat. muscle of the legs. It firms Benefits: This pos- the buttocks by reducing ture tones up the excess fat.

•The Single Leg Raise

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre

•The Shoulderstand

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

PAGE 18 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

'Abortion can change men’s lives too' A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Being a dad is everything I’d imagined

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

To me that seems unfair.

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

all due to the side-effects.

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

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

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

But early findings from the trial

And it always will be For love still remains Life's sweet mystery

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"

LOVE CRITERIA.

Love is like MAGIC

Love works in ways They are WONDERFUL and STRANGE And there's nothing in life That love cannot CHANGE!!

Love can TRANSFORM The most common place Into BEAUTY and SPLENDOR And SWEETNESS and GRACE Love is UNSELFISH UNDERSTANDING and KIND

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

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

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

cheap compared to most cancer treatments.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For it sees with its heart And not with its MIND!!

Love is the ANSWER That everyone seeks...

Love is the LANGUAGE That every heart speaks Love can't be BOUGHT It is PRICELESS and FREE..

LOVE,like PURE MAGIC, Is Life's SWEET MYSTERY.

Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015. #KriSpiratiOn2016

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 19

Cultivate self love

BY ONOZURE DANIA

T

he idea of loving yourself isn’t some kind of airy-fairy, new age concept. Lack of self love is behind almost every relationship struggle.

N e t w o r k i n g / Sponsorship •Mirabel, 23, from Delta state, needs someone to sponsor her education.

08182675953 •Hawa 22, needs financial help to enable her pay her school fees.09035435807 •Fred, from Nasarawa state, needs someone to sponsor him to set up a business.

08134944901 •Promise, from Delta state, needs someone to sponsor her education.

08130263436 •Stephen, an entrepreneur with great idea for wealth, needs potential financial partners’ investors, to sponsor his business idea financially.08053319499, 08062063747 Friends Searching Female •Kate 23, from Imo state needs a responsible male friend. 09021117272 Searching Male •Chris,resides in PH, needs fat, confident and romantic female friends.

08168493331, bbm 5c42498d •Nnaemeka, 25, slim, dark in complexion, funny, cute and resides in Lagos, needs kind hearted male and female friends.

08058263014 •Itse, needs a sexy female friend, aged 17-23.

07063734038 •John, 24, tall, slim, dark in complexion and from Ekiti state, needs female friends, aged18 and above.

08162942285,09050651980 Lovers Searching Female

When you don’t fully embrace all the parts that make you who you are -even the “ugly” ones you will keep generating situations that will confirm your “unlovability.”

For instance, if you’re single and deep down you don’t believe you are worthy of genuine love because you think you’re too fat, too old, too damaging, or too demanding you will attract partners who

•Abigail, 24, a student from Edo state, needs a man for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.

08076867322,08088111711 •Gift, 38, from Abia state, a single mother of one needs a humble, Godly, caring and matured man, aged 4050, for a relationship that can lead to marriage.

07080096958 •Gina, 49, Igbo by tribe and from Imo state, a widow, needs a widower, aged 49 and above for marriage.

08069496894 •Oyens, 29, dark, in complexion, a graduate, employed and resides in Benin, needs a decent guy who resides in Benin that is ready to settle down this year aged 32-38.

07011201749

•Innocent, 33, from Akwa Ibom state, but resides in Lagos, needs an employed lady, who has good character and God fearing, aged 26-30, for a serious relationship.07036760972 •Hanzy, 29, from Delta state, a corp member serving in Bayelsa, needs a lady, for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage.

08111216669,07035518407 •Chris, 27, handsome and cute, from Delta state, needs a very beautiful, humble and caring lady, for a serious relationship.

07038678547,08182828871 •Erick, 36, 6.2ft tall, slim, a businessman, from Anambra state but resides in Lagos, needs a lady with a matured heart for a serious relationship, preferably a chubby lady.

08035624289 •Felix, slim, employed and resides in Delta state, needs a beautiful graduate lady, aged 27-30 for marriage soon.

08153318600,08057486453 •Chuks, 30, cute, jovial, nice, loving, caring, romantic, strong and from Delta state, needs a sexy lady, for a serious relationship.07031066388 •Paul, 31 from Ogun state, needs a lovely lady, aged 20-25, for a romantic and serious relationship.

08020777668,09053609881 •Ojamaliya, 48, a graduate, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a devout Christian lady or a widow for a serious relationship, preferably from Kogi East, aged 35-40, who resides in Lagos and employed.

08189442860 •Dave, 50, employed from Edo state, needs an employed lady, divorcee, or widow, aged 30-60, for a relationship.

07030584314

Searching Male •Barry,30, from Delta state, needs a matured lady, for a serious relationship.

08177729134 •Osy, 43, from Delta state and resides, in Asaba, needs a tall, genotype AA, university graduate lady, who is busty and not circumcised, aged 26-34, for marriage.

08025152808,08039419898 •Maxwell, 32, good looking, easy going, athletically built, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a God fearing Christian lady, aged 20-30, for a serious relationship.08028115077 •Alao, 38 and resides in Lagos, needs a religious Yoruba Muslim lady, aged 30, for marriage.

08170141833 •Joma, 30, from Delta state, needs a lady who can take care of him, for a serious relationship.08035481052 •Ademola, a businessman, resides in Abuja, needs a lady, for a serious relationship.07065789706

DISCLAIMER! Dear readers, please note that we neither operate, nor are we an affiliate of any match–making agency in or outside the country. Any reader who transacts business with any one claiming to be our agent does so at his/her own risk. Our mission is only to provide a platform for social networking.

Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For enquiries, text or call 08026651636

either can’t or won’t love you likely because they feel unlovable t h e m s e l v e s .

Once you’re in a relationship, lack of self love can show up as neediness nothing your partner says or does will make you believe that they love you. Or, your insecurity may manifest

as criticism or withdrawal.

How do you know if you suffer from a lack of self love? Take a look at the patterns in your life especially your romantic relationships. If there is inevitably pain and struggle, lack of self love is most likely at play.

•Mike,35, from Enugu state, needs a caring, loving, fair in complexion, tall and slim lady, aged 30-32, from South East for relationship.

09054334220 John, 28, employed and from Delta state, needs an lady, for a serious relationship, that will lead to marriage. 08107229347, 09098714361 •Labista,26 dark in complexion, slim and tall, needs a lady who is calm and sociable, aged 17- 28.

08064341890,08064177152 •Friday, 30, a businessman, from Imo state, needs a wealthy Igbo lady, aged 30 and above for marriage.

08050474156 •Prince 28 from delta needs a lady from any part of delta state for a serious relationship age 18 -39 08148187365,08188260705 •Adetayo, 23, tall, needs a lady, aged 18-50, for a relationship.08058083930 •Enitan, 32, honest, friendly and a businessman, from Ogun state, needs a busty and fair in complexion lady, who resides in Abeokuta or Lagos, for a relationship, aged 1824.

08035599070, 08078507208 •Emmy, 26, from Delta state, needs a lady, for a relationship that will lead to marriage. 07064481796 •Goodluck, 29, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a lady for a serious relationship. 08111115140, 08183118533 •Jude, 28, resides in Lagos, needs a lady, for a relationship.09050067761, BB PIN 5918B138 •Stanley, 28, 5.6ft tall, light in complexion, employed, from Imo state but resides in Lagos, needs a lady who is decent, good looking and ready to settle down, for a serious relationship, aged 20-27.09080638083 •Bode, tall, slim, good looking, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a pretty, educated, employed and God fearing lady, aged 30-40, for a serious relationship.08026358638

•Bob, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy that can take care of him.

07053140277 •Saint, 22, from Delta state, needs a loving and caring sugar mummy, aged 25-50, who is financially buoyant to take care of him.

09024951874 •Samuel, 28, resides in Benin, needs a sexy, romantic, wealthy, loving and caring sugar mummy, aged 30-50, in Benin for a relationship.09081860768 •James, 38, needs a responsible and sexy sugar mummy, in Rivers, Edo and Delta state, for a relationship.09039942901 •Collins, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy that will take care of him.

0 9 0 2 7 4 5 1 7 1 9 , 08034701738 •Austin, 34, resides in Lagos, needs a rich, responsible and decent sugar mummy, for a serious r e l a t i o n s h i p .

08089024306 •Tolani, 35, resides in Kwara state, needs a caring and romantic sugar mummy, in Kwara, Oyo and Lagos state, aged 38-60.

07060898804 •Gabriel, 40, tall, dark in complexion, handsome and resides in Benin City, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.08033601624 •Efe, 29, needs a sugar mummy within Delta state.

08085477231 •Jonpaul, 33, tall fair in complexion, handsome and resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, for a serious relationship.09082029684 •Ola, 24, 5.6 ft tall, handsome, romantic and resides in Lagos, needs a caring and romantic sugar mummy, for a relationship.

07066628173 •Justice, 25, from Delta state, needs a rich, sexy and caring sugar mummy, who will take care of him.

09035828362 •A guy, 33, needs a sugar mummy, who can get him a job and also finance his projects. 08134432680 •Nzube, 23, from Delta state, need a sexy sugar mummy.

08132982364

Sugar Cares Searching Male

PAGE 20—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Corruption fight and survival of the 'common' Nigerian

T

here is no disputing the fact that Nigeria is in a bad state right now. Everything, both natural and human, seem to have conspired together to work against the country. If you are in doubt of the above assertion, please take a moment and reflect on when last there was any cheery news from the country.

For quite some time now it has been gloom and doom. In the past few months, apart from the initial news of "some" refineries working, stable electricity and a few overseas visits of the President and Commander in Chief Mohammed Buhari, there had not been anything new.

I know many people will put me on the spot and argue that "situations" have changed tremendously in Nigeria. I have heard people argued that the changes we "craved" for started immediately on May 29, 2015 when the president was sworn in.

These analysts have pointed out that because of the "body language" of Mr President, the refineries started working, fuel became "abundant", armed robbers went on sabbatical leave while electricity "refused to blink". Like some Nigerians on the streets, I do not really comprehend the meaning of the president's body language. But this was a term that was thrown about for too long not in the distant past.

Will it be safe to ask if the President's "body language" has changed again?

Probably this is why the refineries are no longer working? Or his new body language is why fuel is still selling at above the official price? Probably his body language has now "faced" corruption.

Someone please explain this feature to me and many confused citizens.

Let us not engage in any self deceit and say majority of Nigerians are pleased with what is going on around them. It will be a great disservice to the nation to even pretend that all is well. There is no doubt that Nigerians are very patient beings. We accept whatever situation we are with a shrug of the shoulders and adapt to it.

In which other country of the world will workers go for months without getting wages while they see their leaders lavish state funds on unproductive projects like Christmas decorations etc? It is only in Nigeria that state governments count part-payment of backlog of salaries as achievement in office.

The state governments seem the worst. They are closer to the citizens, yet not much is felt about the presence of this tier of government. All we hear everyday from their spokespersons is the drop

in Federal Allocations which had affected their ability to perform. Only a few of them are creative enough to think of other means of generating revenues for their states.

Their reliance on the Federal Government is annoying.

While majority of citizens have no means to express themselves, the ones that do are playing the ostrich and insisting that things have changed in the country.

They see queues at the filling stations, yet they come on our TV screens and suggest all is well with us.

The Naira is taking a bashing at the exchange market and there is no feasible solution to its fall, yet we are told things have changed.

My sympathy lies with the government, though. This is not the making of the administration. However, I disagree with the notion that situations have not changed because a different party is at the helm of affairs. Going by a layman's definition, the civil service is supposed to run in continuity.

By the side I feel also for the Nigerian masses as things are not going their ways. No matter how good intentioned the government of Buhari is for the masses, the collapse of the oil market has not done any good to them. Many have argued though that it has been a gradual fall in the price of oil for a few years

The ordinary Nigerians in the streets are not taken in by the dramas.

They know the country they live in.

They know nothing has changed because the policemen in their locality are still demanding bribes before they perform their duties

now. As a result, no government should be put on the spot if there had been good "projection" into the future based on the fall rate in the past three years.

Knowing the Nigerian situation, it is acceptable to excuse the Buhari administration.

The citizens seem to have resigned themselves to fate.

Many, thinking aloud wondered if there has been any difference between the government of Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan's. They

are querying because there has not been any direct impact on their lives.

Majority of them are waiting for all the promises of the electioneering campaigns to come to reality. For some, the hope of yesterday is gradually turning to a torment for them.

Majority of Nigerians are not concerned about the scandal that has now been dubbed "Dasukigate" or "Arms and Ammunition Fraud". No. They quite appreciate the efforts of the administration on corruption, but they are alarmed by the time and resources allocated to it.

Nigerians are worried by the number of supposedly "eminent" Nigerians implicated in this scandal, but they want a balance between fighting corruption and facing the reality of governance.

The citizens are silently crying out to the government that what is on ground right now is far bigger than the charade we call "fight against corruption". The ordinary Nigerians in the streets are not taken in by the dramas.

They know the country they live in. They know nothing has changed because the policemen in their locality are still demanding bribes before they perform their duties. They have not seen any changes in the performances of their Senators or House of Representatives members.

The constituency funds are still being pocketed with no meaningful change in the community.

These Nigerians are wondering why we are now pretending as if corruption is a new thing in the country.

They observe the hype that has followed this Dasukigate scandal as unbelievable. They are shaking their heads in disbelief as we all chorus the anti-corruption songs as "conducted" by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The common men and women are thinking how deceptive their compatriots are.

In all the drama, Nigerians seem happy for one thing - the EFCC has got its groove back. After parading in a shadow of itself for so many years it is indeed good news to see it with renewed vigour. We all know the track record of the agency and its "success rates". It is no secret that EFCC was more or less dead not too long ago when it was common for individuals to engage the services of its operatives to recoup personal debts, or settle properties disputes.

Of all the corruption cases pursued by the agency, not much were heard of them after the initial "gra gra" opening trials at the courts.

Will there be any difference this time around?

I am quickly reminded that things have changed at the helm of affairs of the agency. The new boss is said to be a frank and nononsense individual who knows his onion when it comes to corruption. But same was said of Ribadu, Waziri and of recent Lamorde at the start. But at the end one thing was common to them - they all lost faces and were kicked out. Will Magu be different?

Nigerians are waiting.

An end to your expectation is imminent

G “

et ready for your season of harvest in Jesus name.” With these words, we ended last week’s edition of Joyful Homes.

You and I did not know that God was going to confirm his words through his servants .

I had planned to focus on troubled homes in this edition but the manifestations and words of the Holy Spirit have led us to still talk about couples waiting on the Lord for children.

Let me start with a word of knowledge from the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, at the last Holy Ghost Service held on January 8.

Quoting the Holy Spirit, Adeboye said: “ Of the children that will be born this year (2016), at least 1,000 of them will be significant”.

He added that he wished that his wife was still of child bearing age.

Now, what is the significance of this?

Believe it or not, but I suggest that you believe it; it means that barren wombs will bear children this year. How do I know? The same Pastor Adeboye, in one of his sermons, while encouraging women waiting on the Lord, reminded them that “ special children come from closed wombs”.

How do we know?

Reference was made to the birth of Samuel, John the Baptist, Samson , Joseph , etc.

If you are familiar with the stories of the birth of these men, you will acknowledge that all of them became great in different ways.

I refer to the story of the birth of John the Baptist as recorded in the gospel according to St. Luke .An angel had informed Zacharias that he would have a child. “And Zacharias said unto the angel, “Whereby shall I know this?

For I am an old man , and my wife well stricken in years” (Luke 1: 18).

Verse 19 : “ And the angel, answering, said unto him, ‘I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and I am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings’”.

In the case of Mary, the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, after the angel had told her of the imminent birth of the Lord Jesus, asked for a sign.

Luke 1 verse 34 records: “ Then said Mary unto the angel, ‘How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?’”

In a part of verse 35, the angel replied: “ The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee…….”.

Did I hear you say, ‘but I am not Mary neither do we have angels these days?’

You are wrong.

The power of the Holy Spirit is still very much with us and it is accessible to all believers who strive to live

according to the word of God. The Spirit of God speaks You have been praying.

Have you prayed to the point where you hear the still small voice?

When he speaks, his words are in accordance with the word of God as contained in the Holy Bible.

This is different from your mind speaking to you.

Have you prayed to the point that you are spiritually directed to pray with certain verses in the Holy Bible?

Has your prayer level taken you to the point where you sing a song of thanksgiving from your dream?

Have you prayed to the point that the Lord Jesus himself gives you baby or babies?

Have you ever dreamt of caring for your children or having a naming ceremony?

There are thousands of ways in which the Spirit of God confirms that your prayers have been answered.

Once you move up spiritually with fasting and prayer, then be ready for the physical manifestation

Once you move up spiritually with fasting and prayer, then be ready for the physical manifestation of what has been revealed to you of what has been revealed to you.

If you have not , then you must work harder on your prayer life.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will help you.

In the name of Jesus, you will be alive to receive your miracle.

Remember and hold on to the words of the Lord in the book of Jeremiah 29 vs 12 . It states, “ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”.

Six miscarriages, then a baby As usual, I share with you a testimony at the last Laughter Day held at the Laughter Foundation International Ministry, Oregun, Lagos.

Lady G and her husband got married in 2007.

Before then, according to her, she had six miscarriages. She said anytime she got pregnant, she was told to avoid stress , which she did; yet she had miscarriages.

She told the congregation that 2011 was quite traumatic.

She lost a pregnancy after five months.

Then she experienced a greater challenge. The placenta refused to be expelled. She became worried and called all men of God she knew to pray for her .

God answered and the placenta was expelled.

Before then, doctors had diagnosed her with fibroid but she was told it was not enough to stop her from getting pregnant . On the other hand, her husband was given a clean bill of health.

After her experience of these miscarriages, doctors told her that her womb was so scarred that she would be unable to carry a baby to full term.

She was advised to go for surgery to remove the fibroid.

She had the surgery . Six months after, no conception took place.

Like any other woman, she became worried.

She also had three In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and two Intrauterine Insemination ( IUI). All failed.

Then her husband suggested that they move to another church.

Suddenly, the husband tuned to LTV and saw Pastor Oso the General Overseer of Laughter Foundation preaching on women waiting on the Lord. He advised that they should go to that church. The wife protested, saying it was too far from their home, but the husband insisted and they came. That was in 2012.

By 2013 , nothing happened though they continued coming for the church services. The wife suggested adoption but the husband refused. Then she decided to see a doctor in Benue State for surrogacy in February 2014 as a means of becoming a mother.

They then got information that Pastor Oso would be at a naming ceremony in Festac.

She called off work that day and the husband too rushed down from his office. He prayed for them and assured them they would be parents.

Her words as she prepared for the surrogacy option: “The God of Laughter that does not want his glory to be shared by anyone visited me. I was pronounced pregnant.

This was the safest pregnancy I have ever had”.

On September 29, 2015, to the glory of God, a baby boy was born.

Pastor Oso said, “ All miscarriages are attacks of the enemy ”.

Do you doubt? Then refer to Exodus 23 vs 26: “ No one shall suffer miscarriage, nor be barren in the land the number of their days I will fulfill”.

Pastor Oso told all women who have been losing babies: “ No injection can destroy the work of the enemy, only God can.

Only the anointing of the Holy Spirit can destroy the work of the enemy”.

Do you doubt this?

I refer you to Isaiah 10 vs 27: “ And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken from off their shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck , and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing”.

In this season, I pray that the Lord will visit you and your expectation will manifest physically in Jesus name..

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 21

Renewed Biafra agitation is not Igbo agenda

— Masari •

Sayys campaigner campaignerss act lik likee •Sa Jonathan’s sympathiser sympathiserss •’The missing link in Obasanjo’s Thir d TTerm erm ssttor y’ Third ory’

•On Katsina: Public funds massively stolen; loot er looter erss will be punished

By Wale Akinola & Olalekan Bilesanmi

H

earing Governor Aminu Masari speak about his state, Katsina, you will not miss, in his voice, the passion to uplift his people from under-development and abject poverty. That was the situation, last week, when Masari spoke on how his administration is delivering democracy dividends in Katsina, the first time a party, All Progressives Congress (APC), which used to be in the opposition, will take the mantle of leadership in the state, after 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) being in power.

The governor also commented on the pro-Biafra agitation and the Third Term story as a leader in parliament under the Obasanjo administration, among other issues. Excerpts: Your predecessor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, claimed he had many achievements in area of health,education, human empowerment,etc, but one particular area the past administration claimed it did so well was area of the state resources such that it left so much money behind for you, how are you building on this achievements?

It depends on what you mean by achievements. The fact that somebody claimed, you also have to verify the claim before you pay.

In your case, payment is reporting it as correct claim. Not a spurious claim. If somebody claimed to have made so much achievements especially in the area of governance, you have to relate the achievements to the available resources. What we saw and even in the report of an independent investigator,the state of education was more damning and worse

C M Y K

than what we envisaged. The investigator went to different schools, including the president former school where all the pupils sit on ground to as we speak. It is a physical thing that we all can see for ourselves, so there is no argument about that. At the local and state government levels, from what we have been able to trace so far, because these days, you are not even sure if you can ever trace everything, they were telling me yesterday that despite everything, they still discovered another six accounts, all these were never declared by the previous government and even the banks. We are waiting for the report on who operated these accounts, what they were meant for and what were the balances. I recalled that when we came in, the previous government declared about 50 accounts but when we had meetings with the bank managers, we discovered about 97 accounts, but we now know that the previous government had more than 100 accounts in various banks. So, we have streamlined the accounts in such a way that only three accounts are operated.

For those ministries earning revenue, only the revenue account, there is capital and recurrent accounts, no more. The state from 2007 to 2015, got a revenue, put together with that of the local government was N983. That is outside the closing balance the late president UmaruYar’Adua handed over to the former governor without a single liability but with cash balance of N15b. If you could remember, the issue of prudery became the selling point of the former president when he was about to contest for the presidency at that time. If you put N15b and added to N983b, what you have is about N1t. In the account of SureP, he left N3.2b. in the salary account, he left N9m plus. There is already a white paper on these findings on the finances of the state of the previous administration

•Governor Aminu Masari

Without education, you are limiting their capacity to ask questions; so, poverty becomes their lots.

When people are battling on how to feed, there is little time for them to start scrutinizing government

which would deliberated upon by the council. He left a liability of 42b. The only thing you cannot directly associate with the administration was the N15b loan inherited from the old Kaduna State. It left an unpaid pension and gratuity arrears of N11.8b. If you subtract the N15b that was inherited, automatically, you will see that it left about N27b which it left unpaid. When we came in, they were saying we would not be able to pay salaries in the next three months as there was virtually nothing in the accounts, and this would have given them (the opposition) cause to tell the public that we were not able to pay salaries because they know that majority of the people do not understand how government works. The ordinary man on the street does not understand that what the state government gets is dependent on the price of crude oil in the international market. You are aware that in 2014, the price of crude was over 100 dollars. By the end of 2015, it was about 36/38 dollars per barrel. However, there are some basic things in government that cannot stop. The issue of salary,school enrollments, school feeding where you have boarding schools and running of hospitals. These things are constant; you cannot stop them from running. You can say, for capital projects, you will not build roads, you will not buy new vehicles. The other three are fundamentals. What they left could at best,pay basic salaries.

There were states getting N6b,N7b, per month from the Federation Account apart from the Excess Crude Account.

Today, the states are getting less than N3b from which salaries must be paid. You cannot execute any capital project in this circumstance. Even the inherited capital projects, you cannot finance.

You have not spoken about your IGR? The IGR, from records, we discovered that what the state was getting, in the best of months, was N600m. And 70% of the revenue was from contract fee deductions and all that. So, I do not consider VAT, the coming from contracts or services rendered to the state government or Pay As You Earn, PAYE, as generating revenue because it is the money you are taking from the left pocket to the right pocket. So, it is effortless. If you want to realise the quantum of what is coming directly from the people to the IGR, then you subtract the PAYE, the tax deductible from contracts. It is like a contractor gives me an estimate that the price of this bottled water is N100, he says out of it, I will pay 5% VAT and 5% tax, all he does is give me a price of N110. So, the VAT and tax are coming from the government. Meanwhile, the states do not get this VAT directly; it goes to the Federation Account. If you look at our performance in terms of IGR, it is extremely low. The government, when there was so much money, they were doing what they liked with the money and nobody was paying tax. And if for whatever reason, you now demand for tax, you may become unpopular. I think that is their game plan. If you want to dominate people, all you make sure is you don’t give them education. Without education, you are limiting their capacity to ask questions; so, poverty becomes their lots.

When people are battling on how to feed, there is little time for them to start scrutinizing government.

You have just painted a glooming picture. What is the way out of this quagmire?

Indeed, it is a glooming picture.

First of all,what we have done and still doing is to bring discipline into the system. We promised we will not steal. So, we are in a position to

Continues on page 22

PAGE 22—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Continued from page 21 punish anybody who does. We are also blocking leakages and waste, gradually. And we are repositioning the civil service because that is the only way you can stop waste. We have survived for seven months. How? We stopped waste. That is why till this moment, we are able to meet up with basic responsibilities of governance. I think if we can get 50% of what the previous administration was getting, we would do far better than what we are doing now. When the top leadership was busy stealing,others too were busy helping themselves. You see, we are not probing how much this building(Government House) was done. What we shall be looking into is money taken directly from the treasury totalling N147b. This is raw cash taken directly. There would be a commission of enquiry on this money and we shall demand for the return of it and let the perpetrators be punished so that we too will not be tempted like they did.

We are putting a break on ourselves.

We are putting a break on governance. We are returning responsibility back to governance.

Given this situation, what is the fate of all the promises you made to the people ahead of the election?

I think most of them are achievable. We have set up a machinery. If I can get extra N1b that I can spend every month, I will be able to achieve, at least, in this year alone, nothing less than 50% of the promises. You see, what our people rarely need are small small things, not these grandiose projects. They need functional primary schools, functional clinics in their villages. When the rainy season comes, they need access to fertilizer at affordable price, and where they cannot afford, the government gives them loan and, when they sell their produce, they pay back. If you do that, you have taken care of 70% of their problems. They are not after dual carriage way from here to Lagos.

People have traced our reliance on crude oil which price has crashed to our present economic problems. What are you doing in the area of agriculture to earn money?

Oil revenue, to some who have used it well, is a blessing, not a curse. In our case, we did not manage it well. It has become a curse for us,simply because when we were getting this oil revenue, we did not invest in key areas like agriculture, solid minerals and education.

Because whatever you do, without quality education, you are just wasting your time. We made promises in critical areas during our campaign. One of them is education which is our number one priority.

Our investment in foundation education is going on as planned.

This year on foundation and a certain level of tertiary education, government is spending over N30b, out of a budget of N111b. Of the total budget, we are committing over 22% on education. We believe that unless we address the issue of primary education that made people to pass examinations,qualify them to go for higher education, we are only wasting our time. We are investing, not only in infrastructure but also on teachers. If the teacher is not trained to teach, what is he doing in the classroom?

The former administration claimed it invested heavily in education?

Yes, they constructed ring roads around the town. We are not investigating how it was constructed. They invested in the Government House which they said gulped over N10b. The first contract, according to them, was about N8. something billion, and it was re-

C M Y K

‘The missing link in Obasanjo’s Third Term story’ The ordinary person did not vote Buhari for miracle, the businessmen knew and saw what was going on.

They supported Buhari, not because they liked him, but because of all the contestants, it was only him that they believed could save the ship of state from capsizing operate as governor. Since I came in, I have been using this place( a six- chair table); so, it means I can do without this large place.

•Governor Masari viewed before ir was upped to over N10b.

We didn’t manufacture it, the records are from the previous government. They made some roads,all of them, without exception, have broken down in less than two years. In six months, they claimed they spent N1b on media. The facts are here. That is why the former governor was even honoured by a newspaper in Lagos for a state they had not even visited to see what was happening there.

So, the fight against corruption currently being fought at the federal level will be replicated here in the state?

Of course. And we are going to ask for the refund of this money. We have a duty to the people of Katsina to seek for the refund. ALGON is an association, like cleaners association, teachers association. And ALGON was being taken in batches, N9m, N9.5m cash.

The banks proved with records. From the ALGON alone, over a period of 30 months, they collected N11.6b. These is the money removed from the treasury, cash . We are not even interested in saying this table costs N1,000 but you claimed you bought it for N2000.

We are not going to that level, because if we are to do that, we would waste the whole of our time on it and we will end up spending a lot of money in doing that because you have to bring experts,consultants in order to ascertain. This money that was taken directly from the treasury is what we are asking them to returm and people should get punished.

Will people not say you are going after the opposition?

Of course. I want the opposition to come after me if I steal money. You should have no fear. Why should you have fear when there is no fear? That is why I am saying I am not going after their mistakes. As individuals, they made mistakes for building this kind of Government House in Katsina: A Government House that the internally generated revenue of government cannot even maintain. I don’t need this building to

President Buhari is from here.

What advantage does this confer on you and the state?

I think it even puts more pressure on us. The expectation is that Katsina should do better than any other states. You know we have a direct supervisor who is the President. He is a supervisor of all the states but he supervises here more than any other state. Because where he is, there is somebody from Katsina with him. So, sometimes he has more information about Katsina than myself. So, that puts a lot of pressure on us, because the expectation on us is that, we should lead by the example of the President.

Before the President came in, there were so much expectation. Now, people think he is not tackling the problems on ground as fast as they expected?

No. First of all, the country is now safe and people have confidence in themselves, they feel honoured outside the country, unlike the situation before. I think we should be proud that we have the armed forces that can protect the territorial integrity of this country. Prior to the coming to power at the APC and Buhari, everybody had almost lost hope on the armed forces’ capability to contain the extremist group. Have they not been routed out? At least, there is now the feeling that we have armed forces that can protect and defend the nation. And now, people can travel from Maiduguri to Lagos. If you had 10 incidences of attacks, today, the maximum you can have is two. And, today, there is even stability within the polity. Of course, people have stolen the peoples money, there are the elite like you and me, who have access to the media. The ordinary persons voted Buhari so that he will stop the madness.

The ordinary person did not vote Buhari for miracle, the businessmen knew and saw what was going on. They supported Buhari, not because they liked him, but because of all the contestants, it was only him that they believed could save the ship of state from capsizing because if it does, those who invested heavily in it will be the first losers. So, Buhari is not here to perform miracle. He is here to steer the ship from collapsing, rescue the country. The ones crying foul are the elite like you and me sitting in their rooms and collecting millions. How can you justify anybody cornering the money voted for the crisis at hand?

Thousands were bombed out of their houses in the affected areas. These people could have been saved but for the so-called big

men who cornered the money that could have prevented from being bombed?

What do you make of the arms deal scandal rocking the country at the moment?

People who stole money must pay back.

Regardless of party affiliation?

Which party? Are we talking of party or talking of Nigeria? Are you saying because this is APC and he collected money and, as such, he should not return it? Are we back to the days of the PDP, where the PDP was right and everyone was wrong? Is that the way the rule of law should operate? When you go to the temple of justice, is that not why the symbol itself is blindfolded? That is simply because the law does not recognise your colour,age or character. It only recognises the facts of the case. And until we begin to do that, we may never get it right.

Talking about rule of law, people have criticised the President for allegedly flouting court orders like refusing to honour the bail granted a former National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki and leader of Indegenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu?

What kind of bail? Is the judiciary not part of the problems in this country? When they say the court is the last hope of the common man, I think that is the beginning of his problems. The court has become the beginning of the common man’s problems. Are you telling me you can commit this kind of heinous crime in Asia for example and start asking for bail? If you are talking of 2.1b dollars, multiply it by the government fixed exchanged rate of N197 to a dollar and tell me how many trillions that would give you. Meanwhile, how much is the budget of the country?

And you say these people should go on bail? What bail? He put us in bondage, and you want him out there? I think it is high time the Nigerian Bar Association, the media, there are certain times in the life of a nation, the people make sacrifice for the nation to survive. Are we going to sacrifice the nation because of Dasuki? Are we going to sacrifice the country because of Kanu? Should we sacrifice the entire country because of one person? Because people are used to impunity, because people are used to breaking the law, and because they have money to hire the best lawyers to ague for them, should we continue like that?

You still have more than three years to go, where do you want to the state at the end of your tenure?

There are some fundamentals.

These are in the areas of education,agriculture, health and water supply. Our priority is education, and I think if we can achieve 70% of our plans, we would have achieved something so that even in 20 years to come, it will be there for everyone to see. We are not in government to play to the gallery. It is not about how long we stay, but how well we are able to impact on the people. In the area of agriculture, there was a time this state under the native authority, development was financed through agriculture. The lands are still there. Due to technology, we have dams everywhere now. Katsina State, I think, apart from Kano, has the highest in terms of dams of stored water. We have one in Jibia that has all the irrigation infrastructure and it can irrigate up to 8,000 hectares; it was idle, simply because they could not spend about N100m to pump water. It was a problem to the former government. We have been operating the dam since we came and we have not spent

Continues on page 24

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 23

Pro-Biafra agitators will surrender if …

—Igwe Alex Nwokedi

•Faults Na’Abba’s claims on Obasanjo

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

resisting the exploitation by the marketers and would you say therefore that the removal of subsidy as just announced is justified?

Well, as far as I am concerned, this issue of fuel subsidy, we don’t know anything about it in eastern part of the country. We have been buying fuel at unsubsidized rate even ever before the announcement. So, the most important thing is to utilize the money realized from it (subsidy removal) to improve the refineries.

I

gwe Ezeoba Alex Nwokedi, a former Press Secretary to the Head of State during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime and erstwhile Chairman, Eastern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and

Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, says it is unthinkable for a one-time Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, to want to denigrate Obasanjo to score political goal.

According to the Igwe of Uthakoneze Achalla in Awka North LGA, Anambra State, his former boss remains one of the best few fit to advise President Muhammadu Buhari on matters of state. He also speaks on the proBiafran campaign. Excerpts:

You must have read the paper where former Speaker Ghali Na’Abba lambasted your former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, asking President Buhari to refrain from taking his advice.

How does it sound to you?

First and foremost, Obasanjo is still my boss not my former boss.

Former President Obasanjo is one of the greatest leaders we have in Africa today. You can say anything about Nigeria but you hurt him once you talk about dividing the country.

And you don’t think Ghali Na’Abba should have been speaking for a reason?

It is ignorance. Afterall, who is Ghali Na’Abba and what has he done for this country? Where is his footmark in this country? People just get up, open their mouths and begin to say anything that they like to get attention.

General Diya and Mr Ray Ekpu said Nigerians have to choose between supporting and cooperating with the Buhari’s government and move up to their aspired greatness or work against the government and drown. Do you agree?

That is what I am telling you.

People should rally round President Buhari and let us have an enviable country. All these criticisms the way they are being done will not help this country to grow.

But the people criticizing claim, it is their right to do so?

Oh yes. The opposition has the right to speak but the majority carries the vote and the majority of the Nigerian people are behind the Buhari government. So, he should not let them down.

Finally, what is your advice to the government and the people?

My advice to the government is not to be deaf and dumb. They should listen to the people’s agitations and identify the grey areas to be corrected.

No one is above mistake, however. I have confidence that President Buhari will perform very C M Y K

It doesn’t even ever make any difference to the South East whether subsidy is there or not.

So, automatically, subsidy removal at this time is order?

Removal of fuel subsidy based on the given circumstances is quite in order.

Why would people not agitate for a separate state even though that is not the solution to the problem?

The solution to the problem is that we should pay more attention to those things which unite us rather those things which divide us well, if he is given the necessary cooperation and that necessary cooperation will come when his government shows justice and fair play to all Nigerians especially the Igbo.

The media is pointed to as a critical sector for ensuring a great, clean society. Would you say the Nigerian media where you are a father have worked along this line?

These media people are human beings. They have to see things and when they see things they comment.

I don’t think they have been unfair, to tell you the truth. I think, largely, they have been doing fairly well in pointing out the grey areas in our country. They are saying these things to ensure that measures are taken to improve the system.

Government is planning to

lower unemployment rate by taking 500,000 graduates into the education sector as teachers. How far do you think that coming from one sector will help?

What is the population of the unemployed? You see, all these people are just quoting figures and the figures they quote have always not come to the reality at implementation. That however is the education sector.

They should ensure that it goes round. And I believe strongly that the construction sector, if paid as and when due, will absorb a lot of people.

The new Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Raji Fashola (SAN), has said that all the roads connecting the 36 states including the second Niger Bridge and Lagos/Ibadan Express road will be his priority. As an advocate of infrastructural development, are you good with that?

Yes. But this is not the first time we have heard that kind of pronouncement. It is the priority of every Minister of Works. Yes, infrastructural development is very important especially the second Niger Bridge. But go and see the first one. It is poorly maintained.

If Fashola can do as he said, it will be very good. But I doubt because, our experience with people in that office in the past has not given us confidence in what they say. It is just hopeful that Fashola will correct that impression in us and right the wrong of the past by ensuring, as it should apply to others in government, that their words are matched with actions.

As a former General Manager, Public Affairs of the NNPC, you probably would still remember how things are run in the corporation. Why do you think the government would give a directive on petrol pump price N86.5 and petroleum marketers would not comply and even the Nigerians who are the beneficiaries would not cooperate with government by

But why do you think the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is not considering this and that only the thing that concerns them is how to shut down the whole nation hearing subsidy removal despite that government actually took charge by reducing the pump price rather their expectation of increase?

The Nigerian Labour Congress said they were gearing their members to go on strike or what did they say? Is that a sensible thing to do? We have to work with the government to stabilize the economy and further create employment. NLC should see to the issue of ensuring steady growth and creation of employment and not deployment in Nigeria. Okay? All this talk about shutting down the system if truly they are threatening that is unnecessary because, when you have a government which is serious and is seen to be serious about delivering the goods, we better help it to achieve that for our own general good than distracting it.

You have been vocal about the plight of construction companies who have been incapacitated to pay their workers and have sacked them due to huge debt owed them since over three years by the former government.

This new government says it would pay the debt and move on from there.

How about that?

(Cuts in) Have they paid? They have not paid.

They said it would be part of the 2016 budget?

They should ensure the money is there in the budget. You see, budget is what you plan and you achieve your budget by raising funds.

What I am saying is that, government has not yet paid the construction companies and how that affects the ordinary Nigerians that are sacked from work as a result of inability of the

companies to pay their salaries due to that lack of payment is where I have worry.

Once they are paid, all those workers sacked will return to work. I can assure to that as I have advocated for the companies over their money owed for over three years, so I am going to stand on the side of the sacked workers that they should be returned to work once the government pays.

This is because, when workers who are sacked return to work, the security in the country will be very much improved being that there won’t be idle hand which they say is devil’s workshop.

What is the situation now generally regarding the agitations for Biafra? They feel neglected.

Is it true they are actually neglected and how?

It is true, which is the reason this agitation for Biafra is rearing its head again.

What will stop the agitation?

Once there is justice, fair play, the agitation will stop. In short, we feel highly neglected. Our roads are not done. We have no water. We have no power supply. So, why would people not agitate for a separate state even though that is not the solution to the problem? The solution to the problem is that we should pay more attention to those things which unite us rather those things which divide us.

After Nigeria, the other zone that is on your mind is Anambra State in eastern Nigeria. What are you doing as a father figure on the claims and counter-claims between the incumbent and former governors of your state?

What we are doing is to ensure that both of them sheathe their swords and work together harmoniously for the growth and development of Anambra State. Anambra is one of the states of the South East. If each state, at its own pace, can develop its potentials, the entire zone will be great.

What were you told is responsible for the problem?

The former governor said he left some money. The present government said he met N35 billion. What I want to advise them is that you don’t get anything putting the money in the treasury while there are works to be done. The money is to be spent to improve public utilities. In Anambra State there is no water, no road, no light and we are hearing about giving money and receiving money. I regard all those things as television in the darkness. So, they should utilize the money to improve public facilities. You don’t gain anything allowing the money lying there in the treasury.

PAGE 24—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Buhari should learn to forgive —

Owenso of Benin Kingdom

•Says fellow chiefs call him pastor me, accusing me of ignoring our

BY YINKA AJAYI

Chief Osarowese Amehor is the Owenso of Benin Kingdom. In this chat, he calls on President Muhammadu Buhari to focus on reviving Nigeria’s crashing economy among other issues.

Excerpts: What informed your participation in an annual Christian Revival, amid the rich tradition and culture of Benin kingdom?

It is a great experience to be among God’s people yearly, to have an encounter with God and to share my testimonies with other brethren. Although, being a chief and a Christian sometimes could be very challenging, God has always been faithful to me. People honour me more as a Christian than I expect. While other cabinet chiefs perceive me as not serious, some even confront

traditional deity for church activities! But I am convinced that there is salvation in Christianity and the benefits are so enormous. So I am not discouraged. Even in the Oba’s palace, fellow chiefs humorously refer to me as a pastor, because I put the of the Living Faith Church in my car. One of the chiefs asked me to remove it but I refused because I know the benefits of being a Christian. It is very important for somebody to know God and they all know I go to church as a chief. Even before I took over my father’s title as the Owenso of Benin Kingdom, the Oba asked me if I am a Christian and I didn’t deny my faith in Christ.

Why the annual revival ?

Christian-based revivals, trigger hope in the people despite economic challenges they face.

With the way things are presently, the average Nigerians can doubt the reality of the change mantra of the Federal Government. But the servant of God, Bishop David Oyedepo, has prophesied that a greater future awaits Nigeria. I am hopeful of a better Nigeria beginning from this administration.

With this prophecy, are you satisfied with APC Change mantra?

On a contrary, I feel that President Muhhammadu Buhari ought to have a pattern for his government in line with the foresight of the late President Nelson Mandela of SouthAfrica. He should forgive those that allegedly offended him during the pre-election period and forge ahead for a better Nigeria. This is because election is a game of power, a party must lose for the other to win. He should desist from victimising the opposition like the former security adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) and High Chief Raymond Dopeksi, the owner of Daar Communications.

He should forgive them and lets move ahead because the election is over and the mandate he is enjoying is God’s gift.

There are those who insist that forgiving corrupt practices, is corruption itself?

Absolutely! There are APC leaders that are alleged to be neck-deep in corrupt practices, but are not

bringing to book those who are corrupt, but allow the law to take its course. Don’t influence the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies to do their work.

President Muhammadu Buhari should focus more on any economic policy that will revive our nation from crashing.

Leaders like Dr. Nelson Madela never victimised the opposition that ruled South-Africa for 300 years, jailed him and other freedom fighters for more than 27 years.

South-Africa will never have gotten where it is today but for the single act of magnanimity that helped make Madiba an international icon.

harassed by anticorruption agencies. If he wants to bring corrupt people to book, he should be straightforward, not tracking those who stepped on his toes during

the election period. Obviously, this administration is victimising and clamping down on the opposition, out of the fear of them taking over power in 2019.

President Buhari’s focus should be on how to improve the economy, particularly now, when many state governments cannot pay N18,000 minimum wage conveniently, despite the human and mineral resources in the country. Countries like Singapore and Japan have no natural resources but are developed because the late Singapore leader, Lee Kuan Yew, came up with policies that revived their economy, not by victimising the opposition. Nobody is against

What advice do you have for traditional rulers on their faith in

God? I will strongly urge traditional and indigenous institutions to ignore deities that have made Africa under developed for so long. They should know the true God that liberated western Europe and worship Him. The Oba of Benin, HRM Omo n’Oba n’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Erediauwa I, is always giving landed properties to churches and other cash donations. It may amaze you to know that his two sons are devoted Christians. Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide affirmed that God is the last hope for Africa to be included among world super powers. We will get there .

Katsina: ‘Public funds massively ssttolen; loot er looter erss will be punished’ Continued from page 22 more than N50m. That was why I said what the people want is not huge grandiose projects like Government House. Development should be gradual with the level of understanding and appreciation of the people. In the health sector, we have awarded contract for the rehabilitation of key General Hospitals in Katsina, Funtua and Daura. And you will be surprised that we may end doing the rehabilitation and a comprehensive one with all the equipment with less than N2b. We are presently working on the critical aspect of doctors and midwives. We have a nursing and midwifery school that has been in existence for more than 50 years without full accreditation.

There is this agitation by some people in the South-East for secession. Should this come at this time?

It is all politics. Where were they before the election? The Igbos or the Kanus or that group of people benefitting under the Jonathan administration think Jonathan is an Igbo man or he was doing an Igbo agenda which I really cannot find.

I have not seen tarred roads, education facilities in the South-East better than any other region, not even in the South-South where Jonathan comes from. Some people were benefitting from the mismanagement and when that benefit was cut off, to them it was a loss of business. And so, they fight in a way they know. Transition period is the most difficult period in the life of any government.

Some people lost. This government came in May 2015, and it has to clear the mess before it starts doing any work. So, some agitations were for C M Y K

settlement because they have lost out and need to reinvent themselves. We had something similar during Obasanjo regime, they were even hoisting flags. The Igbos, for whatever reason, chose to be with Jonathan, they lost, and so those who lost, especially the business ones among them, may have instigated the agitators so that, ultimately, they will be pacified.

So, the agitators are sympathizers of Jonathan Yes. Where were they before? But we believe their problem is the Nigerian problem and we believe government should not treat the Biafra case the way Jonathan treated the Boko Haram issue because, eventually, we all saw that it became a problem (Boko Haram) for everybody. Some people who are determined to bring crisis to Nigeria can hijack it from those agitating for Biafra.

But, I am happy that government is doing something about it now. May be some youths, because of unemployment, poverty, can be attracted to the agitation. Of course, if government does not intervene, those people can be misled and the real criminals, like we saw in Boko Haram, can hijack and then it becomes a problem for everybody. Tell me, is there is any part of this country where there are no Igbos? No where. But what is happening now is not an Igbo agenda but some peoples’ agenda.

You were Speaker of the House of Representatives at a very crucial time in Nigeria’s history especially during the Third Term issue. Can you share your experience with us?

What we did in the House first and foremost, was to bring Nigeria in front

of us which was and still important than anybody or group. When the issue of amended Constitution came up, we said, as leaders, that the Constitution made provisions for amendment. So, if anybody asked for amendment of the Constitution, it was within the Constitution, but that right did not confer on the person that other people should follow him.

In this matter, for those who were going to support it, it was within their right; for those who were not going to, it was also within their right. But, above all, let us understand that by the 29th of May 2007, all of us were vacating this place. The issues were two: Amending the Constitution for Third Term or amending the Constitution to elongate the tenure, which I said was illegal. Our contract was for four years.

There was no room for extension. If you are amending the Constitution for six years tenure it will not benefit us and those in the executive. There was nothing the government could do to blackmail us because we made sure we were free. We never got involved in whatever the executive was doing.

I never participated in a contract, I never gave a note to anybody,minister or department for any favour. Do you know it was the House that first revoked the Third Term before the Senate did? Meanwhile, it was only the Third Term we killed, it was the Senate that killed the entire process of the amendment, go and check your records. And the former President knew it was going to die, because I told him.

What did you tell him?

I will not tell you my response. I might decide to write my memoirs in future, it will be part of it.

What is your impression of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and the incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari?

Well, let us give credit to Obasanjo, his commitment to this country is total.

He is a firm believer in Nigeria. You have to salute his courage. He is somebody that can work for 18 hours and by 6 am the next day, he gives you a call. Sometimes, he gives you a 6 or 7 o clock morning appointment, and he would be there.

He was hardly late for an occasion.

The only thing you can compare Obasanjo with Jonathan is that they were both Presidents. Beyond that, there is no comparison. It appears to me that Jonathan did not know what was going on.

That is my simple assessment, at least as an outsider. I have known him since his days as deputy governor. Through a member of the House then, she would come to my house. And when he became Acting President, I told him that the role we played was not because of him; we played the role so that the Constitution might be followed. Even when those who knew him well said then that they doubted if he could render the service, we told them that was not the issue; if the Constitution says this, then, we must follow it. We can later regret our consequences of choice, but the Constitution must be followed. That is why if you are choosing a President, choose a Vice President that can do the job, not a spare tyre, not this take me home tyre. President Buhari and Obasanjo have many things in common.

They are both generals. The only thing is that Obasanjo plays more politics than Buhari.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 25

Supreme Court’ll uphold my victory —Otti

What do you make of the claim faulting the composition of the Appeal Court panel that heard your appeal?

I saw a petition they wrote. That petition came 24 hours before the composition of the panel. Frankly, I do not know how panels are set up. I understand it is the President of the Court of Appeal, who set up panels. The reality is that the Court of Appeal is the Court of Appeal. If you followed a case that Governor Nyesom Nwike filed that went up to the Supreme Court, I believe when the case was decided, the Supreme Court said the Court of Appeal is the Court of Appeal regardless of where you sit. If they decided to sit in Abuja or anywhere, that is their prerogative. PDP, unfortunately, is not in a position to determine the membership of the panel, neither was I, If they want us to start talking about the things we have heard, we can start doing that, but we don’t have the proof. I know that the Chairman of the panel does not come from Lagos except if they just transferred her from Lagos.

The last time I checked, she was the presiding judge in Benue Division, Markudi. So I don’t know what they are talking about. They know the mandate they are exercising is stolen and they would like to hold on to anything to make a point. I am sure they found that they may not be able to do the wrong thing with the panel. In fact when I read the petition, one thing came to my mind which is the fact that the petition came the Sunday or Saturday before they sat on Monday. And you know that if such cases are not handled expeditiously, they expire. Within 60 days, if the matter is not decided, it will expire just like the Supreme Court matter now. I thought that it may be a ploy to get the case to expire without the Court of Appeal looking at it. I don’t think it is in any way significant.

•Urges PDP to concede defeat

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

D

R. Alex Otti, who was recently declared the winner of the 2015 governorship election in Abia State by the Appeal Court, in this interview, expresses optimism that the Supreme Court will uphold his victory. He also states that he is best suited to steer the affairs of the state in view of the prevailing economic crisis in Nigeria.

What do you make of the various interpretations of your Appeal Court victory?

The present government of Abia State recruited people to organise a protest. But that does not hide the fact that there was spontaneous celebration across the state. I received messages from the entire state congratulating me on the victory. They clearly stated that they knew I was the person they voted for. Everybody knows that I won the election. As an afterthought, the PDP leaders, 48 hours later, held a meeting and decided that they were going to protest against the judgement and there was no person to lead that protest other than a former Senate President. The only thing I have to say is that senior citizens should live in a way that people will like to emulate them. You have also watched a few lawyers who have been recruited to go to the media and make noise.

We expected some of them to behave better and know that cases are not won on the television. Given that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu had indicated that he was going to the Supreme Court and the PDP itself had filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court, one expects people to be patient, but they did not. A senior lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, admitted on television that he had not read the judgment but went on attacking me. I can tell you, without fear of contradiction, that Abia people voted for me. I do not see how the Supreme Court will not uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal because it was a well grounded judgment. Abia people voted for me and they are looking forward to the time I will assume the leadership of the state.

What are your expectations from the Supreme Court?

I do not see how the Supreme Court will not uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The issues are very clear. If you go by the registered voters, there were about 1.3 million voters in Abia 17 local governments. The PDP knew they were not going to win that election, so all they did was to isolate three local governments that they

C M Y K

could use to rig. They are Osisioma, Obingwa and Isialangwa North. On the day of election, they removed original result sheets for ward and local government collation. And they ensured that there was maximum violence in those local governments.

They will come to a polling unit, shoot into the air, people will run away while they carry electoral materials and take off. What they now did was to wait th until collation had started. At the 14 local government, I was leading with about 60, 500 votes and they quickly filled those original results sheets that they had taken from INEC in connivance with some electoral officials and forced them into the collation centre. Those results from Osisioma, Obingwa and Isialangwa were fake results written at the Government House. With all the complaints about those three local governments, the Returning Officer announced that he was cancelling the election those local governments.

Now, the PDP leaders stormed the collation centre. And before they left, the Returning Officer grabbed the microphone and reversed his decision and collated those results that he had earlier cancelled. So, when Ozekhome and others were opening their mouths to talk about on things they don’t know, they should have asked whether the PDP won the election. When you don’t win an election, it is to concede to the man that won. I challenged the outcome but the judges at the lower tribunal misunderstood the case and gave a judgment in their favour. We did not call people to the streets because we have more people than the PDP, but we went to the Court of Appeal where we were declared victorious. What we would have expected a democrat to do was to exercise his option of going to the Supreme Court rather than calling elders to the streets to protest. I believe that is the only state where elders will be in the streets.

On alleged disenfranchisement Some people are talking about disenfranchisement and all that.

There are about 230,000 voters in the three local governments. And that represents less than 14 percent of the voting population in Abia. If the PDP

had allowed the cancellation to stand, at the time the supplementary election was held, I believe a re-run would have happened. But, because they were in power, they barged into the collation centre and forced a reversal of that decision and got declared. Now they are asking for a rerun. Why? They have lost the opportunity when they employed impunity to force the Retuning Officer to reverse his decision. They didn’t even have such request before the tribunal. Therefore, they cannot get results on television, pages of newspapers and in the streets.

Are you concerned about the argument that the sharing of political offices in the state will be skewed if you become governor having chosen your deputy from the same place with you?

That is the argument the PDP had been making even before the election and the Abia people ignored them and voted for me. If they did not win that argument before, election, they can’t win it after the election. What we are talking about now is that election held, somebody won but someone else was declared the winner. So, we can’t divert attention from an issue that is not before the court. And that does not take away the fact that APGA won that election.

And there is nothing like that. My deputy is from Ohafia and Ohafia is not the same local government with Isialangwa South where I live, where I registered, where I was born and where I voted. Ohafia is in Abia North while Isialangwa South is in Abia Central. But when the PDP is all about lies and propaganda, I don’t think you should buy that. The point they are raising is that my ancestral home is Arochukwu which is true.

And I have also said that Ikpeazu’s ancestral home is Utuetimekpo in Akwa Ibom State.

So, if we go back to the issue of ancestral home, he should not even have contested election in Abia because he is not qualified. But our Constitution makes it clear that where you live, you can vote and be voted for. And they cannot change it because I participated in the election.

I do not see how the Supreme Court will not uphold the decision of the Court of Appeal.

The issues are very clear

The present economic downturn in the country has led to the impression that this is not the best time to be a governor in Nigeria. Are you not bothered about the challenges posed by that?

This is the time for uncommon people to come into government. I am talking about people who have things to offer. It is not going to be a tea party and I know that and I have come to face the challenge. I read an article where someone said he was supporting me because I can read balance sheet.

People who cannot read balance sheet should not aspire to lead a state or any position of leadership because this is a challenging time.

It is the time for creative people, who know what to do without necessarily going to Abuja cap in hand looking for federal allocation to be shared among loyalists. I did a study. It took about eight months for the consultant I hired to do the study about Abia and, when the result came out, I was shocked at the infrastructural decay and the lack of direction that has been the lot of the state for a long time.

Hospitals are in bad shape, there are no roads, Aba is completely gone while Umuahia is a glorified village.

From Arochukwu to Ukwa, nothing has been put on ground, yet people are insisting that they will be in power so that, at the end of their tenure, they will bring their house boy or driver to succeed them. This is the time for people, who have something to offer, to come in. If you have read about me, you will know that I thrive in circumstances that are difficult. Yes, I know how the federal allocation has gone down but I also know that our people are very creative. All they need from government is the enabling environment for their businesses to thrive and they will pay you once you are able to give them good roads, water, electricity, good hospitals and security.

PAGE 26—SUNDAY, Vanguard, JANUARY 17 , 2016

AYO ONIKOYI 08052201215

Inspiration FM’s Xmas par ty party INSPIRATION 92.3 FM Xmas family Praise Jam 2015 held in Lagos recently. Many notable artistes were on hand to thrill families and fun seekers.

Photos by Lamidi Bamidele

Bashorun J.K Randle flanked by Bunmi Sofola and Patricia Agbaku.

L-R: Mr Jimi Agbaje, Chief Emmanuel Ijewere and Ms Yemisi Ramsome-Kuti.

J.K. Randle hosts friends in memor memoryy of dad

L-R: Mrs Folashade Afolabi; her husband, Kayode; their baby Samuel and Miss Omotoyosi Oyeku

B

L-R: Aremo Olusegun Osoba and wife, Derin, Pastor & Mrs Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Mrs Alice Samson and Mrs Abosede Davidson.

ashorun J.K. R a n d l e penultimate Thursday hosted friends in memory of his late father, Chief J.K. Randle, Lisa of Lagos who passed on 59 years ago.

The gathering began with a memorial thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos followed by a deluxe reception at X KPMG House in Ikoyi. Many society icons graced the occasion.

Photos by Biodun Ogunleye

Onyeka Onwenu performing.

South-south FForum’s orum’s Xmas par ty party MEMBERS of South-south Forum, Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA branch held their end-of-the-year party recently.

L-R: Ambassador & Mrs Olu Adeniji and Erelu Abiola Dosumu.

Et ernal Plc Xmas par ty Eternal party

C M Y K

It was fun, glamour, style as Mahmud Tukur, MD, Eternal Plc, and wife cut the cake to celebrate end of year activities of the company in Lagos recently

L-R: Mrs Kemi Abisogun, Olorogun Sonny Kuku and Mrs Bola Adefope.

Tukur, wife, others at the occasion

R-L: Chief Rasak Okoya with Justice and Mrs Adesola Oguntade.

FRONT ROW: R-L; Mr Lilian Onalimi, O.C Sedie,Hon. Paul Ovie, Chief E.A. Azaka, Chief Itibe, Wilfred Bragiwa, Amorighoye Miller and others

L-R: Chief Bright Okohti, Chief (Mrs) Magaret Diabo and Chief E.A. Azaka, South-south Forum

SUNDAY, Vanguard, JANUARY 17 , 2016, PAGE 27

Cath ole w eds John Omosa Cathyy Ef Efole weds

I

t was a parade of who’s who in the society when Oghaleoghene Catherine Efole, daughter of Mr. Matthew Efole wedded Oluwamuyiwa John Omosa, son of Mr. F.OJ. Omosa, at the Catholic Church of the Presentation, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday, November 21, 2015.Photos

by Bunmi Azeez

From left: Mr. Matthew Efole, Bride’s dad, Mrs. Susan Omosa, groom's mum Oluwamuyiwa John Omosa, groom , and his wife, Oghaleoghene Catherine, Mr. F.OJ. Omosa ,groom's dad and Mrs. Betty Efole, bride's mum.

From left: Oluwamuyiwa John Omosa, groom and his wife , Oghaleoghene Catherine.

From left: Mr. Sunny Awevia, Mrs. Mrs. Edoama Udueme and Mr. Fred Udueme, AGM Brand, Vanguard Newspaper.

From left: Apostle Baba Dauji of Amazing Grace Pentcostal Church, Mrs. Susan Omosa, groom's mother, Oluwamuyiwa John Omosa, groom ,his wife Oghaleoghene Catherine, Bishop Dr. Chioma Dauji of Amazing Grace Pentcostal Church, and Pastor Raymond Yugbovwre

Knighthood Investiture Knighthood Investiture of Dr and Mrs Nekwu Okolugbo was held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Obiaruku, Delta State

Rt Revd David Obiosa presenting certificate to Dr. Okolugbo.

Dr. & Mrs Nekwu Okolugbo during the investure.

From left: Madam Abeni Omosa, Madam Rose Everett , groom's grand mum, and Pa. Jacob Everett, groom's grand dad.

Dr. Nekwu Okolugbo with Hon & Mrs Ochor, Executive Director, DESOPADEC at the reception

Roll of Honours

T

Chief Paul Ngbanwa, biz man in Lagos; Mrs. Osundu Jemade,Engr. Remmy Mgbanwa; Rtd Superintendent of Police, Mr. Paul Okafor, President of IsseleMkpitime Development Union, Lagos; Mr. Amaechi Nwaoshai who represented Engr Emmanuel Nwaoshai, CEO of Power Systems Ltd, Lagos; and Onyinye Nwaulune, who represented Mr. Martins Izuogbe, Fidelity Bank.

C M Y K

he people of IsseleMkpitime town in Aniocha Local Government of Delta State resident in Lagos, last Sunday held an endof-year party where they honoured some illustrious sons and daughters who have contributed to the development of the town.

Dr Nekwu Okolugboo with family members. From left; Mr Francis Okolugbo, Comrade Gloria Okoluigbo, Extreme right is Mr Dopminic Ashien

PAGE 28—SUNDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

08116759757

KWARA COMMUNAL CRISIS

Deaths, arson as gov’s kinsmen,

neighbours go to war •Ahmed preaches peace •Community seeks Buhari’s intervention

By Demola Akinyemi

T

he people of Share,headquarters of Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State, and their neighbours, in Tsagari, in Edu local government area, have been at daggers drawn for about two decades now. The first confrontation was in November 2008 and the latest on Saturday, December 19, 2015.Interestingly, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is a native of Share.

In the beginning The two communities, before 1978 when the first crisis broke out, operated the same market in Share and even attended the same mosque in Tsaragi.Then, many natives of Tsaragi lived in Share,while some indegenes of Share also lived in Tsaragi peacefully.

Titles such as Soje,Sakamaa,Magin,Tsonzami and the likes were received by the Tsaragi people in Share.

But the 1978 boundary dispute threw up enmity between the two communities which caused severe separation,even till today.

Latest crisis About a week to last Christmas, the youths of the two communities clashed on a boundary issue that would have been otherwise settled amicably.The crisis escalated and over 50 houses and four lives were lost.

To stem the tide, the state government imposed 24 hours curfew,which it relaxed only hours after the crisis had subsided.

The state government followed up by setting up a committee headed by the state deputy governor, Mr. Peter Kisra, to ascertain the level of damages in the two communities.

In a reaction, the natives of Share called on President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate the attack on their community by their neighbours which they claimed was patterned after globally acts of terrorism.

The Share community, under the auspices of Share Descendants Union, made the call in a statement titled,”Acts of terrorism against Share people by Tsaragi community in Kwara State”, by its National Secretary,Comrade Sunday Ajayi.

“We hereby bring to your notice the premeditated act of terrorism perpetrated against the Yoruba speaking people of Share,the headquarters of Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State by the Nupe speaking people of Tsaragi in Edu local government area on Sunday, December 20, 2015”, the statement said.

“This murderous act led to the massive destruction of lives and property as the Nigeria Police could not stop the act because of weapons wielded by the terrorists until Kwara State government C M Y K

declared a 24-hour curfew and the deployment of a well armed detachment of soldiers from the Nigeria Army in Sobi Barracks.

“President Buhari and well-meaning Nigerians,you will observe that this barbaric act,which does not have respect for the place of worship and institutions of learning, regard for lives and property is patterned after globally known acts of terrorism” “We hereby call on the president to immediately order investigation into this act of terrorism against the people of Share and bring to book the perpectractors.”

But in a reaction, a source in the palace of the Emir of Tsaragi, who craved anonymity, told Sunday Vanguard that the youths of Share orchestrated the latest crisis by cutting economic trees on the land belonging to the Nupes at a time they were harvesting rice.

He said that it was this development that instigated the clash between the youths of the two communities as they both claimed ownership of the land.

The people of Tsaragi were soon to accuse the governor, who is from Share, of taking sides with his people and,

But the 1978 boundary dispute threw up enmity between the two communities which caused severe separation,even till today

therefore, declared that they would no longer participate in the judicial commission of inquiry he set up. The Tsaragi people said the earlier recommendations on the crisis should rather be implemented.

The spokesperson for the Tsaragi community, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, said: “It is safe to assume that Governor Ahmed is taking sides in the current episode going by his recent actions and utterances and, therefore, there is no doubt that the new commission of inquiry will be partial’’.

Clearly, everything points to Governor Ahmed as the stumbling block to the resolution of the crisis. “We observed at meetings attended by the Tsaragi community with the governor at Government House, Ilorin, that Ahmed asked questions and provided the answers at the same time while addressing salient issues.

“We have also observed that the Governor Ahmed asserted that no community owns land and threatened land owners to adopt give and take approach. This cannot come from a neutral governor and chief security officer of the state.

“In the light of the one-sided disposition openly displayed by Governor Ahmed, the Nupes of Tsaragi community have no

reason whatsoever to participate in another inquiry; moreso, one of the recommendations of the previous commissions on the crisis, which had been adopted by the government of Kwara State, has not been implemented”.

Governor Ahmed denied the Tsaragi community’s claims, according to a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary,Abdulwahab Oba. “On the advice of the governor that all shades of views on how to resolve the recurring crisis between Share and Tsaragi, including, if need be, the application of the concept of ‘give and take’, it is painful that such advice is

seen by some party in the dispute as ‘threatening land owners’, when in fact the governor expressed the same view when he had peace talks with the people of Share after the session with the people of Tsaragi,”the statement noted.

It would be recalled that Ahmed told the people of Share and Tsaragi

to learn to live peacefully and draw strength and inspiration in their diversity for infrastructure and economic development.

Govs can’t disown N18,000 minimum wage — Pastor Emenuga

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari has been advised against concentrating too much attention on the war against corruption to the detriment of other sectors.

Pastor Chima Emenuga, the General Overseer, Destiny Revival Church, Dopemu, Lagos, who gave this advice, also spoke on the face-off between state governors and the NLC over the N18,000 minimum wage, Christianity and politics, Boko Haram and assessment of Buhari’s administration in the last seven months.

•Pastor Chima Emenuga

What is your assessment of President Buhari’s war against corruption?

Corruption is a serious vice that has been afflicting our nation. It is a vice everybody agrees needs to be tackled. I believe all Nigerians should support the war against corruption.

However, I have one or two areas of disagreement with the President on the issue.

Buhari is concentrating too much energy on the fight against corruption. He should not allow other areas that require his attention suffer because of his battle against corruption.

Nigerians didn’t elect him to fight corruption only. The problem of the power sector is there. What about the poor state of our highways, and rising unemployment among youths?.

Again, the President should not make the war against corruption look selective. From what we are seeing now, the battle against corruption seems like it is being waged against PDP members only. I’m a man of God. I’m apolitical. But I believe in justice and equity – I believe that many Nigerians will only be convinced about the President’s genuine intention when the battle against corruption is made to go round but not limited to a particular set of people.

What is your reaction to the face-off between state governors and the NLC over the threat by the governors to stop the payment of N18,000 minimum wage?

I don’t think the governors have any excuse to stop the payment of minimum wage. How much is N18,000 that they are now saying they can’t pay? Even the Bible says that a labourer deserve his wages – our governors should remember that they were elected to serve the people. They

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 29

08116759757

Dayo Johnson, Akure

B

EING the only son,

Olumuyiwa Ewarawon, 24, had great plans to put smiles on the face of her aged mother, Bolaji, to compensate her for her care for him during his youthful days and throughout his sojourn in school.

To him, the lofty plans for the mother and father- Ibitoye- would come into fruition after graduating from school and securing a good job. He was desperate to ensure that his mother ate the fruits of her labour.

But the plans were dashed as he was attacked by a suspected cult in Ondo State owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba- Akoko at about 2am when he was asleep. He died in hospital from the injuries he sustained.

Reports had it that the cultists operate under the guise of a paramilitary organisation to recruit and perpetrate their dastardly activities on campus.

Olumuyiwa was a final student in the Department of Pure and Applied Psychology in the university.

Two suspects, arrested in connection with the killing, are said to be in the police net but the leaders of the gang, operating under the nickname, “Iron Body and Small Danger”, and some members, are believed to be on the run and have been declared wanted by the Ondo State Police Command.

Sunday Vanguard was informed by a police source that two of the alleged cult members, who rushed Olumuyiwa to the General Hospital, Iwaro-Oka – Akoko were those so far arrested by detectives.

The family of the deceased, according to findings, were informed that their son was sick and had been admitted only to get to the hospital to

‘Our only son murdered in

*Olumuyiwa...

Slain final year student

varsity cult attack’ meet him dead.

It was gathered that the deceased, who lived off campus, was attacked by seven cult members who invaded his room.

The family of the student, in a petition to Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mike Ogbodu, and signed by the father, Chief Goodluck Ibitoye Ewarawon, alleged that Olumuyiwa was attacked in his room at Shanghai Hostel in Akungba-Akoko by a gang of seven boys.

“The assailants broke into Olumuyiwa’s room while he was asleep and attacked him and left him with fatal injuries following which he fell into coma,”the family said in the statement endorsed by their lawyer, Olufemi Maduoye.

“The gang dumped Olumuyiwa at the General Hospital, Iwaro-Oka-Akoko from where concerned people brought the news of the incident to the family three days after.”

The family said they later took Olumuyiwa to the Trauma Centre, Ondo which referred him to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife. “The boy never came out of the coma

and died later”, the family stated.

Sunday Vanguard was unable to verify why the deceased was attacked by the cult members.

But an unconfirmed source said Olumuyiwa turned down the suspected cult members invitation to join the group. He did not stop there. He was said to have threatened to report the group’s activities to the university authorities. This, it was learnt, infuriated the cult group and hence the decision to silence him before he spilled the beans.

Another source informed that the deceased may have offended his attackers whose intention was just to teach him a lesson via thorough beating until it turned out to cost him his life. The source argued that if his attackers were out to silence him, two of them, now in police custody, would not have rushed him to hospital.

Meanwhile, in a reaction to the death, Ondo State University

Another source informed that the deceased may have offended his attackers whose intention was just to teach him a lesson via thorough beating until it turned out to cost him his life

Lagos indus trialis ags cousin ttoo cour ver Nl.8m debt industrialis trialistt dr drags courtt oover

By Kennedy Mbele

A

LAGOS State based i n d u s t r i a l i s t , C h u k w u e m e k a Ahamefuna, has dragged his cousin, Obi Vitus, to an Ikeja Magistrate Court, sitting in Ogba, Agege, over a N1,833,000 debt.

The Managing Director, Aces de Commerce Ventures Limited stated that he had to explore legal means to recover the money because his cousin had the means to pay but had simply refused to

do so. According to the prosecution, the suspect allegedly obtained N1,833,000 from the complainant at 5, Lawson Street, Oke Ira in the Ikeja Magisterial District for a liquor / wine business but issued dud cheques as part payments, an offence punishable under Section 313 of the Criminal Law, Vol. 44, Lagos, Nigeria 2011. The prosecution also alleged that the accused person stole the money, property of the complainant; an offence punishable under

Section 285 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, Nigeria 2011, Asked whether he had returned part of the money, Vitus told the court that the amount outstanding was N400,000. But, the complainant disagreed. He told the court that the amount outstanding was N600,000, stressing that the outstanding balance was contrary to the agreement earlier reached.

The suspect pleaded not guilty to both charges and was granted bail in the sum of N300,000, and two sureties in like sum.

Govs can’t disown N18,000 minimum wage — Pastor Emenuga curriculum. The era of government providing were elected to make life comfortable for citizens, and not to add to their woes.

Some of the governors keep pets at home and they know how much they spend every month to feed them. What can N18,000 do as of today in Nigeria?

State governors should retrace their step on this issue – they should cut down on cost of governance instead of punishing workers unjustly.

How do you see the ongoing agitations for the establishment of the sovereign state of Biafra by some Igbo youths|?

I advise the Federal Government and the agitators to embrace dialogue. The Federal Government should handle the issue with care, otherwise the consequences may be unpalatable.

War is not good. Nobody prays for war.

War leads to destruction and bloodshed.

I pray that God will give President Muhammadu Buhari the wisdom to handle the issue.

The agitators have grievances, and

since we are in a democracy, government should listen to them. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war- war. We should learn from the events of the past.

To what extent should Christian leaders be involved in politics?

A minister of God is also like a watchdog. Nothing stops him from preaching against bad leadership. He can also give advise from time to time.

But a genuine minister of God should not be seen to be fraternizing with politicians, otherwise his calling would be put to question, and he would be messed up.

Like in the biblical era when prophets like Jeremiah, Elijah, Isaiah, Jonah and others used to speak out against evil in the society, pastors today can also do the same, but they should refrain from being partisan.

The issue of unemployment, especially among the youths, how do you think it can be tackled?

I think it is we introduce entrepreneurial studies into our

jobs for all is over. Entrepreneural studies will make it possible for our youths to acquire skills in one vocation or the other as they undertake various courses in higher institutions of learning. By the time they pass out, they don’t need to be searching for elusive jobs as they had already been trained to be self-employed.

What is your advice to the President on Boko Haram issue?

The present military onslaught should be sustained. We should also ensure that arms and ammunition required by our troops are supplied without delay.

I will also like to advise President Buhari to stay more at home. He should reduce his foreign trips so that he can have more time to attend to domestic issues that require his attention since the Foreign Affairs Minister is there ably-assisted by diplomats.

According to reports, Mr President has travelled abroad more than 17 times within the last seven months that he assumed office; that is too much. What is he looking for that can’t be delegated.? He can’t do everything on his own, otherwise he will eventually break down.

authorities have proscribed l paramilitary organizations in the institution.

A twist was also introduced to the incident when information went round that the deceased was not a student of the institution but this was punctured by the university via a condolence letter forwarded to Olumuyiwa’s parents.

The President of the Students’ Union Government, Odunyemi Adegbola; the Dean of Students Affairs, Mr Ogungbamila; and the Vice Chancellor of AAUAA , Prof Ajibefun, have reportedly paid condolence visits to the family and confirmed that the deceased was also one of the schools best students academically. However, the family of the deceased have insisted that those who killed Olumuyiwa should be made to face the wrath of the law.

They urged Ondo State Commissioner of Police to cause full investigation of the murder.

Also, they asked the authorities of the institution to look into the activities of some armed gangs who operate under the guise of paramilitary to attack members of the public. Ondo State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two suspects in connection with the death of the student .

It’s spokesperson, Femi Joseph, was, however not, categorical that those who attacked the deceased are cult members.

Joseph pointed out that investigations into the matter was on-going and it would be unfair to jump into conclusion.

He said that the dragnet of the police would soon catch other suspects now at large.

Appointment: Ofuoma community congratulates Ejakpovi

T

he people of Ofuoma community have congratulated the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Governing Council of Delta State College of Health Technology, Ofuoma, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Dr. Nelson Ejakpovi, over his appointment as chairman of the board by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

An opinion leader from Ofuoma community, Chris Eriyamremu, who spoke on behalf of the community yesterday in Warri, however, called on Governor Okowa to make necessary provision for the new board to ensure speedy development of the school.

Eriyamremu, said “ the school is not developing as it should be and we the people of Ofuoma do believe that Governor Okowa by the appointment of Ejakpovi has indicated his willingness to bring about the development of the school.

The community commended Okowa for Ejakpovi’s appointment and charged Ejakpovi to do everything possible to transform the school, dding that the host community will support any plan to move the school forward.

PAGE 30 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Edo 2016: I will not stand aloof over the choice of my successor – Oshiomhole *Why we want Obaseki – Bello-Osagie SIMON EBEGBULEM

T

ension is heightening in Edo ahead of the 2016 governorship election in the state, as leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) engage in war of words over the alleged endorsement of the Chairman of the Economic Team of the state government, Mr Godwin Obaseki, as the likely candidate of the APC, by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. The situation has pitted leaders against their political sons and Oshiomhole against some leaders in the state just as other governorship aspirants intensify their campaigns in the battle for the over 3,500 expected delegates for the primary..

The governor had informed some of the party leaders that he preferred Obaseki due to his expertise in the financial sector to ensure the state continues to enjoy development amid the current economic hardship even after he must have left office. Other aspirants in the race include the incumbent deputy governor, Dr Pius Odubu; a former governor of the state, Prof.Osarhiemien Osunbor; a former Minister of State, Works, Engr.Chris Ogiemwonyi,; Barr.Osarodion Ogie; Gen.Charles Airhiavbere and Kenneth Imansuagbon. Tension grew last weekend when a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Samson Osagie, warned against the alleged attempt to impose Obaseki on the APC by the governor, asserting that the party stood a risk of losing the gubernatorial election if other aspirants were not given a level-playing field. “This fear is what is palpable amongst APC members and some of the party’s apologists across the state.

And I have no reason to deny that same exists especially as one of the latest victims of a mismanaged electoral process in the 2015 general elections by the ruling APC. The 2016 gubernatorial election is going to be the true test of Governor Oshiomhole’s capacity to sustain his party ’s hold on power in Edo or lack of it. It’s almost forgotten by those who have constituted a cabal around the governor and himself that there is going to be an election after the primary and one wonders whether the bad blood that is being fueled by sycophants around the governor just now will deliver the votes when the real election comes sometimes in July. A good attribute of a leader is to also listen to the yearnings of followers and take into account the peculiarity of the circumstances”, Osagie said..

But another former House of Representatives member from Edo, Mr Rasaq Bello-Osagie, disagreed with Osagie, insisting that the governor has the right to pick his successor, particularly “ when the person is Obaseki who is seen by many

as eminently qualified”. According to Bello-Osagie, “The first thing is that Oshiomhole came into governance in 2008, after a rigorous court process. Edo citizens were highly expectant based on his antecedents as a labour leader. At the time he came, he was not a politician. He just led labour and Nigerians were happy with him and that is why people gave him overwhelming support in Edo. Oshiomhole constituted a team and this same Obaseki, for instance, from day one, put together a team to support the Comrade Governor. It was a strong team of professionals to help the administration. He remained in the policy cockpit of the Oshiomhole administration. Obaseki is totally committed to intervention initiatives in the area of employment to take our youths off the streets and create entrepreneurial initiatives.

What is needed in Edo now, as a recipe for development, is not restricting the choice of candidate to those who see themselves as politicians. We are looking for managers who can creatively manage our meagre resources for the benefit of Edo. His antecedents as a management expert eminently qualify him to aspire to the position of governor of the state”.

Amid the brouhaha, the Vice Chairman of the APC in Edo South, Barr.Gentleman Amegor, was suspended for alleged anti-party activities. Amegor, viewed as one of those opposed to the Obaseki project in the zone, however, described his suspension as illegal.

The state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, who also came in his defense, distanced the governor from the suspension, agreeing that the purported suspension did not follow due process. While Amegor is seen as the arrow head of the campaign of the deputy governor, Oshiomhole’s political adviser, Charles Idahosa, is leading the campaign for Obaseki. The two groups are at daggers drawn. Consequently, Oshiomhole summoned a meeting of leaders of the party across the three senatorial districts of the state last Thursday. The venue was filled to capacity as the governor stood up to speak. He took time to remind the leaders of the party where they started from and how they battled the god fathers in Edo. The governor described as regrettable how he had been called names by APC members over his preference for Obaseki. Oshiomhole narrated his political victories in the state. That tactically disorganized some of the leaders who came there with the purpose to make trouble.

He said: “Today, in the media, our party has been in positive publicity while the PDP has been in the negative because of how they (PDP) stole money. I am happy that everybody now agrees that the army that I led crushed the god fathers.

Then you hear that ‘the governor has anointed a candidate, he has turned himself to a god father ’.

Even people who are not members of the party are talking. That is why I said today I want to clear some issues. I want to say that the governorship candidate of this party will be produced through primary.

What I believe I owe my party is to

But I like us to reflect on this. Even some of those who have written that Oshiomhole wants to impose a candidate, I look at them and reflect on how they left their parties for our party and became candidates, and we appealed to our leaders to support them. I wonder how they describe that process that produced them. The world is a circle.

• Oshiomhole...endorsement

There will be party primary according to our constitution.

But, as governor of this state, who has gone through a lot in the course of governance, let me say clearly that I cannot be neutral in matters affecting my environment

is legitimate

explain the qualities of the governor we require. I believe we need someone who believes in our state, who believes that Edo deserves to continue to prosper. I believe we need a governor who will see the three senatorial districts as his constituency regardless of the senatorial district he comes from. I believe we need a governor who has the capacity to see beyond going to Abuja for allocation because there is not much available in Abuja now. In this hall, not less than 70 per cent of you, either individually or in small groups, have come to ask me, where do we go? But I told them it is too early. But let me ask: If any one of us has a right to have a say, should I, as governor, have no such right to have a say on the choice of my successor? There will be party primary according to our constitution. But, as governor of this state, who has gone through a lot in the course of governance, let me say clearly that I cannot be neutral in matters affecting my environment. Even people who are not from Edo will always tell me to guide them so that the state will not go back to the past. I will never be afraid to take a position and to explain my position on the basis of my conviction.

In a democracy, whether mature or growing, endorsement is legitimate.

What I owe Edo people is very clear to me. I have heard several things about my person; some said ‘he has anointed one of the candidates’, some now call me god father. There is no question that the governorship candidate of this party will be produced through party primary. The last House of Assembly, National Assembly and presidential elections, we held primaries; no body was imposed. So when people make those statements, I just laugh. So this governor has no power to impose any body on our party and,,certainly, anybody on our state.

“I am proud to say that we have more than 60 political parties. Why is it that everybody wants to run on the APC platform? Why not Labour Party or the PDP? It is on the strength of the performance of the government that I am privileged to head. It is the collective achievement of all of us as reflected in what we have delivered to the people of Edo as a government that makes our party attractive today.

“I am proud that it is only in my government that you can have different commissioners canvassing for different candidates and, yet, they remain in my cabinet. It points to my liberal heart because, all my life, I have never had the opportunity until I came here to choose who works for me.

So I am the only one whose commissioners can hold a meeting and say, ‘I will not agree with the man Oga said he will support’. And they return to Exco and hold meetings.

“Let me summarise, there will be party primary. Those who seek my view I will share with them about the kind of person I think we need, and who I think we should entrust with this task and why I think we should do so. But if you decide to go your way and enter a pothole, will you blame me? I will rather be known to have made my honest opinion that was probably ignored. I see how people were crucified in Lagos: The deputy governor revolted, 15 commissioners abandoned the Exco, a senator went to war, but Tinubu insisted that Fashola was the guy. And they said Fashola was not a politician. Is Fashola today not considered as one of those who ran a successful government in Lagos?

Has that not deepened APC in Lagos? And, today, he is to help fix some of the critical ministries in Nigeria. I will never want to be remembered as a coward. I must be on my feet, God will give me the strength. I will guide you, with clean conscience, if you allow me to do so.

The next governor must be on his own, nobody is controlling me and so I am not ready to control any one. And only a fool will think you can have a governor that you will control. If your son becomes a governor, you will be shocked what he will tell you. He will tell you he is in charge of government; therefore, he may not listen to you until he gets home”.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 31

GOV UGWUANYI’S AXE

‘How three Council Chairmen survived’

BY FRANCIS IGATA

G

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, in constituting 17 Caretaker Committee Chairmen for the council areas, retained three outgoing Chairmen to deepen continuity at the third tier of government. In this interview with the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media,Louis Amoke,he sheds light on the rationale behind the retention of the trio.

Enugu State did not conduct local government elections. Can you tell us what prompted that decision?

It is a public knowledge that Enugu State did not conduct the Local Government elections due to some issues that were imminent at the point of expiration of the tenure of Local Government council Chairmen. I am sure you are aware that the governor had a meeting with the stakeholders of

Enugu State where he tabled these issues and gave some reasons why the Local Government elections were unable to hold in the State.

One of the reasons was that the budgetary provision for the exercise was not adequate and he told them he needed to make arrangement to include them in the 2016 budget which he did. He was able to let them know that the situation in the country in terms of the economic challenges was also a big factor at this point in time. And as you may have it, the stakeholders approved it and the three senatorial districts of the state gave consent to the endorsement for him to go and constitute caretaker committees that will run the affairs of the Local Government councils in the state pending when the elections will be conducted, and that prompted the decision to set up the caretaker committees. As you may know, in that meeting which was endorsed by the three senatorial districts, Senator Ike Ekweremadu spoke on behalf of the people of Enugu

•Louis Amoke West Senatorial district, gave the endorsement and asked the governor to go ahead with the plan. In Enugu East Senatorial district, Prof. Barth Nnaji gave the endorsement on their behalf and in Enugu North Senatorial district where the governor comes from, that is Nsukka, Chief Nnia Nwodo did so. It was a collective agreement for him to do that and we appreciated the governor for doing that and for his approach to governance where he consults the people before taking decision.

We understand that the committee was actually constituted. But looking at the selection or the choices of those appointed into the Caretaker

Committees, public opinion appears not to be in favour of those past Chairmen that were appointed as members of the committees. How did it happen?

The committees have been constituted and we know the people that were appointed, that is, the chairmen of the committees in the 17 Local Government Areas. When the governor was elected the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he stated it clearly that he is going to run a programme of seamless continuity and consolidation, that he believes in the laudable programmes of the past administration, that he is going to key in into the programmes and that is his stance till today. The principle of his administration remains seamless continuity and consolidation. That is the basic fact why all these things are playing out, because in that committee he retained three past Local Government chairmen. Two were State Executives of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) as Chairman and the Secretary. That is, talking about Prince Cornelius Nnaji and Hon. Cornell Onwubuya respectively. The third person, Hon. Afam Okereke is from Nkanu West Local Government Area. It is in line with that spirit that he decided to accommodate those in the system so that they can be there to continue to promote

and advance the policies and programmes of the government.

It is on that principle that he took that decision. We know that some people are kicking against it but it was done in the overall interest of the people of the state because in a situation whereby the governor has been running the affairs of the state in line with his policies, people should encourage him. For instance, when he constituted his EXCO, he accommodated four former EXCO members, two commissioners and two special advisers. Engr. Mike Eneh Commissioner for Agriculture was retained, then, Hon. Rita Mbah, Commissioner of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs was also retained. In the Special Advisers, Engr. Abel Nwobodo was retained and Anayo Agu was also retained. So this is just basically in line with that principles and is a continuation of what he has been doing. Bringing the three former chairmen in, was to enable him stabilize the Local Government Administration in the state, and you know that there is a committee that was constituted to look into the Local Government Affairs in terms of ghost workers and other issues. The chairman of ALGON is a member of that committee, wishing him away at this point in time will do more harm to the state than good. It is in the interest of the state that the governor took that decision and people should understand it that way.

Inside Okowa’s wealth creation scheme and the 773 pioneers

By Festus Ahon

T

he a dministration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, from the day it came on stream, has shown its commitment to the well-being of the people, particularly the unemployed youths and women who are willing to engage in one vocation or the other.

The journey to economic empowerment and self-reliance for the youths began on August 26, 2015 when Okowa inaugurated the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme, code named ‘OkowaPlus’, designed to assist youths to acquire skills, tackle unemployment and raise entrepreneurs under the headship of Prof Eric Eboh who was appointed the Chief Job Creation Officer of the state in June after the ad-hoc steering committee had concluded its assignment.

The job creation programme includes Youth Agricultural Progremme, YAGEP, Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, STEP, Production and Processing Support Programme, PPSP, and the micro credit administered by the State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency.

Songhai-Amukpe was filled to capacity, on Thursday, as people travelled from across Delta to witness the passing out of the first batch of 773 persons trained under STEP and YAGEP. The training lasted six months.

Speaking during the ceremony, the governor, expressed the commitment of the state government to the programme.

According to him, when the programme commenced, there were skeptics who thought it was one of government empowerment programmes that would be scuttled by political intrigues, godfatherism, corruption and bureaucratic red tape.

“Even some of the participants here were not left out in this widespread cynicism; their initial interest was to see how they could,

as was the norm in the past, get their share of the ‘national cake’ before the programme is abandoned”, Okowa said.

While noting that the passing out ceremony was proof that critics were wrong, he said: “After three months of life skills training, vocational instruction/internship, and business management, the first set of the first batch of trainees under the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) are passing out to commence their journeys in the world of business.

“I congratulate all of you that are passing out today. You made it! In fact, I am informed that only five persons did not complete the course. Out of the five, one got a paid employment while another person unfortunately passed on.

So, technically only three persons dropped out from a set of 776 trainees. That translates to 99.2% performance, an unprecedented record with schemes like this.”

According to the governor, the high retention rate was as a result of the rigorous screening and selection process, which helped to identify and weed out the unserious, pretenders and opportunists. He added that the concept, design, structure and

organisation of the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme was aimed at avoiding the pitfalls of similar programmes in the past, and ensuring that they get maximum benefits from the huge Government investment.

Commending the handlers of the programmes, including the resource persons, for their zeal, dedication, invaluable contributions and for joining hands with his administration to deliver on its promise of prosperity for all Deltans, Okowa urged the beneficiaries to brace up for life in the world of business. Okowa told the graduands to put into practice the principles they learnt from their training, saying: “To succeed in business requires focus, diligence, careful planning, excellent service, and prudent management of resources. Talking about prudence, always keep a close watch on your overheads and spending habits. The quickest way to go out of business is to spend more than you earn.

“You must also develop the quality of resilience. In business, you will experience good times and bad times. But as it has been said, tough times never last, tough people do. Winners don’t quit; quitters don’t win. Now to the second reason why today’s passing-out ceremony is significant. The success story of our Job and Wealth Creation Scheme

signposts an innovation in fostering Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) for allinclusive economic growth and sustainable development. This is the strategic thrust of our Job and Wealth Creation Scheme”.

Okowa, who spoke further, said Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises are engines of costeffective employment generation, social inclusion, equitable development and self-reliant industrialization using local raw materials and also enhance value chain development while facilitating growth of non-oil exports.

He insisted that the era of giving out hand-outs in the name of youth or women empowerment was over, holding that they have to empower their people with the soft skills knowledge, mind-set change, personal development and business/leadership skills that are crucial for their success in life.

Disclosing that they have placed advertisements for the commencement of the 2016 cycle of YAGEP and STEP trainees, he said the government needed strong partnerships from global development organs, financial institutions, corporate organisations and donor agencies to enable it expand the scope and coverage of the Scheme.

The governor explained: “The

potentials are limitless. With the right kind of investment, we can conveniently create direct employment for 60,000 persons over the next four years. That will go a long way in curbing youth restiveness and eradicating poverty. As a Government, we shall strive to develop strategic partnerships with as many of these organisations that are open to such collaboration for the benefit of our people”.

The Chief Job Creation Officer, Eboh, in his remarks, said the “passing-out training is the third leg of the training plan. He added: “The training course is focused on imparting critical business management and entrepreneurship skills to enable trainees start and run their enterprises”. With the passing out of the 773 persons, the number of Deltans in the labour market has reduced. Meanwhile, if the state government remains faithful to this laudable programme, a large number of persons will be off the streets in another four years. This gesture of the Okowa government has a multiplier effect on the peace and security of Delta as youths who engaged in one form of crime or the other would have been meaningfully engaged working for themselves and also employing others.

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016

Let’s take steps to tame our political class

T

he Bayelsa state governorship election has finally ended with the declaration of Governor Sieraki Dickson, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election. Before the contest, a number of perverse things took place.

One of them was the reported bombing a few hours to the election of the country home of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, which was attributed to the handiwork of some masked men. That was Benson’s version.

However, a group, Patriots of Ijaw Nation (PIN), accused the Speaker of accommodating some former militants from Delta and Rivers states at his country home ahead of the polls. With the confirmation by alleged Police sources that a high calibre improvised explosive device must have

been used to bomb the edifice, one can imagine that the attack may have been carried out to neutralize the perceived power of Benson. In which case, it was the case of one set of politicians versus another in the unending game of political violence in Nigeria which usually leaves some citizens dead whenever powerful people want to get into political office.

Accordingly the deaths notwithstanding, Dickson is set to assume office having officially received from the electoral body, his certificate of return. In his post election speech, the governor-elect attributed his victory to two significant factors. The first, he identified as the work of God to whom he dedicated his victory. The second was the determination of the people of Bayelsa to return him to office. He ought to have named the third factor which played the biggest

PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758

Coming back from America

T

he title of this essay is adapted from a classic comic movie I watched several years ago entitled Coming to America. In it, the lead actor, Eddie Murphy, played the role of Akeem, a young prince from Zamunda, an African country, who went to America for the first time in search of true love. The main theme of the movie is that, despite the uncertainties and conflicts that arise when a man and a woman from different cultural backgrounds meet and fall in love, true love would eventually prevail.

Now, in this essay, I will summarise my experiences as a first time visitor to the United States, where I spent the last Christmas and New Year holidays.

Although many people believe that travel is educative, I dislike travelling because of the inconveniences associated with it, including selecting and packing those items one would need for the journey. Indeed, I detest air travel even more, for I am uncomfortable with the very idea of sitting down for hours suspended thousands of feet above sea level inside a somewhat tunnel-like contraption called an aircraft. This is inspite of the fact that, according to available records, air travel is the safest mode of transportation across the

globe. Moreover, anytime I travel by air, I marvel at the creative ingenuity of the scientists, engineers and technicians who contributed to the manufacture of aeroplanes.

In my opinion, an aircraft is a paradigm example of what human beings are capable of accomplishing if they cooperatively apply their knowledge productively in seeking solutions to human problems instead of wasting their imaginative and creative talents on hating and killing one another for no good reason.

Yet, inspite of the undoubted advantages and marvels of air transportation, the possibility of air crash with its attendant violent loss of lives and property is horrifying. I feel really bad anytime I think about the agony and psychological trauma passengers experience shortly before ill-fated aircraft crashes.

And the rare cases of pilots who deliberately crash planes and terrorists that hijack commercial jetliners aggravate my phobia for flying, since there is no foolproof method yet of detecting mentally deranged suicidal pilots and potential terrorists.

Perhaps, the next generation of aircrafts would be fitted with artificially intelligent technology that enables them evaluate flying

role, but he probably took it for granted or forgot to name it. But in reality, there is hardly any Nigerian politician that does not owe his victory or defeat at an election to this crucial third factor which is the death of fellow citizens. Oh, yes! In any election in Nigeria, some people must as a routine die so that one candidate can emerge victorious. Similarly, for

In reality, there is hardly any Nigerian politician that does not owe his victory or defeat at an election to this crucial third factor which is the death of fellow citizens

someone to lose an election in our fatherland, another group of citizens have to die. Although, we are all supposedly equal citizens of one nation, unconscionable deaths must happen in spite of repeated declarations by our political class that no citizen’s ambition is worth conditions and requirements continuously while in the air and automatically override inappropriate commands from pilots. But until that happens, that is, until aircrafts become vastly more intelligent than they are at the moment, air travellers must reckon with the constant possibility of air crashes caused by psychologically damaged pilots and inhuman terrorists.

Last month, I put aside my dislike of air travel and flew to Los Angeles, California, for Christmas. I had never gone on a proper vacation since I began teaching Philosophy at the University of Lagos many years ago.

Therefore, I needed rest, and decided to make good use of the lull in academic activities during Yuletide.

Besides, I have procrastinated for almost two years after securing a multiple entry visa to the United States of America.

Before I travelled, I had less than a week left before my visa would expire, and some friends said that failure to travel before the visa expires would make it extremely difficult for me to get another American visa in future. I was in a dilemma: I do not like travelling, and the prospect of sitting for more than fourteen hours in an aircraft headed to America was quite disturbing.

Furthermore, the price of air tickets had gone up considerably as Christmas approached, mainly because the naira was depreciating against the dollar and because of the usual increase in demand for air travel during Yuletide. Eventually, I finally made up my mind that nothing would stop me from travelling to America this time around. Prof.

Rahamon A. Bello, ViceChancellor of the University of Lagos,

the blood of another.

Unfortunately, Nigerian politics, attaches no meaning to human life The options open to us are just two. One is to amend our constitution to clearly state how many deaths should produce victory and how many to be allocated to defeat. The other option is for the Nigerian people to rise up now and say NO to more deaths. The first choice may be easier to achieve because the politicians who sponsor the killings are also the people who are in power that can do and undo. So, they can with ease mobilize the legislature which is one of their domains, to deal with the subject in the latest round of constitutional amendment which the Senate reportedly commissioned a few days ago. Not much energy is needed to handle it; after all, the 7 th National Assembly last year, passed 46 bills in 10 minutes. It is only if we opt for the second option that our choice may never yield any results because of a number of factors. The first of the factors is the honest pursuit of free and fair election; not the elusive slogan of ‘one man one vote’ that is mouthed without action.

Electronic voting which is what everyone does elsewhere cannot work for us because our leaders think it can disenfranchise the majority of our people

who are uneducated and unfamiliar with technology except GSM, cashless banking, e-passport etc.

Painfully, technologyassisted election which will never be allowed is what we need to move forward.

The other issue which would work like magic is to make our political office virtually ‘un-lucrative’. The other day, I told a friend of mine that if government throws a kite by announcing a reduction in the price of petrol, subsisting fuel queues would vanish in hours. I don’t know if one of the advisers of Ibe kachukwu, our oil minister, is a cleric who hears what anyone says, but government perhaps, by coincidence did so and behold petrol stations were virtually begging us to come for fuel.

We have always known that fuel mafias are the people extorting us all. In the same way, political violence and sacrificial killings for electoral victories will vanish the moment we make a newly elected or appointed politician into office to begin like every public officer in the other two arms of government on grade level salaries. Not being career public officers with security of tenure, their entry point could be enhanced, but the old order where an illiterate legislator can earn a newspaper allowance that is the equivalent of the

salary of a director must end. Indeed, all political office holders should be volunteers who are eager to serve selflessly.

It is not hard to do because many well meaning Nigerians have in the past held offices and donated their salaries to charity. I remember with every respect, the exemplary posture of Prince Bola Ajibola SAN, former President of the Nigerian Bar association. He remains the longest-serving Attorney General and Minister of Justice, who selflessly served his fatherland for over six years as a minister of the Federal Government without taking home any salary. What he did remarkably was to pay back to the Federal Government, 35 per cent of his regular monthly salary, 25 per cent to the Nigerian Bar Association and 40 per cent to charitable/ h u m a n i t a r i a n organizations all over Nigeria, including the Association of the Blind, Red Cross, Red Crescent, Muslim Aid Group, societies for the disabled in Lagos and Benin etc.

There are many undeclared Ajibolas but they are not in politics and it is only such selfless people that can bring to an end the recurring deaths in our election process. If we find them and power them, our brutish politicians would be tamed.

graciously granted my application to proceed on Christmas vacation.

I boarded an Emirates aircraft on a Saturday afternoon, having missed the one on Friday. Our plane landed at Dubai international airport several hours later.

Compared to the beautiful Dubai airport, our own

from the airport and drove straight to his house in Moreno Valley, California.

Largely, I enjoyed my vacation in the United States. I slept a lot, savoured delicious African meals prepared by my friend's wife, Ngozi, and occasionally visited places of interest in California, including Beverley Hills, where some of the most famous entertainers in America live. My major problem, aside from the occasional cold winter weather, was lack of money to buy some of the beautiful and relatively affordable items I saw in big supermarkets and shopping malls in California. My severely limited spending power was aggravated by strict restrictions on the amount one can withdraw abroad in a day with Nigerian ATM cards. On several occasions when my cards were rejected at the pay point in shops, I paid with the dollars I bought in Nigeria.

Food and basic groceries are quite affordable in the US: big shops like Ross and Bloomington sell clothes, shoes, bags and household goods at very low prices.

One can even buy a used car in America for two hundred and fifty dollars!

But getting suitable accommodation is expensive, although there is a well-regulated mortgage and credit system that allows people to own houses, in the long run.

Anyone who has visited the United States or, for that, matter any of the wellorganised countries in the world, would be struck by the lack of genuine progress in Nigeria, especially in terms of i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l d e v e l o p m e n t , environmental sanitation, and strict adherence to rules and regulations.

Throughout my stay in the United States, electricity

and water supply did not stop even for one second. I went to several places in California; the roads are solid and well maintained.

I did not see a single heap of garbage anywhere.

Indeed, unlike the situation here in which refuse disposal personnel had to manually empty the refuse bins into trucks and some of the rubbish dropped from the trucks as they moved along the road, in America the process is more efficient because refuse disposal vehicles are fitted with elongated mechanical hands that empty the bins into the trucks without dropping anything on the ground.

An important and often neglected index of human development or civilised society is the condition of restrooms in public places, because it reflects how people respond to the biological imperatives of their humanity. Of course, the sanitary condition of toilets in our markets, educational institutions and other public buildings is utterly disgraceful, an indication that Nigeria is still at the lower levels of civilization. While in the United States, the restrooms I used in all the public places I visited were scrupulously clean - there was no need for me to hold my breath or hurry out of the toilet because of dirty surroundings or foul smell.

In addition, toilets in America are far more effective in flushing human waste than the ones in Nigeria: the former use a combination of water and powerful suction pressure to evacuate the waste whereas the latter operate mainly on water pressure. I do not understand why the relevant authorities in Nigeria did not adopt the American system as the standard for buildings in the country.

To be continued.

Anyone who has visited the United States or, for that, matter any of the well-organised countries in the world, would be struck by the lack of genuine progress in Nigeria Murtala Mohammed international airport is ghetto. The egg-shaped structure of the building in Dubai houses state-of-theart facilities, and everywhere was sparkling.

Early the following day, I joined other passengers for the connecting flight to America. We arrived Tom Bradley international airport in Los Angeles on a cold Monday afternoon. Of course, it was winter, and the blast of cold air on my face as I stepped out of the aircraft brought it home to me that I am in another country, that the weather in America is quite different from the weather condition in Nigeria. After collecting my luggage, I sent a text message to Apostle Frank Uwakwe, my host in America, telling him that I had arrived. About thirty minutes later, he picked me

SUNDAY VANGUARD,JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 33

Abuja pastors

struggle for juicy church branches

•’Men of God’ quit over ‘unprofitable transfer’

By Favour Nnabugwu

M

any pastors in Abuja see the numerical growth of their churches as evidence of God’s blessing. The new wave of growth is worrisome to the old generation churches which described it as the recycling of Christians.

The command to reach the lost has degenerated into the desire for ‘the bigger, the better,’ while the rousing marketing techniques to grow the numbers is a product of the secular culture. Whenever a pastor is transferred from a smaller church to a bigger one, no problems, but when he is transferred from a bigger church to a smaller one, hell is let loose. Also problematic is the fact that people often leave churches for the wrong reasons such as personality conflicts and impatience with worship styles.

Some pastors unruly disobey senior pastors when they are transferred to small branch of the church and damn the consequence of opening their own church which they often times regret when the grace and unction of the church they left, depart from them .

Church members often subsume themselves like shoppers and religious consumers who, instead of seeking to plug into a body of believers and stick with it, making it a better place, simply move from one church to another.

Pastor Oluyombo Soyombo, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Wisdom Zone, Zonal Headquarters, Kubwa, said such a change is needed for individual growth as escapism is the easy way out too often.

Quoting 2 Timothy 2:16, he said: “Who are the pastors being transferred and what is the motive behind the transfer? A senior minister may be challenged when he is transferred to a

small branch but we must not allow flesh to take the place of Christ in our lives and ministration.

“We must always allow the Spirit of God to direct our steps but, unfortunately, most of us do the work of God with flesh which is definitely not good for the Body of Christ.

“As a senior pastor, l give equal opportunity to ministers because one may have the grace that the other lacks; so we must at all times complement one another.”

He went on: “Basically, in the Body of Christ, pastors should see their transfer and an opportunity to serve and not read meanings to it. “There is no doubt that losing a pastor can be a time of upheaval for a church, especially if the pastor leaves under difficult circumstances. If a pastor simply retires after long and faithful service, or if he moves to another area in response to God’s leading, it can be a time of sweet sorrow.

“But what about when a pastor leaves in less ideal circumstances, such as moral failure and pride on his part? The remaining members of the church should, at all times, learn to hold the church together for the present, and move forward into what can seem to be an uncertain future for obvious reason that the church does not belong to the pastor or to the leadership or the congregation.”

A clear and grounded confidence in God’s sovereign control over the church will lead the people to say with Paul, ‘But thanks be to God, who, in Christ, always leads us in triumphal procession, and, through us, spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere’ (2 Corinthians 1:14).

Often times, the departure of a pastor is a good time to re-evaluate and redefine the mission and work of

Whenever a pastor is transferred from a smaller church to a bigger one, no problems, but when he is transferred from a bigger church to a smaller one, hell is let loose

the church. There are obvious mandates from the Scripture teaching and preaching the Word, worshipping and glorifying God, and fulfilling the commission to spread the gospel.

Pastor Fredrick Igene of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Lugbe Zone 7, Abuja ,believeds that it is not about numbers but the unction a minister of God carries paves the way for him.

“If a pastor does not have the unction and he is transferred to a church branch of 10,000 members, and he does not have what it takes to keep the 10,000 members, the branch can reduce to 1,000 but when a pastor has the grace and the unction, a small branch can grow from 300 members to 2,000 within a period.

“It is expected that pastors should look beyond the flesh. I will personally not support the idea of pastors turning down such a great privilege when they are moved from a big church to a small one.

“The church belongs to Christ, the head of His church. The church is the body of Christ. He died for His body, and His body lives for Him. Until the leadership is committed to this biblical model and the congregation comes to terms with this truth, no pastor can be truly successful.

Igene added, “Pastors should understand and be committed to the sovereignty of God in all things, but most especially at the time of the departure of the pastor. Nothing that happened was a surprise to God; either He caused the pastor to leave or He allowed it to accomplish His divine will and purposes.

“Either way, He has assured us that all things

work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), and the church can take comfort in the knowledge that they are being led by the sovereign God who is involved in every detail of the life and ministry of the church, as well as that of the pastor.

“There has to be a balance between planting and watering for a church to grow, which means that, in a healthy church, each person must know what his spiritual gift is so that he can best function within the Body of Christ. If the planting and watering get out of balance, the church will not prosper as God intended.

“Of course, there has to be daily dependence upon and obedience to the Holy Spirit so His power can be released in those who plant and water in order for God’s increase to come.”

Nevertheless, the description of a living and growing church is found in Acts 2: 42 - 47 where the believers ‘devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer’. They were serving one another and reaching out to those who needed to know the Lord, for the Lord ‘added to their number daily those who were being saved’. When these things are present, the church will experience spiritual growth, whether or not there is numerical increase. Another pastor told Sunday Vanguard in confidence that he was in charge of a branch of a church with a membership of over 100 but the offering from that branch was significantly low compared to the branch of less than 40 members he was transferred to whose offering was in hard currency most of the time.

“It is the grace of God and the unction upon the commission (the Church) that overflow in the pastors, and if a pastor gets angry because he is posted or transferred to a small church, and decides to leave for another church or to start his own church, that unction leaves him, ‘he said. “We have seen some of them that left in that circumstance and become frustrated along the line when they struggle all through to unravel why their own church is not growing like the established churches.”

“Pastors need to understand that the church is not about membership but watering genuine Christians, not the church goers.

We should therefore be mindful of our calling to win and nurture the disciples of Christ, so we do not by our action or inaction derail them from making heaven.”

“That is to say that a church can be alive and growing even though the number of members is not changing. If those in the church are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus, submitting to His will for their lives, both individually and corporately, that is a church that is experiencing true growth. At the same time, a church can be adding to its nominal rolls weekly, have huge numbers, and still be spiritually stagnant.”

However it may seem, growth of any kind follows a typical pattern. As with a growing organism, the church has those who plant the seed (evangelists), those who water the seed (pastors/ teachers), and others who use their spiritual gifts for the growth of those in the church.

But note that it is God who gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:7).

Those who plant and those who water will each receive their own reward according to their labour (1 Corinthians 3:8).

PAGE 34—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

By PRISCA SAM-DURU & ELIZABETH UWANDU CULTURE

D

ubbed ‘Africa’s Biggest Culture Picnic’, the 17th Lagos Book & Art Festival, LABAF 2015, which held at the Freedom Park, Lagos came to a close, with the Committee for Relevant Art, CORA Art Stampede.

The festival featured days of creative fair, inspiring conversations , glitz and glamour and then the bombshell at the Art Stampede.

To the consternation of many, critics showed support for President Mohammadu Buhari’s exclusion of Minister of Culture and Tourism in the present administration saying that potents well for the industry. The stampede was themed, “Fate & Fortune of Culture Sector in the regime of ‘change’.

A parliamentary gathering of artists, culture workers, arts advocates and bureaucrats examined the position and status of culture sector under the current dispensation of change.

On the panel were; Ugoma Adegoke, Co-founder/Director, Lifehouse- film and visual arts promoter; Bolanle Austen Peters, MD, Terra Culture, Azafi Omoluabi-Ogosi, CEO, Paressia Publishers, Femi Odugbemi, MD/CEO DvWorx; Co-founder/

By JAPHET ALAKAM MOVIE

F

or two days, it was a real celebration of Chinese culture as movie lovers, especially lovers of the Chinese film thronged the famous Silverbird Cinemas in Victoria Island for much publicised Chinese Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria. The festival which is the first of its kind was put together by the Chinese Consulate in Lagos as part of movies to help Nigerian friends to understand Chinese culture, history, society and boost future cultural exchange and cooperation.

And as it turned out to be, over 400 people attended the first day of screening which also attracted state officials, lecturers, students and business executives.

The opening film screened was the “Chinese Zodiac,” an action/ comedy movie featuring

By OKOFU UBAKA REVIEW

A

Spring of Sweets is a n anthology of poetry written

by Tony Afejuku. The anthology comes to us as a phoenix of varied human thoughts recollected in moment of tranquility. A Spring of Sweets, can better be described as a diary of diverse human experiences in lyrics. Also, one may be correct to say that the anthology validates the immense capacity of the human mind to recollect and to reflect on avalanche of man’s unavoidable encounters with the many hurdles of life. Perhaps, the reason this writer is of the view that the anthology is a mixed bag of exhortations of love, passion, patriotism, courage and admiration on one hand. On the C M Y K

Writers support exclusion of culture/tourism ministry Executive Director IREP International FilmForum/ Festival, and Lanre Shasore, CEO of Quramo publishers while Culture communicator, Ben Tomoju, moderated.

The panellists, except, Mrs Omoluabi-Ogosi, unanimously agreed that culture industry will fare well in the absence of a minister. Their reasons were premised on the fact that previous ministers didn’t do much to promote the industry, but through their activities, impeded the growth of the culture industry.

They further cited instance of the past administration, where artists had interactions with government on the guise of representing the entertainment industry, only for the so called representatives to enrich their

The culture industry is one of the biggest employer of labour and should have a voice

• A scene from a performance during the festival coffers and leave the industry worse, but for the intervention of the corporate industry.

Mrs Austen-Peters said the role culture plays in the economic life of any nation is very significant.

Citing countries that do not have natural resources but depend on their creative industry to boost their economy, are doing better than most countries with natural resources. She added that culture said if the present administration refused to create a ministry of culture now,they will have to beg in future to be allowed to participate in it.

For Odugbemi, the emphasis on role government play in the

industry is over hyped. He said,what the industry needs do is to fashion a way to make writers understand the tenets of writing; the need for convergence in the industry via technological innovations such as facebook, twitter, will play an important role in enhancing the role culture play.

The CEO of Paressia Publisher, Mrs Omoluabi-Ogosi, however disagreed to support the exclusion of a culture minister noting that “We need government in the industry to use their power to address issues of paper prints, tariff on the publishing materials and accessibility of published works via transportation.”

She also added, that government’s involvement will increase literacy level when books are made affordable and available, which will in turn create job opportunities thereby increasing the revenue of the country.

The moderator, Ben Tomoloju on his own part, said, literacy which is vital to civilization in all dimension needed to be taken seriously, especially improving the readership culture of the people.

Reading the submission of the panellists, he said culture which plays a lot of role in the growth and development of a country needs the input of the government so long as creative people pay tax to the government.

Also, L ABAF Cordinator, Jahman Anikulapo, noted that irrespective of corporate involvement in the culture industry, the industry needs a voice in the government and that voice can be through a ministry and a minster.

Anikulapo insisted that the culture industry is one of the biggest employer of labour and should have a voice. He, therefore urged everyone present to use any means available to demand for the ministry of culture and its minister.

China boost future cultural ties with Nigeria through film renowned Chinese actor and director Jackie Chan. The heist caper, revolving around a Chanled team hunting down Chinese national treasures auctioned off to international speculator.

Other movies enjoyed by Nigerian movie fans includes “Confucius” and “Monkey King”.

The former one tells the life story of Confucius, who is the greatest philosopher in Chinese history, the founder of Confucianism. While Monkey King is the most well-renown Chinese mythic story. It is a monkey born from a heavenly stone who acquires supernatural powers. After rebelling against heaven and being imprisoned under a mountain for 500 years, he later accompanies the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India.

Thus, according to legend,

• A scene from Chinese Zodiac Buddhism is brought to ancient China. This much beloved story, is as much a part of Asian culture as The Iliad and The Odyssey or The Wizard of Oz are to the West.

In his opening speech, the Consul-General of the Chinese

Consulate in Lagos, Liu Kan, said films can make people share feelings and the event aimed to let local people know more about China through films, and expand cooperation in the film sector.

The envoy said the first event of this kind will help promote the relationship between the Chinese side and Nigeria to open “a window or door ” for Nigerian friends to learn more about modern China through such films.

He told his audience that the

Afejuku’s Poetry of Pulsating Reflections other hand, the anthology contains poems that are lamentations of a failed state as a result of greed, nepotism and moral bankruptcy.

These anomalies have found a futile ground in Nigeria owing to man’s penchant for vices, injustice, brutality and selfrighteousness . Basically, the human mind has exceptional capacity to wander, to ponder, to reflect, and to refract. Hence, Afejuku’s lines serve as a soothing balm to a troubled mind.

Afejuku is an Itsekiri patriot, a literary critic and a Professor of Literature with bias for poetry.

Like Niyi Osundare, Odia Ofeimun, Tanure Ojaide and Ebi Yobo, Afejuku sees poetry as a medication for the ailing soul. He

Title: A Spring of Sweets Author: Tony E. Afejuku Publisher: Mace Books/ Sunbird Africa Media Limited, (2014).

Pages: 108 (in 6 Options) Reviewer: Okofu Ubaka Omamuli.

shares in the artistic ideology of bringing poetry to the door step of the people. His generation of contemporary poets are conformists of Niyi’s poetic manifesto which perceives poetry as a “ life spring”, (Alu, 2008). It is imperative to state here that these poets also imbibe Ojaide’s verdict of syntax of prose, unpretentious, clear and simple lines, (Ojaide,1989). Little wonder, they steered away from the older generation of Modern Nigerian poets that are easily identified for the nuance of being ‘privatist’, willfully obscured and consciously apolitical.

Afejuku and his contemporaries are committed to splitting open the gridlock of formalistic evocations of the

Consulate was working hard on promoting communication between China and Nigeria.

“We introduce China’s economy, history, culture, etiquette and so on through various kinds of activities such as open day, public lectures and artistic performances,” he added.

On his part, Lawrence Akande, a lecturer with Nigeria’s National Film Institute (NFI), said the knowledge of Chinese language would avail Nigerians the opportunity to communicate easily with their Chinese counterparts.

“This film will go along way to boost our ties with China, he added.

The Chinese film festival which started on Friday and ended on Saturday drew thousands of fans to the arena. older generation of Modern Nigerian poets. Hence the commitment to communicate in the simplest and appropriate expressions possible. Afejuku’s poetry vividly conveys a piecing concept of evocative reflection of ordinary human experiences.

Further, there is also a conscious effort by the poet to jettison Euro-modernist poetic techniques of T.S Eliot, Era Pound, Christopher Okigbo and Wale Soyinka who were addicted to the poetry of obscurantism and esoteric motifs.

To be continued Okofu, Ubaka Omamuli Esq. is a post graduate student with the Department of English and Literary Studies,Delta State University, Abraka.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 35

By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE VISUAL

B

ENIN-CITY has always been in history. It has always stood shoulder high among the committee of nations.

It is a place noted for its arts and culture, with a high collection of arts and cultural works. The Benin arts are rich in history with distinctive features that qualify them to be compared to the Egyptian art works.

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia believes that the full complexity of these art works can be appreciated only through the awareness and consideration of two complementary cultural perceptions of the arts of Benin: the western appreciation of them, primarily as works of art and their understanding in Benin as historical documents and as a mnemonic device to reconstruct history or it’s ritual objects.

The uniqueness of Benin Kingdom, beside its fame and acknowledgement as a cradle art is its ability to blend culture and modernism.

Today in Benin Kingdom, beside the National Museum established by the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) at the Benin City centre, historical centres like the Igun (Street) Erhonmwon, Igbesanmwan Street, Oba’s Palace, Ogiamen’s Palace and lately, Crown Arts Gallery etc. dot different parts of Benin City and they all form focal points to interact with the history of Benin Kingdom.

Igun Street, for Centuries now has remained and continues to serve as guardian of ageless tradition, a place where art is in the genealogy of generations.

Such art works as sculptural piece, carving, painting, drawings have continued to remain reference point for the rich cultural endowment of the Benin nation. They represent the history, culture, values and tradition of the Benin people.

No wonder, the British punitive expedition of 1897 targeted the Benin arts and crafts as booties of that exercise. It is today an understatement to say that the Benin art works dot prominent museums worldwide.

With modernism and interest in giving meaning, appreciation and better understanding to art works, private museums and galleries have sprung up, the latest, being the Crown Arts Gallery situated in the high brow Golf Course Road, sharing the same premises with the popular HEXAGON Network in Golf Course Road in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Benin City by Prince Omoregbe Erediauwa, a scion of the Benin Royal family and direct descendant of His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa.

One very unique feature of the gallery is its post-modernism approach to the collection and preservation of arts and artifacts without subverting history and tradition.

Postmodernism in this concept, means skeptical interpretation of arts and its philosophy marked by a revival of historical attributes.

Omoregbe is the Chief Executive Officer of Hexagon Network, a conglomerate of C M Y K

Leveraging Arts with Museum several business interests in Benin City.

Realizing his business drive, one begins to wonder why venturing into collection and preservation of arts and artifacts, and he responded thus: “Because, culture has been part of me; apart from being born into a family of culture and tradition, I have always loved culture. So, gallery is more like a passion, not on the business side.”

On source of art works, he said, “I bought some; some from my dad, (Oba Erediauwa). Whenever I stumble on good works that I think should be in our domain, I try to get it.”

Part of Prince Omoregbe’s expository works for art works are embedded in the annual ‘Ugie Carnival’ in which arts exhibition is a major component. Ugie Carnival is organized every December as part of the annual Igue festival.

Igue festival is a worldwide Edo people end-of-year traditional thanksgiving and get together event and an embedded festival encapsulating significant monuments of past historical facts integral to the emergence of Benin Kingdom.

The uniqueness of Benin Kingdom, besides its fame and acknowledgement as a cradle of art is its ability to blend culture and modernism

By CALEB AYANSINA CULTURE

T

• Benin bronze It is a combo festival parked with everyday festivity in the Oba’s Palace and the streets of Benin and homes. It represents the unbroken immortalization of a generational transfer of records of the Benin cultural heritage and accomplishments.

Historically, the kingdom is referred to as the cradle of civilization in Africa.

More than a reflection, Igue is a re-enactment of Benin history as well as a collaboration to honour the accomplishment of past Kings and ancestors of the Benin Kingdom whose unique attributes of bravery, war strategy and aesthetic characteristics were not only the envy of the western world, but a source of pride and territorial expansion.

The Curator of Crowne Arts gallery is a former Head of Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture (MOTNA), Ukpalo Ehi Godwin. According to him, “Omoregbe is a collector of arts.

Since 2012, we have been working on Igue festival; to get youths involved in what Igue stands for.

“An exhibition of contemporary art and craft was staged at the beginning of Igue festival. Since then, the idea to establish a gallery of arts was burning in us.”

The exhibition that was held as part of the 2014 Igue festival gave birth to Crowne Arts Gallery which finally birthed December14 of that year. That year ’s exhibition was tagged “Perfection and scenes in the

2014 Igue Festival.”

The gallery is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity used to educate members of the public to the extent that the works of arts are not fetish objects as it is believed in some quarters.

Beside the love of collecting and keeping art works, Ukpalo said commercial interest is not ruled out, but with a caveat: “It is not a business you jump into; collection entails having some money, interest and passion also count.

In Crown Arts Gallery, there is a replica of what was done during the British punitive expedition of 1897. There is the canoe taking Oba Ovonranmen, with the British soldiers and Palace chiefs who expressed the indignity done Benin Kingdom with wailing and crying on the way to Calabar in the present day Cross River State.

On one side of the canoe was one of the Oba’s wives and the canoe paddlers in both the front and rear of the canoe.

There is a typical Benin shrine, with various traditional objects, including ceremonial sword, animal horn and other materials.

The museum also accommodates replicas of objects in Benin history.

There is the Oba with his entourage embarking on a trip, probably, on a visitation, with a Leopard leading the entourage.

In the past, in Benin Kingdom, Leopard featured naturally with humans as domestic animals.

Metaphorically, Leopard is a powerful and courageous animal as manifest in its movement, with royal splendor. On the Oba’s entourage are two men bearing the Oba’s luggage, with warriors accompanying the entourage.

We'll revive culture, tourism sector to improve economy----Lai Mohammed

he Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has reiterated the federal government determination to revive culture and tourism sector with a view to improve the country’s economy.

Consequently, the minister sought the collaboration of the private sectors in the areas of infrastructural development, Establishment of the Tourism Development Fund and many others.

Lai Mohammed, who stated • A performance by the National Troupe on Nigeria this at a workshop on tourism as one of Africa’s country is facing currently.

Mainstreaming Tourism into major tourist destination.

His word; “the uniqueness of the Economic Agenda of According to him, oil and Government, in Abuja minerals which are non tourism, as an important promised to do everything renewable cannot effectively economic sector, is also evident within its powers to provide an address the challenges the in its ability to employ both the skilled, semi-skilled and enabling environment for unskilled manpower. investors and tourists to thrive.

“However, for the tourism The minister said that the sector to meet the country’s tourism sector is capable of The government on development expectations, the employing millions of youths its own part is government on its own part is and improving the nation’s determined to provide a more Gross Domestic Product determined to provide conducive environment for (GDP). investors and potential tourists. a conducive Represented by the “In spite of all these, there is Permanent Secretary of the environment for still room for development and Ministry, Mrs. Ayotunde and improvement which requires Adesugba, the minister said investors the collaboration of both the that Nigeria was determined potential tourists public and private sectors. to fully exploit its potential for

“I wish to assure you that the government is statutorily

expected to provide unique opportunities and the enabling environment for development of a consistent and long-term framework on which the private investors can base business decisions.

“Our experience in the recent past, also clearly demonstrates that oil and mineral resources that are not renewable have very limited potential for addressing the development challenges that face the country today, over the medium and long-term period.”

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba, who spoke through the Director of Planning, Research and Documentation,

Alh. Inuwa Garba, said the current economic situation necessitated the need to revamp the non-oil sector, of which the workshop was designed to address.

“The current economic downturn as a result of the dwindling oil price in the international market further emphasize the urgent need for diversification through and other major non-oil sectors,” she said.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016

QUICK SEX Life in the red Life in the red light district

By CHIOMA GABRIEL, Editor Special Features

Y

ou must have heard of the parlance, ‘money for hand, back for ground’. This is the typical truth about the world’s oldest profession, prostitution. It is one business that understands only one language: ‘Money’.

The professionals operate by night, defying the occupational hazards that characterise it.

Like it or hate it, you cannot ignore it and you cannot beat the temptation not to stare at the glittering figures in skimpy attires that parade major streets, brothels, joints and bars at night in major cities across Nigeria.

C M Y K

Night life in Nigeria is usually different from day life. Like they say in Bamako, Mali, experience Bamako by night. It’s a different world. Night clubs, bars and joints come alive in the night accompanied by loud music and ladies of the night.

In many of these joints, ladies in skimpy attires with some appearing almost nude line the streets, wearing loud make-overs, chewing bubble gum while soliciting for customers who who are ready for one-night stand.

From Lagos to Abuja, Kano to Kaduna, Port Harcourt to Calabar; Owerri, Enugu, Makurdi, etc, it’s the same story.

Recently, a new twist has been added to the story.

Male prostitutes are coming on board. The males who engage in normal relationship with rich older females who pay their bills for the sexual satisfaction he offers are referred to as toy boys .

Some end up as kept boys and might later translate into house husbands depending on the quality of services rendered to the big madame.

Oblivious of the fact that the activities of prostitutes are seen as anti-social and despite claims by these joints, bars and hotels that they do not harbour prostitutes, the business still thrives in these places.

In Lagos for instance, brothels and joints around Surulere, Allen Avenue, Opebi, Toyin street, Isolo, Ikotun and other places harbour prostitutes in

In Lagos for instance, brothels and joints around Surulere, Allen Avenue, Opebi, Toyin street, Isolo, Ikotun and other places harbour prostitutes in large numbers

large numbers.

Some of the prostitutes are even married women.

A scenario played out when the reporter spent a night out with some friends and convinced the male amongst them to patronise commercial sex workers.

Patricia, as she introduced herself asked a potential customer why he wanted her when he already had a woman beside him. Tongue-in-cheek, the male customer responded, ‘I like threesome’.

Then the pricing began.

“It’s N5,000 a night” Patricia responded.

“But that’s too much for just one night. Don’t you know things have changed in Nigeria for worse?” asked the male ‘customer.’ “ No be una vote for change. That one no concern me. Business is business,” the lady of the night responded. “ It’s Tuesday. If you charge N5,000 today, what happens on weekend?” “ So, if it’s Tuesday, I should give you for free?”

As the male customer made to drive away, she asked him, ‘how many hours?’ and the male customer burst into laughter before driving away. His attitude attracted curses

Continues on page 37

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 37

Life in the red light district

Continued from page 36 and abuses from the prostitute and her colleagues.

Thriving business Prostitution is said to be the oldest profession and till date the business still thrives without shame on the part of those who engage in it. Nowadays, they preferred to be called Commercial Sex Workers and not long ago, inaugurated a union.

Late last year, the union lost one it’s henchmen Jessica Elvis who died of heart-related ailments.

The number one commercial sex worker, before her ascendancy to the position of President of the body, was the Secretary and her emergence brought about radical changes in the association.

For instance, she led several protests to authorities especially in her base in Abuja fighting for the rights of her colleagues.

This association is stronger in Abuja and Niger state where the business thrives more because of the presence of politicians and core businessmen.

When the body was formed January last year, their leader said the formation of the association was for the prostitutes to come together and fight for the right to carry out their trade, expressing their preparedness to do anything within the ambit of the law to protect their means of livelihood.

According to a statement attributed to their leader, “why will people leave their problems and focus on other people who are struggling for survival? If we chose to use what we have to get what we want, is it anybody’s business?”

The association vowed to liaise with relevant organisations to provide insurance and health scheme for all registered members.

Commercial sex workers from all indications perceive their profession like any other profession that people go into to eke a living and wondered why people would chose to look at sex workers as those engaging in something illegal. The union was miffed that prostitutes in the Federal Capital Territory were operating without any form of harassment until the emergence of Nasir el-Rufai, the former Minister of the FCT who demolished most of the suburbs and also placed unnecessary restrictions on them.

But the restrictions are not only in FCT but all over the country. That however has not stopped the illicit trade as the business still thrives.

C M Y K

Nowadays, they preferred to be called Commercial Sex Workers and not long ago, inaugurated a union

In the field Asked why he patronises prostitutes, Richard, a regular customer said he does not want a permanent girlfriend for now. The 25-year-old business man said he does not want any woman that will tie him down for now until he makes enough money to settle down. “ So, whenever I’m pressed, I come to this joint at Isolo to pick a girl and I don’t even need to take her home. There are rooms in this place and you just pay for an hour or two and you are gone. I don’t envy those who take prostitutes home” Reminded of the health risks involved, Richard said he uses condom all the time.

“There is nowhere you will see me without a condom. I was 12 when I was raped by the sister of the man who taught me business. I was raped again at 18 by a secondary school student inside the shop where I learned trading. I have always carried condom since that experience and I decided to be careful with women because I don’t want to be put into trouble. “ I have slept with a lot of women, both young and old who paid me but I don’t like that because some are married women. I have repented now because I have given my life to Christ but a man must be a man. Someday, I will completely stop patronising these women”.

All over Nigeria, women of easy virtue perhaps due to the harsh

economic situation in the country are increasing in number and have become a source of concern to government authorities.

Anita, 23, an indigene of Cross River state hangs around a bar in Ikotun Lagos and she has no qualms about her ‘job’. “ I missed going to school because my parents could not afford the tuition. But should I allow my other siblings to suffer? The answer is no.

At least, I’m paying the university tuition of my two siblings from this trade and also taking care of my parents who are resident in the village. My father is diabetic and I buy his drugs. I thank God that men appreciate me enough to want to sleep with me.

“I was operating from a campus and for three years, paraded myself as a student of that university.

University students do runs and I was always included. Sometimes, we were taken to Abuja, Cross River, Uyo and Port-Harcourt but the student who was helping me has graduated.

She knew I was not a student but because of my looks and because I was always seen around the campus, she always included me in her list. “ In 2012, I met a married man who took me in. His wife was undergoing a course in the United Kingdom and I moved in as a relation. He harboured me for two years until his wife came back. He rented me a room self-contain where I’m living now and occasionally when it’s convenient for him, he comes around and sometimes spends the night. He didn’t want me to continue prostitution but the truth is that he pays more attention to his family. Sometimes, I don’t see him the whole week and he won’t send money. He said he will start a business for me but he has not done that Even if he does, I will still be doing runs because my father has not been able to build a house in the village.

That is in my agenda this year. So, I need the money.”

Anita further revealed that some women who have established businesses still prostitute themselves.

“I have seen something in this business. Big-time business women who have established big businesses still follow other men so that their businesses don’t crumble. They travel

to Dubai, South Korea and other major cities in the world for business but the truth is that sometimes, they don’t go alone and they are often sponsored by men friends who sleep with them outside their matrimonial homes.”

For Anita, her business starts from 5pm when she starts preparation at home before setting out to the joint she would hang around for business. “ For one thing, I need to always upgrade my wardrobe and always fix my hair. How I looks is everything to me. I thank God that I’m tall, slim and presentable. I don’t need to work on my weight. I choose a dress to wear very early in the day and by 6.30pm, I’m set to go. I usually go the extra mile of sometime, entering a joint, buying something for my self and sitting down to eat or drink. I made it a habit of eating once a day and I always eat at the joint. I don’t dress tarty. I dress good.

“You know this business has classes.

The way you project yourself will determine how you will be treated. I have done business with some known people in politics and business and move in their circle. But the truth is that they won’t want to be found out.”

Will you ever stop? The question jolted her and she looked the reporter in the eyes. “ Of course I will. I will marry someday. I will be a good wife. I’m waiting for my two brothers to graduate. One is already in his final year and the other a third year student.

When they are settled, I will settle down. I have a boyfriend and he knows what I do for a living. I pray that one day all will be well.”

Do you go to Church?

“Of course. I’m in the choir in a pentecostal church. And my boyfriend worships in the same church. Don’t look at me that way. We are all adamant sinners but in my own case, I have sacrificed myself for my family. I know I will quit someday.”

Nancy who came with Anita initially would not talk about her business. At first, she lied that that it was her first time because she needed money to go to school. But the way the men smiled and touched her revealed she has been in the business for long.

“I’m a 300-level student in the university. I’m the one training myself in school. My father doesn’t seem to value female children and so preffered to train my younger brother even though I got admission into the university before him. My father advised me to go and marry so a man should take care of me. That didn’t make sense to me. So, I decided to go to school. Sometimes, I get help from extended family like uncles and cousins but I got into this business when my blood relationships would now start sleeping with me. I took up some casual jobs in factories but everything boils dawn to wanting to sleep with me or forcing me to do so. It embarrasses me to be doing this but it’s better than being a sex slave and getting nothing for it.”

Males prostitutes on prowl Chuka from Obigbo in Rivers state is a male prostitute around Toyin Street in Lagos. Chuka doubles as a pimp and a prostitute, sleeping with rich powerful women in his area of operation. “ I am a graduate but I have no job.

So, I use what I have to get what I want. Women admire me a lot. Right from the time I was in secondary school, I was sleeping with my female teachers and in the university, I slept with female lecturers and older female students. But I didn’t bargain to be doing this for a living. I served in 2011 and I have not gotten a job since then.

What is wrong with doing what I have to do? I am a man and I need to make money and settle down in life”

To be continued

PAGE 38—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Customs records massive seizures of contra-band items

T

he Federal Operations Unit, FOU-Zone ‘A’ of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS),) has been described as the hub of anti-smuggling campaign in the country following massive seizures of tyres, textile materials and other contra-band items intercepted by the Command.

Recognised for its remarkable role in anti-smuggling operations, the Command has been given a new Customs Area Controller (CAC) to further strengthen its operational efficiency.

The latest development followed the recent deployment of Customs Area Controllers by the Customs hierarchy, aimed at repositioning NCS for effective service delivery and trade facilitation in line with the global trend. The new CAC of the Command, Comptroller Mohammed Dahiru Umar, who took over from Comptroller Sani Madugu, has served NCS in various capacities, since he was enlisted into the Service as a Cadet Officer in 1982. He served as the Area Controller at the Premier Port Apapa, PTML Command, Murtala Mohammed Airpot Command, Federal Capital Territory Command and also as Controller promotion, at the Customs Headquarters, before his present posting.

Speaking at a valedictory meeting with senior officers during the handing over, the out going CAC described Comptroller Umar, as highly experienced and competent officer capable of enhancing more efficiency in the activities of the Command. He ascribed the successes so far recorded in the Command to the dexterity of officers, their alertness to statutory duty and doggedness in the field, while also warning them against any form of complacency in the future.

He said, “So far, FOU has recorded tremendous successes in anti-smuggling campaign,

revenue generation and trade facilitation. I urge all the officers to take advantage of the vast experience of the new CAC to learn the nitty-gritty of the job, redouble their efforts, level of commitment through identification of new and appropriate operational modalities to degrade the activities of smugglers.”

Sequel to the outstanding performance of FOU- Zone ‘A’, which has received recognition from the top Customs management in Abuja, Deputy Superintendent of Customs (DSC) Ohagwu Jude, received a commendation letter from the top Customs hierarchy for exceptional performance.

The former CAC of FOU disclosed that the commendation was the second letter given to the same officer, who is the team leader of FOU-Zone ‘A’ Controller ’s Surveillance Team, Seme axis. He added, “The team intercepted large quantity of used tyres and other contra-band items smuggled into the country.

The same team made similar exploit, which prompted the first letter of commendation to the Unit, by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Ibrahim Hammed Ali (retired), shortly after taking over.

The team leader is a workaholic and brave officer, whose operational records have brought fame and accolades to the Unit.

The same officer, in recognition of his sterling operational qualities was honoured with the prestigious officer of the month award by FOU- Zone ‘A’. . Intercepts courier vehicle with smuggled goods Meanwhile, the Headquarter Compliance Team, Idiroko axis headed by Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Shittu Ajibola, made a startling seizure of an Izuzu mini truck with registration number LSR 22 XQ, suspected to be a vehicle of Fedex Courier Express, conveying 100 cartons of smuggled frozen poultry

products into the country.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the team shortly after inauguration, embarked on heightened intelligence gathering network, aimed at unraveling new strategies used by smugglers to beat security agents. The approach, which is a paradigm shift from the conventional technique, led to the interception of the truck along Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu road.

The team leader while speaking on the ingenuity and desperation of smugglers who will stop at nothing to bring it prohibited goods, said nobody would have thought that a vehicle designed for ferry parcels and other materials could be used to smuggle, fueling the suspicion that it may not be the first time, such illicit transaction would take place. The same team made similar seizure when it intercepted a truck belonging to a haulage company, but was used in smuggling over 5020 cartons of foreign frozen products, concealed with 2016 cartons of table water. The team leader ascribed their latest exploit to the team’s strict adherence to the policy thrust of the current Customs management. “The seizure is symbolic because the smugglers used parcels to conceal the items in order to escape security check. We need useful information that will help in the fight against smuggling,

Seizures of prohibited items recorded by FOU Zone ‘A’: Inset; Comptroller Umar and DSC Ohagwu, the leader of Controller’s Surveilance team, Seme axis change their tactics in illicit and the people should know business, but our team will that legitimate trade will always remain ahead of their receive our support in terms of trick, however sophisticated”, he facilitation. Smugglers often said.

FG tasked on substandard appliances

BY YINKA AJAYI

F

ollowing the influx of substandard home appliances into Nigerian markets, the General Manager of LG Electronics, Mr.Hyunwoo Jung has tasked the Federal Government to create policies that will discourage importation of home appliances that are substandard in the nations economy.

He stated this in Lagos recently in a chat with newsmen.

According to him; “There is need for Nigerian Government to seriously discourage importation of substandard home appliances that could trigger electrical shock during use in our homes. While Brands in the category of LG Electronics that offer up to 10 years warranty on there products with durable core technologies should on the

SOCIAL ETIQUETTE With Janet Adetu info@etiquetteconsortium.com JSK Etiquette & Image Training Janet@JSKEtiquette JSK Etiquette Consortium — 08188135000

Grooming & Protocol in the Air (2) Continued from last week our Image I always prefer to wear trousers when I travel; I feel smart and comfortable and can accommodate any unexpected delays or circumstances. I will always have a jacket incase the weather changes, a decent compact handbag for my important documents and a one carry on with my laptop or Ipad, a couple of books and writing material. I must carry a small grooming kit minimized as required by the airline. My image in the air is equally as important as anywhere else so am particular about my appearance - simple but elegant. I often see executives fly very casually wearing T-shirts, faded jeans and caps; there is nothing wrong with

Y

C M Y K

dressing casually. However if this is a business trip it is important to know that you need to dress the way you want to be addressed. You can meet an important client or potential client on the flight; watch your behavior, utterances and general attitude as everybody is watching you. You are confined to limited space in the plane so fly well groomed.

Grooming The most you can do on a plane in terms the luxury of grooming is brush your teeth and possibly wash your face. The sink is so small that you have to wash with caution not to splash the whole cubicle. You will not be given anything else more than what has been provided in the wash bag; so please don’t request for a

shaving stick or deodorant. It is ideal to take on board your own small grooming kit with a brush or comb, minimal make up, small perfume or cologne for extra freshness.

Checking-In To make your journey smooth always check if the airline has an on-line check-

in facility.

Fortunately most airlines allow you to check yourself in 24 hours before flight departure. However, atimes the system may be down making it impossible; the safest thing to do at this point is to get to the airport slightly earlier than planned.

If you have successfully checkedin online and you could not print out your boarding pass just take note of your assigned seat, the ground hostess can access your information by your name and seat. You will likely meet many people queuing to be checked-in; this is where your patience is required the most.

Simply have your bags weighed, complete all custom procedures, collect your boarding pass and proceed to the departure gate.

Some passengers are frustrated just as they get to the airport, either because they experienced traffic

other hand be encourage for safety reasons.”

Adding that,”It’s first of its kind in Nigeria that ensure durability in products like refrigerators with inverter linear and smart inverter compressors, chest freezer, washing machines with inverter direct drive motor, charcoal-lighting heater in charcoal microwave and cordless vacuum cleaner with smart inverter motor.” he said.

problems on their way to the airport, maybe they are anxious about their excess baggage, they are unsure if they are confirmed for the current flight, they have lost a document and many more.

With many people there will be many issues; avoid as much as possible engaging in any verbal confrontation with other passengers, airline personnel because it can get unnecessarily messy - your image is everything.

Space.

Whether you are in economy, world traveller, club or first class, you are confined to the space you are given. Your bags, books, computers including your jacket and shoes should not spill out to your neighbour’s space. You are entitled to one arm rest most times, if you claim both you would be considered rude.

Positioning your seat in the resting way gives you more room but be observant and watch the person sitting behind you.

Sometimes you may cause them discomfort if they are using the in tray table to read, write or eat.

The aisle as we know is quite narrow and cannot accommodate two passers-by at the same time. If you need to pass through while the flight attendant is serving food or beverage you may politely wait or ask to be excused.

Keep reading your more tips……

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 39

OKOTIE-EBOH REMEMBERED 50 years after his death in the January 15, 1966 coup, Nigeria's First Republic Minister of Finance, Chief Festus Samuel Okotie-Eboh, was remembered, on Friday, at a 'Colloquium on his politics and his times' as well as presentation of a book titled, 'Chief F.S. Okotie-Eboh in Time and Space.' The remembrance took place at the NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event as captured by Bunmi Azeez

From left: Mrs. Tere Awosika, a daughter of Chief Okotie-Eboh, and Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, representing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Minister, Works Power and Housing

From left: Prof. Jide Osuntokun, author of the book, with Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi

From left: Oba Adesi m b o Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo, with Emir Muhammad Sanusi, S a r k i n Kano.

From left: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chairman of the Occasion; Dara Mbazulike Amaechi; and Amb.[Dr] Maitama Sule, Chairman, Northern Elders Forum.

From left: Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Dr. Adesegun Akin-Olugbede, Prof. Jubril Aminu and Mr. Akintola Williams

From left: Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, President of the Council of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, a former Head of Service of the Federation; Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Governor of Delta State and Aremo Olusegun Osoba, a former Governor of Ogun State

From left: Emir Muhammad Sanusi, Sarkin Kano, presenting the book, From left:Senator Ben Obi with Chief Brown Mene, representing the Olu with Amb. Dele Cole and Dr. Clara Akele, a daughter of Chief Okotie-Eboh of Warri C M Y K

Page 40, SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Supreme Court can save our judiciary VIEWPOINT

By Solomon Bob

A

nn Widdercombe,a former British parliamentarian, despairing on the notion of justice after seeing two judges reach for two extremes of the continuum while sentencing on two remarkably similar offences, wrote in exasperation: “One can be forgiven for concluding that justice is a lottery... in which the luck of the draw is determined by the judge allocated to the case”. It was scant consolation to her that the judges were actually exercising lawful discretion within the guidelines set by the law, but while one judge went for the harshest sentence allowed, the other chose the most lenient. I invite the reader to imagine her sense of outrage if the judges had acted outside of the principles and guidelines laid down by the law and gone on a flight of fancy as we have seen in our judiciary in recent times. I have heard many people parody Charles Dickens and say: “The law is an ass”, in justifiable but misconceived outcry over recent decisions of our courts, particularly the Court of Appeal. I say misconceived because not even Mr. Bumble, through whom Dickens uttered the immortal statement in Oliver Twist, could have fathomed the full dimension of judicial prestidigitation that would afflict our own distant shores 177 years later. So, yes, the law can be an ass in the sense of its obstinance and unbending application, but never in the sense of its willful nonapplication or deliberate manipulation such as when a judge, while not complying with the law in the first instance, rules that an election is void for noncompliance with the law!

This is the dreary state of the nonfunctioning of judicial process in which Justice Thurgood Marshall described justice as a metaphor for “mere access to courthouse doors”.

Nothing illustrates this state of our judicial process better than the decisions that tumbled in from the election tribunals and the Court of Appeal with regard to Rivers State.

Yet we must provide a context in order to fully understand the pernicious character of the judgments that gushed out of those courts in respect of the elections that took place on 28 March and 11 and 12 of April 2015 in Rivers State.

On Tuesday, 21 April 2015, while

fielding questions in a session under the auspices of Civil Society Organizations Situation Room in Abuja, the immediate past INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, had this to say about the Rivers elections: “On the petition against election irregularities in Rivers State, the commission sent three national commissioners to the state to investigate it. Some people don’t (sic) want election to hold, they are the ones calling for cancellation. We investigated the allegation of fake result sheets in Rivers State, our reports showed that there was nothing like that”.

Jega’s comment is insightful, those who never wanted election to hold in the hope that the new order at the federal level would provide them untrammelled leeway to Government House in Port Harcourt have largely succeeded in foisting a false and sinister narrative on the country that there were no proper elections in Rivers State. Sadly, indeed, they have also succeeded in luring the judiciary into brazen partisanship using the same pretext as we shall see presently.

But, again, in another forum in faraway United States, at the Center for Strategic International Studies, Washington, DC, Jega said the following about Rivers elections: “We created a three-man team to investigate the allegations of electoral malpractice (in Rivers State), it was not true that elections didn’t take place in majority of the state, it was not true that result sheets were manipulated. There was no evidence of malpractice or photocopied result sheets and no substantive evidence to establish alteration”.

Onus of proof So why did the Rivers election tribunals and the Court of Appeal reverse the order of onus of proof by not requiring the petitioners to prove their allegations of nonvoting and other irregularities and by so doing disprove Jega? What did the judges and justices know that Jega and his INEC team didn’t?

An election is a momentous event with serious social, political, economic and even cultural implications for society. The processes leading up to it are no less dire. That is why courts had before now demonstrated remarkable restraint and eschewed arbitrariness in coming to a decision to annul an election. It is also in recognition of the fact that in the end, it is primarily the duty

particularly mocks the Supreme Court decision on the subject requiring that proof of non-voting, over-voting or similar irregularities must be established polling unit by polling unit and by direct evidence of witnesses on the ground (see Kakih v PDP [2004] 5 NWLR pt.1430 p.377).

Justice Mahmud Mohammed of the people to choose their leaders, not the job of the courts. J. A. Fabiyi, JCA (as he then was, now of the Supreme Court) put it very well when he said: “A judge should be satisfied beyond doubt that the election was void beyond doubt before knocking it down… A return is a serious matter and should not be lightly set aside”. (see Nwole v Iwuagwu [2005]16 NWLR pt. 952 p. 543 at 571).

But we saw a total repudiation of this admonition in the Rivers governorship election petition and the subsequent appeal, where the return of a candidate as governor was annulled solely on the basis of the evidence of two witnesses none of whom witnessed or participated in the election. The first one (PW40) was as raw a secondary or hearsay evidence as you will get which, beside breaching every rule of admissibility, is in addition, a naked denunciation of the Court of Appeal’s own decision barring INEC from denying the genuineness and authenticity of a result it has caused to be published (see Ngige v Obi [2006] 14 NWLR pt. 999 at p.196-197). The second one, the so-called Card Reader Report from PW49 is not only unknown to the Electoral Act, it is not even mentioned anywhere in the suddenly all-important INEC Guidelines and INEC Manual. So how can it be the sole means by which to prove accreditation and voting?

And we saw that when you allege irregularities or other malpractices in an election, you no longer need to prove them! Rivers has nearly 5,000 polling units and voting centres. But the petitioner called only three witnesses, including himself, who claimed to have been disenfranchised but none of whom tendered a voter’s card and/or voter’s register. This is a mockery of our law and the entire judicial process and

Principles of natural justice And we saw that the chairman of a tribunal can be peremptorily removed halfway through a proceeding and his replacement asked to continue from where he stopped and even rule on applications he never heard! In any proper judicial process this would have been the death knell unless trial was begun de novo.

The principles of natural justice are immutable and cannot be overridden by the argument that election petitions are sui generis, and this is the clear intendment of paragraph 25 (2) of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act. And we saw that only in Rivers did the card reader assume a primacy never before seen anywhere, nor seen anywhere else after, in determining accreditation and voting. Indeed, we saw that the Court of Appeal derogated from its own decision in Agbaje v Ambode in Lagos wherein it laid down the principle that the card reader is a new innovation not within the contemplation of the Electoral Act, and a petitioner cannot rely on it to nullify an election thus affirming the supremacy of the provision of s.138(2) of the Electoral Act. Interestingly, however, the Court of Appeal returned to re-affirm its decision in Ambode’s case in the latter case of Emehor v Okowa in Delta. And although did not directly consider the question, but upheld its broad principles in the two other cases of Gankon v el-Ru f a i (Kaduna) and Ladoja v Ajumobi (Oyo).

And we saw that in all cases related to Rivers, particularly the governorship, the INEC Guidelines and Manual suddenly acquired a new legal imprimatur which even overrode the Electoral Act! We saw that the Court of Appeal devoted a large portion of its judgment on the Rivers governor ’s appeal extolling the importance of the Guidelines and declared it “mandatory”. But the same Court of Appeal had before now emphatically dismissed the Guidelines as “a mere directive” which “does not have the force of law… and there is no sanction for

breaching it” (see Agbaje v Fashola L.E.R. 2008 CA/L/EPT/ GOV/01/2007 at p.16).

And we saw also that the Court of Appeal can in one fell swoop annul all of 12 House of Representatives and three Senate elections in Rivers, and in another strange instance, needed only a few minutes to cancel 12 state’s House of Assembly elections without bothering with the reasons for their decision in very terse judgments! The circumstances that led to those bizarre decisions were the subject of a petition to the President of the Court of Appeal, the contents of which were the subject of media publication and do not bear repeating here.

These illustrations paint an unedifying picture of our judiciary and in many ways constitute a serious breach of our laws. Indeed, in the manner of Widdercombe’s bewilderment, one can be forgiven for concluding that we operate a onecourt system because, too often, the courts below create the impression that they are incapable of delivering justice, and that it is their inexorable destiny to flounder and double-down on error whereas it is the Supreme Court’s bounden duty to deal with it.

It is against this background that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, recently spoke condemning the whimsical character of the judgments coming from the Court of Appeal and, the ensuing confusion in the judicial landscape.

Mohammed’s condemnation has rekindled hope.

The Supreme Court has a unique and historical duty to straighten our laws, redeem the integrity of our judiciary and strengthen our democracy. It has never shirked from that responsibility. Its decision a few days ago in the case of Aliyu Shinkafi v Abdulazeez Yari in the Zamfara governorship appeal wherein it restated, “The law requires the petitioner to lead evidence from the polling unit in order to show alleged over-voting” or other corrupt practices, is a heartening restatement of the law and a reaffirmation that its decision in Kakih v PDP (supra) remains the position of the law on the subject. This decision could not have been more timely given the confusion and contradictions occasioned in many instances by the willful rejection of binding precedents by the Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court has once again taken a commendable step and risen above the fray to save the judiciary.

*Bob, a lawyer, lives Abuja.

Netflix: Behind The Hype VIEWPOINT

By JULIUS FADEHAN VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The pros and cons of new pay – TV

U

nderstandable. That was what I thought of the huge excitement provoked last week by the announcement that Netflix, a US-based streaming service, was launching in 130 countries, including Nigeria.

The excitement, which seemed like another Christmas had come, is a fallout of the belief that Netflix provides a considerably cheaper alternative to pay-TV, the death of which many-seized by momentary glee-predicted. This is in spite of the fact that pay-TV remains alive and kicking in the US and other countries where

C M Y K

Netflix had previously launched.

Time to party? Not yet.

It did not take long for the excitement to dissipate, as wouldbe users of the service started doing some mathematics. At $8 (N2,240) a month, the cost is stunningly low.

That, however, is when you ignore the exchange rate, whose notoriously volatile nature suggests what you spend in buying dollars is not going to stay the same.

But that is just the cost of access.

You also need data. So, who pays for the huge volume of data required for downloads? Note that there are no unlimited data plans in Nigeria. The cost of data got many thinking more rigorously, with most reckoning that data spend will relieve them of something in the region of N15,000 monthly. Add that to N2,240 or whatever it rises to when, not if, the naira goes down the slope.

Cheaper still? You know the answer.

There is also the not exactly small matter of local internet speed. Most local networks have their downloading speed pegged at 200Kbps, something that will make Netflix use the equivalent of an ordeal arising from long buffering periods. Even at this low speed, stability is not guaranteed.

Similarly important: Netflix will bill exclusively in dollars. This means that Nigeria stands to lose tax revenues and face another round of pressure on its external reserves.

But there are other issues, notably those of compliance to local regulations and values. The experience in Kenya is instructive. Already, Netflix has compelled the regulatory authorities to raise a number of compliance issues. Two days after its launch in the country, the

Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) announced that it had identified inappropriate programmes hosted by Netflix which, curiously, is rated for age 13 years.

The KFCB said Netflix, which carries mostly foreign contentsome of which may contain gay and lesbian movies- will not be allowed to stream content considered inappropriate by the Kenyan society. The film board warned that it will flag the unsuitable content and block it within an hour of reporting.

KFCB head of compliance, Emmah Irungu, was quoted by the country’s media as saying that any foreign content once received in the country shall be subjected to the Kenyan law.

“In this case, Netflix will be subjected to the film classification guidelines in the

country,” said Irungu who added that what could be considered as extreme violence in one country may be rated differently in another.

“Since it is in Kenya then it needs to be subjected to the Kenyan ratings for consumer protection,” she said.

In Nigeria, the authorities responsible for licensing, production as well as marketing of film, drama and documentaries have appeared, so far (I hope I am wrong) indifferent to whether some of the offerings by Netflix comply with local regulations and values.

This seeming indifference will expose Nigerians, particularly young ones, to practices we consider abhorrent. * Fadehan, a culture activist, writes from Lagos

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016 — Page 41

VIEWPOINT

By Francis Ehigiator

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Putting the records straight on security money

T

his piece was inspired by

two recent developments with obvious particularity and implication for Edo State politics, whose tempo will, once more, increase in the next few months because of the governorship election that is coming up about, July, this year. The first development was the quick response by Governor Adams Oshiomhole to the report that N260 million was paid by the Office of the former National Security Adviser (ONSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), into the account of a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih. Knowing the political differences between the duo, it was not surprising that Oshiomhole was quoted to have said, at a political event in December, last year, in Edo Central, Anenih’s stronghold, that he (Anenih) should make a refund if it was true that he received the money. Perhaps, Oshiomhole had thought that the money, which may have been dubiously dubbed as part of the arms cash, was the usual political largesse that presidents and

VIEWPOINT

By Charles S. Uzoukwu

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A new lease of life

As

the chickens come home to roost in Abia State, all those who played god in the last gubernatorial election are today licking their wounds. This is because the Court of Appeal has rightly pronounced Dr. Alex Otti, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the election, the true winner of the governorship ballot.

Even before the Court of Appeal historic verdict, there was little doubt in the minds of the people about who won the poll and who

We should be fair to Tony Anenih governors are wont to dish out from security vote and other sources to political leaders. He has since discovered that this was not the case.

The second development, which led to Oshiomhole’s discovery, was the explanation reportedly given by Anenih in a letter he wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that the money was a part refund of the over N400 million of his personal money that he expended on some political assignments consequent upon the instructions of then President Goodluck Jonathan. In the letter to the anti-graft agency, the Iyasele of Esanland, according to media reports, stated that Jonathan asked for his account details for reimbursement, which he made available to him and was, therefore, not in a position to know which office was going to make the payment.

Interestingly, Anenih’s explanation would appear to have shut Oshiomhole up on the issue.

The governor who had perhaps thought that he had another opportunity to denigrate the Uromi-born politician must have been terribly disappointed with the explanation which has, in a

way, shown Anenih as a man of integrity who is consistent and unwavering in his political dealings, support and loyalty.

Anenih did not deny that N260 million was paid into his account by the ONSA. But unlike many others who have been confronted with similar allegations and who have been unable to credibly explain how they disbursed the funds, Anenih, in his letter to the EFCC, gave details of the assignments the leadership of the PDP, under Jonathan, requested him to carry out and the cost implications.

To a group headed by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, he gave N63 million for post-2015 election peace advocacy in the northern part; to the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, he gave N100 million to enable the party mobilize support for the presidential candidature of Jonathan since SDP did not present a candidate in the 2015 presidential election; and, to the leader of ACCORD party, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, he gave N100 million in the same circumstance and for a similar purpose.

Indeed, the sum of these three major disbursements has already surpassed the said N260 million

Time out for Abia PDP lost.

The PDP and its candidate were roundly trounced. They lost the election because Governor Theodore Orji made a mockery of governance.

He failed to take care of the needs of the people of Abia. He he did not give them jobs while those who had jobs were hardly paid salaries. The only functional tourism site in the state, the National War Museum, is situated in Amafor Isingwu village in Umuahia North L.G.A. The roads leading to that village are among the worst in Abia. The cities and villages became refuse

dumps and Orji paid scant attention to environmental matters.

With the negative track records, how could the PDP have won a free and fair election? The unquestionable will of God has triumphed over the shenanigans of mere mortals. The long suffering people of Abia have been handed a new lease of life.

A new era will soon commence, that will mark the transformation of the industrial city of Aba into Africa’s Dubai. These were what Otti promised during the electioneering campaigns. There is no question that he will deliver, because his antecedents

paid into his account by the ONSA. Importantly, the outstanding of more than N180 million by which Anenih claimed he exceeded the N260 million has become, from all reasonable indications, a bad debt. He reportedly put the outstanding sum on record in his explanation to the EFCC but nobody seems bothered about that disclosure or claim. It is now also clear that the N260 million traced to his account could not be reasonably associated with money laundering neither could it be said to be in breach of public trust, having been received as a refund of out-of-pocket expenses incurred on political assignments that would help to maintain the peace and stability of the nation during the crucial 2015 presidential election.

But and since Oshiomhole was the only one who was not contemplative enough by his quick reaction to the N260 million payment saga, it is hoped that he would now show a good measure of sobriety in appraising the entire drama as it continues to unfold.

It would be unfair by all standards, even if Anenih were to have been compromised, for Oshiomhole to cast a stone at him, knowing that in matters that have

are positive and obvious to all.

In offering to serve, Otti was put through hell, alongside his political party and its teeming supporters. Using the power of incumbency, Orji sent his people across Abia with predictable negative results. Voters were intimidated; violence was rift; the sound and clatter of gun fire were commonplace.

INEC staff, who were expected to be above board and to oversee the election with impartiality, compromised.

All these happened for the single reason that election had been called in a supposedly democratic sitting.

INEC’s complicity in the irregularities that tainted the election was even under scored

by Prof. Jega, the INEC boss, who

to do with election expenditures, there is no way he, as governor, can be deemed to be above board, especially in the way and manner his security vote is spent.

Or does Oshiomhole want to assume the moral high ground in this regard? Does he want to behave or pontificate like the President and leader of his APC, Muhammadu Buhari, that he is not corrupt or that the process that produced him as the candidate of his party was not corrupt? Or does he want to claim that no government fund from APCcontrolled states flowed into his campaign budget? Otherwise, can he disclose to Nigerians how his multi-billion naira electioneering was funded?

Indeed, Nigerians would want to know how somebody who paid for his party nomination form with a bank loan could fund, perhaps, one of the most expensive presidential campaigns in the annals of the nation. Even if the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is too disorganized to raise these posers and sustain the tempo of this conversation, the Nigerian people should rise up to the occasion so that every participant in the political process would be fairly treated within the ambits of verifiable acts of omission or commission.

•Ehigiator is resident in BeninCity, Edo State. admitted that some of his staff behaved disgracefully. We must thank God and the Court of Appeal for coming to the rescue of Abia.

Despite all the disinformation by those who wish Abia ill, the will of God has been done by the actualization of the true electoral mandate of the people. All the hitherto oppressed people of Abia, including market men and women, civil servants and professionals are one in celebration and thanksgiving.

The crushing defeat inflicted on Orji has been upheld by the Court of Appeal. Justice has been done.

May God grant Otti the wisdom of Solomon to lead the people of Abia into sunshine.

•Uzoukwu is based in Abuja.

News Preview Plan to ‘unleash attack on Supreme Court Justices’ •Over Saraki, Abia governorship cases

A

mind game war may be unleashed against Justices of the Supreme Court, particularly the seven of them who are sitting over the case filed by the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, over his trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

By the same token, the conclusive hearing of the propriety or otherwise of the Court of Appeal decision handing the Abia State governorship to Alex Otti, candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, may be insinuated into the mind game.

Saraki had challenged the competence of the case filed against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) at the CCT over the declaration of assets that he made in 2003 when he assumed office as

Governor of Kwara State. The Supreme Court is set, on February 5, to rule on whether the case at the CCT should proceed or be terminated.

Sources say that forces interested in the trial of Saraki running its full course are determined not to leave the case without seeking to possibly influence the judgement that will be delivered by the apex court.

Having realised the seeming incorruptibility of the Supreme Court panelists, led by Chief Justice Mahmud Muhammed, Sunday Vanguard learnt that a propaganda war against the judges, to sway them from doing justice, may be an option.

The plan, a source close to the happenings around the system, is to create different stories capable of over-awing, intimidating and manipulating

the justices so that if their decisions do not meet the expected end, the panelists would be presented in the court of public opinion as having been influenced.

“The mind- game is on. The plan is to compel the Justices of the Supreme Court and lead them to a predetermined

decision. As has been done in the recent past, those who believe they control Nigeria today are set to subject the Justices of the Supreme Court to a series of pummelling that will seek to mobilise public opinion against them,”the source stated.

Those expecting a soon to unfold media war against the Supreme Court Justices over the Saraki case, and most recently,

the Abia governorship case, have been providing different possible outcomes For instance, when the present case to be decided upon by the Supreme Court first featured at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the judge, after a series of attacks, had to excuse himself from the case. The judge who took over only got a respite when he ruled that he had no competence to hear the matter.

Army asked to intensify security in the Niger Delta

T

HE army has been asked to intensify efforts to curb insecurity associated with the difficult terrains of the Niger Delta.

The call was made by the member representing Warri North in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Diden, when he hosted the send-off and welcome party for

the Commanding Officer, 19th Battalion, Nigerian Ar my, Koko, Col. Aminu Umar and Col. G. Suru respectively in Sapele.

Diden, who commended the outgoing commanding officer for sustaining relative peace and security in the areas of oil bunkering, oil pipeline vandalisation, cultism,

kidnapping and armed robber y, urged the new commanding officer to intensify efforts towards fighting crime in the area.

He said the send forth party was a way of saying thank you to Col. Umar and indeed the army for their jobs well done in Koko, Sapele, Oghara, and environs.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Kaleidoscope CHIBOK GIRLS, 600 DAYS AFTER

By Abiodun Alade

600 days after their children went missing, parents of the over 200 schoolgirls, abducted in Chibok, Borno State, met with President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, but their tears were not dried by the meeting.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Senator Aisha Alhassan, popularly known as Mama Taraba, who led government officials to meet the parents and the Bring Back Our Girls(BBOG) activists , faulted them (the Chibok parents and the BBOG members) for giving government a short notice of their coming, adding that Buhari was busy (the President received visiting President of Benin Republic, Boni Yayi, in his office during the protest). She also said the government was not insensitive to the plight of the Chibok parents as claimed.

Other members of the government team that attended to the parents and activists, at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja were Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Dan Ali; National Security Adviser, Babangana Monguno, and Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonishakin.

Earlier, the group and parents had refused to leave when they were told that the President would not meet with them. The protesters insisted on seeing Buhari, who had promised, on July 8, to rescue the schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamic insurgents, Boko Haram on the night of 14–15 April 2014, from the Government Secondary School, Chibok.

Her (Alhassan) comment drew criticism as Oby Ezekwesili, the BBOG leader and a former minister under Obasanjo administration, in her response , berated the minister, adding that she was unfair to the parents of the abducted girls as well as the BBOG. “You have been very unfair to us,” she said. “I don’t understand why you can be chiding the parents and the movement. These parents were triggered by the words of the President who promised to rescue their daughters.”

After about three hours of waiting, the President arrived around 1:45 p.m.

Reporters were immediately ordered to leave the venue of the meeting. Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, said journalists could not be permitted to stay as sensitive issues will be discussed with the parents.

Ezekwesili, in a speech presented to the President during the meeting, argued that the words of Buhari during his maiden media chat, that the government did not have credible information on the

Buhari, Mama Taraba, Oby and the lingering trauma

whereabouts of the girls, left the parents, the movement and the rest of the world in shock, considering that the Federal Government, that had made the girls’ rescue a key indicator of success and defeat of Boko Haram, later declared victory on December 31, 2015.

“It is, therefore, with the deepest pain and disappointment that the parents, Chibok community and our movement are here again six months after our July 8 meeting to register our absolute dissatisfaction on the lack of progress,”the former top official of the World Bank said.

“Our Chibok girls have neither been rescued nor have the measures the Federal Government pledged been instituted. Our disappointment was worse recently when Mr. President shocked the parents into a deeper throe of agony when you publicly gave the excuse ‘that there is no credible information about the girls’ whereabouts’ as the reason our Chibok girls have not been rescued.”

“How can we declare that our nation has won the war when our 219 daughters and other abducted victims are still not back? The parents of our Chibok girls, whom you successfully persuaded at our July 8 meeting, had, following that meeting, told our movement that they had implicit trust in the words of Mr. President that ‘everything will be done to rescue our daughters.”

“Mr. President, it is extremely sad that those same parents, who had placed their implicit

Our disappointment was worse recently when Mr. President shocked the parents into a deeper throe of agony when you publicly gave the excuse ‘that there is no credible information about the girls’ whereabouts’ as the reason our Chibok girls have not been rescued

confidence in your July 8 promise to rescue their daughters, are here today terribly traumatised, disconsolate and desperate for your reassurance and outline of convincing decisive action that would bring a positive closure to this historical tragedy.

“There is no better way to convey the depth of the devastation of these parents than the fact that we today have the largest ever contingent of them, who despite their meagre resources, have paid their way to Abuja to register their angst, disappointment and demand for rescue of their daughters by Mr. President and the military.”

After the meeting, Ezekwesili briefed journalists on what the President said.

“Mr. President subsequently came to join this meeting and what the President said was that his statement during the media chat that they did not have credible intelligence was being truthful in the way that he knows how to be and that he was not prepared to tell any lies,”the BBOG leader said.

“That they do not have the kind of reliable intelligence that would enable them rescue the girls as immediately as we are demanding and that, therefore, we would continue to try to bear with him and that based on the fact that the government has recorded considerable success in decimating Boko Haram and its hold over the Northeast and that what remains is rescuing our Chibok girls and other affected citizens that are in abduction.

“And that, therefore, we will have to wait and that they would make the effort. He pleaded with the parents that his government would place as much efforts to rescuing the girls and that was the same message he had given to them before and that he was repeating the same message.

“The President stated that he would

•President Buhari

•Aisha Alhassan

•Oby Ezekwesili also have expected us to acknowledge the efforts made, but that he wishes that we would agree that he was committed to the matter of our Chibok girls.

“He used the specific phrase that he sleeps and wakes up thinking about the rescue of our girls.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD,JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 43

Buhari, Tinubu’s sustained ties will strenghten the polity – Primate Ayodele *’What I foresee for Fayose, Obiano, Wike, others By

Bashir

Adefaka

Primate Elijah Babatunde Ayodele, founder and Head of INRI Evangelical and Spiritual Church, on December 23, 2015, released what he termed the endof-year message in which he, as he usually does, warned nations and individuals not to relent in seeking the face of God. He said doing so would avert tragedies.

The man of God predicted the ongoing economic crisis two years ago and was the first to announce that Goodluck Jonathan would be the last President of the PDP. Among his latest prophecies is that President Muhammadu Buhari and a leader of the ruling APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will fight but called on both leaders to pray against such squabble so that the party will not break. Excerpts:

W

e have had this issue about prophecies by some prophets which didn’t come to pass. Could you share with us some of your prophecies that actually came to pass?

There are a lot of prophecies that I made in the past which came to pass although I cannot mention all of them here. But first, I don’t say anything I am not told to say. For example, I predicted and it was reported in Saturday Guardian of July 13, 2013 at page 13 that Goodluck Jonathan would not win the 2015 presidential election. Also, at page 43 of Daily Champion of December 24, 2014, I foretold that there would be crisis in PDP during and after the 2015 general elections; and that the same fate will befall the APC. Also, it was revealed to me that terrorists will continue attacks in the NorthEast and I foretold crisis in the telecommunication sector all of which came to pass in 2015.

I predicted that the incoming National Assembly, which we now have, would face lots of misunderstanding especially in the House of Representatives. On sports, I predicted that unexpected clubs would challenge the dominance of some established clubsides in the English Premiership League.

And if you look at the Leadership Newspaper of Sunday, November 8, 2015 at page 67, I said, ‘The Nigeria Under-17 football team will lift the Junior World Cup. A former Chief of Defence Staff will face probe. I foresee the removal of the EFCC boss.’ At page 43 of Daily Champion of December 24, 2014, I was reported to have said: “Our Nollywood stars and journalists should pray against deaths in 2015 and also rebuke attacks on them. The economy of some states will break down except the Lord intervenes.’ I also said there would be shake-up in the NNPC and the shake up will go on even as the price of crude oil would fluctuate in the world market. Part of my past prophecies was that Deziani Allison-Maduekwe should pray against health challenges and that she should also pray to avert blackmail.

2016 revelations on the foreign scene It is revealed to me that an African man will embark on a new invention that will be recognized globally. Climatic problem will be paramount at the global level and this will cause problems. I see Saudi Arabia being attacked C M Y K

Buhari’s government will deliver but not as people expected. I foresee that some people will call for the review of the former confab recommendations while some will agitate for a new confab by terrorists. I also foresee challenges in the economy of Saudi Arabia and the League of Arabs will be concerned about things that will be coming up in Saudi Arabia.

Israel and America will have issues over Palestine State. Lebanon will also face crisis. America should pray not to lose any of its aircraft. I foresee a plane crash in Asia, Europe and Middle East.

Let them pray to avert this.

Prayers should be offered to ward off natural disasters globally.

America should pray not to be attacked by terrorists. I see unnecessary killings and protests in America. I also see attacks in Turkey. France must be careful of attacks and challenges. UK should be careful not to be attacked by terrorists. It should also pray not to experience flood and drought. UK should pray not to witness crisis in the parliament and also crisis in the country. The powerful nations should be watchful and careful of unexpected crises. Pope John Paul should pray for good health. He will escape assassination. He should pray not to lose Bishops and Cardinals in the Catholic Church. I see changes in the African Union leadership and the body will face challenges over food, funds and security. AU will find peace where there are troubles in Africa. The continental body should pray not to be bereaved of any of its members.

Togo Republic will not give room to journalists to operate and there will be human right violations in the country. The US Democratic Party must field a credible candidate to succeed President Obama because the Republican picking Donald Trump will be a cheap goal. There will be protests and bomb scare in Kenya. Let Uganda pray against disorderliness and the President should pray against troubles.

Ghana must be careful because I see protests against the government and the President should seek the face of God to win second term because problems are ahead of him.

I foresee landslides in China, Indonesia and Japan. I see a journalist of Aljazeera TV being kidnapped. I see American new dollar in circulation. It could be any domination. I foresee several bombings and killings in Pakistan. Benin Republic will experience crisis and there will be deadlock in the country. Lets pray not to see death in Buckingham Palace.

2016 revelations: Nigeria From the spiritual realm, Nigeria needs prayers so that we can

•Primate Ayodele be together as one nation. It is likely Nigeria will have regional governments. I see more groups agitating for Nigeria’s dismemberment. I see protests here and there.

Nigeria should go into prayers to seek peace and prevent unrest. Nigeria will seek a permanent seat at the UN. Security Council. Buhari’s government will deliver but not as people expected. I foresee that some people will call for the review of the former confab recommendations while some will agitate for a new confab. Buhari will want to probe Jonathan, which some eminent people will kick against. We should rebuke building collapse in Lagos and Ibadan. Nigeria is going to be a two-party nation.

2016 is a year where Nigeria needs a lot of prayers to achieve its desire. Let the Nigerian government have a day for thanksgiving.

There will be boat capsize in Nigerian waterways and fish will be poisoned. Let’s pray to rebuke gas and tanker explosions in the year.

I see tension in Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Imo, Kano, Niger and Adamawa states.

Sunny Odogwu, Sunny Kuku, Arthur Ezeh should pray for success in their various expectations and also for God’s protection. Ekweme, Shagari, Obasanjo, Babangida, Adamu Ciroma, Subomi Balogun, Odimegwu and Ibrahim Comassie should pray for good health, God’s guidance and protection. Dangote should pray not to lose huge amount of money this year and also, he should pray against fire outbreak in one of his companies.

Faleke’s case will be threatened because some powerful people will want to influence it except he seeks the face of God. I see the Federal Government’s website being hacked. Buhari must not believe in America because they will create problems for his government and this will make his government unstable. We should also pray against floods in Kogi, Lagos, Benue, Plateau and Rivers states. I see South-West and SouthEast experiencing bomb scare.

Nigeria will want to borrow money. I foresee some investors will want to withdraw from doing business in Nigeria due to challenges.

Buhari will fight corruption, but he will not be able to fight it totally because of who-is-who and he must not fight corruption with sentiments because a lot of people will be indicted especially those he didn’t expect and they will be sending people to beg him.

Some of the Chibok girls are pregnant and we cannot see all of them again. Let us seek the face of God because it (Chibok girls issue) may cause problems for the Buhari administration. More corrupt officials will be exposed.

We must pray against austerity.

What Buhari can do to succeed is to address the issue of the Chibok girls, security, food, good roads, power, education, employment, poverty alleviation and put the banking sector in order while doing what the society expects of him.

On politics Some PDP governors will want to cross to APC. Meanwhile, PDP can only be stronger if they seek

the face of God and do the right thing. Otherwise, another party will overtake them. APC’s logo will be changed. The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, must not dump his party, APGA, otherwise some big wigs in the state will gang up against him and he will lose his second term bid. Also, he (Obiano) must not fight his predecessor (Peter Obi).

In Ondo State, if APC works very hard, seeks the face of God and puts up the right candidate, the party will win the 2016 governorship election. There will be plots against Governor Mimiko to bring down the PDP in the state.

Let’s pray we don’t lose a deputy governor. Let’s pray we don’t lose a one-time governor and minister. Governors of Jigawa, Enugu, Niger, Adamawa, Ondo, Osun, Katsina, Kwara, Kogi, Oyo and Taraba will face challenges and they should be careful because the opposition will want to frustrate their efforts.

I see Ekiti State Governor Fayose facing a lot of challenges and the opposition will fight him. The opposition will frustrate PDP in the coming Ekiti governorship election and Fayose should pray over his life. Not all the governors will finish their terms. Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State should seek the face of God as the APC is ready to do everything possible to win the state. The Akwa Ibom State governor must not relent in his effort; he should seek the face of God. APC will give him a tough fight.

Yaya Bello’s effort will not be appreciated as his government will be unstable. I foresee chaos in Kogi State PDP while some of its top members will decamp to APC. Let’s pray against political assassination. God told me that Buhari and Tinubu may fight because Tinubu will want correction on certain things which Buhari will not accept. People will cause the fight. Both leaders should seek the face of God to cancel the enemies plan which has the capacity to break APC. Meanwhile, the bond of friendship between them will go a long way to strenghten the polity.

EFCC The EFCC Chairman should be very prayerful so that his efforts can be rewarded as some countries will want to create problems for him. The international community will be interested in some anti- corruption cases in Nigeria and, if they think the EFCC is not doing it properly, they may withdraw their support. For this reason, the Chairman needs to pray well.

RCCG equips community school By

S

Olayinka

Latona

TAFF and students of Commu nity Nursery and Primary School, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, danced and leapt for joy as Emmanuel Area of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 37 recently renovated their school borehole, provided a pumping machine, burglary proofs and magnetic boards.

The handing over ceremony at the community school was witnessed by joyous parents, community leaders and government functionaries. In his speech, Pastor Moses Adeyi described the gesture as the fulfillment of scrip-

ture which is in line with the mandate given by RCCG general overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye for the church to implement projects within the areas of its operation to complement government’s efforts in providing basic amenities for the citizens.

The pastor argued that corporate social responsibility entails giving back to the society by adding value to the people's lives physically and not just blessing them spiritually.

In his words: “This is part of the mandate that our father in the Lord, Pastor Enoch Adeboye gave to us that we should ensure that we impact our communities and wherever we find ourselves. We realized that

there are arrays of needs in the school and we decided to meet some of them.”

Pastor Adeyi advised the school management to effectively manage and maintain the relief materials, adding that they will go a long way to facilitate learning in the school.

In his remarks, Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by the Education Secretary, Alimosho Local Governmnet Area, Hon. Airat Alamu said the gesture was “unique as it constitutes another clear testimony of the relentless effort of the church in assisting government to uplift the education standard of the state.”

PAGE 44—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 17, 2016

W

HEN I wrote my first Christian book, I sent free copies to many pastors in Lagos. One of those to whom I sent a copy sent it back with “return to sender ” written on the package, even though it was addressed to his church office.

I thought this was strange until Lucky Polete asked to see the package. When I showed it to him, he said: “No wonder. That is a wrong address.”

“What is wrong with it?” I asked. “He is not a pastor.

He is a bishop,” Lucky replied. “If you don’t address it correctly, it will not be given to him.”

I thought Lucky’s idea a bit far-fetched. Why would a bishop return a gift because it was addressed to him as pastor? But I was curious to see if there was any truth to Lucky’s position. Therefore, I changed the title to “bishop” and instructed my secretary to send the package again to the same address.

Guess what happened?

This time, not only did the book get to the man, he wrote me a reply in person, thanking me for it.

Vanity of vanities

GETTING CHIEFT AINCY TITLES IN THE CHIEFTAINCY CHURCHES

of Christ,” which means Vice-Messiah.

Jesus is particularly scathing about this. He says of the religious elite: “Their lives are perpetual fashion shows, embroidered prayer shawls one day and flowery prayers the next. They love to sit at the head table at church dinners, basking in the prominent positions, preening in the radiance of public flattery, receiving honorary degrees, and getting called ‘Doctor ’ and ‘Reverend’. Don’t let people do that to you, put you on a pedestal like that. You all have a single Teacher, and you are all classmates.” (Matthew 23:5-8).

Divine validation

How can anyone reconcile Jesus' demand that his disciples shun highfalutin titles with the myriad of chieftaincy titles Christians award themselves today?

We call some people Overseers, Wardens, Provosts, Knights of John Wesley, Guild of Stewards, Cardinals and Popes. We address some as those of old addressed God. We call them "Monsignor" ("My Lord"), "Venerable," "Your Eminence," "Your Grace," "Holy Father," and "Supreme Pontiff." We even have a “Vicar

True servants of God don’t need human pedigrees or validation. Amos says: “I'm not a prophet!

And I wasn't trained to be a prophet. I am a shepherd, and I take care of fig trees.

But the LORD told me to leave my herds and preach to the people of Israel. And here you are, telling me not to preach!” (Amos 7:1416). They told Amos not to preach because he was not a graduate from their bible colleges. He did not have their spiritual certification.

When Christ called his disciples, he did not instruct them to register in Bible schools, go to theological seminaries or get degrees as Masters of Divinity However, Jesus says: “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15). Titles and positions of honour are highly esteemed among men. Therefore, they are abominable to God. Seminaries and Bible Colleges need the approval of the state. This makes them of men and not of God. Credentials are used to gain and impress the world. But we are to love neither the world nor the things in the world. (I John 2:15).

When Christ called his disciples, he did not instruct them to register in Bible schools, go to theological seminaries or get degrees as Masters of Divinity. He taught them by himself then told them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 1:8).

The Holy Spirit is our certification. Jesus says: “ when the Comforter has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me.” (John

15:26). If we are truly working in the Lord’s vineyard, the Holy Spirit will also testify of us. This is what happened with the Apostles: “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with different kinds of miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.” (Hebrews 2:4).

Validation of Jesus

Therefore, the Jews marveled about him, asking: “How does this man know letters, having never studied?” (John 7:15).

By God’s deliberate design, Jesus was not even a Levite but was from the tribe of Judah. Therefore, he was not a priest and could not have been a priest according to the Law of Moses. He had no civil or ecclesiastical authority as a Jew. Nevertheless, signs and wonders followed him wherever he went. Thus, the Jewish religious elite demanded of him: “By what authority do you do these things?

And who gave you this authority?” (Matthew 21:23).

The Pharisees maintained only they and the rulers of the Jews had the authority to validate a man’s ministry. So they denigrated Jesus: “Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?” (John 7:49). Since they refused to certify that Jesus was a prophet, they were convinced he did not have a leg to stand on.

Everything physical or natural about Jesus was designed to make natural men have little regard for him.

It pleased God that Jesus should be inadequate according to all those superficial standards the world holds dear. He was born in a manger. He settled in a non-descript town, so much so that someone asked: “Can there be any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46).

Jesus came from a poor Church of men background. His father was a mere carpenter. Jesus did But Jesus was contempnot go to school. Neither tuous of man’s validation. was he a graduate of some He did not only refuse to theological seminary. submit to their authority,

he insisted their authority was invalid because it came from men and not from God. Therefore, he asked them: “Who gave John the right to baptize? Was it God in heaven or merely some human being?” (Luke 20:4). Clearly, John’s authority came from God and not from men.

John the Baptist did not establish a bible school and insist men must register and take courses before they can be baptised. Nevertheless, in most churches today, you have to take several weeks of bible study before you can be baptised. Isaac and Rebecca did not have to take 10 spiritual classes before they were married. But that is de rigueur in some churches.

Some even insist a man must have such worldly things as a cooker, a fridge and a television before he can be allowed to get married. Some have blood-tests as a prerequisite and refuse to marry anyone who is HIVpositive. Others refuse to marry those whose bloodtypes makes them susceptible to having children with sickle-cell anaemia.

In short, our churches are the churches of men. They insist on the credentials of men when God clearly has no regard for them. Our pastors establish their own commandments that take men back to Egypt.

Jesus was oh so different from the pastors of today.

Mark says Jesus taught as one that had authority and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:22). Jesus himself says the works he does in the name of the Lord are his credentials.

(John 10:25). When a man raises the dead back to life, he does not need human validation. “If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” (I John 5:9).

Mgbidi crusade, commerce and development BY

M

OLAYINKA

LATONA

GBIDI, the seat of Oru West Local Government Area of Imo State is made up of 11 villages collectively known as Mgbidi Town, the gateway to Imo State which plays host to the annual international crusade of The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement.

The town owes its speedy development and galloping popularity to the yearly massive influx of vehicular and human traffic which in turn has lifted the profile of the indigenes via heightened commercial activities associated with the annual spiritual exercise in and outside the community.

Members of the community, their neighbouring towns and villages are often excited at the beginning of every year when The Lords Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement attracts millions of worshippers from across the globe for the annual crusade both for its spiritual and commercial benefits. The three day duration of the crusade has always turned out to be very rewarding for the residents of the community and its environ as it provides them an opportunity to mingle, hobnob and exchange pleasantries with quality foreign and local visitors attracted to the sleepy agrarian community.

Farmers, hoteliers, filling stations, transporters, mechanics, shoe makers and all manner of people in the locale often look forward to the crusade as it offer them C M Y K

unequalled opportunity to smile to the banks. While transporters make brisk business taking people to and from the venue of the crusade, residents of the town convert their homes to hostels to meet the growing accommodation needs of participants, just as other commercially-oriented individuals sell various items ranging from fairly used wears to consumable and non-consumable items.

Landlords and other property owners also capitalise on the heavy traffic to make cool money from their properties, which they lease out to emergency food vendors and other business concerns who readily establish makeshift shops for the period of the crusade; as well as parking lots for the visitors.

Several uncompleted and even abandoned buildings were horriedly refurbished and rented out while some landlords vacated their apartments and rented them out to the visitors for fees ranging from N2,000 to N3,000 per room depending on the facilities available in such apartments.

One of the visitors to the just concluded 2016 crusade, told our reporter that she paid over N15,000 for her rented apartment for the three days while thousands of worshippers who could not afford such exuberant fees took solace in the open crusade ground where they built different 'self-contained' shades, laying on the expansive grassy field without protection and in that harsh cold harmattan weather. Some smart participants made home of every available

Pastor Mouka space in the church school building where they erected mosquito nets from the trees for the three days revival.

Shop space, we learnt, was going for N5,000, N10,000 and upward while most of the vendors went home with N20,000 daily.

One Mama Chika, a native of the community who specialised on local delicacies said she travelled all the way from Lagos for the crusade. She used the opportunity of the crusade to spend some time with her family members, saying: “This is a great opportunity for me and I have to grab it. I went home each day with over N20,000 after paying my four workers.”

Described as ‘Mountain top crusade’, the programme ordinarily may look uninteresting to a new comer or first timer, since the Chosen service whoch starts as early

as 8.00 a.m. and ends as late as 7.00 or 8.00 p.m. focuses on testimonies and miracles but the expression on the faces of the worshippers was always that of joy and enthusiasm with some yearning for more---not showing any sign of tiredness.

When the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Lazarus Muoka announced on the second day that there was the likelihood of extending the crusade by another day, majority of the participants shouted for approval. Only a handful of worshippers who had booked their retirn flights grumbled and kicked against the announcement, and the programme ended as scheduled.

Water shortage: Obana Stream to the rescue One unique feature of the crusade was the revelation that the Obana Stream running behind the

neighbouring Chosen International Secondary School, Mgbidi serves as the major source of water for the mammoth crowd of worshippers. The churctons said to channel the water via septic pipes to different locations on the camp ground for bathing and washing. The water was never enough, so some worshippers daily find their way to the Obana Stream despite series of warning from security personnel.

It was further revealed that majority of the participants especially the younger ones visited the stream to either swim or fish, a practice said to be forbidden in Mgbidi.

According to one of the natives who pleaded anonymity: “The stream serves the Chosen members a lot, especially during their crusades but the challenge is that most of the people preferred to come to the stream to fetch the water directly, swim and fish.

Swimming and fishing in the stream is not allowed because it is an abomination."

Despite the shortcomings, both old and young worshippers, showed a lot of determination to receive from God as they defied the harsh weather condition to stay at the open ground, without roof over their heads, for worship as the General Overseer, Pastor Muoka prayed for the sick and the afflicted for instant miracles.

Many lame, deaf, dumb, and others with diverse health challenges testified openly of their deliverances and healings.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016 — 45

Igbinoba hails Buhari over China ‘85 reward

By John Egbokhan

C

HINA 1985,Golden Eaglets star, Victor Igbinoba has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over his planned reward for members of the team for winning the first FIFA under 16 World Cup. Buhari is to reward the team on January 21 in Abuja, more than 30 years after promising

the squad juicy rewards for bringing honour to the country in Asia.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard Sports from his base in Canada, Igbinoba said he was thrilled with President Buhari’s benevolence to reward them after about three decades Pointing out that the President has shown that he is a man that honours his words, Igbinoba, who resides in Toronto said

Bahari’s action was capable of boosting greater youth participation in sports.

Noting that he never wavered in his belief that the team would get their due compensation for their gallantry 30 years ago, Igbinoba said he was particularly heartened by the fact that it was Buhari that was rewarding them He said the President with this gesture has

FIFA elections: Prince Ali fears Afro-Asia ‘gang-up’

F

•Igbinoba shown why he’s the one to lead Nigeria out of its present darkness into prosperity and sporting greatness.

IFA presidential can didate Prince Ali of Jordan says a co-operation agreement between the African and Asian football confederations is a “blatant attempt to engineer a bloc vote” in the election.

Prince Ali, 40, has asked the game’s world governing body to investigate whether the pact breaks its rules.

The two confederations account for 100 of the 209 votes to be cast in the

presidential election on 26 February.

Blatter, 79, was elected for a fifth term but then stood down and has since been banned for eight years.

The agreement was signed by AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa, who is standing against Prince Ali in the Fifa election, and CAF counterpart Issa Hayatou.

The president of the Jordanian Football Association believes the two confederations have agreed a deal to back Sheikh Salman, head of the Bahrain Football Association, in next month’s election in Zurich.

“I have always promoted cross-regional understanding, however the timing of this Memorandum of Understanding looks like a blatant attempt to engineer a bloc vote,” said Prince Ali in a statement.

“Questions must be asked: was this deal approved by the members of the executive committees of both the AFC and Caf and is the timing of the announcement, prior to a presidential election, acceptable?”

Coe hunts for missing IAAF $25m

I

NTERNATIONAL Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Sebastian Coe has promised to investigate the whereabouts of a sponsorship worth $25 million supposedly paid to the world governing body by a Russian bank.

According to the report published by World AntiDoping Agency Independent Commission, the payment from VTB Bank was made in 2012 following a meeting between officials including Papa Massata Diack, the son of former IAAF President, Lamine, All Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) President Valentin Balaknichev and an unnamed Russian television advisor.

The $25 million sponsorship deal was reportedly because Lamine Diack was unhappy that Russian television had paid only $6 million (£5.5 million/•4 million) to screen the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow.

C M Y K

46 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUAYR 17, 2016

Obafemi eyes EPL return S

UPER Eagles striker, Obafemi Martins has hinted that he could return to the English Premier League as clubs there are still interested in his services.

Obafemi, a much travelled player made impact with Newcastle United and Birmingham City where he scored a famous goal against Arsenal in a Carling Cup game in 2011.

He joined Seattle Sounders from Levante of Spain and has enjoyed a rich run in the MLS scoring 43 goals in 84 appearances. His form in the US earned him a recall to the Super Eagles squad after more than two years’ absence.

“I love the English Premier League and you never know what can happen in football,” Obafemi told BBC Sport.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, but I will never say never when it comes to going back to England.

“When I left Newcastle, I never forgot all about England and when the chance to return with Birmingham City on loan came, I took it.”

“I enjoyed some amazing times in England and I will never close the door on a possible return.”

Thank God I’m back

Dreaming of England...Obafemi Martins

Doping: It’s a pity our athletes failed test — Ogba

By Ben Efe

A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba said it was regrettable that three athletes failed dope test at the last African Games in Congo.

He stated that the AFN has a zero tolerance on doping, but

Power Lee thumbs up Okowa’s SMART agenda

A

FRICAN professional wrestling champion, Godspower Peace Ikpide has hailed the ‘Strategic creation for all Deltans’ initiative of Delta State governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa.

Ikpide, popularly known as Power Lee defeated Michel Noudem of Cameroon on September 19 2015 in Yaounde, to become African champion and according to him Governor, Okowa’s initiative has potentials to produce more sports men and women most especially wrestlers in the State.

To this end, Power Lee who hails from Akie-Ewhe in Owhe Community of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta is making lots of efforts to corroborate the developmental ideas of the governor in transforming Delta State as outlined in the governor’s five point agenda encapsulated in the

acronym SMART. The African champion want to do this by encouraging the youths to be profitably engaged in sporting activities in other to channel their youthful energy towards the progress of the state development instead of engaging in social vices such as Armed Robbery, Drug Abuse, Kidnapping and Prostitution.

Power Lee hopes to defend his title March 2016 in Asaba as a way of promoting the sport in the State.

He asked Nigerians from all works of life to support his efforts as he battles Angola’s Marvellous Buffalo.

Power Lee congratulated Tony Okowa on his appointment as chairman of Delta State Sports Council . Adding that he was looking forward to a new era of sports development in the State.

Power Connection... Delta State governor, Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa (left) receives Power Lee’s belts.

added that it was inexplicable why incidences of doping continues to occur.

“This is why we always expose any athlete that is involved.

Because we are totally against wining by cheating. We have always tried our best to present clean athletes at international meets,” said Dr. Ogba.

He said the athletes who tested positive at the African Games have already been given a hearing and have since been handed the stipulated suspension.

“But I hear that the athletes have launched an appeal. They are contesting the process, and we are waiting to see the outcome.

“We can only continue to educate our athletes to train harder rather than resorting to short cuts. This is because no matter how much they try with doping, it will never give them any significant performance.

“What was their performance?

It wasn’t near the leading time or distance in the world.”

Bolt opposes proposal to reset records

S

IX-TIME Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt has labelled a proposal to reset athletics world records, in response to the doping crisis in the sport, as “pointless”.

UK Athletics called for all world records to be scrapped and started again earlier this week Under the proposal Bolt could lose his men’s 100 metres and 200m world records of 9.58 and 19.19 sec respectively, as well as his share of Jamaica’s 4x100m time of 36.84.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s really pointless,” he told Reuters.

“What’s done is done.

“You have to just move forward and try to make the upcoming Championships and Olympics, and the next world records, as best as we can and just look forward to the future.

“You can’t worry about the past, but try to build on the future.”

For about 20 months now since May, 2014, this column was rested because yours truly was called to serve the country in a different capacity. I had to leave what I know how to do best, writing to inform Nigerians, the good, bad and sometimes the ugly side of our sports, to assist then Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo in his quest to help shape the face of sports in Nigeria.

That assignment ended with the exit of the Goodluck Jonathan regime in May, 2015 and I had to take a good rest while also helping out with preparation and participation of our national men’s basketball team, D’Tigers in the Afrobasket Championship in Tunisia which we capped with a win, the first time in 50 years.

First I give God all the glory for giving me the ability to write and write the truth, no matter whose ox is gored. What I write on these pages stood me out for recognition and eventual appointment.

Next, I thank my bosses in Vanguard who believed in me and gave me the privilege not only to write stories which they deemed too critical at times but also this column which most of my readers, including my childhood hero, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, looked forward to every Sunday.

I cannot but thank Professor Ken Anugwueje of the University of Port Harcourt, who recommended me to Dr. Danagogo. I also thank Dr Danagogo for the opportunity to work with him.

Professor Anugwueje and I served on the Sports committee of the Vision 20:2020 created by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and we have become very close since then. I remember him telling me that Dr. Danagogo reminded him that I wrote against him in one of my pieces but that “I told him that you are the kind of person he needs because you will give him honest advice.” Thank you Prof.

My former boss and past Chairman, Vanguard Media Editorial Board, Ikeddy Isiguzo was the vessel through which the information was passed and he too vouched for me and promised to assist me from time to time. Thank you sir.

The biggest boost and inspiration I got to give my all and make a difference came from a personal letter from my hero and former Bendel State governor, Dr. Ogbemudia. His letter imparted on my assignment as SA on Media to the minister like the academic scholarship his Midwest State Government gave me for my secondary education between 1974 and 1979.

I remain grateful to this man who made the then Bendel the number one state in sports but feel disappointed that I couldn’t help change the face of sports in this country as he had wished.

I remember explaining to him at his Gwarimpa residence in Abuja the obstacles I faced and he consoled me thus “my son you don’t have to explain to me. I know everything. Our people don’t want to work anymore, they are all interested in what they can make for themselves.”

I went, I served and I can’t say I conquered but I held my head high all through. I have seen the other side of the Nigerian system and now know why things are either at a very slow pace or even in reverse gear.

Only very few people, from the sports federations to the National Sports Commission to even the government at the federal level have the interest of sports in their hearts. If majority of these administrators who form a clog in the wheel of sports development could put in half of what the athletes put in, serving this country, Nigeria will be the envy of Africa, nay the world in sports.

I came across some administrators who are very passionate about the sports they lead. Dr. Daniel Igali is one of them. Igali eats, sleeps and dreams wrestling. He never stops thinking about how to give his wrestlers the best of training to make them champions.

I know the mention of Tijjani Umar, President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, will earn me some flaks from some quarters. Do I care when the same man, despite his tight duties as a civil servant, still finds time to give NBBF a proactive and focused leadership?

Any wonder why his tenacity to getting things done well and right too, since he assumed the leadership of NBBF in 2009, despite all odds, finally put Nigeria in the leadership position as African Champions, for the first time in 50 years? I find him very interesting to work with and have learned a lot from him.

You have Chief Solomon Ogba in athletics too. No matter what his critics may say, Ogba has kept athletics going well. George Ashiru is a goal getter and it is showing in Taekwondo. Forget what some of his colleagues are saying and the kangaroo impeachment.

I don’t want to talk about football for now. But the only advice I have for the Youth and Sports minister, Barr. Solomon Dalung is that the crisis in football ended the day the Chris Giwa group heeded the call from the Federal Government to withdraw their case from the regular court and seek redress in the Court of Arbitration in Sports which has since ruled that they have no case. So there is no need for any truce meeting because there is no war in the house of football. I’m happy to be back on the beat and give God all the glory.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUAYR 17, 2016–47

Eagles Continued from B/P

CHAN: Niger tie crucial, says Ibenegbu S

UPER Eagles attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu has described as crucial

the first match against the Menas of Niger at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Eagles will open their title

•An official of Sponsors TOTAL E& P , Okechukwu Obara presenting trophies and prizes at the last edition

2015 OML 58 Football tourney: Organisers preach peace

T

HE postponed 2015 edition of OML 58 football tournament has started in earnest with sixteen teams jostling for honours.The participating teams,with each representing a community are pooled into four groups.

Group A has the defending champions,Erema alongside Abarikpo, Ubarama and Obite, while Group B has Ogbogu, Akabuka, Amah and Rumueekpe.

In Group C Elele will do battle with Alimini, Obiyebe and Egita while Group D has Elele Okinali, Akabuta, Oboburu and Idu All the group games will be decided at Elele-Okinali,while the venue for the games in the knockout stages is yet to be decided.

At the colourful opening ceremony, Organisers and speakers urged participating teams and members of the respective communities to showcase brotherly live and Peace during and after the annual tournament .An official of Sponsors TOTAL E& P , Okechukwu Obara charged

members of the participating teams and communities to ensure that peace is maintained at all times, and every conflict is peacefully resolved. Obara explained that there can be no meaningful development in the midst of violence and wanton killings.

Teams and players who distinguish themselves during the tournament will be decorated with awards and medals.

The 2015 OML 58 football tournament will end on February 4th, 2016 .

account against West African neighbours, Niger on Monday at the 22000 seats Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali.

Ibenegbu said Eagles will not treat any opponent as pushovers or walkovers but will strive to win each match as it comes.

“We will treat every team as good as ours as we intend to give everything to ensure we kickoff our CHAN campaign against Niger on Monday on a winning note.

“The first match is quite crucial in our determination to surpass past performances so we will give the Nigerien side all the respect they deserve off and on the pitch but we know victory will not be compromised.

“Right now we are not thinking of the CHAN trophy but the first match then we move on to the next matches against Tunisia and Guinea.

“Our game plan is to take each game as it comes never underrating or overrating any opponents.

“We understand the expectations of Nigerians we will try our very best to ensure we meet their expectations at the end of the championship.”

“I believe we have prepared adequately well for the championship right now we need mother luck and prayers to excel on each match day,” said the Warri Wolves ace to supersport.com.

Nigeria won bronze in the immediate past edition of the biennial championship in South Africa.

Eagles will campaign in Group C together with the 2011 CHAN winners, Tunisia, Niger and Guinea.

Burial Ceremony of late Mrs. Kate Keshi

R

Continued from B/P has comparative advantage.

These include football, athletics, basketball, table tennis, weightlifting, taekwondo, wrestling and canoeing.

According to Gumel, the meeting became very necessary because the country still had a lot to do especially in the areas of training and preparations if the hope of winning medals in Brazil is to be realized.

The former Director of Facilities in the National Sports Commission further disclosed that some sports have already qualified for the games adding that all the necessary arrangements must be urgently put in place if Nigeria must do well in the championship.

“We seek the audience of the minister to discuss important issues regarding the Olympic games which is coming up in Rio

•DUST TO DUST...Keshi performing burial rites for his late wife, Kate.

Continued from B/P Ighalo said: “I have a five-year contract, the fans love me here, I’m very happy and I’m not in a hurry to go anywhere.”

Watford will play struggling Swansea on Monday and Ighalo is looking forward to increase his goal tally after he failed to find the net in their 2-0 defeat to Southampton last Wednesday.

Meanwhile Stoke City striker Peter Odemwingie has congratulated Ighalo for winning the award. The Watford hit man

on their feet and leave the venue in an exciting mood.

The Amavubi had the better of a first half that saw the Ivorians rarely threaten their opponents backline.

Their promising start paid off with the opener coming after only 15 minutes after Ivorian defenderGbagnon Badie fouled Celestin Ndayishimiye at the edge

Terry Continued from B/P

•Stephen Keshi with his children during the burial ceremony

Gumel de Janeiro. Everybody knows that the Olympics is by the door step. Even though we have made some little movement towards Rio, but the truth remains that we still have a lot to do.

“We want to rub minds, discuss and find the way forward so that by the tine we are in Rio, we would be able to make this country proud. So far we have some sports that have already qualified, and more are in the qualifying series and I believe they are going to qualify. We have to make all the necessary arrangement to put them in camp, to start the necessary training to ensure that we succeed. These are part of the things we would want to discuss with the honourable minister.”

He further assured that the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the NOC will continue to work hand -in -hand not just for success in Brazil but also to develop sports in the country.

Ighalo

Continued from B/P

Ronaldo open to MLS move EAL Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested that he would be open to a move to MLS at some stage in his career.

Ronaldo has a contract with Madrid until June 2018, but has been heavily linked with clubs such as Paris SaintGermain and Manchester United in recent months.

His agent Jorge Mendes recently stressed Ronaldo has no intention of leaving Madrid and wants to retire at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the three-time Ballon d’Or winner has now hinted he could move across the Atlantic.

Nigeria won bronze in the maiden appearance in 2014 staged in South Africa under coach Stephen Keshi, and the 2016 set are hoping to surpass the record in Rwanda.

According to the former Golden Eaglets handler, the Super Eagles must strive hard to put a smile on the faces of Nigerians by winning the tournament.

Applauding the Nigeria Football Federation for putting in place good preparation for the team, Nwosu said, “I must commend the NFF and the coaches for the efforts they have

put in to prepare the team for the tournament and I hope the players will give their best.

“This is a big opportunity for the players, and they should make sure they use the tournament to let the world see the commitment in Nigerian players by ensuring they work hard to win the tournament.

“I don’t expect them to disappoint us at the tournament and the only thing I can say is that I urge Nigerians to believe in the team and give them all the support they need to excel,” he concluded.

Nigeria kick off their Group C campaign on January 18 against Niger Republic before facing Tunisia and Guinea on the January 22nd and 26th respectively.

Stamford Bridge in 21 years, but Terry flicked in on his 700th club appearance.

Terry’s own goal and a Kevin Mirallas strike put Everton 2-0 up, but Chelsea scored twice in quick succession to restore parity.

A howler from Tim Howard allowed Diego Costa to net and Cesc Fabregas’ deflected strike levelled matters.

is the third Nigeria to win the award after Okocha and Odemwingie. “@ighalojude congratulations brother, no doubt you deserved it. BPL PLAYER OF THE MONTH,” he wrote on twitter.

Okocha was the first Nigerian to be named the BPL award winner in November 2003 at Bolton Wonderers, before Odemwingie won the award three times in September 2010, April 2011 and February 2012 at West Brom.

Wasps of the penalty area. Bayisenge elected himself for the resulting free-kick, curling straight into the net for the goal that turned out to be the winner.

The whole stadium erupted into ecstasy after the goal and the host pressed further for the second.

However, an improved start by the Ivorians upon recess forced the Amavubi into their shell and keeping the defence busier.

Worse was to follow for Chelsea when Costa limped off and Funes Mori turned in fellow substitute Gerard Deulofeu’s cross.

But Terry converted after a late bombardment, to the fury of the visitors after seven minutes’ stoppage time had been signalled by the fourth official, to earn a scarcely-believable point.

Chelsea are now unbeaten in seven since Jose Mourinho’s departure, with Guus Hiddink avoiding a first loss of his second spell in caretaker charge.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 17, 2016

Rio 2016: Team Nigeria not ready—Gumel

By Jude Opara, Abuja

S

IX months to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the president of

CHAN: Eagles must prove their worth —Nwosu F

•Oliseh

ORMER Nigeria international, Henry Nwosu, has challenged the Super Eagles to work very hard and win the 2016 African Nations Championship which kicked off in Rwanda yesterday.

The coach Sunday Oliseh-led team will kick off their 2016 campaign against Niger Republic on Monday, before tackling Tunisia and Guinea in Group C. Continues on page 47

Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel has said the country still has a lot to do, in preparing her athletes for the global fiesta.

Gumel made the revelation last week in Abuja, when he led the NOC board members to meet with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barr.

Solomon Dalung to chart a new course in the preparations and training of Team Nigeria for the games.

•Gumel Team Nigeria will compete in eight sports at the games, where it

Continues on page 47

Ighalo: I’m in no rush to leave Watford

O

DION Ighalo insists he is in no rush to leave Watford after winning Premier League player of the month The Nigerian has seen his value soar after netting six goals for the Hornets in December and says he’s happy to stay.

His six goals in

Wasps sting Elephants

December helped the Hornets bank 10 points, and sent his transfer value soaring.

The Nigerian striker , 26, is now a target for the big clubs including Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

But £30million-rated

Continues on page 47

H

OSTS Rwanda got off their campaign to a winning start thanks to a lone goal victory over Cote d’Ivoire in the tournament opener on Saturday at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali.

Defender Emery Bayisenge was the hero for the Amavubi with his well-taken free-kick on the quarter-hour mark separating the two sides.

It was the perfect start the host nation needed to get the packed crowd at the national stadium which included President Paul Kagame

Continues on page 47 •Bayisenge

•ECSTACY...Fabregas celebrates with Mikel as the Blues came back from two down to draw 3-3.

Omorodion returns with SportsGuard —P.46 CROSS WORD PUZZLE

DOWN ACROSS 1. Sample (5) 1. Governor of Sokoto 2. Niger state town (4) State (8) 3. Observe (5) 5. Assistant (4) 4. Lecture (6) 7. Praise (5) 5. Everyone (3) 8. Upright (4) 6. Use (6) 9. Lantern (4) 10. Inquires (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Exclamation (2) 15. Resistance unit (3) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 17. Coax (4) 18. Agent (3) 19. Rollicked (6) 20. Glitters (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 24. Forward (5) 22. Satisfied (4) 25. Nigerian state (6) 23. Nigerian state (3) 27. Boring tool (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 27 . African country (6) 31. Perform (2) Endure (4) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 28.

29. Child (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 30. Spoke (6) 36. Vow (4) 31. Adorn (5) 38. Musical quality (4) 33. Baking chambers 39. Inclination (5) (5) 40. Eager (4) 35. Asterisk (4) 41. Damages (8) 37. Possessed (3)

Terry rescues Chelsea J

OHN Terry ’s equaliser deep into added time atoned for his earlier own goal and earned Chelsea a 3-3 draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Ramiro Funes Mori’s late goal appeared to have earned the Toffees a first league win at See solution on page 5

Continues on page 47

•Ighalo

RESULTS CHAN Rwanda Gabon EPL Tottenham Bournemouth Chelsea Man City Newcastle Southampton Aston Villa

1 0

Ivory Cost Morocco

0 0

4 3 3 4 2 3 1

Sunderland Norwich Everton Crystal Palace West Ham West Brom Leicester

1 0 3 0 1 0 1

TODAY'S FIXTURES CHAN DR Congo Angola EPL Liverpool Stoke City

v v

Ethiopia Cameroon

2pm 5pm

v v

Man Utd Arsenal

3:05pm 5:15pm

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Advert Dept: :01- 7924470; Hotline: 01-4544821; Abuja Advert Hotline: 09-2921024.

E-mail website: sundayvanguard@yahoo.com, editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com. Advert:advert@vanguardngr.com.

Internet: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: JIDE AJANI. 08111813023 All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.