60 killed in battle over fish pond

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015 — PAGE 5

60 killed in battle over fish pond •Continued from Page 1

•L-r: Deputy President Ex-Officio of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Remi Bello; Immediate Past National President and Jigawa State Governor-Elect, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar; Acting National President, Chief Bassey Edem; Nigeria President-Elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; NACCIMA 2nd Deputy National President, Iyalode Alaba Lawson and National Vice President, Alhaji Ahmad Rabiu during a congratulatory visit to the President-Elect in Daura, Katsina State.

between the communities and bottled-up anger for one another has lingered for several years and sometimes resulting in intermittent skirmishes; this latest conflict could have claimed over 60 lives because more bodies are still being recovered from the two communities.

“As I speak to you today, (Saturday) the Egba people attacked Ologba during a funeral procession early this morning, after the Friday attack, just when the people were trying to bury their dead. So many people were killed in that attack and more bodies are still being recovered from

the scene so we expect the causality figure to rise.”

Speaking on the matter, Sir John Ngbede, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, deputy governorship candidate at the last elections, who hails from the area, said the communities have been embroiled in long standing issues.

Ngbede also confirmed that the crisis which started Friday evening had displaced so any persons who now live as refugees at Obagaji, the Agatu Local Government Area Headquarters.

When contacted, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hyacinth Dagala, explained that the villagers had been fighting

over a fish pond for some time.

Dagala, however, pointed out that the latest crisis allegedly broke out as a result of deep rooted suspicion by the Egba community on allegations that the Ologba people had organised last month’s deadly Fulani invasion against them.

He said the Police had so far recorded 23 deaths but added that he was yet to update the figures and the report as at press time.

The Police Commissioner however assured that security had been beefed up in the feuding communities adding that investigations into the matter had also commenced.

AMID SUSPICION PRESIDENT SIGNED DOCUMENT

Return original copy of Constitution Amendment Bill, Senate tells Jonathan The Senate had, on Thursday, mandated its leadership to write a letter to Jonathan, demanding an urgent return of the original copy of the 1999 Constitution Amendment Bill in his possession.

The President, in his letter to the Senate, read on Wednesday by Senate President David Mark, hinged his not assenting to the bill on the noncompliance with some sections of the current Constitution by the National Assembly.

The Senate, after a motion moved by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, that the president failed to accompany his letter vetoing the bill with the original copy of the bill sent to him, mandated Mark to immediately write to

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

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ONTRARY to the content of the letter that President Goodluck Jonathan refused to sign the Constitution Amendment Bill because of alleged usurpation of executive powers by the National Assembly in the bill, among other reasons, there is an allegation that Jonathan signed the original amendment bill.

Sources close to the Senate told Sunday Vanguard that because the original Constitution Amendment Bill sent to the president for his assent was allegedly signed before the change of mind, the Senate is demanding that the President returns the original copy of the bill forwarded to it.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

FEAR AND FAITH—3

By Richard Eromonsele

Yes,you are afraid that you cannot make it.You believe what you set out to do in your mind is not possible.Right!That is the starting point.Any idea that does not have the capacity to challenge you is not worth it.Ask any notable individual that has made it,you will discover that their idea was once impossible to the cynics.For example,Wilbur and Oliver Right,ordinary mechanic invented the aeroplane,a feet that even professors of their time declared impossible.Activate your faith.Fear no fear.When fear nocks on your door(mind) unlock it with your faith.Every thing is possible.Just believe T

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Jonathan to ask for the return of the original copy of the amended bill to the National Assembly.

Ekweremadu,who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution,informed the Senate that the two-day retreat the committee had convened to discuss the president’s letter could not make much progress due to the absence of the original copy of the bill.

He said the committee temporarily suspended the retreat until it was in possession of the original copy of the amended bill,adding that the work of the committee would be guided by the contents of the bill.

He also said that the committee noticed that in the second to the last paragraph of that letter, the President said he was returning the bill with the letter, but, “unfortunately, the bill was

not returned with the letter and we could not proceed because we would like to see the returned bill.”

The Senate President said, “There is a bit of urgency in this; so, in writing, we should indicate that we should have it at the earliest possible time.

We cannot put a time frame like within two days or three days, that would not be correct.”

However, sources in the Senate claimed that the President signed the original

bill sent to him, but perhaps may have pressurised by some forces to withdraw the signature, hence he resorted to writing the letter raising constitutional breaches.

The sources claimed that Jonathan’s action amounted to double standard and would be deemed as fraud, saying his refusal to send back the original copy of the bill could lead to the commencement of his impeachment.

Inconclusive Abia Guber: Wabara, Abia South leaders on war path •APGA wants INEC to declare Otti gov-elect

By Emmanuel Aziken

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HE fury of the men gathered for the press conference in an uptown Ikeja restaurant was obvious.

Among them were some of the pre-eminent professionals of the Ukwa Ngwa area of Abia State. A former president of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara, was at the middle of what was designated as the high table. Others included retired bureaucrats and politicians.

It was irritating for the Ukwa/Ngwa that Dr. Alex Otti, former banker turned politician, who they saw as wanting to usurp their heritage, was trying to do so by claiming to be their own.

With near unanimity, the men rejected him as their own, describing him as an Arochukwu man from Abia North.

Their fury centred on the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to postpone a formal declaration of the outcome of the governorship election pending runoff election in some disputed polling stations where the election was, according to INEC officials. inconclusive or marred by violence.

Their beef was that their son, Dr. Okeize Ikpeazu, a biochemist, lecturer turned politician was about breasting the tape when INEC pulled the rug under

his feet, albeit illegally.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. V. C. Ohumba, had declared the result inconclusive pending rerun election in selected constituencies.

The Ukwa Ngwa professionals firmly rebuffed the claims of the RO and the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Selina Okoh, both of whom the Ukwa Ngwa community alleged to be part of a scheme directed at enthroning Otti as governor.

Leader of Ukwa Ngwa Elders, Elder Emmanuel Adaelu in alluding to what he saw as the personal rapport between the RO and Otti said: “The Returning Officer in the election, Prof Ozumba, is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, UNN, a university that just conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Dr Alex Otti, the gubernatorial standard bearer for the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, while the resident electoral officer, Prof Okoh, is the same contestant’s cousin. The INEC ought to have considered these peculiar relationships in appointing officials to manage the gubernatorial election in Abia State.’

Wabara, who represented the Abia South Senatorial District for two consecutive terms between 1999 and 2007 saw the development as a national conspiracy against

his people.

Meanwhile, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has requested INEC to declare its flag-bearer, Dr. Alex Otti, the winner of Abia State gubernatorial election, having polled the highest number of votes cast from other local governments where results were not cancelled.

The party also charged INEC to be consistent in its standard ,stressing that once an election result is pronounced, it has no further power to review same, adding that, at that point, the power will subsequently lie

with the court and tribunal.

In a letter titled: Request For the Confirmation of Cancellation Of The Results of Three Local Governments As Announced By The INEC Returning Officer and Declaration Of Dr. Alex Otti, As The Duly Elected Governor of Abia State and signed byEngr. Uchenna Okogbuo, APGA’s National Vice Chairman, South-East, the party affairmed that the cancellation by Returning Officer, Prof. Ozumba was effective in law and therefore results from the three LGs stand rejected.

Okolugbo commissions classroom blocks

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HE Commissioner representing NDOKWA in the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Sir. Kenny Okolugbo, has commissioned six ultramodern classroom blocks at OBODO-Orji Primary School, Akoku-Uno in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

At the occasion, the commissioner noted that the project and some others ongoing were a testimony to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, fishing strong.

Speaking on behalf of the community/HOSTCOM, Chief Azaka Emmanuel, the Akuluno 1 of Akoku, said, “Our joy knows no bounds

on the completion of the classrooms”. He added: “We, however, wish to state that Akoku-Uno can only boast of feeling the impact of DESOPADEC under the tenure of Okolugbo. What we are witnessing today is a testimony of his able representation of our interests on the Board of DESOPADEC. In addition to Youth Empowerment, he also has other ongoing projects in this community”.

Despite the meager resources allocated to the commissioner ’s mandate area ( 4%), Okolugbo has demonstrated a rare managerial capacity by carefully utilizing the resources to ensure that Ndokwa is not left behind in the scheme of things.

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015

FRSC begins medical test for drivers in FCT •Trustfund Pensions donates 5,000 reflective jackets to Corps In a related standard of living.”

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

T From left: Mr. Ousama Mustafa, MD Arab Contractors, Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe, Dr Dayo Mobereola, Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State cutting the tape, Mr. Mofid Karameh, Chairman/CEO, MIKANO Nigeria Ltd and Mr. Kayode Opeifa, commissioner for Transport, during the Commissioning of Rehablitation and Upgrading of WEMCO Road, Ogba, Lagos. on. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

HE Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has commenced medical test for commercial drivers in some designated motor parks in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, to determine their mental stability before they embark on any journey.

The FRSC is insisting that the exercise would stem the tide of indiscipline by drivers on Nigerian roads.

MADNESS IN S/AFRICA: We stand with Jonathan government on safety of Nigerians — Buhari

By Henry Umoru, Levinus Nwabughiogu

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RESIDENT-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has said he is in full support of the steps taken by the Jonathan government to protect Nigerians from the wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

In a statement released in Abuja, yesterday, Buhari commended Nigeria’s Head of Mission in Pretoria for the steps he took, advising the Nigerian business community in South Africa to close shop, stay indoors and keep out of trouble.

He also asked them to obey the laws of their host country.

Glorious exit

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HE Diocese of Lagos, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion announced the death of Mrs. Caroline Ademowo Nee Awonubi who passed into glory on Tuesday, 14th of April, 2015.

In a statement signed by the Diocesan Communicator, Ven ‘Seyi Pirisola Late Mrs. Ademowo who aged 85 years was the mother of the Diocesan Bishop and Deen Emeritus, Most Rev. Adebola Ademowo.

Until her death, Mrs. Ademowo was a devout Christian. He is survived by children, grand children and great grand children.

Late Mrs. Caroline Ademowo

“We equally understand that the South African government is making efforts to bring an end to this unfortunate situation,” the president-elect said. “In the meantime, Nigerians in South Africa should abide by the words of caution extended them by their government representative in Pretoria”. Buhari commended the government for its decision to evacuate Nigerians at

any sign of escalation.

“I am happy to see that the Nigerian government is very well aware of its responsibilities to its citizens in South Africa,” he said.

He, however, expressed sadness over the unfortunate development that has affected Nigerians even as he recalled Nigeria and South Africa’s friendly relations since the end of apartheid.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has

condemned the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreign nationals in South Africa, describing the action as provocative and completely unacceptable.

In a statement, yesterday, by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party urged the Federal Government to take immediate action to ensure the safety of lives and property of Nigerians in South Africa.

development, the management of Trustfund Pensions Plc has donated 5,000 pieces of branded reflective jackets to the FRSC, as part of its corporate social responsibilities, CSR. Presenting the branded reflective jackets to the Corps Marshal at the FRSC headquarters, Abuja, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, MD/ CEO, Mrs. Helen DaSouza, said the partnership with the corps under its CSR initiative was in line with the global trend of business.

She said, “Trustfund Pensions Plc is committed to giving back to the society that has contributed to the success of its business. We are committed to touching the world around us and making it safe so that our people can actually live and retire into a quality

Oronto Douglas, a blessing to Niger Delta — Ijaws

By Tony Nwankwo

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HE Ijaw Monitoring Group, IMG, has described the late Special

DELTA: Ogboru rejects guber result, heads for tribunal trusting that INEC would de- ased for not releasing the to- N500. ploy and use the card readers tal number of those who col•APC too

By Festus Ahon, Asaba

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UBERNATORIAL candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru, has rejected the result of

the April 11 gubernatorial election, saying he was heading to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the election he alleged was characterized by massive rigging by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. By the same token, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC and director, group management, Otega Campaign Organization, Chief Isaac Emetitiri, has described both the Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Delta State as a sham,fraudulent and unacceptable.

Ogboru, who spoke during a press conference in his Abraka country home, said his party was rejecting the declaration of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. He said: “We reject this declaration by INEC. Okowa did not score majority of lawful votes cast in the election and did not also meet relevant constitutional provisions.

“We in the Labour Party in Delta went into the election

as enshrined in its 2015 Guidelines for Elections Officials.Regrettably, some officials of INEC violated the guidelines and its further reassurance to our disadvantage.

Also Chief Emetitiri of APC accused INEC of being bi-

lected their PVCs before the election, saying “the governorship and House of Assembly election were compromised,and a complete failure in Ethiope East as monies were being shared to hungry voters who sold their rights for as low as

Chief Emetitiri, who was speaking with journalists in Warri challenged the authenticity of the results, especially the ones from the riverine areas of Warri South/West, Warri North, Burutu and Bomadi, stressing that if INEC was not biased or working for PDP, it should prove him wrong”.

IMPEACHMENT THREAT I am ready to negotiate with APC lawmakers — Fayose

By Gbenga Ariyibi, Ado Ekiti face -off between THE the 19 All

Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in Ekiti State House of Assembly and Governor Ayo Fayose may soon be over, as the governor says he is willing to negotiate with the lawmakers The lawmakers are pushing for the impeachment of the governor, as they have directed the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, to constitute a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him and his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola

Speaking on Friday during a thanksgiving service at Ansar ud Deen Mosque, Ado Ekiti on his victory at the Supreme Court, which affirmed his election, Fayose said he was ready to sit with the lawmakers and negotiate.

This statement was not without a caveat as the governor clarified that he was ready to make peace with the lawmakers as long as they were ready to embrace the move in the over all interest of the state.

“I am not opposed to anything that can bring peace; peace cannot be wished away. I’m ready to accommodate everybody. Whatever they want, we can sit down and talk”, the governor stated.

Dan-Souza noted that with enhanced visibility occasioned by the jackets, it would help in reducing hazards of the job and keep the corps officers safe as they work tirelessly to keep the highways safe.

Responding, the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, disclosed that the corps was committed to ensuring that Nigerian roads are safe, adding that the corps had embarked on regular test on drivers to establish the mental stability before they take off from some of the major parks.

He also said that the corps had kept to its promise of removing all obstructions on the highways and thanked the management of Trustfund Pensions for partnering with the corps with the donation of the reflective jackets.

“There is no perfect man. They should allow peace to reign. All I want is peace that will energise development”.

He said he was waving the olive branch in the overall interest of Ekiti people as well as restoration of peace.

Fayose said he had received calls and appeals for amicable solution to the lingering crisis by eminent Nigerians, religious leaders as well as traditional rulers.

The governor apologized to those he might have offended one way or the other, in the course of carrying out his duties as governor saying only God was perfect.

Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research and Documentation, as a blessing to the Niger Delta.

In a tribute by Comrade Joseph Evah, lamenting the untimely death of the Niger-Delta activist, the Ijaw described him as one of the early prophets of modern Niger Delta struggle, adding that the untimely death of Oronto Natieh Douglas, popularly called OND, had rubbed the Niger Delta of one of its bright stars.

“We are proud that Oronto’s footprints will for ever remain indelible in the Niger Delta, as he was one of the fearless defence lawyers to the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, during the trial that later led to the hanging of the Ogoni leader. He was also the first Niger Delta activist to be hosted by a serving American President Bill Clinton at the White House. At the occasion, Douglas presented the American President with the Doctrine of the Kaima Declaration.”, the group said.

“Oronto Douglas brought recognition to the Niger Delta when he was named among the 20 most influential writers, thinkers and activists in the world.

A gifted orator, he demonstrated such skills that a few of his contemporaries in the civil society could match.

Douglas authored several books and presented papers in over 300 international conferences in over 50 countries on human rights and the environment”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015 — PAGE 7

Sen. Gemade calls for prosecution of Army Commandant over assault *Petitions Human Rights Commission

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

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ENATOR Barnabas Gemade has called on the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to investigate and prosecute the Commandant, 72 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Makurdi, Benue State, Col. Timothy Lagbaja, for the alleged harassment, intimidation and assault on him during the April 11, governorship and state assembly elections.

The call for prosecution of the commandant was contained in the petition he personally submitted to the Executive Secretary, NHRC, Ben Angwe, in Abuja.

Gemade, who is Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, in the petition said that he alongside some of his constituents were subjected to inhuman treatment by the Commandant.

He alleged that he was molested by the commandant who invaded his house on the said date with detachment of soldiers claiming that there was information that he (Gemade) was harbouring fake soldiers.

He said though, he

Adefuye, Lagos LG scribes congratulate Buhari, Tinubu, Osinbajo

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ENATOR Anthony Adefuye as well as the Executive Secretaries of Local Governments in Lagos State have saluted the All Progressives Congress for its sweeping victories at the just concluded 2015 polls.

They specially congratulated the APC National Leader, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his doggedness to free the poor masses from poverty, stemming from bad governance by the PDP which, for the past 16 years, had held the nation by the jugular.

They also congratulated Presidentelect Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo, the Lagos State Governor-elect Akin Ambode, his deputy, Hon. Idiat Adebule, other APC governors–elect and their deputies, state and National Assembly legislators, as well as other APC big wigs who contributed to the party’s victories at the polls.

had no problems with Col. Lagbaja leading a delegation of the military ostensibly to give support to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the election, the conduct of the army officer was strange to him, but as a candidate in the March 28 election where the commandant started his alleged hostility, he had to restrain himself.

According to him, “At about 10:30 am (April 11), I heard some noise and shouting at the gate of my compound and I quickly followed the direction of the shouts and cries that filled the area. I saw soldiers rushing round the yard harassing and beating people.

“The I saw Col. Lagbaja whom I recognised very well shouting orders to the soldiers ‘arrest them, arrest them.’ I called him by name and sought to know what was going on.

Col. Lagbaja then walked up close to me shouting at me, saying all manner of things,” he alleged.

He said the army officer accused him of keeping fake soldiers in his house, going all over the place in the last election and threatened to deal with him if he moved anywhere that day.

Senator Gemade who has been re-elected for second term in the senate after defeating the sitting gover nor, Gabriel Suswan, asked the commission to declare the conduct and behaviour of the army officer towards him and his constituents as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

He also sought for an order compelling Col. Lagbaja to apologise to him and compensate his constituents whom he allegedly brutalised.

The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, further called for an investigation to be caused by the commission into the incidence and adequate punishment to be meted out to the army officer if found culpable as well as recommendation of disciplinary action against him to the Nigerian Army.

Receiving the petition from the senator, Dr. Angwe commended him for not taking the laws into his hands and his respect for the commission.

He said that the commission would investigate the allegation and ensure that anybody that was found guilty will face the full wrath of the law.

From left Comrade David Anyaele; Comrade Nelson Nwafor and Comrade Leonard Onyemesiri, all members of Civil Society and Election Observers in Abia during a World Press briefing on the Conduct of 2015 General Election in Abia State held in Lagos. Photo Lamidi Bamidele

Council Chairman kidnapped in Rivers

By Jimitota Onoyume

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HE Rivers State Police command has confirmed the abduction of the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government Area, Chief Cassidy Ikegbedi.

The command spokesman, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said some gunmen abducted him in his local government in the

early hours of the yesterday, adding that the Police was making frantic efforts to secure his release.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that security men attached to the Chairman exchanged gunfire with the kidnappers before they succeeded in whisking him away .

As at press time, it could

not be confirmed if any ransom had been demanded by the kidnappers.

Ikegbedi is the second council boss that have been kidnapped in the last one year.

It would be recalled that Mr Awori Miller, Chairman, Ahoada West Local Government Area, was earlier taken hostage by gun men last year.

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SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 9

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My long experience with Buhari -- 2

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Chief Bola Ige and Onabanjo under the Tribunal established by the Buhari regime. Let me add a few more to lay to rest the lie that was peddled by the PDP from the President and his wife to Fani-Kayode and my co-columnists in newspapers – mostly knownothings.

The same Tribunal which exonerated our Chief Ajasin and our Daddy sentenced Bola Ige (Yoruba), Abubakar Rimi (Fulani), Sabo Barkin Zowa (Hausa), Aper Aku (Tiv), Melford Okilo (Ijaw) and Jim Nwobodo (Igbo).

But, in 2014/2015, just because of election, liars asserted, despite documented evidence, that Buhari was discriminatory.

How could it be discriminatory if Bisi Onabanjo (Yoruba), Sam Nbakwe (Igbo) and Solomon Lar (Birom) were all goaled, even if Buhari did it? Incidentally, many of those sympathizing with looters jailed in Nigeria, applauded when Rawlings shot looters in Ghana.

Ghana is better for it.

There and then I made up my mind that where ever this man goes I will follow. I was with him in 2011; I did not decamp until the man does something to change

Three things Buhari must do D

enrele, your columnist, has taken a week off and will not be writing this week. That has given me the opportunity to put some words across.

I have watched the goingson of the general elections and have noted what transpired and I thank God for His Mercies.

GEJ will be leaving the Presidency come March 29 and GMB will step in. What goes for him are his trustworthiness and his integrity. It is on that we believe he would do what he promises to do for his countrymen and women.

However, there is a couple of things he should do posthaste. And I have harped on them for the last twenty-odd years. There is a third one that stole on us in recent times, that is security.

Whatever he does will not bear fruit except he urgently sees to our security. And he is eminently qualified to handle it. He may need to examine those who handle our security and make necessary adjustments – in throwing out the dregs and putting round pegs in round holes.

Second thing he should do is to see to our roads and put them in first class conditions.

I believe in old gangs of PWD or its equivalent should be a permanent feature of our road maintenance culture.

Of course, the third thing is to put power into our lives.

Day in and day out, Nigerians are crying out for lack of electricity. And that is despite taking it out of public utility to private enterprise. Daily, Nigerians are agonising for paying more money for a moribund utility. Nigerians use generators and more petrol for less efficient electricity.

And no one needs to emphasise that the ability to have efficient electricity will mean a better economy.

Of course, there are many more things the General can do and will do but the three things I have highlighted above take the cake. They must be taken care of first and other things like employment will follow.

Femi Adesina I have read through many articles on the general elections but Femi’s

my mind. Already, I strongly disagree with his declaration that he will not probe the past administrations. That will be a mistake. At Federal and State levels we need a total explanation of how funds were spent since 1999 to 2015 – irrespective of political party.

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“It is true 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”. President Ibrahim Babangida, October 26, 1985, at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State.

I M P O R T A N T OMISSION N part one I listed two Governors exonerated by the Tribunal – Chief Ajasin UPN- Ondo State) and Alhaji Jakande (UPNLagos State). There was another honourable man Dr Clement Isong (UPN –C/ River). Isong was also a former Governor of the Central Bank about whom the Tribunal said “he handled the State’s funds with the highest standard of professionalism and ethics”.

I apologise to the good people of Cross River and to Isong’s family for the omission. This is history.

Also note that all three were from the South and UPN; no northerner among them and no NPN governor – the Hausa/Fulani Party – was set free.

Last week, I stopped by recounting the cases of

to pay for that indiscretion when the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, was introduced. It was not until Obasanjo that any attempt was made again to rein in corruption.

I will not do justice to our readers if the 1984 Tribunal cases are not explained. Why were the public office holders jailed? Was it wickedness or caprice? It was none of those.

Obasanjo handed power to Shagari in 1999, and the Second Republic was underway. Within two years, the media was awash with allegations of corruption by elected and appointed officials. Virtually all the states took foreign loans which were guaranteed by the Federal Government for ostensibly laudable projects.

But, instead of applying the loans to the projects, the funds were embezzled.

Officials caught stealing would generally commit suicide and their families would run away. Nobody would defend them. Here in Nigeria, our attitude is different

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At any rate, Nigerians, led by the media, proclaimed Buhari’s government draconian and wanted a change – which they got when IBB staged his own coup. But, read that statement above and you will observe how quickly IBB got to understand the depth of corruption which Second Republic politicians unleashed on Nigeria. But, by then Babangida, while courting cheap popularity had released the jailed politicians and returned most of their ill-gotten wealth. Nigerians were later

Projects were either not started at all or abandoned after contractors collected mobilization fees. The opinion leaders at the time virtually begged the military to take over. Till today, some states are still repaying loans taken in 1980-1983 for projects which were not finished. If Nigeria’s education is backward today, if roads and infrastructure has deteriorated and potable water has not reached all, the seeds of these calamities were sown during that period. It was also at that

offerings take the cake. In short,simple prose, Femi told us the truth about ourselves and why we should prefer Buhari to Jonathan.

Of course, there were many who disagreed with him and he told them they were free to hold their beliefs.

In three or four basic lessons, he demonstrated the virtues of honesty and persistence.

I have read him over and again and will still go over his articles. He was afraid he might lose his job but he did not and thanks to Kalu Orji ,his proprietor, who

Denmark and Iceland – you will, in 90 cases out of a 100, pick the Swede out. Not that he is loud. On the contrary, he is modest in an articulate way; he is confident without the swagger. The truth is: he is a legatee of a political system and of politicians that make him the focus of programmes and thereby, attention.

The Fin is nearly in the same mould; the Norwegians are birds of a feather; the Danes may change government a bit too often, but the changes are occasioned by what they

GEJ will be leaving the Presidency come March 29 and GMB will step in. What goes for him are his trustworthiness and his integrity. It is on that we believe he would do what he promises to do thought he could have his say-so. To those of his colleagues who held opposing views, he gave them the dispensation that he got from his newspaper owner.

More ink to your pen.

And God bless you.

From my archive: The government I want Olof Palme, the Swedish Prime Minister, has been in the saddle now, except for a season in the cold, for many years. He leads the Swedish Social Democratic Party – a party that is not only democratic, but welfarist.

If you meet four people from the Nordic countries – Sweden, Finland, Norway,

perceive as the Utopian ideal they must attain.

Paradoxically, Sweden, Norway and Denmark are monarchies. Finland and Iceland are republics.

The Briton may not be sure of many things, but he is sure that his Parliament is supreme; he is sure that he can protest his grouse to his representative and get redress; he is sure that the quality of judgment he will get at law will not reflect his social status; he is sure that he is the responsibility of the sovereign government of Elizabeth Regina from the cradle to the grave. For him, the Magna Cartais not just a name, but some substance.

time that Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand etc, nations which were poorer than Nigeria started to move. All of them passed economic sabotage laws which made stealing of public funds punishable by either life imprisonment or even death.

Officials caught stealing would generally commit suicide and their families would run away. Nobody would defend them. Here in Nigeria, our attitude is different. If my brother is caught embezzling public funds, instead of being ashamed our attitude is “Is he the only one?”. When that fails to persuade, we turn to the ethnic card or the party card or religion – all in a bid to avoid the truth that my brother had been justly convicted.

In the late 1980s, a classmate of mine at the university, working with the World Bank came to Nigeria to conduct a comparative study on why the Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP, which had worked wonders for the Asian Tigers was not working in Nigeria.

I met with him several times and on one occasion, I asked him a question.

“Why is Africa not progressing?” Being a white American, he was hesitant to answer. At last he said “I hope you won’t be offended if I tell you what I think”.

After my assurance he told me. “Africa is the only continent where people caught embezzling public funds show no remorse.

Furthermore, they also have people defending their actions. Africa will never develop unless that changes.” Almost eighteen years after, we are still defending those who “mismanage” public funds for ethnic, party, or selfish

reasons.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we should arrest and jail people without trial or on suspicion. But, each person accused should face the court alone and we should allow justice to be done.

DECLARATION: After 28 years writing for VANGUARD, I can state categorically that no politician had ever given me a kobo to write or not write anything. If such a person exists, let him speak up. So, those wasting my time asking “ who is, or how much were you paid to write can go and jump….

The United States of America of the Japanese, the Germans, the Jews, the Irish, the Chinese and the Negro is one to all of them. They will hold aloft the starspangled banner when the chips are down.

Vietnam is an eloquent testimony to the fact that black, white or pink, the American will lay down his life for his fatherland.

Here in Nigeria, exploitative governments and roguish politicians have bastardised the immortal wisdom of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. He was not a fool when he admonished Americans not to ask what America can do for them but what they can do for America.

America was the country of Great Expectation.

America was the land of opportunities. Americans had used the opportunities that America offered to realise Great Expectations.

It is still among the few remaining countries where the drama of rag to riches is still being enacted. Without the footnote that the national treasury becoming the worse for it.

What has Nigeria done for me to enable me help her?

Do not ask me what I can do for Nigeria. Because I can do nothing. Not by choice, but because I have been rendered incapable by political circumstances.

But this country deserves a much better fate. It deserves prosperity. It deserves peace. It deserves, as leading the black nationin the world, respect – not out of sheer number,

but out of achievement – possible because of our bounteous endowments in human and natural resources. And we shall get there only if we have good government. A good government respects public opinion and ensures that the will of the people prevails.

A good government makes a fetish of equitable distribution of resources – not in terms of quota and federal character – but in terms of universal need and welfare. A good government forges a conscious link between it and mass organs like labour, youths and students.

Perhaps, the most important attribute of good governance is the power of personal example. Hitherto, Nigeria’s leadership has followed the pattern of the chubby-cheeked clergy-man whose admonition is: Do as I say and not do as I do. Too many retired civil servants are millionaires and the unasked questions are bothersome.

Finally, I submit that a good government must have a dynamic foreign policy.

And by that, I mean emphasis should be Nigerians first, second and last. If I must admit, I admire the Americans; I doff my hat to Gaddaffi and have no bones to pick with the Soviets.

So, while we are about searching for a good political system, be informed that my preference is for a good government. By whatever name.

Vanguard 15 February 1986

ON BOLA TINUBU “All the allegations in the world without concrete proof don’t add up to an offence in law.” Late Mr Miller, my guardian in Boston, and a lawyer.

But, by comparison, Obasanjo’s EFCC, which started on a good note, soon became corrupted. Several individuals, who apparently don’t know that there is such a thing as defamation, have asked me why I don’t write about Bola Tinubu and his alleged corrupt selfenrichment. My answer remains the same. If the EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the DSS, the NIA, FIRS, Nigerian Customs Service, NDLEA etc, all under the PDP governments since 1999 had not found anything against Bola Tinubu, am I supposed to manufacture the evidence just to please losers at the political game? Ribadu, once hinted at having something on Tinubu in 2006; the same Ribadu denied it when he became the presidential candidate of ACN in 2011. He still has not produced any evidence against Tinubu.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 11

Worrisome Gangsterism in the South West Ayo Odugbesan swore publicly that they neither consulted the Governor nor did they have his consent for their actions. It is instructive

University students have a right to oppose and protest undemocratic practices but should they be allowed to physically compel a deputy governor to resign from office in a country where defection is a daily occurrence?

however, that the 9 legislators were escorted to the meeting by 10 policemen.

In Ekiti State, the event was replayed in November 2014 by 7 legislators who summarily took over the management of the affairs of the State House of Assembly which ordinarily has 26 members. The other 19 members according to the state government voluntarily “ran” out of the state as soon as Ayo Fayose was elected governor. Thus the governor had to

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos, , 08116759758

The fallacies of delusional negative triumphalism (2)

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nother writer confidently claimed that Buhari's unprecedented fourth attempt at the presidency was borne out of a strong desire to contribute to the well being of Nigerians: that was why he endured all the "mudslinging and outrageous insults directed at his person" without complaints and retaliation.

A female columnist so besotted by Gen. Buhari's victory declared: "To me, Buhari, like Obama told us that although dreamers might not be part of the establishment, perhaps because of the nature of our aspirations, the magnitude of our uncompromising belief in fairness and equity, because we shared this idea that cronyism cannot develop a country, that if one has the courage of one's convictions and is talented to boot, one should be allowed, no matter one's skin colour, age or ethnicity to share one's light with the world." That is not all, because we are in the season of delusional negative triumphalism consequent upon President Jonathan's defeat. Femi Adesina, a very pleasant human being and acute interpreter of national issues, allowed his hyperbolic admiration of Gen. Buhari to lead him astray concerning the political fortune of Ndigbo

recognize the new leadership of the House formed by the 7 legislators who have since then, proactively ensured the

in the new order that would begin unfolding about forty days from now. In his essay, "Lessons from Buhari's Victory," he argued that the Southeast committed political suicide by supporting Jonathan overwhelmingly and, therefore, had lost out in the new political dispensation.

A sober reflection on the overenthusiastic reception of Gen. Buhari by segments of the population especially in Northern Nigeria reveals a very disturbing fact - the dangerous tendency of human beings to delude themselves especially during periods of anomie and existential crisis with the expectation of a messiah. The uncritical dependence on a saviour who purportedly has extraordinary powers to eliminate social evils and lead the society to El Dorado is a perennial psychological weakness of humankind that opens the door to hero worship, authoritarianism and, very significantly, the emergence of religion.

Invariably, it is based on self-abnegation and on flawed and romanticised perception of the idolised individual, such that his or her virtues are absolutised whilst the weaknesses are ignored, trivialised, or sublimated.

Gen. Buhari, like every human being, is a blend of

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easy passage of bills and matters concerning stomach infrastructure.

Meanwhile what seems to have pursued the majority of 19 legislators out of the state became clearer as they suddenly “strolled” back into the state as soon as the candidate of their party-the All Progressive Congress (APC) won the March 28, 2015 Presidential elections. In seeking to reassert themselves, the legislators set out to impeach the governor.

The state both positive and negative personality traits. As a result, the immaculate portraiture of the retired general painted by Buharimaniacs such as Prof. Tam David-West and others is fictitious. The former military head of state is not a stranger to our people. Nigerians who are forty years and above now can still remember how he and his deputy, late Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, ruled the country with iron fists from December 31, 1984 to August 26, 1985.

Again, Gen. Buhari was chairman of the Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund set up by the military regime of Gen. Sani Abacha. Since he joined politics and began contesting for the presidency in 2003, he occasionally contributes to public discussion during seminars, workshops and interviews with the media.

Largely, Gen. Buhari appears to be an honest, disciplined and principled person with single-minded determination to achieve important goals he sets for himself. But because no human being can manifest any trait to the highest degree conceivable, these admirable qualities in Buhari are alloyed. Let me just take one example, his anti-corruption reputation.

Despite disavowals by staunch supporters, there are pertinent questions Gen. Buhari still needs to answer concerning both the N2.8 billion scandal in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) when he was federal commissioner for petroleum resources and the fate of the Irikefe report on the matter. Again, if Gen. Buhari hated corruption as much as his admirers

killed at a rally in Ibadan South-East Local Government Area about which the party is now set for reprisal. In a statement jointly signed by its chairman, Tunji Adeoye, and scribe, Toyose Oladejo, the party reminded the nation that no political party has monopoly of violence, stressing that their members would be forced to engage in self-help if the attack continues. Can Oyo State afford this threat?

The grave implications which the above accounts of incivility have for the whole of Nigeria are worrisome against the backdrop of the following questions. Why is it so easy for a small fraction of legislators to take control of a legislature? Who approves police protection for such political rascality?

Why are our citizens often encouraged to beat-up “erring” legislators when the constitution provides a peaceful way of removing them or our people unaware of the principle of recall in our constitution which empowers 50% of voters in a constituency to remove such legislators by just signing a petition to INEC? Is it in order for a state governor who swore to defend our constitution to turn around and aid constitutional breaches?

Put differently, why would elected executives encourage and recognize the rule by the minority in our democratic game of numbers?

Does the decision of the 19 APC Ekiti legislators to boldly seek to begin impeachment of Fayose only after their

party won the Presidential election not enough evidence that the power of the Presidency is often misused? Who is now empowering the hitherto scared APC legislators? At the same time, our constitution did not envisage that impeachment would be a tool for victimizing political opponents; how come no single impeachment has been carried out for a different reason in the history of Nigeria?

University students have a right to oppose and protest undemocratic practices but should they be allowed to physically compel a deputy governor to resign from office in a country where defection is a daily occurrence? Why is it that there has been no similar reaction by students in other cases? For instance why has no one said anything against the defection of the APC Deputy Governor of Rivers State? In other parts of the world, journalists are protected even in war situations; why then are they always beaten up at political rallies and even routine daily events in Nigeria? Any well meaning person ought to deprecate the accusation of the brutalized staff of Channels Television that the police did nothing when they were being assaulted by hoodlums in their presence.

What then is the value of the reported police investigation into the matter? Indeed, what is the place of law enforcement in a resurrected wild-wild west?

vociferate, why did he fail to speak out against it during Gen. Abacha's regime? It would have been consistent with his anticorruption reputation if Gen. Buhari had resigned his appointment in PTF as a protest against massive looting of the treasury at the time - or was he completely ignorant of what was happening then? Buhari

attached to his status accept to pay without protest over N27 million just to obtain the nomination forms of his party? Should Gen. Buhari be totally exonerated from the N25.6 billion mismanaged when he was in charge of the PTF? The president-elect condemns nepotism and cronyism; still, according to media reports, he appointed his son-in-law as consultant to the organisation. Tunde Bakare, who was Buhari's running mate in the 2011 presidential elections, believes in "contact without contamination" as justification for the awkward situation in which Gen. Buhari had to work closely with, and depend on, some of the most rapacious politicians in Nigerian history to boost his electability.

But realistically, given the morally anaemic character of our politics, can anybody rule out "contact with contamination" a priori?

Would Buhari not compromise somewhat to placate the cabals that worked for his victory who otherwise might try to block any measure that jeopardises their interests?

As I argued sometime ago, Buharimaniacs who continuously orchestrate Gen. Buhari's anticorruption reputation should reflect on Nuhu Ribadu's warning that when you fight corruption, it will fight you back.

Now, consider Dr. Ifewodo's celebratory approval of Buhari's attempted kidnap of Umaru Dikko from London to face corruption charges at home. Because corruption has become the defining characteristic of

Nigeria's ruling elite, Nigerians would eagerly support any leader genuinely willing to fight the ogre, the level of support being proportional to the kind of jackboot approach used in doing so, especially when exhibited publicly as was the case during Buhari's regime.

That is why Ifewodo and others who idolise Buhari on this issue are blind to the dangers of confronting corruption with military mentality. Whatever might be Dikko's level of involvement in corruption then, which Gen. Buhari and his cohorts conveniently used as excuse to overthrow the government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, his attempted kidnap is wrong. It is a paradigm example of delusional negative triumphalism that Ifewodo, a lawyer cum prodemocracy activist, would applaud such a dehumanising and illegal method of fighting corruption. At first sight, the principle that an accused is deemed innocent until proved guilty seems like an unnecessary idealistic obstacle in the pursuit of justice to those who presume that any government official accused of corruption is guilty and must be brought to justice through any means whatsoever.

However, if the Machiavellian principle implicit in that belief is accepted, there would be no limit to the measures government would take in fighting corruption, including the discredited tactics used by the Gestapo in the heydays of Nazi Germany.

To be continued

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O

UR brethren in the South West have so much to thank God for. To start with, they easily constitute the largest group of Nigeria’s educated citizens; courtesy of having a visionary leader, Obafemi Awolowo early in the nation’s development process. Consequently, they are ahead of us all in the capacity of a people to know and demand their rights. Unfortunately, they also seem to lead in the use of unlawful methods for making such demands - a trend which if not quickly tackled might spread across the nation. It will be recalled that at as early as 7am, one fateful day in September 2010, some 9 out of 26 legislators in the Ogun State House of Assembly made history.

They held a crucial meeting where among other things; they ratified the suspension of their other 17 colleagues and appointed a new leadership. Through a motion, they went ahead to approve all the requests and proposals of Governor Gbenga Daniel.

A spokesman of the group -

government on its part moved fast by mobilizing the vibrant population of the state to block the impeachment. At a press conference last Monday, the “new speaker” of the 7member House, Dele Odugbemi vowed that members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would shed their blood to save the governor from impeachment. Is that how to answer impeachment charges?

In neighbouring Ondo State the police had to shoot to disperse a group of students from physically compelling the Deputy Governor of the State, Alli Olanusi to resign from office. His offence was that he defected from the PDP to the APC just before the recently conducted general elections.

Dr Kola Alademujimi, the Chief of Staff to Governor Segun Mimiko received and addressed the students. Two days later, Alademujimi also reportedly received another set of youth group - the Concerned Ondo State Youth - who assembled to protest the continued stay in office of the Deputy Governor. In Osun State during the same period, two factions of the Trade Union Congress were engaged in a fierce battle to take control of the affairs of the union in the state. Using all forms of weapons, they attacked whoever including a Channels Television Crew and damaged the station’s camera.

Earlier in Oyo State, three supporters of the Accord Party (AP) were allegedly

Why would a former military head of state reputed for his visceral dislike of financial rascality and who correctly rejected the over bloated benefits attached to his status accept to pay without protest over N27 million just to obtain the nomination forms of his party?

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not only remained silent until Gen. Abacha died but continued in his post as if corruption was no longer a serious misconduct that warrants resignation by a famous anti-corruption crusader like himself.

Meanwhile, Gen. Buhari's willingness to pay N27.5 million demanded by APC for the presidential nomination forms and his claim of obtaining a bank loan for it raises issues of propriety and integrity.

Why would a former military head of state reputed for his visceral dislike of financial rascality and who correctly rejected the over bloated benefits

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015

THE LAGOS PALAVER

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ilwan Akiolu, Oba in Lagos claims to be the “owner of Lagos.” He presumes, of course, because the throne which he says is an “undivided throne” is no more than papier mache.

The Oba of Lagos, under the guarantees of Nigeria’s republican constitution and in the dispensation of its constitutional democracy, is no more the owner of Lagos than the Akara seller on the streets of Lagos. The Nigerian constitution grants equal citizenship and the rights pertaining to that citizenship to all its citizens without prejudice to gender, ethnicity or status. For Rilwan Akiolu to therefore claim to be the “owner of Lagos,” and to summon those ratty pretenders called “Eze Ndi Igbo in Lagos” to his home, and to put it directly to them, is on a good occasion, lovely theatre, were it not for the precise implication, and the occasion in which this comedy was staged. Leading to the gubernatorial elections, Rilwan Akiolu had, like the great majesty he thinks himself to be,threatened to drown the Igbo in the Lagoon if they did not vote for his chosen candidate, the now elected governor of Lagos, Mr. Ambode.

The threat soon went viral.

It has rightly generated a debate about the true status of Lagos as Nigeria’s own

“big apple” from which everyone presumably takes a refreshing bite. If you are of the biblical mind, that “big apple” might be the very same that tempts, and lures many a Nigerian to it, in search of all kinds of adventure and illicit consolations. So, Lagos has become in many ways, what I once called a “no man’s land.”

But Oba Akiolu rejects that, and swears in the name of his god, to drown any Igbo who goes against his will in the Lagoon in seven days. Well, here’s the deal: Oba Akiolu does not “own” Lagos and is incapable of drowning any Igbo in Lagos without consequence. In fact, Iga Iduguran, where he lives, is no more than a lovely museum in Nigeria’s modern edifice, in which the Oba himself is only just part of the décor.

The federal republic of Nigeria is the owner of Lagos, and the constitution of the republic is the only sovereign document to which Akiolu and his likes must subscribe or there is no nation. When Rilwan Akiolu talks about an “undivided throne,” I ask, what throne?

Since 1861, when Akiolu’s ancestors ceded Lagos to the British, the Oba of Lagos has been like the rest of us, a tenant in the city of Lagos.

He has no power to determine who comes in and out of Lagos; he has no

control of customs and exercise, or the police, or the administration that governs Lagos. His position is, at best honorary and pointless.

He is paid rent to entertain himself; every now and then lead a comical parade called, “preserving our culture,” but otherwise steer clear of the real business of governing Lagos, which happen mostly in Alausa, and in all the municipal Headquarters of the various Local government authorities in Lagos. Those who determine who governs at Alausa, the electorate, are the real “owners” of Lagos.

The rights of suffrage is a sacred right of citizenship in a democratic republic, and it is the call on the real stake holders within a given territory to exercise their conscience individually, or even in blocs, to determine those to whom they’d hand their mandate for a given number of years. Oba Akiolu’s threat to drown the Igbo in the Lagoon smacks of presumption. It is the kind of overreach that signals for me, the very subjective condition in which the man lives: the illusion of grandeur. The man actually believes that he is the owner of Lagos, and therefore can do anything! I think that the Nigerian police must arrest Rilwan Akiolu for threatening citizens of Lagos with violence, and for an attempt to force people, using the death threat to

DIASPORA MATTERS

Dear South Africans, blame your leaders, not foreigners

T

HERE are various video clips circulating on social media networks of the xenophobic attacks going on in the former apartheid country, South Africa. When I first came across one of these clips earlier this week, my initial reaction was to ignore it and turn over to reputable broadcast news outlets to see if I can get more stories and probably watch "clean" videos of these attacks.

While I was "reading up" on these attacks, the video clips became viral on social media networks. I restrained myself from watching any of them because I was sure they would be very gory. In the same vein, there were lots of horrible stories coming out of the Madiba country.

Many of these stories were told by African brothers and sisters who had, out of fear for their lives, taken early exits from the country.

After a while, I was inclined to click one of these clips, so I could put pictures to the stories I heard. But I restrained myself, because naturally I take more than a "little" caution in watching video clips on the social

media. Being a "student" of social media network, I realised very early that hackers and scammers do use video clips to get access to users' most personal details. I know quite a few “good” people whose reputations were "soiled" for clicking these online video clips. They had no knowledge, that by watching these clips, though in the privacy of their homes, they had become “conduits” for posting nude or pornographic contents on the internet.

I do not watch any of the much "advertised" and circulated Islamic States (IS) videos or those of the "animals in human skin" Shekau-led Boko Haram.

Apart from the fact that they may be too gory for me, I also think watching and sharing the videos of these terrorists is like encouraging their dastardly acts. Why would I want to watch or share the video of a man slashing the throat of another human being, just because he thinks he can play god?

These clips have become so popular that some people watch them online for

entertainment values. They not only watch, they think they owe their friends the duty of forwarding the videos to them. I often query the state of mind of the sharers and ask, what they hope to achieve by the sharing or tagging?

On Thursday morning, a friend of mine forwarded one of the South African video clips to me with the accompanying message: “This is probably the worst video I had seen in recent times. Let me know your views after watching.” My heart sank when I read his message. With the reviews I read online about these clips I had an idea of what the clips would contain. But I still asked myself if I was emotionally ready for it.

The video clip was a gory sight to watch, as human beings (foreigners) were tied up, doused in what looked like petrol and set on fire. It was very graphic. The most distressful part of the clip was onlookers urging the attackers on. It was too much for me to watch, so I stopped it and deleted it from my system.

I could not get over what I saw in the clip. I sank into

secure the election of his candidate. It amounts to an attempt to corrupt the electoral system by threat of force. Nigeria needs to enforce the rule of law, and thus clean out the kind of impunity that distorts the power of the law to contain errant citizens. Rilwan Akiolu must be made an example of the force of Nigerian laws. There is that other part that rankles in Akiolu’s rather grand presumptions: the fact that the Igbo in Lagos are “visitors” under his protection, his goodwill, and that their prosperity has something to do with his benevolence. This is not true.

No Igbo person, indeed no Nigerian from anywhere who came to live in Lagos

The Igbo are not “economic refugees” but rather powerful catalysts in the Economic and political life of Lagos, and in the transformation of Lagos

wrote Rilwan Akiolu a letter first seeking his permission to settle in Lagos. None has asked Akiolu to pay his rent, or his tax, or to lend him money, or get a job for him, or pay his bus fares, or for those who have felt the need for it,pay for their fleeting relief in the warm thighs of Ayilara.

The Igbo are Nigerian citizens, and therefore not “visitors” to Lagos. They

Many old age bachelors or spinsters, especially in the disapora, find themselves in this corner because they simply refuse to be ruled by common sense

my chair and questioned the sensibilities of these South Africans who had descended to the levels of animals in relating to their fellow Africans. I was quick to remind myself that this was actually not the first time South Africans have shown their xenophobic tendencies.

My insight into the height of hatred the South Africans have for their African and Asian brothers and sisters was in 2008 when I was on a chat with a close friend of mine who was resident in the country. He informed me of his intention to relocate out of the country because, according to him “these South African brothers are becoming funny.” He told me how earlier in the week, a few locals had come to his house to harass and threaten to kill him if he did not get

have a constitutionally guaranteed right to go and come as they please in Lagos. There are Igbo indigenes of Lagos – born, bred, and perhaps even confused by Lagos. The Igbo are not “economic refugees” but rather powerful catalysts in the Economic and political life of Lagos, and in the transformation of Lagos, from a small colonial town, to a polyglot mega-city of the 21st century with global capabilities.

Remove the Igbo factor in Lagos, and Lagos ceases to be Lagos as we know it.

Riwalnu Akiolu therefore has nothing for which the Igbo should be grateful to him, or for which they should submit to his will. And this brings me to the other important issue that this Lagos palaver throws up.

It is about the relevance of such anachronisms as the “traditional monarchies” that continue to dot the landscape of this republic.

It is a contradiction in terms that Nigeria describes itself as a “Federal Republic” while still maintaining the appurtenances of the monarchies, and the old principalities and powers that were subdued to create the republic.

Conservative and right wing defenders of these institutionsof the Obas, Obis, and Emirs, say they are there to “preserve our cultures and traditions.”

Again, I ask, what culture and what tradition? Is it the tradition of laws? Well, we choose to live in a modern nation with the new laws of nation. I choose to stand before a judge or magistrate in a properly constituted court with a jury of my peers, rather than before the court of the King and his minions; I choose the rights and freedoms of a modern

republic that grants all persons equality before it, than the law that speaks of the “divine rights of kings,” and therefore these “traditional rulers” do not speak for me. In the 1970s, India, with a longer tradition of ancient monarchies, abolished them all constitutionally, because these tend to create distractions and divisions within a modern democratic and republican state. It is about time Nigerians did the same: we are either a modern nation or we are not. We do not have to “preserve” the worst aspects of the traditions we inherited in the name of “culture.”

These medieval institutions must be fully retired in the museums if this nation wants to establish coherence.

Nigeria must meld under one culture of respect and toleration for the individual rights of the citizen and respect for difference in gender, food, religion, language, ethnicity, conscience, etc. As for the socalled “Ndi Eze Igbo” in Lagos: I hope the video clearly showed them exactly for what they are: court jesters pretending to be “leaders” of the Igbo in Lagos. No Igbo sent these men to Oba Akiolu.

These men do not embody the will of the Igbo. If the Lagos government must know, the only “Eze” that the Igbo know is in their congressional forces when they gather in their various Town Unions. Beyond that, it is all pretense. The Igbo have no kings anywhere, particularly in Lagos. Yet, the Igbo must be seen clearly for what they are: a vital economic and political bloc in Lagos, where their burgeoning interests must be respected and protected. No threat can stop this.

out of South Africa.

Back then, I had no idea of what to make of his comments. A few weeks after the chat with my friend, the news of South Africans killing foreigners, especially Africans, shocked the world.

And ever since, it had become an annual news item.

This year I have heard all the stories coming from South Africa. I had read a few weeks ago that the Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini called on foreigners to pack their bags and go back to where ever they came from.

This, no doubt had buoyed the confidence of his people, as they poured out on to the streets, looting shops owned by foreigners and also hacking them down.

With the blame for the new attacks placed at the door step of King Goodwill Zwelithini, he wasted no time in denying the story credited to him about foreigners. The king said he had been "deliberately mistranslated" by the South African press so as to sell their newspapers. He however, had not told the world anything different from what the media are reporting.

South Africans have zero tolerance for their African brothers and sisters. Their leaders seemed to have brainwashed the citizens that all their economic woes should be blamed on foreigners, especially the ones that run businesses. Or how do you explain the looting of foreign-owned businesses? Any failure of their country is blamed on foreigners.

While the South African economy may not be growing enough to accommodate the number of citizens who had been marginalised as a result of the apartheid regime in past years, they felt foreigners in the country should be blamed for this. It is unfortunate that these types of sentiments are encouraged by leaders in the country.

The ill-informed King Zwelithini and his army of xenophobes should realise that these acts and behaviours have no place in modern society. They should cover their faces in shame as they tag their country as a place where visitors are not usually tolerated. And what a way to advertise the country as a "choice" destination for foreign investors!

As I mused over these unfortunate incidents in the country, my mind flashed back to the apartheid days of South Africa.

I remembered how the world, especially, the African countries, rose to demand self rule for them. Not only did they demand self rule for South Africa, they supported the nationalists with roof over their heads, money, arms and ammunition to fight the colonialists.

Is this a fallout of the failure of the African National Congress-led government? Will this latest "craze" call for re-appraisal of ANC? Can the citizens look inward and maybe consider a change in their political system? Will it be out of place to say ANC has probably outlived its "good"?

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 13

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Page 14 — SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

VIEWPOINT

By Uriah Asemota

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The challenges of pioneering pay-TV in a developing country

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Y first experience of DStv was in 1996, some three years after MultiChoice arrived Nigeria with its pay-TV offering.

It was during that year's Olympic Games, hosted by the city Atlanta.

My family had just moved to a new house and our next door neighbour was a DStv subscriber. In actuality, he was the only one who owned a satellite dish on the entire street at that time. To welcome us to the neighbourhood, our new neighbour invited us over to watch Nigeria play Argentina in the final match of the football event at the Olympics. It is an experience that still remains fresh in my memory, principally because the picture quality was nothing like I had ever seen before. For a man who had watched much of the games (and, indeed television on good old NTA), seeing the vast difference in picture quality raised my excitement. And to crown an already pleasant evening, Nigeria's U-23 team (aka Dream Team) defeated Argentina to win the gold medal.

Nigerians of my generation were raised on a television diet served by the national broadcaster. The national broadcaster opened at 4pm and closed at 10pm on weekdays. On weekends, it opened by noon. Then it got better with arrival of state-owned stations, as we began watching right up to midnight daily.

Then came the fascinating experience of a 24-hour television service. The launch of DStv in the 90s totally changed the way we watch television.

Ideally, being the first to launch a new service in an emerging market or creating a new market altogether should be celebrated.

The many sins of MultiChoice But for some obscure reasons, this is regarded as one of many sins of MultiChoice. Subscribers and competitors seem united in anger against MultiChoice for pioneering pay-TV and keeping it alive and well for over two decades on an extremely difficult terrain.

MultiChoice, without fail, is blamed for the failure of its competitors. Editorials, as a rule, accuse MultiChoice of “killing competition” simply because the company continues evolving and innovating.

When it is not been accused of killing competition, it is branded a monopoly. But neither is correct. There were and there still are competitors to MultiChoice.

What it has succeeded in doing is staying far ahead of the pack that competitors actually require binoculars to see it. This has happened through its acquisition of the most exciting content and innovation, something for which it paid enormous sums. Even when it lost the rights to broadcast some football content a few years ago, it still remained ahead of the pack. The rival that won the bid, as we all know, is no longer in existence. Its inability to pay the amount required to retain the rights to the content, after initially overbidding to acquire it, not MultiChoice, was responsible for its demise. This narrative is well known, but it is omitted because critics find it a useful ammo in their war against the industry leader.

From the days of the huge satellite dishes, which cost over a N100,000 in the 90s, MultiChoice has upgraded its technology to make the DStv service more accessible to the average Nigerian. Because of these new technologies, the DStv dish is more compact, while acquisition, and installation costs are lower.

Today, DStv is widespread with a complete set comprising a dish and decoder costing less than N20,000.

Despite these improvements, Nigerians are quick to highlight every hitch experienced with the DStv service. But is there a technology that doesn’t have shortcomings?

Way back, I used to get angry when I experienced signal degeneration or service interruption whenever it rained. It was not until when I experienced same in the US a few years ago that I realised that the problem is not exclusive to DStv. One day in New York, I was indoors watching the news when a raging storm broke. To my surprise, a message similar to what appears on DStv popped-up on the TV screen, and it went blank.

That incident compelled me to read up about the occurrence on the internet.

The loss of signals when it rains is technically known as “ rain fade”.

Rain fade is a universal problem, but more prevalent in certain climatic conditions. It occurs when the sky is overcast during rainfall or when it snows. It does not need to be raining at a location for the service to be affected by rain fade, as signals travel many miles from the satellite. Digital satellite television providers which operate on the Ku band (such as DStv) or Ka band are faced with this challenge of rain fade. Contrary to the belief that rain fade is unique to DStv and the result of obsolete technology, the phenomenon also occurs in parts of Asia, Europe, South America and North America.

Rain fade may occur less frequently in Europe compared to Africa, as its prevalence is largely due to two factors: differences in rain characteristics in temper-

ate and tropical regions and the quality of your installation.

These factors are ignored, often willfully, when the subject is discussed. DStv's critics prefer the convenient to the factual and have gone out to build-on willful ignorance- a vicious campaign against it.

Another sin of MultiChoice appears to be its decision to make huge investments in sports and entertainment. Our love for football, a huge one at that, has grown beyond the national team to affiliation with different European clubs. Through DStv, a bond between us and those clubs has been created and is, of course, sustained by our daily exposure to their games and news about their activities.

A modern football fan in Nigeria is either a Gunner or Blue; proudly Red and so forth. This is all due to what DStv has created.

MultiChioce's investments in broadcast rights through the years have been heavy. That is expected, given that nothing good comes cheap. It is also entitled to reap dividends on its investments because businesses are set up to do exactly that. These broadcast rights escalate subscription fees. Recently, Sky and BT acquired the EPL rights for the 2016 to 2019 football season for 5.14billion pounds. That transfer of the additional cost to subscribers has already been announced. The announcement has provoked no class action suit, the type we have seen here.

I have also heard a few people blame MultiChoice for our children's difficulty with our indigenous languages. An Igbo friend of mine once wrote a letter to an editor complaining of how his children have learnt to speak Yoruba from watching AfricaM•Asemota, an accountant and agic Yoruba. Having married an Edo woman, it was not feasible businessman, writes from Benin.

Need for 3-digit emergency number VIEWPOINT

By Fidelis Ogbogoh

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

The road to a more effective rescue regime

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T was agonising as Nigerians read that the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Alhaji Abdullahi Minkaila, his wife, Zulaiha and their two children, Aisha and Asmau, died in an inferno that their home was of April 13.

The sad news sent shock waves across the country, and the question many asked was “Where was the Kano State Fire Service?” The Kano incident cannot be understood if Nigerians do not know in the 774 Local Government Areas of the federation, only 244 Fire Stations can be relied on in situations of emergencies.

Some states have no fire stations.

Most of the states have two or three ill-equipped and poorly-manned fire stations. Most firemen in Nigeria have only basic defensive firefighting know-how. Majority of the fire stations across the country are accommodated within dilapidated buildings, and their equipment and appliances are very few. Today, fire outbreaks can hardly be contained because as a nation, we have never

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been serious with how to deal with fire emergencies.

The situation is compounded by the fact that emergency numbers, where they exist, are usually 11 digits mobile phone numbers that are hardly remembered in emergencies. This unfortunate situation would be changed, and victims promptly helped, if we can shorten our emergency number to just three digits. People can easily memorise the three-digit number as against the present eleven-digit mobile phone number used to request emergency aid. If we were operating a three-digit national emergency number system, the Chibok girls could have remembered it, could have been home today.

This is why the National Assembly should, as a matter of urgency; pass a bill that enables the use of three-digit emergency number to shorten time required for citizens to request emergency services from relevant government agencies. Currently, there are thousands of different emergency phone numbers throughout the federation, and the present telephone exchange boundaries and central office service areas do not necessarily complement one another. Provision of a single, primary three digit emergency number

through which emergency services can be quickly and efficiently obtained would provide a significant contribution to law enforcement and emergency response by relevant establishments.

Emergency telephone number is always a special case in any country’s telephone number plan.

The system should be set up so that once a call is made to an emergency telephone number, it must be answered. Should the caller abandon the call, the line should still be held until the emergency services answer and releases the call. An emergency telephone number call should be answered by either a telephone operator or an emergency service dispatcher.

The nature of the emergency (police, fire, medical) is then determined. If the call has been answered by a telephone operator, he then connects the call to the appropriate emergency service that then dispatches the appropriate help. In the case that multiple services would be needed on a call, the most urgent need would immediately be determined, with other services alerted and called in, as may be needed. Emergency dispatchers should be trained to control the call in order to provide help in an appropriate manner; they can be assisted by computer aided call

for him to speak his language dialect at home. And as is common in many cross-cultural marriages, in which wives and husbands do not understand their respective indigenous languages, my friend's children are unable to speak Igbo. Curiously, this was blamed on MultiChioce- for not having an Igbo channel. Thankfully, AfricaMagic Igbo channel is now available. But I wonder if it is right to blame a pay-TV company for our children's inability to speak our local languages.

MultiChoice is also perceived as arrogant and unresponsive to customer complaints. As a small business owner, I understand that poor customer service is a general problem which most serviceoriented businesses in Nigeria are contending with. Whenever, I get poor service at a restaurant, bank or from a call centre agent, I have learnt not take it out on the organisation. The reason is not farfetched. Whether it is a multinational or indigenous establishment, the staff are Nigerians.

Sure, there is room for improvement in this area, but it should not be enough to provoke an allout war against MultiChoice.

The lack of parking space and the long queues at MultiChoice branches are simply not acceptable. Rather than breaking MultiChoice down, new indigenous pay-TV operators should step up their game.

After all said and done, what makes a premium brand premium? Other than pricing and the tangible worth of the brand, it is quality. It is a consistent show of attention to detail and top-notch service. When one pays for a premium service such as DStv, expectations are high. My view is that to a large extent, the expectations are being met in the quality of programming as well as audiovisual quality.

handling systems.

National legislators should, as a matter of national concern and interest, establish a uniform, nationwide emergency number, through the “Emergency Telephone System Act”, for any threedigit number to be used as the primary emergency telephone number throughout Nigeria. The law should encourage State governments to develop and improve emergency communication procedures and facilities in a manner that enhances quick respond to any emergency calls.

This bill should ensure that all emergency calls can be easily directed to the emergency communication centre within the locality of the caller. Telecommunication service in Nigeria is largely provided by GSM mobile networks.

Most GSM mobile phones have pre-programmed emergency numbers that are always available.

Using an emergency number recognised by a GSM phone like 112 instead of another emergency number will be advantageous, since GSM phones and networks give special priority to emergency calls. On some networks, a GSM phone without a SIM card may be used to make emergency calls and most GSM phones accept a larger list of emergency numbers without

SIM card. The NCC should require networks to route every mobile-phone and payphone 911 call to an emergency service call centre. Such call centres should be located in each of the six geo-political zones of the federation and reroute as appropriate. Emergency responders should be able to locate callers who use the emergency numbers.

The Bill for this Act should be given accelerated hearing. Disasters, both natural and man-made, will continue to place enormous and extraordinary burden on our communities, until government develops a performance-based system that can deal with daily emergencies. The system should define the basic objectives of government policies and procedures that should be used to achieve these goals. It must also tie together the activities of all three tiers of government, and coordinate the operations of various public and private organizations in order to provide the most effective and efficient utilisation of available resources in fighting emergencies. It should guide official activities before, during and after each disaster situation.

•Ogbogoh, a retired Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, is an Abuja based integrated risks and disaster management consultant.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, Page 15

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

OKOWA’S VICTORY: URHOBOS AND POLITICAL TRANSMORGRIFICATION Dear Sir, “Politics are almost as exciting as war, And quite as dangerous.

In war you Can only be killed once, but in Politics many times.”

SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

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t is a mathematical certainty that the tid al surge of apodictic euphony that greets success and the lugubrious gloom that characterizes failure are always brought to an oxymoronic focus when they are at play in politics. Hence, failure is an orphan but success has a thousand and one friends.

The empirical testability of this philosophical dictum was profoundly played out when the Urhobos (Great Ogboru-LP and Emerho O’tega-APC) lost woefully to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa-PDP in the Delta State gubernatorial election. Chief Great Ogboru scored 130,028 votes while Senator Ifeanyi Okowa scored 724,680 votes.

It is platitudinously axiomatic that there are multidimensional strategies and tactics for winning elections in Nigeria. They include but not limited to tribal sentiments, numerical superiority, thuggery, rigging, ballot box snatching, manipulation of results, assassinations, extra judicial killings, kidnappings, institution-

alization of intimidation, blackmail, propaganda, media hype and social rascality. Hence, Wendell Philips in his 1864 address to congress posited that “politicians are like the bones of a horse’s foreshoulder – not a straight one in it.”

But the Urhobos of Delta State have all these political weaponry at their beck and call. But they failed must sordidly in the 2015 gubernatorial election in Delta State, because of crass disunity.

Three months to the 2015 general elections the arrow head of Urhobo political socio-cultural fulcrum, the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) was in total schmaltzy of political and leadership contretemps (Joe Omene’s group Vs Onoge’s group). The ‘bandwagon effect’ of this state of gross political salmagundi led to the failure of Urhobo candidates during the PDP’s convention in Asaba, Delta State.

That was what sounded the political death-knell of the Urhobo gubernatorial ambition. This commenced the fire brigade action of gravitating and junketing from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) etc. When push came to shove there was the compound and sagacious need for the Urhobos to unite under one party and to feature one credible Urhobo gubernatorial candidate.

Chief Great Ogboru of

the LP took the politically algebraic position that if he wins under the LP he will start hobnobbing and will work with the APC (Buhari’s presidency). But Emerho O’tega of the central party APC had perspicuous cerebral fluidity that with the APC at the center he and his APC deserve to carry the gubernatorial banner for the Urhobos in Delta State.

They both refused to step down for the other so that the Urhobos could have one gubernatorial candidate standing against the formidable wiles and Machiavellian craftiness of the PDP. The Urhobo Elders, Leaders of Thought and Concern Urhobos etc. ad-

viced on the need for there to be unity in the pursuit and defence of Urhobo interest in the gubernatorial political struggle. But Chief Great Ogboru and Emerho O’tega thought otherwise. The consequences of their political rascality, heedlessness and mulish obduracy led to the landslide victory for the Governor-elect Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, apart from the serious campaigns to all nooks and crannies of Delta State.

The PDP used every advantage and clandestinely furtive descartian manipulation to win the gubernatorial and other elections in Delta State.

The disunity of the Urhobo people and the

stubbornness of their two gubernatorial candidates reminds us of the metaphor of ‘the two self-opinionated antelopes’. The story runs thus: two stubborn antelopes full of the metastatic malady of egocentrism, edacity and Luciferous arrogance met on a single lane bridge. They both refused to go back so that one could cross before the other. Driven by pride and the clamorous plaudit of their hypocritical supporters they both fell into the river and got drowned.

We hope these excess luggages of disunity, treacher y, lily-livered monetization of political conscience, skullduggery, prestidigitation, abraca-

dabra and ventriloquisms

by Urhobo politicians, voters and totality of the Urhobo nation will undergo radical political surgoenization and morphological transmogrification after the 2015 elections and before, during and after the 2019 elections. We say congratulations to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa the governorelect, PDP and Deltans in general. In genuine rotation of power lies the pulchritude and majesty of democracy. Delta State must set forth at dawn.

CHIEF BOBSON GBINIJE, MANDATE AGAINST POVERTY (MAP), WARRI.

A MEMO TO NIGERIAN POLITICIANS Dear Sir,

T

HE political office holders must jus tify people's confidence by striving to fulfill their promises to the people, because, it is by fulfilling the promises that the change of government will have meaning to them.

Fundamental issues affecting the country such as insecurity, corruption, unemploy-

ment and poor power supply should be given prompt attention. Also the political consciousness of the people is now high and they will no longer vote for those who cannot add value to their lives.

Nigerian politicians should repent of their wicked ways in order not to incur the wrath of God. Nigerian politicians are selfish and greedy. They need a change iof heart.

Also, Nigerians should rededicate themselves to the service of God and humanity as that the difficult situations facing the country demands a lot of sacrifice from both the leaders and the led .

Nigerian leaders and politicians need to make the fear of God the bedrock of their dealings with the people, so that peace and prosperity will prevail in the land Men of God should always pray for the nation's leaders so that

they will be able to surmount every obstacle on the way and lead well, so that Nigeria can attain greatness, peace, tranquility and blessings.

Revd. Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel, The President, The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM) International, Lagos babasekunderin@yahoo.com 08033733470

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015

BY ADEBIMPE BALOGUN

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HESE are the types of state ments expected of our State Governments given the current direction of the economy. Taking a short step back into history, it is clear that Oil became the major source of Nigeria’s revenue in the 1970s while other sectors of the economy which had put Nigeria on the map in the past slowly became redundant. A prime example of one of the sectors sacrificed on the ‘altar of oil’ is the Agricultural sector.

The Agricultural sector was spread across four regions; North, East, West and the Mid West. Each region was known for key export oriented agricultural produces as follows; The North was known for its groundnut, cotton, hides and skin; the East for its palm produce and coal; the West for its Cocoa and the Mid West for its rubber and timber.

At that time, the resources were mainly used for individual regions and the Revenue balance remitted to the Federal Government. Unfortunately, there is now a reversal of sorts as almost all State Governments rely primarily on statutory allocations to perform basic functions. Many States become totally handicapped in terms of running costs without these Federal monthly allocations.

Where we are today (Image source:- Presentation to the Media on January 13, 2015 by Forum for Inclusive Nigerian Development) It is no longer news that Nigeria’s “oil is depleting”. Furthermore, the reduction in global oil prices and volume demands has now made diversification of the Nigerian economy from over-dependence on oil a mandatory policy issue. Oil Revenue dependence has essentially ‘milked the cow dry’.

Statistically, State Governments generate only 15% of their Revenue and depend on Federal Allocation for further sustenance. Unfortunately, this is no longer sustainable.

With the forthcoming elections in focus, every Governorship candidate debate should be focused on the planned strategy for a miraculous turn-around from Oil dependence to self sustainability. There is no doubt that a deliberate plan to stop leakages, wastages and corrupt practices in the system is imperative but this will only make sense where the inflow is certain.

This therefore means that there is a greater need for the State Governments to consider alternatives for Revenue Generation.

A review of the figures (see attached table) from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, show that in 2012, the IGR, for the 36 states of Nigeria was about N 555 billion, out of which the 19 states of the North generated N87billion or 15%; the South West generated N261.2 billion or 47%; the South-South accounted for N150 billion or 27% and the South East N45 billion or 8%. In other words, the South generated N468 or 85 % of the total IGR for 2012.

Eight states, namely Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Kano, Kwara, and Sokoto, had no data for 2012. The reason for this may not be totally unconnected to political reasons or inefficiency in the administrative machineries of the states. Whatever the reasons the people of these States must hold their Governors accountable.

Lagos, as expected, generated the highest IGR in 2013, bringing in N384.259billion equivalent to 76.9% of its 2013 budget of N499.10 billion. South-South: Rivers N87.9 billion, South-East: Enugu N20.2 billion, North-Cen-

Developing internally generated revenue in an era of diversification “Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State on Tuesday expressed concern over what he described as the dwindling internally generated revenue of the state. He said the IGR was no longer sufficient for development. Yero said rather than depending on the state IGR and the meagre allocation from the Federation allocation from the Federation Account, the state would soon commence a developmental programme which would serve taxpaying residents. (culled from Metro News September 24 2014)

•Dr. Okonjo Iweala tral: Kwara N13.83 billion, NorthWest: Katsina N6.85 billion, and North-East: Taraba N3.34 billion.

This is the significance of the difference between Lagos and other states in the federation. Ultimately, a single State had Revenue 86.22% higher than some of the 13 states together (N 206.344billion in that year). The NBS data showed that no other state was able to go beyond the 30 percent mark for IGR as a percentage of budgeted expenditure for 2013. This implies that most states will be unable to pay salaries if the slide in oil prices persists.

Further analysis of the NBS IGR data shows the following; •Akwa Ibom’s IGR of N15.39 billion was equivalent to 3.25% of its 2013 budget of N470.1 billion.

•Bayelsa’s IGR of N10.5 billion is equivalent to 3.45% of its 2013 budget of N304.05 billion, •Delta States IGR of N50.2 billion is equivalent to 10.63% of its 2013 budget of N472 billion.

•Anambra State’s 2013 IGR of N8.73 billion is only equivalent to 7.87% of its 2013 budget of N110.9 billion, •Taraba’s IGR of N3.34 billion is equivalent to 4.57% of its 2013 budget of N73 billion, and •Yobe’s IGR of N3.072 billion represents just 3.46% of its budgeted N88.6 billion for 2013.

•Plateau State comes in at just 6.3% as IGR as percentage of the N133.4 billion it budgeted for 2013, while •Katsina’s IGR of N6.85 billion is equivalent to 6% of its 2013 budget of N114.1 billion.

The analysis only corroborates the assertion that most Nigerian states are not viable without oil allocations from the centre. The ‘curse’ of the oil dependency only encouraged government officials to pay little attention to growing the economic base which would have helped the States become more independent (Agu, 2011).

Where we need to be It is generally accepted that ‘adversity breeds creativity’. Lagos State did not receive its Federal Allocation for a period of about five years or more and it was forced to become self-sufficient as a State.

It is hoped that the pressure to diversify and focus less on the center will force States to explore alter-

•Gov. Abubakar Musa natives to improving their revenue base.

Today, Lagos remains self sufficient and generates at least 75% of its Revenue from its IGR. This has been facilitated by implementing a customized database with the associated infrastructure based on cutting-edge technology. The technology simplifies revenue collection and tax administration in the following ways; •Eliminates all sources of revenue leakages especially through Taxpayers, Revenue officials, and Banks.

•Created an online Database in respect of Taxpayers whose taxpaying habits are monitored real-time.

•Generates with a high degree of accuracy projected revenue of future periods from all sources.

•Generates reports showing revenue distribution by revenue type and revenue agency.

•Shows distribution of revenue collected geographically Many States are not enhancing their capacities to collect or expand their tax bases. Every year the same figures are projected as total internally generated revenue in their budgets while corresponding personnel costs increase. Any reduction in the collection of statutory revenue from the federation account will result in personnel costs being unpaid. This makes such States not economically viable for existence (El Rufai, 2012).

The challenges associated with IGR collection are as follows; •Lack of adequate information on taxpayers. Taxpayers can easily avoid reporting their income to the State.

•Lack of cooperation from the taxpayers. Many Nigerians (even within the tax net) do not feel obligated to Government; therefore they do not consider paying tax as a civic responsibility.

•Insufficient information on the logic and significance of taxes.

Certain taxpayers who might be willing to pay are not motivated to do so.

•Lack of uniformity in the incidence of taxation. Most taxpayers believe that they are unfairly levied. There are no standard structures and modalities for tax assessment in Nigeria, and the problem has created distrust between collectors and payers.

•Complexity of the tax system

and a lack of explanation with respect to tax obligations by the Nigerian government. Most taxpayers do not understand what is required of them. Many taxpayers cannot distinguish between PAYE, WHT or VAT, even among the intellectuals much less calculate the tax base or tax liability in any of these cases.

•Inadequate training and preparation of tax inspectors. Most tax officials tend to be poorly educated and lack the basic knowledge and techniques to communicate. Many Tax inspectors tend to be very aggressive, thereby putting the taxpayer on the defensive.

Some States have commenced the process, by partnering with some Banks for the collection purposes. This reduces the high level of leakage associated with the collection of cash by Government agencies. However, there is a need to establish this process with the following activities; •Introduce electronic data processing of all Taxpayer information. This will create easy access to taxpayer information and gain the same advantages as Lagos State •Training and retraining Revenue Officers in the use of enabling laws •Improving the administrative machinery to eliminate bottlenecks and bureaucracy in process flows •Improving Taxpayer Service and Education All States of the Federation have the potential to survive on IGR if the right parameters are set out for them. States are often considered weak in the IGR management because most of them don’t have comprehensive data on who should pay tax or the key economic activities that can generate tax income, issues such as this has always affected the revenue flow from internally generated sources .It is therefore important for these governments to look inwards and start to engage in resource development by encouraging Public-Private Partnership within their localities. Apart from improving economic activities it also creates an expanded tax base.

Conclusion The belief in many quarters is that it is the statutory allocations that can make a State perform its civic duties. States that have the 13% derivation allocated to them are con-

sidered as having the leverage to perform better but this has not been the case. The potentials of states are hidden within their territories and must be explored and exploited urgently. History has also shown the possibilities. It should be noted that Lagos State does not enjoy the extra allocation (13% derivative) from oil, yet it remains the highest performing State.

If the right parameters are set out all states in the federation can generate enough revenue without depending on the statutory allocations from the central government (Omoigui Okauru, 2012). However, if there is insufficient data on eligible taxpayers and the major activities that can generate tax, most states would not be able to maximise their tax potential for revenue generation.

The state boards of internal revenues should also be empowered to provide a one-stop shop for tax collection. Other sources of revenues like stamp duties; levies and fees collected by the state and local government should be enhanced. The use of information technology should be introduced across board to ensure a comprehensive data base for the tax payers. (Oseni Michael, 2013).

This is the time for us as Nigerians to call on leadership both at the Federal and State levels to: •Create transparent, evidencebased plans to support economic diversification •Implement those plans with public oversight, transparency and accountability •Move from direct ownership of economic assets to regulating private sector investment •Make complementary investments in public infrastructure and human capital •Diversify revenue sources by broadening the tax base and collecting taxes efficiently, transparently and fairly It is important to remember that, well-targeted public policies, regulations and investments in key sectors can contribute to growth, and this growth will contribute to government revenue.

While good governance cannot be over emphasized, the citizenry also needs to be aware that there is a need to; •Advocate for transparent, evidence-based plans to support economic diversification •Hold leaders accountable for implementing those plans with public oversight, transparency and accountability •Advocate for high quality public investments and effective service delivery in education, health, transport, power, etc.

•Advocate for fair and efficient taxation, and pay taxes as a citizen investing in the future of the country This write up has focused mainly on the importance of Internally Generated Revenue at State Levels but this is not to the exclusion of the responsibilities of both Nigerian leaders and Citizens to be accountable as outlined above.

The big question now is how much of this is being discussed in political manifestos to enable the electorate consider and determine who has their best interest at heart and who knows exactly what to do.

Nigerians!!!!! the CALL is ours NOW. •Adebimpe Balogun, Managing Partner/CEO Saffron Professional Services; Member, Forum for Inclusive Nigerian Development (FIND).

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 17

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How a fan kissed my cleavage and got a hug

Why I took bikini photos – Anita Joseph

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urvy and voluptuous Nollywood actress and singer, Anita Joseph, has seen it all and done just about everything that kicks with capital A-attitude.

Talk of controversies, Anita eats them like snacks. Talk of doing sensual scenes, Anita has many in her kitty. Semi nude photos?

They are like breakfast to her. But there is one thing the lively, friendly and jovial actress hasn’t done- taking a bikini photo shoot. She did that recently with some doses of swag and she made sure her friends and fans saw it all as she posted them on her various social media platforms. “ Basically, I wasn’t looking to make any statement by the bikini shoots” she told me when I asked her the big idea behind the whole shindig. “ I have been stressed out lately because I have been working very hard, from one job to another. So, I just went out to ease the stress with a couple of my girlfriends. Then, I thought, what the hell, I haven’t had a bikini photo shoot before and I decided to have some” In our discussion, the actress also let off a secret but wasn’t willing to share the details.

As alluring as she looks, she seems to be taken as she told us she has found love and may very well be looking at the altar.

– Enitan Odugbemi

F

ast-rising Yoruba actress, Enitan Odugbemi, doesn’t really bare it all or come across as the show girl that would have her nature’s gifts splashing in •Enitan your face, but then, she is shaped in a way Odugbemi that makes her difficult to ignore. Even when you are not the boobs-loving type Enitan still has the goods to make you want to look at her the second time.

As another endowed Yoruba actress, Adediwura Blarkgold once told Potpourri that she was not in the A category as Ronke Ojo or Foluke Daramola, Enitan too, may be shy of the A-category but certainly would have a place in the B or C category. At least a couple of her pictures strewn all over the Internet would bear mewitness.

In fact it was while looking at one of such juicy pictures that my curiosity came calling. To put the hormones at bay, I reached out to her on BBM and asked her why there was always her cleavage on show. “I have got great boobs and nice cleavage. I know it and I love it” she told me.

Knowing there aren’t many men with strong hearts to resist the temptation it brings, I asked her if she had faced any sort of harassment in the past. She had. “The incident happened in London at Oxford Street. A guy saw me and walked up to me and asked if I am an actress, saying my face looks familiar to him. I smiled and said yes. Next thing he asked if he could hug me and I said no problem. Instead of a hug the guy reached out and kissed my cleavage. I was so mad I slapped him right away. Later I realised what I did was not good and I ran after him and hugged him. Since then we have been friends” she narrated.

Enitan is at the post-production stage of her next movie ‘Rado Lomo’, a film about crime and love.

I was born in a taxi – Tosyn Bucknor

T

OSYN Bucknor is one of Nigeria’s most popular on-air personalities.

The Top Radio 90.9 presenter is the only female radio presenter in Nigeria who handles a morning show by herself. As a recording artiste, she has worked with the likes of Skales, Rooftop MCs and Eva, as well as producers like Coldflames, Knighthouse, Micworx and Cobhams.

The petite radio host disclosed during a recent #MySuperStarStory session that she was born in a taxi while her mum was on her way to visit a friend. She went on to reveal that after finishing school and getting her dream job however, her radio career almost ended prematurely because she was always giggling on air. She recounted that at a point, someone wrote a newspaper article saying that Top Radio will never succeed unless “the girl who is always giggling” is taken off air. Her boss also revealed that several people wanted him to take her off air.

She further revealed that what kept her going was hard work and hours spent •Tosyn perfecting what she did until Bucknor she eventually became successful and her dreams started to come true.

Shirley Ofou in Houston to shoot another movie

•Anita Joseph

B

usty and beautiful actress, Shirley Oke Ofou jetted out of the country on Wednesday to be part of a movie project in Houston, Texas USA. The Delta State born actress who lived in the UK for a long time returned to the country four years ago to pursue her dream career.

“Basically I’ve been back to Nigeria for four years to chase my dream because I want to be an actress, that’s something I’m born into, let me put it that way.

I’ve been around, trying to pave the way and last year I think I did a couple of movies, about six movies; one actually just came out titled ‘Mr. Ibu and the Akwa Ibom Girls’ then I’ve done Coming to Lagos, Chess Players, Family and Friends, Wanted Girls, Perfect Snake, and a couple of others, some not out yet’ she told Potpourri in a chat.

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

PAGE 18, SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

War in Nollywood over piracy T

he blame game is always a dirty game.

And it gets dirtier when it is played with coloration that may have some racial or tribal undertones. This is something Nollywood actor and producer, Kunle Afolayan learnt the hard way when he vented his anger through tweets over the pirating of his latest movie ‘October 1’.

As soon as he tweeted that most (over 90%) sellers of pirated movies are Igbo he was besieged with scathing comments from his colleagues, who are of Igbo extraction. Most of his colleagues, including Uche Jombo, Zik Zulu, Charles Novia, to mention but a few, swooped on him to challenge his allegation

which most of them, being Igbo, felt was a direct insult on their kinsmen.

Kunle immediately deleted the tweets and apologised to his colleagues, but the damage was already done and few thought the apology was a cheap way out. Since then, his tweets have been subject of discussion, hot debate and even division among practitioners.

Perhaps, the most venomous critic of Kunle’s summation on the matter of piracy in the country is Charles Novia, a Nollywood practitioner renowned for his acerbic comments on the people of the make-believe world. Charles Novia openly attacked Kunle and likened his situation to that of Nollywood

star, Mel Gibson, who according to Charles, went under and lost his relevance, after his much publicised anti-Semitic rants against Jews.

For Kunle who had been very quiet after his tweets and apologies, that was a comment he would not have without throwing a jab of his own.

He had invested some N150 million in the film ‘October 1’, and seeing the lot of it being drained down the pockets of some accursed pirates is certainly an edgy thing and to have someone breathing down his neck, telling him how his future would shape out may just be too much to take. At least Kunle made this clear in his reply to Charles’ comments

It’s small minds who see failures in other people’s success, Charles Novia replies Kunle Afolayan •Charles •CharlesNovia Novia

O

bviously moved by Kunle’s reaction to his earlier summation on Kunle’s reference to the Igbo as the dominant tribe in the shady business of piracy, the Nollywood critic felt he was misunderstood and sought to clear the air.

“It is unfortunate that people don’t read very well or if they do, they prefer to see what they want to see rather than what was intended”, he began.

“Kunle Afolayan mentioned that in comparing his statement about Igbo pirates to Mel Gibson, that I wished his career an automatic death. On my blog, here’s what I wrote in that paragraph “ It got some measure of creative indiscretion, yesterday, when filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, went on a tweet rage about Igbo and Piracy. He has since apologised but apologies don’t really heal these kind of things. It will take a long time. In this social media age, people don’t forget even if they forgive. Mel Gibson’s film career practically died a few years ago when he went on an antiSemitic rant against Jews when he was pulled over by a policemen in

America. He has been apologising and trying to make amends ever since but his career seems to have nose-dived since then. I like Kunle a lot and know he made a Freudian slip but it is one from which I am sure he would have to discover another part of himself’.(www.charlesnoviadaily.com ) How that wishes him ill beats me. I don’t have to defend myself to anyone on things I write. No one. Ascribing an opinion to one being jealous of another person’s progress is common in these parts and don’t faze me. October 1, I reviewed and gave high props on blogs and tweets since last year. On this group yesterday, I gave a concise treatise on piracy across tribes. It’s small minds who see failures in other people’s successes. At the risk of being immodest, I have gone beyond Nollywood and presently about to launch my own TV channel in November/December. Won’t content providers like Kunle benefit from such?” he shot back.

•Kunle Afolayan

I

“

have tried as much as possible to restrain myself from engaging in trade of words with colleagues all in the name of “it’s is one industry ” but the truth is, there has never been one industry and there never will be one” he says in his reaction posted on a Naijahottestgist platform.

“When I cried out last week about the piracy development, the likes of Charles Novia. who, in his article mentioned he likes me bla bla but doubt if I will ever rise again comparing me to Mel, ARE YOU GOD? I stand here to tell you that 100 million of you cannot stop me nor my progress. My tradition as a Yoruba man frowns at disrespecting of elders whether in age, rank or

100 million of you cannot stop my progress, Kunle Afolayan tells Charles Novia

status which was why I have tolerated some of you up till now”.

“I am not an hypocrite but a professional filmmaker and practitioner. How many of you have taken out time, resources and energy toward film projects? I have always accorded my senior colleagues the respect due to them including Charles, Fidelis & co but it is so clear that success has more enemies than friends. I am tired of all these Ojuaye champagne. Like I said before, it is my turn now, it may be your turn tomorrow. Just wait and see how these whole thing will turn out. With God and sincere supporters on my side, I shall triumph” he said.

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

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 19 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

I have a list of pirates, all Igbo, no Yoruba, Gabosky says

A

s shocking as it may sound, one of Nollywood’s biggest marketer who is of Igbo extradition, Gabosky (who is said to be a former movie pirate) has backed Kunle Afolayan’s claim that most movie and music pirates are Igbo.

‘When I went in to fight this group in Alaba, we had a fight that lasted for two hours. I am telling you that when I went into Ubakason Plaza and Obosi Plaza; the den of these pirates, 99 per cent of the people that are trading there are Igbo, so I don’t know why you just want to take criminality and start joining it with politics’.

Not done, he went further to say he had names of pirates

and there was no Yoruba man on the list, “I am bitter. I am frustrated. Kunle Afolayan is also bitter and frustrated.

Kunle is like somebody whose wife has been slept with by somebody else and you find out that the man who slept with his wife has a tribe and he is complaining about what the tribe did to him and you are now asking him why he is mentioning a tribe. Nobody is addressing the fact that this man borrowed over N150 million to shoot a film and has not gotten a Naira back and he is showcasing his frustration; telling everybody: ‘Look what I am facing’ yet nobody is asking him about his pains or the challenges he is faced

with. Let me tell you what he is facing – Kunle Afolayan shot a movie and gave the movie to an Igbo man called Gabosky who owns G Media to distribute.

The man produced the movie and brought it into the market.

I came back to him and told him what I was facing; that the movie was being pirated and that I needed to find out what was going on. I went round the country because I have outlets in all the states and found out that the movies were being pirated and I began compiling names and I can tell you that the names I compiled did not have the name of a single Yoruba man in it. They are all Igbo and I have the list.”

Nobody wants to promote a new artiste in Nigeria —Mayano

Nollywood seeks funds for ailing Prince James Uche

F

By ANOZIE EGOLE

I

smail Olasunkanmi Moshood, aka, Mayano, is leaving no stone unturned in his musical career as he has set his path in the industry with the release of a new musical video of his single, “Gbodomi” which is enjoying massive airplay barely few days after its release.

The Ebute Metta born rapper, who is getting the attention he needs with his rapping prowess and his unique singing style, seems not to be finding it funny with the way some people, especially music producers, treat up and coming artistes.”I started singing in 2013 and got signed by Mjee in that same year. I will say that for me doing music is easier now unlike when I started nobody wants to promote a new artiste. Now, I am signed to a record label who are giving me the support that I need. But then when I started newly, it was not like that”. He said.

After the success of his recently released single “Bamisoro” featuring Skales, the Mjay Records signee, Mayano is back again with another smash single titled “Gbodomi”. It is produced by Echo and mastered by Suka Sound, supported with a great video and directed by Unlimited L A. The video was shot in Elegushi beach in Lagos, featuring some notable DJs and artistes in the industry. Gbodomi is a pulsating fusion that will become a major party anthem.

•Mayano

dialysis as he is lying critrom the President, ically ill in the hospital.

Actors Guild of No amount is too small.

Nigeria, to every Kindly pay to this account member of the make: Cletus Ojukwu Torino, believe association, the First Bank, account urgent matter at hand is number, 3012226114. how to raise funds for Please lets keep him ailing actor, Prince James alive.

Uche who has been battling with failed kidneys and a bad heart.

The movie practitioners have taken over the social media soliciting funds. The broadcast message r e a d s ” Comrade Prince James Uche has kidney failure and needs •Uche money for urgent

Trending new music and videos

R

eminsce has dropped new record, as usual he dropped some barz that will later stick on the lips of his fans. This new hot bang is titled ‘Skilashii’ and was produced by Sarz Talented singer, Ketchup,

has premiered his first video of the year for his single ‘Holy MIC directed by Joseph Dreams, the colourful video is a series of high definition shots depicting the singer richly clad while dancing and reeling out his lines.

Samklef is back with another winner, Gbese, featuring YBNL Shoki master, Lil Kesh, Gbese which literally means ‘remove your leg’ in Yoruba language is directed by JayPizzle. This is expected to be another hit after Samklef ’s Ajo ma Jaiye

featuring Small Doctor and Falz.

Aristokrat Reccords hit maker LeriQ releases the visual to his smash hit single ‘Say You Love Me’ featuring Star Boy, Wizkid. It is the third single off his anticipated de-

but album. The album titled ‘The lost sound’ drops in a matter of weeks. The video is directed by Mex and Aristikrat Visions. There are many juicy scenes with hot girls frolicking with the singers

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

PAGE 20, SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Why I can’t marry a fellow actor - Seyi Ashekun

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

S

eyi Ashekun is fast carving a niche for herself as an actress to watch out for. The curvy role interpreter will tell anyone who cares to listen that she isn’t just getting roles because she is curvy, but because she has what it takes to deliver. Last year, she clinched the award for the Best Actress at the Best of Nollywood awards. The Ogun state born actress opened up on her sex for roles and why she desires the bum of Kim Kadarshian, among other issues.

Why did you decide to become an actress?

I wanted to be a Newscaster or a TV presenter until I got the opportunity to act in a soap opera in 2006.This really opened my eyes to acting is a good profession. I decided to go for it and here I am today.

What is the best part of being an actress?

The best part of being an actress is the recognition one gets through it. You can imagine how thrilled people are when they see you and how they are ready to help out if you are a personality they love.

What is your opinion on sex for roles. Have you experienced such?

I’ve never been desperate enough for such experience. I studied Mass Communications and I graduated with a good grade, so I can do other things. People around me know that,acting is not a do or die affair for me.

What encouragement will you give to those starting out in the acting career?

They have to be ready to take things one day at a time. A baby never walks the same day it’s born, so they should be ready to grow through the experiences they are sure to have.

What is the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard or read about yourself?

One of such is that I condemned some of my colleagues whose marriages have broken.

I’m not married so how can I see myself as an authority on such a topic?

I read somewhere that there was a time you wanted to quit acting. How true is that?

There have been a number of times when I considered getting a white collar job. Acting C M Y K

takes a lot from you financially in the beginning and doesn’t give you anything back. I was working for years and not making enough, it was really frustrating but I thank God for His support.

You were also quoted in an interview, saying you desire to have the bum of Kim Kadarshian. What prompted that statement?

Each time I remember that, I literally laugh out loud.

Let me start by saying I believe in looking and feeling good, so I don’t judge people when they decide to do things that boost their confidence.

Confidence makes people more attractive. However, I do not like pains and for that, I don’t see myself going under the knife to enhance anything. I made that statement when a reporter asked me what I might get done if I ever considered cosmetic surgery. Saying that really doesn’t mean I would go for it.

What new projects are you working on?

I’m planning on shooting two movies concurrently soon.

Tell me about your first experience as a movie producer, did you make any profit from the movie?

I got to know that being a producer and playing a major role in the same production is no child’s play. I didn’t make profit, but I got back the money I invested. I got a best actress award which I don’t think has been heard of with anyone in my level. I was recognized to a considerable extent. I also got more fans who now give me a reason to do more.

It’s said that actresses don’t get married early and are promiscuous .What do you make of that?

I have seen bankers and doctors who don’t get married until they are well into their 30s.

Omotola Jalade who happens to be my role model, is an actress and a married mother of four. I know other actresses who got married in their 20s and are still married. Promiscuity has nothing to do with the profession. People talk about actresses because they are

known.

Would you say being curvy has gotten you more roles?

I’ve only gotten roles based on my ability to interpret them not as a result of being curvy What makes you cry?

The thought of children in distress, I can’t stand that one bit.

It makes me cry What is your general opinion on marriage and love?

I believe marriage is necessary. After all, it was ordained

by God. I however believe it is meant for mature people, people who are ready psychologically and are capable of loving other people beside themselves.

How bad can you be in a movie?

I will only go as far as decency allows. No extreme exposure of skin.

I’ve never been desperate enough for such experience. I studied Mass Communications and I graduated with a good grade, so I can do other things.

People around me know that,acting is not a do or die affair for me.

What is your definition of a sexy woman?

A sexy woman is one who has confidence in herself. She is the one who understands that when it comes to serious business, men prefer women with brains than body.

Can you date someone in the movie industry?

I don’t like so much attention where my love life is concerned, I like to be the only public figure. As an entertainer myself, I really don’t like to date men who are in the entertainment industry.

What changes do you want to see in the movie industry?

I want the industry to be more profitable. I want people to be able to make good profit on their investments. It is really frustrating when you spend so much and get so little.

What would you regard as a memorable day in your life?

The day I won Best of Nollywood Award in the best actress (Yoruba) category. I used to think that was an award that came with age or years of experience. It turned out to be something that comes with God and hard work.

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

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 21

Dating a guy who’s not asking you out

BY ONOZURE DANIA

A

re you dating a guy who’s not really asking you out or even bothered to find little ways and romantic gestures to please you?

Perhaps, in all probability, he’s just having a fling or looking at you only as a pastime.

You can make a guy jealous if you feel like your relationship has no life or if you feel unwanted by your new boyfriend.

Jealousy plays a very important part in romance.

Jealousy induces desire and

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attraction and it also makes a guy want you more.

If a guy likes you and sees you flirting with another guy, his jealously may make him desire you more and try harder to please you.

But then, there is a thin line between making him love you more and making him hate you for the way you treat him.

There are many ways to make a guy jealous. Some are cute but most of them are just wicked.

Depending on your relationship status with the guy, here are a few things you can do to make him

jealous and take notice of you.

Have a great life without him. If he cancels a date or makes any last minute plans, tell him you are busy and hang out with your own friends. And when he calls you while you are out with your own friends, don’t hang up after saying goodbye.

Instead leave the phone on the table and let him overhear your fun conversations and bristle with rage for not being able to have a fun time with you.

Try to speak highly of your ex.

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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

Bring some competition into the air by letting him know how great your ex was and how well he treated you so you can set a benchmark for him to beat.

You can compliment other guys.

If your guy doesn’t treat you well, compliment any guy friend for the smallest of gestures and talk about how sweet he is with your boyfriend. Your boyfriend will want the same attention too.

Get touchy feely with your guy friends.

Laugh a lot with your guy friends, play along with them and tease them.

Get especially touchy feely while playfully posing for a photo or hugging goodbye in front of your man.

Flirt on facebook.

Getting a lot of attention on facebook from other guys could make your new boyfriend realize how desirable and wanted you are by everyone else.

Ignore his calls now and then. Pretend like you are busy and make him miss you.

But look gorgeous every time you see him.

He will be too mesmerized to stay angry, and yet, he will crave for you.

Let him know you are getting attention. If another guy asks you out or flirts with you, let your new man know all about it.

It will make him jealous and it will also make him work hard to woo you and make you fall in love with him first.

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PAGE 22 — SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

We spent the last 10 years projecting Nigeria positively — Yemisi Alatise, first African Vice-President of Inner Wheel

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

For the first time in history, an African woman has been elected to occupy the lofty office of the VicePresident in the International Inner Wheel, a worldwide service organisation constituting primarily of wives of Rotarians— until recently, other women professionals. Here, we bring you that woman, Mrs.Oluyemisi Alatise, a principled and well-respected Nigerian entrepreneur cum philanthropist. Enjoy our chat with her!

We’re quite thrilled by your election; to you, how does it feel?

T

he excitement is all over the world. It is the first time in 93 years of existence of Inner Wheel in the world and 48 years in Nigeria. I feel very lucky and happy.

Friends say I worked and deserve it, but not all merits are awarded.

Actually, I’ve served as National Representative as well as member of the board of directors. I thank God for this special privilege to have been elected by 3,500 clubs in 103 countries of the world.

But what earned you the election and how many others contested?

We (Nigeria) had nominated candidates twice in the past but failed. We’ve however spent the last ten years projecting the name of Nigeria through seminars, symposia, workshops and foreign joint projects, which were adequately reported within Inner Wheel worldwide. Also, we have been very transparent with our finance and made integrity our watchword. The first time we sent in nomination had 6 contestants, the second time also had 6 contestants, but the winning era had 3 contestants. Netherland, Finland and Nigeria. Netherlands has over 3,000 membership, Finland has 1,500 and Nigeria has 650 members. So it is not our number in Nigeria that made the victory but voting from other countries who believed in Nigeria candidature.

What challenges does this bring?

There is no challenge that can be more than what we have been facing in the past. We have been experiencing dwindling membership in Nigeria and the introduction of Female Rotarian is part of the reason. We cannot present Board Director yearly, except we get our membership beyond 1,000. We are working towards formation of clubs and getting good members interested, though.

As part of service to humanity, Inner Wheel is keen on women and girls; what’s your take on the unproductive one-year search for Chibok’s abducted school girls?

The fate of those girls is of international concern. Questions are asked in all international meetings and we are very embarrassed about it. It’s part of the reason the last government failed. We believe the new government will be positive about their rescue. The killing of innocent children, both boys and girls, is very distressing. I wonder how government can be so complacent with the vote of huge amount of money on security, and it cannot defend its citizens; defenceless children.

The girls will not return the way they were taken; they would have been abused both mentally and physically. I do not know what compensation can be enough for what they would have experienced.

What’s your advice to the President-elect on how best to improve and protect the lives of women and girls in the coming administration?

From the family profile of the President-elect, I am sure women and girls will feel safe under his

Yemisi Alatise

administration. The school premises should have adequate security both structurally and physically. These insurgents are criminals and should be treated as such; no religion preaches what they are doing. The Islamic religion preaches peace and respect for women.

Back to Inner Wheel, what will be your duties as Vice-President and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?

The Vice-President is the Coordinator for the UN Representatives.

I want to leave a legacy of integrity, transparency, dedication, commitment to duty and selfless service.

The tenure is for one year.

After which I will stand for election again to contest for President.

Lastly, you’re known to be very thorough. Tell us about your childhood, growing up and factors or people that shaped your personality?

I was brought

up by a disciplinarian father and mother. I translated it into bringing my children up. I was not popular initially, but they have grown to appreciate their upbringing. I do not have any regret in my style of parenting; they are today all successful women and men. Praise Almighty Allah. I was shaped up very early in life; I was a child parent, even though my parents were alive.

They had grown beyond high earning capacity by the time I got to puberty. I had to be responsible for myself and my seven siblings. My holidays in secondary school were spent in the Kolanut farm. I earned my school fees and paid for my siblings fees.

Hard work, strong will and tenaciousness are natural to me.

There is no challenge that can be more than what we have been facing in the past.

We have been experiencing dwindling membership in Nigeria and the introduction of Female Rotarian is part of the reason

Despite my hard growing up, I loved and cared for my parents till they died. I pampered and spoilt them to the admiration of their peers. My wish was usually to see them smile anytime I make them happy. No matter the magnitude of service or kindness I give, I expect no reward from recipient, because I know God will reward me. Those were the prayers from my parents; God will reward you not man. I thank God for their impact in my life.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 23

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How a father could be sexually interested in his daughter

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o matter how repulsive majority of the public think incest it, it is troubling that a lot of cases involving what is now termed ‘Genetic sexual attraction’ surface everyday – in the papers, on the telly and even on the grapevine. ”Every day ”, says an expert, “children from broken homes and polygamous homes are always seeking for their biological family. And it is a dangerous trend as quite a number of these ‘lost and found’ relatives may find themselves drawn sexually towards a close relative mothers, sons, fathers and daughters, brothers and sisters ...”.

Three years ago, Constance, a divorcee finally remarried and relocated outside Lagos.

Her only daughter from her first marriage refused to be up-rooted from the school where she was doing so well and opted to live with her father. “I was dead against her living with a man who didn’t even bother to know what was happening in his daughter ’s life after we split”, Constance explained. “She was then 17 and I didn’t

discourage her from asking him if she could live with him until she finished secondary school. I was sure he would refuse and I would gleefully tell her `I told you so,’. I was greatly surprised when he not only agreed for Tope (her daughter) to live with him, he promised to assume full responsibility for her education. By then, he was doing very well in business and looked fairly comfortable financially.

“It was a relief in a way as I didn’t want my new husband to have the problem of a stepdaughter on his hands.

Tope flourished in her father’s care and it was obvious he wanted to make up for lost time.

Tope was introduced to other family members and it was clear that father and daughter hit it off. He lavished gifts on her and she became really sophisticated over the years. Then her father ’s wife blew the whistle on both of them.

One of the children, a lad of 16 had picked up Tope’s mobile to call one of his friends. When he was through, a text message came in for Tope and he accessed it

out of curiosity. Then he noticed other messages from their father ’s mobile, read them then promptly handed the phone to his mother. The messages she read made her toes curl. It was obvious Tope was having sex with her father through the series of text messages he sent to her.

“I felt sick to my stomach.

By this time,Tope was at the university and her stepmother had kicked her out. She now lives on campus and told me she would soon relocate to a one-room apartment she’d found near her university. Her dad paid for everything and she’s refused to severe

relationship with him.

She said the sex thing was a one-off and they were both drunk at the time. When I reminded her of what I’d read from the text messages her had sent to her, she clamped up. My current husband had warned me to be really careful here or I would be the enemy. But how can I be `careful’ about an incestuous relationship? True it happens all of the time, but should you wish it on your worst enemy ...”

Analysing incestuous relationships further, the expert said: “Whilst trying to analyse the rationale behind this abnormal behaviour, psychologists have

pinned the name GSA – General Sexual Attraction on it. This affects parents and children and brothers and sisters who are reunited after a long number of years. Normal taboos have not been built up within the family, with the result that there can be abnormal sexual attraction. Tolu’s case is typical of the GSA epidemic where there never was a normal father – daughter relationship.

“GSA is rare between people raised together in early childhood, as most siblings have evolved to prevent incest. Several factors may contribute to GSA. People commonly rank faces similar to their

own as more attractive and trustworthy.

Heredity produces substantial physical resemblance between close relatives. Shared interests and personality traits are considered desirable in a mate. In cases of parent – child attraction, the parent may recognise traits of their sometime mate in the child. Such reunions typically produce complex emotions in all involved”.

Some years ago, there was a report that a brother and sister couple in Germany were fighting anti=incest laws. They grew up separately, met as adults, and have had four children together.

Not long ago in far away Indiana, USA, Phil Bailey, a 26-year- old man, and his grandmother Pearl Carter, 72, were reported to be trying to have a surrogate baby after they ’d started having regular sex.

Makes you sick doesn’t it?

Unfortunately, all over the world, people like Tolu and her dad are forever yielding to human weakness – it doesn’t make it right or acceptable. Just sad.

08052201867(Text Only)

Get well, stay well on exercise

T

IME and again, stories crop up everywhere as to how the deep breathing and gentle exercises of yoga have helped individuals who’d almost lost hope of recovery to regain health.

I have myself, been fixed of all kinds of things in my very body by the practice of yoga. I haven’t had an attack of angina in the past twenty-eight years. And that is heaven if you ask me.

It’s about time everybody was made to realise that irrespective of one's condition - sick or well - the body can be given tremendous help in restoring health, and in safe-guarding it.

I like to tell my colleagues at Vanguard that, this is my third year with the house and that I have the singular distinction of never having walked into the clinic on the premises for even Panadol. And I put it down to my practice of yoga.

Below is a letter written to Indra Devi by someone who’d been introduced to yoga with her book, Forever Young, Forever Health.

St. Petersburg, Florida Dear Miss Devi, I became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of seventeen and in a matter of C M Y K

months was helpless In bed with every joint of my body ankylosed. After 6 years the doctors gave me up and my parents brought me to Florida.

Recently, our neighbours introduced me to Yoga and in particular to your wonderful book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy. “ ... I started on the sixty-one lemon juice plan and also the lemon and orange leaves tea (it is delicious) as outlined in your book. I am unable to do the yoga postures but another son of the same neighbourhood works with me everyday practising the movements I can make. The results have been remarkable.

I am developing muscles and strength, have increased mobility; particularly in the hips and spine which have been so light. The shoulders, arms and ankles are also looser. I am now able to take full steps forward (with assistance), and since last week also backward. With the help of my friends or my parents I go swimming every other day in the Gulf, where I also exercise.

I can walk although stiffkneed, swim and float alone.

I am doing the deep breathing and following your diet -

suggestion and have faith in recovering fully.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter, and I thank you from my heart and soul.

Sincerely, Thelma L. This letter lends credence to the notice that dietary changes coupled with exercise works wonders.

The body is totally at a handicap if it does not get exercise.

The extra oxygen you get into the system, the small rise in heart rate by working the muscles improves the body, the immune system gets a

boost and the body’s healing system can be easily shifted to over-drive.

Yes, if you exercise regularly, you undoubtedly develop quick recovery powers. Even wounds heal faster when we stay in good shape.

It may sound too simple by suggest to someone that their redemption could depend on learning to breathe deeper. But that could be the gospel truth.

Below are some yoga postures and how they benefit the body.

The Plough Technique: Lie flat down and breathe in deeply. Then swinging both legs backwards exhale as you bring

the toes to touch the floor. Raising the hips bring the Now, bring the hands also hands to support the back. backwards to hold the feet And then if you can, straighten with the chin, pressing on the knees.

Stay at the pose between 15 the throat. Stiffen the leg muscles and stay in the po- to 30 seconds. sition for about 30 seconds.

The mountain pose To come out of the posture, Sit on your heels or crossrelease the hold on the feet, bend the knees, return the legged. Raise the hand over hands to the sides and gen- head and interlacing the fintly lower the trunk and gers turn the palms up hold the trunk very erect with straighten the legs.

Benefits: This posture in- elbows straight and do deep creases the blood supply to breathing.

First, distend the lower abthe spinal region, nourishing the internal organs. It domen then expanding the ribs helps to release tension in without missing the shoulders the upper back and shoul- - all that with the inhalation.

Then breathe out slowly but ders.

Massaging the internal thoroughly. First squashing organs, it gives relief to in- the abdominal region then digestion, constipation and contract the ribs expelling as can lead to complete elimi- much stale breath as you can.

A more difficult vitiation is nation of them.

To maintain a youthful body, to assume the lotus posture the key is a flexible spine. And and get up on the knee with the plough promotes both flex- the hands stretched above the ibility and strength in the back head without interlocking the fingers otherwise with palms and neck.

Caution: Don’t force yourself joined. into doing this till you’re limber enough.

To counteract any tension that may have STARTED built up as you performed Physical Therapy Centre the plough posture do.

The Bridge next @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Technique: Lie flat on Victoria Island Lagos. your back with the arms 9.00am — 10.00am by your sides then bend the knees with the feet flat on Saturdays down near to the buttocks.

Yoga Classes

The plough

P AGE 24 — SUND AY Vanguard , APRIL 19 , 2015 SUNDA

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

It's up to the wife to win back the love of a cheating husband!

I

N all my decades of relationship counselling, I’ve learned the most common reason a husband tells his wife he doesn’t love her any more is because of the dreaded ‘other woman’.Discovering that your husband has fallen out of love with you or is ‘involved’ with someone else is simply horrible. Your heart races, it feels like a huge bowl of eba is lodged in your stomach and your mind starts working overtime. Why is he doing this? You’ve been a loyal and supportive wife, after al. He’s got a lovely home and children who adore him. What more does he want?

Of course, you’re not perfect – who is? But you’re not the one sending inappropriate texts to another woman. You’re just trying to hold the family together. If only he’d grow up and start acting his age.

Any woman who finds herself in this situation has my sympathy. Though there is always hope, the weeks and months ahead are going to be really tough.

But while it might surprise you, the person whose behaviour needs to change is you! If your husband’s been behaving badly, understandably it’s tempting to label him as the problem, but this sidesteps your part in unravelling of your marriage and what made him unhappy enough to look elsewhere. Ultimately, Andrew Marshal, author of: My Husband Doesn’t Love Me … And He’s Texting Someone Else’, and a respected marital counsellor believes the only person we can change is ourselves and that should be the firs step in rescuing any marriage in crisis.

Here, he shows how, with a bit of honesty and several helpings of humble pie, women can begin the

process of reviving the most unsalvageable marriage and win back the love of a cheating man.

He’s cheating, but you must apologise: The first step towards recovery need you to commit to change.

And while you’ve probably said you are sorry a million times before to keep the peace, have you made a full apology? This is one that acknowledges your unhelpful behaviour (e.g. taking him for granted), express sorrow and a determination to change, as is sincere. In particular, do you need to apologise for nagging, a habit that could be destroying your relationship?

Acknowledge that it must make him feel constantly criticized. Promise not to nag again and that he should say something if he catches you doing it.

Though it is tempting to add an explanation for your nagging. It can sound as if you’re excusing yourself and therefore lessens the power of your apology. Ultimately, if your husband thinks you spend the majority of your time complaining, nagging or getting angry, he will feel that all the joy has been sucked out of your relationship.

What you should do next: Don’t ban contact with the other woman. If your husband is still in touch with another woman, it’s tempting to lay down the law and say ‘no contact’.

Understandably, you want her out of your life, but over and over again, I’ve seen this back fire. First, he’s been self-medicating his own unhappiness with attention from another woman, so, if you cut off his ‘supply ’, of course he’ll crave another hit. Worse still, it’ll mean you start checking on his actions so he feels distrusted – not a good environment for

Y

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

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

My Sunshine

I was just a lonely soul walking in the cold Antarctica when suddenly this warm Sun rays shone on me. She may be known as Gift to you,but she is

hotted up, and the ‘friend’ starts covering her tracks.

The online connection: Your husband might think flirting online is just a bit of fun. Unfortunately, he’s being incredibly naïve. At some point on-line flirting has to progress, otherwise it wither and dies. And when you don’t heed to deal with everyday reality, it is easy to think you’ve found your soul-mate.

working on your relationship. Plus, it’s controlling behaviour, and who wants to be with a controlling partner?

Don’t complain if he moves in with her: While I’m not a fan of temporary separations – it makes it harder for you to communicate and there are fewer opportunities to work on your relationship – there’s an upside to him moving in with the other woman. His ‘true love’ will be tested for the first time.

Slowly, real life and day-today domesticity will intrude into their fantasy.

He will have to deal with her surly teenage son. She will discover all his nasty habits. It is not exactly Romeo and Juliet. As long as you don’t drive them together – by abusive phone calls, being unreasonable about access to the children and so on = it is highly likely that their relationship will implode.

Meet her yourself: A very personal decision that could make the situation worse, but can also leave you with a better sense of proportion about their relationship and provide her with a more balanced

picture of yours. So she might find out, for example, you’re still having sex or have been reading her texts to your husband. As one client told me after she confronted the female colleague her husband had been having an affair with: ‘This woman was a demonlike figure in my mind, making me question why I wasn’t good enough any more for my husband. But she wasn’t any more attractive than me, and frankly seemed very insecure and selforientated. I was reassured she had no deep feelings for my husband. The demons were exorcised the day I met her. I left feeling in control and relieved there was one less obstacle to rebuilding our marriage”.

A few words of warning: If you know where she lives, don’t go to her home on the spur of the moment – you will most likely be angry or frightened and this will not promise clear thinking.

Also, if you arrange a meeting by text, remember you’re not two friends getting together for a chat, so put a time limit on it.

Remember that everything you say and do will most likely be relayed back to

my Sunshine,enveloping my heart with so much tender loving care(TLC)in this cold world.My oasis of encouragement in the desert of life.My dream come true.From the depth of my heart,"Baby,I Love &Will Always Cherish You".

Your Love, Ovie Ukochovwera.

Warri. unikovie@yahoo.co.uk

Rescue me

Dear Tyrese,since you close the door in my face it's been like a dark hole that has no end.

Am looking at this bootle,gonna drink it until years is gone and I might as well say that this is the end.

My life just ain't nothing without you by my side,it feels just like a suicide. It feels like am in a plane ride facing its final hour, in front of a judge facing a death penalty,locked and thrown away the keys.I

your husband, and don’t do anything – such as becoming aggressive – that could invite retaliation.

The six types of women who could kill your marriage The Spark: She might be at work, at the gym or maybe she’s even one of your friends. She might be happily married and has just taken pity on a work colleague who’s down.

Perhaps they just share the same interest? In fact she might not have given him any encouragement, but she’s lit a spark and got him thinking and it’s not good news for your marriage.

The special friend: You probably already know her name because when someone is consumed by someone else, they can’t stop talking about them.

It’s hard to know the exact point when friendship becomes betrayal. It’s find to text a friend and discuss problems when you’re fed up. But hundreds of texts in a month is not just friendship. When your partner stops mentioning her, you will assume it’s cooled, but that’s when it’s

The emotional affair: At this point, your husband and the other woman will have declared their feelings for each other. They will be putting more and more energy into each other – and leaving both their marriages with just the scraps. The lovers may swear that they have ‘only kissed’. Even so, this is not a chaste kiss that you’d give your grandmother.

The full-blown affair: The full package – emotional and physical infidelity. Some husbands will insist it’s only about sex, and these are normally quick to sever all contact with their mistress. When the full-blown affair has been emotional too, your husband might claim he wants to save your marriage, but often, he will remain secretly in touch and keep his options open.

The love of his life: Your worst nightmare. He’ll tell you they are ‘soul mates’.

He might feel ‘bad for hurting you’, but he’s openly seeing her. But please don’t panic. The truth is he doesn’t really know her and their relationship hasn’t had to deal with cold, hard reality yet. He only thinks she is the love of his life because that’s the only way to justify hurting his wife and family so much.

Next week: Why he’s fallen out of love with you.

need you to come rescue me.

Derek Ese Nakpodia 08062811130

My Sweet Heart

Take my hand and lead the way, Pour out all your deeper thoughts, Let your soft voice whisper swiftly into my ear, All these lovely things I want to hear.

Kiss my lips and touch my skin, Invoke my adrenalin, And bring out passion deep within, Draw me near and hold me tight.

Claim back the long lost smile, Back into my face at early dawn, I've been in this custody for years, Break the walls and enter my heart.

Release my soul held deep within... I'm ready now; Take my hand and let love flow!

Innocent Oluku olukui@yahoo.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 25

By Esther Onyegbula

A

32-year-old nursing mother, who was caught for alleged armed robbery in Lagos, has blamed her plight on the huge financial burden on her.

According to the Lebanese woman, who identified herself as Amira Abudallahi, “my financial responsibility and the economic situation of the country led me into armed robbery”. “I have five kids but I am divorced. I just had a baby. The baby is six months old now. Since I started working with the gang, I have made over N12 million. I used part of it to buy a car and the other to pay my children’s school fees,” she said after being paraded by the Lagos State Police Command.

“I am not proud of myself neither am I proud of what has happened. I just hope I can make a positive change on the society. I pray God will give me the opportunity to do so in future. I believe no one is above mistake and I believe God will grant me the grace. “ What I did was wrong, but nobody is above mistake. It was my financial responsibility and the economic situation of the country that led me into the gang. I live in Lekki. What I do for the gang is that I talk with prospective victims on the phone. Senator gives me the number, tells me what to say and then I call the victim.

I have not built any house; I still live in a rented twobedroom apartment in Lekki”.

Amira was alleged to be a member of a six-man armed robbery gang which specialised in impersonating operatives of EFCC to rob bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos.

Other suspects are Princewill Eze, aka Senator Nwobodo, 55; Daniel Okpara, 30; Paul Irior, 37; Bassey Williams Ekpenyong, 39; and Royal Nwabuike, 32. They were arrested in Lagos, Ogun, and Abuja respectively.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, while parading the suspects, said that, on February 25, at about 5pm, he received information about a gang of armed robbers using the EFCC uniform and handcuffs to rob bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos of dollars, pounds sterling and Euro.

Aderanti subsequently asked the state Anti-Robbery Squad

C M Y K

*Amira (second right) with fellow suspects

I went into armed robbery to feed my baby, pay school fees Amira

– Nursing mother (SARS) commander, Abba Kyari, to launch a manhunt.

The manhunt paid off as detectives tracked and arrested the suspected gang leader, Senator Nwobodo, in Ajah on February 27, at about 4pm. His alleged confession led to the arrest of Amira and other members of the gang.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that detectives also recovered one Bryco59 pistol with serial no 930945 with six rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, single barrel pistol cut to size with four live cartridges, a Toyota Highlander jeep ash colour with registration number, No LSR 110 DB, a Toyota Highlander jeep maroon colour with registration number No LSR 671 DK, a Toyota Sienna 2012 model, with registration number JJ424CQ, a Toyota Four runner with registration number KRD 449 DG, one Toyota Carmy saloon car unregistered, four million naira cash and 13,000 US dollars cash.

The suspects were said to

have a complete set of communication system of the police inside a vehicle which allowed them to intercept police communications. They also reportedly had police escort vehicles, police walkie talkie, EFCC vest used impersonate the anti-graft agencies officials.

Suspects account Confessing to the crime, Eze said, “I didn’t recruit anyone of them into the gang; they all joined the gang on their own freewill because they are all adults. I am from Ikanu lGA, Enugu state. I am married with five children. I was into hospitality business before I ventured into robbery. The senator name is an appellation. I did not hold a political position. I live in a rented apartment at VGC. I did not own the house. Some of my daughters are in school abroad.

“We have made about N15m.

I have used the money to buy different property, but the police have seized them all. I bought different vehicles”.

*Amira... 32-yr-old armed robbery suspect

Amira was alleged to be a member of a sixman armed robbery gang which specialised in impersonating operatives of EFCC to rob bureau de change operators in Abuja and Lagos

Another member of the gang, a dismissed police officer, Paul Irior, said: “We were not using guns. I was serving with CMS Mopol 2, Lagos. I built a house in Benin. I met the senator in 2014. My role was to act as policeman. I would wear uniform and pose with the fake EFCC officials. Any time they had a deal, they invited me. Sometimes, I got a million per operation.

“They would bring the money to us in convenient places like hotels and banks.

I also run a hotel. It is about five years now that we started the deals. I was arrested by the police four years ago for a similar issue, but secured bail by the court.

Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Ken Nwosu, said efforts were on to arrest the only gang member still at large.

PAGE 26—SUNDAY

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

S/South APC youths want Reps Deputy Speaker zoned to Edo •Adopt Shaibu SIMON EBEGBULEM

LL Progressives A Congress (APC) youths from the South-South

•The shrine housing the Irele deity

DAYO JOHNSON, AKURE

T

HE deaths in a remote community of Irele in Irele local government area of Ondo State were attributed to the action of six boys who broke into the shrine of Molokun, the deity of the people and desecrated it by stealing artifacts and sacred objects.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the potency of the god of the community was tested when the thieves unveiled the “ Agogo Ide”, one of the sacred objects in the shrine covered with white apron.

A source said even the worshipers and traditionalists in charge of the shrine do not look at the sacred object with naked eyes.

“The Agogo Ide is never seen by anybody . But those who broke into the shrine unveiled the sacred object and this is an abomination hence the deaths in the community,” the source said.

“Until the god is appeased, the deaths will continue. But the chief priest and traditionalists have consulted and asked women to appease the Malokun by pouring buckets of water in front of the shrine.”

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the boys underrated the god of the land and, like lightening, it struck, leaving many persons dead.

The thieves reportedly moved the sacred objects from the shrine and sold them to a man who resold it to some foreigners.

Reports had it that those who shared from the proceeds of the sales and who they gave the money to in exchange for goods and services died in turns.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the Malokun shrine was broken into by the boys after they had protected themselves through the help of a herbalist outside the community.

At the last count, about 30 persons, between ages 25 and 40, died horrible deaths because of their alleged connection to the abomination.

Those who died as a result of the alleged abomination were said to have been initially afflicted with blindness, elongation of tongues and unconsciousness.

The perpetrators, it was learnt, shared N100,000 each from the proceeds after which they

•Appeasing the god with water

Mysterious deaths in Ondo •The god is not to blame reportedly went on spending spree in the community.

The news of the desecration of the shrine was said to have been relayed to the traditional ruler of the town who invited the chief priest and other traditionalists to conduct a fact-finding visit to the shrine.

The breakage into the shrine was said to have been the first of its kind in the history of the community.

But Ondo State government linked the deaths to an outbreak of a strange disease.

Already, the state government and the World Health Organization have sent representatives to the community.

The Ondo government deployed the Personnel Protective Equipment purchased during recent Ebola scare in the country to the area with their handlers.

The state Health Commissioner, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, who led government delegation to Irele, said the reason given by the natives that the deaths resulted from the desecration of a shrine in the town could not be scientifically proved.

Adeyanju confirmed that 12 persons died on the day the incident happened.

According to the Commissioner, the “presentation from the investigations carried out on the victims did not reveal symptoms of the dreaded Ebola disease.”

He said the state government had moved into the area to curtail the spread of the strange disease.

The preliminary report, Adeyanju said, showed that the victims complained of headache and later lost their sight before they finally gave up.

The commissioner, who assured that government would do everything possible to control the ailment, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners were already involved in the matter.

“Samples taken from the victims had been sent to Lagos for proper investigation while government

had been engaging in advocacy to ensure that new cases are reported,”he stated, adding that concealment could be devastating.

Adeyanju asked relations of the victims not to bury the corpses of affected people at home.

He said that they should take those that are dead to the cemetery and to take precautions during burials.Meanwhile, residents are said to be moving out of the area for fear of the strange sickness to Okitipupa and Ore. The chief priest of Malokun shrine, High Chief Lemo, in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, said the breaking into the shrine by unknown persons was a sacrilege hence the deaths recorded in the community.

Also, one of the traditionalists in the town, High Chief Akingboye, confirmed that some persons had the effrontery to break into the sacred shrine and carted away sacred objects.

Akingboye said over 20 persons had died as a result of the sacrilege.

He pointed out that he is satisfied with the intervention of the state government.

Another community leader, Ayodele Omole, said the deaths in the community had created panic, forcing many to relocate to neighboring communities.

He pointed out that the solution to the problem was beyond the state Ministry of Health, adding that the appeasement of the god is the lasting solution.

A doctor at the General Hospital, Irele, Dr Segun Ayodele, said that what happened in the town was an outbreak of a disease which killed people mysteriously.

Ayodele said the state government had deployed over 20 medical personnel to the community.

According to him, Ayade and Irele communities were worst hit by the deaths.

The NEMA South -West

Information Officer, Ibrahim Farinloye, said all relevant agencies had been mobilized to unravel the mystery behind the deaths in the community.

Meanwhile, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, in a broadcast, said the state had witnessed a major health challenge.

“A yet to be named ailment whose causative agents, diagnosis and cure are also yet to be determined struck in locations in Irele Local Government Area of our state, killing 17 people and stoking panic and fear,”Mimiko said.

“In all, 17 deaths have been confirmed in Ayadi community and Ode Irele township and all the deaths were preceded by symptoms of sudden blurred vision, headache and loss of consciousness.

“It must be said that the team was despatched to the communities affected and the General Hospital as well as other health facilities, to gather needed information about the nature, scope and circumstances of the outbreak. Key informants interview, hospital record search and patient interview were used to obtain information.

“I must state that the symptoms in this situation are not peculiar to any known epidemic and so have remained largely confounding.

“Specifically, it must be stressed, the symptoms observed in the two communities of Ayadi and Ode Irele bear no resemblance to those associated with the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).”

•High Priest Lemo

want the leadership of the party to zone the speakership or deputy speakership of the House of Representatives to Edo State so that the impact of the APC-led National Assembly will be felt in the region.

The APC youths suggested the name of the current Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and the candidate of the APC for Etsako Federal Constituency in the just concluded National Assembly elections, Hon. Philip Shaibu, as the one suitable for that position.

The Niger Delta Peoples Conference, in a statement

by Iyamu Osaro, had, last week, called on the leadership of the APC to either give the speakership of the incoming parliament to Shaibu; the member representing Owan Federal Constituency, Pally Iriase; or Comrade Peter Akpatason representing Akoko Edo Federal constituency.

However, a statement by the Coordinator of the youths in the zone, Dr Oghene Ejiro, stressed the need for the leadership of the party “to give the position to a vibrant youths leader, former student Union President in the person of Shaibu who has proved that he can be relied upon always in his eight years reign in the Edo state House of Assembly as the Majority Leader of the House.

“We believe that Shaibu has the capacity to mobilize not only our youths from the region but the elders of the South South for APC because the APC needs to consolidate in the region so as to chase the PDP out of this region completely. Edo State being the only state that produced National Assembly members so far needs to be compensated for not selling our votes to the PDP like other states in the South South and the South East have done today,” the statement said.

“Philip Shaibu is not a neophyte when it comes to law making haven spent eight years in the state House of Assembly, it is our strong belief that the APC will learn to empower our youths so as to take over from the elders such as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who has given Nigerians this great party called the APC. So we are appealing that the position of the Speaker or the Deputy Speaker be given to Shaibu who has made us proud in Edo state today”.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 27

ALLEGED SEIZURE OF PROPERTY:

Ef furun landlor ds dr ag Delt vt ttoo cour Effurun landlords drag Deltaa go govt courtt *Payment plans will be concluded next week -Gov Uduaghan

•Some of the alleged compulsorily acquired property

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

T

WO landlords in Effu run, Uvwie council area of Delta State, Johnson Umode and Paul Idoghor, have, in separate suits, dragged the Delta State Government to court

for alleged compulsory acquisition of their property without payment and compensation.

Also to appear before the court in the matter to redress the alleged infringement on fundamental rights of property owners is the state

Ministry of Lands, Survey which is responsible for acquiring the said land situated at Refinery Junction, Effurun, for purposes of public infrastructure upgrade.

In suits No. EHC/100/2014, filed before the High Court in Effurun, Johnson Umode, the plaintiff noted that the respondents have already marked for demolition, four bungalows of 34 blocks of stores at the said location, having earlier, with the aid of military personnel, demolished three blocks of commercial shops also belonging to him at Jakpa Junction.

The applicant told Sunday Vanguard: “While the action pending is yet to be determined by the Effurun High Court I, the Executive Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan has on two occasions visited the premises, instruct-

Ondo ex-militants ask Buhari to continue Amnesty Programme, promise end to criminal activities ing occupants to evacuate for imminent demolition of the 34 blocks of commercial shops as well.”

He is, in the suit, asking the court for an order directing the respondents to pay a total N145,000,000 as cost for the already demolished property and the one at Refinery Junction if the government is still desirous of acquiring it.

In his separate Suit No: FHC/CS/127/14 before the Federal High Court, Warri, Paul Idoghor is asking same respondents as in Umode’s case to pay a total N67,000,000 in compensation for his property already “forcefully acquired” and another in waiting for acquisition by the government.

Reacting to the landlords complaints, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Friday, assured: “Arrangement would be concluded next week to make the necessary compensation.

The governor said the affected buildings at the Refinery Junction were no longer befitting for the area where the government is involved in partnership with chainstores giant, Shoprite, for construction of one of its outlets in Effurun.

“These buildings we are talking about constitute shanty in the area which is not befitting any more. We must have to remove them but necessarily arrangement is being made for proper compensation”, he said.

The Airtel lift for orphans, epilepsy victims

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU

P

erhaps Episode 12 of the Airtel touching lives is so far the most inspiring, as the telecomm giant touched the lives of an orphaned family and established a Foundation dedicated to fighting epilepsy.

Samuel Ufot is a 13 year old orphan who lives with his two older sisters in a one room apartment in Alagbado, Lagos.

After losing both parents, life became very bleak for the surviving members of the Ufot family. With barely any food to eat, they rely on members of the community for help. His older sister who works as a teacher, earns a meager salary, and with the help of her sister, has managed to take care of Samuel so he does not feel the absence of his parents. Samuel who attends a community school is very intelligent and loves English language, basic sciences and civic education.

He does not want to grow up to become a hooligan but wants to be a better person in life.

However, because of the circumstances they face, achieving this dream is futile for this young orphaned boy.

The fortune of the Ufot family changed when they were nominated for the Airtel touching lives project. In a bid to help their situation and assist them in actualizing their dream, Airtel Nigeria set them

up with a hair dressing business. Asides teaching them the rudiments of hair making, they will be given a hair dryer, trolley, combs, fan, shampoos, conditions, hair treatment, washing basin, water storex, buckets and cosmetics. The telco giant did not stop here, Airtel will also provide them with a two year shop rental, furniture, 4.4 KVA thermocool generator set and a 5000 KVA thermocool stabilizer. The elated Ufot family thanked Airtel for touching their lives and repositioned them to achieve their dreams.

In that same enthralling episode, Airtel Nigeria cascaded its way to the ancient

city of Benin in Edo state, where it came to the need of the Angie epilepsy foundation, a NonGovernmental Organisation that aims to change public perception of epilepsy and provide medical assistance to epileptic people. Epilepsy is one medical condition that is easily misunderstood. People living with this condition are often stigmatized, abused and treated as outcasts. Thus their family members keep them away to avoid shame.

Mrs. Angela Asemota was ecstatic years ago when she bore a son, however that joy quickly faded away as her son was epileptic. She watched helplessly as her son went through so many ordeals due to

his epileptic seizure. Friends and family deserted her in her trying times, and she spent all she had trying to save her son.

In search of a cure, she visited many traditional doctors and false prophets, until she was told that epilepsy could be treated medically. Recounting all the troubles she encountered in the search for a cure, she deemed it necessary to set up the Angie epilepsy foundation to create awareness that epilepsy can be treated. Her foundation has been able to provide information to families and people with epilepsy, though they cannot fully assist them as a full diagnosis and their drugs are expensive.

Delta PDP commends INEC, congratulates Okowa

BY FESTUS AHON

T

HE Delta State Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commended the conduct of the gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, describing complaints over the contest as the cry of drowning person.

The state Chairman of the party, Chief Edwin Uzor, who gave the commendation at a press conference in Asaba, said the victory of the PDP at the elections was as a result of hard-work.

Uzor said the party presented to Deltans the best candidate for the governorship election and commended the people for their confidence on Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Uzor stated that it was also

gratifying to see the party winning the majority of the seats in the state House of Assembly, maintaining that ward to ward campaigns across the state paid off.

He noted that with the victory of Okowa, equity, justice and fair play had come to stay in Delta, saying that the people must remain united for sustained peace and development in the state.

BY DAYO JOHNSON, AKURE “AN ex-militant leader in Ondo state, High Chief Bibopere Ajube, says his resolve to rid the coastal areas of the Niger Delta of criminal activities is unequivocal. ?An open letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and presidentelect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, assured ex-militants they will not return to the creeks.

He warned criminals hiding under the struggle of the Niger Delta to cause trouble in the area to desist.

Ajube pointed out hat the Niger Delta struggle was principally to call attention of government to development in the area and not legalise criminal activities.

While urging the people of the communities to join hands to fight against criminals, the former militant leader declared: "The nefarious activities of these misguided elements must be strongly resisted and stamped out through all legitimate means possible in the interest of our nation in general and the Niger Delta in particular. " I will like to reiterate that the communities where these criminal elements hailed from are not in any way in support of their nefarious activities and should be absolved from culpability from their misgivings”.

On behalf of the Niger Delta communities in Ondo, he commended Jonathan over his show of sportsmanship during the general elections, saying, president gave room for fair and free polls.

The warlord congratulated Buhari over his victory in the election and assuring the president elect that the Niger Delta people will support him He said: "The main focus of this open letter is to draw your patriotic attention to the need to realise that the Niger Delta people and communities are historically peace loving and law-abiding.

"There is a common enemy in these individual criminals who are bent on dragging the image of the region into undeserved odium.

"These criminals must not succeed ; we must stand up against them. The government must stand against and together stamp them out completely for the much desired development to take place in the region " Speaking the amnesty granted to ex-militants, Ajube said that it's continuation under the Buhari administration is the best option to maintain peace in the country.

According to him disrupting the programme is an avenue to send the over 30,000 ex-militants back to the creeks.

Ajube assured the incoming administration of their commitment ?and the sustenance of peace in the country.

P AGE 28 — SUND AY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015 SUNDA

THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE CLUB DEBATE

Nigerian Democracy and the Economy

By Patrick Dele Cole

T

he Oxford and Cambridge Unions were the training ground for speakers who intended to climb the political ladder.

Both universities were the recruitment centres – de rigour – for British political leadership. Both have produced more Prime Ministers and cabinet members than any other university. Each of the Unions was where orators horned their skills, and still do. International scholars, statesmen, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other leaders look forward to the thrust and cut of debates of the Union. That the graduates of Oxford and Cambridge in Nigeria have decided to bring forth that tradition here both is welcome and commendable.

I went to the Oxford and Cambridge Club 2015 Debate on Nigeria, Democracy and the Economy. The moderator was Professor Kanyisola Ajayi, SAN (Cambridge); whilst the Chairman was Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, CFR (Oxford). There were four speakers: Dr. Bright Okogu (economist, Oxford), Dr. Ayo Teriba (also an economist, Cambridge, whose uncle, Professor Teriba, was a good friend of mine, Demola Akinrele, Esq, SAN (Cambridge) and Professor Fidelis Oditah, QC, SAN (Oxford).

I expected robust debate and or statements and we received five statements in the sonorous, dulcet, clipped diction that now characterizes those properly educated who ended up in Oxford and Cambridge. There is diction I call Nigeria – Oyibo – speak – the moderator also had it and so did the rest.

I remember asking a lady sitting next to me- whether this was a new Nigerian language. It was an exhibition of their command of English and their very professional presentation which were so good that they could get away with saying very ordinary things in a very profound way.

This mesmerising diction broke down twice – when Oditah referred to Fela and he had to speak pidgin, ending with the very wafferian (people from Warri) advice – “shine your eye oh”. You cannot quote Fela in that clipped diction; so he also quoted some pidgin. The effect was eerie - as if a beautiful mould had suddenly been deliberately smashed! I used to think that Professor Akinyemi, in his deliberately deep slow voice; usually sounded like an Oxonian. But, today, age told on him – he sounded like an old professor from Ilesha, much the same as I sound like a fisherman from Abonnema.

Professor Akinyemi lamented the lack of that robust debating culture which existed in Nigeria in the 1950s, 1960s, etc., and blamed it all on the military who co-opted the intellectuals into service in their successive administrations. With the military, there was no time for too much grammar (turenshi). In this present political campaign, what it lacked in issues (as in substance) it has made up for in forced jollity, a great deal of noise and incredible lies and exaggerations: there is no doubt that everyone knows there is an election compared to 2011 when we had a tame parade by the parties.

The panelists attribute this to the presence of a virile (or was it- vital opposition). They all agreed on the largeness of our economy (GDP ) and the puny revenue derived from there– our GDP is twice that of Algeria, but the revenue from Nigeria’s GDP is half that of Algeria. The elephant in the room was corruption which they all found synonyms

• Dele Cole ...Commentators spoke about endemic corruption

for- “leakages”, “absence of a middle”, “necessary stomach infrastructure”, etc.

When a member of the House of Representatives earns US$2 million, plus the so, called “constituency projects allowances”, the result is predictable. At least, we ought to be able to count 471 federal constituency projects, multiplied by two, that is, one project for every two year period. Add this to the extra projects for each senator, 36 x 3 at least there should be one constituency project per senatorial district. `Corruption court' The sweetest of these dulcet voices was Demola Akinrele, who, in the old manner of the Oxbridge debates, spoke without notes for the longest time. He too dealt with kid gloves with the judiciary who were the supposed saviours of democracy, pitched against an avaricious executive which is forever expanding its powers. He called for the judges to earn more so that better quality judges could be recruited. He

Professor Akinyemi lamented the lack of that robust debating culture which existed in Nigeria in the 1950s, 1960s, etc., and blamed it all on the military who co-opted the intellectuals into service in their successive administrations

wanted the establishment of a constitutional court, a corruption court that could fast-track cases and avoid the blockage which sometimes seem to be haemorrhaging the judiciary. On the legislature, all agreed that the power of oversight of executive actions had been debased into a bidding war by the legislature. Members of the executive claiming that their bills and/or budgets, etc., could be passed without inducements. The loneliest figure on the panel was Dr. Bright Okogu, who did not look bright at all – lamenting that his budget was always swollen by extra demands for the legislature, the inability to call into question just how well the budget had been followed, the regime of waivers and some fancily calculating of payment of 25% (or was it 75%) for bodies that collected revenue for and on behalf of government. There was great camaraderie, as speakers tried, in as polite a way as possible, to dig at one another.

One of the most fascinating observations was the fact that nothing on the economy was asked of the Executive beyond submitting budgets. It was necessary to build institutions into the whole economic fabric which entrusts specific economic tasks to the executive and the legislature; in the United Kingdom, the Select Committees System performs these functions; whilst the various Economic Committees (Bi-Partisan) in the US Congress and the White House also perform these crucial tasks.

In this season of political silliness, I just wondered why the panelists did not do more than scratch the surface on the crudity of a looting culture and administration.

Crudity is not changed by a refined approach. The political parties all have governments at the state level which are examples of what they can do, and, more importantly, cannot do. There is no reason one looter is worse than another looter, and justice is not served by avoiding the topic.

It may be argued such an approach would have negated the caution and stricture given to the speakers by the organisers that they should not delve into the real political arena in this period of electioneering campaign, in order to avoid the possibility of anybody claiming that any of the statements made at the debate was tantamount to declaration

of support for any of the political parties.

And I believe that the speakers did rather well in that regard. But at the expense of anonym.

Tainted judiciary All the commentators spoke about corruption and how endemic it is; but they some how fail to include the judiciary in the corruption arena. If corruption is that endemic, then the judiciary is tainted with that contagion. It is like Jesus Christ said in the Bible if you lust after a woman then you have committed adultery.

The popularity of election cases among judges cannot be for the love of the Constitution and a desire to make sure that only those properly elected serve as legislators or governors, etc. If they have, in the biblical sense, lusted after these cases, then they have sinned. If you see corruption, e.g. police receiving money while on patrol – and you do not report it, and you are a judge, then you are a collaborator and have, like the Pharisee seeing evil and averting his eyes, sinned.

Our lawyers know a great deal about corruption in the judiciary. It is time someone exploited that knowledge even in the face of damaging some part of the client attorney confidentiality.

Inevitably, the paradigm posed by the late President of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew came up – development, development, development - and democracy (including freedom of speech ) came a distant fourth.

Massive revenue with less achievement Bismarck Rewanes’s impatience with the kleptocracy called Nigeria received some sympathy, but not enough explanation – he said that what Nigeria earned in revenue between 1977-2002 was less than what it earned in 2005, 2006, and 2007 (he was not that specific) but the figures bear out his point. Even though there was some corruption between 1977-2002, more was achieved with less revenue that the period 2005-2014 which saw massive revenue matched with less achievement and massive corruption. There was no satisfactory explanation. But Teriba explained that unless we turn the revenue into production - infrastructure, railway, manufacture – processing our raw agricultural materials -) there will be no end to the loss of the middle (-is it a loss or has the middle been over fattened?) He pointed out that manufacturing in Nigeria, concentrated, as it is, on beverages (even manufacturing of food and beverages was still import dependent), produces less than 5% of GDP. First Ladies There was a hapless lady who feared that in our slumber we may introduce same sex marriages! I am sure I did not understand how a slumbering innocent people can suddenly, on waking up, have legal same sex marriages –but I share her concern for such a calamity! While on ladies we learnt that there was no provision for First Ladies in the Constitution and that their activities should be reined in.

The Chairman thought that the excesses of First Ladies should be curtailed and that sometimes they use their offices for good – like Maryam Babangida – in mobilizing women, especially in the North where women needed mobilization. Maybe those of us who are married know how difficult it is to rein in a woman. I do not believe that nonsense about African women being obedient.

They are not necessarily so. Maybe when we are poor; but once power and money get involved there is no telling what a woman (or a man) can do. Perhaps, there should be help for the hapless husband – just ban all activities by law of all wives of governors or Presidents and deny them access to public money. It may seem to some that one is throwing out the baby with the bath water. Not necessarily so. It will curtail the excesses so evident to- day- for example, a large fully funded expensive office of African First Ladies etc. The most vociferous of these women cannot be stopped by their husbands without outside help, including Christians, Muslims, Animists and Mammy Water worshippers

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 29 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

Reinventing Broadway through SARO’2 the musical

By CHRIS ONUOHA DRAMA

T

he late rock legendry, Jimi Hendrix once said, ‘Music doesn’t lie’, and corroborating this with an old adage that says ‘Music makes the world go round’, then if there’s something to be changed in this world, or invention to be celebrated, it can only happen through music.

Little wonder the pragmatic and innovative thinker Bolanle Austen-Peters, the soul behind the famous thespians hub, Terrakulture, utilized the power of music to overhaul an initial successful quintessential dance drama project ‘SARO’ into a huge and formidable musical Broadway Nigeria style called SARO 2 the Musical and making it a theatrical project of international standard.

Quite dazzling and captivating is the masterpiece presentation of the sensational 100 man cast show that usurped the entertainment stage during the Easter period at the Shell Hall, Muson Center, Lagos, as the venue witnessed 6 days of 13 outstanding performances that ran from 1st – 6th April.

Saro 2, a rebirth from the original Saro the Musical previously greeted with great applaud has been described by many as awesome. It is a crescendo rhythmic journey encompassing all genres of music delivered in lovely and colourful costumes, enigmatic

and well choreographed dance steps and an exquisite fusion of jazz, afro-beat, hiphop, highlife, juju, apala and other contemporary Nigerian music. To some theatre critics, the show is a sweeping kaleidoscope of sight, sound and fury signifying a lot with a customized state-of-art stage, lighting and props, all combined to numb ones senses with an unending orgasm of theatrical pleasure full of talents and guided energy that was unfolded on stage. It was technically and artistically rendered beyond expectation with no glitch or hitch as the show last.

Perhaps, the introduction of new casts, a popular and prolific actor Gideon Okeke who played the role of ‘Obaro in the list of the foursome that made up the lead actors reinvigorated Saro’s spirit of

SARO has been described as a theatrical joy that gallops swiftly through its serial acts to tell the story of Lagos settlers, immigrants who come from all over the country to create a new successful life

•A scene from the quintessenti dance drama, SARO 2 the musical flexibility with famous movie veteran Bimbo Manuel playing the role ‘Don Ceelo, TV personality Dolapo Oni as Ronke, Adejoke Laoye as Jane and William Benson as Rume’s father. The regulars Patrick Diabua ‘Laitan’, Paul Alumona ‘Azeez’, Paolo Sisiano ‘Efe’ and Arese Emokpae as Rume alongside the numerous dancers, musicians and technical crew made up the formidable 100 man cast.

The show that lured many theater enthusiasts to the venue repeatedly with a brilliant storyline is centered on four young talents, Laitan, Azeez, Obaro and Efe from the rural setting in an age-long search for greener pasture in the city with abundance of hope and dreams. According to Azeez, “We chose to come to Lagos because we know we can

blow”. But this cannot be achieved without passing through the unavoidable hardship the city life presents for new comers like them. The unapologetic confusion, depression, unfriendliness of city dwellers did not in any way dampened their spirit even when they found themselves in police custody charged for wandering, until twilight beamed on them through a music production mogul, Don Ceelo who brought meaning to their expectations.

The superfluous love intrigues witnessed between Ronke and Efe even in resistance, Obaro’s humorous romance with Jane and Laitan’s reunion with his heartthrob Rume adds up the hilarious theatrical

Loral celebrat es Balle t, dance ffestiv estiv al with grand per celebrates Ballet, estival perfformance

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA BALLET DANCE

I

t was indeed a celebration of creativity as students of Loral International day Secondary School, Festac Town, showcased their talents during her ballet dance and drama festival held in the school auditorium in Lagos last week.

The festival which kicked off with a scintillating presentation by Loral ballerinas, featured several ballet dance steps and presentations like: Grand piano ballet dance, solo and group ballet.

During the festival packaged to promote ballet dance, and develop the intellectual capability of the students, Loral ballerinas held the audience spellbound with their fascinating performances, that could be likened to foreign performance.

With each display spanning between 10 to15 minutes, the body language of the

ballerinas spoke volumes as they exhibited immense body discipline, balance and control while showcasing the finesse in their craft.

Some of the titles of the ballet dance presentations include: ‘Grand piano ballet dance, ‘I will be there ballet dance’, ‘All of me ballet dance’, smooth operator ballet display’, and free ballet dance by all invited schools were all performed.

During her introductory speech, Miss Ilomuanya Chinonye a student of the

The festival was packaged to promote ballet dance, and develop the intellectual capability of the students

•A performance by the students during the festival school, noted that apart from been a great way for people of all ages to get and stay in shape, ballet dance is so much fun and helps someone to stay active and is a medium to express creativity” Highlighting the benefits of ballet dance Mrs Macualey Oluranti the event coordinator, said that, it encourages ability to adhere to instructions, gaining a sense of body discipline, ability to co-ordinate, balance and control the body while in motion and gaining self – confidence and ability to

perform.

Ballet dance which originated in the French courts in the 16th and 17th centuries was further developed in England, Italy and Russia as a concert dance form. This dance is typically performed to classical music is taught in ballet dance schools and studios around the world including Loral International Schools. In order to become proficient at ballet, one must be extremely dedicated to the art of diligent, with regards to practice and rehearsal time.

masterpiece the storyline trails.

And weaving together the trials, misfortunes, love and destinies of the foursome into 14 act masterpieces, Saro tells the unforgettable and inspiring story of the journey to success in a city filled with broken dreams, as we see Lagos personified by the numerous colourful characters, frenetic pace of living and endless drama.

Performing the fourteen act session to awe engrossed audience, Saro traces and pays homage to Nigeria’s rich cultural and musical history by beautifully rendering some of the greatest hits over the years, while also delivering its own ingeniously composed original music.

Saro has been described as a theatrical joy that gallops swiftly through its serial acts to tell the story of Lagos settlers, immigrants who come from all over the country and indeed the world to create a new and hopeful successful life in this bustling and exciting melting pot.

Bolanle Austen-Peters said the Saro was conceived as an opportunity to contribute to the growth of theater in Nigeria.

However, to actualize the dream the production process underwent critical review by local and international industry experts, hence, a story laden with emotions that depict love, success, failure, the beach, the police, motor park, everyday life and type of people that make up Lagos. According to her, “This is in line to attract a particular mindset and enthusiasm towards theatrical appreciation in the country and involving the huge cast is to achieve result and as well create jobs. According to Austen-Peters, the project couldn’t have been successful without massive support from MTN, British Council and other numerous agencies that believe in her dream looking at the huge financial involvement.

PAGE 30—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME!

We will go into action before we are sworn-in – President-elect Buhari

•Explains why incoming cabinet will be small •‘Our priorities on security, economy, unemployment, corruption’ •On indiscipline: People are more prepared to behave than in 1983

If statements from the president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, are to be believed, the incoming administration, to be inaugurated on May 29, will hit the ground running. Buhari says he intends to put together a small cabinet that may go into action even before the swearing-in. In a nutshell, he speaks on the shape of things to come in this interview.

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

T

here has been an influx of defectors from the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to your party, APC, since after your victory at the polls. Many think the development may destabilise the APC. How do you intend to manage the situation?

C M Y K

I think this is a question meant for the party. I wish John Oyegun was here to answer you because we have a system. Just because I am the presidential candidate and the president-elect, I don’t think the system has allowed me to usurp the power of the party executives. But, certainly, in a multi-party democratic system, fundamentally, it is the number that matters for the

people. But for the party, what matters is the ability to manage the number so that the majority will have its way and there will be justice. No matter what happens to the PDP by May 29, I assure you or I assure them through you that there will be justice in the APC.

A new government, which you will head, will soon be inaugurated. Can you tell us what criteria you will be using in selecting those who you will

I think there are less disruptions in the second leg of the general elections on April 11 than we had during the presidential and National Assembly elections

work with?

It is a difficult time for Nigerians as you all know. I have said it in the past that, in the last 16 years, Nigeria has never realised the amount of revenue it received. The price of a barrel of crude oil rose to about 140 dollars and then crashed to about 50 dollars.

During the 16 years, we know what happened to some big

Continues on page 31

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 31

`Why my cabinet will be small’

accept another term of office?

I think Prof. Jega knows exactly what to do. He has already said that he is not going to accept a renewal of his tenure in June. I believe that he has learnt enough and will submit a comprehensive hand over notes some of which he seems to have written. At the last National Council of States meeting, he submitted a document of INEC activities right from the 2011 general elections to date with attachment showing the personnel trained, acquisition of election materials, the distributions, security, among others, and I don’t think that such that report can be faulted. In fact, INEC was forced to accept the six weeks extension by the Office of the National Security Adviser. Luckily, those six weeks were accommodated within the constitutional time limit within which election must hold. The law says election must hold 30 days before 29th of May. So, INEC did not have much trouble to agreeing to the six weeks extension. As people say, it has come to pass.

Continued from Page 30 companies that employ a lot of Nigerians and give them training facilities like the Nigeria Airways, Nigeria National Shipping Line.

Even Nigeria Railway is managing to be on paper with some refurbished engines moving from Lagos to Ibadan and a few other places. If you go to their stations all over the country, you will realise that they are in a terrible shape. The important thing in a country with a huge population of youths with more than 60 percent of them under the age of 30 who are unemployed is that you need these institutions to give jobs and training to them. It is very disappointing that the PDP government virtually failed to use those resources to grow the economy. I think the worst thing is the lack of accountability and the terrible budgetary system.

Imagine that over 90 percent of Nigerian budget is on recurrent. How can you sustain development in a country like Nigeria with only about 10 percent of your income? Things just have to change. There must be more money available for infrastructure, for investment in getting the factories back, employment and getting goods and services for the population. I think the sins of PDP will be coming out for several years to come.

Do we expect a government of national unity?

Again, you want me to encroach on the party’s main power. Even if I, as president-elect, want to form a broad based government, I think that the executive of the party will have some influence on that decision.

So, for me to maintain a good rapport with the leadership of the party, I want to keep your question in abeyance until further notice.

The 2015 elections did not go without pockets of violence here and there.

Does that strike you in any way?

I think there are less disruptions in the second leg of the general elections on April 11 than we had during the presidential and National Assembly elections.

I hope it was as a result of the bandwagon effect because APC had the upper hand during the first leg of elections. But what happened in the SouthSouth and the South-East cannot be compared to what happened on April 11. What I saw was that there was a few ballot snatching in some local government areas of Bayelsa State and a few disruptions in Adamawa, but that is nothing near what happened on March 28. I don’t think what happened C M Y K

Gen. Buhari...We had bandwagon effect on April 11 on 11 is up to 25 percent of what happened on March 28?

I think that after the elections, both parties, APC and PDP, will perhaps make their representations to INEC or the courts and then more details will emerge. Maybe we had less infractions on April 11 because the turnout was much lower. Maybe the people just wanted a president and once they got one, they just walked away. They are Nigerians and there is nothing we can do, but to convince them that they have to use this weapon which is the permanent voter cards (PVCs)

Reports from Rivers and some states on April 11 indicated violence. How do you feel about this?

I think we should allow INEC to give its comprehensive report. Meanwhile, as you mentioned in some of the states, especially in Rivers and Lagos, the two parties slugged it out. I think we have to take our time and let us get as much report as possible in accordance with the Electoral Act. I personally want to be legal about this so that people will appreciate that we believe in a system. What we need to do is to modify they system according to the law if we don’t like it, and no one should come out and do to the system whatever he likes. For what happened in Lagos, I think that for whatever political reason, the PDP wanted to have Lagos by all means. I have a lot of respect for the governor of Rivers State for his courage. At a certain time, the Commissioner of Police virtually hijacked the state and the governor was virtually sentenced to the streets fighting thugs without law enforcement agents while the

For those that are coming into the APC, I have no fear because we have our party structure

Constitution makes it very clear that the governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state. So, a lot of lawless acts of the PDP are on record and we intend to make the PDP understand it and make sure that, according to the law, those who are responsible for that are taken to the court and properly charged. We are in this system because we believe in it and we want it to stabilize because it is good for our country. If Nigerians have the confidence that their votes count, then they will mind their business and I assure you that there will be more security in the country. But when people feel that they are abandoned, then they will resist. I think that by nature, human beings are rebels especially in Nigeria. You must try and placate them, convince them and show them that their rights are respected or you will not have peace. On what we hear about the money that changed hands, it would have been impossible for APC to win anything in this country because we don’t have the treasury in our pocket. There was no amount of money that could convince Nigerians this time around. A lot of them took the money and did exactly what their conscience wanted them to do, while some even returned the money.

Somehow, Rivers and Lagos were seen as strategic to the PDP. Otherwise, how could APC have a marginal 100,000 votes over APC in Lagos which is virtually the capital of the APC in the South- West? A lot of things will come out, but we want to do it basically on facts which can be verified and quantified.

To some extent, the general elections are seen by many to be credible. Will you try to retain the INEC Chairman to build on the successes recorded even though he said he wouldn’t

For many years, Nigerians have been clamouring that something be done to punish those involved in election rigging. The Uwais Committee recommended a special court to try electoral offenders, but government has refused to implement that recommendation. Will your government set up a special court to try electoral offenders?

No matter how you the media try, you will not catch me undermining the authority of the party. I will look for understanding and cooperation from the National Assembly when a change of the Constitution or the Electoral Act is necessary. So for me to make up my mind here and later try to lobby is out of it because, some of them, if they are very hard, they will give me a tough time. I will say that I haven’t read the Uwais Report, but l have read a few extracts from news papers. l think it is a good thing and we will encourage it. But we need to get a comprehensive report from the field. The running battle in Rivers, South-East and South-South, especially

by Governor Amaechi, Rochas Okorocha and governor of Edo state with INEC officials and law enforcement agencies and the army is remarkable and I think it has to be totally exposed so that Nigerians will know which of the law enforcement agencies and at what levels is undermining the Constitution of Nigeria because the Electoral Act is derived from the Constitution of the country so that, in future, those who

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PAGE 32—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Continued from Page 31 are in position will know that they are not above the law. I think that is what will bring more stability into the system. In view of that, I will try and work with the National Assembly to make sure that we do something about it.

There are speculations that looting of public treasury is ongoing in the land. What do you intend to do to check this problem?

I will like to work within the system because we believe in it. I have just told you about three governors and the battle they have with law enforcement agents in their states. We discussed and I advised them to try and document these things so that they can be taken before the court and we will make sure that we register the cooperation of the court so that people who work against the law are prosecuted, especially those who have lost their immunity because this is the best way to stabilize the system. People must not benefit from being lawless.

You can’t be in a position by virtue of the Constitution, subvert the Constitution and continue to enjoy the privileges offered by the Constitution. I don’t think that will be acceptable by the APC. So, whether you are in the opposition or government, you have to behave yourself. I think that is the way we can make progress.

APC preaches transparency and accountability. But a lot of people with apparent questionable characters are moving into the APC. Don’t you think they will also pollute the APC? For those that are coming into the APC, I have no fear because we have our party structure. The fact that you were a party Chairman or you were a minister before you joined the APC, we appreciate the fact that you remain relevant in your immediate locality. But when it comes to the centre, there is equality in the way the government will handle you. If we win majority of members of the National Assembly and House of Assembly in the states, it means that it is with the agreement of their constituencies that the Federal Government has the power that it has. If the Federal Government is insisting on accountability and being responsible, even if they go back to their constituencies, there is nothing they can do about the decision of the government. We are banking on that. I will give you an example of my state, Katsina. In 2011, the CPC won all the senatorial seats and 13 out of the 15 House of Representatives seats but lost the governorship. Who did the election? Did people C M Y K

Buhari: People are prepared to behave than in 1983 from space come to do the election? That is the bad thing about lack of cohesion in a party. Leadership at all levels must work in concert.

Otherwise, what Katsina State suffered, any state or the centre can suffer same.

Those who were chief executives from local government, to states will be encouraged to work together. So, those that are coming in, I hope they will accept that they are coming to join those who succeeded and they should cooperate with them. They can’t come and say that because they were once ministers under PDP, they will join APC and become ministers the following month or so. I don’t think that it will be acceptable even by their constituencies.

You introduced War Against Indiscipline, WAI, as the military Head of State in 1984 to fight indiscipline. Years after, the cankerworm has remained?

How do you intend to handle this?

I will mention how it came about. When we had our first Supreme Council meeting and governors were appointed, in my office, it was only me and the late Tunde Idiagbon, we discussed and agreed that the main problem of Nigeria was indiscipline. If we could get majority of Nigerians to accept, which ever level they were, we will make a lot of progress. I could recall that I advised that we should go to the Ministry of Information because there were a lot of people with first degree, masters and Ph.D who were sociologists and criminologists just warming their seats. They should get together and come up with a programme that will last for years and not just for six months and fizzle out. That was how we came about WAI. It was very well thought out. It was a military system. In democracy, people want a lot of freedom, but if they see the restraint in advanced democracies in Europe and America, they will realise that discipline is forced on people. There are things that, no matter how much you want to do them, you can’t do them. I think that we have suffered enough as a people and I think that people are more prepared to behave properly now. About two years ago, I made some remarks in Hausa and people felt, now, some senior civil servants who are Directors either at the state or federal can’t educate four children because the level of education has gone down so much. Those that can afford will rather send their children to Ghana or Sudan and those who can afford it more send theirs to

Gen. Buhari...Education is going to be very important.

America and Europe because the educational system in Nigeria has virtually collapsed. Therefore, we feel that, by voting APC into power, Nigerians are placing confidence in us. On security, economy, especially unemployment and corruption, I believe that Nigerians will give us the understanding to make sure that we get our priorities right. Education is going to be very important because when you educate the people, you solve half of your problems because there is a level that an educated person will not accept. But when people are sentenced to illiteracy, when they are

On security, economy, especially unemployment and corruption, I believe that Nigerians will give us the understanding to make sure that we get our priorities right

exposed to all manner of social vices such as ethnicity and religion so that people don’t move forward, they are used to fight themselves.

During your campaigns you promised to declare your assets if elected. Now that you have been elected, will you stick to your position?

I made a statement which has not been correctly captured by the media. I said that our generation, from the Murtala, made sure that those who had appointments must declare their assets and this was later articulated in the Constitution.

It is up to government to make sure that those who borrow money to build a

house and end up with another house somewhere else with 50 bedrooms and 20 living rooms should explain to Nigerians how they got the money. I could recall that I declared my assets three times. First was when I got my first political appointment as governor of Borno State; secondly, when I was leaving government to go to the United States War College. I declared my assets then because I was closing my political chapter then technically. I could recall that Gen. Jemibewon was the Adjutant General of the Nigerian Army then. I had to declare my assets, deposit it there to be taken to court before I was allowed to proceed to the United States for my course.

The third one was when I became Head of State. From General Obasanjo down till now, those of us who were in the

Supreme Military Council, Council of State, Executive Council and even those who were Permanent Secretaries, at the time we got our appointment, the courts should be made to produce our declarations. So, all the noise about people being rich and nobody is saying anything about it, why can’t you prick the conscience of the existing government or are some of you part of the cover up?

There have been reports that you promised to end the Boko Haram insurgency within two months, but your media team reacted saying you never said so.

Can you now set the record straight?

I think I am too experienced in internal security to give two months deadline on Boko Haram.

I don’t think I would have made that mistake because I tried to look at some of my experiences even when I was in uniform with the rebels from Chad when I was GOC in Jos and with Maitatsine.

So, for me to say that when I come into office, I will get rid of Boko Haram in two months, I don’t think I would have made that statement. I didn’t. As I have mentioned on several occasions, we that have, at one time or the other, wore Nigeria military uniform felt terribly embarrassed that for six years, the military couldn’t bring order to 14 out of 774 local governments in the country after Burma, Zaire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Dafur where Nigerian military earned respect internationally for their performance. To fail to secure 14 out of 774 local governments. I still can’t reconcile myself with that disgrace. We will try and work with our neigbours such as Chad, Cameroon and Niger who are fighting Boko Haram for us. Look at Chad helping Nigeria or Niger, or Cameroon itself. This nation has been humiliated by the PDP. God willing, with our experiences, we will quickly marshal support and we are asking Boko Haram to pack and go.

Can we know when your Transition Committee would be in place?

We have started discussing about it. Personally, I will make sure that it is not too big because if it is big, they will start thinking of how to influence the choice of ministers either for themselves or those they want to be ministers. But my idea is to get knowledgable and experienced technocrats who are really patriotic to study the handing over notes by ministries and make recommendations. I want them to be completely detached people who are patriotic Nigerians, who are knowledgable and experienced. If we get majority of politicians involved it will lead to a lot of row and we may end up with inconclusive recommendations which are not very helpful in our condition.

When I get it ready and before it is published, I will show it to the leadership of my party and the terms of reference as well as the time limit and the result of their work, we will quickly study before the inauguration so that before we are sworn-in, we get into action.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 33

We are going to see if Buhari has changed —Femi Aribisala

• Says Tinubu did not deliver S-West for APC presidential candidate • Northerners have an agenda’

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

D

r. Femi Aribisala, a pastor and Vanguard columnist, in this interaction with Vanguard editors, ventilates his passion for President Goodluck Jonathan and explains his position on the person and politics of the president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari. Excerpts: What is your perspective on the just concluded presidential election?

This has been the most important political campaign I have witnessed in Nigeria. And the campaign will, to some extent, define the presidency.

There were things that needed to be said, emphasized and brought to Buhari’s attention because we needed to remind him that some things would not be acceptable if he becomes the president. Buhari was made to go through a lot of phases.

There were some things like the Muslim-Muslim ticket which some of us made so much noise about and they just had to drop it at some point. There were other things that Buhari did which he would not normally do because we made so much noise about his antecedents.

Sometimes people simplistically define the process by the result.

No! The whole debate is to make him understand that it is not what he had before. It was to make him realize that this is a democratic framework. It was also to sensitize him that certain things would not be acceptable.

C M Y K

If Buhari had contested in the United States, there is no way that he could win. It is impossible. We know his antecedents.

Nigeria doesn’t even teach history in schools.

Once you bring up the antecedents, the very idea of having such a person gunning for a position, not even talk of the presidency, would have nullified his candidacy How did you come about your claim that INEC rigged the election for Buhari?

There are certain things that are interesting about this election. The first one is that it is one of the most keenly contested elections that we have had in this country. It involved more people. But 10 million less people voted than last time, which gives us some idea as to how true some of the figures we have been having before had been. But the question is: Where did the decline of 10 million come from? I discovered that it

came disproportionately in certain areas than it did in others. And to some extent, if you look at the PVC distribution, you can project the election. It is because Buhari could campaign in the South, but the North did not permit same kind of liberty for the president.

The president was stoned in Buachi and he was threatened.

By the time the pattern of PVC distribution became very known even in war-torn states, it was easy to know that it had been front-loaded. When you then analyze the election result itself, you will discover that some places just had an incredible suppression of voters in spite of high level of interest. Some people had an incredible number of voters. And I am still interested in why more people voted in the governorship election in Katsina than the presidential election.

On alleged gang- up against President Jonathan If Buhari had contested in the United States, there is no way that he could win. It is impossible. We know his antecedents. Nigeria doesn’t even teach history in schools.

Once you bring up the antecedents, the very idea of having such a person gunning for a position, not even talk of the presidency, would have nullified his candidacy. I was not just writing about Buhari because he tried to arrest me. There were all sorts of things that he did and for which he never apologised.

Buhari took ownership of those things. And he never asked for forgiveness. At different points in the history of Nigeria, he was given an opportunity to do that.

We set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission but he refused to do it. You don’t forgive a man who does not repent.

With regards to President Jonathan, I had a problem with the gang-up. And I think it is wrong for two major tribes to gang up against someone from the minority. Why should a President be called clueless? I don’t think that someone will get away with calling Obasanjo clueless. Somehow I feel that the South-South is entitled to have their son as president and we were acting as if we were doing them a favour. If it was not providence that threw up Goodluck Jonathan, I wonder if we would have considered having a SouthSouth president. In the interest of national unity, the North-West producing the president again does not balance any equation in Nigeria. If we are talking about a president from the North, we should be talking about the North-East. I was offended that from the beginning, some people insisted that there would be a civil war if the man ran. They also insisted that they would create a problem if the man ran. And I said that Nigeria belongs to every one of us. So that was an issue to me.

Wole Soyinka had vowed not to support Buhari but a few weeks to the election, he asked Nigerians to forget the past and move on. Are you not being unfair to Buhari given the circumstances we found ourselves?

I said you only forgive somebody who repents. Buhari has never asked anyone to forgive him. So you are jumping into conclusion that we have a new Buhari? And the fact that he has won the election has not won him forgiveness. We are going to see if Buhari has changed. And I have said that if he has changed, he will do more than just wearing a suit. He will come out and apologise for things done and overdone. He said he took responsibility which is different from apologising. The man who admitted stealing a cow is different from the one who said forgive me for stealing a cow. Buhari is a very deliberate man.

I am not persuaded by the election campaign that Buhari is going to be a very competent president. I have not seen any competence in him. There was nothing in the campaign that was of substance that impressed me. No new ideas came from Buhari or the APC. Most of the people in APC are PDP people. So I am not persuaded that we are in for any new thing. But I hope you are right.

Beyond Buhari, you are also not a friend of Bola Tinubu. What are your reasons?

I wonder why anybody will be a fan of Bola Tinubu especially if you live in Lagos. He is not a democrat. I don’t like Bola Tinubu because he has monopolised Lagos politics.

To some extent, Ekiti governorship election was lost because of him. I live in Lekki and every day I have to pay toll fare and I wish I was not doing that. APC is in control of the media to a very large extent. Governor

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Continues from page 33 Fashola has gotten an easy pass with the media. It is easy for a Lagos State governor to be seen to be good because he has resources. In the light of the resources of the state, only 10 percent of the people have access to potable water, the same percentage has access to educational structures. In order for the APC to survive, the resources of this state had to be commandeered for political purposes. So, you can see the end justifies the means. I think it will be foolish of Tinubu to take AIT to court over the Lion of Bourdillion case because if he does, the kind of things that would be revealed about him would be shocking. This godfather business is undemocratic. Let people choose their leaders. One person cannot sit somewhere and decide what is best for everybody. I don’t believe that elections are free and fair in Lagos.

I do not believe that Jimi Agbaje lost this election. It was APC’s manipulation that brought out the governorship election result. That is my own opinion.

Not many Nigerians are asking Buhari to apologise. What exactly do you want him to apologise for?

It is part of my problem with the media at the moment. We are being given the impression that Buhari won by a landslide. Please let us look at what INEC declared. 12.8 million people voted for Goodluck Jonathan. So don’t assume that they don’t have their reasons or that the people that want him to apologise don’t exist. I maintain that it is very easy to say that we don’t want to look at the past because we want to look at the future. But we need to understand the past in order to move to the future. So, Buhari needed to apologise. He needed to ask for forgiveness because he killed people through extra-judicial means, he jailed people for telling the truth, he kept people in jail even when kangaroo courts that he set up said they were not guilty. He manipulated the judiciary into jailing some people. I could go on and on. That is why I said that if we were a serious democracy, he would never have gotten away with it. There is a reason Buhari was not nominated by the northerners.

They voted for Kwankwaso and Atiku at the primaries. Buhari got his candidacy through Tinubu. We don’t have to pretend that Buhari is well liked because he has won, it seems to be like that but we should know that he only has the plurality of 2.5 million votes.

In your penultimate column you claimed the emphasis on the alleged rigging was in the SouthSouth and South-East, but the PDP was beaten in areas where they had strengths like Niger, Kaduna and other places. You think the resentment was not real?

I mentioned those areas as well. I mentioned Kano, Jigawa, Katsina and Bauchi. I said the results from these places were inflated. We have video recordings of underage voting. There is a problem with the election because if we accept what the PVCs are saying that 17.1 million registered for the election in the North-West alone, the zone will determine future elections. If they decide that they want somebody to be president, by the time we will be looking at the result and they will come up with C M Y K

know anything until some spirited efforts were made at the last-minute during the extension. That was when they now told people what had happened. But within the framework of Nigerian presidency, Jonathan is a good president if you compare him with others who had occupied that position.

•Aribisala

You are talking about the North being the decider with the way things are now. What then do you think the South-East and SouthSouth can do?

‘Tinubu did not deliver SWest for APC S-W presidential candidat e’ candidate’ the books would be written, it would be said that Tinubu contributed significantly to Buhari’s emergence as a democratically elected president. What do you make of that?

I am not persuaded by the election campaign that Buhari is going to be a very competent president. I have not seen any competence in him. There was nothing in the campaign that was of substance that impressed me. No new ideas came from Buhari or the APC 9.1 million from Kano, the whole equation would change. What can you get from Imo and Anambra? So, if the NorthWest vote is more than the South-South and South-East, there is going to be a problem. There will be a problem if we don’t get the proper census of Nigeria.

They used to tell us that Kano was bigger than Lagos. Jigawa was split from Kano and Kano is still supposedly bigger than Lagos. In this last election, about 3.1 million people voted in Kano and Jigawa. And 1.4 million people voted in Lagos. That is twice the number of the people in Lagos. I don’t believe these figures. If you do, fine. I am entitled to my opinion.

You said you don’t like Tinubu because of the reasons you adduced, but when

I don’t agree that Tinubu made Buhari the president. Let’s get the facts right.

Tinubu made Buhari the presidential candidate of the APC. But in the presidential election, Buhari did not win Tinubu’s votes. And that is part of the problem. All the discussion before was that everything would be determined in the South-West, but Tinubu did not deliver the South-West. The margin of defeat in the presidential election was not much in Lagos. Tinubu, to some extent at the presidential level, is expendable. And that is the problem. You can actually not choose a president just from the North. It interests me that while the campaign was going on, all the northerners making noise that it was their turn disappeared.

They did not campaign with Buhari. The people campaigning were Tinubu, Amaechi, Fashola. I bet you that the northerners are going to come out come May 29. And you will see it happen. Don’t think that the people that had been clamouring for power to return to the North in the past six years, were doing that for Tinubu to inherit. I don’t believe that. They have an agenda. That is why I said the story is not told because the election has taken place, the story will unfold when the administration comes on board.

Are you saying that you are impressed with Jonathan’s performance?

Yes I am. I think APC ran a fantastic campaign. They hired Obama’s people and they controlled so many different things.

So, a lot of things were simply propaganda.

And part of the problem with the PDP was that they had it so easy for so long that they did not know how to campaign anymore.

So, they thought that it was just going to be another cake work, and this was a different issue for them. Many of the things that Jonathan did, his people like Reuben Abati did not talk about it. People just did not

Within the framework of the democratic experiment in Nigeria, the North has been the part of Nigeria that has held the country together. The South-East is neither here nor there. The civil war is still an issue. The South-West doesn’t often show an inclination to take a national outlook. The North voted for Abiola. But the problem with this particular election is that we have an APC that is very sectarian in outlook.

APC is not a national party like the PDP. APC is an aggregation of sectarian parties that came together simply to get power at the centre.

And in order to do that, they had to distort the process. That is why I said that northerners were intimidated and told that they must vote for Buhari. And this is bad for democracy. When politics gets to the sectarian level, it becomes a problem. And we have allowed it to define and determine this election.

There was no level-playing ground.

Buhari could go anywhere in the South and nobody threatened him, but anytime Jonathan wanted to campaign in the North, bombs will explode. We can’t say we are not aware of it. And this tendency will not help this democracy. But we must talk about it. Even though we will say that we are glad that we have missed the bullets of rioters, we need to talk about it.

The truth is that if Jonathan had won, there would have been conflagration because you have a party that only accepts victory. And there is nothing democratic about that. Buhari lost three times, he never congratulated the winners. Jonathan lost once and conceded defeat. Thank God for that. But if Buhari had won, we would have been in trouble. And democracy is not like that. It should not be like that. That is why people who say I am an intractable opponent of Buhari are mistaking my passion.

Why can I hate them? In the final analysis, Buhari is now the presidentelect, he is going to be my president because the people have spoken. We must ensure that the culture of our democracy is such that a party can field a candidate in the North and not be intimidated with all kinds of sentiments that are going to be introduced. So, this was, in many respects, a flawed election.

Looking forward, do you think this man has the capacity to do the job because many people voted for him because he is seen to be incorruptible? In your view, do you think this man will deliver on the expectations?

In my view, I am pessimistic. I don’t think Buhari can move the economy forward because he has no understanding of economics. I tell people that I am waiting for our currency to be equal to the dollar which is one of the things he promised.

One has to see who his advisers are.

Again, one has to deal with his antecedents. If there was a change in Buhari, we should have known it in the last three months. It should have come

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 35

‘Northerners have an agenda’ Continued from page 34 out from his pronouncements during the campaign, but there was nothing there.

He said he is going to give N5,000 to 20 million poor people in Nigeria and that is N120 billion which he is going to give away in a situation where the country is cash strapped. I am going to see how this is going to happen. Buhari does not understand how to tame corruption. He did not succeed the last time.

There are certain tendencies in the man that tells me he does not understand how to tame corruption because we are talking of a change campaign. But who are the people around him? They are not changed people. It is paradoxical that now, the party chairman is saying they don’t want defectors anymore. But how did they come to where they are? I don’t see these changes coming with Buhari. This was a rhetoric that was convenient for the purpose of winning an election. It has succeeded, but don’t let us ascribe more to it. It is going to have some grand gestures but, in the final analysis, will be meaningless.

number of things he did for political expediency. If he fought insurgency in a particular way, people like Buhari would have risen against him. And if he did not fight insurgency, they would have said that he is incompetent. He had to play both sides and clearly the approach that he took did not work. It failed him but that should not prevent us from recognising the dilemma that he was in. He was a president that had his eyes on second term and he felt that he needed to placate some people but it did not work.

•Aribisala

Do you think that it was politically savvy of him?

Don’t you think Nigeria needs a strong leader that can look at influential people in the society and insist that the right things be done? It was so bad that even after the Immigration recruitment tragedy that the Minister of Interior, instead of being sanctioned, was given a national award?

That is not the problem now. Buhari is not the type of person that I would like to call my president. I don’t even agree that he is a strong leader. He is not very intelligent, he is not very articulate and I don’t even agree that he is a strong leader.

Most of the positions he held, his deputies were in charge. People run circles around him. Part of the problem with democracy is that we don’t necessarily have the best choices. You have to choose between bad choices or some bad choices. I don’t see anything that will, ordinarily, make me to want Buhari as my president. I don’t see how he is an improvement on Jonathan for whatever it is that you think of Jonathan.

Are you not expressing preconceived biased. People are saying Jonathan saved the country from crisis but that he did not do us proud as president, a situation that Chad and Niger now assist us to combat internal security challenges. Are you saying that you have not recognised personal failings on the side of Jonathan and that you don’t see anything good in Buhari?

Buhari left the army 30 years ago; a lot has changed in 30 years. Maitasine were bow and arrow people. But Boko Haram is a completely different kettle of fish. And his approach to the campaign does not seem to recognise that. Part of the problem is that we could not run after Boko Haram so that the borders of Chad, Cameroon and Niger are not violated.

And they only became receptive to that when Boko Haram became a problem to them. And that was recently. If we could have surrounded them, it would have been easier for us.

Why didn’t we?

We couldn’t because they could run into Cameroon. The issue about Nigeria is that we are such a big country relating to our neighbours. We have traditionally bent over backwards to tell our neighbours that we have no territorial ambitions and intentions, which could account for the fact that we gave away Bakassi to Cameroon. No country gives away its territory to another country. The tendency in Nigeria is not one that we will C M Y K

begin to violate the territorial integrity of our neigbours. And Goodluck Jonathan is not that kind of person. A situation where, in the middle of an election, Britain and America will begin to interfere does not mean well.

Isn’t that part of the president’s failure?

It is not. It shows you that they have been biased against this country. The Americans refused to sell arms to the government and the government had to go looking in other places. Boko Haram is a different thing. It took the Americans 10 years to get Osama Bin Laden.

But America violated another country’s territory to get him?

That is different. The government invited them and they got a United Nations resolution to back it up. It is so bad that when you read the papers today, you don’t hear about the Jonathan people.

They have all disappeared. I am insisting on Jonathan because he is important. The voices of his people have not disappeared. We are going to come back and hold this government to task.

They have made all sorts of noise about Boko Haram, I want to see how Buhari, a retired general, would handle the situation. I want to see him destroy Boko Haram. I want to see how long it would take him. I want to see how long he is going to get the Chibok girls back. Ezekwesili has been making noise about that and I tweeted her to suggest how to get these girls back. We would see how Buhari will do the magic.

Does it mean that you don’t see anything wrong in Jonathan? The Americans say nice guys don’t win ball games. The president may be a nice chap, but his niceness diminished Nigeria’s standing and reputation. Don’t you think he was too nice for the job?

Jonathan has lots of faults. Jonathan had a peculiar problem. He knew that he could not win an election in Nigeria without the North because he is from a minority area. So he bent over backwards with many things.

That is why some of us were interested in his second term because then he would not need any of these people. Some people in the South-South said he did not even do anything in the South.

Most of the things he did were in the North yet all he got were four million votes. There were a

In my view, I am pessimistic. I don’t think Buhari can move the economy forward because he has no understanding of economics. I tell people that I am waiting for our currency to be equal to the dollar which is one of the things he promised

It was his prerogative to have decided not to even run. But he thought he was going to get the votes. In 2011, he got eight million votes from the North and Buhari got 12 million. In 2015, he got four million votes from the North. It was not unrealistic for him to still think that he could still get votes from the North. In 2011, Jonathan got 37 percent of the votes in Katsina. Given the fact that PDP had foothold in the North, it was not unrealistic for him to expect that he could still use the party structure and the governors to get an appreciable amount of votes from the North. But in a place like Bauchi, which is under PDP, practically no vote came from there. Jigawa is under PDP but it was like PDP was non-existent in those states.

However, our democracy is in trouble because the numbers have already been manipulated according to the pattern of PVC distribution. It was not manipulated for not just this election, but the next one. Therefore, we will have a situation where same people will decide again that the North will produce the president as long as we are dealing with these so-called PVCs. They have permanently ensured that one region has supremacy over others. Let us not pretend that it is not what has been achieved. So we need to address that now. We need to start talking about it now.

What is the problem with the PVC?

The problem with the PVC is that nine million people are registering to vote in war-torn Borno. Where are they getting these people? How are they getting 17.1 million people in the North-West? And 15 million in the South-South and the South-East.

We have to determine who gets the PVCs. At the point of registering for the PVC, we need to know the nationality of those registering. We need to know if they are Chadians, Nigerians, children or adults. It is quite significant for me that these PVCs failed in the election in some places. Why should the PVC fail in the South? Buhari did not have any problem of voting but the PVC did not recognise the number one citizen of the country. The failure rate of the PVC in the South-South and SouthEast was high. In the middle of the election, the rules of the game were changed and the PVC was not needed anymore. By the time we got to the governorship election, the PVC worked better. And I ask: Why did it work better? I believe that the PVC was programmed to fail.

Is this not just prejudice?

I wrote an article in Vanguard before the election where I said I don’t believe.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Modern world has no space for ethnic politics — Gov. Oshiomhole

•‘The militar wful order y’ militaryy ga gavve unla unlawful orderss on election da day’

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

H

ad Jonathan won the March 28 presidential election, he would have been among one of the South- South leaders to be victimized. He knows and confesses it. According to him, he gave everything to make sure his party’s (All Progressives Congress, APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, win the election. His reason was not only about personal safety. It was also based on Buhari’s competence and merit rather than ethnicity and primordial sentiments. In this exclusive interview, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Governor of Edo State, who expressed happiness on Buhari’s polls victory said with the development, he and Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Ameachi, escaped “death” by the whiskers.

The elections have come and C M Y K

gone. What is your general impression about them?

Well, I will say mixed feelings. On one hand, I think in terms of the overall assessment, it would be fair to say there was substantial improvement when you compare 2015 to 2011. And 2011 was also a lot better than the elections conducted by Professor Iwu. So,one can speak of steady improvement. But I think there were avoidable lapses which INEC cannot justify. One of them is the failure of the card reader. If you were going to use the card reader nationwide, you ought to convince yourself that the card would work everywhere or at least up to 95%. At worst, you allow for margin of error of 10%. But when your margin of error is almost 5060%, that is clearly unacceptable and what it meant is that whereas in some areas the card reader was used, in some other areas it was not. Number two, it seems to me there was internal sabotage within INEC system particularly those responsible for their ICT. I have always made this point that the weakest department in INEC is the

For example, how can you explain to me that the card reader worked in most parts of the South-West and the North; but they simply refused to work in the SouthEast and most parts of the South-South?

ICT. That is where all the frauds are perpetrated. Whether you are talking of multiple registration or names being suddenly deleted from the voters register or you talk of mutilation of the voters register where names in one ward appear in another ward; all of these have come from INEC ICT department.

And I believe they are not errors of the head. They are programmed that way. In my last conversation with INEC during my election in 2012, I made a point that there were deliberate attempts by some elements including the head of the ICT in INEC to manipulate the voters register and, unfortunately, the man has remained there. And all the headaches of INEC, I believe, talking of ICT, they should be the ones responsible for card reading.

All those are modern gadgets.

For example, how can you explain to me that the card reader worked in most parts of the South-West and the North; but they simply refused to work in the South-East and most parts of the South-South? They were programmed to fail by those who wanted to use manual so that they can turn in the magical figures

that we saw in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross Rivers and even Delta. And, to me, that is a shame.

But worrisome, to me, is the culture of impunity in INEC where senior people apparently conspired to make things fail and they just keep their job as if Nigeria owes them a job.

If people are hopelessly incompetent as to mess up such a huge effort in spite of the huge tax payers money spent to procure these facilities, somebody should be packing home or somebody should be chatting with the police. I mean INEC is supposed to prosecute election offenders.

And, to me, the person who is responsible for not activating the cards on time, who did not properly explain that you need to remove the SIM card or whatever it is that explains the failure, those people have no job to be kept at INEC. And until we begin to apply the rules, this

Continues on page 37

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 37

corridors of power. So they just threw the money at the people and every other thing seemed to fall in line. We questioned that order. We had to educate the people why they could take that money and not feel guilty to vote against those who under developed them over the years.

Continued from Page 36 culture of impunity will not take us anywhere. So, huge resources were employed but very little benefits.

Look at all the noise generated on the issue of the card reader, it would appear that, at the end of the day, those who wanted to use it, used it. Those who didn’t want to use it simply claimed that it failed and I am not aware that anybody has been queried. And I insist that INEC must look inward and deal with those responsible for this sabotage within the INEC system.

You belong to the APC and finally that party is on board, with the victory of General Muhammadu Buhari as president-elect. As a leader of the party, how do you feel about the victory at the polls?

I think there are several lessons from it. First, this is victory for Nigeria. It is not about APC or PDP. It is the first time in our history that very ordinary people, equipped only with the PVCs, were able to unseat a president.

That, to me, is profound. It confirms that our democracy is on and for those who thought that this PVC is just ordinary plastic, they have seen that it is more potent than the military sub-machine. That it led to the APC becoming the governing party is not the big issue. The big issue is that the ordinary people voted out a sitting president whose performance they believed was unacceptable.

That is something to be celebrated. The second is that one has to appreciate the President GoodluckJonathan for conceding defeat in the manner that he did, thereby laying a good example which has been copied by few other governors. I have heard one or two other governors also conceding defeat, having taking a cue from the president. So obviously this is very positive.

But for those of us in APC, it has shown that people think that the only way to be politically relevant is to be in the ruling party. I have been in the opposition in Edo from ground zero. We joined APC and at that time it was AC, only in Lagos and Edo was the second state. And from those two states, we got three, we got four and as Governor Fashola would say, ‘we just kept on counting’.

And with the merger, we have now become the national governing party, as our leader and the president-elect said we should now say as opposed to a ruling party. So to be part of these forces of change from ground zero, to become a ruling party with all the risks, particularly for those of us in the South-South because somehow President Jonathan believed that this election should be about tribalism. It should be about where you come from.

But some of us insisted that it is not about where you come from. It is about your level of competence and your capacity to deliver. And after four years, you must run not on sentiments but on your verifiable records. And that is how democracies develop. If my brother cannot do it, and my uncle cannot do it, and it is someone from another territory who can do it, why not? After all, when you look at the

Oshiomhole...Technically, Buhari won in Edo

‘The militar wful militaryy ga gavve unla unlawful order y’ orderss on election da day’ behaviour of a Nigerian, our people migrate from Nigeria even to Ghana now. I have seen a Nigerian business man who chose to locate his business in Ghana even though his market is Nigeria. Why? It is because the cost of production and the overall environment is much better in Ghana than here in Nigeria according to his estimation. So notwithstanding his patriotism, the fact that he is a full blown Nigerian, it makes economic sense for him to do his business in Ghana and market his products in Nigeria. So, the modern world has very little space for ethnic politics. In any case, who are we celebrating Obama whose father is a full blown Kenya being elected by white Americans to preside over the world’s greatest economy thereby making him the world’s most powerful president. And we celebrate him and then we come back home to say because Jonathan is SouthSouth, even though he has failed us in many ways including the under development of the South-South, that based on the issue of blood and region, we should vote for him.

So that means that for me, for Rotimi (Amaechi, Rivers governor) and in particular the two of us from the South-South, if President Jonathan has survived, obviously he would have deployed and misuse his powers. And you can see how crude the military was deployed to Edo to intimidate people. So, to be able to survive that, I do not have the words to describe how I feel. To put it mildly, I am very excited that my party was victorious.

The result of the presidential election in Edo wasn’t as fantastic as the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections. What would you say went wrong?

Well, I wouldn’t talk about anything going wrong. In a genuine democracy, different issues will influence the voters except where elections are rigged.

But let me first and foremost

First, this is victory for Nigeria. It is not about APC or PDP. It is the first time in our history that very ordinary people, equipped only with the PVCs, were able to unseat a president. clarify this. The official results

by INEC show that the president-elect won 280, 000 votes while President Jonathan won 286,000 votes. Which means President Jonathan won by about 80,000 votes more than Gen. Buhari. Now, that was an outstanding achievement for Gen. Buhari when you take into account that just four years ago, President Jonathan won 95% of the votes.

Now that has crashed to 55%.

Now look at this, the total number of voided votes in the presidential election was about 150,000. Of the 150,000, about 140,000 were APC votes because you could see that the thumbprint crossed the little line to the next party. So, it is clear.

You will find that that party didn’t field any candidate. So obviously the voter didn’t want to vote for a candidate that does not exist. But because the army and the police had succeeded in chasing away our agents in many areas, before we could respond to that, they have already compromised some of the presiding officers, who were youth corpers, in many cases. They even fielded PDP activists as presiding officers. And wherever they were able to get away with that, the voided vote were clearly in our favour. Now, we have looked at that and saw

that about 140,000 votes of Gen Buhari were voided through this sort of conspiracy.

So if you add these votes to our 180, 000, you would find out that Buhari actually defeated President Jonathan in Edo. That, to me, is outstanding.

And when you realise the reckless way religion was used and you know that Edo is about 90% Christians, it was an outstanding achievement. And for you to appreciate the significance of this, you have to compare this result with the rest of the South-South and the South-East. In those other states, the president-elect didn’t even get as much as 10% but in Edo, he got about 45% and when you add the wrongly voided votes, he defeated President Jonathan in the state.

I am very proud of the outcome because it shows that Edo, unlike the rest of the SouthSouth and the South-East, has risen beyond primordial sentiments of ethnicity and religion. In the state House of Assembly election, I think we have finally buried the godfathers. And, to me, my mission in politics, I would like to say, is complete. It doesn’t matter if I leave politics today or I leave the office, I would feel fulfilled because, when I stepped out in 2007, most people said to me that Edo was the home of the most feared godfathers.

I was told it was impossible to unseat them. But I did say then that from my own trade union training, it was clear that the oppressor will continue to oppress you and he will seem to be able to get away with it only to the extent that those oppressed refused to organize and they continue to agonize. When they stopped agonizing and they chose to organize against the oppressor, the oppressor could be defeated.

This was my message in Edo that these godfathers were not invincible, they could be defeated and they will be defeated. And we used out trade union skills to mobilize the people because we could talk with the people, mingle with the people and interact with the people. These guys you call the godfather talk down on the people. The only tool available to them is money. Not money that they earn through industry but money they had accumulated being around the

It was reported that you had issues with the security operatives during the elections, that they invaded your community. How did that happen?

It is clear that the military high command gave out unlawful orders. Some of the military commanders behaved as if they were officials of the PDP, an army officer removing his name tag. That was very shameful. I asked the soldier, are you about to do something dirty such that, at the end of the day when we are trying to identify who did, it would be an unknown soldier? That was the most dangerous and desperate thing that this government did, misusing the armed forces in a way that would have led to serious national security crisis, because if the armed forces are polarized and become a political tool in the hand of a commander-in-chief, then, we are in danger. In Edo, I had to remind the commander that, in this democracy, the commanderin-chief is not to be elected by brigade commanders or by general officers commanding.

The commander in chief is to be elected by very ordinary people using their PVC and not AK47, so they must not interfere with the process.

And when you use the military the way they did to intimidate people like us, going to do show of force by harassing people, asking people to frog jump, some soldiers used horse whip to flog people who were on the queue, trying to manipulate collation centres, that is criminal. I thought that we can play politics with everything but we must never play politics with our security agencies. A soldier, an officer removing his name tag and I asked why he had to remove name tag in my village, he said they were asked not to wear name tag. Who gave such an order?

Now there was a restriction order and, even as the governor of Edo, I stayed in my village. I didn’t even move to the polling booth with armed personnel in line with the Electoral Act. But there was this higly placed who had escorts of military and police moving from one local government to another, sharing money in broad day light, I was ashamed of my brother. He is my brother, but I was ashamed of him because it is not worth it because, as you can see, after all of that effort, the government has changed. People should learn, what would be would be.

Two days to the elections or so, they deployed soldiers to my house in the village and put them right in front of my house.

And that is not all they did.

They were everywhere harassing the villages and so on. They also sent a drone to fly over my house in the village just to intimidate me. But, unfortunately for them, I conquered fear at the age of 17.

If you harass me now, I am at my best because I learnt early

Continues on page 38

PAGE 38—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

‘ The probe we expect from President Buhari ’ Continued from Page 37 in life. And I told my brigade commander, when we were under full blown military rule, we organized protests and challenged the military government, full blown military government with the power of Decree 2, we fought not to talk of in democracy. We all need to be careful because like I tell our people in uniform, the reason the soldier has power is not because he has gun but because he has license under the law to bear that weapon. When the rule of law collapses and everybody resorts to fire arms, you will be shocked that there are bloody civilians who can fire the weapon more than those in uniform. I think it is important going forward that no future president should ever be tempted to try to misuse the armed forces to protect his political office, it is extremely dangerous. And like I told those people, the world has changed very radically such that if a president is so strong as to overwhelm the judicial system in his country and people kill on his order or kill on his behalf, if you escape justice at home, you cannot escape ICC. And I believe that as we have seen in some parts of Africa where sitting presidents are going to ICC to answer criminal charges.

But in the end, I thank God that the president found courage and defied those hawks around him that would say ‘don’t hand overs. I think that final courage to accept and concede defeat and congratulate the winner, in many ways, has earned him a lot of mileage even in my heart in spite of this clear attempt to misuse the armed forces.

The elections have been won and lost. What agenda, I mean the critical areas, do you want the president-elect to get into as soon as he is sworn in on May 29?

When I met the president-elect after he was formally declared the winner, I said to him ‘congratulations because this was victory that cannot be said to have come easy when you realise that this was the fourth attempt’.

For a former military head of state to subject himself to the rigours of electioneering, some political mischief, some betrayal, falsehood, campaign of hate and calumny and yet forged ahead and, in the end, won convincingly, I think for many younger people, there is a lot to learn. That you don’t give up simply because that you failed your first test does not mean you can still not make it. And having congratulated him for a richly deserved victory, I also commiserate with him because Gen. Buhari’s strongest support base is the army of the forgotten majority, the unemployed, the under remunerated and the mass of the people. They rightly would expect that now that the man that we celebrate has won election, they expect that this may rightly translate to prosperity for everyone. And they have a right to feel so having been dehumanized over the years under the military but

Oshiomhole...It is illegal to fund fuel subsidy with excess crude money much more so since 1999. And having stood by the man consistently over the years, they have the right to feel that having now won, the good days are here. Yet we know in fact that PDP battered this economy beyond what people would appreciate because what the Minister of Finance has been doing is playing with statistics in a very dangerous way as to give the false impression that the situation is not as bad as it is. I am sure in the very near future, all the figures and all the numbers will be out: how much this government has borrowed, the structure of that expenditure and what they used the borrowed money to do. People would be shocked that PDP government borrowed money not to do projects, they borrowed to travel. They borrowed for frivolities and when the overall debt profile both the domestic and foreign debts is published and the time scale is attached to it and the amount of money that has been spent from the CBN that I am not sure they can account for, people would appreciate how bad the economic situation is.

And I think the first challenge of Gen. Buhari is to halt the drift and as you can see the business community has already reposed confidence in the person of the general in the way the Naira has already appreciated. The is a fact that people believe the worst days are over. We are now going to have a president that cares; a president that will ensure that the era of impunity is gone; a president that will block all the loopholes and stop the stealing of either of our excess crude or just borrowing money for people to privatize.

But I will expect the president to tell Nigerians the hard truth about the state of the economy and of our national finances.

He has to work hard first to halt the drift. He has to work hard to stop the bleeding. If the right instruments are in place,

you will soon begin to witness some improvement in the economy growth. But growth that is not just for the statisticians, growth that would be expressed in the quality of life of the people. That means the policy instruments must be designed in such a way as to lead to a job led growth not jobless growth. If it is not job led, then the fruit of growth will not translate to the prosperity for the majority, particularly the masses. They are the ones responsible for Buhari election.

It is not those who watch CNN and BCC, it is the ordinary person. And the entry point of that ordinary person is jobs, good paying jobs. I think the second one is to examine what I call symbolic projects that this government seems to celebrate.

Symbolic projects? What are the projects?

SURE-P for example. What is SURE-P? You take state funds, you give to a politician for example in Edo and then you identify some loyalists, you put them on N10,000 and you pay them when you are happy with them. If you decamp, they delete you. They now call it

When I met the president-elect after he was formally declared the winner, I said to him ‘congratulations because this was victory that cannot be said to have come easy when you realise that this was the fourth attempt’

Jonathan Alert, which is not how you want to create jobs.

And that is trivializing serious issues and it shocks me that the Minister of Finance is part of this grand deceit. What is SUREP? You just create pet names. I mean we have to go to the heart of the matter. First, we must aggressively find solution to the problem of power supply. I would expect the president to revisit the sharing of national assets particularly power. This DISCO that was given to people who know next to nothing so that today across the country, Nigerians are in the dark; if you do not address that, you cannot create a productive economy on the basis of generators and so you need to deal with power.

Once you’ve dealt with power, then you begin to put the right incentives in place to revive and re-attract those industries that were here before that have since voted with their feet. I have in mind the textile industry. Given our population and our per capital consumption of fabrics, the textile industry can easily generate about five million jobs. There is no reason we cannot. When one man wears about 10 meters of Babanriga, whether in the North or in the West, with that level of consumption, you have appropriate incentives, the textile industry can produce so much and employ so many hands. These are permanent well paying jobs, this is the industry that I come from.

You want to ask yourself, if we have these numbers of vehicles on the road, why should we be importing tyres? We don’t need to reinvent the wheels. Why did Michelin relocate? Why did Dunlop relocate? Michelin had a plant in Edo where they produced rubber. Now the rubber is processed and exported without adding value to them to produce tyres that are sent back to us. We have a huge market, what do you do to bring them back? Central to anything you are going to do is power. You must reorganize your Customs so that your tariff policies are enforced. You must interrogate and select Minister of Finance and Minister of Trade, who will not be granting the kind of waivers that Minister Okonjo-Iweala and the Minister of Trade have been doing where billions of Naira are lost to very dubious waivers that they have granted at the expense of the health of our economy. There are a couple of things you need to do, but my point is that we mustn’t indulge in what I call symbolism when we will deal with serious issues of production so that you shift the country away from what it doesn’t produce to one that consumes what it produces, from import-led to export led.

These are possible. These are things that others have done and we don’t need to reinvent the wheel. And with our huge domestic market and a very young energetic population, there is no reason Nigeria cannot be a producing nation. It remains scandalous that PDP, for 16years, could not directly build a new refinery or service the existing, remaining refineries.

And it would be nice to expose to the public how many billions of Naira that NNPC and the Minster of Petroleum Resources have spent in the name of maintaining these

refineries. How can Nigeria continue to import kerosene and defraud the tax payers? Those are things Buhari must check immediately. Just blocking those loopholes, there will be enough to deal with some of the basic needs of the ordinary Nigerian.

Corruption is so endemic in Nigeria, they say. And many people see Buhari as the face of anti-corruption. Do you want him to delve into probing past administrations?

Some minutes ago, I was chatting with one of our party leaders. I think the scale of corruption in this our environment does not require probing. What do you want to probe? A former CBN Governor showed you numbers and, to my embarrassment, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy was arguing that it was not 40billion but only 10.8billion and then the next thing we heard was that the government was going to carry out a forensic audit. And I am like, as the Minister of the Economy, did you need this kind of revelation. So the auditing of NNPC is not a natural way of life? Did we need a scandal for us to audit the books?

And when the books were audited, we heard numbers that ‘oh, it is not 10billion, it is only 2billion, and some royalties were not paid by NPDC’ and that kind of stuff. And I saw the electronic media celebrating NNPC saying that by their standard this was no fraud. You don’t need to probe these things, they are already there. We need to see the management letter from the audit company, let everybody know that the real hard facts are stated in the letter.

What happened to the excess crude, you don’t need to probe.

Just look at the numbers. I heard the minister saying the thing was distributed to state governors. ‘Alright, Madam Minister, show us how much you distributed to which government and when, relating to the total accruals to the excess crude account? Is it true that you took money from the excess crude account to fund subsidies that were never appropriated by parliament? Is that a lawful act?

If you did, how much? If you didn’t, how did you fund the subsidies? What was appropriated for fuel subsidy relative to what was actually released for fuel subsidy?’So when you say it is state governors, how much does the Federal Government take from every dollar on excess crude that was distributed? So just need to show the numbers and the CBN and the various AGIS can show how much we have received from excess crude since over the past four years relative to what is accruing there. And whether or not it was lawful to take money from excess crude to fund the so-called subsidy and then the much talked about subsidy on kerosene. Who gets it? Is it really true that there was intention to sell kerosene at N50 or it was just a shield for people. If so, how much has been so diverted? You need probe to discover this. So, like I told somebody, you don’t need to probe Maitama to know if there are buildings. You can just see it. But I think Buhari summarized it in his campaign that if Nigeria doesn’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. Having said that I trust that he knows what to do.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 39

The Igbo agenda in Buhari administration,

by Prof. ABC Nwosu

BY OLALEKAN BILESANMI Prof. ABC Nwosu was Political Adviser to the President and later Minister of Health under the Obasanjo administration. In this interview, Nwosu speaks on the just concluded general elections, the performance of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the polls and the fate of the Igbo under the incoming administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

You were strategic in the mobilization for your party, the PDP. With the way the elections went, what would you pinpoint as the most singular reason why your party lost the elections?

The election is being analysed by a core central PDP group - those who are committed to PDP. I look back to the advertisement in 1998 in the national dailies that announced the coming into being of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. And I saw my name there, and I saw the names of these other people there too. We are the core PDP. We have been there all through and we are still there; we will never leave.

There are three things that are coming to us.

Three things coming to you like what?

The PDP made many mistakes that could have been avoided. But, these mistakes have been there from day one in 1998. And the main mistake was that of lack of transparent primaries and internal democracy.

The second being lack of designing of effective mode of funding of the party that would guarantee internal democracy - the will of the people.

The third and, perhaps, the most important is that the PDP was a party created with a soul - the manifesto.

These three things may make sense if,

particularly, the last one had been adhered to fully?

Many of the people who flooded the party because the party was a winning party and the party was even more intent on becoming a mega party, came in and didn’t even know the manifesto. The manifesto had in it key things like equity which was what made it possible to push for power-shift. It was that equity that said you must have democratic dividends, that is, the people must have something in return for their support of the party through good governance.

Key people in developing this soul left, or were chased out, or were frustrated.

Some, like Chief S.B Awoniyi, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo are dead. Some have left the party. You can see that some former chairmen have even left the party for APC. So, this is the analysis we are now looking at. As

•Prof. ABC Nwosu

hope to engage that transition of a ruling behemoth to an opposition party?

I come from a town that has produced most of the transporters in Nigeria. In my family alone, we have Ekene Dili Chukwu, Izu Chukwu, Chidi Ebere. And they write on their vehicles: “The down

There are some fringe Igbos who are saying you should not have cast your votes in one basket. Those are the market masters in politics and who say that if ‘is’ does not go, ‘was’ will go. That is how we say it in Igbo.

So, you cast your vote for ‘is’ or ‘was’, so that if it is ‘is’, you get, if it is ‘was’, you get. They don’t look at it that ‘is’ is the correct grammar Chinua Achebe wrote, and I quote: “to know from where the water started to enter the pumpkin”, so that we can then come to rebuild.

The analysis is with an intention to rebuild and rebound because a strong PDP, a rebounding PDP, an opposition PDP, is good for Nigeria.

How does the party

fall of a man is not the end of his life”.

It is good in the recovery of the soul of PDP. There is also the saying that it is not falling that is the problem, it is getting up each time you fall. And there is a firm resolve in many of us who formed the PDP, not for the Jollof- rice that we want to eat, but to give Nigeria a platform that should

guarantee good governance and democracy dividends for the governed.

Many of us are still there, from across the country.

And we are determined, resolved that we would not be found leaving the PDP and that we would rebuild.

This, many of us felt, many years back, five to six years back, when we formed the PDP Reform Group.

I was key note speaker at the summit of the group.

We got suspended and expelled from the party.

And then the president ordered that we be recalled.

Many of us are there.

Two have become governors on the platform of the APC. Those ones I respect because they found something wrong with the PDP. Those people who are in PDP today, if APC wins it tomorrow, they jump at it.

Labour party wins it the next day, they follow immediately.

Those, for us, are good riddance.

There is something that some of us felt and still feel, regarding the PVC and the Card Reader.

From the way the PVCs were distributed and the way the voter register was remoulded, it appears as if there was a deliberate attempt to ensure a

preponderance of voters in the north than the south. A zone like North West, without rejudice to its seven states in the desert, has 17.5m voting population which far outstrips what you have in the South-South and South- East combined, and, yet, looking at population distribution across the world, coastal areas are always more populated than desert land. Would you say something was wrong with the way INEC went about it all.

I said in my last outing concerning Professor Jega and it was clear.

I didn’t join those congratulating Jega.

I was clear that Jega did a botched job.

And that if the elections were held when he proposed that he was ready, it would have been a disaster for this country. For him to have claimed that he was ready when he knew, between him and his God that he was not, he would have plunged this country into a crisis of unimaginable proportions.

But you know what?

What?

The elections have come and gone.

General Buhari has received a general mandate.

Continues on page 40

PAGE 40 — SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Continued from page 39 I am in complete support of the post election behaviour of President Goodluck Jonathan.

I think Nigeria has had peace and there is nothing like post election violence anymore.

In my life, I have never been involved in nit-picking.

If I were to be involved in knit-picking, it is intriguing that the old Eastern Nigeria did not vote.

How do you mean?

They didn’t vote for the president elect.

They completely excluded themselves from the mandate.

If I were involved in knitpicking, I would wonder how it was that PDP people are accepting defeat and congratulating the APC winners and say let us go on with governance.

But funny enough and to tell Nigerian the type of mentality of the APC leaders, any where PDP won, the APC is always showing itself as terrible losers.

The margin of votes in Rivers State didn’t near that of Kano, or Kaduna or Katsina, and yet, the Vice President in Kaduna, said congratulations.

But the people in Akwa Ibom, Anambra, are complaining.

I would urge everybody to stop the politicking, it is over.

The electioneering is over.

General Buhari has received a mandate that enables him to form a government.

He does not need a government of National Unity.

But President Jonathan was a major proponent of a Government of National Unity?

Anybody who jumps into the Buhari administration from PDP for a ministerial or any appointment is a cheap opportunistic politician.

Buhari should just go ahead and form his government that would deliver good governance.

And it is the duty of every Nigerian to hold back, get back to his inner self and his party and see how we can support him across board.

If the President-elect Buhari introduces any policy that is good for Nigeria, he should be supported, across party line, that is the way we can progress.

And speaking of that, what can make Nigeria progress are those decisions reached at the National Conference.

What are those?

True and fiscal federalism, special funds for

But you also saw quickly how the NPP-NPN accord broke down.

That was the only civilian regime we had. When President Obasanjo came as a civilian, it was not a mandate as clear as this. We were just coming out of military rule.

But I think the government of national unity contributed to our problems in the PDP as a party.

Really! How? In the process of that, key persons were from AD and I think the intention was also to diminish the opposition.

That was not good for Nigeria.

With benefit of hindsight, it also led to bloating up of the Federal Executive Council, FEC. The constitution says 36 ministers, one from each state, so, whether you vote for him or not, you are already having government of national unity.

But then we went ahead and started taking ministers from zones, so instead of having 36, we had 42. That increased the cost of governance enormously; and it created a behemoth called the PDP which in time had to implode. And it has imploded.

A new reformed PDP when it rebounds will be worried about things like the cost of governance.

The Igbo agenda in Buhari administration,

by Prof. ABC Nwosu The third point is that the constitution already guarantees that the Igbo cannot be excluded because of several provisions; provision that each state must produce a minister; the second guarantee is the provision of Federal Character in everything

development of our mineral resources, sovereign wealth fund.

Not every time you go at the end of the month to share the crude oil money until it is a zero sum account.

These, I think, are the things we should start telling the president-elect that will be good for Nigeria.

And if he introduces those policies including even a new constitution that is good for Nigeria that guarantees equity, development, there is no reason why we should not support him for the benefit of all Nigerians.

On the issue of government of national unity, this syndrome of winners take all has its own demerits?

President Jonathan has already said it all. You form a government of national unity only when you don’t have a strong mandate like Shagari in 1979.

You saw the situation when Shagari won and the 12 2/3 that required a government of national unity. It was good for Nigeria.

You are a strong voice and a strategic one at that from the South-East. In the context of national politics, how would you situate the Igbo and the outcome of this elections?

Igbo intellectuals, politicians and strategic thinkers are meeting, quietly.

I am involved in some of the meetings.

There are four things that we have agreed to do.

That the Igbo vote represents, as one of us put it, Igbo fears and the Igbo hopes for Nigeria.

And everybody is now coming out united.

Therefore, there is absolutely no regret in the way the Igbo voted.

The second thing agreed upon, for want of better word, that it would be inelegant for the Igbo to be trying to jump into this bandwagon of congratulations and crossing over and seeking to say what can you give, don’t forget us, like a governor told a governor elect.

You are not important we are talking about the nation.

The Igbo have made up their minds that what they want in Nigeria is good governance.

They had congratulated themselves that they have lived under non Igbo presidency for this long.

Whether the president was

from the North, West or South-South, the Igbo made a living and so what is there is that we just want good governance.

The third point is that the constitution already guarantees that the Igbo cannot be excluded because of several provisions; provision that each state must produce a minister; the second guarantee is the provision of Federal Character in everything.

So, all we want is peace and good governance that are conducive to groups actualizing their potentials.

The final one is that the Igbo have said what is really their interest in Nigeria and core interest: Is it for Nigeria to break up? The answer is no.

Is to dominate other Nigerians? The answer is no.

Then they have come to the realization that it is to live in peace with other Nigerians but exercising their full citizenship rights which entitles them to contest for presidency, contest elections where they live and work and contribute, because they have a basic philosophy in Igboland which is that wherever an Igbo lives is his home.

He should make it his home, contribute to its development, welfare and wellbeing.

So, all these are being aggregated and you will find that a new Igbo will emerge.

But I am telling you not to expect the Igbo to come out soon. But whenever they finish, they will come out and nobody should be afraid of them.

Their definitions and strategies are good for Nigeria but they believe that they should be given a chance to govern.

Politics and politicking are over.

The president elect should be sworn in, he should be given time to unveil his policies, he should be given time for his policies to take root. They will not interfere, impede or criticise beyond the normal. There will be nothing personal about it all. There are some fringe Igbos who are saying you should not have cast your votes in one basket. Those are the market masters in politics so that if ‘is’ does not go, ‘was’ will go.

That is how we say it in Igbo.

So, you cast your vote for ‘is’ or ‘was’, so that if it ‘is’, you get, if it ‘was’, you get. They don’t look at it that ‘is’ is the correct grammar and therefore, we will cast out votes. They are there in every group.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 41

OREKOYA KIDS:

Nannies from hell!

•Forgive me, nanny -turned-serial kidnapper begs abducted kids parents •’Eight days of trauma searching for children’ •The technology that broke syndicate – Lagos police boss •Those who also abducted babies

BY EVELYN USMAN

A

look at 35-year-old Funmilayo Odeyemi , a mother of four, who disguised as a house-help to kidnap three children at Lawanson Road, Itire, Surulere, Lagos, last Wednesday, would never give her away as one with such sinister motive owing to her soft spoken and courteous manner.

Describe her as the proverbial wolf in sheep clothing, you won’t be wrong. This is because she never visited any home without emitting a venom that left the family in nightmare .

Her first sting was on a family in Isheri-Magodo area of Lagos, last December, where she crept in under the guise of a nanny, a job she applied for via OLX , an online sales portal.

Barely four days after warming her way into the parents hearts, Funmilayo kidnapped two children: Raphael ( 2) and Micheal ( 1year, three months) while their parents were out on a social function. Her action reportedly threw the children’s ailing grandmother into shock, as she was said to have retired inside with her nurse when Funmilayo bolted away with the children.

Four days later, the children, reported to be Kate Henshaw’s nephews, were released after a ransom of N2 million was paid.

In April, Funmilayo applied via same OLX platform for the job of a house-help. This time, it C M Y K

was to the Orekoyas, whose nanny failed to show up after she went on annual leave. Desperate Adebisi Orekoya, a banker, without an inkling of the trouble ahead, employed the suspect on April 7 ( Tuesday) with a promise from her husband, an IT consultant, to meet with the nanny’s family that weekend.

But that meeting was never to be as Funmilayo, who gave her name as Mary Akinloye , bolted away with their three children: Demola (6 ), Adedamola (4 ) and Aderomola (11 months), leaving behind 10 year-old Michael, the eldest child, whom she informed she was going to get biscuits for his siblings.

The disappearance of the children threw the Orekoyas into panic.

Father of the children, Leke Orekoya, who was on his way to Ibadan aborted his trip and went on a search for his children. Tension heightened after several efforts to reach Funmilayo on phone proved abortive as the phone was switched off.

‘Our hell’

At every knock on the door, the Orekoyas hoped Funmilayo would appear, only to be thrown into despair on realizing that it was, after all, a family friend or relative who had come to ascertain the situation.

Sleep eluded them, with Mrs Orekoya wishing she would wake up to discover it was a dream after all.

Next day, a call was received by the devastated family during which

She was a smooth operator. She did everything that made us not to miss our former nanny, unknown to us that we were only digging our graves Funmilayo informed that the children were with her.

But the next statement from a man, an accomplice, threw the family off balance, as he reportedly informed , “Your children have been kidnapped and we need N15 million ransom for their release” . After much plea to bring down the amount, the kidnappers reduced it to N13million next day (Friday) with a threat to snuff life out of the children if the amount was not paid in 24 hours.

Describing the eights days of the abduction of their children as horrible, the Orekoyas stated that they did not wish their worst

enemies to go through it.

Mrs Orekoya said: “ I could not sleep nor eat for those days. Every day, I assumed I was dreaming and would wake up to find my children by my side . But no, it was real! Three children kidnapped at a time? I felt like dying . I was soliloquizing. I cried non-stop and even took a leave of absence from my place of work. I wished I never employed the maid in the first place.

But as soon as the kidnappers contacted us, we began to work towards the children’s rescue.

“She was a smooth operator. She did everything

that made us not to miss our former nanny, unknown to us that we were only digging our graves. The children’s release came as a huge relief to us and I must thank everyone who stood by us during our trying times . I also appreciate the police, at whose instruction we took the children to the Police Hospital, Ikeja, where they were treated.

We stayed with the children at the hospital to ensure they were well taken care of ”.

No one is above mistake – father

On his part, the father of the children admitted that the family took a big risk by employing someone it did not know but was quick to add that no one was above mistake.

“Anybody could have made that mistake. Those that can really deal with you are people close to you and the family. Mary Akinloye may not be the nanny’s real

Continues on page 42

PAGE 42—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

little kids, I gave further instruction that the brains behind the dastardly act must be apprehended. Based on that , we tracked her down through her phone by adopting the best technology measure that we have. You know policing is about science not about voodoo. We are on hot pursuit of other members of the syndicate and I am so pleased with the breakthrough because it would put paid to the kidnapping of little children.

“What we learnt was that within 24 hours of her applying for the job via OLX, she was accepted into their home and they left the whole house including the children in the care of a total stranger.

It is very surprising.

Somebody you never knew.

“OLX will hear from us very soon because they can not use their portals to endanger the lives of innocent little children. If it is a marketing portal, let them be using it for marketing but not using it as a platform for people to launch on for housemaid because some people are so gullible and will fall for it”.

Continued from page 41 name. So, all the information she gave through OLX could have as well be fake. We don’t have any intention of dragging OLX to court because of the kidnapping. I have no regret using OLX. It was not their fault. What happened to us could have happened to anybody. We had our wrongs and we have paid dearly for it,”Leke stated.

“The eight days of waiting for the children to return was as if the heaven had fallen on me. All my thought was how to get the kids back and alive. I could not think properly. The psychological trauma is better imagined and I pray nobody experiences what we experienced.

She is a wolf in sheep clothing. When she came , she cleaned the house so beautifully that we commended her and urged her to continue that way and that she would never regret living with us, unknown to us she had a sinister motive.

“Anyway, we prayed so hard during that period and we were optimistic the children would come back to us alive. And on that Tuesday night, we saw them abandoned in an uncompleted building at Akonwojo, near Shasha, inside a bag, between 9.30pm and 10 pm. Prayer was the key to the rescue”.

What gave Funmilayo away

While the Orekoyas were basking in the euphoria of the recovery of their children, Funmilayo and her accomplice, later discovered to be her live-inlover whom she bore four children for , Waheed Kareem, were rejoicing over the success of the kidnapping.

Meanwhile, the couple were discovered not to be in this alone. Other suspects include Funmilayo’s brother-in-law identified as Akeem Kareem; his wife, Joke, and her mother –in-law who are currently on the run.

But their joy was shortlived, following the visit of operatives of the Special AntiRobbery Squad to Coker Estate, Shasha, Lagos, on Wednesday. Sunday Vanguard gathered that the operatives earlier located the estate through the help of the caller tracker from a mobile telephone service provider but could not get the exact compound.

During the visit, Funmilayo confirmed to Sunday

Cover up

•Odili, the teenager rescued from the suspects home

Nannies from hell!

Vanguard that she saw the plain clothes policemen.

According to her: “I became afraid when I saw some plain clothes policemen around our estate on Monday. I called my husband on phone to inform him of their presence but he said I should remain calm , assuring me that all was well. He later came home that day (Monday) and told me to go out of the house as he had booked a room in a hotel at Ogunbiyi Street by Vulganizer Bus Stop. He told me the Orekoya family had paid the ransom but did not disclose the amount. I did as he instructed and left the children in his care . It was my husband that dropped the children in the uncompleted building on Tuesday. He usually kept the children inside a bag to avoid prying eyes. By the time I returned home, Tuesday, the children had been taken away” .

All reportedly went on as usual for Funmilayo and her partners in crime until Wednesday when security operatives returned to their Shasha home. This time, they did not miss their target as the mother of four and an Ordinary National Diploma,OND, in land survey from Osun State Polytechnic, who was walking causally around the estate was arrested .

Police sources hinted that even though the suspect would have been arrested anyway, what easily gave her away was her photograph which was taken via a closed circuit television (CCTV) installed inside a bank located around the Orekoyas home Police sources hinted that even though the suspect would have been arrested anyway, what easily gave her away was her photograph which was taken via a closed circuit television (CCTV) installed inside a bank located around the Orekoyas home.

The CCTV camera reportedly captured her while leaving the premises penultimate Wednesday with the children. Operatives were said to have employed all avenues including going through footages of the bank’s CCTV ,where they saw Funmilayo.

Aside that, the CCTV camera at Mrs Orekoya’s bank also captured her visage on the day she took her purported nanny to her office.

Armed with the picture and telephone tracker, operatives were able to identify her. It was gathered that operatives had been patrolling the estate right from the day the calls were tracked to the place but could not get the exact compound. Their presence was said to have mounted pressure on the kidnappers who subsequently agreed to collect what the family could offer .

Commenting on the arrest, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Aderanti, confirmed that the suspect was arrested via telephone conversation, informing that she initially denied being the disguised housemaid until the teenager arrested alongside her opened up.

“Upon the rescue of the

After her arrest, the suspect’s true identity was discovered to be Funmilayo Odeyemi and not Mary Akinloye as she claimed.

She was also discovered to be 35years old as against 23 years she claimed. Also, during the verbal interview with the Orekoyas before she was employed, she told them she was a school cert holder and that she opted for the job in order to save some money with which to further her education.

She also told the family that members of her family resided in Ojota area of Lagos promising to take them down before she bolted away with the children. This information was discovered to be false as the address she gave was discovered to be non-existent when policemen paid a visit there at the initial stage of investigation into the kidnapping.

Investigation further revealed that the syndicate posted an advert on OLX for a house help, during which one Herienta Odili applied all the way from Benin-City, Edo State. Unknown to the 16-year-old who applied with a view to raising money to further her education, she was being recruited into the syndicate . On arrival at the suspected syndicate’s former hideout in Ajah, the teenager’s telephone was reportedly seized while she was made to take care of some of the kidnapped children .

According to Odili, she was made to believe that the two children kidnapped from Isheri Magodo last year, were

Continues on page 43

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 43

Continued from page 42

Nannies from hell!

on holiday, while those of the Orekoyas were said to be hip hop artist , Waje’s children .

Suspect curses day she met father of her children

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard, the suspect disclosed that she was not legally married to Waheed but that she moved in with him in the course of her search for a job , a decision she said she would live with the consequences for the rest of her life.

Funmilayo said: “ I had my OND in 2002 from Osun State Polytechnic. I intended studying further but had no financial means to do so. I decided to work in order to raise money for that purpose but could not get a job on time. First, I got a job as a marketer in one of the telecommunication outfits but the pay was very poor. Then, I got another in a hotel in Victoria Island where I was paid N12,000 monthly. Out of the my little savings, I purchased a Higher National Diploma, HND, form. I met Waheed during that period and moved in with him.

Before I knew it I had given birth to four children and was doing virtually nothing. We were not properly married.

‘He was a film producer when I met him and we were managing to live. Last year, when there was an advert for a house help on OLX, my brother in-law, Akeem Kareem, asked me to apply. I told him I did not want to work as a housemaid. He and my husband later sold their plan to me, after which I applied.

“On my fourth day of resumption as a house help at Isheri Magodo, I abducted Raphael and Michael and took them home. My husband told me that a ransom of N2 million was later paid, out of which I got N30,000. My role was to kidnap while he did the negotiation.

“After the kidnap, we moved from Ajah to Shasha four months ago to evade arrest.

Again, two weeks ago, my brother in-law’s wife informed me that somebody was looking for a nanny on OLX. I said I won’t go that I was yet to come out of the trauma of the first one. Later my husband and brother-inlaw came and insisted that I must apply. My husband threatened to kill me if I did not go and my brother inlaw said I was a hindrance to their progress.

After much persuasion, I contacted Mrs Orekoya and we met at PWD last Monday. She offered me the job and asked me to resume next day (Tuesday) , with an agreement of 15,000 salary

•The Orekoya children ... all is well that ends well begging for her children to be released. Again I went to my husband and pleaded passionately with him to allow the children to go. But he said no, that their father was being stubborn and stingy. He said he would not release them until his demand was met.

Arrest

•The hospital where the abducted kids were treated including accommodation and feeding. I resumed on Tuesday and abducted the children on Wednesday . I took them to our flat at Shasha” . Asked if they were the only occupants of the building, the suspect said there were three others.

“The building is a block of four flats and everyone minds his business. The children are never allowed to go down stairs. I fed the 11 months old with Cerelac cereal, while others ate normal food. They all felt at home and only demanded to watch cartoon on television),”she narrated, “When I brought the children home, my husband said he would only collect a

My advice to mothers out there is to ensure they investigate the source of their children’s spouses income before giving out their hands in marriage token from their parents but, to my amazement, I read in the papers the next day that the kidnappers demanded N15 million. In shock, I rushed to my husband and asked why he demanded for such an outrageous amount.

He asked me to get out of his sight and allow him to handle things the way he wanted.

“I was further moved with compassion when I saw Mrs Orekoya on television and national dailies crying and

“My husband was around when the police came for my arrest. But he never made any attempt to rescue me. He watched as I was being whisked away. I do not know how much ransom was paid but he is going to spend it alone with his brother and wife. I curse the day I met him and wish the hand of the clock would turn back, so as to undo my action.

“My advice to mothers out there is to ensure they investigate the source of their children’s spouses income before giving out their hands in marriage.

Aside that, after giving their hands out in marriage, they should ensure they check on them often to know how they are faring.

“My sincere apology goes to the Orekoyas for causing them untold pain. Aunty Adebisi Orekoya, please forgive me, for you were nice to me. It was not my fault. I only went on an errand for my good for nothing husband”. It was not only Funmilayo and her lover, Waheed, who had been into children kidnapping for ransom. Find overleaf the stories of other alleged child kidnappers.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Little Enioluwa, nanny and husband’s kidnap cycle T

he abduction of little Enioluwa Odegbaike in Feburary 2011 had, no doubt, ignited reactions from many Nigerians in different parts of the country.

For a while, the media had displayed pictures of the missing baby and his nanny, who was assumed to have connived with the kidnappers.

16 months after, the identity of the nanny has been unravelled. She is Patricia Nwangwu (nee Demordzi), 23, a Ghanaian and wife of her accomplice, Emmanuel Nwangwu, 39.

The latter is a native of Enugu State.

The woman and her husband were recently arrested in Abuja by a team of policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos, for their alleged role in the disappearance of the infant.

Patricia was initially a quiet and reticent girl. She hardly looked like a cold hearted nanny who would kidnap a baby left in her care, let alone do so for pecuniary reasons.

The couple had met at Teshigua Estate in Accra in 2001. At that time, Nwangwu was on the run from the police in Awka, Anambra State, and Apapa, Lagos State, respectively. A relationship with his then fiancée in Enugu had ended badly with the girl nursing wounds that he had inflicted on her with a machete.

Nwangwu had fled Enugu after leaving a note on his desk for his employers, the National Orientation Agency, where he had worked as a driver.

Shortly after he arrived in Lagos, Nwangwu secured a job as a security guard at Apapa. Within a month of his employment, he allegedly stole N750,000 and fled to Ghana, where he met Patricia, who was just 12 years old at the time and living with her family.

But in 2008, they were married in Ghana.

Nwangwu settled in Accra and earned a living as a taxi driver. “I had no other source of livelihood and I depended on the money that I stole.

When the money finished, I sold off the car so I could have money to eat,” he said.

In 2005, he had returned to steal again.

He said, “Even after stealing from two employers, I was still in 2005 able to get another job as a personal driver to one John Bede. I used a job agency at Ikoyi; on the guarantors’ forms, I filled

•Enioluwa Odegbaike

He told his new bride they would have to kidnap little children.

They would be employed as driver and nanny, respectively, and dump the jobs after kidnapping their employers’ children fake names, addresses and my own phone numbers.

“All the agencies I used throughout never checked out the addresses. All they did was to call the numbers on the forms and I would pick the calls. I would go to photo studios and appeal to the photographers to show me sample photos of men in suits. I wanted to know how to dress for an interview.

“Whenever the sample photos were shown to me, I would steal some and use the pictures of the persons as my guarantors.”

For two months, Nwangwu drove his new employer patiently around Lagos. All the while, he gained his master’s trust and waited for an opportunity.

One night, while passing through the Motorways route to Ikoyi, Bede asked Nwangwu to stop outside a club where his friend was waiting.

As soon as Bede stepped out of the car, Nwangwu made away with the sum of N350,000, which his boss had left behind in the car. He then returned to Ghana.

The following year, he was back in Lagos. Within a month, he had stolen N600,000. But Nwangwu changed his methods after marrying Patricia in 2008. He told his new bride they would have to kidnap little children.

They would be employed as driver and nanny, respectively, and dump the jobs after kidnapping their employers’ children.

“In Ghana, I met some criminals who specialised in internet fraud. Sometimes, they brought me in on their deals and paid me for my role. That was how I was able to survive without an income till 2008 when I decided that I needed to go into kidnapping,” Nwangwu said.

The couple came to Lagos and rented a one-bedroom apartment. Within two weeks, Nwangwu had secured a job as a driver to his first victim, a man simply known as Coker, who turned out to be his nemesis Nwangwu recalled, “The Cokers lived in Ikoyi. I

noticed that they had many cars in their home and two children. While I worked, I watched for an opportunity.

On the last day of the school term, I decided to strike. I had earlier asked the housemaid to recommend a bathing soap that would help me get rid of some rashes.

She offered to me help me buy one. Then I told her she could do so on the way from the child’s school because the maid always went with me to pick her up from school and she agreed.

“On our way back, I parked across the road from a supermarket and gave the maid N3,500 to buy the soap.

Immediately she entered the super mart, I drove away, parked the car at a nearby club at Ikoyi and chartered a taxi to Mile 2. Patricia was already waiting for me at Mile 2. We chartered another cab to Ghana and called Coker’s wife, asking for a ransom. We settled for N22m to be transferred to my bank account in Ghana. That day was a Friday and so we had to keep the girl till the next Monday when we would receive the money.”

By Monday, the Cokers had boarded a flight to Ghana after paying the ransom.

Immediately Nwangwu’s contact at the bank had confirmed the transfer, Nwangwu took his victim to a popular hotel in Accra and left the child with the receptionist under the pretext that his brother would be coming for the child. A call was put to the Cokers directing them to the hotel where they eventually found their two-year-old daughter.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umaru Manko, said Coker was instrumental in the arrest of the couple. He said, “It was Coker’s sole effort that enabled the SARS to track down Nwangwu after many years. When I received Coker’s petition, I directed the Officer in Charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, to take over the investigation.

“After regaining custody of his child, Coker had immediately liaised with all network providers who began tracking Nwangwu through his phone because Nwangwu, after every kidnap, would immediately destroy his SIM card. Coker financed the entire operation.

“It was a difficult investigation because, in 2009, after a N12m ransom exchange with another victim went awry and Nwangwu

was declared wanted in Ghana, he relocated to Sierra Leone. It was from Sierra Leone that Nwangwu sneaked back into Nigeria and, in February 2011, with Patricia’s help, kidnapped the then 11-month-old Odegbaike from his Magodo residence. Unlike his two previous victims who had to make the trip to Ghana to get their children, Odegbaike’s parents had to go to Cotonou to get him after a ransom of N2.2m was paid.

“The first breakthrough came when Nwangwu got a job with one of Coker’s colleagues at Lekki, who asked to take Nwangwu’s picture after she had agreed to employ him. Because she knew of Coker’s experience, the lady was cautious. When she sent the picture to Coker, he confirmed Nwangwu’s identity. Nwangwu by then had fled Lekki with the excuse that he needed to make copies of his guarantor’s form. Sensing that Lagos was now unsafe, Nwangwu escaped to Cotonou with his wife and newly delivered baby girl.”

After five months, the couple once again returned to Nigeria early in 2012, this time to Abuja to begin the kidnap cycle. Unfortunately for Nwangwu, he was sent to work for a retired brigadiergeneral whose children were all grown up.

By this time, financial challenges had forced Nwangwu to become careless. He was still using the same SIM card he had filled on his employment form with Coker’s colleague. On April 21, 2012, when Nwangwu reported for duty at his employer’s home at Gwarinpa Estate, he saw two plain clothes men walk into the house to see the retired brigadier-general.

“While I worked at my job, I was uncomfortable because I knew I couldn’t do anything to my new employer, him being a security official. I had already begun pressurising the job agency to find me another job.It was during this waiting period that two policemen from SARS came to visit my boss. Immediately I saw them talking to him and showing him some documents, I knew they had come for me,” he said.

Now in police custody in Ikeja, a remorseful Patricia wished she had been able to make her husband stop stealing. She said, “My only regret is that I never dissuaded him when I learned of his fraudulent activities. I just went along with all his plans.” *Source: Crime Digest, The Punch

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 45

Killer-maid to die A

housemaid who killed her employer’s baby girl to spite a colleague has been sentenced to death.

The maid, whose name was not released, was handed the sentence at Abu Dhabi Criminal Court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Indonesian woman was found guilty after the court heard she

picked up four-month-old baby Malak from her cot, threw her to the floor and hit her head against a wall repeatedly before putting her back.

It was said she carried out the extraordinary attack on Malak - whose name means ‘angel’ - to get at a colleague. The child’s nanny, a Filipino woman, was in the shower at the

time and came back to the sight of the injured baby struggling to breathe.

She was rushed to the Sheikh Khalifa Hospital in the city, where doctors disagnosed her with a fractured skull and sever brain damage. She died two weeks after the attack.

In an attempt to frame her, the maid initially blamed Malak’s nanny, for the

death, but admitted her guilt when she was presented with video footage of her actions.

Prosecutors said that she resented her colleague because it was her job to care for Malak and her brother, while the convicted woman had to care for a sick grandmother.

In a previous hearing, the nanny said she did not realise how much the maid hated her.

Prosecutors said: ‘The maid was caught on camera as she lifted the baby from her bed, threw her on the

floor and hit her head against a wall repeatedly’.

They have been aggressive in their calls for the death penalty to be given, and rejected offers of blood money - which in the Emirati legal system can allow people to receive reduced sentences in return for a payment.

The maid’s defence lawyer Ali Al Abadi told the court in a previous hearing that his client was suffering from psychological problems that caused her to attack the child. *Source: The National

The Ugandan wicked nanny

22 year-old Ugandan nanny, who made global headlines for the wrong reason, was found guilty of assaulting her employer’s child.

Jolly Tumuhiirwe pleaded guilty December 13, 2014 to assault after prosecutors decided she had been erroneously charged with torture earlier, The case against the nanny received widespread attention in Uganda because of video footage that shows Tumuhiirwe beating, kicking and stomping on a toddler after the child vomits food she has been forced to eat.

In court, Tumuhiirwe apologized for her actions and alleged that she had been a victim of violence orchestrated by the child’s mother.

Tumuhiire was initially charged on 8 December, 2014 with torture and judgement was scheduled for 12 December. But it was postponed till 16 December.

The girl’s parents, who had installed a hidden

camera to film when they were at work, were shocked to see the footage showing the maid violently hurling their daughter to the floor.

Tumuhiirwe is seen apparently trying to force feed the child, before slapping her hard.

After the girl vomits, the maid throws her face down on to a hard floor.

She then kicks the child’s face and stomach before putting her entire weight on

the girl’s back, and then drags her out of the room, apparently unconscious.

“Our baby was tortured in a way that was unimaginable,” Eric Kamanzi, 32, the father of the 18-month old girl, said last week “As a family we are still traumatised, the baby is still traumatised.”

“My main concern is my baby girl, who was brutally beaten,” he added.

‘Kidnapped’ Pretoria baby A six-month old Pretoria baby thought to have been kidnapped by a nanny was found alive and well, according to the Missing Children South Africa (MCSA).

The baby was found safe and unharmed at a crèche in Hillbrow, Johannesburg.

“The suspect [his nanny] has not been found yet. Police are still looking for her,” the MCSA said.

Further details around the discovery of the baby were not

T

he Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Kayode Aderanti, has advised Nigerians who intend to employ domestic staff to allow the police have a thorough investigation of the staff before employment.

The advice came after the kidnapping of three children by a purported nanny who was employed through an online platform.

Aderanti stated that the investigative process is a way of preventing kidnapping by employees or fraudulent people.

He stated that once an employer identifies a potential employee, the police should be contacted to begin an investigation before the employment C M Y K

immediately available.

The live-in nanny was believed to have kidnapped her employer’s six-monthold baby from their home in Hestia Park, Pretoria.

The infant’s mother woke up to find the nanny and the baby gone. The 21-year-old Zimbabwean had shared a room with the mother and the baby.

Ndou said a security guard told the mother that the nanny had left with the baby

around 5am. She told the guard she was taking the baby to the doctor.

The guards alerted the mother who called the police, said Ndou.

Two cellphones, a wallet, a bank card and money were missing from the house.

Ndou said the nanny apparently sent a text message to the mother later asking for a ransom in exchange for the baby’s safe return.

Ndou could not confirm a news report that the nanny demanded R45,000 for the baby.

The Pretoria News reported that the nanny had spent weeks planning the alleged crime, erasing photos and videos of herself from the family’s cellphones and laptop computer.

According to the report, she had also asked that copies of her asylum papers be returned to her on the pretext that they needed to be updated.

Source: Sowetan

Police should investigate domestic staff before employment — Lagos CP details are finalised.

He said fingers and thumb prints as well as pictures will be taken and filed after which investigations/ background checks will be carried out, and the employer will be notified if the person is fit or otherwise for the job.

The commissioner cautioned parents to be aware of kidnappers disguising as domestic staff, likening it to the kidnapping of the three children and

several others across the country.

Aderanti maintained that the police profiling will ensure prompt investigation within 24 hours with the use of technology to enable culprit(s) to be tracked.

Use of Guards He emphasized the need for a background to be done on any form of guards or security personnel to be used as applied in the case of kidnapping.

•Kayode Aderanti, CP Lagos State

PAGE 46—SUND AY 46—SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

By Tony Nwankwo with agency reports

C

OUNTRIES neighbouring South Africa on Friday prepared to evacuate their citizens from South Africa as the UN raised the alarm over deadly xenophobic attacks which have displaced thousands.

The anti-foreigner violence, which erupted in the eastern port city of Durban, has left at least six people dead and spread to the economic hub, Johannesburg.

“In South Africa, xenophobic attacks over the last three weeks have displaced over 5,000 foreign nationals,” the UN refugee agency said, adding it was “extremely concerned”.

“We would like to underscore that those affected in these xenophobic attacks are refugees and asylum seekers who were forced to leave their countries due to war and persecution,” the UNHCR said.

Foreigners who have fled their homes are sheltering in makeshift camps.

Neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique announced plans to evacuate their citizens, as the violence drew regional outrage.

Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, Isaac Moyo said the repatriation of about 1,000 Zimbabweans from Durban would start today.

In the Zimbabwean capital Harare, demonstrators marched to the South African embassy to condemn what they called the “senseless and gruesome slaughter” of fellow Africans.

In Mozambique, a group of about 200 on Friday blockaded the southern Lebombo border with South Africa, stoning South African vehicles.

“The demonstrators blocked the road for half an hour, refusing to allow cars with South African registration plates to pass,” Moamba district police commander Alfonso Rocco told reporters.

In Zambia, a privatelyowned radio station has stopped playing South African music in protest against the xenophobic attacks.

“Radio QFM has blacked out the playing of South African music from yesterday, April 17, in protest against xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals taking place in that country,” QFM managing director Asan Nyama said in a statement posted on the station’s website.

South African singer Kelly Khumalo was forced to postpone performances in London because of outrage, while Big Nuz — a group C M Y K

Ho w S/African king spar ked xxenophobic enophobic How spark attacks on Nigerians, others •Anger abroad

•A resident raises his hands as a South African anti-riot police officer raids a hostel in Benoni on Thursday amid the attacks on foreigners. that plays the popular Kwaito dance music genre — had to cancel a concert in Zimbabwe, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said at the weekend.

The anger in neighbouring countries was exacerbated by the fact that they hosted thousands of South African exiles during the struggle against apartheid — a point that President Jacob Zuma

raised in a speech to parliament last Thursday.

“We were treated with generosity, dignity and respect by our brothers and sisters on the rest of the continent,” Zuma said, noting that their solidarity was “critical to achievement of freedom and democracy we are enjoying today”.

The latest violence has been largely blamed on a

speech last month by King Goodwill Zwelithini, traditional leader of the Zulus, in which he blamed foreigners for South Africa’s high crime rate and said they must “take their bags and go”.

The king has since said his words were misinterpreted, but for some, Zwelithini simply articulated what many were feeling.

South Africa’s relatively sophisticated economy attracts both legal and illegal African immigrants, but massive inequalities and high unemployment among locals breed resentment against them.

“We believe that the cause of the xenophobic attacks is policy failure by the government,” said Mienke Mary Steytler, of the South African Institute of Race Relations. “High unemployment and inequality are not being tackled.”

The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the “barbaric, criminal and xenophobic murder of innocent foreigners”, calling on the South African government to act quickly to end the violence.

This is not the first wave of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa. In January, foreign shopkeepers in and around the vast township of Soweto, south of Johannesburg, were forced to flee and six were killed as looters rampaged through the area.

And in 2008, 62 people were killed in xenophobic violence across the city’s townships.

We won’t allow criminals hurt Nigeria’s interest — Ambassador

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

T

HE South African Government has assured Nigeria that it will not allow the activities of criminally minded elements in its domain to destroy the strong bond existing between the two brotherly nations.

The South African Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Lulu Mnguni, gave the assurance in Abuja on Saturday while speaking in an exclusive interview with asu day Vanguard on the current attacks of immigrants by some South African elements.

The Ambassador said that the South African Government had taken concrete steps to contain the criminal elements and had registered its strong

opposition to attacks of immigrants in South Africa.

Mnguni said it was regrettable for criminal elements to attacks foreigners in their midst thereby drawing back the bond of friendship and brotherhood that exists between the countries and other nations.

The ambassador particularly noted the enormous contributions of Nigeria towards the attainment of freedom in South Africa and said that such sacrifice could not just be wished away by the activities of criminals.

According to him, the attacks in South Africa were more serious in two areas of Johannesburg and Kwazulu Natal and would not allowed by the government to spread.

Responding to a question,

Mnguni said: “The situation is serious but not as acute as before. It is not the whole of South Africa that is experiencing xenophobia attacks but localised in two areas. But the security agencies are responding very strongly to the situation.

“Our government has also put a number of measures in place and the president of South Africa has come out very strongly to condemn the attacks to show that we are not in anyway condoning the actions of the elements involved in the attacks.

“We are very much hurt and we console our brothers and sisters on the African continent affected by the attacks. We will adopt further actions to end the attacks. Our people have come out in numbers to

disapprove of this criminal action. We want to assure Nigerians and other Africans of our continued support.

“Nigeria stood by us and we can never do anything against Nigeria having stood solidly behind us to overcome apartheid. We will do our best to cement our bond of love and friendship for the sake of our people and for the sake of our Nigerian people. “ We see the attacks as a wicked attempt by some criminal elements to erode the good work we have been working together with Nigeria and we say to our Nigerian brothers and sisters let us not move away for each other. We are sure of victory over the criminal elements. We shall overcome,” he said.

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 47

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

A

rguably, President Goodluck Jonathan is a gentleman with conscience and passionate about Nigeria. But a school of thought believes that he is not the right person to govern the country going by the rugged political environment of Nigeria as the country is not for the lily liveried fathered for those with the thickness of the skin. This school of thought argues that Jonathan has the prerequisite to become president in the western world, but not in developing countries like Nigeria.

The rush with which the president congratulated his challenger in the just concluded presidential election, now president-elect, Gen. Buhari, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, even when the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, was yet to announce the final results of the election, was a pointer to the fact that Jonathan considered the interest and unity of the country over personal interest unlike his opponent whose supporters had allegedly started stock-pilling arms to unleash terror on innocent citizens in case their principal lost the election whether transparently or otherwise.

One of the institutions that had given massive support to the Jonathan administration is the National Assembly, especially the Senate, which has been accused of being an extension of the executive. Although Jonathan did not have that cordial relationship with the leadership of the House of Representatives, he drew most of his support from the Senate dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the ruling party at the federal level.

However, it seems that the robust relationship between the president and the Senate has gone sour with Jonathan’s refusal to append his assent to the Constitution amendment.

But then, looking at the action of the president from the objective standpoint, it shows the real character in Jonathan. After all, he is not going to lose anything by the alleged usurpation of the executive powers by the legislature as he will be leaving office in the next few weeks, but Jonathan appears not to consider the person occupying the seat of president, but the import of the amendment.

Unfortunately, his action is pitching him against the lawmakers who believe that Jonathan had the whole time, even during the public hearing that attracted all relevant stakeholders to make their input but he did not utilise the opportunity only to refuse to sign the amendment to the constitution at the last minute after passing through the whole rigorous process and even going to the 36 state assemblies.

The president’s refusal to sign the Constitution amendment was communicated to the Senate through a letter where he gave reasons he was not disposed to put his signature on it.

C M Y K

Jonathan’s, National Assembly’s last battle

•President Goodluck Jonathan In the letter, he alleged that the two chambers of the National Assembly failed to meet the requirement the alteration of Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

“Section 4 of the Fourth Alteration Act, 2015 seeks to alter Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution by the insertion of a new subsection 3A, which dispenses with the assent of the President in the process of constitutional amendment,”Jonathan said.

“However, this alteration can only be valid if the proposal was supported by votes of not less than four-fifth majority of all the members of each House of the National Assembly and approved by a resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than twothirds of all the states as provided

by Section 9 (3) of the 1999 Constitution.

“This is a fundamental requirement of the constitution and in the absence of credible evidence that this requirement of the constitution was met in the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to this Bill.”

Besides, the president alleged that there were a number of provisions in the Act that altogether constitute flagrant violations of the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and unjustifiably whittling down the executive powers of the federation vested in the president by virture of Section 5 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Jonathan observed that the power vested in the president to

withhold his assent to bills passed by the National Assembly was part of checks and balances contained in the Constitution.

According to him, Section 5A of Section 58, which provides that the Bill becomes law after the expiration of 30 days in the event that the president fails to signify the withholding of his assent, may be inappropriate.

“The provision appears not to have taken cognizance of the afore-mentioned variables, the vagaries inherent in the legislative process and the wisdom in requiring two-thirds majority to

and unintended shutdown of government business particularly where for unforeseen reason reasons and other exigencies in the polity, the National Assembly is unable to pass the Appropriation Act timeously.

“Our recent experiences with the process of passing the Appropriation Act do not justify the reduction of six-month time limit in the constitution.”

The president faulted Section 84A that created the new Office of Accountant General of the Federation distinct from the Accountant General of the Federal Government, saying it did not

It seems that the robust relationship between the president and the Senate has gone sour with Jonathan’s refusal to append his assent to the Constitution amendment override the president’s veto. In the light of the above, I am of the view that the failure to signify assent by the president within the prescribed period of 30 days should rather be treated as dissent, which would require twothird majority to override,” the president stated.

Jonathan also faulted the National Assembly over its alteration seeking to limit the period when expenditure can be authorized in default of appropriation from the six months provided in the Constitution to three months, saying: “I am of the view that this provision has the potential of occasioning financial hardships

address the funding requirements for the establishment of the office.

“It is necessary to clarify for instance, who staffs and funds the office of the Accountant General of the Federation and from whose budget he will be paid since he serves the three tiers of government, “he stressed.

He also said it was important to state who will exercise oversight powers over the office, noting that the National Economic Council, which was mainly an advisory body, was now charged with the responsibility of recommending those to be appointed to the office of the Accountant General.

Jonathan picked holes in the National Assembly’s position

separating the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation from that of the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General from the Commissioner for Justice in the states and also the provision for independence of the Office of Attorney General by guaranteeing tenure and funding.

He said as desirable as the alteration was, there were some provisions that violate the doctrine of separation of powers and also negate what he called “the age-long independence and absolute discretion that the office has enjoyed for centuries since its creation in the middle ages”.

He said the first setback was that the alteration was silent on who was the Chief Law Officer of the Federation. “This is a serious lacuna, which may create implementation challenges, “he reasoned.

The Senate President, David Mark, had turned down attempts made by some senators, especially Senator Sadiq Yar’Adua, from Katsina State, through a Point of Order, to debate Mr. President’s letter.

Instead, he announced that the Joint Constitution Amendment Review Committee, headed by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, would be meeting to study the president’s letter and then the Senate to take a position on it.

But some members of the red chamber are of the view that Jonathan’s refusal to put down his assent on the Constitution amendment was a slight on them and should be ignored.

Specifically, Yar’Adua, who raised the Point of Order for the Senate to debate the letter, said that the National Assembly, will go ahead to override the president’s assent.

He said Jonathan had the time to raise the objections before the amendment bill was passed by the National Assembly and even the state Houses of Assembly but he refused to make any input, adding that it was after the legislature had taken pains to ensure that the exercise was a success that the president was raising points.

Also a principal officer, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity, said there were two options before the National Assembly on the matter.

The principal officer said the National Assembly either accepts the position of the president or go ahead to override it.

Also contributing, Senator Ita Enang, from Akwa Ibom State, said the president should have raised the issues during the public hearings held by the National Assembly and not wait until after it was approved by the parliament.

However, the Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, when contacted for comments on the matter, said both houses were meeting to study the letter and that it was after that decision could be taken.

But during the sitting on Thursday, the Senate mandated its president, Mark, to immediately

Continues on page 48

PAGE 48—SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Bala Mohammed FCT legacies

BY ROGERS EDOR OCHELA

A

s the lifespan of the present Jonathan presidency gradually inches closer to its end, chroniclers of history will be anxious to start the interrogation (or is it inquisition?) of the administration in terms of whether it has impacted positively or otherwise on both the fortunes of nation and those of the citizenry.

It is on this note that I have decided to remove the arrow from their quiver in this piece, in a manner of speaking, by way of unveiling the epochal achievements of the FCT Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, lest some analysts fail to do a thorough justice to the issue. Paucity of funds notwithstanding, Bala achieved a lot within the permissible limits of resources available to him. In chronicling these achievements, I intend to be as dispassionate as possible to avoid critics misconstruing my intention as a backhanded attempt to curry favour from the minister.

To those conversant with the antecedents of Bala, his journey to the top was not totally rosy.

But through deft combination of sagacity and moral discipline, he rose through a combustible mix of obstacles, navigating his way through the labyrinth of life to attain his present position.

In April 2010, when Bala took over the reins of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) as the minister, he met a ministry that was virtually at crossroads, with the staff disillusioned by the devastating effect of maladministration, almost losing faith in the ability of any minister in making any positive change in the situation. Staff morale was at dangerously low ebb. It was under these cloudy circumstances that Bala courageously took over the driver ’s seat, fastened his seat belt to withstand the bumps and shocks ahead.

Analysts agree that Bala indeed stepped into office armed with a ‘’correcting fluid” with a high preponderance of

•Bala Mohammed revolutionary zeal, adorning the garb of a reformer. With a strong passion for turning around the then ailing fortunes of the ministry, unchained it and with frenzy launched it on the path of workability.

With honesty and transparency as handmaidens, Bala has been able to impact positively on the morale of staff and the overall fortunes of the ministry, so much so that even his worst critics readily admit that he has become the most legitimizing factor of the Jonathan administration. Not a man given to frivolities, Bala on assumption of office immediately fashioned out multi-dimensional strategies to confront the hydra-headed problems confronting the nation’s capital city and the result has been awe-inspiring.

So, due to space and time constraints, I shall highlight some of the outstanding achievements of this humble man from Bauchi state, trying in the process, to capture as many of those achievements as possible.

The first thing he did was to break the vicious circle of land racketeering by setting a committee headed by Sen. Saidu Dansadau, a development that led to the upgrading and repositioning of

land administration in the territory.

Others are development of Katampe District, which is being executed through PPP and estimated at over N61, 194, 747, 645.00, with Kagini 1 District costing N52, 609, 879, 284.47, while Maitama Extension District is gulping N137, 454, 626,929.00.

The minister has equally recorded tremendous achievements in the areas of agricultural development and railway modernization. In this regard, the first phase of the light rail and Abuja-Kaduna railway projects embarked upon by the administration is nearing completion and is expected to ferry 700,000 passengers daily. Another is the second phase of the Abuja Railway connecting the ever busy Nyanya—Mararaba axis valued at $750m, whose contract was recently signed by the minister under a PPP arrangement.

The list of the minister ’s achievements is endless. It also includes: reconstruction and expansion of the country’s most modern 10-lane multiple carriage super highways: the Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua (Airport Road) Expressway, and the Outer Northern (Murtala Muhammed) Expressway otherwise known as the Zuba/ Kubwa/City Centre highway, as well as the dualization of the Nyanya-Abuja Expressway, all of which have attained 90% completion level.

Others are: Resurfacing/ Reconstruction of aging Roads in Garki 1 and Wuse 1 Districts; expansion of KujeGwagwalada; Gitata bypass; Karshi – Apo bypass; Sunrise – Guzape bypass; GwagwaladaDobi connection and the Bwari Township roads projects; the nearly 1000 percent completed Gurara-Lower Usman Dam road that connects the FCT with Kaduna State at Jere; completion of work on Tanks 1 and 6 with 40, 000 cubic centimeters storage capacity; attraction of foreign and local investments, totalling over $20 billion.

And that is not all. In a drive to make Abuja Africa’s preferred investment

destination, a 37-storey World Trade Centre estimated at $1.2bn (approximately N180 Billion) is being built at the former Bakassi Market, under a Public-Private-Partnership arrangement with the Churchgate Group; the Abuja Town Centre project valued at $2.7bn is also on card with the Chikason Group to bequeath to the nation’s capital a worldclass 24-hour business district comparable to Manhattan in New York, Oxford Street in London, or the Champ D’Elysee in Paris; the Abuja Millennium City Project, the biggest single private investment in housing in Africa valued at $18bn is being handled by a consortium under the incorporated name, Nigeria Centenary City, Plc; a PPP initiative between FCTA and COHART Group worth $150million to develop Abuja Film Village International (AFVI); a PPP initiative for Katampe District infrastructure with capital inflow of over N61billion and the Land Swap Project ($4.5bn), which has the richest man and woman in Africa, Aliko Dangote and Folorunsho Alakija respectively participating.

The FCT will in the next four to five years fully develop at least 10 new districts through the land swap system. The ground breaking for the pilot district of the programme was performed in February by Vice President Namadi Sambo at Waru District. Apart from infrastructure provision through land swap intervention, work is also ongoing in additional six districts through a combination of methodologies including regular contract award system and different forms of PPP arrangements. These include Jahi, Wuye, Guzape, Maitama Extension, Kagini and Katampe.

Determined to promote the culture of recreation, cleanliness and ascetic beauty of the FCT, the minister through Otunba Runsewe Committee revived parks and gardens in the territory and also introduced a robust and dynamic traffic control and regulation via doubling the staff strength of the Directorate

of Road Traffic Services (VIO) and provision of better equipment.

The beauty of the complex network of roads in the FCT has been accentuated with the vast array of major interchanges otherwise known as ‘’overhead bridges.” These interchanges ease the flow of traffic. Completion and commissioning of major interchanges at AYA, Asokoro, Banex Junction, Jahi/Mabushi Link and Gwarimpa 11 Kado/ Life Camp Junction were implemented by the Bala administration thereby significantly freeing traffic flow in the city and its environs.

Bala equally succeeded greatly in enforcing Abuja’s Master plan; substantially raised the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of the FCT; facilitated the passage of FCT Internal Revenue Bill by the National Assembly; attracted foreign investors in the expansion of the $700million Abuja Botanical Gardens and Parks; review of the concessionaire of the Eagle Sqaure and International Conference Centre to private facility managers thereby enhancing their status, preventing revenue leakages and easing mounting security concerns.

Whatever anybody might say, Bala has paid his dues. With the single-mindedness of purpose that he executed his assignment at the FCTA, he has earned a place in the hearts of Nigerians.

This conclusion may go against the grain of expectations of some few individuals, but then, it requires a dispassionate heart and deep understanding of administration to appreciate all the transformation witnessed at the FCTA under Bala’s superintendence.

What really distinguishes this icon from his contemporaries is his great concern for public good and admirable husbandry of scarce resources. So, as the Kauran Bauchi quits office as Minister of the FCT, he is leaving behind an enduring legacy of honour and hard work. I join millions of other Nigerians in wishing him a prosperous future endeavour. * Ochela is a Media Consultant based in Abuja.

Jonathan’s, National Assembly’s last battle Continued from page 47 write Jonathan, asking for the return of the original copy of the amended bill to the National Assembly.

Ekweremadu said Jonathan failed to accompany his letter vetoeing the bill with the original copy of the bill sent to him for assent by the National Assembly.

He also informed the Senate that the two-day retreat which the Joint Constitution Amendment Review Committee, headed by him, had convened to discuss the president’s letter could not make much progress due to the absence of the original copy of the bill.

He said the committee C M Y K

temporarily suspended the retreat until it was in possession of the original copy of the amended bill,adding that the work of the committee would be guided by the contents of the bill. The Deputy Senate President said, “In the letter from Mr President,he raised a number of objections with respect to the fourth alteration of our Constitution.

That letter was appropriately referred to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review.

“We slated to have two-day retreat to consider the letter and advise the Senate appropriately.

In the course of our sitting yesterday, we noticed that second

to the last paragraph of that letter, the President said he was returning the bill with the letter.

“Unfortunately, the bill was not returned with the letter and we could not proceed because we would like to see the returned bill.

“The committee has asked me to raise this point, to request the President of the Senate, to ask the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to send back the original copy of the bill as sent to him especially the signature page to enable us to proceed with our work.

“Especially since he had indicated in his own letter that the letter was accompanied by the

bill, so we would like to have the bill in its original form, especially the signature page.”

Responding, the Senate President said: “There is a bit of urgency of this, so in writing, we should indicate that we should have it at the earliest possible time. We cannot put a time frame like within two days or three days, that would not be correct. The motion, as it is, it’s a correct motion without the time frame.”

But there are indications that contrary to the view expressed by some senators that the National Assembly would override the president’s veto,there is little or nothing the legislators can do to

make the bill become law.

This is because there is no legal framework for the legislature to solely carry out an amendment to the Constitution without the president’s assent.

The 1999 Constitution, which empowers only the president to assent or veto any bill passed and sent to him by the National Assembly, does not give the legislature the power to override the president’s veto on the amendment of the Constitution.

The National Assembly would only have derived such power to override the president if the amended bill had received Jonathan’s assent.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 19 2015, PAGE 49

Prologue

CHIBOK:

Nothing Without The Girls

J

By Ikeddy ISIGUZO, Chairman, Editorial Board

UST a year ago, nobody knew Chibok. A bit of exaggeration there – not many knew Chibok, and, definitely, not the millions that do today, within and outside Nigeria. Chibok, a local government area in Borno State, which shares the name with its headquarters, has been in the news for a year, and counting, all for the wrong reasons.

Online indexes on Chibok grew from nothing to more than 3.4 million and growing daily, but Chibok is nothing without its girls.

April 14, 2014, some terrorists seized 276 girls from a secondary school named after Chibok.

Some escaped. The number of girls fluctuates, depending on who is counting. Sometimes it is safer to say the number of abducted girls is unknown – but 219 is consistently used. Other girls, from Chibok, who were not among the students, are not reckoned in the number ferried into the dreaded Sambisa Forest, the supposed base of their captors.

The incident and the unprecedented silence of governments for weeks globalised Chibok. The world discovered Chibok and it has been a prominent point in converging global interests that coalesced as “Bring Back Our Girls”. Chibok is the latest “in word” in international advocacy ricocheting through various power centres to the United Nations. Was the global supervening just to ensure we “do not forget?”

Where are the girls? How are they faring? How is Chibok without its girls, its daughters, its future C M Y K

Those who expected the international community to rescue the girls when it prohibited sale of arms to Nigeria to fight the terrorists, when it had vowed to punish Nigeria for its anti-gay laws, do not understand the indifference with which the world tends to treat Nigeria mothers? Where would Chibok’s young men find “educated” Chibok wives, if hundreds disappeared in one night? How has the incident affected school attendance for girls in Chibok and other threatened areas? Who cares, not by words, but by getting our girls back home and to school?

What would recovery mean for residents of Chibok? What happens to Chibok if the girls return, and if they do not return?

Why have the girls not been rescued? Who would rescue the girls? Would they be rescued? Is there something the international community (an increasingly meaningless tag) can do about the

plight of the girls? Was there a global conspiracy against Nigeria over this incident? What should have been done?

Hindsight is useful, but the morbidity of the illuminations it provides is its biggest limitation.

Some say quicker government actions could have rescued the girls. Others blame inadequate security at the school and wondered why the girls were taking their examinations in Chibok, and not Maiduguri, which too is sometimes under attack.

Those who expected the international community to rescue the girls when it prohibited sale of arms to Nigeria to fight the terrorists, when it had vowed to punish Nigeria for its anti-gay laws, do not understand the indifference with which the world tends to treat Nigeria. A poor realisation of our global standing, before those who promote our setbacks to deafening dings, bears importance for how we manage our country.

As days turned to months, and months to a year, are we not mistaken if we are looking for our girls? They have changed. They are no longer the school girls taken from Chibok. They could have become mothers – anything but “our girls”, yet it is important that we rescue them.

Chibok, in its infamy, frames Nigeria. The campaign that did not “forget the girls” ignored their rescue. The campaign is a global concern without care. It is a reminder that the girls are ours, but “our girls” for as long as Chibok provides headlines for the wrong reasons. It behoves Nigeria to bring our girls back and keep Chibok on the world map for something else, something noble.

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

ABDUCTION:

Chibok girls, one year on

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

Where are they now?

April 14, 2014 will ever remain fresh in the minds of the people of Chibok in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State following Boko Haram’s invasion of Government Girls Secondary School in the town where over 200 school girls writing their Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (SSCE) were abducted.

The gunmen killed a soldier and a policeman before they abducted the students.

The gunmen, numbering over 100, stormed the council’s headquarters at about 9pm, had a field day and left at about 3am on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

The school, located at the outskirts of Chibok bordering Sambisa Forest, with no fence, was a popular centre for WAEC and NECO examinations since it was established in the 80s, as it was the only secondary school in the local government area. It also attracted students from neighbouring council areas like Damboa, Askira Uba, Gwoza and Biu who saw it as a miracle centre.

“Apart from the abduction of the female students, the gunmen also carted away foodstuff, before setting many residential houses and shops in Chibok ablaze”, a source said.

A resident, who escaped the attack, Mr. Nuhu Amos, in a telephone chat with our correspondent, said, “The gunmen, armed with AK47 rifles, improvised explosive devices ( IED’s ) and petrol bombs, stormed Chibok on Monday evening and attacked one of the security posts, and shot two security personnel, before abducting the school C M Y K

girls. They also razed some houses and shops.

“Although the attackers, based on my knowledge, did not kill any resident, they only shot security operative, before carting away foodstuff and went away with it into Sambisa Forest.

“I also learnt that out of about 276 female students writing their SSCE, 57 were able to escape into the bush, while 219 were abducted and taken away by the attackers using a Mercedes Benz 911 truck abandoned by a driver heading to Maiduguri, the state capital.

“Prior to this incident, gunmen had attacked Chibok three times without success, but, this time, they were able to accomplish their mission, as they were in Chibok since 9pm and had a field day before fleeing at about 3am on Tuesday”.

Defence Headquarters (DHQ)

DHQ spokesperson, Major General Chtistopher Olukolade, said that all but eight of the girls were safe, citing information provided by the school’s principal

immediately responded, saying about 80 of the students had been rescued, while Governor Kashim Shettima, same day, disclosed that only 14 students abducted by the terrorists had been rescued and reunited with their parents, pledging N50 million ransom to anybody with information on the whereabouts of the other abducted school girls.

DHQ spokesperson, Major General Chtistopher Olukolade, said that all but eight of the girls were safe, citing information provided by the school’s principal of the girls.

But the then Commissioner for Education in Borno State, Comrade Inuwa Kubo, revealed that about 30 out of the 279 had been officially rescued.

Kubo, while reacting to the military’s claim in a telephone chat with our correspondent, said, “ I have been communicating with the principal of the school since the sad incident on Tuesday. In fact, I spoke with her and she said only 30 students have been rescued.

But I am happy to inform you that the military authorities have come out publicly to say that 80 of the abducted students have been rescued, with only eight still in the custody of the abductors”.

Parents recount ordeal in Sambisa

Days after, some parents of school girls recounted their experience in Sambisa Forest, where the girls were believed to have been taken, in search of their daughters.

The traumatised parents, who spoke when Governor Shettima visited the school, also disputed the figures provided by the state government on the schoolgirls who escaped.

Narrating their experience, Mallam Amos Chiroma, who

number of students enrolled for the examinations in the school.

Eguridu said that those registered in the school for the examinations were 530, made up of 395 girls and 135 boys.

“The school had been reverted to a mixed school but the name remained Government Girls School. We were able to relocate 189 of the total number to write their exams at another village called Uba , before the ugly incident”, he said.

A government official said the decision to leave the school opened was made after the people of the town appealed to Governor Shettima not to move their students to another town.

A week after, Shettima described the abduction as his most troubling moment since he took the mantle of leadership in Borno in May, 2011.

The statement came as seven more girls escaped from captivity, bringing the total number of those found to 57, leaving 219 still missing.

The governor’s feeling was contained in his 2014 Easter message released by his spokesman, Isa Gusau.

NLC, mothers storm Govt.

House on May Day

was among those who combed the forest, said, “We saw a lot of strange things in Sambisa Forest but we will not be able to disclose all for security reasons. Borno and indeed this country require prayers from all and sundry.

“While we were in the forest with over 200 volunteers who only had cutlasses, bows, arrows and sticks, we came across different make-shift camps suspected to be owned by terrorists. We, however, had to turn back when we met one man in the forest who advised us that it was in our own interest to go back because the area we were approaching was a zone dominated by terrorists.

“If soldiers had accompanied us to the forest, we were optimistic that our missing children would have been rescued, or we would be satisfied if we could just see the dead bodies of our daughters”.

Another parent, Mallam Shettima Yau Haruna, who spoke on behalf of the parents of the abducted girls, told the governor that since the incident, they had been having sleepless nights and summoned the courage to enter Sambisa Forest.

Our correspondent, who visited the Chibok school immediately after the incident, observed that the structures and vehicles there were set ablaze.

On May 1, 2014, celebrated world-wide as Workers Day (May Day), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Borno State chapter, mothers and civil organizations converged at the state Government House, Maiduguri to protest what they described as the non-challant attitude of government towards rescuing the abducted girls.

Presenting a protest letter to Shettima for onward transmission to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate President, Senator David Mark, the state Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Titus Ali Abana, called on the Federal Government and the military authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the school girls.

Abana, accompanied by NLC members, mothers and civil society groups, all dressed in black attires, said the FG was not doing enough to rescue the girls as, according to him, the innocent school girls had spent almost two weeks in the hands of their abductors, without knowing the condition they were subjected to by the insurgents.

The governor assured the parents and the NLC members that government was working hard to secure the girls release, saying they will come back unhurt and be re-united with their families.

School left open upon request – Borno Government

Parents, community leaders resort to fasting and prayers

Facts soon emerged that the Chibok school was left opened on the day the girls were abducted when most of the schools in Borno State had been shut by government following the request of the people of the town.

This came even as the Head of WAEC, National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu, clarified the

In July, last year, the parents of the girls resorted to prayers and fasting.

One of the parents, Mr. Usman Samaila, in a telephone call to our correspon-

Continues on page 54

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 51

‘#BringBackOurGirls Now And Alive’

BY LAIDE AKINBOADE - ORIERE #BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, an dvocacy group formed after over 200 girls of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, were abducted, started with sit-outs to press for the rescue of the girls.

The first major outing was on July 23, 2014 when vigils and protests were held to mark 100 days of the abduction in some parts of Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Togo, the United Kingdom, UK, the United States, US, Canada, and Portugal, and, following global attention brought by the abduction, the UK, US, France, China, Canada,

Israel and the European Union, offered support to Nigeria.

But despite the concerted efforts by Nigeria and other nations, the abducted girls have remained in captivity, with no clue on their fate.

Some Nigerians believed that if the Federal Government had acted within 48 hours of the abduction, the girls would have been rescued before disappearing from the radar.

Meanwhile, some of the people, especially politicians, who joined the group at the initial stage have either stopped coming for the #BBOG daily sitouts now that they have been elected.

It is rumoured that some politicians merely used the

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

C

hibok Council Area of Borno State is about 130 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the state capital. It has no tarred road. My journey to Chibok was through Damboa Council Area. At about 9am, I took a commercial vehicle from Maiduguri to Damboa, and then another to Chibok. We passed through Sambisa Forest where the kidnapped schoolgirls were suspected to have been held in one of the terrorist camps.

On that Monday, being Damboa Market Day, Maiduguri-DamboaBiu Road was some how busy with vehicles heading to the market.

There were many military checkpoints/road blocks along the road from Maiduguri to Damboa, while the road from Damboa to

platform to propagate their cause ahead of the general elections.

It is even being rumoured that the #BBOG arrowhead, Mrs. Oby Ezekwezili, may be appointed into the next federal cabinet.

But the group has continued to deny that it is being sponsored by any political entity. “We are a nonpartisan civic movement and therefore shall continue to advocate and demand for justice for our 219 Chibok girls. Until our girls are rescued, our movement will not stop”, it said in a statement.

According to the group, during the march to commemorate the first anniversary of the abducted girls, “We have been demanding

the rescue of the abducted girls for the last one year but nothing is more remarkable than having their peers carry out an exclusive activity for their cause. This is a generation that will grow with a well-developed sense of humanity, of standing for others, and also demanding accountability from their leaders. We also thank their parents and guardians for not only allowing but also encouraging them to participate. Your efforts in raising kind, caring and responsible girls shall never be in vain.

“The citizens across Nigeria and around the world have participated in several solidarity activities for our #ChibokGirls in the last one year. We must acknowledge empathetic people all over the world who have raised their voices for our girls; from the one million women in Mexico who marched for their cause, to the hundreds of thousands who have stood for this cause, from Mexico to South Africa, to the UK, to Afghanistan; New Zealand to Syria, to Japan, the US and so on. Rich, poor; male, female; the young and old; across all walks and perceived divides; all bound in a shared humanity demanding #BringBackOurGirls Now and Alive! We stand in solidarity with you today as you mark this day. Among the special commemoration activities today will be the lighting of the Empire State building in New York City with the colours red and purple. Red being specifically for our #ChibokGirls, and Purple representing demand against violence on

women generally”.

The group expressed its gratitude for the continued efforts of friends “ who have stayed committed to our cause all through the past year ”. #BBOG went on: “Friends of OUR #ChibokGirls like the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, and global music icon, Alicia Keys, as well as the media are notable in their efforts.

“We thank Nigeria’s president-elect for his kind and soothing words on the occasion of this one-year commemoration; wherein he promises among other things to do everything he can to ensure the release of the girls, when he becomes the president, if they are still alive.

“However, this does not address our concerns. We demand that the safe return of our girls be the top agenda of the transition between the present and the incoming one”.

The group also reached out to the world body, United Nations, UN, to, “through its relevant agencies, deploy relevant instruments in ensuring the prompt rescue of our Chibok girls and other abductees, as well as improve the security situation in the country; escalate and process the request of the Chibok nation for the help of independent private investigators; call on world leaders and other members of the international community to reactivate their support for the #BringBackOurGirls cause and push it back as a prioritized discourse because the only logical closure to this issue would be when our girls have been brought back and insurgency becomes a thing of the past”.

CHIBOK THROUGH SAMBISA FOREST:

A reporter’s insight

•Inside the school where girls were abducted

Chibok through Sambisa Forest was heavily militarised. We arrived Chibok at about 12:25 pm due to the heavy security checks on the road. In Chibok, there was heavy presence of security operatives, but the streets remained deserted as residents including the parents of the abducted schoolgirls remained indoors mourning the calamities that befell them.

Although, the people went about their normal businesses in the day time, I was reliably informed that when the sun was about to set off (becoming dark by 6pm), they would retire to their houses till the next day. I left Chibok at about 2:15pm returning to Maiduguri through the same route I took earlier at about 5:30pm – the most dangerous route in the North-East.

C M Y K

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Chibok girls kidnapping timelime 2014 April 14. Boko Haram militants kidnap more than 200 schoolgirls April 16 • The government of the Borno state region announces a reward of nearly $300,000 for information leading to the rescue of the abducted school girls.

• President Goodluck Jonathan summons his National Security Council to a meeting in Abuja. The President is said to have plans to review security measures and operations in efforts to determine the “best way forward.”

• Nigeria’s military says it has freed all of the abducted schoolgirls with the exception of eight girls.

The military also said that they captured one of the “terrorists.”

April 17 • Parents and the principal of the all-girls school dispute the military’s statement that all but eight of the girls are still missing. Parents and the principal say the number of girls that are still missing is 234 rather than the 129 previously mentioned by government officials.

• Nigeria’s military retracts statement that only eight of the abducted girls are still missing. They report that only twenty of the missing girls had escaped from their kidnappers and returned to their homes.

April 24 The abducted Nigerian girls trends on Twitter in Nigeria with people using the hashtags #BringBackOurGirls and #WeAreOurDaughters to call on authorities and the government to rescue the girls.

April 30 The “million-woman march,” called by the Women for Peace and Justice organization is held in Abuja and gathers about 500 people who are mostly women dressed in red.

They march to the National Assembly and deliver a letter of complaint that states that the government is not doing enough to ensure the release of the girls. Other protests and rallies are carried out in Nigeria and other countries around the world simultaneously and in the days after the Abuja protest.

May 2 •President Goodluck Jonathan announces a “fact-finding committee” to help in the search of the schoolgirls.

•The president has a televised “Presidential Media Chat” in which he pledges that the girls would be found, yet admits to not knowing where they are. He added that the parents of the abducted girls were not cooperating with officials in the investigation, saying “what we request is maximum cooperation from the guardians and the parents of these girls. Because up to this time, they have not been able to come clearly to give the police clear identity of the girls that have yet to return.”

• First Lady of Nigeria,Patience Jonathan cries

C M Y K

•Chibok girls...Where are thet now? over the abducted school girls.

• Nigerian authorities arrest protest leader, Naomi Mutah Nyadar, who called on the government to do more to rescue the school girls in Abuja. Nyadar was picked up after a meeting she and other campaigners held with the First Lady about the missing girls. Nyadar was detained for allegedly lying about being the mother of one of the missing girls.

May 5 • Protest leader Naomi Mutah Nyadar is released by police who claim that she was merely invited for an interview. Nigeria’s first lady, Patience Jonathan, denies ordering the arrest of Nyadar. She also urges protesters in Abuja to go home, saying “You are playing games. Don’t use school children and women for demonstrations again. Keep it to Borno, let it end there.”

• In a video purported to be from Boko Haram, the group’s leader claims responsibility for abducting the over 200 girls and threatens to sell them. He says “I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah.”

• The spokesman for Nigeria’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abdullahi Jalo, condemns threats made by Boko Haram to sell the girls. Jalo says President Goodluck Jonathan’s government is doing everything possible to find the abducted girls.

• The White House confirms that the United States is helping Nigeria in the quest to find and free the abducted schoolgirls.

May 6 • Cameroon denies allegations that some of the schoolgirls have been taken into the country to be sold.

• British Foreign Minister William Hague offers “practical help” to Nigeria for efforts to release of the girls.

• US confirms that a team of US experts including military and law enforcement officials is heading to Nigeria to help find the schoolgirls • Eight additional girls are

reported to have been kidnapped

by Boko Haram in the month of May May 7 • Nigeria Police announce a cash reward of about $300,000 for “anyone who volunteers credible information that will lead to the location and rescue of the female students.” In their statement, they list phone numbers that citizens can call with information.

• France announces that it will boost intelligence ties with Nigeria and send security service agents to the country to help tackle Boko Haram.

• Boko Haram attacks the Nigerian village of Gamboru Ngala on the border with Cameroon.

Over 300 people are killed in the attack.

• The Chairperson of the African Union Commission condemns the abduction of over 200 Nigerian girls by extremist group Boko Haram May 8 • Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan pledges to find the schoolgirls in an address at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. He thanks foreign nations including the United States, Britain, France and China for their support in the rescue the girls.

• US First Lady Michelle Obama joins the call to rescue the abducted girls by posting a picture of herself holding a sign with the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls.

She joins the call with other world leaders and activists around the the world.

May 9 • Amnesty International says Nigerian security forces had advance warning four hours ahead of the raid on the girls boarding school but failed to act.

May 10 • US First Lady Michelle Obama marks Mother’s Day by speaking on the abducted girls and the importance of girl’s education around the world.

May 11 • The Economic Commu-

nity of West African States (ECOWAS) announces that it has increased collaboration with Nigeria’s government on security in efforts to combat Boko Haram’s cross border terrorist activities.

• French President Francois Hollande calls on African leaders to meet in Paris later in the week for a summit on how to deal with Boko Haram.

May 12 • Boko Haram allegedly releases a video claiming to show the missing Nigerian schoolgirls.

The girls say they have converted to Islam and the terrorist group asks for their imprisoned fighters in exchange for the girls.

May 15 • Nigerian government rules out an exchange of detained Boko Haram militants for the abducted schoolgirls.

May 16 • Citing security reasons, Nigeria’s President cancels his visit to Chibok, where the schoolgirls were kidnapped.

May 17 • France’s President Francois Hollande hosts a summit in Paris with President Goodluck Jonathan and the Presidents of Benin, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon over the response to the Boko Haram kidnapping. The meeting results with participants agreeing to a unified regional effort to fight Boko Haram.

May 22 • United Nations Security Council imposes a sanction on Boko Haram • After several failed kidnapping attacks, Nigeria’s police increases security in two secondary schools in Benue State.

June 2 • Nigeria’s police ban protests calling for the rescue of the schoolgirls for security reason, fearing that protests could be hijacked by “dangerous elements.”

June 3 • Nigeria’s police retract statement suggesting a ban of protests and says their previous state-

ment was meant to warn protesters about ill-meaning groups that could bring criminal elements to the protest.

June 20 • The Nigerian government’s fact-finding committee on the schoolgirls submits the final report. According to the report, the number of girls still missing is 219.

July 7 • 60 women who were previously kidnapped by Boko Haram escape.

• Nigeria’s military says it is closer to finding the over 200 kidnapped girls July 13 • Education and girls rights activist, Malala Yousafzai visits the parents of the missing schoolgirls and assures them that she is committed to ‘bring back our girls.’

July 14 • Goodluck Jonathan promises Malala Yousafzai that his government will rescue the girls.

• Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, releases new video in which he mocks the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

July 15 • Human Rights Watch releases a report that says Boko Haram has killed 2,000 in 2014.

• Families of the kidnapped schoolgirls cancel a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan. Government officials criticize activists for influencing the families for political interests, while activist cite security reasons for the cancellation.

July 17 • President Goodluck Jonathan seeks $1 billion in foreign aid to help fight Boko Haram.

• The hashtag #SomeoneTellLevick begins trending in Nigeria after parents of the abducted girls refuse to meet with Goodluck Jonathan during Malala Yousafzai’s visit. The hashtag is a response to a press statement reportedly drafted with Levick that blamed #BringBackOurGirls supporters for the cancellation.

July 23 * Vigils and protests to mark 100 days of the abduction hold in Nigeria, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Togo, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Portugal and following global attention brought by the abduction, the UK, US, France, China, Canada, Israel and the European Union all offer support to Nigeria.

Nov 14 * The Islamic extremists seize Chibok 2015 January * Fleeing residents say Boko Haram extremists kidnapped about 40 boys and young men in North-East and an intelligence officer says the insurgents killed scores of soldiers in an attack on a multinational military base.

March About 80 children rescued from a Boko Haram camp in Cameroon cannot remember their names or origins, according to an aid official who visited them.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 19 2015, PAGE 53

EPILOGUE

BY JIDE AJANI

W

e are all guilty! No sphere of society can be excused in the abduction of the over 200 Chibok girls. From the media that was divided along North/South dichotomy or ruling party/opposition party reportage, to the pro-northern or pro-Jonathan propagandists, the needed unity of purpose against members of Jama’atu AhlissSunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (western education is evil), otherwise known as Boko Haram, was missing.

Just as it was in the beginning when this writer kept harping on the need for Nigerian leaders across party lines, religious inclination or tribal leaning, to rise against what was then a rag-tag group of Islamic evangelists intent on spreading fear, so it is now that a few Nigerians are attempting to have the magic wand.

Either as a consequence of thinking sans depth, or because of the euphoria of having one northerner, Attahiru Jega, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, superintend the return of power to the North; or indeed, there was a nexus between the emergence and growth of Boko Haram and the need to make Nigeria ungovernable for a southern President, or a combination of the three, the sentiments being let out in some quarters suggest that Nigerian leaders and followers contributed one way or the other to the malady of insurgency occasioned by the criminality of Boko Haram sect members.

It was not only disheartening to hear Shehu Sani, a senatorelect on the platform of the All Peoples Congress, APC, pontificate on CNN on how to resolve the insurgency ravaging parts of the North, it was also a poor display by the distinguished, who fed fat on the information-poverty of Christian Amanpour who conducted the interview.

Perhaps, Sani may have become tongue-tied had she been aware and, therefore, asked him if he would confirm or deny the fact that some people whom the Federal Government had entrusted in the past with negotiation with the supposed leadership of Boko Haram were only intent on swindling their country and making money. He may also have been tongue-tied, had he been asked pointedly that the past administrations he was referring to that had neglected the North were mostly headed by the selfsame people from the North. He may also have been tongue-tied, had he been asked by Amanpour why leaders of his party have chosen to conveniently ignore the role of Governor Shettima of Borno State who, against the counsel from the Federal Government that the Chibok

CHIBOK ABDUCTIONS

We, the guilty Nigerians Over 365 days thence, the girls are still missing. Having campaigned that he would bring back the girls, the presidentelect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has now toned down his rhetoric, admonishing that he would not be a magician school should be closed, decided to allow the examinations to go on and, thereby, opening the innocent girls to abduction. Shettima is

a governor on the platform of the APC. The other very disappointing persona in this sordid story is President Goodluck Jonathan; and then, of course, his wife, Patience. While Jonathan demonstrated utter lack of statecraft in handling the Chibok affair, his ever garrulous wife dragged dignity of humanity in the mud with her comic perspective to the scandal.

First, President Jonathan!

Sunday Vanguard gathered from Aso Rock insiders that a meeting on Friday, May2, 2014, through Saturday May 3, 2014, between Jonathan; Shettima; CP Lawal Tanko, Police Commissioner in Borno State; Mrs. Asabe Kwambula, the Chibok school principal; Comrade Inuwa Kubo, Education Commissioner; and the DPO for Chibok, Hezekiah, had caused more muddle.

It was learnt that the four actors from Borno gave different versions of the incident of April 14, the day the abduction occurred. A source inside the Villa disclosed that this development threw every effort from The Presidency into a kilter. “Even Mr.

President could not believe what he was hearing from the principal, the education commissioner, the police commissioner and the DPO. Those at that briefing listened with mouths opened wide”, the source said.

It was this sentiment that the President re-echoed on national television during his media chat on Sunday May 4, 2014, that he did not know where the abducted girls were, pleading profusely that the parents should come to his aid. From the gesticulation of hopelessness that he displayed regarding the insecurity in the country, what was clear was a challenge of capacity.

As for Madam Patience, she may be a wonderful wife on the inside but each public intervention by her weeks after the abduction came with a heavy baggage collateral mishap, which, in turn, only bred public opprobrium.

Giving instances here would be impolite but the social media videos of her intervention did more damage than good – even infusing the abduction issue with some sordid comic relief of disgraceful proportions.

To the myopic sympathizers of the Peoples Democratic

Party, PDP, and even some of its leaders who saw in every insurgent activity the hand of northern leaders, they partook in the grand deception that ravaged the land. Instead of looking for creative ways of engaging the insurgents, they chose to tar the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, describing the party as the political wing of Boko Haram.

In truth, the actions, utterances and body language of some of the leaders of APC were incommodious to the brain and, therefore, made it a bit difficult to either insinuate them into or even extricate them from their alleged sponsorship of state terrorism. But because a President and Commander-inChief is expected to always act in a presidential manner, Jonathan was expected to act, take charge and demonstrate that Nigeria was capable of stopping the insurgency.

Over 365 days thence, the girls are still missing. Having campaigned that he would bring back the girls, the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, has now toned down his rhetoric, admonishing that he would not be a magician.

As in everything Nigerian, the only requirement for success is unity. During every international football match between Nigeria and any other nation, tribe, religion, zone, section do not feature in the consciousness of Nigerians. That is the type of spirit required to defeat insurgency as well as poverty and the plethora of ills bedeviling Nigeria.

But because we have allowed all these sentiments to becloud out reasoning on the issue of the Chibok abduction, we are all guilty.

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Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

36 days, also come across a situation where men abducted young, innocent schoolgirls, separated them from their education, from their parents, from their relations and friends and from their environment and more disturbing also, attempted to separate them from their own religion out of compulsion”.

Only last week, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who was re-elected on the platform of the APC to represent Southern Borno in the Senate, accused the Federal Government and the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Bade, of failure to rescue the Chibok schoolgirls.

Ndume stated this in an interview with our correspondent at his residence in Maiduguri.

He commended the Bring Back Our Girls (#BBOG) group and the media for their roles to ensure that the girls are returned safely.

Whereabouts

Chibok girls, one year on Continued from page 50 dent, said, “ We have lost confidence in government and security operatives, as all efforts to rescue our daughters seem to have no positive results, and so we have decided as parents and community leaders to take a private move by embarking on fasting and prayers to God to rescue our children and for peace to be restored in our dear nation”.

Meanwhile, Shettima said the doubt expressed in some quarters on the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls and the theory that the kidnapping was staged managed by his government was as painful as the actual abduction.

The governor said it was a sad tale that Nigeria pays more emphasis to politics than finding solution to the nation’s problems.

Responding to the address of the Chairman of the Presidential Fact Finding Committee on the Abduction of girls, Brig, Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (rtd) during a visit, Shettima said: “Borno has seen evil times. Our people have suffered. At times, when I lament this carnage in the midst of some associates, they remind me that I didn’t create Boko Haram, that in fact, I inherited it in 2011 when I was sworn-in amidst near complete breakdown of security in Maiduguri, the largest and most populated part of the state. But I normally say to them, that a leader is elected or appointed to solve problems, it doesn’t matter whether the leader created the problem or not. A leader is elected to find solution, this is governance.

There is a whole difference between politics and gover-

nance. “In politics, you tell the general public and victims about a problem, you tell them the gravity of the problem; and with emphasis, you tell them who to blame for it. But in governance, you identify a problem and work hard to solve it. Unfortunately for us in this interesting country, we all appear to lay more emphasis on politics than on governance.

The Chibok incident, to me, has grossly exposed our weighty weakness as leaders in terms of assuming our shared responsibilities.”

He added: “In two or three months, the entire Western world mobilized men and resources, contributed so much funds in the search for a Malaysian airline which is believed to have crashed into the ocean. Majority in the western world suspect that the crew and passengers of that airline are most probably dead. Despite that, massive investment was and still being deployed in the search for whatever can be found as remains of those in that plane and its wreckage. Now, while that is going on, here is Nigeria, there was a report that over 200 human creatures, young Nigerian girls about completing their secondary school education, were attacked in their school at night and whisked away like slaves in ancient years.

“Some Nigerians, one of them a former Minister and one time member of the Federal Executive Council, the highest decision making body of this country, worst of all, a woman and a mother came out to cast doubt over the abduction of these schoolgirls. That woman completely disregarded

the sensitivity of that issue, the pains of the agonizing parents and our pains as a government, to whom the parents of these girls cry out in desperation and unimaginable confusion and anguish.

“Every other unreasonable Nigerian that came to adopt that view only anchored the unfortunate view. Doubt over that abduction pained me as much as the incident itself.

Doubt over that abduction pained me far more than the childish theory that, as government, we staged that abduction in order to create the basis to stop the extension of emergency rule in Borno.”

The governor, who had to mop tears from his face continually, said: “In the last three years, we have witnessed the most turbulent of times as a people. I have seen very terrible incidents as a governor. I have come across innocent citizens of Borno killed in thousands, some slaughtered by fellow human beings who think they earn rewards from God by their brutality.

“I have witnessed high scale of destructions inflicted on us as a people in Borno by fellow human beings who again think they earn reward from God by their intentional and planned devastations. I have in the last

or are ffor anffare er,, no ffan aftter dayyss af 365 da m iss in g sc ho ol gi rls in Bo rn o

One year after the abductions, the world remains concerned about the girls.

And there are many questions on the lips of the campaigners for their release. Where are they now? Are they still in Sambisa Forest where the terrorists allegedly took them after their capture? Or have they been separated by their captors to the neighbouring countries of Niger, Chad and Cameroun to make it difficult to rescue them and married off to Islamists as sex slaves as claimed by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau? Will the girls be rescued before May 29 when the Jonathan regime winds up as said by the National Security Adviser, Colonel Aliyu Dasuki Sambo (rtd). The president-elect, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has said his administration would make efforts to locate the girls but could not guarantee they will still be alive. Everything about the rescue of the Chibok schoolgirls remains in the realm of conjecture.

ents r anniversary since the over 200 stud Tuesday, April 14 marked one-yea ary School in Chibok in Chibok Local of the Government Girls Seconde were kidnapped while writing their Government Area of Borno StatBoko Haram insurgents. final examinations by suspected civil society groups calling on relevant But while the day was marked by rescue the girls in Lagos and Abuja and authorities to expedite action and ions Secretary General Ban-ki Moon, Nat even got a mention by the United forgotten, Borno State was calm . Our be not uld sho s girl was no who said the Maiduguri, observed that there correspondent, who went round r major towns in the state by the state othe the activity organised there and or student associations concerning government, civil society groups had schoolgirls abduction. y of the civil society groups who It was also observed that man girls in Borno were no longer doing campaigned for the release of the uri anything in that regard. at the Government House, Maidug Activities were going on as usual e capital. and other public places in the stat ut it while public secondary schools Parents were not also talking abo nts of remained shut.

Shettima of recent reassured pare Nevertheless, Governor Kashim Government and security operatives the abducted girls that the Federal r children from the insurgent group. thei would intensify action to rescue

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 55

arryy and ita The milit

o Haram ko the Bok challenge

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, ABUJA

S

hortly before the six weeks shift in the general elections in February, requested by the military to enable it rout Boko Haram from Nigerian shores and recover scores of local government and communities overran by the terrorists in the North East, the Nigerian Army was in the eye of the storm.

For about five years, the army, backed by the airforce in particular, had waged an asymmetric warfare against an enemy that was said to be unknown and could not be seen until the terrorists captured territories after territories and consequently established known bases.

Several reasons for the army’s inability to initially conquer the enemy, in several of the battles that ensued, include the situation whereby soldiers abandoned fighting with the enemies and took to their heels as well as the situation whereby soldiers abandoned fighting equipment like armoured tanks and other personal weapons.

There were instances when the terrorists became so daring that they attacked and overpowered troops inside army barracks like those located in Baga and Bama, Borno State, ransacked the armouries and carted away sophisticated arms and ammunition with which they prolonged the war on terror.

It emerged at some point that there was connivance by troops who were not only selling information to the terrorists, but

also donating equipment to them while also introducing religious considerations into the battle.

The story is still fresh of how a colonel and commander of an armoured company of about four tanks who, as advance leader for an onslaught to finish advancing terrorists from Madagali/Michika axis, abandoned the tanks midway and told his men to do same.

Though the colonel claimed the tanks developed mechanical faults and could not advance to carry out the task assigned, it was gathered that Boko Haram fighters eventually took the tanks, re-mobilized them and used them to wreak fighters havoc in their march to capture Mubi and other towns in Adamawa.

An instance, spoken about in hushed tones in 2014, occurred when a pilot of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was directed to carry out a mission to bomb a band of Boko Haram fighters who attacked a community; murdered over 50 persons mostly elderly men and women, abducted scores of young girls and children and burnt down the community.

When the pilot got to the scene, from the air, he saw the fighters in their numbers doing prayers. He choose not to attack them and returned to base.

There were also allegations that troops didn’t get approved allowances from commanders on the field as and when due whilst the amount approved for partaking in a war with a 50-50 chance of survival (N30, 000 monthly) was considered paltry for those who may be compelled to pay the ultimate price.

Of course, the aspect of desertion and soldiers running away from battle was so embarrassing not

More importantly, the strategic blunder that nailed the fighters was their misadventure in deciding to attack neighbouring countries; Niger, Chad and Cameroon only to Nigerians, but the Army High Command to the extent that the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General KTJ Minimah, one who himself has fought so many battles, drew a line and said enough was enough, hence the recourse to the language soldiers understood for such offences committed, that of facing a military court martial.

Initially, Minimah, having spent the first of his two weeks on assumption of office in the epicentre of the battle with soldiers in Maiduguri, Baga, Konduga and other places assessing and observing, first hand, the challenges of troops, took the unbelievable step of promoting about 300 soldiers across board for their gallantry in the battle and this was meant to ginger others in the war.

Then the military high command made a case and the N30, 000 monthly allowance for soldiers seen as paltry was increased to N100, 000 per

month.

The authorities established a dedicated funding arrangement that takes care of the treatment of injured military personnel either in Nigeria or abroad and there is dedicated aircraft that evacuates injured personnel at the shortest notice.

There was also the establishment of a Benevolent Fund Account to take care of immediate needs of families who lose breadwinners.

Several other welfare arrangements were made to ensure that soldiers gave their all in the course of the war.

When all these measures failed to put a stop to the embarrassing conduct of troops, the steel in the CoAs was let out resulting in the court martially of soldiers who embarked on several disgraceful actions, including opening fire at the General officer Commanding the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ahmed Mohammed (alias Bandit), and troops refusing orders from their commanding officers in the war front. Though the outcome of the court martial so far is well documented with several death sentences and live imprisonment verdicts, some are still ongoing.

The court martial, which elicited outcry from the public, was actually the game changer that caused a sweeping change of attitude among the troops which consequently exposed the terrorists as people or group who feasted on the fear factor allegedly that Boko Haram terrorists being better armed or protected by certain charms or some kind of invincible armour.

So by the time the opportunity

of the six weeks extension requested by the military to enable them flush out the terrorists and recover Nigerian territories before the general elections came and with the arrival of substantial quantity of new weaponry, a ‘primed set of troops’ were set and good to go.

The army and airforce, which all along, didn’t have the requisite weaponry to fight the type of guerrilla warfare that was visited on the country, were equipped with the required military hardware.

The airforce was reinvigorated by government’s procurement of 40 attack aircraft including helicopters with night vision equipment and capabilities for night operations.

Before now, Boko Haram fighters employed anti-aircraft guns to bring down airforce aircraft; and the noise level of aircraft did not help matters because it easily gave them out during attack missions.

Many armoured personnel carriers were also demobilized by the anti-aircraft weapons as well as landmines planted on attack routes by Boko Haram while many, due to age constraint and expiry status, malfunctioned or under performed.

But with new acquisitions like mines counter armoured personnel carriers such as the Cobras equipped with night vision, which can operate in any terrain; the High Velocity T72 armoured tanks with mine sweeping capabilities, Boko Haram fighters came to realize they could never be a match for the military.

More importantly, the strategic blunder that nailed the fighters was their blunder in deciding to attack neighbouring countries; Niger, Chad and Cameroon. In the past, these countries, who shared borders with Nigeria, exhibited a ‘siddon look’ attitude because, after several deadly attacks on Nigeria, the fighters ran to these countries which served as safe havens. However, when the tide changed and the same Boko Haram turned against them, they understood what Nigeria was passing through and saw the need to work with Nigeria’s military.

In this wise, most of the troops contributed by the three countries to the Multinational Joint Task Force were deployed to border towns with Nigeria thereby ensuring a blockade.

At this juncture, the subversive roles played by politicians and political actors who used the negative activities of Boko Haram fighters to score political scores must be emphasized.

Intelligence reports available to security agencies showed that while some politicians, who, today, are smiling over their victories at the polls, did everything to prevent hitherto friendly countries from selling arms to Nigeria to fight the war, using the excuse of human rights abuses, others used their personal relationships with leaders of some countries to scuttle already agreed deals to ship arms to Nigeria on the grounds that Nigeria may use such weaponry to hunt down opposition elements.

PAGE 56—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015 sam.eyoboka@gmail.com

08023145567 (sms only)

WHO'LL SAVE DEEPER LIFE FROM LAND SPECULATORS?

By SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

B

ORN June 6, 1941 into a Christian family in Erin-Ijesha, Osun State, Pastor William Folorunsho Kumuyi completed his secondary school education in 1961, and the started teaching mathematics at Mayflower School, Ikenne, Ogun State the following year from where he proceeded to the University of Ibadan, graduating with a first-class honours degree in mathematics in 1967. He became born again in April 1964.

Kumuyi, founder/General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, has authored several books and in April 2013, he was named as one of the “500 most powerful people on the planet” while the Deeper Christian Life Ministry was named as “the world’s largest Megachurch” by Foreign Policy magazine (FP).

There are indications that certain persons taking advantage of the softspokenness of Pastor Kumuyi, reputed to be Nigeria's foremost holiness preacher, to provoke a man of God. His Deeper Christian Life Ministry is currently at dagger-drawn with certain land grabbers who have allegedly laid siege on the church’s landed property along the LagosIbadan Expressway in Ogun State.

At the recent Easter retreat of the church, some senior officials led a pack of journalists to a virgin land said to have been purchased by the church several years ago paying several millions of naira to the Ogun State Government for Certificate of Occupancy. It was a devastating sight; a perimeter fence demarcating the piece of land from that of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, at the cost of over N100 million was pulled down by people said to be land grabbers.

Narrating the church side of a protracted battle for the possession of the land, head of the church builind committee, Pastor Alfred Ogene lamented the plight of the church, saying; "We are here to put it on record that Deeper Life Bible Church is the rightful owner of this land. We have acquired this land many years back and have taken possession."

According to him, in 2009 when the church first attempted to built a perimeter fence it was pulled down by the people we bought the land from and had to embark on another 1,500 meter fence a month ago costing the church a whopping sum of over N25 million but overnight they came and destroyed it.

Debunking media publications which portrayed Deeper Life Church as the land grabber, Ogene claimed; "We have all the documents to this land and with due respect, Deeper Life does not just get to somebody’s land and acquire it. But some people, who claimed to be children of the owners, pulled down our fence in 2009, which was worth N10 million. We decided to rebuild the fence and demarcate what we had left after they had resold a large portion of the land. But they came back and demolished that one too.

“The challenge we have is that some of the men who sold this land to us are

*The damaged perimeter fence

already late, and their children are saying at the time the land was bought from their fathers, they were still toddlers, and they must also eat from the cake.

"We told them outright that it was not possible because we have all the documents. In fact, at a point, we went to court because they were having so much issues with us and we eventually got a perpetual injunction on January 18, 2012 restraining anybody including others we do not know, meaning that we rightly acquired the land and paid all the due considerations," he narrated.

He went further to state that the church paid the sum of N750 million for C of O which is besides the original money paid to land owners, vowing that the records are available.

"When we started fencing, they just came overnight after we have left site and pulled down the fence. The cost is put at N25 million. The one they pulled down in 2009 was cost the church about N10 million," he maintained.

Continuing, Pastor Ogene said Deeper Life stands on the infallible Word of God and would prefer to live at peace with everybody, stressing that the young lads are currently taking advantage of this and were telling us to talk about Owo ilagbe (Entry fee).

This havoc was committed in the night and there was nothing the church could have done, more so as a religious organization and for what we are known for, we could not bring thugs and they took advantage of that

*One of the signposts on the diputed land

"In our efforts to make peace, we had three or four meetings with the traditional ruler of the community and Oba of Igbehin, Oba Festus Makinde. The discussions didn't yield much fruit because they came up with a proposal for the church to repurchase each plot at the cost of N8 million. They brought armed militia to the land who were shooting all over the place. We had to retreat," he narrated.

Lamenting the plight of all those who seek to live in accordance with biblical principles and maintain peace with all men, Ogene, who was flanked by two legal advisers to the church, Nojeem Tairu and Ark-Stewart Itua, said despite the court injunction which was duly pasted all over the length and breadth of the land, the militia men provided cover for the community people and other persons to erect structures on the church land.

During the visit, some construction work was ongoing in parts of the land measuring about 44 multiplied by 2.5 hectares which is why the church authorities wondered why some media houses had gone to town with reports that Deeper Life Church had encroached on private land without investigation.

Barrister Ark-Stewart Itua confirmed that the church had written several

petitions to the Police and they have sent their men in time past to look at the place and urged the church to fence the place.

"We told them we decided to stop the fencing because the people pulled down the initial wall. They then instructed the church to apply for reinforcement whenever we want to fence the place and when we wanted to begin the fencing project we informed them accordingly and they gave us security. This havoc was committed in the night and there was nothing the church could have done, more so as a religious organization and for what we are known for, we could not bring thugs and they took advantage of that," the hapless lawyer lamented.

The troublers of Israel have not denied knowledge of the transaction between the church and their ancestors, because, according to the church lawyer, the descendants even "tendered their family receipts which we used to apply for the C of O and it was granted by the previous Oguun State government administration.

Also speaking on the issue, Mr. Nojeem Tairu, another lawyer for the church said the visit was fitting opportunity for the media to hear the other side of the story.

"You have been hearing all kinds of

Continued on Page 57

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 57

O

NE day, at three o’clock in the morning, the Lord woke me up to spend some time with him. In the middle of the fellowship, he gave me a strange instruction.

He asked me to move the settees from my den upstairs into the main living-room downstairs, and to move the ones downstairs upstairs.

What was odd about this instruction was that the settees in question were ragged and literally in tatters.

Surely, it was not appropriate to put them in the main living-room where we entertain guests.

A veiled promise Nevertheless, I was very excited by the instruction. I felt it could only mean one thing: the Lord was planning to replace the old furniture with new ones. The settees in question were 23 years old. We could have replaced them long before then, except that the Lord had taken over our finances and buying new settees did not seem to be one of his priorities. But now, it seemed, the time had finally come. We were in for a treat.

Since we had waited patiently for so long to replace them, I wondered what kind of replacement the Lord would come up with. One thing was certain; they would be fabulous.

I quickly obeyed the instruction. I did not wait until there was someone else awake to help me. All night long, I carried the settees downstairs and arranged them in the living-room. I then put the relatively new

EMBARRASSING GOD ones that had been in the living-room upstairs in the den. It was not easy, but I managed to do it all by myself. Later on, I explained the situation to my wife. “The Lord has decided to get us new furniture,” I declared.

“In readiness, he has asked that we move the old ones downstairs.”

I expected all this to be accomplished in a matter of days. But days rolled into weeks; and weeks rolled into months, and nothing happened. The Lord seemed to have completely forgotten about the question of our furniture. I became thoroughly confused. Did I get it wrong? Was it not the Lord who told me to move the old furniture downstairs? What exactly is the meaning of this? What is the Lord trying to bring out in all this?

Abrahamic delay God promised Abram a son. On that basis, he changed his name. “Your name will no longer be Abram,” he said. “From now on, your name shall be called Abraham.” Significantly, Abraham means “father of many nations.” So let us imagine that Abraham takes out an ad in a newspaper saying: “I, pre-

God is determined to thwart our purposes in life and to make us the reproach of men instead. viously known as Abram, now wish to be called Abraham.” This would be all well and good except that everyone knows Abraham does not have even one single child.

Worse still, after God made the promise, he seemed to forget about it; for 25 years! What is the point of this? What is supposed to happen to Abraham in the meantime? In the meantime, God has turned him into a laughing stock.

Abraham has become a childless “father of many nations.”

Reproach of men Why does God behave like this? Why is God seemingly determined to make us a reproach of men? Take a look at the complaint of the Psalmist: “I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All those who see me ridicule me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ‘He trusted in the LORD, let him rescue him; let him deliver him, since he

Who's after Kumuyi's Deeper Life Church?

Continued from Page 56 malicious stories but the truth of the matter is that what brought us to this stage is the price that the church is paying for peace. We wanted peace because we are people of peace and have been pursuing peace on this matter. This land was acquired by the church legitimately decades ago.

Every relevant document is there both with the state and with these so called Omo Onile that are troubling us at this point in time. Now, what brought this trouble and hullabaloo now is this: This new generation of land owners are not denying that the church has the ownership and title over this land. Their contention is that as at the time this land was purchased by the church from their fathers or forefathers, they were toddlers.

"They had no share of the sale. They made series of demands on the church including conceding to them part of the land for their use as what they called village extension project. Later, they came up with the proposal that church should repurchase the land at N8 million per plot. That was the break-

point of the peace meeting we held at the Olu of Igbehin palace on January 22, 2015. Earlier, they demanded for owo ilagbe, owo iwoko (money for clearing the bush and money paid before entering the land as well as foundation money)" Tairu narrated.

What was amazing, according to the lawyer, was that, notwithstanding the illegality and immorality of their demands and extortion, the church was still amenable to make for peace "because our slogan is: 'follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord' and this we did extensively. We made some concessions to them and agreed to pay N10 million as part of global settlement which I would call money for peace because under the law, there is nothing like money for clearing the bush, money for entering the bush or foundation money. Once one has bought the land, he owns everything on the land from the point of the land, down to the sea below and up to heaven. This is what the law says."

He lamented that people will always want to take advantage of one’s

peaceful disposition.

"They know they do not have a name neither do they have a reputation and since Deeper Life does, they would see if

delights in him!” (Psalm 22: 6-8).

This has been my experience with the Lord. He deliberately puts me in embarrassing situations. How was I to explain the transition in my life from a highfalutin intellectual to a bible-carrying believer to my old friends? How could I go from grace to grass in the name of the gospel? How could I end up preaching the gospel with an Oxford university doctorate?

Therefore, for over 10 years, I cut off all contacts with my friends. I just could not face them. I was convinced that they would not understand. I was not even the pastor of a big or famous church. All I did was conduct a fellowship with a handful of people in a little corner of Lagos. Moreover, God forbid that I should preach with the enticing words of man’s wisdom in order to attract a big congregation.

Object lesson The Lord’s injunction through their unlawful demands they could drag the church name to the mud. They blew it through the press and negative story is always the most interesting. It is cheer cheap blackmail.

All the land, the struc-

concerning my old settees turned out to be an object lesson on my spiritual conversion. The settees became a major eyesore in our living-room. I started dreading people coming to visit us. What would they think?

The settees were torn in different places. In some, the underlying foam was clearly visible. So I stopped inviting people home.

If they came to visit me uninvited, I would go into some elaborate explanation about the furniture, laying the blame squarely at the doorstep of the Holy Spirit.

“I’m sorry about the condition of this place, but the Holy Spirit told me to put this 23-year old furniture bang in the living-room.”

Some looked at me pitifully, convinced that I was the victim of some bizarre deception. But the Lord did not make things any easier.

He forbade me from explaining to anyone that he was the one who told me to put the torn furniture in the living-room. Neither could I pray that people would not come to visit me. The same God to whom the prayer would be addressed was the very person clearly determined to embarrass me.

Humiliating love tures and those houses all belong to Deeper Life.

What therefore did in the recent time was to make a demarcation, so that they would not take the remaining land," the lawyer counselled.

A petition addressed to

The Church is not against Buhari, says Wale Oke

By ANOZIE EGOLE

P

RESIDING bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Ibadan, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, has reassured the president- elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, that the Nigerian Church is not against his victory in the just concluded presidential election.

He also commended President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat, saying that the act has saved many souls and has also shown that Jonathan is indeed, a peace loving man.

The bishop also urged Gen. Buhari to be magnanimous in victory and accommodate every one in his administration; both the people who voted for and against him.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos over the weekend, the clergy said: “President

Jonathan has saved many souls by congratulating Gen. Buhari even before the final result of the presidential election was announced by INEC. "I also congratulate Gen. Buhari. He is a dogged fighter who refused to give up his passion for ruling the country. I am urging other politicians in the country to follow the steps of President Jonathan.

"Anyone that looses should take the loss in good faith and extend a hand of friendship to the winner. No politician’s ambition is worth the blood of anyone. So, let there be no post-election violence.

"I also want to advise the president-elect that he is not the president of North or South but the leader of all Nigerians and he should carry everyone along in his

administration. He should also deal decisively with Boko Haram, corruption, power problem, infrastructural development and other vices.

"I also want to use this opportunity to reassure Gen. Buhari that the Church is not against him as widely speculated. The president-elect should forget about who voted him or not and bring everybody together for good governance," he stated.

Continuing, the bishop said: "I also want to state that nothing stops a man of God from going into politics. If you have the call to go into politics, you can do that. There is no problem with that. As for me, no political position is alluring to me,” he maintained.

Now here is the rub: why was the Lord doing this to me? I thought I should have been commended for using a settee for over 23 years.

Instead, the Lord turned this into a reproach for me. After a few months, it became clear to me that the Lord had no intention of getting us new settees. I reminded him that I actually had not asked him for new ones. He was the one who brought the matter up. Since he was no longer interested, could I please put the old settees back in their original hiding place upstairs? The answer was an emphatic “No.” The bible says God is love. But I ask you: what kind of love is God really?

Let me tell you. God's love is hard and humiliating. He secures our welfare through schemes that are often unpalatable to us. He seems to take delight in disappointing our hopes and in foiling our expectations of grandeur. God is determined to thwart our purposes in life and to make us the reproach of men instead.

Twenty-five years after he made the promise, God finally gave Abraham a son.

The Lord never did forget the promise he made to Abraham. He was simply determined to test his faith.

Twenty-three years of living with the same furniture, and seven months of having torn furniture displayed for all to see in my living-room, the Lord finally instructed me to go to a precise shop where he showed me a new set of settees that were simply beautiful. Moreover, he miraculously provided me with the money to purchase it. the Inspector General of Police dated March 25, 2015, said the hoodlums were led by one Prince Muraino Banjoko of Threeco Construction Company Limited.

It reads: “The said Prince Banjoko is a notorious local warlord, ruthless gangster leader and incorrigible land hustler.

“However, the church soon realised that the new generation of the vendor families and land hustlers were not representing anybody other than their dubious and selfish selves, more so as other members of their families honourably dissociated themselves from their unlawful activities against the church.”

The Police, according to the church in the petition, appears to be partisan as it turned around and started arresting some innocent members of the church, who were detained and subjected to “excruciating and humiliating interrogation by the police” at the AntiRobbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos.

The petition alleged that the hoodlums had since taken advantage of the compromised police position and the recent prolonged strike by the judiciary workers earlier in the year to embark on massive sale of the church’s land.

PAGE 58—SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015

Can the in-coming government fix Nigeria’s economy? ’Why there’ll be no honeymoon for president-elect’

•

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

N

igeria’s 2015 presidential election may have been won and lost but while still savouring his victory at the poll, the president-inwaiting, General Muhammadu Buhari, needs to be reminded of the huge task ahead . Despite not having a clear cut economic reform agenda expectations are high that bold steps would be taken towards rescuing the country’s ailing economy . No doubt, the new government will inherit a far more daunting tasks of tackling slowing economic growth, controlling inflation, reversing falling foreign reserves, reverting the country’s fiscal and current account deficits back into a surplus. While oil prices remain subdued it is hoped that the new leadership should conquer these challenges and bring the economy back on track.

Sunday Vanguard Business sought the views of economic experts on areas that need immediate attention from the new government . Excerpts: The in-coming government must ensure prudence in expenditureAkabogu.

Emeka Akabogu, Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream and renown maritime lawyer First of all, let me congratulate the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on his election. As soon as the backslapping, merriment and ecstasy of victory all subside, he will have to begin work in earnest. May I suggest that his work does not start on 29 May, but immediately. He has barely seven weeks within which to put a formidable team together if he wants to hit the ground running. His work is so clearly cut out, there’ll be no honeymoon. His campaign was anchored on tackling corruption, confronting insecurity and rescuing the economy. Unfortunately, we never really had the opportunity of assessing his strategy with the economy. I’d like to highlight some important issues and steps relating to the economy which will be useful for him to ponder as he readies for work, and I will limit myself the sectors within which I work maritime and petroleum.

My nine-year old boy knows that global crude oil prices are down and have inevitably affected the Nigerian economy, so I won’t dwell on the obvious. How do we cope with that while needing to revitalise the economy that depends on oil money? The truth on this is twofold: (1) with effective cost-cutting and prudent management, we will discover that even at $40 to the barrel, we still have enough to achieve reasonable national goals; (2) despite (1), we really don’t have to depend on oil money. At least not as singularly as we have over the last four decades.

With respect to cost-cutting, we simply have to think back to realise that we were enjoying a relative oil boom barely 10 years ago at prices similar to what we have now. In April of 2005, oil traded at a ‘record-high’ of $47 per barrel. Adjusted for inflation (using data from inflationdata.com), the price of oil in 2005 would be the same as oil trading for $60 today. It is instructive that at the 2005 price of oil, we were able to significantly grow the

• Oyekoya

• Akabogu

The import substitution proposed for petroleum products will have to be replicated in all other areas, if GMB’s dreams of naira-dollar parity is to be given serious attention external reserves and exit the ‘Paris Club’, becoming debt-free in one fell swoop. By parity of reasoning, at today’s $50 per barrel we should be able to reasonably run the country with change to spare. We simply have to cut the added costs we have racked up over the years as a result of additional disposable income. Add to that, prudence in expenditure to ensure that commensurate value is received for money spent on projects and services, and GMB will discover that he can create his own little miracles. This situation has to be deliberately tracked back through conscious load-shedding. Current operating costs in the Nigerian oil industry are high, while capital expenditure is virtually on hold.

Operating costs must come down while Capex is increased. Of course it will require maximising the production volumes to the country’s allowable quota under OPEC. On this point GMB will have to deploy all the skills at his disposal to ensure that production is not shut-in as a result of renewed agitation in the Niger Delta.

On the downstream side, the country’s continued haemorrhage from subsidy payment can only be sustained at the expense of longterm economic ruin. A two-fold solution is crucial: (1) scrapping of subsidies; and (2) support for local refining. The Petroleum Support Fund Scheme must now be scrapped, and subsidy completely done away with. For a government that has come to power on the crest of the popular vote, that will be a difficult call, but it is the only sustainable call to make. As long as the country continues importing petroleum products, savings on low oil prices will be of insignificant impact given the decreased value of the naira brought on by the imports.

The patronage driven allocation of import quotas also discourages creativity and value addition in downstream chain, thereby cutting off a considerable swathe of economic and job opportunities.

Strategic and prudent deployment of subsidy savings could have massive knock-on impact on

critical infrastructure services like high-speed rail and inland navigation.

Development of local refining, leading to a significant reduction in imports will see the naira shoring up against the dollar. The idea promoted by some global refining interests that refining projects in Africa are uneconomical is not supported by current supply and demand realities in West Africa. But government should neither build nor manage the refineries, as that festers corruption and feeds a system of patronage, ultimately resulting in products unavailability, lack of competition and total supply inefficiency. On the contrary, refineries can be built on BOT or BOOT terms with government’s stake limited to feedstock guarantees. Investors will run and manage the refineries commercially. Every support which can be given to the current Dangote Refinery project to commence production in the quickest possible time should be given, even as a broader template for refining support is being developed.

The import substitution proposed for petroleum products will have to be replicated in all other areas, if GMB’s dreams of naira-dollar parity is to be given serious attention. In the circumstances, he will do well to see through the power sector reform as it is inextricably tied to import substitution.

As reassuring as the foregoing analysis is, we still don’t have to depend on oil money, and here my focus is on the maritime industry.

Broadly, the President-Elect has to cast his eyes on the quantum economic impact of (1) competitive port operations and procedures; and (2) promotion of key local shipping and maritime services. The first is easily achievable by strategic leadership through executive actions, regulatory compliance and tidying outstanding legislative frameworks. The result can be instant – increase of port service levels, fast-tracking of import procedures, huge savings on foreign exchange otherwise wasted on

service inefficiency, new jobs within the import/export logistics chain and drastic improvement in the country’s ease-of-doing-business rating. The impact of these will be immediately reflected in the entire economy. The second directly puts foreign exchange in the hands of Nigerians and creates millions of multiplier jobs. Maritime and shipping services in Nigeria are currently 85% outsourced out of the country despite strong existing local capacity and a ready captive market. The President-Elect must reverse this by encouraging compliance with existing maritime laws and leading the line to encourage local investment.

The role of government for economic development is to set agenda for governance through policy, and ensure attainment of set goals through effective regulation and implementation.

The President-Elect has the opportunity to lead a new economy anchored on value and wealth creation for all Nigerians. Here’s wishing him and his team strength and Godspeed.

Buhari should diversify economy, check looming food shortage Oyekoya, Prince Wale Oyekoya, Chairman Agric Group, Lagos Chamber of Commerce & Industry & Agriculture Consultant has remained dogged in the fight for Agricultural transformation in the country. Below are his expectations from the incoming government First and formost, I must commend our president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for a conducting free, fair and credible election and his sportsmanship by accepting defeat and also congratulate our president -elect, General Muhammadu Buhari(Retd), for his focus and hard work. I urged all Nigerians to work and pray for our president-elect and his team to move the country forward. I further congratulate all the Nigerians that make this election possible without violent especially for believing in the cause that Nigeria will be a better place.

We are not expecting the new government elect to provide for all our needs immediately or to perform miracles but it will be in order if we let the incoming government knows the suffering of Nigeria farmers.

Our facts finding show that our past government has made serious efforts aimed at making good agricultural policies through schemes, programs and institutions, but have not been able to implement or back them up with adequate budgetary allocation and financing coupled with corruption in the execution of the formidable policies. We have Agricultural Transformation Agenda(ATA) that is based on propaganda, growth Enhancement, Nigerian Incentive based Risk Sharing in Agriculture(NIRSA), commercial Agriculture credit scheme (CACS).

Agricultural credit guarantee scheme fund Act, (ACGSFA), Agricultural Development Trust Fund Credit, Guarantee Fund credit, agricultural produce Finance, Multi Channels Agricultural Financing Scheme, Conventional Term Loans and Over-drafting and Agricultural credit support scheme.

But the same government have failed woefully implementing all these laudable policies. Propaganda and corruption have taking the stage of our policies and farmers suffered the consequence.

A lot of funds in term of loans and grants such as the 200bn CACS scheme in 2007, $3bn by USAID in January 2013...480bn Naira, 15B Naira in August 2014 during the economic summit World bank release of $300,000, 45bN in June 2013., etc All these funds should have make us self sufficient in food production rather than depend on importation but majority of the money were embezzled. Our commercial banks need to be restructured and mandate to fund real farmers and not political farmers. No farmers can survive on the current commercial interest rate of 26%. The Agric sector accounted for less than one per cent of the portfolio of banks.

Nigeria imports : Rice and there is no local brand in the market, Poultry products-local production scanty and expensive, Frozen marine fish- local production scanty, catfish and expensive Vegetable oil imported ,Crude Palm oil imported, Sugar,Vegetables,Fruits,Milk.Nigeria still spend about N1BN daily to import rice into the country, depleting our foreign reserves.

Yearly we import foods worth over N450Bn, foods that can be produced in Nigeria by local farmers if the business environment is conducive.

All these food items can be abundantly produced in Nigeria but corruption, selfish interest of our leaders and propaganda have crippled the sector. It’s evident that Nigeria has become a largest importer of food in the world, 85percent of foods consumed in Nigeria are imported, .For a country that should be the food basket of Africa but disappointedly the food basket cannot feed itself. Shoprite and other big supermarkets have been the gainer while the local production suffer by turning Nigeria into dumping ground. Farmers are closing up their farms because of government inconsistent policies, somersault policy, lack of funds, high cost of feed materials, bad infrastructures, etc.

In conclusion, the Nigerian government has over the years formulated good agricultural financial policies meant to encourage food production but such policies have been found inefficient and ineffective since the intended results were not realized.

To this end, the following are recommended to ensure that the policies succeed: Adequate budgetary at least 10 percent of our annual budget, Review of subsisting schemes and reform to make them more supportive of farm output, Mechanized farming, Encourage family farming, Making use of Agriculture consultants,Capacity building, Encourage local production....farmers, Ban all the importation of foods that can produced in Nigeria Tighten our porous borders,Tackle corruption, Access to funds with single digit interest rate and less cumbersome requirements, Access to farm lands, Providing modern farm equipments to farmers to boost production, Storage facilities, Processing and value chains, Consistent Local contents policy For there to be adequate food in the country, private sector participation, individuals, cooperatives, clubs and others should invest in agriculture. This will not only assure adequate food supply in the country, but will also create jobs for our unemployed youths, make our society peaceful and secured and also export our farm produces to earn foreign exchange.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 59

ECOWAS new tariff regime will boost Nigeria’s economy — Compt Jubrin .Rakes in over N284.2billion

BY UDEME CLEMENT

T

incan Island Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is one of the units that has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s economy in revenue generation and trade facilitation. Since the ongoing reforms by NCS began, Tincan has recorded outstanding increase in revenue collection for the economy. Sunday Vanguard, on a visit to the Command gathered that aside from previous statistics of income generation, Tincan raked in over N240.1billion in 2013, N284.2 in 2014 and N61.6 billion between January and March 2015. The Customs Area Controller (CAC), of the Command, Comptroller Zakare Jubrin, speaks on the positive impact that the reforms made on revenue collection, anti-smuggling campaign, trade facilitation, risk management and general Customs operations. He gives insight into the economic benefits that Nigeria stands to get from implementation of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) concluded general The just elections affected v i r t u a l l y every sector of the economy, what measures did you put in place to sustain operations at Tincan Island?

To begin with, Customs operations under the current management are very efficient because everything is modernised to work in line with global best practice.

Most Customs procedures now are computerised, to fast track examination and release of cargos from the port. Notwithstanding, the elections also affected our Command because we experienced little reduction in revenue inflow during that period. However, the elections are over and activities are picking up well at Tincan. The consignments in the port were left here before the elections. The reason was that, the owners decided to leave them in the port, because they believe the items would be secured in the port than their warehouses.

Now that the elections are over, they are already coming for them.

The Federal Government has given approval for implementation of the new ECOWAS tariff regime, even as the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Abdullahi Dikko Inde, directed immediate enforcement of the new tariff provisions by all Customs Commands. What would be the economic benefits of CET for Nigeria?

The directive from the CGC on enforcement of CET is a good initiative, because Nigeria as the fastest growing economy in the sub-region stands to benefit a lot in terms of boosting revenue generation for our economy.

Aside from increased revenue collection for Nigeria, full implementation of the new

•Comptroller

Dikko Inde

tariff would promote national productivity and industrial growth for member countries.

This would be achieved through reduction of customs duties on items like raw materials required for industries. It would also enhance trade facilitation within the sub-region, and would pave the way for improvement in implementation of ECOWAS Trade Liberation Scheme (ETLS), aims at having a regional Customs union.

Another good thing is that the new ECOWAS tariff can be seen as an instrument for harmonising import policies of countries within the subregion.

The efforts of the CGC in reforming the Service should be commended. Dikko has done so well in repositioning NCS for greater productivity in the areas of introducing good operational policies, capacity building programmes within and out side the country, promotion of officers, welfare package and provision of sufficient work tools to enhance efficiency in the system. For example, NCS gained international recognition in the World Customs Organisation (WCO), following the reforms embarked upon by the current management, introduction of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) and the use of modern i n f o r m a t i o n communications technology in Customs procedures.

Can you give us more details about the use of PAAR in Customs operations?

Before the introduction of PAAR, Customs made use of Service Providers’ Risk Assessment Report (RAR), for cargo clearance. Through the initiative of the current management, officers were trained on the use of PAAR. So,when Customs fully took over destination inspection from the service providers, PAAR was introduced to replace RAR. PAAR helps in reducing the cost and time in cargo clearance, because the modern technology associated with the software in PAAR has a risk management system. Also, the use of PAAR as the main cargo clearance document greatly increased revenue generation, such that, the Service was able to realise the N1trillion target in 2014, which could not be achieved over the years with the use of RAR. Looking at our revenue profile now, you can see that NCS has saved the economy billions of Naira, with the introduced of PAAR by the CGC. Other remarkable achievements of the current management include

•Compt Zakare Jubrin Customs migration to Single Window platform, making it possible for different parties involved in trade to lodge standardised information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements.

Promotion of officers and capacity building programmes received serious attention under the current CGC. Over 2,000 officers were promoted recently and were trained on different aspects of Customs operations. For example, Chief Superintendents promoted to the rank of Assistant Comptrollers were trained on examination and release of cargos. Before now, Chief Superintendents could only examine consignments without releasing the items.

Risk management in Customs operations was also introduced by Dikko.

Can you give us the statistical analysis of your revenue profile in Tincan Island Command?

In January 2013 alone, we recorded N16.3billion, as against N14.5billion realised the same period in 2012.

Others include N16.2billion in February, N17.5billion in March, N19.1billion in April, N19.9billion in May, N17.6billion in June, N20.4billion in July, N23.6billion in August, N23.3billion in September and N22.3billion in October, N20.1 in November and N23.2 in December.

Cumulatively, we realised N240.1billion for the whole year. Our seizures for the same period in 2013 include 40ft containers, 20ft containers, and others items with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N531.3million.

In 2014, we started very well with N21.5billion in January, N21.6billion in February, N16.6billion in March, N26.3billion in April, N26.5billion in May, N26.1billion in June, N23.4billion in July, N21.1billion in August, N24.5billion in September, N27billion in October, N22.3billion in November and N26.8billion in December. Cumulatively, we recorded N284.2billion in for the whole year. In 2015, we generated N20.9billion in January, N19.2billion in February and N21.5billion in March, making a total of over N61.6billion for the three months this year. The Duty Paid Value (DPV) on seizures for February and March 2015 is N4.3million, and the items seized include secondhand clothes, tyres, furniture and vegetable oil. We equally made arrest and prosecution of many suspects.

PAGE 60 -

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

SUNDAY VANGUARD, APRIL 19, 2015 PAGE 61

CPFA Messi scores 400th holds Barcelona goal coaching UIS Suarez scored L one, Claudio Bravo stopped one, and Leo course Messi converted with the kick of the match to this week last help Barcelona take another enormous step

By Jacob Ajom

T

WO instructors from International Cerebral Palsy Football(ICPF) are due in Nigeria this week to participate in a workshop being put together by the Cerebral Palsy Football Association of Nigeria.

The workshop, which is under the auspices of the ICPF will be attended by technical officials, coaches, team managers among others from the Nigeria Palsy Football Association.

National chairman of the NPFA, Jude Uwazie told pressmen in Lagos that the workshop which will run from 24 through 26 will take place at the Media Centre, National stadium, Lagos and the Legacy pitch, also at the same stadium. “It(the workshop) is coaching education,” Uwazie said, pointing out that “cerebral palsy football was a new sport in Nigeria and so lacked the required number of experts in the field.

“It was in recognition of that that the international body is sending the two experts to come to Nigeria and teach our coaches and other technical officials.

The experts are from the Netherlands and Spain.”

•Uwazie

towards the title beating Valencia 2-0.

Suarez is now just six games from picking up a league winners medal in his first season and his first minute goal was another vital moment in Barcelona’s season.

The early strike would have counted for nothing however if Valencia had made their first half domination pay and had Bravo not stopped an eighth minute penalty.

Somehow Barça survived what was a first half onslaught from the visitors and Messi doubled their lead in injury time. Incidentally, it was th the Argentine’s 400 Barcelona goal.

we will let you know.”

Even though Keshi was said to be holed up in a hotel close to the Wuse Zone 7 office of the federation waiting to be summoned over, it seemed that the NFF had no plans for him.

Some quarters are already spreading rumours that the NFF is stalling until the change of government to yank the contract offered to Keshi while they hire new person for the national team job. But, time may not be on their side as the 2013 AFCON

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

OJENNY Olympic Stadium, Oba, R Anambra state, is to be

fitted with tartan tracks as part of its modernization works, which is in final stage of completion.

Rojenny Stadium proprietor, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka yesterday confirmed taking delivery of tartan tracks worth N100 million. He noted that when completed, the stadium will assist coaches to churn out top ranking athletes that would place Nigeria and Anambra state on the world map of athletics. He added that the stadium will be open to athletes from Anambra, Imo, Abia, Delta, and Edo States due to its strategic location.

“It is good that the tartan track has arrived and you can eye-mark it and the installation will commence any time from now. Once

the installation is completed, I give Nigeria three or four years.

Olympic champions will be produced from this Olympic stadium”, he stated.

“This stadium will definitely produce athletic champions that will compete favourably with their counterparts from Jamaica and United States of America, USA. Meanwhile Anambra junior athletes who competed at the last Athletics Federation of Nigeria trials last Wednesday in Lagos, have protested the treatment meted to them by the state commissioner for Sports, Tony Nnacheta.

According to the athletes, the commissioner refused to fund their travel and accommodation expenses.

“We have to borrow money for us to come to Lagos. Since we couldn’t afford accommodation we slept in the open.

Star football Superfans TV game show debuts •Gives out over 1.1m on first episode

T

HE much anticipated TV game show, Star Football Superfans finally hit the screen last week on Africa Magic with a repeat broadcast on AIT on Friday.

The show was anchored by popular sports OAP, Mozez Praiz who co-ordinated the fierce battle between the participating teams, Nou Camp and One United . One of the highlights of the show was the ‘Show Your Passion’ segment, that had representatives of the two teams take turns to display their talents in a bid to attract support from the studio audience.

At the end of the 30 minutes exciting football banter, Nou Camp, that had Soyinka

Keshi’s contract signing continued from back page

Messi (l) celebrates with Neymar and Suarez after scoring.

Rojenny stadium gets tartan tracks

champions will start their their qualification campaign for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in June against Chad in Abuja.

The issue of renewing the contract of Coach Keshi has been a controversial one since the end of the 2014 World Cup. Soon after the Super Eagles started showing signs that they may not qualify for the last African Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the federation sacked Keshi but was forced to rescind due to alleged directive by the presidency.

Adesoye, Ali Umaru, Nelso Apaya, Ewaudu Michael and Jerry Ubaka as players, emerged winner, clinching the N1m cash prize and the bragging right as Superfans of the week while One United comprising of Alade Ridwan, Gideon Saibu, Udeawu Felicity, Akata Elijah and Adewale Olumide went home with the consolation prize of N100, 000.

The show was closely followed by celebrity OAPs, Colin Udoh, Gbemi OlateruOlagbegi, Yaw and several football fans across Nigeria with most of them busying the social media with comments as the show aired.

Star Football Superfans is sponsored by Star L ager beer. It is an immersive football game show set up to test the passion, knowledge and skills of football fans and reward them in the process. It is expected to deliver an ecstatic TV experience as well over N16 m cash prize through out its 14 weeks of broadcast.

L-R Chidiebere Michael, Soyinka Adeseye Johnson, Nelson Apaya,Ali Umaru Gafara, Ubaka Jerry Ogochukwu Winners of Star Football Superfans Episode One.

CBN junior tennis serves off April 20

By John Egbokhan

T

HE 2014 Central Bank of Nigeria Junior tennis championship serves off tomorrow, Monday, April 20 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan.

In its ninth year of unbroken sponsorship by

Warri Wolves walk tight rope continued from back page

Etancheite who were determined to justify their five day stay in Warri resisted the Wolves nd attack and in the 82 Minute Mombo Lwamba pulled one back. Warri

Wolves must now pull all the stops to avoid any form of defeat to remain in contention for the title otherwise it will mark the end of a disastrous campaign for Nigerian club sides in the 2015 CAF competitions.

the apex banking institution in the country and managed by the International Tennis Academy (ITA) run by foremost tennis promoter, Godwin Kienka, the tournament has gained its ground in unearthing the next generation of talented players, some of whom have gone to make an impression at the regional and continental level.

Speaking to reporters at the weekend, CBN’s Director, Corporate Communications Department , Ibrahim Muazu said this year’s edition was open to boys and girls, who fall within

the age bracket of 10 and 18.

Stressing that the objectives of the tournament are to ensure that young talents are discovered early and nurtured to limelight while establishing a strong transition platform for the senior category, and to provide a platform that would attract and enable junior players compete and showcase their talents, Muazu said that the competition also strives to provide a structure that would allow junior players compete at a very early age and transit from the junior to senior category.

PAGE 62

S UNDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, APRIL 19, 2015,

Toure has failed me — City boss M

ANCHESTER City boss Manuel Pellegrini admits he has been disappointed with Yaya Toure’s performances this season.

Toure was outstanding in last season’s title success but has not been the same player since the difficult summer of 2014.

Added to that is the weariness that followed from his involvement in the World Cup last summer and the African Nations Cup, which Toure’s Ivory Coast won, in the early part of 2015.

From the lofty standards set last year, Toure’s form for City has been noticeably worse this term and he came in for heavy criticism after last week’s demoralising derby loss to Manchester United.

But Pellegrini has no intention of taking the 31year-old out of the firing line and wants to keep him at the heart of his side.

Pellegrini said: “He doesn’t need a break. For a lot of reasons he’s not the same Yaya he was last season but he continues being a very important player for

L

WORK HORSE...Yaya Toure (L) vies for the ball with Newcastle United’s Moussa Sissoko.... Can Toure raise his game and save City today? our team.

“I don’t think Yaya is happy with his performance this year, and I am not happy also with his performance. But we must sup-

port him and he will return him to his normal performance.

“He’s a very important player and he will have my support until the end of the

season.”

Pellegrini feels Toure has been unfairly singled out for

City’s problems during what has been a tough three-month spell.

Bayern face ‘medical unrest’ B

AYERN Munich doctor HansWilhelm MullerWohlfahrt has resigned after 38 years in the role, claiming the club’s medical department was blamed for the Champions League defeat by Porto.

Bayern were missing several key players for Tuesday ’s 3-1 loss in Portugal.

Muller-Wohlfahrt, 72, said: “For unexplained reasons, it was the medical department that was chiefly blamed for the defeat.”

He added that “the relationship of trust has been permanently damaged”.

Wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender David Alaba all missed Tuesday ’s quarter-final first leg because of injuries.

Coach Pep Guardiola had queried why France international Ribery remains sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained on 11 March and was only expected to keep him out for a few

C M Y K

Liverpool boss defends Sterling, Ibe

days.

Muller-Wohlfahrt, who has also worked as Germany’s national team doctor, has previously treated some of the world’s leading sportspeople, including six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

Champions Bayern are 10 points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and will face Borussia

Dortmund in the German Cup semi-finals.

The coach recently sent Thiago Alcantara to Spain to see a specialist instead of allowing Muller-Wohlfahrt to deal with his injury, but Guardiola insists he had no influence on the doctor ’s decision to leave and that there was no problem between them.

Mourinho welcomes Klopp’s EPL interest

J

OSE Mourinho would welcome Jurgen Klopp to the Premier League after the Borussia Dortmund manager personally assured him he will not replace him at Chelsea.

The 47-year-old German is tipped to assume a managerial post in England after confirming earlier this week he will leave his current club at the end of the season after seven years at the helm.

Since the announcement Klopp has been

linked with a host of clubs across Europe, including Manchester City, despite the reigning Premier League champions saying they have no plans to replace Manuel Pellegrini.

Chelsea manager Mourinho admits he has no idea where Klopp will end up but knows it will not be at Stamford Bridge.He said: “The only thing I know is that he told me he’s not coming to Chelsea, for sure. He told me that personally, so, I’m calm.

Bayern Concerns... Pep Guardiola and Emre Can in training.

Ancelotti unsure of Real future

R

EAL Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti admitted on Friday the Spanish football club may decide not to offer him a new contract and added he is in no hurry to sign an extension.

The coach has a year remaining of his contract to discuss an extension, but also acknowledged the club may not wish to offer him fresh terms.

However, with his contract running until June 2016, the 55-year-old said there is plenty of time to work out the de-

tails over a renewal - if both parties want one.

IVERPOOL manager Brendan Rodgers called for a sense of perspective after a week when young players Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe were splashed all over the front pages for off-field activities.

Pictures, dating back some months, emerged of the pair smoking a shisha pipe and came on the back of a video apparently showing Sterling inhaling laughing gas and seemingly passing out.

But Rodgers sprang to the defence of the players, aged just 20 and 19, insisting they should be given some leeway to make mistakes.

“I spoke to both players and they are fully aware of what has happened and then we talked about football,” said Rodgers.

“I think both young players are aware of their responsibilities. All you can do is continually educate them.“It is (about) perspective as well. If you look at Raheem he didn’t do anything illegal.“It was something he will look back on in years to come and it probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do.

“But for me it is all about the welfare of the two young players; making them aware of the health issues which come with that and also about the professionalism and what they are representing.”

“They will make mistakes, whether it is those two or other young players.”

“In the main young footballers are good people, they do a lot of things which go unnoticed.”

KOP SENSATIONS... Jordan Ibe and Raheem Sterling

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015, PAGE 63

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, APRIL 19, 2015

Chelsea cruising home to EPL title E

DEN Hazard scored a crucial goal to keep Chelsea in frame for the English Premier title as they beat Manchester United 1-0

at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Hazard latched onto an Oscar pass and slotted home in the 38th minute,

and Mourinho’s defensefirst strategy worked perfectly as Chelsea moved 10 points clear of second placed Arsenal

Why Keshi’s contract signing failed

United are third, one point behind the Gunners.

Wayne Rooney looked to have put United in front with a fifth minute shot, but it sailed wide of the goal. David De Gea reacted in celebratory fashion at the other end as the ball carromed into the back of the netting.

United kept play in Chelsea’s end in the early stages, which isn’t a surprise given Jose Mourinho opted to play center back Kurt Zouma in the midfield. It was a cautious approach for Mourinho, and one he’s used with Gary Cahill at times as well.

BY JUDE OPERA, Abuja

N

IGERIANS who waited for the much celebrated signing of contract between the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Coach Stephen Keshi scheduled to take place Friday had their hopes dashed as the event did not hold afterall.

The general secretary of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi had last week said that the two bodies would sign the contract by Friday.

But checks by Sports Vanguard in Abuja revealed that the contract signing did not hold because of a number of factors, including the absence of the president of the NFF, Amaju Pinnick who was said to be out of the country.

Also it was gathered that another issue that may have delayed the contract is the fact that the parent body, the National Sports Commission (NSC) is still studying the document to ascertain whether it is in line with the thinking of the federal government.

Meanwhile, the vice president of the NFF was apparently not anywhere near Abuja despite the fact that his boss, Pinnick was out of the country.

“I’m in Lagos and the president is not in the country,” Akinwumi confirmed, Friday, adding, “when we are unveiling

Continues on page 61

•Pinnick

SMOOTH CONTROL: Eden Hazard (l) drives the ball under De Gea’s legs for the only goal of the match between Chelsea and Man Utd

•Keshi

Confederations Cup: Warri Wolves walk tight rope

BY BEN EFE

N

IGERIA’S only hope for continental soccer glory War ri Wolves, yesterday rallied to a 2-1 victory over visiting Congolese side MK Etancheite at the Warri Township Stadium.

The result left them in a tight corner, while MK officials were ecstatic as they hope to get the job

done in the return leg tie on May 2 at the Stade des Martyrs.

Gbolahan Salami shot Warri Wolves ahead in the sixth minute to give the home fans a reason to believe. However, the fight back from MK Etancheite gave Wolves’ coach Paul Aigbogun cause for concern and they have their hearts in their mouths as the visitors won a penalty, but the chance

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. House of Reps Speaker (8) 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 8. Upright (4) 9. Lantern (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 15. Exclamation (2) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 18. Agent (3) 20. Glitters (6) 24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

DOWN 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) 3. Observe (5) 4. Lecture (6) 5. Everyone (3) 6. Use (6) 10. Inquires (4) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Resistance unit (3) 17. Coax (4) 19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

was wasted by Kabangu Kadiama.

At the break Warri Wolves stepped up their game with Oghenekaro Etebo testing the resolve of the opponents defence. His efforts were reward, when he played on Salami who fired home to restore some confidence. But

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•Salami

Senegal stop ‘Sand Eagles’ from Audu Adamu Ejo-led World Cup team led the Senegalese

T

HE Super Sand Eagles have failed to qualify for this year’s FIFA Beach World Cup in Portugal after they lost 4-3 to Senegal in the semifinal of the CAF Beach Soccer Championship yesterday in the Seychelles.

Defending champions Senegal have now stopped Nigeria from taking part at the World Cup twice. The coach Man City Newcastle

v v

3-2 in the first period, but the Senegalese came back to level and ended the regulation 3-3.

They scored the winner in the extra time to seal their passage into the final of the African Beach Soccer Championship.

MATCHES TODAY West Ham Tottenham

1.30 pm 4.00 pm

RESULTS

See solution on page 5

Palace Everton Leicester Stoke City Chelsea

0 1 2 2 1

Reading

1

West Brom Burnley Swansea Southampton Man United FA Cup Arsenal

2 0 0 1 0 2

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