FG to Boko Haram:Grab Offer of Dialogue now

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Police uncover Jos bomb factory • B u i l d i n g demolished

BY TAYE OBATERU

A bomb making building demolished by the security agents in Jos yesterday.

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Ammunitions recovered.

Embrace dialogue now FG tells to Boko Haram Continued from page 1 Namadi Sambo, conveyed government’s message, yesterday.

Sambo, who tactically refused mentioning the name, “Boko Haram”, while speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2nd edition of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ‘Air Exposition 2012’ at NAF Base, Kaduna, to mark the 48th anniversary of the force, implored the ‘group’ to use the window of opportunity provided by the Federal Government to embrace the call for a negotiated end to the Islamist insurgency.

His words, “I must say that we are leaving no stone unturned at ensuring the safety of lives and properties of all Nigerians and our visitors by subduing the current security challenges we are facing. We are still calling on the group to take our offer for dialogue in the interest of peace and development of our country”.

The Vice President made it clear that, though government is exploring all the options in search for peace in every part of the countr y, including dialogue, government has also put the military in a prepared state, and, in conjunction with other security agencies, to enforce and maintain security across the country.

Referring to the statement

earlier made by President Goodluck Jonathan that strong and proactive military is pivotal to the transformation agenda of the present administration, Sambo said, “President Goodluck Jonathan clearly captured the mood of the nation when he stated that a strong, modern and proactive military is pivotal to achieving the administration’s transformation agenda especially in the face of ongoing security and development challenges we are currently faced with.

“The military, in pursuance of its tradition, has been actively engaged in the full defence of our territorial integrity as well as maintaining our sovereignty with them being pivotal in quelling internal insurrection due mainly to the inadequacies of the needed manpower in the Police Force to which government is committed to address with the urgency that it desires”.

He commended NAF for an excellent air exposition and expressed the view that if the standard could be sustained and improved upon, they will emerge as the most formidable air force in Africa.

He said: “I am delighted to be invited to close this event aimed at show casing of air power and the various activities of officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force let

SOLUTION

me congratulate the ministry of defence as well as the chief of air staff for putting up this gigantic show that is aimed at further preparing our officers and men to address issues of internal and external security.

“The various equipment, aircraft, aerial display and combat readiness and tactics exhibited during this expo had demonstrated the fitness and readiness of our Air Force and indeed the military to face emerging challenges.

“With the formation of strategic training modules and the determination of our tested and trusted personnel of the nation, there is no doubt that we are creating one of the best air force of the African continent; we are very proud of what you are doing.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on other arms of the militar y, and other paramilitary organisations to emulate the example of the air expo 2012; events like this will further engender civil

confidence on the armed forces”.

Also speaking at the event, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the 2012 Air Exposition with the assurance of a more improved edition in 2014, which will mark their Golden Jubilee.

Umar assured that the NAF team and officers will always be available to carry out their primary duties of protecting our territorial integrity and quelling any internal insurrection.

“I want to say that we are pleased with the outcome of the Air Exposition 2012 and as you must have seen our exhibitions have been very marvelous and our crew was very professional”, he said.

“As you can attest, they are willing, able and ready to take any task given to them. I want to use this opportunity to thank the entire nation for the support given to the Air Force”.

Don’t void CBN’s autonomy, Soludo warns

BY YINKA KOLAWOLE

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HE immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has warned against any move that could curtail the autonomy of the CBN as guaranteed by the CBN Act 2007.

According to him, such a move could jeopardize the effectiveness of monetary policy and management of the macro-economic framework in Nigeria. “The survival of CBN as an institution is at the heart of the survival of the Nigerian economy,” he declared.

Soludo was speaking at the sent-off dinner organised by the CBN in his honour, at the weekend, against the backdrop of the ongoing move in the National Assembly to to amend some vital sections of the CBN Act 2007 which grant both administrative and

instrument autonomy to the apex bank in the management of the economy. He warned that any attempt to remove the autonomy of the bank will lead to “ominous” consequences.

The former CBN boss decried a situation in which a disagreement with an individual could lead to the destruction of the entire institution, and, therefore, joined in the plea with the National Assembly members to have a “constructive dialogue” over the matter, adding, “In order to avoid going to the other extreme as the institution of the CBN must be preserved no matter the level of disagreement.”

It will be recalled that both chambers of the National Assembly have set in motion the process of amending the CBN Act 2007, principally aimed at diluting the powers of the board of the bank.

ECURITY personnel, yesterday, discovered a suspected base of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in Angwan Damisa in Rikkos Area of Plateau State capital, recovering assorted ammunition and materials for making improvised explosive devices.

In a joint operation, the military, the police and the State Security Service stormed the house at about 9.30 and later demolished the building around 4.30pm. Sunday Vanguard learnt that the operation, yesterday, came after days of surveillance.

However, the owner of the house and his accomplices were said to have escaped on sensing the security surveillance of the area, leaving six women including his wife and 11 children.

The items recovered include one thousand rounds of ammunition of assorted calibre, an AK 47 rifle with fully loaded magazines, eight bags of urea nitrate fertilizer, cables, detonating cords, containers of sodium oxide among other items.

Information Officer of the Special Task Force maintaining security in the state, Captain Markus Mdayheya, confirmed the discovery and the demolition of the house.

He said an improvised explosive device was safely detonated during the operation and warned landlords against allowing their property to be used for terrorist activities as such houses would be demolished.

One of he women rescued from the premises told journalists at the STF headquarters that she was brought in from Yobe State under the pretext of helping her to find her missing husband only to be later told that he had died in an accident.

Rumour of the infiltration of the city by members of the dreaded sect had been making the rounds for weeks forcing a security beef up in institutions and other government establishments in Plateau State.

Last week, text messages were sent round of a plan by the sect to strike at the University of Jos, causing panic among staff and students. As a security measure, vehicles were not allowed near office and lecture blocks especially at the permanent site while vehicles going into the campus were throughly searched.

The Islamists Boko Haram have claimed responsibility for bombings in parts of the North.

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Minister mobilises agric staff for transformation

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From left: Pharm. Jimi Agbaje, special guest of honour; the Presidential candidate, Pharm. Olumide Akintayo; Pharm.(Dr) John Nwaiwu, Chairman of ceremony and Pharm. Ahmed Yakasai, special guest of honour at the 2012 presidential manifesto presentation of Pharm. Olumide Akintayo for Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN ) as National President held at Conurty Club, Ikeja, Lagos.

S the Federal Ministry of Agricultu re & Rural Development decentralizes its operations across the geo-political zones and the states, the staff of the ministry have been charged to be stead fast in the discharge of their responsibilities so that the Ministry ’s mandate on transforming Nigeria’s agriculture becomes a huge success.

Minister of State, Agriculture & Rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani, said, in Abuja,

New doctors engaged to replace those who abandoned patients —Lagos Govt …Debunks allegations of NMA as baseless

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AGOS State Government at the weekend Nigeria urged t he Medical Association (NMA) to stop spreading falsehood, noting that sacking doctors who abandoned patients in the hospitals had nothing to do with a ploy to “decimate” the medical profession.

In a press statement signed by the Head of Service, Prince Adesegun Ogunlewe, the state government explained that no responsible administration would continue to watch her citizens die in hospitals after the doctors abandoned them for an illegal strike.

Explaining that while the doctors had the right to declare an industrial dispute through a strike, they also had a duty to serve statutorily stipulated notice on Government so that adequate preparations could be made to take care of emergency situations and properly monitor patients on admission. “ The decision of the

doctors under the Medical Guild to abandon the hospitals without the notice stipulated by law caught government by surprise and led to many deaths. No responsible Government will tolerate that”, the Head of Service said.

Ogunlewe added that the sacking of the doctors had to do with the need to protect the public service and ensuring that illegalities does not become the order of the day.

He said following the abandonment of their duty posts, government had no choice than to hire new doctors to halt the deaths and sufferings of the people in public hospitals.

Reacting to the allegation that Governor Babatunde Fashola walked out of a meeting meant to find solution to the problem of the sacked doctors, the Head of Service, who said he was present at the meeting, noted that the governor was with them at the meeting for over two hours

at the expense of other state assignments.

According to him, the governor had to go late to another function in Lagos involving the governor of Edo Sate and also had to keep a delegation from the Federal Government which had earlier inspected the on- going clearance of the Apapa ports areas waiting.

Ogunlewe explained that the real grouse of the

doctors was the refusal of the governor to overrule their employers, the Health Services Commission.

“The Governor ”, Ogunlewe explained, “told the doctors that it would amount to a breach of procedure to overrule the Health Services Commission and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Board by executive fiat”.

during a Mandatory meeting with Value Chain Team Leaders, Regional and State Directors.

The meeting, held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, was attended by the 36 states and six regional directors who the Minister cautioned against any controversy with either the officials of the state governments or their host

NCS destroys N28m seized items

BY UDEME CLEMENT

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HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun State Command has destroyed seizures estimated at the monetary value of over N28million in a bid to decongest the government warehouse in the command.

Addressing Journalists at the Command’s office in Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, DC Akande Bamidele explained that the destruction became necessary as the items had already expired and also the warehouse where the goods were kept was congested with seizures of

NIMASA proposes Anti-Piracy Bill

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

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HE Nigerian M a r i t i m e Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has presented a draft bill on Piracy and Other Unlawful Acts at Sea aimed at fighting Piracy and armed robbery at sea to stakeholders in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

In his welcome address, the director

general of NIMASA, Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, represented by the legal adviser, Mr. Matthew Egbadon, said the bill is expected to provide legal backing to the fight against piracy and other sea criminality and curb the financial losses which, according to him, are in excess of three billion US dollars.

According to statement by the agency’s Head, Public Relations, Hajia

communities.

Tijani pointed out that while there is need for close collaboration with all stake holders, both in the public and private sector, they should also operate within the purview of their expected schedules and also be consulting concerned units or departments of the ministry via weekly and monthly reports.

Lami Tumaka, the draft bill, put together by the agency’s consultant, the IMO technical consultant, and the legal team of NIMASA, entails the review of the UNCLOS 1982 and the SUA 1988 conventions and protocols as they relate to piracy.

different categories.

Responding to question on why it took the Command so long to carry out the exercise he stressed, “We do not just destroy contra-band items seized from smugglers. What we do is to follow the due process of the law to carry out investigation in order to ascertain that certain items are condemned for destruction. This is the reason it appears as if we waited for a long time.

Some of the goods as you can see here are 117 bags of rice, 419 used tyres, used fridges, tins of baby food and multivitamin capsules. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) for the goods destroyed is N28million.

On why officers had not returned to the government approved check-point at Ajilete community where smugglers attacked customs and burnt operational vehicle recently, he said, “The absence of officers at Ajilete is not detrimental to our operations in any way because we had already restrategised our operations and the area is very well covered”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012 — PAGE 7

Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, flanked, on the left, by his wife, Clara; his sister, Mrs. May Oji; and brothers, Dr. Jide Chime, Mr. Sunny Chime; being consoled by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Enugu , Mr. Aja, during a visit by friends and well-wishers on the death of their mother ….weekend

Oil thieves held in military dawn raid

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, P/Harcourt

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HE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, at the weekend, smashed an oil theft syndicate using the riverside Otuogori community in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State as depot for the transportation of illegally refined petroleum products to other parts of the country.

Six suspects were nabbed and a 36,000 litre capacity tanker, loading illegally refined diesel and 300 surface

tanks, seized during the dawn operation led by the Commander, 5 Battalion of the JTF, Lt Col Ja’afaru Ibrahim.

The community folks, many of whom were believed to be involved in the business, were taken by surprise by the military raid, forcing many of them to abandon their homes stocked with the illegally refined product.

The raid came on the heels of last week’s destruction of 218 illegal refineries, 151 surface tanks and oil dumps around Oporoza in the Ecravos waterways of Delta State, Alakiri waterside and the adjoin-

ing creeks of Sombreiro river in Abonema, Rivers State.

A 36,000 litre capacity tanker, with registration number XQ 239 LSR, used in conveying illegally refined petroleum product (diesel), 26 large surface tanks, 2 Geepee tanks, each having 500-litre storage capacity, over 300 drums of diesel, gigantic hoses, generators and10 pumping machines used in siphoning stolen crude oil as well as in transferring illegally refined products to surface tanks, waiting vessels and tankers were intercepted by the security forces.

Tanker laden with 36,000 litres of illegally refined diesel impounded before it was set ablaze by the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Bayelsa, yesterday.

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

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HAIRMAN of the In dependent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Mohammed Jega, reportedly escaped death, yesterday, when some youths attacked him at the palace of the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu, in Jigawa State.

Jega was said to be in the town to attend the wedding of the daughter of emir. It was gathered that trouble started around 12:30 pm when the INEC boss was coming out of the palace and the youths identified him.

A young girl allegedly led the attack when she collected sand and threw it at the vehicle in which

Apapa-Oshodi Expressway gridlock

Lagos issues ‘final 48 hours ultimatum’

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

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AGOS State overnment,yesterday, issued what it termed, “final 48 hours ultimatum” to stakeholders in the oil and transportation sector along Apapa - Oshodi Expressway to remove all abandoned, stationary, disused containers, carriers, tankers and other vehicles littering the road or face severe sanctions.

It will be recalled that the Federal Government had recently teamed up with the state government, forming a permanent special taskforce to rid the entire Apapa axis of all forms of environmental

degradations, which had seen many illegal structures demolished as well as various abandoned vehicles removed in recent times.

The state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, who handed down the ultimatum, said the measure became necessary to ensure safety of lives of

road users along Apapa– Oshodi Expressway, reduce man-hour loss of doing business and in adherence to the agreement reached by the transport unions operating along the corridor during the earlier stakeholders meeting.

At the stakeholders’ meeting then, it was agreed that all vehicles would be

removed from the road by May 15, 2011, hence, “we are giving a final 48-hour ultimatum to stakeholders to remove all abandoned, stationary, disused containers, carriers and tankers in queue littering the road following which there would strict enforcement of the law,” Opeifa stated.

Jega, INEC boss, escapes mob attack in Jigawa the INEC chairman was riding. Then the youths, Sunday Vanguard learnt, in hundreds, began to hurl stones at Jega’s convoy. Several cars in the convoy were said to have been damaged and their glasses smashed. Sources said the situation would have been worse but for the intervention of security forces. The youths sang war songs alleging betrayal on Jega’s path.

“You cheated us, you cheated the North, you declared falsed result, you denied General Buhari the chance to be the president

National Assembly Committee suspends power projects in Rivers

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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ATIONAL Assem bly Joint Committee on Power has ordered contractors working on two Distribution EPC projects of the National Independent Power Project, NIPP, at Eneka and Oyigbo area of Rivers State to stop work immediately due to what

Blame Christians for Nigeria’s woes — Bishop

BY ISIAKA OYIBO, Lokoja

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HE Archbishop of Ka duna Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Edmund Akanyan, yesterday, said the challenges confronting Nigeria were as a result of

insincerity on the part of the nation’s leaders and disobedience of Christians.

The cleric, who spoke at this year’s Synod Thanksgiving of the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Lokoja, said rather than blame pol-

iticians totally for the country’s woes’, the Church should be blamed, having drifted from God’s way and disappointed Him like the Israelites who were consequently punished.

The Archbishop, who is also the bishop of Kebbi

of Nigeria, it was injustice, we will not forgive you”, some of them said..

Another drama played out immediately thereafter when retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), arrived the scene. The youths hailed him, saying he was the answer to Nigerians socio-economic, political, religious and ethnic problems. Contacted, however, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abdul, Jinjiri denied the attack on Jega.

Diocese, noted that Nigerians could overcome the challenges if Christians repent of their sins and return to God. He was however optimistic that despite these challenges there was hope of surmounting them.

they termed poor quality of the jobs. Chairman of the committee, Senator Philips Aduda, and his deputy, Hon Patrick Ikhariale, who spoke, yesterday, when members of the committee inspected the projects scored the quality of work going on very low. They also expressed doubt if the transformers brought in for the jobs were new ones. The law makers said work would only resume at the project sites after verification of the jobs and transformers had been conducted by independent experts. The Committee said it took the decision to ensure that the projects were delivered to specification.

PAGE 8—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

GOVERNOR FAYEMI’S MOTHER’S BURIAL A funeral service was held for Madam Dorcas Aina Fayemi, mother of Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, on Friday, at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Isan Ekiti. Faces at the occasion as captured by Dare Fasube.

From left: Governor Kayode Fayemi, his wife Funmi, Chief Mrs Monisola Oloro (daughter) and Chief Oloro.

From left: Senator Ben Obi, representing the Federal Government’s delegation; Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State.

From left: Arch.

Lanre Layinka, husband of Ekiti State Deputy Gover nor, Mrs Funmi Layinka and Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, Deputy Governor, Oyo State.

From left: Senator Bola Tinubu, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Chief Bisi Akande and Aare Afe Babalola.

A cross section of clerics.

Erelu Angela Adebayo and former Governor Adeniyi Adebayo of Ekiti State.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State and his wife, with Governor Ahmed Abdulfatai of Kwara State.

Governor Isa Yuguda and his wife.

Days of ethnic politics is over in Edo, Oshiomhole tells PDP

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

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OVERNOR A d a m s Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said the task of any one who wants to govern the state must be to work for the unity of Edoand not play ethnic politics which, according to him, is being played by the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP).

Oshiomhole, who declared this while addressing a campaign rally in Abudu, Orhiomnwon Local Government Council of the state and in Ikpoba Okhai, said one of the greatest achievements made by his administration was replacing the politics of sentiment which was played in the past in the

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State (left) and Aremo Olusegun Osoba.

state with politics of issues.

He spoke shortly after he received the endorsement of over twenty Enigies (district heads) in Orhiomnwon Local Government, where his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, hails from.

According to Oshiomhole, “it is legitimate to scrutinize the pedigree of any one

who seeks to be your cook. Today the PDP is preaching ethnicity. I want to tell them that Edo is not a name after a river or after a tree, it represents an ethnic category. From Edo North, Edo Central, if you listen attentively, our dialect is the same.

“We have a common ancestry which is why in the statement issued by the palace, the Oba said we want a governor who will work for the unity of the state. Because every genuine Edo man and woman recognizes His Majesty as the father of all of us”.

From left: Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) (left) and Chief Odigie Oyegun.

Emzor restates commitment to wellness

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MZOR says it r e m a i n s committed to ensuring that Nigerians enjoy year round wellness through the use of products and promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The pharmaceuticals giant discosed this in a statement after its May 2012 edition of the monthly Emzor Wellness Run, held in Lagos, yesterday.

“Oh Baby ” crooner, Jodie, was celebrity guest runner at the race, a

corporate social responsibility initiative of Emzor Pharmaceuticals to spread the gospel of wellness across Nigeria.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria approved monthly event, which is in its 26th edition, attracts runners from across Nigeria from as far afield as Kaduna and Jos. First place winners in the latest edition were new comer, Labib Ali, and Aminat Olowora, who won in the male and female categories respectively.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 9

THIS SEGMENT PRESENTS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS, IN A MANNER NEVER BEFORE EXPLORED, ON CRIME AND NATIONAL SECURITY MATTERS. THIS IS DEPARTMENT 'C'

STORY IN BRIEF

Penultimate Saturday a dare-devil gang of armed robbers first stormed a Police State in Igara, Edo State, as part of plans to rob two banks in the area. A gun battle ensued, leaving the gang leader dead and the second-in-command arrested.

More arrests are under way. This is the story of how the Police repelled the robbers

By ALBERT AKPOR

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he sound was deafen ing, staccato and rapid too. It was strange, invoking fears and trepidation.

It was an admixture of deafening sounds from the blasts of dynamites, rocket launchers and Ak 47 assault rifles.

Residents had their sleep rudely interrupted, wondering what was happening. Some, close to the police station, wasted no time in placing calls to clarify the situation.

Shock set in when it was discovered that even the police that was to be called for clarification, was the target of attack. Then it became clear that the perpetrators were enemies of the society. They were dare-devil armed robbers! Their chosen theatre was the police station and the two banks beside each other in the sleepy town of Igara, Edo state.

It was the very early hours of Saturday, May 12, 20012, and time was approximately 1.30am.

As it was latter proven, the robbers did not just strike, they acted on information.

It was reliably gathered that the previous day, there was a movement of huge sums of money from Benin and Auchi branches of the bank to Igara – mind you, the police is currently working on the premise that the invasion of the town was more of an insiders’ job.

The kingpin of the bandits is with the police. This, after he was rounded up in hospital where he was being treated for bullet wounds!

*One of the vehicles in which the hoodlums operated

*Weapons recovered from the bandits

FIRE-FIGHT IN EDO

How we repelled dare-devil robbers, by CP Balogun zSome suspects in police net zMore arrests underway zMen of underground from Kogi The hoodlums, just about a dozen, were tactical in their operation.

They came in three vehicles loaded with uncommon arms and ammunition.

On arrival, they divided the group into two equal numbers.

Six of them from one vehicle, manned the police station, five in another vehicle moved towards the banks while the remaining one was positioned at a junction connecting the major road from the banks.

Those at the police station were to prevent counter offensive from the law enforcement agents while the operation at the banks lasted. They were also to cart as many arms and ammunition as possible if they succeed in breaking into the armoury. The one-man gang at the junction was to evacuate members at the speed of light should any emergency occur. Thus, the stage was set for a shoot out with the Police.

Unarguably, Policemen at the station were taken unawares.

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irst, as trained personnel they took cover while their attackers rained bullets ceaselessly. Believing they had triumphed, the bandits made for the amroury; just then, came a reprisal from the police. But the hoodlums had broken into the armoury, sized

two AK 47 rifles with which they shot their way to escape.

At the banks, policemen on guard duty with the assistance of members of the vigilante made life difficult for the bandits commissioned to rob the banks.

At that juncture, there was a fierce gun battle. The Police succeeded in killing the ‘commander’ of the gang, thereby foiling the operation momentarily.

But the robbers were not about to give up.

The only option open to them was to shoot their way out.

But even that option was never going to be a safe one.

Meanwhile, the police intensified their counter-offensive.

The bus which conveyed the robbers to the area and stationed at the bank had been riddled with bullets and demobilized. The hoodlums took to their heels while the police gave them a hot chase.

Unknown to the robbers, the Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Balogun, had ordered for a re-enforcement from Ibilo and Auchi. The officers and men arrived and laid ambush at the Ibilo junction. There, another round of firing ensued. The terrain of the area being a hilly one made it a bit easy for the robbers to seek refuge in a cave

on the Igara hills. Undaunted, the police advanced while the robbers kept shooting.

The dexterity of the Police came to light as two members of the gang again fell to the bullets of the Police; but unfortunately, two members of the vigilante group were caught in the cross fire and were hit by bullets; and they have since been treated and discharged.

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ecounting how the po lice succeeded in foiling the bank robbery and recovering arms and ammunition, Balogun said it all boils down to the determination and dedication of the men to duty.

He said his men displayed uncommon gallantry and deserved the commendation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, M D Abubakar.

Unknown to residents of the area, the hot chase by the Police against the hoodlums was not witnessed by many because most residents had taken cover. It was this chase that residents mistook for a retreat on the part of the Police. Meanwhile, the tactical decision of the Police to allow the men waste their ammunitions while firing at the station was what some misinterpreted as a retreat by men of the Force Sunday vanguard was made to understand.

The state police boss was quick to admit that when he was posted to the Edo State command, he knew he was going to face an uphill challenge, refusing however, to believe that there is a particu-

lar state that is crime prone.

He said, “I do not want to believe that crime is on the increase in Edo State. There is no state without any form of crime and criminality; it depends on the zeal and willingness to fight it. When I received the distress call that early morning, around 2am, I made contact with my men and we were in communication. At every point we were talking and I was giving them directives on what to do. My ops officer too was not asleep; he, too, was talking. But I thank God that we were able to foil the bank robbery. Let me tell you, the robbers did not just come, they came as a result of information they received perhaps from an insider in the banks or somewhere.

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he previous day, Friday, there was movement of money from Benin and Auchi branches of the bank and so when on Saturday morning they came it was obvious that they acted on information.

What we are going to do is to investigate it properly and of course, invite officials of the banks that went for the money that Friday. Already, a member of the gang named Abdulmaleek Aliu of Eganyi, Ajakokuta LGA in Kogi State has been arrested with multiple bullet wounds. He was being treated in hospital when my men rounded him up.

During interrogation, he confessed to have participated in the foiled bank robbery. He even said he was not the leader but second in command.

PAGE 10 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012

Labour can not be used to bring down any govt —Esele, TUC President-General ’We will force govt to implement subsidy probe report’ In this interview with the President-General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Peter Esele, he speaks about the nationwide strike action in January against the sudden increase in the price of petrol, the allegation that organized labour sold out to government and plans to ensure that government acts on the findings of the House of Representatives which investigated the management of subsidy funds. Esele says that workers and union members voted for the executives of the NLC and TUC and, therefore, the loyalty of the executive committee members of these bodies are to their members and not the generality of Nigerians, insisting that if Nigerians are feeling betrayed by whatever is going on in the country, they should hold the people they voted for responsible, including President Jonathan.. Excerpts:

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hat is your take on the subsidy probe report by House of Representatives?

My view is not different from the statement TUC issued when the report was realised.

In that release, we said we welcome the release of the report of the House of Representatives’ Probe panel on the Subsidy regime in the Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria. We view it as not only timely but far reaching in its findings and recommendations thus signalling a clear departure from the norm especially as it concerns the reports of such probe panels set up in the past by the National Assembly. The Ndudi Elumelu probe of the power sector remains a mirage even till date The Lawan Faruk probe is a landmark report because it did not shy away from identifying the culprits by their names but it also recommended punishments and penalties including refunds from those identified to have meddled or were used to siphon public funds through the subsidy regime. This, it was able to do, despite all the pressures from within and without which were brought to bear on the members of the panel and the panel itself, to water down their findings or to allow it go the way of the other probe panels in the past.

The report is a clear affirmation of our earlier insistence on the existence and prevalence of deep-seated corruption in the subsidy regime of the downstream sector of the nation’s petroleum industry. It is a further justification of the decision by Nigerians as led

,

BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

The person that Nigerians elected is Goodluck Jonathan. So, if they felt betrayed, it is Goodluck Jonathan (who has betrayed them)

by Labour and Civil society Coalition (LASCO) to embark on the January 2012 struggle to reclaim Nigeria from the hands of the cabal that was hitherto holding the country to ransom and were feeding fat on the sufferings and deprivations of fellow Nigerians through the petroleum price hike.

Y

ou people described the subsidy figures as false?

Yes we described the figures as false and padded, our position on the procedure which we described as crony–led thus inefficient; our description of activities in the waters between Cotonou and Nigeria which we showed to be unwholesome and fraudulent and our calls for sanctions against some of the operators in the industry have all been confirmed and justified by this report. We therefore call on the various agencies of government responsible for implementing the findings and recommendations of this report especially the EFCC (that is before those who are in a hurry to scrap it succeeds) to swing into action immediately. Nigerians and the workforce want to see arrests made in the coming weeks and people brought before our various courts of law.

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This will go a long way in assuaging the populace, warning those that are thinking of treading the same ignoble path to have a rethink thus guaranteeing the nation a protection against continued pillage by a few fat cats.

Anything to the contrary will cause restiveness in the Land and raise the spectre of compromise and an attempt to cover up the identified crooks.

It offers the President and the government an opportunity to reconnect with the people rebuilding trust and confidence in the process which is what is imperative within the ambits of the security challenges confronting the nation.

We are still worried that some of the people especially the public officials that openly and willingly peddled false figures during the debates and subsequent probe are still sitting comfortably in their respective positions. We call on these officers to immediately, if they still have any honour left in them, hand in their letters of resignation as this is the only course that will propitiate for their perfidy against the Nigerian people. We shall consider their refusal to remove themselves from public offices an insult on the collective psyche of the Nigerian people

and workers and a brazen affront on our intelligence. This we assure them will not go unchallenged by Nigerian workers in the most constructive and effective way.

While we commend the members of the panel and its chairman Honourable Farouk Lawan for doing a good work on their mandate and refusing to be hoodwinked into silence or compromise, we also commend the entire House of Representatives for having the courage to have instituted this panel which has made this report possible.

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rom the discordant tunes that have been coming from the Presidency, there are fears that the report may not be implemented.

We are worried because after the President said he’s not going to spare any indicted individual, we started hearing different things from the Attorney-General of the Federation, Special Adviser on Political Affairs, among others, who are now expressing contradictory views. Some said it is just a mere fact finding exercise, some dismissed it as lacking credibility and all that. However, we as organised labour we will bring pressure to bear to ensure that the report is implemented.

Never the less, there are those who claimed they were not giving fair hearing and the presidency claimed it has not received the report. We expect the House of Representatives to address the issues raised by those that they were not giving fair hearing and send the report to the President for implementation. When the president fails to implement

the world will see it. So it is a moral burden on the President and his anti-corruption crusade.

The report has vindicated our belief that there was no subsidy but fraud. We shouted that government must address the corruption in the subsidy system they said no, there was no corruption. So, if there was no strike in January, there would not have been probe and this monumental fraud would not have been uncovered.

TUC has continued to say that we are not against deregulation of the sector, but what we are against is increase in price and import driven deregulation. In fact, what they wanted to do in January was to ensure that no refining takes place in Nigeria again.

But the strike has made them to have a change of heart.

Many have alleged that the leadership of TUC and NLC, were compromised to call off the January strike against the petrol pump price hike. How would you defend this?

Well, if you check the dictionary meaning of compromise, and what Nigerians think of being compromised, you find out that they are two poles apart. I am saying it categorically, we were not compromised. Comrade President Abdulwaheed Omar of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and I simply announced the decision of the National Executive Council of both the NLC and TUC, and those were the people who elected us into office and they are those we take instructions and directives from.

Why was it that N97 per liContinues on page 11

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012— PAGE 11

Continued from page 10 ter of petrol was not negotiated according to your statement on the day the strike was called off as against the practice in the past?

We take full responsibility for that and one of the reasons we have to do that was, we were a kind of being boxed into a corner because the instruction given to us by National Executive Council, NEC, was not to negotiate. If NEC says, do not negotiate, you do not negotiate and the same also took decision and said, call off the strike, we had to act according to NEC decision. But if you asked me with hindsight, probably we should have negotiated as in the past because I also got calls from past union leaders, past presidents, General Secretaries, who also felt that we should have negotiated because it is a kind of a tripartite; you make a demand and you also get a counter demand. But we did not do any of that because we just felt that it had gone beyond demand and counter demand. That was why we did not negotiate, but immediately after the strike I felt we should have done that. We were simply following the instruction of the NEC. We do not expect to do anything and expect everything to be perfect.

I

n any situation, any place where there is perfection, it means there is no growth. But there are also lessons to be learnt and there are areas we feel that we can improve upon. The compliance by the unions who elected us was almost total and I do not think we have ever had that, not even since the history of this country where we had a near perfect strike whereby we got so much compliance from our members, first because this is not the first strike we have had. We had one in 2007 when the late Yar’Adua was newly elected. We did not get this sort of compliance at all but we were still able to negotiate and pushed those things through. Though people would continue to question why we did not negotiate, but as things go bye, people will come to see some reasons why we did not negotiate.

Esele...Labour stands for democracy

‘Labour will force govt to implement subsidy probe report’

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Why was the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, prevailed upon from shutting down the platforms and export terminals, because we have had a lot of stories?

PENGASSAN takes instruction from TUC. If this was an entirely PENGASSAN strike, it would have been a different ball game. This was a nationwide strike, so PENGASSAN takes instruction from the TUC because it is an affiliate of TUC. What we told PENGASSAN was hold on.

When PENGASSAN said members would shut production by Sunday, it was also acting on the instruction of the TUC. First, do not forget we are a pressure group and all kind of pressures had to be brought to bear.

One thing that came out of the whole thing was that I just found that, yes, we may be educated, people are not informed about how the unions actually operate. You can deploy all manner of pressures to get what you want to get.

Take for example, I go to my management and say, I want to be earning N10million a month, it is N10 million or nothing. Meanwhile, maybe I am earning N1miilion a month. So, between that N10million and N1million that I am earning, there is now room for negotiations. I can

Take for example, I was a teenager during the June 12 struggle and I asked at the end of the day what that was for? Ernest Shonekan came, we said he was illegal even though Shonekan as a civilian was better that the illegal man in kaki that came

bring whatever pressure I want to bring on the management for me to get my N10 million.

Sometimes, I may not get my 10 million. So, there are some of the things Nigerians need to know. First, we just look at it, PENGASSAN is going to shut down 2.4 barrel production per day. We just multiply by 1000 dollar per barrel. It is about 240 million.

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o, we weigh all the op tions and agreed that whether we like it or not, we are all also going to pay for that. So, between the TUC and NLC, we agreed that no, PENGASSAN should not shut down. There was no pre-arranged agreement with any external body. I tell you, TUC NEC and PENGASSAN NEC took place in the same hotel.

Everybody was on the same page. What I also want Nigerians to know is that as lead-

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ers, our first primary constituency is the workers. So, my primary responsibility is to the Nigerian worker who elected me.

The person that Nigerians elected is Goodluck Jonathan.

So, if they felt betrayed, it is Goodluck Jonathan (who has betrayed them). It is the workers that I am directly responsible to and they are not telling me that I have betrayed them. So, it now comes to a matter of understanding how the union works. When we looked at it in the NEC, we asked what our end gain is. If you ask me, if we want to do a revolution, I will belong to a revolution when I know that a member of the revolutionary would take over power, who understands our pains, knows where it pinches when the shoe hurts and we looked at it, there is no anyone among us, even from the Occupy Ni-

geria Group, that can take over power. So, at the end of the day, you find out that we may just end up playing into the hands of those who are lurking in the winds, they would take over power and then we would go back to square one.

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hese are the same things that happened in the past. Take for example, I was a teenager during the June 12 struggle and I asked at the end of the day what that was for?

Ernest Shonekan came, we said he was illegal even though Shonekan as a civilian was better that the illegal man in kaki that came. If not for divine intervention, maybe we would have been fighting like the Egyptians or Libyans or others. At the end of the day, they are still the same particular group of people, directly or indirectly who are running this country.

If we say we want a change, I believe that change should come through lawful and constitutional means. I will support that. Let me tell you, labour can never support any take over of government through unconstitutional means. Maybe some people do not understand what labour stands for. Labour stands for democracy. Labour can never bring down a democratic government, but labour can fight to help bring down an un-

democratic government.

Labour can put pressure to change policies. But labour would always believe that if you want to change policy makers, you use legal means.

So, our intention in the last strike was to change the policy and not the policy makers.

Even if it were possible to change government, I would want those who understand the pains we are going through, those who know that we are being marginalised, who believe that unemployment is on the high side and other things drawing us back and who must be the person we know. I would not be party to supporting somebody we do not even know who suddenly want to take advantage, the kind of opportunistic. Whether you like or not, even if you look at the way Nigerian leaders emerged, their exposure and the rest reflect when they get to power.

What was or were the real reasons why the strike was called off?

One was first; there were many centres of power. Our training is that we are organized, we have hierarchy and we have a structure. So, when things are going out of that structure, we are not party to it. So, those structures and organs must be respected. But we now had various people who also believed in the struggle, but who just would not allow things to be in one process. We also have our own internal challenges, which of course, I cannot make public.

We have done our own internal postmortem and it is for our own internal consumption. But the external threats, like we did SWOT analysis, where we looked at our strength, our weaknesses, our opportunities and our threats. So we had both internal and external threats.

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n looking at our external threats, the external threats were like, fine, there were many centres of authorities, so many people given different counter directives such as this is what they want, this is what they want to do. Some people went as far as saying, even if labour went out of the way, they were going to continue. We also had some calling for a regime change and that did not go down well with us. A regime change in a democracy, the only way you can have a regime change at that point of time, is through a military coup because we are a democratic institution. We did not find it funny. So, those were the external threats and like I said, the internal threats are those we keep to ourselves and would address in our own way.

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

Buhari, Jonathan, PDP, attacks zPresidency pushes issue to back burner, moves on

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T was a festival of attacks, even mud-slinging; pure and simple.

The week has been a very busy one but not in the sense of national re-birth or national development. It was a mélange involving former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidency, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, also jumped into the fray, while the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Buhari’s political party chose not to be left out.

Buhari was not unmindful of the weight of his statement when members of CPC from Niger State paid him a courtesy visit in Kaduna last Monday. Buhari, who spoke in Hausa language, gave a deconstruction of the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram.

Buhari, also known as GMB, said the Federal Government of Nigeria tops the list in the understanding and characterization of the group, followed by those he described as criminals who steal and kill Nigerians in the name of religion, with the third group as the original one led by late Muhammed Yusufu.

“God willing”, GMB said, “by 2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a very disgraceful way.

“If what happened in 2011 (alleged rigging) should again happen in 2015, by the grace of God, the dog and the baboon would all be soaked in blood.”

“I will like to quote Professor Ango Abdullahi that said there are three Boko Harams including the original one led

by Muhammed Yusufu who was killed and his supporters tried to take revenge by attacking the law enforcement agencies and politicians.

There is another developed Boko Haram of criminals who steal and kill… while the biggest Boko Haram is the Federal Government.”

It was this statement by Buhari that opened a floodgate of mudslinging last week.

It provoked both the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the presidency. The PDP through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, fired the first salvo.

Metuh, at the Press Conference held at the PDP Conference Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, noted that it was regretful that Buhari would again incite Nigerians to violence after allegedly causing the mayhem that followed the 2011 presidential election.

“The PDP calls on wellmeaning Nigerians, especially the Northern elders to call Buhari to order and ask him to spare the nation his thirst for blood. We need to remind ourselves that on April 21, 2012, Buhari was reported in the media as predicting a bloody revolution in 2015. The reports in the national dailies today quoting the same retired General as repeating that blood will flow in 2015 is another build-up to Buhari’s relish of funeral train. While PDP cherishes freedom of speech, assembly and association as the custodian of Nigeria’s democracy, we at the same time know that such freedom goes with immense responsibilities. We condemn in no uncertain terms this shameful call for the spill of blood of innocent Nigerians to acquire political power.

“We appreciate Buhari’s frustration and antagonism towards the PDP. He has lost three times at the polls. But is Buhari really a democrat?

Why is the blood of innocent Nigerians the only thing sufficient to quench his thirst for power? What Nigeria needs right now is ‘evolution’ in the true spirit of democracy.”

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he tongue lashing of the Daura-born General was not left to the PDP alone as the Presidency in a scathing dismissal said that the former Head of State had, through his assertions, reduced himself to a regional leader.

Reacting through the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati, the presidency noted that Buhari even as a presidential candidate consistently showed himself as a divisive person who did

not even campaign in the south, adding, But perhaps the most unfortunate part of the statement was the portion in which Buhari said that, “Since the leaders now don’t listen to anybody but do whatever they wish, there is nothing the north can do”. We find it very sad that an elder statesman who once presided over the entirety of Nigeria can reduce himself to a regional leader who speaks for only a part of Nigeria.

“Come to think of it, as the CPC presidential candidate in the 2011 election, how many states in the Federation did he visit to campaign for votes?

Buhari never bothered to

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BY JIDE AJANI AND HENRY UMORU

Northern elders to call Buhari to order and ask him to spare the nation his thirst for blood

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Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, who served as ministers of Labour, Tourism, Justice and Defense, recently spoke with some journalists on security challenges facing the nation among others issues.

Excerpts:

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hat is your take on the state of the nation with particular reference to the handling of security challenges?

Our nation is passing through difficult national security moments which demand all stakeholders to rally round the government and security forces. I am convinced that these security challenges have multi-sectoral origins and with that, you can no longer judge the situation as a mere security matter. We all know the pedigree of the National Security Adviser and there is no way anybody can accuse him of incompetence or lack of knowledge in these matters.

He was a former Director of

•Jonathan campaign in the southern part of the country and consistently played up the North-South divide to the chagrin of patriotic and wellmeaning Nigerians. As the

results revealed, Nigerians will never vote for anyone who wants to divide the country. Is Buhari going to continue to be a sectional leader?”

On Buhari’s allegation that the Jonathan administration is the biggest

2015 AND NIGERIA’S STABILITY

Let’s listen to Azazi -Tokunbo Kayode, Ex-Defence Minister zSays Jonathan’s efforts will yield positive results

BY JIDE AJANI Military Intelligence, Chief of Army Staff and later a Chief of Defence Staff. You cannot have a better qualified hand as a National Security Adviser at this critical time.

Are you saying the security set up needs no tinkering as it is?

Every institution needs to be renewed. Innovations for better performance are part of the dynamics of life. Of course, the security services can do better with internal organisational restructuring, better infrastructure, modern plan-

ning and training to cope with contemporary challenges.

I believe the Office of the NSA is pushing ahead with many laudable reforms to strengthen our national defense and internal security capabilities. For example, the ongoing integration of technology in security operation is a welcome development. We also need more hands on the job especially at the lower levels. However, this and other measures can only succeed when there is stability in leadership.

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hat manner of stability?

I mean restructuring does not necessarily imply change of leadership of the security apparatus except when particularly compulsory. Reforms for ef-

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012 , PAGE 13

CPC, ACN in festival of z Why General Buhari would not be arrested

Boko Haram, the Presidential spokesperson said, “The Federal Government led by President Jonathan is not Boko Haram.”

In a chat with the presidential spokesman, Sunday Vanguard was

made to understand that the matter has been “pushed behind us. We are focused on the development and the stability of this nation and not with people making

Kayode fectiveness when introduced can achieve better outcome if stability of leadership is sustained. I am not supporting or canvassing for mediocrity or inefficiency in security leadership but we should avoid changes for the sake of changes.

The NSA recently made a controversial statement on the Boko Haram crisis. Will you say he did not speak in order?

Absolutely not! The mandate of an NSA is to give a holistic security assessment while detailing likely solutions. Most of the time, this is not and need not be palatable to the political class as the situation you refer to. Security as-

sessment is expected to be very frank and fearless but also circumspect. Nigeria cannot be an exception. The fact is that the NSA as a thorough bred security professional delivered his assessment to a high profile gathering of economic and political leaders, with a view to alerting them and exciting solutions.

We may not like the way he presented it; but we can hardly fault the premise of his submissions. The statement I think put the entire political class on notice.

He was to force us all to be engaged in that search for a way out.

Are you saying he should not be sanctioned over the issue?

By speaking out, he was performing his duty. He called our attention to the fact that politics, religion, ethnicity and poverty create an insecure society which hampers successful outcome of security and intelligence operations.

Well, politicians may have expected him not to be so blunt. But his bluntness opened our eyes to the depth of the problem, to the fact that socio-economic and political factors are driving the insurgency to an intolerable level for national security.

But many believe he is part of the government and should have made it internal report rather than speaking publicly.

the PDP connived with INEC to rig the 2011 general election said it would not be business as usual in 2015.

“There must be sanctity of votes of Nigerian electorate.

What Buhari was trying to say is that, it would not be business as usual. So, only the guilty should be afraid of retribution. It is certain that retribution is coming. So, why should PDP be afraid”?

S

upport also came from the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, where the National Publicity Secretary, Anthony A.Z. Sani said that Buhari’s comments were nothing new against the backdrop that many eminent Nigerians including former President Olusegun Obasanjo

,

•Buhari

provocative statements”.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that part of the reasons why the former head of state has not been arrested “is because there are security reports suggesting that part of the grand agenda is to provoke the presidency to cause him to be arrested based on his inflammatory statements and then provoke further violence in the country, particularly in the North. That would never be”, a source inside Aso Rock Presidential Villa disclosed.

The Festival of attacks was not left for those who were not on the side of Buhari as he also got support from his party.

Responding to attacks from the PDP and the Presidency, CPC immediately threw its weight behind Buhari, with the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Engr. Rotimi Fashakin, insisting that General Buhari was only reiterating what many Nigerians had been saying for long, adding, “they are merely talking balderdash; what General Buhari has said is what many Nigerians have expressed . Remember Professor Wole Soyinka had said election rigging is violence against people and that they have the right to confront violence with greater violence”.

Fashakin who alleged that

2015, something will happen. They either conduct a free and fair election or they go a very disgraceful way

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If an experienced security official like the NSA spoke in such a manner, I believe we should trust his judgment no matter how unpalatable. He has the overall security outlook from his vantage viewpoint. I think on this issue we should listen to Azazi. Already, you can see the renewed calls for dialogue now dominating national discourse. We should listen to Azazi.

B

ut that statement does not solve the problem he identified in that Asaba statement?

The problems you are referring to transcend the security sector. President Goodluck Jonathan is indeed attending to issues of job creation and economic transformation. Let me tell you this, the president has direct and detailed grasp of policy matters with respect to job creation among others. Even as a Vice President, he took particular interest in employment matters leading to his address on employment at an International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva in 2009.

Without peace, development can hardly be attained. We need peace, reconciliation for the many good programmes of government to manifest.

The state governments also have to be seen to be actively doing something about employment through collaboration with the private sector.

had also inferred as such.

According to him, “Buhari has not said anything that has not been said before. What people are saying is that he should not have said it because he has mass appeal among the people.”

For the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, the call from Buhari was only for the enthronement of a transparent election process.

According to CNPP’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, “The problem on ground now is due to the fact that many of those holding elective positions were not elected by the people, in actual fact. Therefore they don’t have any sense of accountability and responsibility towards the people.”

Buhari also got the support of Action Congress of Nigeria, CAN, which chided the Jonathan administration for launching a personal attack on the former Head of state for simply giving a valid warning against election rigging.

According to the ACN, attacks against Buhari were reflective of the determination of the ruling administration to use the instrument of power to return itself to power come 2015.

But a new twist was to be introduced when Buhari dared President Jonathan to arrest him if he could.

Buhari, speaking through his close political associate and National Secretary of the CPC, Alhaji Buba Galadima, said even former President Olusegun Obasanjo dared not arrest him. “Let them go and pick him as their mentors are now advising them to”, he said, adding: “If Obasanjo cannot arrest Buhari, I want Jonathan to do it if he can try it because they are hiring people all over the North to be talking for them because they can pay them money.

They are picking on the General because it is him they are afraid of and because once you take away rigging, they are gone; but they have forgotten that their master, Obasanjo was the first to talk of do or die, do or die means blood, if you don’t do what I want I will kill you, that is what he said. The issue is very simple, if you are not a thief why should you be afraid if they say whoever steals should be killed? That is why they are afraid.”

PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

state is confirmed for CPC. He further revealed during that gathering that a meeting was planned between CPC and the state governor any time from now and that the “CPC would only be looking for additional four states if securing the state in question is eventually guaranteed in the planned meeting with the state governor”.

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•Tony Momoh , CPC National Chairman

•Yinka Odumakin', spokesman for Buhari

NIGERIA’S PECULIAR POLITICS OF SUCCESSION

Deconstructing the processes that led to CPC’s loss in 2011 zParty’s over-reliance on mass rallies created vulnerability zHow the opposition can contain the excesses of PDP

H

OW did a political party which brought so much hope and promise falter at the polls in a massively incongruous manner? What went wrong?

Well, Sunday Vanguard can authoritatively reveal that at some of the meetings of the leadership of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, which usually included but was never limited to Dr. Sule Yahaya Hamma (Director General of the Buhari Campaign Council); Tony Momoh (CPC National Chairman); Mustafa Salihu, CPC deputy national chairman; Engineer Buba Galadima (CPC National Secretary); Jazuli Imam; Col Hamid Ali (Chief of Staff to Buhari); Yinka Odumakin (spokesman for Buhari) and Ahmed Tahir Salihijo”, the mood was almost always upbeat and one of nearinvincibility. In the case of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, it held onto five

states in the Yoruba South West geo-political zone, and is still working on Ondo State where Labour Party ’s Dr. Rahman Mimiko is governor.

But for CPC and its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, the results of the national assembly elections of last year simply poured cold water on the supposedly larger than life image that had been created for both the party and its principal.

Worse, the presidential election did not produce the type of spark that the party promised – it even has only one governorship seat.

The party’s many rallies in all parts of the North recorded huge crowds, dwarfing whatever the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, state governors could muster to demonstrate support for President Goodluck Jonathan.

In addition, the CPC’s insistence that it could go to the polls alone without any possible alliance with the ACN, or any other political party for that matter, sent jitters down the spine of PDP

leaders.

Reviewing preparations for the elections at a meeting held at the party’s Utako District, Abuja national secretariat office on Monday, March 21, 2011, Alhaji Galadinma reportedly discountenanced the polls by a national newspaper which placed General Buhari a distant second behind President

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BY JIDE AJANI

North.

Continuing, Galadinma was said to have explained at the meeting that out of the five additional states needed from the south, the CPC already has confirmation on one, meaning the party was sure of 20 states in the bag. Galadinma said the governor of the state in question and another leader of the party in that state (in

He wondered why Jega would allow himself to be so indicted, adding that they had advised Jega to raise alarm if he could not make open announcements

Jonathan.

He reiterated that what the CPC is “looking for now is only five states in the South to add to the 19 Northern States that the CPC would conveniently win” in the

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the south) are allegedly on the side of CPC adding that the governor had assessed the presidential candidate of his party and concluded that he was “lacking in maturity ”, hence according to him, the

unday Vanguard later discovered at another meeting held on Thursday March 31, 2011, some 48hours before the botched national legislative elections, at the National Secretariat of the Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, on Dokolo Street, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, where disclosures were made about CPC’s preparations for the botched elections, that CPC was beginning to blur the line between mere popularity and electability. This was to become the undoing of the party.

At the meeting, Dr Sule Yahaya Hamma disclosed “that Jega had maintained that he is not going to declare any questionable election result, which he believed, was why Jega had insisted that the electorates must wait behind even after casting their votes”.

He stated that another scheduled meeting of the CPC with Jega would reveal their position on what their next line of action would be on the 2011 general elections. He added that Jega had however assured them at their earlier interaction that he would not declare any false election result.

Yet at another meeting on Monday, 3rd April, 2011, between 2120 hrs and 2230 hours, at a private residence, No 11 Oguta Street off River Benue Street, Maitama District, Abuja, speaking on the postponement of the National Assembly elections, Hamma “complained bitterly and remarked that, during their last meeting with National Chairman of the (Commission), he did not give any clue that he was having problems relating to the conduct of the 2011 general elections.

“He wondered why Jega would allow himself to be so indicted, adding that they had advised Jega to raise alarm if he could not make open announcements on (challenges confronting him) if he was having problems with the smooth performance of his INEC job, but that Jega did not give them any insight Continues on page 15

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012 , PAGE 15 Continued from page 14 on this in any of their interactions”.

The party believed strongly that once there were no forms of malpractices at the polls, it would win. It had good reasons to believe so.

In fact, Galadima maintained that the only best thing to do now is for the electorates to stay behind after casting their votes as advised

by Jega himself. Salihu disclosed that on March 31st, 2011, an unnamed National Commissioner had informed him that, elections into the two chambers of the National Assembly may not hold as earlier scheduled. He disclosed that he consequently advised Momoh and Galadima whom he had earlier intimated of the information, to raise an alarm of the development through the press, which he revealed, they both declined to do.

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he leadership of the party believed strongly in its new found invincibility hinged on a belief that it could win the presidential election even at first ballot. But with the results of the national assembly polls, the party’s leadership knew better.

Hence it scampered back to the alliance table with the A C N .

Even before the frenzied attempt to re-awaken the

Deconstructing the processes that led to CPC’s loss in 2011 dead alliance talks and consequent upon the perceived unfavourable showing of the party at the legislative elections, its leadership and that of the Northern Political Leaders’ Forum, NPLF, held crucial talks culminating in the establishment of teams to visit some states of the North West geo-political zone described as critical to the success of the CPC. That came at a time when CPC’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, also met and held talks with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau and Mallam Adamu Ciroma.

Specifically, the CPC and the G15 raised teams to visit the North West states of Kano, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kebbi.

The team departed the Federal Capital territory, FCT, Abuja for these states in the week of last year ’s

presidential elections.

In reviewing the results coming out of the geo-political zone 24hours after the presidential elections, the CPC, Sunday Vanguard gathered, rejected what it described as “doctored results”. Even when the result started trickling in from the north, some PDP leaders where heard in hushed tones expressing pleasant surprise at the turn of events. So, what happened? We may never know!

To be fair, CPC’s mass mobilisation created goose pimples on the skin of leaders of the PDP. This, more so, because of the mammoth crowd which usually greeted General Buhari at almost all his rallies held in the states of the North.

It was this crowd, which no doubt created a sense of massive support that the CPC banked on in its bid to win the presidential and other elections; at least in the North. Now, the jury is still

out on the matter of whether it was because the CPC could not translate its mass appeal into electoral victory, or whether it was the PDP’s notorious rigging machinery that led to the huge loss the party suffered at the polls in 2011.

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hereas it is generally acknowledged that a political party should be able to translate the support of its crowd into electoral value, the loss of the CPC even by whispered admission of leaders of the party remains surprising because of the massive incongruity between the mass of people at every CPC rally and the electoral scores it got in the north.

The PDP has created a situation that suggests that it has perfected this art around the country. The ACN has also found a way to handle same, putting in place its own strategy of containment of the PDP and advancement of its own goals in the South West

geo-political zone.

However, propagandizing has its limitations. For instance, since the elections of last year, neither the CPC, nor the ACN has held any gathering of its supporters in the name of a national convention or a zonal convention with a view to retaining members. Except for the re-run elections held in some states as a result of judicial orders where a few parties jostled, only the PDP continues to make pretentious posturing about its mass appeal.

Therefore, the very elementary things the CPC and other parties must continue to do is either to build a formidable opposition or at least commence a programme of mass mobilization on a regular basis and not wait until the eve of elections before it swings into action or continue to whip up sentiments which are easily shot down on the basis of national security or national unity.

PAGE 16 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

The family in International Relations and Global Harmony (3) family which evolved from the hominid stock in Africa. Additionally, dominant metaphysical theories in traditional African communities posit that hierarchies of life forces or spiritual forces which permeate reality are interconnected, meaning that there is no completely isolated entity in the cosmos. That is why pre-colonial African societies were predominantly communalistic in socio-political organisation. In the African setting, a child learns that s/he is not only a

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AITH in anything takes a tremen dous amount of willpower. Faith is the soil on which hope is cultivated and where both forces are present they can be harnessed to do the hitherto impossible.

Contrary to popular perception believing everything will fail is in itself an act of faith if we take as true that what we believe we will receive.

Both optimism and pessimism are both active acts of faith. Basically, faith in whatever position we take is a stand; an active submission and dismissal of all reservations to agree with what is at best unproven and unsure. I am not a person of the cloth and certainly have no qualifications to preach a sermon to anyone so I won’t. I will just try and put some of the thoughts riding on my roller-coaster of a mind down so I can make

sense of them.

It seems to me that life is an adventure that is predicated on faith. Faith that is active and practiced is a conscious choice or the even greater faith that is sure and begins with the assumption that we are entitled to the next breathe we draw. I have spent a lot of time wondering how one can connect to the faith that is sure; the faith of a child that all will unfold as it should without fear or doubt.

Active faith is a practice that requires constant willpower to dismiss secret doubts and fears; so it can be emotionally and spiritually exhausting.

The reality for most people is that failure is easier to anticipate than putting our faith on line and risk the disappointment that seems inevitable when we dare to dream big. There is so much hate and darkness

kind gets crushed. It seems that advancement in technology is closely matched to advancement in evil. Lately it has become a staple that our eyes and eyes see and hear of greater evil day after day. The evil that was once confined to the news in far away lands is at our door step; knocking!

The problem with faith, either active or passive is the weight of expectation

most likely end up sorely disappointed. That may be seen as faith in negativity or pessimism but I have found that to be painfully true over and over again. My world view has changed to considering my feelings as my own business and prerogative and that no one is obliged to reciprocate. My head has this directive but my heart is proving very difficult to convince as I am very of-

If children who imbibed humane cosmopolitan principles become leaders of their respective countries in future they would likely promote global harmony, peace and solidarity in international relations

member of an extended family which is part of a clan, village, and town; s/he also learns that the livingdead and ancestors are equally part of the family.

Hence, family ties are taken very seriously because of the sense of belongingness that pervades the African life-world.

There is no doubt that international relations right

debbiemoments@gmail.com

On the water

the failure of the family to provide the fundamental personal satisfactions which in principle it is capable of. The causes of this failure are diverse and interconnected – economic, educational, psychological, political, and social. The point still remains, however, that unless these causes are addressed leaders would

continue to emerge who would sacrifice the larger concerns of humanity to the parochial interests of their various countries.

The family, as the first and oftentimes the most intimate socialising environment for a human being, is where the foundational character structures that produced Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Bertrand Russell and other world renowned advocates of international cooperation were incubated. Similarly, the formative years of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Josef Stalin, and Osama bin Laden sowed the seeds that eventually matured in the inhuman conduct of these men. In my view the family should serve as the foundation for reforming international relations so that countries would see themselves as partnersin-progress not as winner-takes-all competitors, which is the case presently.

Effort towards global harmony, to be really effective and enduring, must begin from the family, because children and the youths across the globe are the leaders of tomorrow. In that connection, it is here recommended that parents and those entrusted with the care of children, instead of accepting dogmatically the antiquated doctrines of Christianity and Islam and inculcating same in the young ones should imbibe and teach children the principles of communalism advocated

by African sages, and of loving-kindness and ob-

in the world now that pushing our doubts and fears aside is more difficult than ever. There are no more assumptions that we are entitled to anything and drawing the next breath is more a dividend of mercy than our right.

There is an account in the Bible where Jesus walks on water and beckons to Peter, one of his disciples to join him. Peter did get out of the boat and takes a few steps on the water before he begins to sink. In my mind, Peter initially just assumes that it was okay to walk on the water, after all Jesus bade him come but then he realises he is doing the impossible and those niggling doubts and fears we all have came out and he starts going down. As the story goes, he cries out to Jesus and he is saved.

Investing in anything and anyone is an active act of faith; we cant guarantee outcomes and returns. The older I get the more my faith in man-

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for a rational and humane world order is relatively unimportant. But the fact that all the major actors and significant individuals in world affairs belong to one family or another implies that the family plays an indispensable in the quest for global peace and solidarity among countries.

As already indicated the choices and conduct of leaders of various countries and of international organisations reflect indelible traces of the habits and character structure formed in childhood. Thus, in order to really understand the attitude of leaders to world affairs and global peace, one would need to know the character-formation processes of their childhood.

Citerisperibus, leaders that promote fairness and peaceful resolution of conflict most likely acquired that disposition when they were children; the same thing applies to those that favour crude Machiavellism and strong-arm tactics.

The unending quest for international cooperation and global harmony is supported by research findings in biological sciences which strongly suggest, inter alia, that despite differences in the racial configuration of humanity all human beings belong to one

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B

ECAUSE of the in credible complexi ty of the factors necessary for the production of a human being with the right combination of qualities that make for peaceful, harmonious and responsible living, it is not possible to state with mathematical precision the ideal mix of such qualities in individuals.

However, as Aristotle points out, virtue is a matter of habit which springs spontaneously form practice. Consequently, children must be taught, preferably through practical example, moral principles such as the Golden Rule and the significance of qualities like kindness, honesty, integrity, forgiveness and love of humankind in promoting the good life which, according to Bertrand Russell, is the kind of life inspired by love and guided by knowledge. At first sight, it would appear that the family has very little to do with international relations and global harmony, particularly considering the increasing tempo of globalisation and the dominant role of economic, political and military power in the international arena.

Thus, as far as many people are concerned, the family’s role in the quest

now is in disarray, and that people all over the world are becoming increasingly nihilistic and sceptical about achieving positive result in the quest for global harmony due to escalating violence in many parts of the world, terrorism, economic meltdown, the widening g ap between the rich and the poor (both at the level of individuals and countries), and the ever present threat of nuclear and biological warfare.

Prospects for a new world order based on fairness and human solidarity are dim, because powerful countries relentlessly use their economic and military strength to intimidate the weaker ones. To a large extent, the parlous state of international relations, despite concerted efforts by the United Nations Organisation, stems from

The problem with faith, either active or passive is the weight of expectation that comes with it

that comes with it. Its that weight that breeds fear and doubt. When you love someone there is an expectation that they love you back; just like when you give of yourself or your substance you rightly or wrongly expect some validation of your position. Expectation is the millstone that normally kills faith. I personally hold the view that those who base their expectation on reciprocity of trust or love will

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ten cut to the quick when another love bites the dust.

A couple of weeks back, I came out from under the shower, sprawled out on the bed and gave in to a bout of self pity. I just couldn’t let go of the doubt that somewhere down the line I may have taken the wrong turn.

There were so many opportunities to join bigger companies and I didn’t doubt that I would have done well but I had been

jective living prescribed

by Victor E. Frankl in Man’s Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy (1984), Sharon Salzberg in Loving Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness (1995), Bertrand Russell in The Conquest of Happiness (1996), and the Dalai Lama in Live in a Better Way: Reflections on Truth, Love and Happiness (2002). Parents must ensure that children are trained to live according to these very principles; that the young ones are taught, right from the start, that the world is their country and their religion is “to do good.” As Wole Soyinka, the noted Nigerian playwright avers: “My allegiance is to man, locally to Nigerians; universally to humanity.”

If children who imbibed humane cosmopolitan principles become leaders of their respective countries in future they would likely promote global harmony, peace and solidarity in international relations. A paradigm-shift in habits of thought and civic education worldwide is a desideratum.

In international relations, time is ripe now for countries to recycle their swords into ploughshares by promoting the cause of peace and harmony which, in turn, would turn the earth into a paradise created, nourished and sustained by synchronisingour rational and affective faculties through knowledge and love.CONCLUDED.

convinced that I was building something great by working for myself.

God has blessed me and I have grown bigger than I ever expected but I am finding that greatness comes with responsibility and so much work.

Along the line I have taken some hard knocks, made bad decisions and been robbed countless times by those I trusted.

The one decision that continues to haunt me is the one to stay here when I could have relocated to join a massive conglomerate abroad. Even now, many years later, when increase is obvious, I question that choice as I see my once beloved country degenerate into a geographical entity of people who seem to speak hate as a language of choice.

I concluded that my entire life is an active act of faith; like Peter, I am walking on water. I sink a lot but I have been rescued by my saviour severally. That the love vested in family and friends is as necessary to me as the air I so freely breathe; though I must learn caution. That I must stay on the water and keep walking, that my faith and strong belief that this is where I belong will be validated someday.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 17

“Not only is there but one way of doing things rightly; but, there is only one way of seeing them; and that is seeing the whole of them”. John Ruskin, 1819-1900. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 218).

OOR Justice Isa Ayo Salami, the em battled former President of the Court of Appeal who was recommended for reinstatement from suspension by the National Judicial Council, NJC. The Council, undoubtedly, must have been inspired by the admonition of Lord Mansfield, 1705-1793, the English jurist, who left the world with the immortal words: “We must not regard political consequences, how formidable so ever they might be, if rebellion was the certain consequence.

We are bound to say: “Fiat justina et ruant coeli (let justice be done, though the Heavens fall)”. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 111). That principle which should form the basis of all judgments unfortunately is not as absolute as it reads. Certainly, the eminent 18th century justice must have been aware that it is not possible to be just to everybody all the time in the world. Furthermore, while judgments must take cognizance only of the evidence before the magistrates, it does not often result in justice, defined here as being fair to all concerned – the parties in court and society as a whole.

It is also true that the most difficult matters to decide are not those between “right” and “wrong”. Almost everybody can determine those. The really tough cases involve those between two “rights”. In this case the rights of the individual(s) and the rights of society. At the moment, to me, the issues at stake are the rights of Justice Ayodele Salami and that of the Nigerian society. His most urgent right which he wants to exercise is to return to the Court of Appeal as President. And the National Judicial Council had supported him based on the evidence presented before them. However, there is another right at stake. That is the right of the Nigerian people to be served by a Court of Appeal free of any taint of partisan-

P

Incidentally, of the two political parties, ACN and PDP, it is the former who have turned what should have been a routine decision of the NJC into another needless controversy

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ship or bias – especially on political litigation.

In that regard, Justice Salami, had become a victim of his “friends” in the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and his antagonists in the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria, PDP. Together, they have presented Nigeria with a President of Court of Appeal whose judgments will henceforth be seen through the prism of political partisanship. And, that will be a tragedy; not only for Salami, but for Nigeria.

Incidentally, of the two political parties, ACN and PDP, it is the former who have turned what should have been a routine decision of the NJC into another needless controversy. One, of these days, in his retirement, Justice Salami might have time to ponder the words of Charles Dibdin, 17451814, who lamented that: “In every mess, I find a friend..”. The judgments of the Court of Appeals which had favoured the ACN in Osun, Ekiti and Edo and the Labour Party, LP, in Ondo States might have been based on the facts before the court each and every time. But, the ACN, more than the LP, had almost privatized what was after all a victory for the electorate. The PDP, which lost on each occasion, remains unconvinced that the judgments were not influenced by their main rival.

The allegations made against Justice Salami must have been investigated by the NJC before exonerating the jurist and requesting for his return to the bench. No information has reached the public with regard to the grounds for Salami’s exoneration. Was it preponderance of evidence, or proof beyond reasonable doubt? Perhaps, one day we will know. We don’t even know if the decision of the NJC was unanimous or by simple majority. If the latter, it would mean that some people in the NJC still doubt the Justice’s innocence on this matter. Irrespective of the basis for the NJC’s decision, the fact remains that Justice Salami’s position had become politicized in some ironic ways by his supporters and opponents alike.

Henceforth, any decision in favour of the ACN will be interpreted as a triumph of the party not of justice. On the other hand the court might suddenly find itself delivering judgments in favour of the PDP, even when undeserved, just to “prove” that it is not biased. No court deserves being saddled with that sort of baggage on account of one officer whose transient occupation of the position had brought questions about the court’s impartiality. Yet, the man had been declared innocent by the body established to investigate these matters.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan, who took the questionable decision to suspend Justice Salami , is confronted with a personal and political dilemma. Personally, he must act. That might mean reinstating Salami, as requested by the NJC, and provoking anger within his own party which is already divided along several fronts – including views about Boko Haram. On the other hand he might refuse and ignite a confrontation with the Judiciary—a co-equal branch of government. He would also have all the political opposition united against him, personally. Calls will be made for his impeachment and the civil society groups might have another evidence to use against the President.

Any reasonable person in Jonathan’s shoes on the day the NJC letter was delivered, and wanting to make a decision, taking into consideration all stakeholders, would have done what the President did; he neither said yes nor no. He had sat on the decision waiting to find out the direction of public opinion depending on which step he takes. I have read a lot of views about the issue and they all tend towards one of two options. The first represents that of the political opposition and legal purists.

To them the matter is very simple; Jonathan should lift the suspension on Salami. The second represents the position of the PDP; and they would want the President to ignore the NJC. Each side would want the President, now placed in the role of a judge, to decide and damn the consequences. The problem is both sides are being either selfish or simplistic. Jonathan cannot and should not take a decision which will make things worse for Nigeria – just to please those urging him to say yes or no.

Fortunately, for all of us, there is a third option which I have not read anyone canvassing; that third option says yes and no at the same time. But, it calls for a tri-partite agreement between the President, the NJC and Justice Salami. The President should invite the NJC and Justice Salami to Aso Rock and present the following proposal.

Justice Salami will be reinstated as President of the Court of Appeal; but he will immediately request for early retirement from the bench. So he will not have to return.

To me this proposal represents a “winwin” solution; no victors; no vanquished.

And our dear country can toss this particular issue into the garbage can of history – where it belongs.

Dear President Jonathan; try the Lyndon Johnson option –1

The death of a good man DENRELE ANIMASAUN FROM LONDON

“Love is stronger than death even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” -Mahatma Gandhi

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HE cold blooded murder of the Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Mr Olaitan Oyerinde ran a cold shiver down the backs of numerous people in the country and far afield. Oyerinde was killed by unknown gunmen in the early hours of May 4, in his residence in Benin City.

He was 44, aMass Communications graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

He was a former student activist, he was also a former Lagos State Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy. He was a template for what a public spirited individual should be. Olaitan packed a lot in to his short life and he was a fine man, a good family man, a committed public servant and a visionary.

A former member of the defunct Nigerian Tenants Association (NTA), he began his trade unionism with the Iron and Steel Workers Union as Assistant General Secretary. He was also the executive director of the Centre for Workers’ Rights (CWR) in Lagos. He is survived by his wife, Funke, four children, two

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Justice Salami’s reinstatement: A modest proposal

The old is killing its young. Sadly, our society is destroying its future and they do so with such impunity

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sisters and parents.

You see, in the facebook community , we are closer than a lot people think and news travels with the speed of light.

I happen to share some of Olaitan’s friends on facebook and it was heart wrenching to read that such a fine man met his death in such a callous and inhuman fashion. As I scanned through the tributes left on his page, It was clear that this man was loved by so many people.

One said: “Laitan Oyerinde was my childhood friend. We attended the same primary school, Ideal Nursery and Primary School, Ilorin. He had a genuine and great love of people and we were already looking forward to him becoming one of the outstanding leaders of my generation as he rose through the ranks of Labour to become the personal secretary of Edo State Governor. This is a very sad day for me. This is one too many”.

The last statement struck an eerie cord down my spine. This is prophetic and sadly the body count will continue and many tributes will follow that of other Oyerindes’.

Few days before Oyerinde’s death, there was an attack on Governor Oshiomhole’s campaign convoy, allegedly targeting the governor. Three journalists in the convoy lost their lives in the attack which the governor claimed to the media was an assassination attempt on his life.

The old is killing its young. Sadly, our society is destroying its future and they do so with such impunity . There are

murmurs that the old guards ordered the killing.

In its reaction to the murder of Mr. Oyerinde, the Nigerian Labor Congress (NLC) stated: “The way the politics of Edo State is going is reminiscent of the First Republic politics in the old Western Region which led to tragic consequences for the entire country.”

Professor Wole Soyinka deplored the killing of Mr. Oyerinde, vowing, “The agents of darkness and retrogression will not triumph. In a text message on the issue, Mr. Soyinka said: “The hand of the assassin is clear as day. It reaches all the way back to the killing of Bola Ige.” This country is being crushed by a gerontocracy of older politicians or elder statesmen who appear determined to cling to the vestiges of power for as long as possible and then, when they do retire, demand impossibly rich private and public pensions/ allowances that the younger generation will be forced to shoulder.

We know too many and statistics of political assassinations in Nigeria far back as the 1990s. Contract killings have become part of the underbelly of our brand of politics.

What is for sure is the fissure between young and old is deepening.We are squandering our future.

The older generations have eaten the future of the younger ones. This is very worrying indeed and we need to re-examine the way we live our lives.

We need the likes of Oyerindes to heal Nigeria and make Nigeria live up to its potential.

The figures speak for themselves, in any civilised country , you would have the confidence that they would solve these murders . No, not the case in Nigeria. The numbers just stack up and people cry and make noise and then nothing. We have become numb with similar cases that we expect no more from the authorities.

We have become seating ducks, living, oh , I mean existing and praying that these nefarious monsters do not visit us. We have become frightened of our own shadow and murderers are free to roam the streets and kill at will.

We have normalised this way of existing and we have become so apathetic instead of getting angry and demanding that our leaders provide us with the security that we should expect and need to go by our daily lives.

We have unleashed terror on our streets and they visits us at home and we stand by and do nothing.

We should demand action and expect no less because we deserve better.

Good people should not seat back and watch bad things happen because we feel helpless and believe things would not change. Well, it would not change unless we change our attitude and do something to change things.

I remember , the Dele Giwa murder and this has a similar resonance.

Where the evil men wish they could erase a promising and useful life , they have failed . You can kill the body but, you cannot kill the ideal and it lives on in others.

These murderers , long after their miserable lives have been expunged, the people we will continue to remember these fine and enigmatic people; through the lives they have changed and the way they have lived their lives.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

hari to be angry with Nigeria since unlike him, I have not been privileged to be a Minister, Governor or hold a lucrative position like the Petroleum Trust Fund Chair, i cannot put any subject across with the force it deserves. am indeed convinced no one should enIthat

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AST week, General Muhammadu Bu hari made what looked like a ‘seditious’ statement to which the federal government reacted in 2 ways. First, it cautioned all politicians and not just Buhari against unguarded statements. Second, it used perhaps more unguarded and intemperate language on the former Head of State. However, no attempt was made to arrest him. Is that what will happen if I were to employ the type of diction credited to the General to write angrily in this column? Well, the reality is that I am neither General Buhari nor do I have the courage of a soldier otherwise where was I when my playmates joined the army?

In earnest, I could never have signed into a profession where as I heard, no one was expected to run away from death! Of course that was not my idea of courage so I went for broadcasting which I imagined also calls for courage. But whereas it needed some courage to ask devastating questions in my television interview programme ‘point blank’- there were too many laws on libel, sedition, treason etc that often diluted my performance. Thus although I feel I am more entitled than Bu-

“are not observed more or less faithfully, the game itself will disappear amid the wreckage of the whole system”. Our politicians need to note that although the victims of electoral violence are never members of their protected families, they are fellow Nigerians.

It therefore amounts to evil for any politician to en-

It is simplistic for opposition political leaders to raise alarm over the likelihood of electoral manipulation because all Nigerian political parties are the same

courage violence on any national topic especially in election matters as violence does not fall into any of the segments of an election process. Elections ought to be free and fair but the threat by any political leader that violence would follow electoral mal-practices is unsportsmanlike.

Whether before, during or after voting, no one should toy with the warning given long ago by renowned political scientist, Professor MacKenzie that if the rules of the game of elections

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courage violence when the only legal avenue for ventilating electoral grievances is to submit them for resolution by an election tribunal.

From the nation’s electoral experience so far, it is simplistic for opposition political leaders to raise alarm over the likelihood of electoral manipulation because all Nigerian political parties are the same.

They are all involved in election mal-practices. In the last general elections for example, under-aged voters

The Dog and Baboon show

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ENERAL Muham madu Buhari, former military Head of state, has been many things: politician, statesman, soldier – and now he has added another plume to his hat: prophet.

Come 2015, the General declared this week, there will be a showdown between the dogs and the baboons. That showdown will instigate a bloodtide never before witnessed in the annals of Nigeria. Buhari is an unlikely prophet, but I guess, these are unusual times. Prophecy is all the rage.

Some have even looked at the ancient Mayan calendar and discerned from its mysteries, that the world will end sometime this year, 2012. Last year, an American evangelical pastor caused many a heartbreak and much financial ruin with his prediction that the world would end, first in May. When it didn’t happen, he peered closer at his Bible, read his divinations again, and said, “my bad!

It was a miscalculation.”

He put it finally, firmly on October 2011, when the world would end. I guess God’s clock is slower because we are still here. I do

not mean to underestimate Buhari’s predictions, because it was not merely a prediction, it is prediction backed by a threat. It simply raises the thermal state of Nigerian politics.

The General is quite clear on his statement. He has accused the PDP of serial electoral fraud in the past.

Let us also be very upfront with this matter: since 1999, the PDP has committed electoral fraud of the magnitude that endangers the democratic process.

The election that brought in Obasanjo in 1999 was a sham. The 2003 election was pure armed robbery. It was that election for which Adams Oshiomole, then president of the Nigerian Labour Council lost my respect because he stood bold faced, against the will of the electorate, at the swearing in of Obasanjo to justify fraud. It was a betrayal of the people because truth be told, Obasanjo and the PDP lost that election so massively that any observer could immediately see that a PDP mandate rested on uncertain grounds. The 2007 election that brought in the late Musa Yar Adua on the same ticket with the current President Jonathan

as Vice president, was equally massively rigged.

So terribly rigged in fact, that the Chief Electoral officer for that election, Maurice Iwu, has since become a national metaphor for electoral fraud. General Buhari has been contesting the national polls since 2003, and has been disputing every result using the legal methods. In every situation, the courts have also failed to come clean with justice. So, let us face up to this fact, the General has a right to his anger. The most dangerous threat to the democratic process is unremediated fraud in elections that subvert the will of the people.

It is such a claim that Buhari makes. In the last elections, Buhari had many supporters. However, his strategy was weak, and it concentrated on capturing a “ northern vote” and breaking the “southern front.” That strategy had a blowback because it sequestered Buhari and isolated him to the North.

Goodluck Jonathan won that election fair and square.

He won because most Nigerians wanted something different from the old

t is true that our politi cal parties have differI ent logos and emblems by which the players and the teams in the game of politics are to be identified, but it is often difficult for either the referee or the spectators to know which players are in what teams. Meanwhile, our politicians donot know how to collaborate. In 2011, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) attempted to form an alliance which according to Chief Bisi Akande, the ACN National Chairman was “to dislodge the clueless Peoples Demo-

guard. He appealed to a wider national audience, particularly a younger generation of Nigerians who are increasingly unmotivated by ethnic and regionalist politics. Buhari’s strategy led him to seeking what many saw as a limited and narrow mandate; a mandate that makes him out to be a “regional leader” to quote Rueben Abati, Presi-

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If I were General Buhari

were observed in all the States where 4 different political parties won the governorship contests. It is thus nothing more than crying wolf for any party that is beaten in the game of rigging to raise any alarm. It is also incontestable that most Nigerian politicians are mere speculators who hustle for government patronage whether their parties win or lose elections.

This is why at the end of an election in Nigeria, leaders of the main opposition party who should lead in checking the excesses of the ruling party, negotiate with it to secure political appointments in what is euphemistically referred to as the government of national unity (GNU). A good example is what happened to the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) after the 2003 elections. While their Presidential candidate, General Buhari was at the election tribunal to protest his loss, his party executives according to Buhari himself, withdrew from the case, joined the GNU and nominated themselves for cabinet positions.

In his time as military dictator, his statement to the press last week baying for blood against the state, would have earned him an immediate arrest

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dent Jonathan’s spokesman. But Buhari has remained an angry and adamant man since that election. Buhari believes very seriously that it was a rigged election, and that the results do not reflect the will of the Nigerian people.

On the eve of the 2011 national polls, Buhari issued a very clear call to his supporters to make Nigeria ungovernable if the electoral results did not turn out to his satisfaction. As the results were coming out,

cratic Party (PDP)”. The alliance failed woefully because Nigerian politicians are never able to sacrifice their individual urge for office. They are also too selfish to work together.

In the election in issue, what the opposition parties schemed to win was not the contest but its incidentals like the presidential debate hence they easily collaborated on that but failed to evolve a working alliance for the election proper.

Without a change of heart, no prophet can effect a substantial departure in the results of the next set of elections from that of 2011. Oh yes, in 2011, candidate Jonathan undertook massive political campaigns across the nation with an impressive media out-reach; he was endorsed by virtually every State Governor. While the Labour party formally adopted him, others led daily delegations to declare their support for him; he won even in Lagos-the stronghold of the ACN meaning that the latter voted against its own candidate!! His competitors did not even visit some States; they also did not have polling agents in many voting centres which means that they did not have credible knowledge about proceedings in such places and yet looked forward to victory.

In truth, not all the candidates strategized to win through the ballot. Some obviously wanted to win by protest or at least use the strategy to mitigate the shame of failure by whipping up all manner of sentiments. o, if I were Buhari, i will between now and S 2015 build a formidable and as the polls were closing, mass revolt broke out in parts of the North and the violence was bloody. The pendulum of political violence had moved from the “wild west” to the frenzied north. Violence had from then, mutated to what we now call “Boko Haram,” the use of terror as a means of political negotiation.

There are many who suspect that Boko Haram is the military wing of an inflamed North – meaning, that “old north” with a political elite that feels like it is currently in some kind of political Siberia, without its traditional foothold at the epicenter of Nigerian power. Their mood is bellicose. Their goal is to affect a realignment of power.

And Buhari is leading the charge, playing brinkmanship, not statesmanship.

How is this? Well, this past week, General Buhari declared that the 2015 elections will, as if we have not seen enough blood yet, come with a flood of blood if the PDP rigs it once again.

Buhari went on to suggest, quoting Ango Abdulahi, that there are three kinds of Boko Haram: the original Boko Haram, the Prebendal Boko Haram, and of course, the Federal Government – the chief Boko Haram. Buhari’s allegations rattled the cage so much that the Jonathan administration was forced to respond through the President’s spokesman, Dr. Rueben Abati, who stopped

opposition party not around the self but around a set of ideas. I will constitute the party into a shadow government that would proffer alternative policies as is done in a democracy.

Through the framework, I will engage in massive public enlightenment that would expose the limitations of the incumbent to the electorate. With the high level of political fraud nationwide any opposition party can do this with ease.

In one State for example, a governor took credit for the construction of a new project and got applauded for it by the gullible public notwithstanding a sign post which showed that it was the handiwork of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). In another State, the common people ceaselessly thanked and prayed for their governor for building a new road because there was no one to tell them that the construction which by international standards should have taken 8months to complete took 3 years as a result of excessive contract variations leading to the payment of twice the real cost of the project. hat is required to W win an election is therefore not threats about

the likelihood of a postelection violence. Rather, the opposition should mould and sustain public opinion against poor governance in view of popular issues like fuel subsidy removal, unending poor power supply, high level of insecurity etc. To bank on winning an election by raising alarm about violence as a consequence of electoral manipulation, would only fall within the realm of hallucination. only short of calling General Buhari out on treason.

Buhari’s response was equally swift: he accused the Jonathan administration of a ploy to arrest him, and in fact dared the federal government to do so. It is here that it gets very interesting. I suspect Buhari is seeking political martyrdom – a sort of prisoner of conscience status. Buhari was military head of state.

In his time as military dictator, his statement to the press last week baying for blood against the state, would have earned him an immediate arrest, a show trial for treason, and execution. I mean, he authorized the jailing of Tunde Thomson and Nduka Irabor merely for publishing an Ambassadorial list. But this is a democracy – for which we fought the likes of Buhari.

One is glad that the General has the right today to free speech and other dividends of democracy. That is why I think it will not only be ridiculous and much folly for the federal government to arrest him for what he said. However, we also need to let General Buhari understand that liberty is not license. Any acts – not merely speech – that incites and mobilizes a population or a group to commit felony lies under the jurisdiction of the state and Buhari can be arraigned if there is ironclad proof against him. The heavens will not fall.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 19

He gave me a deadline!

Dear Rebecca

I

AM a nineteen year old girl. I’ve been careful in choosing a boyfriend because of a previous experience. He simply jilted me because I refused sex. I decided that I must know a boy very well before entering into a relationship. Now, there’s somebody on the line who I’ve only known for a few months. He gave me two weeks to think about his proposal.

I think I like him and I don’t want to lose him, but I need some more time to study him. What do I do to retain him while I study him before starting a relationship with him?

Idowu, Oshogbo.

REPL Y REPLY

W

HAT proposal has he made?

Is it that of marriage or that of entering into a romantic relationship? If you have only known him a few months, you are just friends who are ‘working towards a romantic relationship. You can spend time in each other’s company, chatting and discussing various issues, going out to watch films, plays, football, etc. As you meet and interact, you will begin to know each other better i.e. moods and temper, dislikes and likes, attitude to life - whether responsible or irresponsible, etc.

There should be no meeting in secret places, no sex, and your parents should know him, and his parents, you. It is good to allow good friendship to build up first before romance comes in. Sometimes, you find during the period of friendship that you don’t want romance.

So, you end the friendship, or decide to remain just friends. There should be no ultimatum to decide this. It should depend on how you both feel. You move on from one stage to the other.

There should be no particular point at which you say, ‘Now the romantic relationship must start.’

On the other hand, if it’s marriage proposal he made, then give him your answer soon.

If you need more time to think it over, tell him.

There is nothing you can do to retain a man while you are considering whether to have a rela-

tionship with him or not.

You just carry on as normal. However, if the ultimatum is that of whether you should have sex with him or not, well, the decision is entirely up to you. Just remember that sex does not mean that a man will marry you, or even be faithful to you.

Many men ‘taste’ and move on to conquer other girls. Even married men do this. A sensible girl reserves her body for the man she will marry. Despite mien’s pressing demand for sex, many men prefer marrying girls who decide to keep their virginity.

The size embarrasses me!

Dear Rebecca

I

AM a twenty year old boy in love with a girl who loves me too. My problem is that I am unable to satisfy her sexually because of my small penis. Other girls have complained of same.

I feel so shy. Is there any drug that can help to enlarge it?

S.T. , Lagos.

REPL Y REPLY

T

HE issue of small male organ is one that features very frequently, in fact, too frequently on this page.

Sometimes we wonder if those who write in to ask if it can be made larger are serious, or they just

want to raise a laugh.

Apart from the hair and the nails, all other parts of the body stop growing when you are an adult, and there are no spare parts like wig or artificial nails which can be used to bring you satisfaction.

There are claims in newspapers and magazines that male organs can be enlarged, but an expert says that while insertions may be used to achieve this, it’s risky, just like breast implants are risky..

He says the size of the organ does not determine fertility provided the man can achieve erection, emit quality sperm, and is destined to have children. Some men complain that their organ is too large and that women refuse to have sex with

them!

The size of an organ, he says, does not necessarily mean the ability to satisfy your partner. If you have a loving partner, and you indulge in an affectionate hugging and fondling, the actual

act of sex which lasts only a couple of minutes, anyway, would be a pleasure.

If you consider yourself inferior because of the size, you will never enjoy love-making. A decent girl should not com-

plain about the size of a male organ. If she cannot tolerate it, she can quietly end the relationship, giving another reason. A girl who really loves you would not mind the size.

I suggest you accept

yourself as you are. You did not create yourself.

Count yourself lucky that you can make love at all.

Some men cannot. If a girl complains about the small size, shrug your shoulders and tell her that, that was the way God created you. All fingers are not equal, so make the best you can of what God has given you and be grateful.

All that said, at 20, should you really be so obsessed about your organ and sex? Sex is not the fun people think it is.

It comes with a lot of risks - like unwanted pregnancy, venereal diseases, etc. Male or female, it’s good to preserve your body well for the person you’re going to marry so that you can stand a chance of having healthy children, God willing. If not treated properly, some sex-related ailment can render the sufferer unable to have children later on.

Your future career is much more important to you now than sex, or, even a relationship with girls.

Religion is a determining factor!

Dear Rebecca

I

AM a twenty-three year old under graduate in love with a white American girl who is also a member of my church denomination, Seventh Day Adventist. She lives in America and she is working to see that I join her this year. I intend to marry her when I leave Nigeria.

The problem is that I also have a 24 year old Nigerian fiancee, a Jehovah’s Witness, who is in love with me. But the dictate of Adventist says I can’t marry a nonmember or I’d find myself de-fellowshipped.

I am afraid of hurting the Nigerian girl but I must follow the dictates of my heart. What do I do?

Titus.

REPL Y REPLY

M

Y suggestion is that you follow the dictates of your heart, go to the U.S and marry the American girl as you are planning to do. Is the

Nigerian girl formally engaged to you or are you just boyfriend/girlfriend with a promise to marry? I don’t know how fond of each other you are, but even without the issue of the American girl, there is already an obstacle in the relationship; that of your Christian denomination. Actually, I think members of the Jehovah Witness group are not encouraged to marry outside the group too. That means marital life would be awkward if you marry the Nigerian girl, who you haven’t really said you’re in love with. You don’t want to be cast out of your church if you marry from another church. Anyway, since the other girl abroad seems more acceptable to you, I think you should call it quits with the one here.

There is no way you can do this without hurting her, but you have to do it. To minimize the pain, let the break be gradual and don’t see her as frequently as you used to. If the families

are involved, then tell your parents of your change of mind. If introduction or the traditional wedding has been done, there should be no refund of the dowry or presents.

Don’t mention the American girl. Just say you feel you are too young for marriage and you intend to go abroad for your education. Her broken heart will heal and she will meet someone else.

Now, concerning the American girl; are you pen pals/facebook pals with marriage in mind or have you actually met face-to-face? However, study her properly when you are in the U.S before you make the commitment of marriage. The laws over there are quite different from ours.

When a marriage fails, the woman usually gets everything the couple acquired together particularly if there are children.

Also, marital life is different there. Violence in any form attracts the Police and possible jail term. So, you can’t shout at your wife or children, or bully them, let alone strike them, as is the habit of many men in Africa. In fact, things are so women-slanted that if your wife doesn’t feel like having sex with you, and you force her to, if she reports to the Police, you would be arrested at once for rape, charged to court and jailed.

However, your priority now is to finish your studies and pass well so that you can stand the chance of having a bright future. At 23, and still a student, getting married should take a back seat in your life.

Also, you should encourage whoever you’re going to marry to have a sound education so that with combined incomes, you can both live fairly comfortably as a couple.

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

P AGE 20 — PA

SUND AY Vanguard, MA Y 20 , 2012 SUNDA MAY

0808 066 0660 (Texts only!)

Involved with a snarling, controlling thug!

I

T’S really interest ing that it is the nicelooking well-behaved generous men that later turn into violent bullies. That’s why it’s often difficult for a woman to spot a potential thug and make the run for it before things get out of hand!

Dora, in her 30s and a fairly successful events manager was ecstatic when she was able to move into her own wellfurnished two - bed room flat. “lt was the height of my independence”, she gushed, as she threw a lavish house warming party. It was at this party that she met Mikel, the man who’d finally turn her world on its head.

“A close friend had brought him,” she said, “and he was a sort of life and soul of the party.

When I ran out of drinks, he quickly went out in his car to get more. We’d got on great from there.

He was warm, easy to talk to and lived not far from my flat with his friend. I loved being in such a caring relationship and he more or les lived in my flat. Over the next months however, I discovered he could be very argumentative if he didn’t get his way. One evening at a party, an argument flared, I tried to drop it so we could enjoy the party, but he was having none of it. I made to

leave and he held me at the elbow, almost twisting off my arm.

“My scream brought some guests rushing to my rescue. I was really angry. I’d come in Mikel’s car but Tayo, a guy I’d known socially offered to run me home.

By the time we got to my place, I’d been much calmer, I offered him a drink because I felt guilty for dragging him out of a lively party and he accepted a beer. We got chatting but I let him know I wasn’t looking for a relationship, he said he wasn’t either, so we chatted in a relaxed way.

H

e was about to leave when I heard a noise at the door.

Mikel had let himself in with his key. “What’s going on here?” he boomed. “lt’s not what you think ... “ Tayo began. Before he could finish his sentence, Mikel tore at him. Both of them started a fist fight and when I yelled for them to stop, Mikel turned on me threateningly. Tayo saw his chance and fled through the front door. I made a run for my bedroom door but he beat me to it. “Where do you think you’re going?”, he growled, pushing me into the bedroom. He pushed me onto the bed, his eyes wild. I kicked

He couldn’t do enough for me and against my parent’s advice, I contacted the Police to withdraw my statement. Over the next ten weeks as my tear healed, so did my trust. Mikel would come around often, but there was no physical contact.

My wound was still too raw, my emotions too sensitive.

W

out at him but he was a tall bulky man. He gripped me by the ankles lifting my bottom into the air. When he yanked my legs apart. I thought he wanted oral sex, and I yelled “No, no way!” He thrusted his head down between my leg and I suddenly felt searing agony. The brute had bitten my most intimate parts, his teeth sinking through my knickers!

B

lood gushed as fe rocious pain almost made me black out.

Mikel must have realized he’d gone too far as he fled out of the door. I staggered out of the door to bang on the door of my neighbours. One of them escorted me back

into the house as a woman yelled “She’s bleeding heavily from her vagina!” I was hastily put into a car and driven to the hospital.

What had that monster done? Was I damaged for life? I shook with pain all the way to the hospital.

There, doctors confirmed I’d lot a lot of blood. My left labia had been lacerated by Mikel’s teeth - I needed stitches to seal it back together.

“My Parents got him arrested and I gave a statement to the Police as soon as I could. I was released from the hospital two days later and I hobbled round the flat. I cried out in agony as my injured genitals stung. I dreaded going to the loo. It hurt

so much I’d have to pour a bottle of cold water over my wound whenever I had a wee.

“My Parent made sure Mikel was arrested and charged with the attack on me.

H

e was granted bail.

Days later, he was at the flat, crying and begging for forgiveness.

“I never meant to hurt you/’ he begged. ‘I thought I’d lost you when I saw you with that man and flipped. I love you so much ... ‘ “Have you ever seen a grown man cry? I felt my heart softening. He suffered momentary madness and behaved badly.

I believed every one deserved a second chance.

and dropping the head.

Breathe in normally. Stay in pose between 10 and 20 seconds, rest and repeat.

Benefits The camels expands the chest and lungs for better aecration – a great aid for imoproving the health of the chest area. ashtmatics. It also strengthBelow are a few as sound in Dr. Leo Ribellor’s book, ens the arm, shoulder and back muscles and improve “Nature Cure and Yoga Therapy”. the circulation in them.

Yoga Therapy Effectiveness in Percentage The Cobra 1.Back disorder 94% Technique: 2.Asthma Bronchitis 75% Lie down on your stom3.Hypertension 33% ach and place the arms by 4.Heart disorders 50% the shoulders with the toes

Yoga can cure Asthma!

A

MAN with asthma was brought to see me at home by a mutual friend who happened to be a nurse.

He was hardly getting any respite from his condition despite all the medications prescribed.

He, probably, must have thought to himself. “I have nothing to lose if it doesn’t work and if it does work then fine.”

I put him on three Yoga postures – the Head to knee, Cobra and the Spinal twist – same as I had done to someone else before. These were meant to relief constriction in the chest and to stimulated the circulation.

More important was the breathing exercise that I also taught him to aerate his lungs. I then charged him to practice the postures and breathing technique morning and evening on an ampty stomach for a week before seeing me again.

When I did see him again, my friend was livelier and chatting away. He found it really awe-striking that

such a simple programme could bring about such wondrous relief. To start off, I asked him to go through what he’d been doing all week before me.

He did. And I corrected him here and there and sent him away till another week.

Our mutual friend, the nurse who is also co-tenant camem back after seeing the man off saying that he was full of gratitude.

This is the second time I have used yoga to help someone improve their asthma. In fact, as regards the first case, there’s been complete eradication of the affliction.

N.B. The illustrations show Boyo, a colleague at Vanguard who got rid of his asthma with the Cobra, and the Camel.

INBOX

There are many other conditions where yoga has been found to be of help.

Below are sample exercises and a breathing technique to help respiratory disorders and for

5.Duodenal Ulcers 67% 6.Haemorrhoids 60% 7.Disease of nervous or muscular system (eg multiple silerosis, Parkinsonism) 59% 8.Cancer 50% 9.Diabetes 50% 10.Rheumatism or Arthritis 50% 11.Pre-menstrual tension 83% 12.Other mentrual disorders 60% 13.Menopause disorders 83% 14.Obesity 62% 15.Migraine 65% 16.Insomnia 70% 17.Excessive anxiety 85% 18.Heavy smoking 71% 19.Alcoholism 83%

The Camel Technique Sit on the heels with the toes inverted. And place the hands next to the toes with the fingers pointing away from the body. Now, raise up the body humping up the chest

e were at the su permarket when we ran into one of the neighbours who had rushed to my rescue during the attack at the store’s car park. When he mentioned the attack on me, Mikel bristled and punched him in the chest. The man hit him right back and a fight broke out. I simply walked away and took a cab home. I recalled the pain and shame I’d suffered at his hands and knew he’d always let me down. It was about time I moved on. I’ve not seen him since then.

I don’t intend to. I’m now coping on my own, trying to be strong. It’ll be a while before I can face even the thoguht of sex. Down below, in my most private place, there’s a long lesion, scare that’ll always be there. One day soon, I hope to pick myself up and start all over again ..”

on their ribs. Now raise the trunk up but don’t straighten up the elbows. Be sure to keep the knees on the the floor and drop down the waist. Throw the head back and breathe in deeply.

Stay in the position for some 10 seconds, rest and repeat.

Benefits: The Cobra, like the Camel, expands the chest and lungs deepening respiration. It strengthens the arms and back as well.

INBOX

The Camel

SUND AY Vanguard , MA Y 20, 2012, PAGE 21 MAY SUNDA bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

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Sharing a double bed is not necessarily a symbol of Intimacy

S

UPPOSE you lived in a two room apartment with your partner, how would you organize your living space? Option (a) Shared bedroom would be a must . Option (b) Each person would have his or her own room, but at least one of them would have to be set up so we could spend the night together. When I came across the above question in a recent survey that set out to find out how many couples would prefer separate bedrooms, a friend’s recent plight came to mind. Married for years, her middleaged husband was suddenly having an affair. “The heartbreaking bit about this was watching him make the effort to look good most nights and knowing he was making all these efforts for another woman,” she said sadly.

She lives in a big house with several bedrooms with her family, why didn’t she move into one of the rooms if her husband’s antics were giving her so much stress?

She looked at me as if I’d gone off my rocker. “If I moved to another room, I might not have any intimacy with him again.

I mean, for now, whenever he’s home, he sleeps in our bedroom and that ‘gives me hope that this affair will soon blow over ... “ The results of the survey revealed that 22 per cent of the couples polled chose the option of separate rooms.

Traditionally, happy couples have spent night after night, year after year, sharing a room and the double bed in it. But the figures in the survey seem to show a shift in the way many couples

and you might get more enjoyment.

“I only feel like sex in the middle of the month.

Am I odd?”: Most women, if they keep a diary, find that they feel sexier at certain times of the month. Some find they feel sexiest at the time just between periods, when they are most fertile; some prefer sex just after a period when they feel relaxed, and others fancy sex just before or even during a period. Work out when you feel sexiest and make sure your partners knows. now think.

The assumption that loving couples alwavs sleep together could soon be a thing of the past . Experts believe it is a need for personal space that is driving this trend.

That although a snoring partner, hectic lifestyle and children will certainly cause sleeplessness for many couples, the truth is that none of these appear to be the main issue in a couple’s decision to opt for separate rooms. That some people have such a need for their own personal space that sharing a bedroom would be a turn-off. One trend with most palatial homes these days is that most of them have master bedrooms. “This is a relatively new thing probably to do with people becoming more independent, leading busier, more active lives,” explains Eliot, an architect who confesses he has most of his brilliant ideas whilst ensconced in his cozy bedroom with no

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"

African woman

The real African lady is a smart,intelligent and bold woman, who will stand by his partner through thick

distractions. “These days, people settle down at a later stage. They’re used to living on their own for long. Such people are worried that they’ll miss having their own space if they share a bedroom.

And it’s been proved that couple relationships can work without actually having to share a bedroom.

T

he fact remains though that in our society, sharing a double bed is a symbol of intimacy, it obviously creates the opportunity to have sexual intimacy and that’s why it has always been a focus. But all those rules are there to be bent.

What intimacy means to one person may be different from what it means to another~ And it must be emphasized ‘that sleeping together is still important for ,the majority of couples in spite of the snoring, bed cover.hugging, night time reading and disruption by young children~.’

“What’s important is that each couple decides which method suits them

most without ulterior motives’being suspected.

How to have a better sex life Psychologist has come up with some of the following problems that bedevil people in their search for a fantastic sex life; ‘Am I so small?’ Many men are obsessed with the size of their penis. But they should realize that it is not the size that matters. In any case, penises are often of different sizes when limp, but when erect, become a similar size.

“Am I good enough in bed?” Why not ask your partner? One woman may find one man brilliant in bed; another woman may find that the same man doesn’t satisfy her at all.

Communication is the answer to find out what your partner likes.

Men: “If I don’t want sex, will she think less of me?” Not if you don’t think less of her when she doesn’t feel like

A

and thin.Who will scale all hurdle in order to make her relationship work out.She is one who will show extreme loyalty in the face of adversity.Are they still any real African lady out there? Will i ever come across one?

Edosuyi Enota asan1mama@yahoo.com 07051878276

My Crown Queen, My love, God forbids that someday you will break up with me. The day you will break up with me know that you've drained my whole feelings of love. The day you will break up with me, you will not only destroy my future but will also crucify me. Do you want me to die? Please don't ever speak or dream of

sex. Contrary to popular belief, men aren’t always ready for sex at any time.

Like women, they have to be in the mood. That doesn’t mean to say that, sometimes, it is not kind to have sex with your partner if he or she desperately wants it, even if you are not that keen.

“My partner never has an orgasm, so, I know I’m bad in bed. What can I do about it?” If she doesn’t seem to mind and says she enjoys sex with you, then don’t worry, it is her problem not yours. And since a lot of women never have an orgasm during sex, it may well not be a problem at all. For heaven’s sake, if she says sex is fine for her, don’t nag her about her lack of orgasm, it will just put pressure on her.

Women: “I’ve read that I should never fake an orgasm, but I do sometimes. Is it wrong?”

If you fake orgasms constantly and feel frustrated, then it is not wrong. Simply silly. Tell your man what you want

You can’t clap with one hand! (Humour) group of 50 soldiers are fed up after spending weeks in enemy territory. To entertain them, the Major hires a sexy dancer from the nearby town. She comes on stage and the soldiers go mad for her first dance and clap for five minutes. For her second number, she strips and dances in a sheer bra and G-string.

This time they clap for 10 minutes. Next, she dances topless, and the applause goes on for so long the Major has to ask for calm before the grand finale.

For her last number, she strips completely and dances naked. The Major expects the soldiers to bring the roof down. But 10 minutes later there’s no clapping whatsoever. So backstage ... ‘What’s happened?’ the major asks the dancer. ‘How come there was no clapping at the end?, ‘Well,’ she purrs, ‘how do you expect those poor boys to clap with just one hand?’

A

breaking up with me. I love you very much. Much kisses to you.

Omor ville omorville@gmail.com, 08062486549

My love for you Oh!My precious Rosemary, my love for you will never dry but it will ever remain evergreen, everfresh and vibrant within the enclaves of my core heart for no human language can adequately convey the deep sentiment of my for you. You have indeed invaded and inhabited the very depth of my being with love.

I will always cherish,embellish,adore and love you.

Akachukwu Ferdinand.

08063819314

PAGE 22—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

SUNDAY

Health Report

Hypertension: Regular monitoring prevents complications,

BY CHIOMA OBINNA '

J

ULIUS Agbo, a top bank execu tive was being welcomed home one evening by his wife and children after a hard day at the office. He was in the process of returning their warm welcome when suddenly, he collapsed.

Stella, his wife tried all she could to revive him but there was no response from Julius. Stella was sensible enough to realize her husband was only few minutes away from death.

She raised alarm and with the help of neighbours got him to a nearby hospital. Immediately, doctors started work on him. Julius had a heart attack.

Further investigation showed that he had elevated high blood pressure.

Even he did not know he was hypertensive. His blood pressure was 300/ 150. Efforts by the medical personnel to save him proved abortive as he never responded. Within 30 minutes, Julius, a 42 year old man was gone.

Julius is just one out of the eight million Nigerians living with hypertension. He also falls among the 40 per cent of Nigerians who do not know their hypertension status. Experts say if Julius had known his status and monitored his blood pressure, he would be alive today.

In recent times, many notable Nigerians have lost their lives within the twinkle of an eye like Julius. Most recent are the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos and former Nigerian Labour Congress President. Both of them died of heart attack last week.

To say hypertension or HPB is become a common place in Nigeria is not far from the truth. This is because the disease condition has assumed an epidemic dimension. Today, HBP affects almost people of all ages in Nigeria.

In the past, it is seen as the disease of the elderly between the ages of 60 and above. Sadly, today, many young people in their early 20s are now down with hypertension, a situation experts recommend quick interventions such as regular screening and reduction of diets that predispose an individual to the disease.

Hospital statistics have shown that in Nigeria, hypertension-related admissions account for significant proportion of admissions at hospital emergency departments. Each clinic day, about 150 patients are seen with hypertension related diseases.

According to the World Heart Federation, WHF, Hypertension is the leading cause of CVD worldwide and contributes about 50 per cent of all CVD. Raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths, about 12.8 per cent of the total of all annual deaths.

In Nigeria, the prevalence is alarming; between 20 and 25 per cent of the population have hypertension. Statistics available show that high blood pressure is on the rise in Nigeria and affects more of the urban folks than it does their rural counterparts. Although, the World Health Organization, WHO, report says hypertension affects about eight million Nigerians which is about 10 per cent of the population, other studies have shown that hypertension affects 20 to 25 per cent of Nigerians. WHO attributes hypertension among Nigerians to high consumption of salt and fat, low consumption of fruits and vegetables and lack of physical activity.

Popularly described as a silent killer, HBP is defined as a repeatedly elevated systolic pressure of 140 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 or higher. It is measured as two numbers, written one over the other and recorded in millimetres of mercury. Example; 120/ 78 mm Hg. The top (higher) number is the systoC M Y K

lic pressure - the pressure in the arteries as the heart is contracting and the bottom (lower) number is the diastolic pressure-the pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxed between beats Statistics available have shown that by 2025, an estimated 1.56 billion adults will be living with hypertension and people with hypertension are more likely to develop complications of diabetes.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, not many know their status. According to the President of the World Heart Federation, Sydney Smith, only 40 percent

population are aware of their status and less than 5 percent are controlled globally.

In the views of the President of the Nigeria Heart Federation, NHF, Dr Kingsley Akinroye, high blood pressure that goes undetected or not properly controlled can lead to heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, stroke or premature death.

"Because hypertension has few early symptoms, many people are not aware they have it and this is why it is important to get blood pressure checked regularly."

"Treatment methods, however, have improved over the years, and some of the old fears are unfounded. Many people shy away from taking the medications that could manage their blood pressure because they are concerned about their side effects."

However, to keep blood pressure in check, a Consultant Cardiologist, at the University Teaching Hospital Ilorin, Dr. Philip Kolo said treatment of HBP actually starts from correct diagnosis and that regular monitoring of blood pressure will prevent complications of hypertension.

"Diagnosis is very simple but if appropriate criteria's are not followed it makes diagnosis unreliable. So in di-

agnosing hypertension certain precautions must be taken which include; patients must have measurement at least two times, two weeks apart. Patients must have rested between five to 10 minutes before blood pressure reading is taken. Appropriate cuff for individual must be used to take the blood pressure and individual must avoid taking coffee, eating in the last one hour before BP is measured. And patients must not talk while measuring the BP. If BP is taken twice in two weeks apart and the result of the blood pressure is equal or greater than 140 /90mmHGg the individual has hypertension.

He said current suggestion is that a 24 hour blood pressure monitoring should be done in a newly diagnosed hypertensive patient. This is not only to determine the patient's night blood pressure but also to diagnose white coat hypertension which does not require treatment.

Studies have shown that night time blood pressure of a person correlated

more with cardiovascular complications than office blood pressure measurement.

"Hypertension actually caused a lot of deaths among Nigerians from it complications in terms of management.

Making correct diagnosis to hypertension is essential to treatment. Majority of Nigerians are not aware of their hypertension status. Only very few of them that initiate anti hypertension continue with their drugs. Among those who continue, their control is inadequate. It must be emphasize that there is no cure but can be control using appropriate medications.

"Food supplements such as GNLD,

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 23

SUNDAY Health Report sudden death Tianshi products are not substitute for anti hypertensive drugs. In initiation of drugs for hypertension, the total patients CV risk must be take into

account such as present other CV risk factors like Dyslipedmia, and target organ damage."

Correct diagnosis is essential to treatment of hypertension — Cardiologist

Dr. Philip Kolo Last Thursday, 17th May, this year’s World Hypertension Day, experts say increasing urbanisation, diets high in sugar, salt and cholesterol but low in fruit and vegetables, as well as increasing sedentary lifestyle, have all contributed to increasing the prevalence of systemic hypertension.

In this interview with Chioma Obinna, a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Cardiologist at the Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin/University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Dr. Philip Kolo traced increasing prevalence of complicated hypertension to poor hypertension awareness among Nigerians.

Excerpts: Increase of cardiovascular related diseases Well, if you look at cardiovascular disease globally, in 2011 the World Health Organisation, WHO, released a data which clearly show that CVD has remained a leading cause of death globally. In 2008, 36 million people actually die from non communicable diseases. Of these deaths, 48 per cent was actually due to CVD, 21 per cent due to cancer and 12 percent due to respiratory diseases while diabetes mellitus accounted for 3 per cent. Over 8 per cent of these deaths actually occur in low and middle income countries like Nigeria. And by projections, 23.6 million deaths from CVD will occur by year 2030.

In Sub Sahara Africa, CVD have reached near epidemic proportion but hypertension still remains the number one cardiovascular disease.

Currently, the three main risks factors identified for CVD mortality are hypertension, tobacco smoking, and dyslipidaemias.

However, in Africa, there are still other very important causes of mortality and these include; rheumatic valvular heart disease, usually due to disease of poverty, overcrowding.

Prevalence in Nigeria Though, Nigeria doesn't have a population wide study apart from the ones done in the early 90s by Akinkugbe Eto on non communicable disease which shows that High Blood Presure, HBP, prevalence was about 10 per cent, 8 to 10 per cent in rural areas and 10 to 12 per cent in urban centres.

However, we must recognise the fact that the cut-off of that study was above the current definition of hypertension which is equal or greater than 140/ 90mmHg of Mercury.

Since then, other reports from different population in Nigeria showing that hypertension ranging from between 20 to 35 per cent. So, hypertension still remains the main factor of CVD in Nigeria.

C M Y K

Why the rise?

The incidence of hypertension has actually increased over the years in Africa including Nigeria. Studies in early 70s showed that hypertension was a rare problem in black Africans but with increasing urbanisation, changing diets which is very high in sugar, salt and also very high in cholesterol but low in fruit and vegetables with increasing sedentary lifestyle have all contributed to increases in the prevalence of systemic hypertension.

Increase in complicated hypertension The main problem that is making hypertension to be associated with complications is the fact that many people are not even aware about their hypertension status. Some studies in Nigeria have put awareness of hypertension to be less than 60 per cent and of this only few of them are treated. Unfortunately, the control of blood pressure is less than 30 per cent. That is why in the hospital settings many of our patients when the first present to the tertiary health facilities they have already developed complications of hypertension.For example, a study showed that close to 75 per cent of newly diagnosed hypertension patients at the University of Teaching Hospital already have Left Ventricular Hypertrophy which is a major risk for cardiovascular event such as stroke, heart failure, kidney disease and myocardial infarction, (heart attack).

Factors responsible for poor control of HBP Major factors responsible for poor control of blood pressure among Nigerians include; lack of education on the dangers of hypertension, poverty, illiteracy, fake drugs and reliance on alternative medication for treatment of HBP such as GNLD and Tianshi drugs amongst others.

In terms of man power development, I will not say that we have not enough completely but the problem is the distribution. It should be recognised that the bulk of patients with hypertension is not actually treated by the cardiologists. Most of these patients first present to general practitioners, private clinics and PHCs. Is hypertension hereditary?

The children of individuals in systemic hypertension are known to be more at risk of developing hypertension and other CVDs event later in life compare with offspring of those who do not have hypertension.

Low birth weight has been documented to be a risk factor in the development of hypertension. Long time follow up studies have shown that children who are born low birth weight are more likely to develop hypertension later in life compare with children that have normal birth weight A recent study by me and some of my colleagues and another study at the University Teaching Hospital Lagos among adolescents children of Nigerians showed that the heart of offsprings of hypertensive parents were heavier than heart of off spring of normotensive individuals (people without hypertension).

These echocardiographic findings in the children of hypertensive parents are known to predict future of occurrence of hypertension, therefore, children of hypertensive individuals should be consider as a special group that require early monitoring not only for hypertension but for early markers of hypertension in their hearts.

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD,MAY 20, 2012

Airfares disparity, yellow fever cards & our self-respect View-Point I

F there's one thing that has been lacking in our national character, it's consistently having people in decision-making positions, who can speak up for the country, to ensure that we're respected and treated fairly and with dignity.

I was pleased about the way we've reacted in recent weeks to issues concerning injustice meted out to us. It was reported that some government officials were not allowed into South Africa because it was alleged that they had fake yellow fever cards.

We felt disgraced and we bared our teeth, demanding apology from the South African government for the humiliation.

Not only is this country a sister African country, Nigeria played a great role giving moral and huge financial support in their fight against apartheid, risking the wrath of some western countries.

Thank God they won, and the ANC has been in power since then, and to some extent, black Africans rule the country.

Have they forgotten all the sacrifices we made for their cause, and they can now dare to humiliate Nigerians? We're furious.

But let's pause and reflect in an objective way. Has South Africa forgotten our help? No. It will go down in African history that Nigeria was one of the first countries that Nelson Mandela paid a 'thank you' visit to as soon as he was released from jail, and even before he was elected the first black president in his country. Immediately after this, South Africa opened up to us and hundreds of Nigerians flocked there in the early nineties for trade, work, or to settle there.

There was no problem then obtaining visas or, gaining entry into that country.

On their part, South African companies saw Nigeria as a lucrative market for their products/services and they are doing business with us - Telecomms, banks, departmental stores, etc.

Rot set into our relationship with South Africa when hordes of our citizens flocked there and began to exhibit those traits that usually bring disgrace and embarrassment to Nigeria in western countries- fraud, robbery, and all sorts of scams and criminal activities. This aroused feelings of hatred for Nigerians, even though the crime rate in that country is much higher than ours.

Reports of crimes attributed to Nigerians, became so many that at their airports, we are singled out for humiliating searches and interrogations.

However, since both countries continue to inter-relate to our mutual benefit, it is important that there's respect for each other's rules and regulations. We shouldn't say that because we rendered help to them in their struggle, we should be accorded special treatment which allows us to break their laid down rules.

We should enforce our rules here too, and not allow anyone to come trample on them under any guise.

Unlike the U.S.A and some European countries, the issue of the yellow fever card is taken very seriously by most African and Asian countries, right from their embassies here. Travellers all over the West African sub-region are very aware of this. It's an important part of your travel documents. Some acquaintances of mine who travelled to Australia some years ago for a conference, told me they were kept in quarantine at the airport because they

Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor

For Nigerians to be held in high regards, before we travel out of the country, we should arm ourselves with the genuine relevant documents that would ensure smooth entry into the country we're visiting.

airlines should milk us that way, when ours is one of their most lucrative routes. Just what were they punishing us for? If it's a question of being an oil producing country, Ghana has joined that rank and is doing well. Their explanation that the huge demand for Business and first class seats in Nigeria was what informed the disparity in fares in these classes didn't make sense to me at first.

Shouldn't much demand bring down prices? No, said a colleague.

"Madam, don't waste your time getting angry about this one because it's the cause of the elite that is being fought," he explained.

"What is being argued are the fares for Business and First classes, not Economy. In Ghana, there's more demand for Economy seats, and the fares for those are almost the same as ours. But our VIPs and their families mostly fly First and Business classes, and the airlines need to put more staff on duty there to give adequate services, so, they had to raise these fares. So, our rulers are not fighting for you and me and the majority of Nigerians who mainly travel Economy, but for themselves and members of their families who travel those classes. They're feeling the pinch, so, they protest to the Aviation minister. " "Are you serious?"

"Madam, have you heard of anyone going to Ghana to board

Economy class from there, to save costs?" "No." "Well, according to what is being said, some of those for the higher classes do that. I'm sure that if they decide to travel economy, the fares would plummet. Those airlines say they're struggling to cope with the the huge demands for the higher classes here. Our people are not forced to travel those classes."

Personally, I think Princess Oduah has been doing a great job improving our airports, and I'm sure she will have a good score card at the end of the day.

However, if my colleague's claims are true, she shouldn't allow herself to be distracted from the real problems in her ministry, by the elite class. If we ban those two airlines, do we have ready replacements? It's only when we have a solid national carrier in place that we can carry out such a threat, if any.

Our own national carrier went burst ages ago. We tried BA/NIGERIA AIRWAYS. It didn't work. We tried VIRGIN/NIGERIA AIRWAYS, it didn't work.

Those who want to travel first and business classes have the choice of making a hop to Accra, and boarding these classes from there, to enjoy the cheaper fares. There's also the choice of a private Nigerian carrier.

Meanwhile, please let's concentrate on a better life for the masses, many of whom may never see the inside of any aircraft, let alone travel in it.

didn't have the yellow fever card. That's how important it is to some countries.

In the eighties and early nineties, it was easy to get these cards from some local governments and all Port Health offices throughout the country and there was no need for fakes. Maybe the Nigerian factor has set in, and the card is no longer readily available, and thus we now have fakes.

For Nigerians to be held in high regards, before we travel out of the country, we should arm ourselves with the genuine relevant documents that would ensure smooth entry into the country we're visiting. We should remember that our typical attitude of non-compliance to laid down rules, may not be acceptable to other countries, and they won't hesitate to humiliate us.

Disparity in airfares

I must say that I was one of those who rejoiced when our Aviation minister reprimanded the two British carriers for charging us double the fares they charge their Ghanaian passengers, and asked them to bring down their fares at once to be at par, since the route is virtually the same distance. I was outraged that these

Chloe Runway Paris Fashion Week Fall Winter

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 25

STORY IN BRIEF

There is excitement in the Muslim community after a woman was delivered of a boy holding a Quran.

BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

•The baby’s mother Kikelomo

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‘Baby clutching Quran’ born in Lagos church

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IKE the common saying “all things work together for our good,” so it was for 32-year-old single mother, Mrs. Kikelomo Ilori, who after making several attempts to abort a pregnancy, ended up giving birth to a boy in a Cherubim & Seraphim Church, clinching a Holy Quran in his right hand.

Her words: “I repeatedly tried to abort the baby, but, instead, the baby kept getting stronger by the day, which made me to give up on abortion. Then I started wearing a cross around my waist to protect the baby and myself but the cross kept cutting. When the pregnancy got to its eleventh month, I told my friend, Kenny Ogunlana, about it and she now took me to Morning Star Church (Cherubim & Seraphim) in Ejigbo where I was delivered of the baby.”

Kikelomo, a cosmetologist, said she was delivered of the baby that has now been described by many as a “miracle child” on Monday (7 May, 2012), four days after going to the white garment church. She stressed that she had been warned by a prophet not to terminate the pregnancy while trying to abort it.

The prophet, according her, said the baby in her womb was unique; but she felt it was a way of discouraging her from abortion.

“When I discovered I was pregnant, I wanted to abort the baby. I’m not married.

Even in church, I was warned not to go for abortion because the baby is from God. But I still went ahead with the abortion plan.”

The mother of the baby claimed she was abandoned by the man who impregnated her, saying he denied responsibility for the pregnancy and encouraged her to abort it. But after she was delivered of the baby, members of the man’s family have been pleading with

When I When I discovered I was pregnantt, I wanted to abort the baby. I’m not married. Even in church, I was warned not to go for abortion because the baby is from God. But I still went ahead with the abortion plan

Kikelomo and her family to receive him as the father.

When Sunday Vanguard visited where the baby was kept at 1 Shonde Street, Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos, the place had virtually become a tourist centre, with a huge crowd converging to catch a glimpse of the baby.

In the crowd were mostly Muslims from different parts of Lagos, chanting “Allahu Akbahu”.

The National Missioner of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdul Raheem Ameen, who led delegates from Kwara State

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on a visit to the baby, took time to pray for both baby and mother, noting that it was a sign of good things that will soon overtake the country.

A

n Imam of Ramatu Ishamiya Mosque in Ijeshatedo, Lagos, Alhaji Ashimuyu Omotosho, who was invited to look at the Quran found in the baby ’s right hand, said it was the mark of God, adding: “ The amazing thing was that the family of Kikelomo is Christian. It shows that we are one from God, but came into the world to choose and

go our separate ways.”

The midwife, Victoria Moses, in her 60s, said she had been in the business of helping mothers deliver babies for long and had seen where babies come into the world holding ropes, but nothing like the latest baby, adding that out of fear she had to ask Kikelomo and her family to leave without paying her.

She said: “I tell you, it was God who delivered that baby.

I’ve seen cases where babies come into the world, holding ropes, but nothing like this!

I used to help mothers deliver babies. I’ve delivered a lot, but I’ve never seen anything like this. When the mother of the woman came, I showed her the item I found in the right hand of the baby.”

Victoria narrated that one of the mysterious things was that PHCN supplied power just as the baby’s head appeared and interrupted it after she had cleaned up the baby, stressing that it was a symbol that the baby is unique.

Kikelomo's sister-in-law, Ayomide Akinsoji , narrated what she witnessed during the delivery of the baby. “When the Quran was with the baby, in the baby’s palm, the baby folded his hand in a way that the Quran was not visible. But now, if you put the Quran in the baby’s hand, it is bigger than the baby’s hand because it has become bigger. Maybe as the baby grows, the mini Quran will be getting bigger.”

S

he noted that the Quran was wrapped in a transparent water proof item.

“But, at first glance, it looked like it was wrapped in nylon, which made it difficult for anyone to see. Some Islamic scholars said that the wrapping was to ensure that the mother's blood did not touch the mini Quran.”

Sunday Vanguard spoke

with the grand-mother of the baby, who simply gave her name as Mrs Bola; when asked to give account of what happened, she said: “I just got to the church when my daughter put to bed and I saw the thing (mini Quran) in the baby ’s hand shaking. I am surprised about the thing (mini Quran) which was very small but, with time, it started getting big. So we dropped it for the Imam to come and look at it. I am a Christian and the baby will be with me for some time.”

Meanwhile, the boy was on Monday given a Muslim name before a crowd of Lagosians who gathered at 110 Olateju Street (Ogba Solomon Hall), Mushin.

A

fter the Imam of Zakat Sadaqat Foundation, Lagos, Jamiu Tirmdhi Akano, announced that the baby would receive free nursery, primary and secondary education from Tayyibat Group of Schools Gbagada (a day & boarding school), the baby was named “Abdul Wahab Iyanda Ademilola Irawo”.

Akano said when he was informed of the Quran, he conducted a research and found out that, in the world, such Quran is to be five. But there are two already in existence, adding, “And where the volume of the first one ended was where the second one started from, they come in volumes. But what I cannot say is how the thing (Quran) got into the hand of the baby.”

He announced that the brother of the baby’s mother and some members of Kikelomo’s household met with him to disclose their intention to become Muslims. “The baby’s mother is now known as Sherifat, her brother ’s name is now Mosiud and Kikelomo’s mother is now known as Rodiat, he added.”

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012

Country News

BY VICTOR OMOREGIE

I

Commissioner for Information, Ondo State, Mr. Kayode Akinmade; Tolu; and Commissioner for Education, Mr. Remi Olatubora, during the state government reception for Tolu

INTRIGUING WAEC VERDICT:

One SSCE, two overall best students T

his recognition was conveyed to Ondo State, on behalf of WAEC, by one Midas Global Associates, a company based in Egbeda, Lagos. Midas Global Associates had earlier written to the Ondo State government requesting for the curriculum vitae (CV) of Miss Falokun. The reason for the request by Midas Global Associates, as explained by an Ondo State government official, was to provide background information on any student that had done extremely well at any of WAEC’s examination. The procedure was normal.

The CV was to complement the profile of the selected student. Midas Global Associates is known to WAEC and could not have written the letter without any form of authorisation.

The facts state that Miss Tolulope Falokun, with examination number 429160/ 084, recorded A1 in nine subjects – Christian Religious Knowledge, Economics, Government, Literature in English, English Language, Yoruba Language, Mathematics, Agricultural Science and Biology - with a total score (T-score) of 742,6992.

On the other hand, Miss Opeyemi Adeloye, who WAEC

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N order to recognise and encourage students who did very well in its examinations, the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, inaugurated a scheme to honour this category of students. Its essence was to celebrate the best students in its examinations. This recognition brought along with scholarship and national honour from the students countries.

However a mild drama has begun to play out regarding who is the best student for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) of May/June 2011.

With its entire government machinery, the Ondo State rolled out the drums to recognise and celebrate her own Miss Tolulope Falokun, a former student of St. Louis Secondary School, Ondo. The state government, through her Commissioner for Education, Mrs Remi Olatubora, organised a grand reception for Miss Falokun for scoring A1 in nine subjects. As part of the package, she was offered a scholarship to read law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Like a bolt of lightning out of the sky, WAEC countered the Ondo State position by issuing a statement that Miss Falokun was neither the best candidate in West Africa nor in Nigeria.

In fact, WAEC insists that the best students for the country and the sub-region had been announced and honoured at the 60th Annual Council meeting in Abuja on March 27, 2012.

WAEC says it was 17-year-old Miss Christianah Opeyemi Adeloye from Nigeria, and of Charis International College, Abeokuta, Ogun State, who was among the three best students presented at the Council meeting. WAEC publicly bestowed upon 19- year-old Ann Abena Sakyi, 17 year-old Hameed Irbaz (both from Ghana) and Miss Adeloye, first, second and third best students respectively of the May/June 2011 WASSCE. Meanwhile, Ondo State government is holding on to its claim, as it said, through its Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, that WAEC congratulated the state through a letter to the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and signed by one Mr. Austin Aidokha on behalf of the Head of National Office (HNO) in Nigeria, who described the student’s (Miss Falokun) performance as fantastic and unique, making her the best student in the subregion and Nigeria in the 2011 WASSCE.

T he facts state that Miss Tolulope Falokun, with examination number 429160/084, recorded A1 in nine subjects – Christian Religious Knowledge, Economics, Government, Literature in English, English Language, Yoruba Language, Mathematics, Agricultural Science and Biology - with a total score (T-score) of 742,6992.

recognised as the best student in Nigeria and was honoured with the National Distinction/ Merit Award at the Abuja ceremony, made A1 in eight – Economics, Geography, English Language, Yoruba Language, Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Biology and Physics with a T-score of 682,3283. For her feat, Miss Adeloye received a presidential handshake from Vice President Namadi Sambo, who represented his boss, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

H

er school, Charis International College, was not left out, as it was presented with the Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, the Benin monarch’s trophy for

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producing the “the best female candidate in 2011 WASSCE”.

To further complicate issues, WAEC announced that 17-yearold Miss Iyeyinka Omigbodun, a former student of Louisville Girls High School, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, is the second best student under the national category. Miss Omigbodun was said to have got A1 in eight subjects, namely Literature in English, English Language, Yoruba Language, Further Mathematics, Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Chemistry and Physics. Miss Omigbodun had a T-score of 680,9797 with examination number 4280811/ 075. The third position, under the national category, went to 18-year-old Miss Kanayo Uduani Nwigbo from Ebonyi

State with number 4250418/198 and a T-score of 675,2813. She scored A1 in eight subjects – English Language, Geography, Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Most intriguing is that the name of Miss Tolulope Falokun, who scored A1 in nine subjects, never featured in the national category, not to talk of the sub-regional group.

The question being raised here is whether there was a mistake in the collation of the best candidates, as WAEC has not refuted the A1 scores in nine subjects by Miss Falokun, whose performance still stands as the best, whether at the national category or the subregional level. Dr. Uyi Uwadiae, Head of the National Office (HNO), after a meeting with some WAEC officials, pledged that the examination body would see to the end of the matter. Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Yusuf Ari, Deputy Director of Public Affairs of WAEC, said the Council would investigate how Falokun’s school and Ondo State government arrived at the result. According to him, WAEC has time-tested criteria to choose the best students and these were used in honouring the recently announced best candidates in 2011 May/June WASSCE. He was however silent on the role of Midas Associates. Meanwhile, Ondo State is standing on its position.

Responding through her Commissioner for Information, Akinmade, and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Eni Akinsola, they said Miss Falokun’s school and the state government went ahead to honour the candidate based on a letter sent by WAEC through Midas Global Associates.

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kinmade claimed the state government was in possession of the letter from WAEC that showed that Miss Falokun came first not only in Nigeria but also in the subregion. Akinsola said the document from WAEC was signed by one Mr. Austin Aidokhai, where he stated the criteria used in determining the best candidates.

From all indications, relying on the T-scores given by WAEC, Falokun is the best student in the May/June 2011 WASSCE. Meanwhile, the drama is still unfolding as stakeholders are asking WAEC how Midas Global Associates, located in Egbeda, Lagos, could act on its behalf.

Secondly, the public would like WAEC to confirm whether Miss Falokun achieved A1 in nine subjects or not. The answer to this question would put to rest the entire controversy.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 27

Country News

Discordant tunes over Port Harcourt blast zIt was accidental explosion from robbers – Police zMysterious men behind it – Eye witnesses

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Port Harcourt

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•The wreckage of the ill-fated bus many of them hurriedly closed shop in the area.

Until the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Mohammed Indabawa, dispelled the speculation that the explosion was an act of terrorism, the predominant understanding of the ugly development by eye witnesses was that the dreaded Islamist group, Boko Haram, had extended its bombings and other acts of terrorism to the state and the South South home region of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Commissioner of Police, who spoke to journalists at the scene of the incident, blamed robbers for the blast. According to him, they were possibly on a mission with dynamites in their vehicle and a cache of ammunition when suddenly the explosives went off. To strengthen the foregoing, he said some AK 47 rifles were among items recovered from the exploded bus.

His words, “My Divisional Police Officer, DPO, called me that there was an explosion in a bus, that one body was lying lifeless on the ground. I came, the initial report was that it was an explosion, but we suspect they were robbers going for operation. We have seen a cache of arms and ammunition in the vehicle. I can’t quantify now but we have seen about four rifles. But when the bomb disposal unit gets through, they will come up with more information. I don’t

know where the bus was going but I suspect they were armed robbers.

The one that died was in the car”.

He was however emphatic that the blast did not come from a bomb. He maintained that if it had been a bomb, some of those around when the incident occurred and

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ITTLE Miss Patience Abey (not her real name) of State School, Okoronu Odo on Ikwerre Road in Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers State said they were in classroom at about 10.30 a.m. on Thursday when they heard a deafening sound.

Immediately, the pupils and teachers scampered for safety. According to her, nobody knew where it came from, but, somehow, they felt it was from the ever busy Ikwerre Road or Rumuokoro Roundabout which is barely two hundred meters from the school.

The little girl, who was clutching her mother’s skirt while talking to Sunday Vanguard, had apparently not recovered from the shock created by the bang. She was not alone in this mood when an 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus painted in Rivers State commercial bus colours exploded at the Rumukoro Roundabout that Thursday morning, leaving one dead and about two others injured.

A trader, who simply identified himself as Charles, said he was in front of his shop, about fifty meters from the scene of the explosion, when he heard a bang. He likened it to the deflating sound from a trailer's tyre. His first instinct, which, he said, he obeyed, was to run for cover before even trying to know where the sound came from.

And from a distance of about two hundred meters, Charles said he looked at the direction of Rumuokoro Roundabout, all he saw was a bus painted in the state’s sky blue and deep white commercial vehicle colors in flames. When he drew closer, he met a grizzly sight, this time the lifeless body of a youth he identified as a familiar face in the neighborhood..

Another lady said she heard the bang at almost a kilometer away and, when she was told it was a blast at Rumuokoro Roundabout, she had to rush to pick her three kids from State School, Okoronu Odo. The blast created panic within the Hausa community in the state. For fear of attack,

flames from cigarettes the robbers were smoking in the bus.

The governor, who fielded questions from newsmen at the scene of the blast that same day, aligned with the police commissioner that the blast was not another act of terrorism in the country.

Amaechi said those in the vehicle were probably robbers

We suspect they must be smoking to have ignited the dynamite and the Commissioner of Police confirmed that there was even a lady who was selling by the side of the road and the lady was not even affected

buildings close to the scene of the blast would have been affected.

NOT TERRORISM His explanation may have erased initial fears in the minds of many that it was a bomb blast, but the angle that those behind it were probably robbers on a mission did not sink, because he could not account for what triggered off the blast in the vehicle.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi made efforts to close the gap in the police commissioner's account when he said the dynamites in the vehicle might have been triggered off by

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on a mission, adding that they wanted to use the dynamites in the vehicle to blow up bullet proof doors in banks.

“All of you can act as eyewitnesses that what you have here is not a bomb explosion, what you have here is an attempt by three men to go and rob; we don’t know where they were heading to, where they were going to rob but in their vehicle they had an explosive device, a dynamite.

“We suspect they must be smoking to have ignited the dynamite and the Commissioner of Police confirmed that there was even a lady who was

selling by the side of the road and the lady was not even affected; no building was affected. There is no crater here to show that there was a bomb device; there is no crater, no damage on the road, just the bus”, he said.

“Because of the bullet proof doors you have in banks, some of them (robbers) carry dynamites if they want to rob banks. So, obviously you can see that it is not a bomb device, it was just a mere explosive”.

“That is why I have to come here myself to confirm to the world and confirm to Rivers people that the security system in Rivers State is working, the Commissioner of Police and all others are at alert and we will not allow any terrorist action in Rivers State”.

Eyewitnesses, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, however, were convinced it was another terrorist act from the dreaded Boko Haram. Some of them said the youth who lost his life was not in the vehicle, he only came to assist in pushing the vehicle to roll it back to life.

One of the eyewitnesses, Emma Okon, said he saw when they were pushing the bus from the roundabout to the point where it exploded. According to him, two men, dressed in shirts and trousers, holding chaplets, came down from the bus. He said they even beckoned at him to assist, but he did not because he had his eyes on his phone that a phone repairer was working on. He said they bought Kunu, local pap.

Okon said minutes after they bought the Kunu, the two guys disappeared and, before anybody could ask for there whereabouts, the bus went up in flames. Okon believed it was a terrorist act and those the blast consumed were not the occupants of the vehicle.

Another eye witness confirmed that the young man consumed by the blast merely came to assist to push the vehicle. He gave the name of the deceased as Edet Akpan, from Akwa Ibom State. He could not say if the other two that reportedly sustained injuries also came to assist.

A third source believed the deceased was the driver of the bus. According to him, the bus was heading to Eleme, but the driver did not know the two passengers in his vehicle had explosives and guns in their luggage. This source, who did not want her name mentioned, said she saw when they were pushing the vehicle but did not give the action any special attention because such was a regular feature on the road.

PAGE 28—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

M A I L B A G

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

Anti-graft war: After Ibori’s conviction what next?

Dear Sir

W

HEN the news filtered in that Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the former executive governor of Delta State, has been convicted and sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by Crownwark Court back in the UK, most Nigerians were no doubt in joyous and ecstatic mood.

For about four consecutive weeks, the news was a frontline story in most Nigeria’s print media, just as the electronic media took advantage to run a regular commentary on the outcome of the case.

The reason for the hysteria was not far fetched, Ibori apart from being a former governor of the oil rich Delta State, and an influential political figure in the country, the reason was that, Nigerians hugely aware that corruption is the number one cause of extreme poverty and avoidable human suffering in the country, were extremely happy and excited to see one of the perpetrators sent to the prison.

Corruption is acknowledged as the worst malaise that can happen to any society. Its impacts are so severe that it makes it impossible for any nation where it is endemic to register any socio-economic progress.

Unfortunately, Nigeria happens to be one of such countries. Corruption has crippled the Nigerian economy and, it accounts for why over 70% of the Nigerian population live on less than 1$ per day, why over 30 million Nigerian youths are jobless.

However, while Nigerians revel in the euphoria of Chief James Ibori's conviction, we must not forget that there are far worse corrupt Nigerians walking free on our streets today. As corrupt as Ibori might appear today, he is credited to have spearheaded massive infrastructural development in Delta State, a situation that is in dire contrast with most of his contemporaries who did virtually nothing to enhance the living standard of their citizens during the eight years they held sway as state executives but are today walking our streets as free

men.

This development has obviously raised concerns about the sincerity of the present administration’s fight against corruption. Nigerians should not be giving the impression that Ibori’s present predicament is political. The truth is if the federal government and its anti-corruption agencies had deployed the same resources and might that forced Chief Ibori to flee the

country for Dubai, before his eventual deportation to the UK, to the fight corruption in the country, corruption would have been fought to a standstill by today.

The fight against corruption must not appear selective, political or better still targeted at those opposed to the government and its policies; hence the current fight against corruption in the country would end up as an exercise

in futility and, invariably waste of taxpayers' money.

If the truth must be told, Ibori’s conviction by a foreign court not only indicts and cast debilitating aspersion on the nation’s judiciary, but also on the federal government and its anticorruption agencies.

Ohwevwo Ufuoma Eugene, Ohwevwoufuoma@Ymail.com, 08127029122

The purported economic growth, a huge joke Dear Sir,

T

HIS is the most inauspicious time to flaunt deceptive figures of economic growth.

Economics, more than any other discipline lends itself to quick public scrutiny.This is because facts about the economy affect our daily lives ranging from the mundane to the serious realm of human survival.

Therefore, one is at a loss when supposedly world respected institutions dish out facts and figures in variance with the true pictures of the economy.There is a plethora of public discourse in the media since claims by certain sources that the National economy is growing at the rate of 7.5% or thereabouts. And what more, that the Nigerian economy is among the fastest growing in the world! The palpable resentment from most commentators reflect the true economic pulse in the country.

Outrageous claims of good health for the economy from otherwise authentic sources do nothing more than denting the images of such sources.

The economy is not doing well, and no expert input is needed to ascertain that basic reality.In fact, the economy is at its abyss than at any time within recent memory. This is not a hyperbole rather the thought that pervades all and sundry glimpses of well being in certain micro sectors, for instance, in the telecommunications or the oil sectors do not add up to superlative

performances at the macro level. Take the economy at the macro level of unemployment, how can any serious organisation observe any growth? Or what about infrastructure? The conventional wisdom is that things are growing worse. It is therefore naive to accept the superficial claims of growth at this moment.One is not trying to be overly pessimistic about the economy, but any kind of optimism given present realities is a wishful thinking.

Presently, the hallmarks of this economy reflects infrastructural decay, insufficient power supply, corruption and sleaze among others. As a

consequence, most manufacturers are closing shop or relocating elsewhere and a fast, devastating divestment is apparent.What more, the security situation is at its nadir; that the lack of security has affected the economy negatively.

If the reports of purported economic growth were sponsored by the government; or made to please those in government, no qualms about that.

Deception only has temporary advantages but a costly long term gambit. Right now, the truth is that the economy is in tatters.

Usman Bulama

Aba in need of urgent attention Dear Sir,

A

BA, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State has been in a bad shape for the past four years now.

The city is on the verge of collapse as the entire road network is in disarray, coupled with numerous moribund industries scattered all over the town. Aba Metallurgical Complex, Aba Glass Industry, Aba Textile Mill, Enyimba Hotel, to mention but few.

Regrettably, this coveted city has been wrongly projected by sycophants and political bigwigs as a paradise on earth, whereas it has been bedevilled

with myriads of deplorable roads and catalogue of dilapidated infrastructure.

What informed this write up was the way one of the leading politicians was eulogizing the governor for creating a state -of -the- art edifice in the state.

Probably, the man has not been to Aba for the past four years and as such he must be acting on ignorance.

Against this backdrop, I would like the helmsman of Nigerian Union of Journalist to detail his men to visit and tour round Aba city to ascertain the true fact and report to the world to see.

Chinuru Chiemezie, writes in from Port Harcourt

SUNDAY, Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012 —29

Kate and Ken did it!

T

he families of Ibhaluobe and That of Okoro became one recently when their children Kenneth Erhonmhonsele Ibhaluobe and Kate Okoro got married recently at the St. Paul ’s Catholic Church (Pastoral Centre), Airport Road , Benin City

With Ayo Onikoyi

08033286159

Oodua Group GMD’s daughter weds

G

roup Managing Director of Oodua Group, Adebayo Jimoh recently gave the hand of his beautiful daughter, Omolola in marriage to Oluwaseyi Ogunseye son of Architect Ogunseye. Notable captains of industry, government functionaries and many others graced the outing which took place at the Kakanfo Multipurpose Hall in Ibadan. Photos by Dare Fasube

Ken & Kate during the Church Marriage.

R-L; groom, Ken, Mr. Nat Bunuju, Vanguard Regional Advert Manager, South South, bride, Kate and Mike Bunuju

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Parents of the bride; Mr Adebayo Jimoh and his wife, Sade.

L-R: Senator Brimo Yussuf, former Chairman, Oodua Group, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, Chairman of the occasion and Chief Kola Ogunjobi, former MD, Oodua Investment.

The newly-wedded couple; Oluwaseyi and Omolola

L-R:Mrs Bisi Oyibo, Mrs Tola Ajayi, MD, Premier Hoteland Mrs Femi Okunoye, Marketing Manager, Premier Hotel

Glo thrills business associates

lobacom recently presented spectacular prizes; including ten top of the range Special Utility Vehicles (SUVs), special crystal trophies, 43 utility vans, multimillion naira credit notes and Samsung Galaxy Notes to its 124 top performing business associates at a grand event held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The business associates were rewarded for their outstanding performance and excellence in distributing and selling Glo products across the country. Top artistes like 9ice and Omawunmi were on hand to thrill the guests.

Dadev Communications (2nd right), receiving prize - credit note of N1.5million, from Mr. Adewale Sangowawa (left), Funke Akindele and Odunlade Adekola.

Top entertainer, 9ICE performing C M Y K

Alhaja Monisola Yusuf (middle) of Easy and Quietreceiving the SUV key from Mr. Adewale Sangowawa (right) and Maria Svensson

Top 3: Alhaji M. Anthony of Easy and Quiet (3rd right), High Chief P. Ojeme of Don P Coms (2nd left) and Alhaja M. Yusuf of Sozabat Nig. Ltd. (2nd right) with keys to their prize SUV while Mr. Adewale Sangowawa ( 3rd left) , & Maria Svensson (extreme left) and Glo Ambassador , Odunlade Adekola look

Mrs Adeola Kupoluyi (middle) of Demus Mayor receiving the SUV key from Odunlade Adekola.

(left) and Mr. Patrick Awotwi.

West Africa Idol runner up and top singer , Omawunmi , performing

PAGE 30—SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 31

PAGE 32 — SUND AY V ANGU ARD, MA Y 20, 2012 SUNDA VANGU ANGUARD, MAY

THE RELA TIVE AND THE RELATIVE ABSOLUTE MARRIAGE

I

WROTE a book entitled; Why Christians Won’t Go to Heaven. Some Christians complained my book is too absolute. They said I should have written: “Why Some Christians Won’t Go to Heaven.” No, I replied.

I mean no Christian will go to heaven. Christianity is not a criterion for heaven. Last week, I wrote an article entitled “Christians Make Terrible Husbands.” Some self-righteous Christian husbands shot back saying I should have said: “Some Christians Make Terrible Husbands.” No! No! No! I mean “all Christian husbands.”

God’s prophetic word is appropriately expressed in absolute terms.

Jesus says: “The sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness.

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

(Matthew 8:12). He does not say “some of the sons of the kingdom.”

Option of divorce Man specializes in turning the God’s truth into a lie. Take, for example, the question of divorce. Moses knew God is against divorce.

Nevertheless, he permitted the Israelites to divorce their wives.

What gave Moses such audacity? Jesus said: “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:9).

God’s command on the question of divorce is absolute; but man turned it into a relative command. When the disciples discovered God is absolutely against divorce, they replied: “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:10). In short, they would rather not marry than obey God in marriage. But if we don’t marry, we are confronted with another absolute C M Y K

The Christian marriage is no longer till death do us part. It is now till divorce do us part. c o m m a n d m e n t . We must not have sex outside of marriage. What is the way out? Sin!

Relative marriages Most Christians contract relative marriages even though the marriage covenant is couched in absolute terms.

When we say: “for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health;” we are speaking absolutely and not relatively. Nevertheless, we retain the option of divorce if things get worse or poorer. When we quarrel one year down the road, we play the divorce card. But if divorce were an option in God’s plan for marriage, he would not have asked Hosea to marry a prostitute. As to be expected, Hosea’s prostitute wife was unfaithful to him.

She even had children by other men. Nevertheless, divorce was not an option for Hosea.

In short, the Christian marriage has become a farce. We talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

We make the absolute commitment, even before God, knowing full well we have no intention of keeping it absolutely. We make the commitment to be faithful; “forsaking all others,” but have no qualms whatsoever about having affairs. We even have one or two children out of wedlock. We promise to love and to cherish, yet we are not averse to beating up our wives, sometimes to the point of hospitalisation.

No wonder then that the Christian marriage is no longer till death do us part. It is now till divorce do us part. It is till problems do us part; or till economic adversity do us part; or till the bond-woman do us part.

As usual, Jesus foresaw all this hypocrisy.

He would not have us deceive ourselves that

by signing a legal agreement, or by going before a pastor and a church, that makes our marriage binding . Precisely because we choose to swear the oath of marriage, that implies we are not trustworthy and cannot trust others. In the scriptures, marriages were not determined by oaths, but by sexual intercourse.

Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:3337).

Rationalising absolutes Christians specialise in converting God’s absolutes to man’s relatives.

A famous Nigerian pastor is divorced from his wife. He then remarried a divorced woman. Nevertheless, he told his congregation that “the Holy Spirit” ministered to him that his new wife, Stephanie, has never been married before. Apparently, the Stephanie who was married before is dead and this newly-married Stephanie is born again. So old things are passed away, (including her previous marriage), behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17). Thank God for Paul.

Paul’s double-minded scriptures are always available for those inclined to contradict Jesus.

Sometimes, Paulinists lose complete sight of Jesus. When you quote Jesus to them, they ac-

cuse you of heresy. One pastor with a vested interest said forbidding a Christian to remarry because he is divorced is a doctrine of demons.

Where does he get this from? Where else but from Paul? Paul says: “The Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry.” (1 Timothy 4:13).

When queried by a Vanguard journalist about his remarriage after divorce, Pastor Chris Okotie of Household of God, Lagos had this to say: “Some argue that the bible says you must remain unmarried for as long as your spouse is alive… The bible doesn’t say so. It doesn’t say so. I think a lot of people don’t study the Word of God enough.

There is a difference between a man who marries a woman and the woman leaves him and the one that divorces.

There are so many people who are parading themselves as preachers of the scriptures who don’t know the bible enough, particularly in the area of marriage.”

Absolute marriage However, marriage is God’s institution. It is not man-made. God’s marriage plan is absolute; there is no divorce. It is till death do us part. Indeed, everything about God’s concept of marriage is absolute. God’s absolute marriage has one prototype. It is between Adam and Eve; it is not between Adam and Steve.

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a man to hate his wife?

Under absolutely no circumstances! Under what circumstances is it lawful for a man to beat his wife or for a wife to slap her husband? Under absolutely no circumstances! Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband or a wife to commit adultery? Under absolutely no circumstances! Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband and wife to abuse one another? Under absolutely no circumstances! Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband and wife to deceive one another? Under absolutely no circumstances!

Under what circumstances is it lawful for a husband to kiss his wife? Under absolutely all circumstances!

Adebiyi tasks Nigerians on godly living

A

NGLICAN Bishop, Very Rev. Peter Adebiyi has urged Nigerians to live a life of Godliness, saying this will go a long way in curbing the various societal ills, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. Making this call during the 5th synod at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral in Ikeja, Lagos, Adebiyi said what is happening in the country is a big departure from what God desires, adding that anyone who professes to be Godly ought to be contented. The bishop lamented that the level of moral decadence in the country is beyond measure, noting that such ills have penetrated into the church.

In his words: “As Chri-stians how do we share the love of Christ with one another, oftentimes when we are in church, we appear to be very holy and pious but internally, we reveal different personalities entirely”.

The clergy also called on political leaders to cooperate and work together for the benefit of the masses and regard all citizens as theirs to govern.

He said responsible leaders should tower above intra-party politics.

Terrorism is political ---Catholic priest

A

CATHOLIC priest, Rev. Father Mike Umoh believes that the growing trend of insecurity in parts of the country has more to do with politics rather than religion, stressing that the masterminds have consistently gavin the bombings and thekillings of innocent people across the nation a religious coloration, reports IDOWU OLAIDE. Rev. Umoh, who is the director of Center for Media Development, CMD, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, made the assertion just as the gubernatorial candidate of Democratic Party of Nigeria, DPN, during the 2011 general elections in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje also condemned the spate of bombings in the country.

Delivering a keynote address at a dinner with Priests/ Religious Programme, organized by Serra Club of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos, the priest condemned the dastardly acts by the Islamic sect, especially the attacks on Catholic churches in parts of the North.

"There is a lot of injustice and imbalance in the land.

I think our political leaders should address the fundamental issues,” he said.

Condemning the security challenges in Nigeria, occasion chairman, Mr. Agbaje said: "It just doesn’t make sense any longer. He explained that the duty of the Sera Club is to support the work of God, adding that it is important to promote the welfare of the clergy and the religious so as to encourage those interested in the vocation.

Who is afraid of Kaigama?

Continued from Page 44 everything to sideline the CBCN president. Can you imagine that they drew up a list of 10 officers to represent the Catholic Church at the NEC meeting of CAN and the president's name was not included?" the impecable source told our reporter, adding that some people are already contemplating writing a petition to the relevant authorities because these subtuerenian moves are capable of dragging the cherished reputation of the Catholic Church to the mud.

The source, who for obvious reasons would not want his name in print, opined that these two characters may be up to something, "if not why is Archbishop Onaiyekan desperate to act for the CBCN president when the latter is alive and well? I recall that he was, most of the time, standing in for Archbishop Alaba Job apparently because of that one's age."

National Executive Council meeting of CAN is made up of 10 members each from the five federating units of the Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, CSN, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, CPFN/PFN, the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, OAIC, and the TEKAN/Evangelical Church of West Africa, TEKAN/ECWA. From the foregoing the CSN will be represented by an unofficial 'surrogate' president even while the sunstantial president is well and alive.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 33

Vaccination hasn't been scientif ically pr oved to cause autism— Emuwa

By JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

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HE President of Parents Against Autism Initiative-PAAI, Mrs.Angela Emuwa (nee Aboderin), is a mother of three, one of whom has autism. Autism is described by science as a neuro-developmental disorder which causes poor development in children. In this interview, Mrs. Emuwa speaks in commemoration of the International Autism Awareness Month which was observed throughout the month of April. Enjoy!

What's PAAI about?

AAI comprises parents with children who have autism. The initiative is to create more awareness on autism. One thing about autism is that you cannot discern it by merely seeing a child that has it. They look like your regular children! It's only when they start throwing themselves on the floor or crying without cause, banging their heads on the wall, etc. that you are able to tell. Light and people affect them, and sometimes they are unable to sleep and are restless. Recently in April, PAAI had a one-day event which we tagged Autism SpoRtlight to raise more awareness. There are a lot of children from poor families being put behind locks by their parents because they feel it is a shame to have an autistic child. PAAI wants to assure them that it's not. Children are a gift from God, and I am so blessed to have my own child, Dubem. We all love him in the family, and take him with us for outings always. PAAI also needs the government to realise that a lot of families cannot afford the tuition that

P

is required for children with autism since they need one-on-one tuition.

We at PAAI are grateful to God that we are able to cope with the financial cost of catering for our own children, but for less privileged families, the story is different. That's one of the reasons PAAI is creating awareness to raise funds for poor families, and to also let the government know that these children have to be properly cared for educationally. I know that government has established some inclusion units in public schools in the country, but many of them are poorly staffed. You find over a 100 pupils of different ages and challenges with just four teachers in a class! How will the children learn? So, the place just becomes like a care centre where people just come to dump their children. These children can learn! All they need is to be properly taught.

Some of them even go to university if given the necessary help early in life.

That's why Early Intervention has remained an ongoing theme for autism because unless we start early, we'll have adults growing up to be forever

,

*Angela Emuwa

dependent.

How would you compare the developmental speed between autistic children in special centres with those at government-owned inclusion units?

Of course the children in special centres develop faster. So, we could see that indigent children are made to lose out on opportunity because their parents do not have the money.

My son for instance would not have been able to talk if I had not done what I've done for him. Now he's able to function, read, write, and all that.

He's eleven years old now, and everything came later than his peers' but I'm continuing to get him one-anone tuition, and I know he will continue to make progress and I pray he will be able to go to the university.

That is what happens when you're consistent with their education. That's why we're calling on government to support poor families.

But what if he is unable to go into university after all your efforts?

That doesn't matter. I've vowed to do everything possible for him to get the best, and fulfill his potential. Potential may or may not be to go to university, but we'll ensure we try to teach him a skill. He could go into sports or learn other crafts because people with autism are particularly skilled! In the US, they are employed by companies to do computer programming because they've been discovered to have certain skills. The son of the Treasurer of PAAI for instance, Mrs.Dotun Akande, is very good in music! Mine took part in the Special Olympics last year and his team won a gold medal after representing Nigeria in Athens!

When you give them the opportunity,

Some people claim that it was actually after vaccination that their child changed. ...Coincidentally, my son had his vaccines not long before he changed, but still, I don't want to say that vaccination is the cause...

,

they can be anything! It could be sports or crafts like I mentioned! CDC for instance has a centre where they are taught pastries, candle making, etc., and I believe they can earn a living from this and could have their own companies. I know some companies do not like employing them, but one thing they are yet to discover is that these children can be of benefit to them since they do not know how to tell lies.

What's the current prevalence of autism?

We do not know what it is like in Nigeria, but in the US, the current figure is put at one out of 88 children. That is to say that out of 8,800 children, there are one hundred children with autism!

In Nigeria, though I cannot say precisely, I think it should be around one in 120 children. Because autism is a spectrum, it affects the children in different ways. Some are highfunctioning while some are lowfunctioning; some are able to manage their lives while some cannot do anything on their own; so, putting a tag on the prevalence might be difficult with a proper statistics. The point remains that the situation is very prevalent and we need to address it.

How old was your son when he was diagnosed with autism?

He was 18 months old when he lost his speech. Before then, he was talking and everything was fine. Suddenly, his words actually began reducing gradually until he couldn't use them anymore.

After undergoing all the necessary tests, it was discovered that he had autism.

Does that mean that these children were not born with autism, and that something may have brought the disorder along the line?

We honestly don't know. Maybe they have the tendency to have autism, and then something triggers it off since there are lots of toxins in the environment.

Some people claim that it was actually after vaccination that their child changed. I don't want to say that vaccination is the cause because vaccination hasn't been scientifically proved to be the cause of autism.

Coincidentally, my son had his vaccines not long before he changed, but still, I cannot say vaccination is responsible. I would however advice that parents make sure their babies are very healthy before they have their vaccines. My child had a cold at the time when he had his own, but I didn't know all these.

So, what would you say to government?

We cannot deny the fact that autism is in our society. If we do not deal with it, we'll have a future society with a lot of problems. Government should make sure the inclusion units in schools are properly equipped and staffed so that they do not just become daycare centres for these children, but centres that will help them grow to be independent.

PAGE 34— SUNDAY

VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

S-South Agenda: BRACED for regional growth

BY IFEATU AGBU

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From right: Olorogun Felix Ibru; Dr Chris Oboh, MD NDDC; Mr. Ndoma Egba; Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers and others, during the event.

,

ALK about regional growth and development took centre stage at the second South–South Economic Summit which was held in Asaba, Delta State recently.

The six states that make up the economic group with the acronym BRACED – Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta – said they wanted to see a restructured Nigeria where the central government is unbundled to strengthen the states for better service delivery.

At the first summit held in Calabar, Cross River State in 2009 strategies for the development of the region were articulated.

Subsequently, a co-ordinating structure known as the BRACED Commission was set up where every state has at least one commissioner.

Ambassador Joe Keshi, the Director General of the commission, who welcomed delegates and participants to Asaba, said that “the journey to economic transformation is long with its ups and downs as well as twists and turns.”

A communiqué signed by the governors called for a review of the revenue allocation formula to give more powers, responsibilities and funding to the states and councils because they are the appropriate centres for growth.

They reaffirmed the imperative of regional co-operation as a practical path towards national development and welcomed the emergence of other regional development commissions.

While urging the restructuring and unbundling of the Federal Government, they argued that there was need to review the current policies and regulations on power and gas to enable the states generate, transmit and distribute power to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and facilitate the utilization of moribund capacity in the region.

According to the governors, the Federal Government should expedite action in empowering states to provide their own power. Such a move will promote and accelerate economic development in the South-South Region. In pursuit of this, the summit accepted the development of a Niger Delta Energy Corridor, a project with potentials for connecting the people, industry and natural resources and creating jobs.

The Chairman of the SouthSouth Governors Forum and the Cross River State governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, said the success of the second SouthSouth Economic Summit has

Each regional grouping should, by its policies, declare an uncompromising developmental autonomy. This will leave the centre only with its competence provenance

proved “sceptics” of its propriety wrong. Imoke made the remark at the closing ceremony of the three-day summit.

He recalled that at the first summit held in Calabar, some critics had dubbed it a “talk show” and said that it could not be sustained. “But the success of this second SouthSouth economic summit hosted

by Delta has proved those sceptics wrong as it has shown that the people of the region were more committed and united.”

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in CoteD’Ivoire on an official engagement, was represented by the Vice President, Arch.

Namadi Sambo.

He commended the south-south states for not only initiating the summit but setting up an agency, BRACED Commission, to pursue their vision of integrated regional development.

He said that his administration has been pursuing an economic growth agenda “ without oil”, with “opportunities in the country being exploited to achieve an economic diversification programme.”

Namadi Sambo told the audience which included foreign dignitaries, members of the National Assembly, captains of industry and top bank executives that very soon the epileptic power situation in the country would be a thing of the past. He assured that licences would soon be issued to states for the generation and distribution of electricity in their respective areas of administration. The Vice

,

President was more or less forced to speak more on the problem of unreliable electricity because of an embarrassing power outage at the opening session of the summit which cast a slur on both the organisers and the nation, more so when international investors were present.

Nigeria’s number two citizen and the representative of the Rwandan President, as well as other dignitaries were sweating it out in the dark hall, apparently gripped with fear, especially when news had just filtered in that the Thisday office in Abuja was bombed that morning.

The host governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan later explained in an interview with the Vanguard newspapers that it was only a technical problem.

“You see, nobody is perfect, we are humans. We had three generators in that place for the summit, the three just decided to give problem at a very critical time.”

The general hiccups and the inconveniencing security checks at every turn, left very many people wearing long faces. This was temporary though, as the event hall came alive when the keynote speakers took the podium.

Much of the credit goes to Prof Wole Soyinka, the snow white haired international scholar and Nobel laureate. He held the audience spell bound for about 60 minutes and they seemed to love every moment of it.

Prof. Wole Soyinka charged the governors of the geopolitical zone to translate the agenda for the summit into

action. He said it was time for the region to engage in policies and strategies of development that would progressively reduce the central government’s powers to determine the “fate” of the people. “Each regional grouping should, by its policies, declare an u n c o m p r o m i s i n g developmental autonomy. This will leave the centre only with its competence provenance of foreign policy, national security and inter-state affair.”

Another keynote speaker, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Mr Paul Kagame said that the way forward for Nigeria and South-South geopolitical zone, was the enthronement of accountable and responsible leadership.

Kagame, whose address was delivered by the Chief Executive Officer, Rwanda Development Board, RDB, Mr. John Kigara, said Rwanda overcame its post-war conflict, which was not different from the scenario in the Niger Delta region, out of its sheer will to succeed as a people.

“Rwanda and the SouthSouth share an unfortunate history of conflict. We also share the determination to put the past behind us and forge ahead...”

When the chief host, Governor Uduaghan, took position to give his own speech, there was a little comic relief to announce his presence. The microphone momentarily refused to cooperate with him. He said jocularly in Pidgin English: “E be like say they don reach here! [He was apparently referring to the bomb blast in Abuja]. He told the audience that “in the last few years, Delta State government began an economic transformation programme. A transformation that demanded we completely remodel how we develop our state from the old ways to a new one, to guarantee our prosperity and survival. Which we tagged “Delta Beyond Oil.” Adams Oshiomhole, the Comrade Governor of Edo State, called on members of the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution, which vested too much power and resources on the Federal Government at the expense of states. He urged the federal lawmakers to amend the present revenue allocation formula, which gives 52.4 per cent to the government at the centre.

The Federal Government, he emphasised was taking too much money from the Federation Account at the expense of the 36 state governments The former labour leader said that “the states and the local governments that are saddled with more responsibilities like paying teachers and funding health care services should get more from our collective

wealth. If the Federal Government continues to take the lion share of our wealth, it must rise to the occasion and respond robustly to the infrastructural deficit in the Niger Delta,” he said.

The quest for true federalism continued to dominate as Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers gave their speeches. The ever eloquent Akpabio was rewarded with applause when he enumerated his numerous achievements and ended up by saying that “Nigeria’s strong centre should be unbundled.”

The National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoeye Azazi stirred another controversy when he addressed the gathering. He said that the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) should be blamed for the security challenges confronting the country. The NSA said that to address the security challenges which include kidnapping, armed robbery, Boko Haram bombing and other violent crimes, there was need to understand the entirety of the problems, from their genesis.

Azazi, who spoke on the topic, “Conversations on Terrorism and securing the Gulf of Guinea,” said that “the PDP got it wrong from the beginning by saying Mr. A can rule; Mr. B cannot rule, according to the PDP convention rules and regulations and not according to the constitution. That created the climate of what is happening and manifesting in the country today.’’

Speaker after speaker harped on the urgent need for development of the region that produces over 80 per cent of the wealth of the nation. They noted, however, that achieving this objective required more action and less talk.

Even President Goodluck Jonathan in his inaugural speech last year, acknowledged the dangers of further delay. He said: “The time for lamentation is over.

This is the era of transformation. This is the time for action.” The president had in the course of his campaigns said that the lofty plans captured in the Regional Development Master Plan, facilitated by the NDDC would be pursued with renewed vigour.

The BRACED commission did not lose sight of the key role of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in the transformation of the region.

Thus, the Managing Director of the commission, Dr. Christian Oboh was given an opportunity to make a detailed presentation on the Master Plan. He reminded the governors that it remains the “roadmap for integrated and sustainable regional development.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 35 declined by over 50 percent between 1980 and 1982 (from

Worries over mounting external debt

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ARELY seven years after the much-talked about debt cancellation, the issue of debt over-hang is in the news again. Recent statistics released by the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that Nigeria ’s total debt stock as at March 2012 was N6.8 trillion, which translates to $44 billion. Out of the total amount, N5.96 trillion ($38.3 billion) is said to be domestic debt and N919 billion ($5.9 billion) is external debt.

Some financial experts, who spoke with Sunday Vanguard, said Nigeria’s economy may be threatened by yet another rising external debt notwithstanding the whopping sum paid to the Paris Club of creditors in 2005. The country’s total debt profile of $44 billion, as analysts explained, is the highest since 2007 fiscal year, as the percentage difference is $5billion higher than the national debt stock of the previous year. The current debt profile points to the fact that government is borrowing more money and its propensity to borrow is still very high due to the high level of expenditures in the economy.

The statistics obtained by Sunday Business indicted that, in 2007, the total debt stock was $22 billion. In 2008, the figure rose to $23.228 billion. In 2009, it was $25.8 billion, $32 billion in 2010 and $39.7 billion in 2011.

Judging by the statistical analysis of the debt profile, it means government is spending so much money, even as the economy is growing at approximately 8 per cent without creating jobs to ensure relatively full employment for a population of over 168million. It implies that government needs fiscal discipline in order to curtail excessive spending especially on consumption as the economy requires more investments in capital projects to thrive.

In 2005, the national debt was estimated at $36 billion. Worried by the huge debt stock, the Federal Government paid the Paris Club $12 billion to secure a debt relief of $18 billion. The debt relief was obtained through the initiative of the then Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, who is currently the

Nigeria’s debt stock: Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Allocation for domestic debt service alone in 2012 appropriation bill is N559.6 billion, which is higher than allocation for power that is the most pressing need in the economy. Also, Nigerians may be looking at the Finance Minister

,

BY UDEME CLEMENT

Debt $22billion $23.228 billion $25.8 billion $32 billion $39.7 billion with money realised from oil export earnings. That paved the way for external borrowing mostly from multilateral and bilateral sources.

Accordingly, the exchange rate was fixed to contain external inflationary pressures in the economy. As such, agriculture, which is a sector with large employment generating capacity was neglected as government depended so much on imported inputs with oil earnings to run the economy.

Thus, due largely to infrastructure decay and lack of conducive operating environment for industries to thrive, most public projects embarked upon with external debt in the 1980s had gone under.

A study carried out by the Federal Ministry of Finance in 1996 on commercial external loans from bilateral and commercial creditors, which amounted to

Due largely to infrastructure decay and lack of conducive operating environment for industries to thrive, most public projects embarked upon with external debt in the 1980s had gone under

who initiated the previous debt cancellation to give explanation on the rising external debt and the slow pace of development in the economy.

The origin of External Debt: The issue of external debt can be traced back to government policies formulated during the 1970s oil boom. Consequently, successive governments put more emphasis on heavy investment in public works. The initiative was to build import-substituting industries. In that capacity, public investments were funded

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about 70 percent of external debt outstanding in 1996, documented in detail problems encountered by externally financed projects. For instance, loans were incurred by state governments with federal guarantees, as the lender obtained insurance from an official export credit agency, but the imported goods financed by loans could not be sustained or located to generate revenue for future use.

However, most of Nigeria ’s external debt was contracted in the 1980s. Oil export receipts

President, Executive MBA 15 of Lagos Business School, Mr. Bolaji Akinola (in red tie) ringing the Closing Bell on the trading floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Tuesday while Executive Director Market Operations & Technology of NSE, Mr. Ade Bajomo (third right) and some members of Lagos Business School Executive MBA 15 watch.

US$24.9 billion to US$11.9 billion) and then by half again in 1986 (to US$6.4 billion) on account of lower world prices and smaller export volumes.

The majority of Nigeria ’s external public debt was accumulated in the 1980 to 1986 when the debt stock increased five-fold from US$5 billion to US$25 billion. Over this period, the debt service-to-exports ratio increased from 6 percent to 72 percent, and the ratio of external debt to goods exports increased from 17 percent to 320 percent.

The final agreement in 1992 involved a debt-reduction operation in which the Nigerian authorities bought back US$3.4 billion commercial debt at a 60 percent discount (i.e. eliminating US$2.0 billion and paying off US$1.4 billion), exchanged an additional US$2.0 billion at par for collateralized par bonds maturing in 2020 (also known as Brady bonds), paid US$0.4 billion in arrears, and paid US$0.2 billion for principal collateral.

From 1992, Nigeria ’s external debt stock stabilised as debtservice payments were broadly equivalent to total interest due.

The authorities limited actual debt-service payments to a ratio of net oil revenues. As a result, arrears increased sharply in years when oil revenues declined, such as 1994-95. The authorities limited actual debt-service payments to a ratio of net oil revenues. As a result, arrears increased sharply in years when oil revenues declined, such as 1994-95. The administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which began in 1999 sought to normalise relations with creditors and that led to the payment of $12 billion to the Paris club creditors to secure a debt relief of $18 billion in 2005.

Two financial analysts spoke to Sunday Vanguard on the mounting debts.

Government must reduce its propensity to borrow- Mr. Silas Igwe, a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) operator in Lagos: Government should reduce its propensity to borrow and manage public funds prudently to ensure economic growth and development.

Excessive borrowing will hinder tangible economic prosperity because government will still spend so much money to service

the debt. Also it may slow down the influx of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). For instance, some foreign investors may be discouraged from putting their money in an economy characterised by a huge debt stock. Also, government should invest more in SMEs in order to create jobs for the citizens, especially youths. For instance, we have Bank of Industry (BOI) as well as the intervention fund from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yet we can not feel the impact. Realistically speaking, local manufacturers can not compete favourably with their foreign counterparts because of high cost of production, lack of infrastructure and other challenges in our economic environment.

Government should reduce its over head and restructure governance- The national coordinator, Centre for Societal Values and Development, also a Legal practitioner, Mr. Silas Udoh: Rising external debt is not good for a growing economy like Nigeria’s. President Goodluck Jonathan should reduce the overhead in government and restructure governance to ensure that available resources are adequately utilised to grow the economy. This implies that the three tiers of government must work in synergy to enhance outputs optimisation in the economy. Aside from curtailing excessive spending, the recent move by government to get $7.9billion foreign loan must be jettisoned.

Government should diversify the economy into other areas like agriculture, commerce and industry to boost internal revenue generation. This is the time for government to look inward in order to harness un-tapped resources in other sectors of the economy, instead of running a mono-cultural economy with so much emphasis in oil and gas.

There must be accountability and transparency in governance if we must move forward as a nation.

Seeking more foreign loans means government will spend so much money to service the loans until it is finally paid. Instead of seeking foreign loans, let government ensure prudent utilisation of our resources to embark on capital projects that will enhance economic develop now and in the long-run.

L-R, Mr. Khalil Akinboboye ( Ekiti State Technical Head), Mr. Hakeem Jamiu ( Senior Special Assistant on Research & Documentation), Mrs Olubunmi Adelugba ( Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue matters), standing in the middle; Mr. Dimeji Amao ( Divisional Director, Globacom West Division), Hon. Yemi Adaramodu ( Chief Of Staff, Ekiti State Government); On the left , Mr. Olatunji Omoworare ( Glo Business Director, Ekiti State )

PAGE 36 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

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Justice Katsina-Alu

Justice Musdapher

President Jonathan

NJC vs. Salami:

Nigerian justice system on trial zJonathan weighs options as the politics of reinstatement rages on

By IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

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S President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in danger of further creating more muddle than there already is within the Nigerian judicial system with his delay in the reinstatement of Justice Isa Ayo Salami as recommended by the National Judicial Council, NJC? Yes and No. Yes because some Nigerians are expecting him to, with the same speed of light with which he removed Salami from office, reinstate him as recommended.

However, the flipside of the coin is that would the reinstatement of Salami not create doubts in some circles whenever he presides over a case as possibly going to have sympathy for the opposition?

That, in fact, is what brings us to the matter of justice being supposedly blind, impartial and powerful. A symbol of an ancient Roman goddess named ‘Justitia’ represents these concepts in our legal system. The goddess bears a sword (power), wears a blindfold (impartiality) and holds scales that represent fairness and equality. Remarkably, this image has been used to represent justice for hundreds of years, even before Nigeria was amalgamated in 1914.

Nonetheless, the cyclone of controversies that permeated our legal system in recent times has raised a lot of questions pertaining to the level of fair-mindedness and non-partisanship of those manning the justice sector of the Nigerian nation.

The travails of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, vis-àvis the uncanny role that has been played by the National Judicial Council, NJC, in probing alleged judicial recklessness by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, has further served to fan the embers of distrust between the judiciary and the common man.

If the judiciary could treat one of its own that way, where then lies the hope of the pedestrian!

The NJC which is one of the Federal Executive Bodies created by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, had after an emergency rowdy session it held on August 18, 2011, axed Justice Salami, saying he should hand over to the most senior judicial officer at the appellate court.

What was his crime? The PCA, attempted to unveil one of the ugliest skeletons in the presumed sacred temples of the judiciary,

INSIDE We are poised to unbundle Abuja – FCT Ministry — Page 37

by publicly accusing a sitting CJN of judicial impropriety.

Specifically, the PCA had in an affidavit he deposed before a Federal High Court in Abuja, revealed how the erstwhile CJN, Katsina-Alu, pressurized him to enter judgment in favour of the governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto State.

Relationship between the duo who were classmates in the law school, soured after the PCA, blatantly refused entreaties by the ex-CJN that the panel of justice presiding over the case be disbanded as they were bent on nullifying the election of the PDP governor.

Though the Appeal Court had absolute jurisdiction over governorship appeal at that time, however, Katsina-Alu, wielded his powers and arrested the ready verdict of the Sokoto Division of the Appellate court, and subsequently entered judgment in favour of the PDP. However, thence commenced the tribulation of the PCA! To get back at the PCA for refusing to “play ball”, Katsina-Alu allegedly hatched plans to technically humiliate Salami by “pushing” him to the Supreme Court Bench, where in terms of judicial hierarchy, he would automatically become the least justice on the revered apex court Bench.

Upon getting wind of the uncanny plot to use him to fill the vacant slot of the South West geopolitical zone at the Bench, Salami, proceeded to court, describing his planned elevation as a “Greek Gift.”

Angered by the subterranean plot of Katsina-Alu, the PCA, via an affidavit he personally deposed to before a Federal High Court in Abuja, gave a bit-by-bit account of how the ex-CJN pressurized him to compromise standard in the Sokoto State election saga, saying it was the reason behind the conspiracy to “push” him to the apex court.

Meanwhile, to save the judiciary from imminent ridicule, NJC, urged Salami to withdraw the case, just as it constituted a panel to probe the feud between the warring parties.

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he said probe panel which was headed by a former PCA, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, found Salami guilty, even as a review committee headed by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, affirmed the decision, recommending that Salami should be asked to apologize to both the council and the ex-CJN. Meantime, Salami who was crossexamined by the probe panel, insisted that the present CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, was privy to the meeting where Katsina-Alu was begging him to alter the course of justice in Sokoto State, a claim Musdapher who was not a CJN then, refuted.

Following refusal of the PCA to recant his allegation, the NJC while announcing his suspension via a statement signed by its Director of Administration, Mr. E.I. Odukwu, maintained that: “having therefore established that the allegation/ complaint by the President, Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, GCON, regarding the Sokoto Gubernatorial Election Appeal was false, Council decided that it is misconduct contrary to Rule 1(1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Thus Council further decided as follows, that, (1) the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal should be warned for such unethical conduct which eroded the public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary.”

Among those who celebrated Salami’s suspension were former governors of Ekiti and Osun states, Chief Segun Oni and Prince Olagunsoya Onyilola, who were both sacked from office my separate appeal panels that were constituted by the PCA. That was where President Jonathan entered the fray. It was a sweet relief for the President, who was at that time, finding it difficult to convince the presidential election petition tribunal panel headed by Justice Salami, to dismiss a petition that was lodged against his election victory by

Challenges of the The duplication of efforts 2nd Niger Bridge, by by the Senate and House Hon. Ozomgbachi — Page 38

— Page 39

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Justice Salami

eanwhile, nine months after the NJC persuaded President Jonathan to appoint Justice Dalhatu Adamu as acting President of the Court of Appeal, it has suddenly realised its sins and has okayed that Salami be recalled from the judicial-Siberia where he was erroneously confined, especially whilst the major election petition cases lasted!

Though the Council has kept absolute mum regarding circumstances that precipitated the suspension of Salami, the decision that culminated in the reinstatement was reportedly brokered at a 2-day rowdy session the council held in Abuja last week.

It was said that despite vehement protestations by a faction of the council against Salami’s recall, after a voting session that saw those in favour of the decision securing marginal victory, the CJN, Justice Musdapher, okayed that President Jonathan should be formally notified. Despite controversy and kicks emanating from various political hemispheres in opposition to the reinstatement proposal, a cross section of Nigerians have hailed the NJC for the unparalleled courage it exhibited by admitting its error in judgement and seeking public recompense.

What is however in doubt is the willingness of the presidency to act on the recommendation bearing in mind that Salami was perceived as an obstinate justice whose sympathy often tilted towards the opposition parties. Well, the questions to ask are: Is that tilt towards the opposition justifiable, within the context of the barefaced electoral brigandage almost always associated with the PDP? The judicial victories of the opposition against the PDP, can they stand the test of time in law? Has Justice Salami been perverting the cause and course of justice in giving victory to the opposition?

Moreover, the pessimism of those afraid that Jonathan may rather prefer retiring

The judicial victories of the opposition against the PDP, can they stand the test of time in law?

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the suspended PCA than recalling him was further accentuated by confusion that has trailed the transmission and receipt of the NJC recall letter by the Presidency.

Whereas it reportedly took over five days for the letter which was even at a time, feared missing, to get to the presidency, no action has been taken on it.

This is really weird, considering that it took just about 24-hours after the NJC recommended the suspension of the PCA, for Jonathan to okay the decision by approving the appointment of an acting PCA.Though it may be argued that recalling Salami may tantamount to prejudice owing to some pending cases in court, however, it is also instructive to note that both the suspension and replacement of the PCA took place at a time when High Court was already seized of the facts of the case.

It is an elementary legal maxim that he who goes to equity must do so with clean hands! As it is said in law, “Justicia Cunctator est Justicia Denego” meaning “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

A deadline, a vice chancellor and the fate of 500 students

— Page 40 C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 37

BANK OLE / NAF AD A A CQUITT AL BANKOLE NAFAD ADA ACQUITT CQUITTAL

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU Unbundling of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is underway, according to the FCT Authorities. In this interview, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister, Hajia Jemilat Tangaza, speaks on efforts on the part of the FCT ministry to make the federal capital a better place for all.

Excerpts: YOU came with an idea to unbundle the FCT. How far have you gone? didn't come with the idea of unbun dling the FCT. The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala AbdulKadir Mohammed, actually gave birth to that concept and I think, primarily, after having sat with him and discussed with him on the focus, and the thrust of his administration especially, how he wants to go about transforming the Federal Capital Territory, it was then that I grasped in totality all the details of his ideas of unbundling the FCT. I think that, in my few days after joining the FCT, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Andrew Lloyd, visited the Minister on the 9th of September 2011 and l am very happy to quote him; he said, " Abuja is my most favourite city after London".

I was quite struck by that remark, having lived in England for more than 20 years and here was a Briton and a British Ambassador to Nigeria making such a very powerful statement. I appreciated because it meant that something good is actually happening in Nigeria and, something certainly positive is happening in the FCT and that actually got me excited and, continued to explore more ways on how l could communicate the Honourable Minister's vision of wanting to unbundle the FCT. After the initial conversation with him, l came to the conclusion that the Minister wanted to unleash a city where people would want to live, to travel and a city where people will long to be. So, the Minister carried out a survey and discovered that there has to be some certain features to make the FCT a world class city. These include power, modern shopping plazas, restaurants and, most of all, beauty at night and capturing the needs of the people such as affordable and extensive public transportation system, housing among other infrastructure with no single dominant community and that is exactly what we have in Nigeria's capital city today. In fact, the Minister's vision lays emphasis on the provision of sustainable infrastructure for development and the acceleration of development in the country's capital city is what is actually driving the head-on confrontation with the existing challenges.

But there is a break in communication between the FCT administration and the residents because they don't believe that Senator Bala Mohammed is working at all?

This is the first time I am hearing this assertion that Abuja people think that the FCT Minister is not doing anything. Quite frankly, l don't know where you got that remark from, but, on the contrary, l have documented evidence in which people have been writing to thank the Minister in hard copy or the traditional media, through letters, through emails and text messages on facebook, on twitter and across all the numerous platforms.

We are poised to unbundle Abuja – FCT Ministry

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is the only city that was drawn in terms of engineering, technicality, creation of infrastructure and superstructure to the point that it would become provoked by other developed cities of the world. Abuja indeed has a master plan which was produced at the conception of the city but, unfortunately, if you are to go back to history, you will find that there had been

ou strive to meet up with the pace of the Y influx?

Hajia Jemilat Tangaza

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buja was conceived as a purposeful built city and, by that, we mean, for A the first time in the history of Nigeria, this

Abuja is a carefully planned city. Although all the past administrations and the present one are not saying people should not come to FCT, what they are saying is, when you come, you must think in the direction and provisions of a city that has to be built based on highly structured and organised mechanisms. And that is the difficulty we are facing.

We are doing things in a respectable, dignified and human rights approach matter in line with the globally acceptable practice

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instances during which attention had not been on the implementation of the master plan. You will appreciate the fact that, in the last couple of years, there have been concerted efforts, efforts not just in words b ut in action, to ensure that the sanctity of the Abuja master plan is restored and, if you have been following the utterances as well as the actions of Senator Bala Mohammed, you can tell if you are fair and objective. The FCT Minister would always be seen to act in accordance with the master plan.

With the influx of people from the states to Abuja, what is the FCT doing to ensure that Abuja remains what it is?

When Abuja was conceived, it was thought that maybe about 2 to 2.5million people would be living in this city, but, now, the number is said to have exceeded 3.5million while some are even saying it is as high as 4.5million and, if we look at the existing infrastructure, what that means is that the influx of people is actually causing a great strain on the infrastructure: the roads, hospitals, schools, water facilities, simply because people are escaping from the difficulties and the challenges in their villages, in their states and they come to where they see as the Mega of Nigeria, they see Abuja as the land of opportunity, but what they fail to understand is,

When you are confronted with very little funds?

There has never been sufficient funds.

I will not agree with you on that because if you are to compare the amount that was provided then to the influx of people, it is much less; we are talking about 33 to 50% increase in the influx of people in 2011 and 2012 whereas you have slashed the budget. So, what we are saying is that we have to be creative and one of the ways we can be creative is when we begin to talk about things that Nigerians don't want to talk about; taxation. How will people react to tax? I am sure you have been following the statement by the Senate President, Senator David Mark, in which he said that, whether or not we like it, we have to face the realities of modern city and we have to learn to actually adopt some measures that will not go down well with the people but the choices are very difficult, but we have to do them if indeed we are to run Abuja based on the original master plan.

If appropriate taxation succeeds in Lagos, why not in Abuja?

There is a huge relationship between the FCT, Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

However, every city has its peculiarities and has got its own cultural context.

Lagos is not confronted with the issue of resettlement whereas Abuja is.

We are doing things in a respectable, dignified and human rights approach matter in line with the globally acceptable practice.

But the influx is beneficial to the FCT. If people are coming here to be productive, why not? But there are rules and people should abide by the rules. Look at China where their population has become a strength. Nigeria and the FCT population have the capacity and the potential to be turned into productivity and positiveness.

What we are saying is that you have to play by the rules. Abuja plays three significant roles. One, it is the capital of the country and, as a result of that, it is the eye, the heart and the window of Nigeria. Two; Abuja is the political hub, so it plays a very significant role in the nation's history and Nigeria's existence as a political geo-entity. eople coming into Abuja are forced to sleep on the street because of P high cost of rentage?

The Minister has made it clear that it is not acceptable for landlords to impose astronomical rent on residents much more to ask them to provide two years rent.

The Minister has told us that one way to break the landlords jinx is by putting a lot of efforts in the provision of affordable houses and that is what we are trying to

do.

He has challenged his team to come up with different models for affordable homes not necessarily in the FCT but in the satellite towns where people can live decent lives without having to pay through their noses.

Will these houses get to the residents?

The cost of housing in the FCT has reached a level that is not found anywhere in the world. Abuja is terribly expensive. I am coming from London where I lived 20 years of my life and l can tell you that l know how much people pay to rent a flat, a studio flat or one-bedroom apartment even in the heart of London. Unfortunately, the cost of living in Abuja, particularly with respect to housing, has become something else, but that is not to say that we should not continue to explore ways of making housing affordable.

How is FCT administration tackling the problem?

FCT Minister is confronting the housing problem head-on. If you been following our story, you will know that we have been doing a lot especially in the area of the land swap initiative in which we are opening up districts in order to decongest the city. And to do that, we have to open up new districts. We did the ground breaking ceremony of five new districts in February and March and, in a couple of months from now, there is going to be

Sen Bala AbdulKadir Mohammed the ground breaking ceremony of eight additional districts which the Minister has tagged Transformation Phase 4 Development Project where we will have a minimum of eight districts within the life span of this administration, that is 2015. We will be inviting the private sector because we don’t have the money to do it ourselves. It was for that reason that Senator Bala Mohammed has invited the private sector to join him in a special contract agreement of the land swap initiative.

The private sector will be given the responsibility of providing all the engineering infrastructure which used to be done by the FCTA. However, FCDA is charge with the responsibility of overseeing and ensuring that the infrastructure provided are up to standards and the agency also plays supervisory role. More so, the land swap is going to create massive jobs for both skilled and unskilled people in the FCT.

C M Y K

PAGE 38 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

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or the Special Committee of the House of Representatives on the review of the 1999 constitution, the retreat for its members on the 24th of May, 2012, would mark a big leap in the quest of the National Assembly to again attempt to amend the 1999 constitution.

Though the 1999 constitution which came into being in 1999 had been amended once - after a similar attempt to amend it was botched as a result of the introduction of the controversial tenure elongation provision – that attempt too, was not without controversy.

Prior to the commencement of the process that led to the eventual amendment of the 1999 constitution in 2006, the committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives were locked in a supremacy battle that almost scuttled the exercise. The issue in contention then was who between the Deputy President of the Senate and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives would chair the joint committee of the two chambers when they converged on Minna, the Niger State capital. It took the parting of ways of the two committees for any meaningful progress to be achieved.

Perhaps learning from that experience, the two committees of the national assembly are working independent of each other with the hope that at the end of their exercise, the views collated from Nigerians would be harmonized to pro-

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he Senate during the week was not friendly with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, over the quality of telecommunication service provided by Global System of Mobile Telecommunications, GSM operators in the country.

While expressing its displeasure, the upper Legislative Chamber ordered the NCC to ensure that the GSM operators pay the N1.17 billion fines for four major operators that have failed to meet Key Performance Indicators on quality of service set by the Commission.

The tall order was given by the Senator Gilbert Nnaji led Senate Committee on Communication during the 2012 budget defence by the NCC. According to Senator Nnaji, PDP, Enugu East, the perennial worsening quality of GSM services in the country portrayed both the NCC and the operators as having lost control, adding that when these companies pay these fines, it would serve as a deterrent to others, just as he stressed that Nigerians deserve the best and what is provided must be commensurate with the money they pay and that the Committee was not prepared to see Nigerians suffer in the hands of GSM operators in the country.

“There is no doubt today that in spite of the various issues going on in our nation’s telecoms sector, the issues of worsening quality of service, for instance, has become so endemic that one begins to have the impression that both the regulator and the operators have lost control,” Nnaji said.

The breakdown of the fines as owed by the companies shows that MTN Communications limited is to pay (N360 million), Etisalat (N360 million), Airtel Networks Limited (N270

BY BEN AGANDE

THE FOOLS’ ERRAND CALLED CONSTITUTION REVIEW

The duplication of efforts by the Senate and House duce what would hopefully be a reflection of what the Nigerian people want their constitution to be.

Despite the commitment given by the chairman of the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, that every effort would be made to accommodate the feelings of Nigerians, the list of items based on the memoranda received so far for review has engendered fears in certain quarters that the exercise might not achieve its intended goals.

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or instance, about 10 private mem ber bills have been referred to the Committee by the House of Represen-

tatives to be included among the items that would be considered for review during the amendment exercise. These include a bill by the Minority Leader of the House, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, which seeks to provide for a definite date for the President to present an Appropriation Bill for the next financial year; another bill by Hon. Uche Ekwunife to alter the provisions of sections 7 & 162 of the Constitution to provide for independence and financial autonomy of local government councils and yet another by the Deputy Leader of the House, Hon. Hon. Leo Ogor, to alter the provisions of sections 89 and 129 of the constitution to direct the At-

BY HENRY UMORU

SHOCKING ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT LOGIC

NCC: N2.2b for monitoring; N1.17b fine to be paid *Will GSM Operators pay the N1.17 billion fines? million) and Globacom limited (N180 million).

At the session, the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Eugene Juwah, who came to defend a budget of N48 billion for this year with a projected N41.6 billion for the year told the Senate Committee that some of the operators have responded with written requests for a meeting with NCC. Juwah, who noted that the NCC was very mindful of its duties as far as quality of service was concerned, stressed that the regulators must act within the law, adding, “So, the law permits the regulator to make regulations that pertains to quality of service issues and I am happy to announce that we have been able to successfully gazette this regulation in January this year.

“Following the gazette, I am happy to announce that we have clamped down on major operators with serious

penalties and actions.”

According to him, the late gazetting of the NCC regulations made it impossible for sanctions to be applied in the past for poor quality of services.

The irony of using N2.2 billion to monitor operators to raise N1.17 billion fines hile with the Senators, Juwah told the lawmakers that a whopping sum of N2.2 billion would be used by the Commission to monitor the quality of services provided by telecommunication companies in Nigeria.

What an irony, using N2.2 billion to monitor operators who have already been told to pay a fine of N1.17 billion.

The Senator Nnaji committee members roared and the NCC management left. Then the question, which include but are not limited to the following: Will the companies pay? If they don’t,

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torney General of the Federation to prosecute any person or authority found wanting by the Senate or House of Representatives and for matters connected to it .

Other bills include a bill by Hon. Jagaba Adams Jagaba to remove the word ‘Force’ from the name of the Nigeria Police Force to bring it in tune with the current democratic dispensation in the country; a bill by Hon. Patrick Ikhariale to amend the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, Cap. E7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and other matters connected therewith, the purpose of which is to open up the electricity sector by enabling a state government that desires to participate in the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and bulk supply and resale of electricity either directly or otherwise; and a bill by Hon. Suleiman Kawu to alter relevant provisions of the constitution to make for financial autonomy for state legislatures and yet another bill that seek to grant Financial autonomy.

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eyond these provisions that have been lined up for amendment, there are also other issues that have continued to agitate the minds of Nigerians. For instance, the issue of the clause which grants immunity from prosecution for the President, the Vice President; the Governor and the Deputy Governor is one that has generated

will the NCC summon courage to take the next action to compel them to? Will the Senate do a follow up and tell Nigerians with evidences that the erring operators have paid the fines?

Juwah has said that the operators have written for a meeting on when they will pay. It is hoped that the meeting will hold and the results would be made public. He also said that late gazetting of the NCC regulations made it impossible to clampdown on the operators; now that it has been gazetted, why the delay?

The Chairman of the Committee promised that there will be a public hearing as well to embark on oversight visit to the facilities of the NCC and those of the GSM operators. This is very important and expedient because the Senate cannot sit at the chambers and expect to understand the issues and problems confronting the companies. But if there must be oversight, it must be genuine and thorough; the senate must be firm; it should not be a courtesy visit, but facts finding and which must be in the interest of Nigerians.

How far can Senate go on the probe of casual teachers in government schools? ollowing a motion by Senator Andy Uba, PDP Anambra South Senatorial District, on “the plight of casual teachers in the education sector’, the Senate resolved to investigate the engagement of casual teachers in Federal Government Colleges.

Senator Uba had in the motion alleged that hundreds of qualified Nigerians are working as casual teachers in most Federal Government Colleges. He also told the Senate that most of them have been teaching for over 10 years.

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 39

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PALAVER

Challenges of the Second Niger Bridge,

by Hon. Ozomgbachi *Says Public Hearing on road projects coming In this interview, the chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Works, Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, speaks on the imperatives of constructing the Second Niger Bridge not only to ease transportation in the South East but also as a strategic national asset. He also speaks on why some Federal Government roads are abandoned. Excerpts: What is the position of the construction of the Second Niger Bridge?

The Niger Bridge is one strategic national old infrastructure that calls for immediate implementation, because of the age in status of the existing Niger Bridge. This Niger Bridge requires immediate relief, because it is old. It cannot carry the weight of traffic that is presently plying through that road, that is why the idea of a 2nd Niger Bridge is being conceived to ease traffic in and out of Onitsha. So it is a strategic road infrastructure that the Federal Government is embarking on.

There was a celebrated flag off(commencement ceremony) of this construction sometime ago, during the last administration, but that celebration was short-lived, because no actual work commenced at that Bridge but today we are taking sure-footed steps towards take-off of that project.

In this year alone, we have N7billion allocated to that project for counterpart funding, because too many models are being formulated on whether it is going to be the Public-Private-Partnership arrangement or it’s going to be through Niger Bridge.

We could adopt PPP for the 2nd Niger normal budgetary consideration.

Bridge, but some people are saying All these are on the table for consideration, but our attitude towards it is that if we have a determined investor that we are going to use an implemen- who will have the capacity in terms of tation model that will achieve comple- the funding and engineering know tion of that bridge within the life span how, then we will be able to do the of this administration, which will be 3 bridge and manage it and be able to to 4 years. In the 2012 Appropriation recoup our investments if we show Act, it is expected that it will cost about seriousness and determination that it N90billion or there about. There is no should be executed. For us, every opdesign of the bridge yet, but efforts are tion is on the table, but we have to be being made towards getting it de- sure that we are going to choose the signed, but it depends on the model, option that will work. But as of now I because we still need to get a contrac- don’t think any option has been setor that will provide a very beautiful lected at the time we had an interacand viable design. With the arrange- tive session with the president. ment on table, it is expected that we What is the fundamental problem of will be able to take-off this year that is the reason why a provision has been this project?

Inefficiency and the politics of project made in the budget. implementation in Nigeria is the probBut what model do you think is best, if you were to factor in what govern- lem of the 2nd Niger Bridge. The probment can muster and the durability lem we have with road sector project implementation in Nigeria is lack of required? funding, inappropriate quality control Well, it is not a matter of preference this time it is a matter of which one in terms of supervision and also, contractor-capacity. I mean, in a situation will be able to deliver the project.

Some people are advocating that we where contracts are given to certain endo it through annual budgetary provi- gineering firms that do not have casion; that is the normal procurement pacity, then, they usually fail to deprocess. But some people are saying liver.

Sometimes it is because of lack of that there could be some funding gaps in subsequent budgets that could funding. Some of these contractors make it difficult to achieve or be deliv- have generated certificates that have ered on, which has an estimated time not been paid; so when you see these frame for the completion. But now, certificates piling up, no contractor well, it depends on what works in dif- would want to return to work, unless ferent jurisdictions. There are some those certificates are paid.

And sometimes you have provisions jurisdictions, where PPP is perfectly in the budget, but that would just be working, but in Nigeria PPP has not been encouraging to inspire one’s con- enough to pay the previous certificates, fidence to say that we should use PPP which may encourage those contracmodel for the construction of the 2nd tors to move back into the sites, but they will also be minded by the fact

,

The Niger Bridge is one strategic national old infrastructure that calls for immediate implementation, because of the age in status of the existing Niger Bridge

,

Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi

that they have to be encouraged or given assurances that the next certificate they are going to generate will be paid. So it is a vicious circle.

Therefore, even if you make provisions in the budget, you will have to pay the outstanding certificates or they will not have the encouragement or the motivation or incentive to go back to the job. And then, like I said, there are engineers or contractors that do not have the capacity to deliver on these projects; so it is mixed grill. It’s a mixed grill sort of, so that is the reason why the House Committee on Works is trying to organize a public hearing on a near total collapse of road infrastructure in Nigeria. We want to go through the gamut of issues involved in road construction in this country, to know what the issues are, what the problems are and address the ones that arise from funding or funding gaps and we will also ensure that alternative funding models that will not depend purely on this annual budget provisions, are explored.

We also have natural issues that if you try to juxtapose it with our financial year, you will find out that, because of the fiscal season we have in the country, budgets are presented late, and these budgets are processed by the National Assembly and passed and the procurement process takes a minimum of three months before these jobs are awarded, which is almost sometime around September. By the time you get to September, and the contractor is mobilized to site, it is already the end of the financial year, where funds are now returned back to treasury; and it is a vicious circle. It repeats itself the following year, so we want to have a situation where at the Public Hearing we now come out with recommendations, where we have to take the road sector out of normal fiscal budgets or financial years as it is presently.

What about the dry window in some parts of the country?

Yes! Because even when you have the money, but you do not have a reasonable dry window to bank on for construction, time will be wasting and that money will not be utilized. Budgets

should be presented very early, so that the National Assembly could start processing the Budget; that way, we can be able to finish processing the budget before December and be able to work on these projects during two dry seasons: that is from January to March, before the rains start and also September, October November.

The situation where these things are not done and the contractors have a choice of say only October, November and December to do the job, then it’s just three months to do the job. So efforts must be made through the extension of budget implementation to address it; mind you these are just temporary measures, but we need to have a sustainable major process of getting things done.

Before the 6th Assembly lapsed, I remember there was a bill that sought to ensure that road contractors would have to maintain roads for 5 years after they are built, before handing them over, the report of the Bill did not however see the light of day on the floor. Do you have plans to bring it up again?

Well, any bill that seeks to achieve that is also okay, but we do not even need bills to achieve that. How we can achieve such a purpose, is to ensure that in contract agreements and bill of quantities, you provide money for the maintenance of these roads, because contractors cannot do the maintenance free of charge.

It is just like a contingency fund.

When you have such projects, contingencies arise so you don’t just have life contingency provisions for the maintenance of those roads for a period of time. Say, 36months or 5 years after construction or the expiration of liability test bill, which is normally 6 months.

We need to have provision of funds with which they are going to maintain those roads for a period of time or you allow them to, during the bidding process, build in the cost of maintaining those roads in the bill of quantities and the contract agreement. So we can achieve it without a law, but if we feel that because of the situation in Nigeria, we need a law to achieve that then fine.

PAGE 40 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

UNI-ABUJA’S TRYING TIMES

A deadline, a vice chancellor and the fate of 500 students *How Uni-Abuja’s leadership is trying to resolve its problem

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The Vice Chancellor, Professor James Adelabu

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HESE are not the best of times for 500 students of the University of Abuja, whose courses have been suspended on account of an order from the Federal Ministry of Education. The Ministry based its decision on the report of a Visitation Panel, coupled with protests from students who had not been graduated for eight years.

To be sure, the Vice Chancellor, Professor James Adelabu, is not at the root of the students problems, but he is the one sweating under the collar for a problem that began nearly a decade ago, but which was compounded by a previous administration that railroaded the Governing Council to approve the establishment of Faculties that were not on sound footing from day one.

In anger students of the institution stormed the Ministry of Education, but that has not stopped government which has reeled out some orders, which include a marching order for the leadership of the University to deliver on a six month deadline to put things in order to get the desired accreditation from the National Universities Commission and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

That is not all. The Veterinary Council of Nigeria (for Veterinary Medicine) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (for Engineering) must also endorse the courses in the Faculties of Medicine, Veterinar y Medicine, and E n g i n e e r i n g Going by minutes of a meeting held in 2005 under the previous administration, it is obvious that due diligence was not done before the faculties came on stream.

Moreover, the position of the ASUU Uni-Abuja, integrity Group contained in the resolution of its emergency meeting held on 13th April 2012, also point to the division among teachers who are torn between a former Vice chancellor and Adelabu.

“As far as the current situation is concerned, everything is on track to set the University on the road to attaining full accreditation for all its academic programmes, at the moment, the NUC is working with the University according to the Honourable Minister of Education’s directive on how to resolve the problems.

The Vice Chancellor has also

As far as the current situation is concerned, everything is on track to set the University on the road to attaining full accreditation for all its academic programmes

taken immediate steps to address all the issues at stake. The Senate has also commended the efforts of the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. James Adelabu and passed unequivocal and unalloyed vote of confidence on the Vice Chancellor and Chairman of University Governing Council.”

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xcerpts of minutes of the 46th meeting of the Governing Council of the University of Abuja, held on Thursday, 20th to Saturday, 22nd October 2005, and circulated by university teachers backing Adelabu who came in July 2009, showed many Council members were not comfortable with plans to introduce the faculties.

One of such was a member given the task of leading a team to do an appraisal of Council’s decision on the commencement of the affected faculties, presented his report for deliberation.

He observed that while Council had previously at a meeting held on 3rd and 4th June 2005, approved the takeoff of four new Faculties of Agriculture, Veterinary

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Medicine, Medicine and Engineering, there was cause for concern. “Although it was a collective decision, few pertinent questions were asked before the approvals,” the minutes read.

It continued, “The persistence of these worries informed the enquiries on the level of readiness for the p r o g r a m m e s .

“In terms of graduating students, the Faculty of Science occupied the fifth position (for two graduating years). When compared to other faculties the Faculty of Science could be adjudged weak.”

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he University was unable to attract research grants from the NUC and other funders because teaching and research efforts in the sciences were low.

The members noted that approvals were given for the take off of the programmes “at a time the external members of Council had little or no knowledge of whether the approvals could stand the test of time without necessarily over-stretching the facilities of the University. ” I t a l s o

pointed out that the science courses: Biology Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics were to be co-ordinated by the Faculties of Science in the two semesters at 100 levels.

Pertinent questions were also raised, according to the Minutes: “1. Did the Faculty of Science of Science have the manpower (teaching, research and administrative) to coordinate these courses for the science-based faculties? ”2. cognisant of the fact that the Faculty of Science building had not been built, where would these students be accommodated for teaching and learning? ”3. Were there enough facilities for the teaching, learning and research process that would meet up with the NUC’s standards for accreditation of these faculties in the shortest possible time?”

A member at the Council meeting suggested a way forward: “In view of the foregoing, the member suggested a review of the earlier approval so that two of the faculties should take-off at a time, in order not to overstretch faculties.

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n his response to the presentation, it was noted in the minutes that: “The (then) Vice- Chancellor acknowledged that though the submission was based on assumptions, it was a commendable effort to have shown such a serious concern and interest. He informed Council that admissions into the new programmes had been concluded with only twenty (20) intakes for each of the faculties.”

Members of Council and Management were enjoined to critically re-assess the situation so that the collective decision would stand the test of time. “…Council might not have been properly briefed before it approved the takeoff of the four new faculties from the 2005/2006 academic session.“The member further stated that if 50 students were admitted at 100 level for each of the four faculties, they would add up to 200 students.

This would be in addition to intakes for the existing science departments of Chemistr y, Physics, Mathematics, Biology Statistics and Computer Science.

Should these departments also admit 50 students each at the 100 level, the total number of intakes for all the core science departments

would be 500 students put together. These students would be expected to undertake some core courses together at 100 level, i.e a) Biology 101 and 102 b) Chemistry 101 and 102 c) Mathematics 101 and 102 d) Physics 101 and 102 All these courses were to be co-ordinated by the Faculty of Science in the two semesters at 100 level. The following pertinent questions became inevitable: ”1. Did the Faculty of Science have the manpower (teaching, research and administrative to co-ordinate these courses for the sciencebased faculties? ”2. Cognisant to the fact that the Faculty of Science building had not been built, where would these students be accommodated for teaching and learning?

“3 Were there enough facilities for the teaching, learning and research process that would meet up with the National Universities Commission’s standards for the accreditation of these faculties in the shortest possible time?

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he current ViceChancellor, Prof. James Adelabu, before assuming office on July 1st 2009, was a member of Council. He is reputed to be making spirited efforts to redeem the pertinent courses.

But there had been problems just waiting to explode before 2009. As at July up to December that year, the monthly personnel emolument of the University was N162m out of which N109m was subvention for the Federal Government, while the University was augmenting the monthly salary from the internally generated revenue to the tune of N60m.

New salary structure was introduced for various Unions within the University in 2009 by the FG. “The new salary by implication imposed yet another financial burden on the University as the University augmentation now Jumped to an average of N100m monthly (pls. note that the University was paying extra N100m from IGR to supplement Government subvention).“This state of affairs i.e. augmentation of salary from IGR persisted until April, 2011 when the University subvention was increased to N232million thereby reducing augmentation averagely to N35m per month,” a report said. University spent over N600 million in 2010 to augment payment of salary alone. If this amount had been available within the system, it would have been channeled into infrastructural development but salary had to be paid.

On Infrastructural development, Some of the inherited projects as at 2009 had been completed while some are nearing completion.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 41

BY SAMUEL OYANDOGHA

achieved to describe the government as desirous of launching the state on the fast lane of development as well as strengthen the confidence of the people that something great is on the horizon.

Though some of the bold progressive decisions and pronouncements of the administration have caused pain to the civil servants

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,

HEN Governor Seriake Dickson was sworn into office on February 14, 2012, he vowed to wage war against corruption and other social vices especially cultism in line with his restoration agenda for Bayelsa State.

Dickson, whose election was seen as a coronation by his opponents due to the alleged influence of President Goodluck Jonathan which ensured his smooth ride to the ‘Creek Haven’, has surprised those who believed he was an imposition and does not have the quality to pull the state out of the woods.

His zero tolerance campaign on corruption and decision to entrench due process in the use of public has not only earned him the sobriquet, Super Glue, but also popular confidence. The state workforce and civil society organisations have been impressed by his cautious and purposeful approach to governance.

The Secretary of Civil Liberties Organisation in Bayelsa State, Comrade Alagoa Morris, one of the most outspoken and respected human rights/environmental activist in the state, has lauded Dickson for making public the state monthly income and expenditure and his dogged crusade against graft which has stifled development of the state for years.

But the critics of the administration point out that four months in office, Yenagoa, the state capital, is yet to galvanize into a huge construction yard as promised.

They argue that the governor’s much vaunted war against sleaze was a smokescreen to curry popular support, saying nothing meaningful would come out of it. Corruption, this school of thought insisted, is still rife in the system, citing the cases of the springing up of several choice structures being erected by accountants and treasury staff while other cadre of staff in the service are barely struggling to make ends meet in the state which ranks among the most expensive in the country in terms of cost of living.

Though about twenty-nine treasury staff, including 13 from the State Universal Basic Education Commission, have been arrested and arraigned in court over their alleged role in the state bloated wage bill, some people are still in doubt about the seriousness of the

predominantly riverine state, especially members of the civil society organisations, have praised what they termed the most pragmatic innovations in governance culture of the state which is pursuant to the promises made by the governor during his electioneering campaign to initiate the Bayelsa State Income and Expenditure Transparency Bill along with

Critics of the administration point out that four months in office, Yenagoa, the state capital, is yet to galvanize into a huge construction yard as promised.

•Governor Dickson

Clearing the Bayelsa rot government to stamp out graft.

According to them, government should not only ensure the prosecution of indicted officers but also see to the forfeiture of their illgotten wealth to serve as

deterrent.

Notwithstanding the position of these critics, the event of the last four months have shown that the governor has not only matched his promise with action but a lot has also been

such as the delay in the payment of salaries, but they have been patient with the administration reform which they believe would help the state to develop.

Before the staff auditing came into being, the state civil servants are known for receiving their salaries between 20th and 25th of every month.

However there has been delay in salary payment lately with some now receiving two weeks after.

Interestingly, the staff auditing exercise has exposed the sharp practices in the state treasury department some of which staff are currently on the run.

Good governance and a c c o u n t a b i l i t y Observers of events in the

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the Bayelsa State Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Bill.

Speaking shortly after signing the Bayelsa State Income and Expenditure Transparency Bill 2012, along with the Bayelsa State Fiscal Responsibility (Amendment) Bill 2012, Dickson had said it was intended to entrench transparency and accountability in the business of governance and also place at the doorstep of the people, the right to inquire about any aspect of the government of the day.

The governor further directed that with the passage of the Transparency Bill into law, the eight council chairmen in the state should, like the executive arm of Continues on page 42

Bamangar Tukur in the eyes of his people

BY HENRY UMORU

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HE serene village of Mayo Kalaye in Jada local government area of Adamawa State came to life when the rural dwellers honoured their son.

Saturday, 12 May, 2012 may have come and gone, but the memories of the day cannot be forgotten in a jiffy at least by these people whose everyday existence is tied to the apron string of the village against the backdrop that they may not have seen such crowd that came as visitors to Mayo Kalaye.

It was the day a reception was held in honour of the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, by the

• Tukur North East geo-political zone of the party in his country home, Mayo Kalaye.

The people of the North East, in spite of rain, came out to

celebrate their son, a former governor of the Old Gongola State, now Adamawa and Taraba states.

Travelling from Yola, the

Adamawa State capital, to the home town of the PDP boss, was not easy because of the deplorable condition of the road.

The road also leads to Mayo Belwa where Governor Murtala Nyako hails from, as well as Jada and Genye, the local government headquarters and country home of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Though the occasion was organised by the PDP North East Zone, it later became a ceremony that had people all from walks of life in attendance.

When it was time for speech making, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who stood in for President Goodluck Continues on page 43

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

Iroko and the aggressors

BY REMI MARTINS

A

N atmosphere of war has been created in Ondo State. Bullets and missiles are flying everywhere. The aggressors, numbering 30, are firing voraciously but the bullets and missiles fail to hit the targets. The commander of the aggressors, domiciled outside the state, is furious.

This time, he not only orders more ammunition into the state, he also decides that all instruments of war will be deployed. Propaganda, half truths and outright falsehood are quickly deployed.

Yet, these do not seem to be turning the battle in the aggressors favour. The Iroko, his army and the people to whom the weapons are deployed deflect them effortlessly. To the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),the main opposition party in Ondo State, the October gubernatorial election in the state is war. Its army is currently made up of about 30 aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket and firing in all directions.

They do not only have the heavy weaponry supplied from outside the state by their commander, they also have propaganda. As it is in war, the truth in the Ondo forthcoming poll is the first casualty. Half truths and outright falsehoods are major instruments of war in this case. Sadly for the A.C.N, the weapons are missing the targets: Governor Olusegun Mimiko and his administration.

Why? The people know the truth about the situation in Ondo State spanning the last three years. Only recently, the picture is painted of an ‘encircled Iroko’ presumably by the 30-man ACN army, and commanded from outside Ondo State.

Now the ‘encircling’ has sparked off questions. What is the motive for the ‘encircling?’

Is it ulterior or for the common good of the people of the state?

Two responses are emerging to these questions. One of the motives for the ‘encircling’ is apparently ulterior. According to reports, the A.C.N’s bid to ‘capture’ Ondo is all part of an expansionist agenda of the party and not because of lack C M Y K

of performance on the part of Mimiko as governor. The other angle to this, reports further said, is Iroko’s decision not to dump the Labour Party which provided him the platform to realise his gubernatorial ambition after he had reclaimed his mandate from the PDP in 2009. It had been insinuated that although Mimiko contested the election on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), one ACNleader “helped” him to reclaim his mandate and therefore the ACN leader was deserving a ‘thank-you’ package. But this ‘thank-you’ package never came nor did Mimiko deem it fit to jump into the ACN .

The governor’s aides say the ACNleader is undeserving of any ‘thank-you’ package from Mimiko on account of the

•Governor Mimiko reclaiming of his mandate. But for the past three years, the ACN propaganda has been at work, trying to paint Mimiko black on account of the ‘thank you’ package. The motive is to present Iroko as an ingrate who refused to return a favour from a supposed benefactor. Now, the half truths and absolute falsehoods.

The ACN group of 30 are deploying their arsenal hereostensibly to impress their commander. One of the

gubernatorial aspirants was recently quoted in a newspaper interview as saying he did not say that “the Labour Party government has not done anything (in Ondo)”. In this clime where the opposition doesn’t always give credit to the ruling party, one finds it gratifying that this member of the opposition in Ondo State is acknowledging that the Mimiko government is doing something to uplift the people.

And for the aspirant to

acknowledge some quantum of performance by the Labour Party government goes a long way to show the achievements of the administration on ground is like light that cannot be hidden. But the aspirant’s next postulation presents an irony.

He says the Mimiko achievements do not merit the awards they have attracted. He adds: “The truth is that all of Continues on page 43

Clearing the Bayelsa rot Continued from page 41

government, render account of their stewardship, including the state of finance of their local government areas, to the people.

Dickson, who also noted that the “Local Government Amendment Law 2012” was to streamline the administration of the local government system, said no political appointee is expected to be a signatory to any council account.

He said, “This government, unlike any other before it, has taken tough measures to strengthen its fight against all forms of graft in the system.

The anti corruption stance of this administration is beginning to yield fruits.”

Bloated wage bill The Bayelsa wage bill, which hovered between N6.5bn and N5.4bn, had been a source of concern to successive administrations.

The Timipre Sylva administration embarked on biometric data capturing of civil servants in the state with a view to ascertaining the actual workforce but backed out without concluding the exercise due to alleged pressure from the cabal

involved in the scam.

The move by the Dickson administration, so far, has led to a reduction of the wage bill to N3.7bn. Even then, the verification process to ascertain and weed out ghost workers from the civil service is on going and it is believed that, at the end of the exercise, the wage bill will be further scaled down to make available funds for capital projects.

Institutionalizing a s a v i n g c u l t u r e The Dickson administration has also taken the bold initiative to institutionalize the culture of savings in government with the opening of two separate strategic bank accounts. The first is the Bayelsa State Strategic Development Project Account which government says has a balance of N23bn in less than three months.

The second account is the Bayelsa State Strategic Reserve and Savings Account.

This account according to the state governor is an interest yielding account dedicated to providing savings for the raining day, a form of stabilization for the state’s economy in the event of any unforeseen shock. The account

reportedly has a balance of N2bn.

Reforming the public service To ensure focused and handson administration for effective policy formulation and implementation, the government set about the task to reorganize the governance structure in the state with the creation and reorganization of ministries and parastatals to deliver on the restoration agenda.

First, the state government declared an emergency in the education sub-sector upon assumption of office. Dickson went further to declare free and compulsory primary and secondary education.

Also, the state government took it upon itself to underwrite the WAEC and NECO examination fees for 25,772 candidates for N250m.

Peace and security Before now, violent cult clash leading to deaths was the order of the day in Yenagoa.

An average of five persons were killed daily in the month of January due to the activities of the rampaging cultists but the governor, a lawyer and former Attorney General of the state, saw to it that the Bayelsa State Secret Cult, Kidnapping

and Similar Offences (Prohibition) Bill 2012 was among the first bills sent to the state House of Assembly on assumption of office which the assembly speedily passed.

With the signing of the Secret Cults (Prohibition) Law 2012, all cult groups in the state have been proscribed. Anybody convicted will serve 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. Similarly, any landlord who allows his building to be used for meeting by cultists, will, on conviction, forfeit such building to the state.

The state has also invested heavily in security enhancements in the form of technology and intelligence gathering to ensure that Bayelsa State is adequately secure and policed.

E c o n o m y Government is developing its own deep seaport that will employ a large number of the teeming youths and create a gateway through the state that will ensure free flow of goods into the country. These, according to the governor, promises to be a major economic boom ahead and no efforts will be spared to realise this objective.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 43

BY DAPO AKINREFON

W

HEN Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State made a pledge to review his government’s activities every one hundred days at the beginning of his first term in 2007 few would have believed him. Even then few would have believed the achievements the governor has set in his more than 1,800 days in office.

On May 3, 2012, Fashola again brought his governance of the state to public review as he gave an account of the last 100 days since he last gave the report of his stewardship.

It was remarkable that the governor kicked off his account of developments in the last 100 days by first observing his own fidelity to his promise of accountability saying “I promised to give a regular account to you, our employers.”

But beyond the ethereal is the fact that between when the governor rendered his17th and 18th accounts much may have happened as he inferred that day.

The event, held at the Adeyemi-Bero auditorium inside Lagos State secretariat, had in attendance the state deputy governor, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji; top government officials; lawmakers; traditional rulers; among others.

Account of stewardship Rendering his account, Fashola said his administration completed and commissioned a number of projects in the period in review adding that all the promises made during the previous 100 days have been delivered.

According to him, “during the last 100 days, we

What is new in Lagos, 1,800 days on? in a bid to get the contractors back on site and I promise and assure you that as long as we have the funds we will complete the project.”

Education, notably the increase in the bar to accessing public education, is one area the administration has had to contend with.

Noting steps taken to improve the standard of education in the state owned university, he expressed

This Iroko will not fall Continued from page 42

•Governor Fashola commemorated the 10 th anniversary of the 2002 bomb blasts that wrecked havoc on several parts of Lagos on the January 27, 2012, at which occasion we awarded the contract for the construction of the Ajao-Ejigbo link bridge. I am happy to inform you that progress is being made there.”

However, it was not very cheery news for the people of Ijegun, Isheri Oshun and Isolo Jakande as the Governor confessed having problems

notably finance in concluding the work on the road.

Noting the enormity of the work on the road he said: “It is a 5.5 kilometer road with a bridge of 500 metres that will require 1,018 piles driven to a depth of 19.5 metres. This project will cost the government not less than N10billion which we are working assiduously to provide so that work can continue. We have re-evaluated the project

Bamangar Tukur in the eyes of his people Continued from page 41

Jonathan, reassured Nigerians of government’s determination to deliver dividends of democracy and good governance.

An elated Tukur, in his speech at the reception, said every Nigerian should join the PDP to build a virile country.

His words: “I could see Nigeria in PDP. Even some of the states which decided to go on sabbatical leave are now coming back, so that all of us will be together in building our n a t i o n . ” He, however, lamented the poverty in the country, stressing that if Nigeria must get it right, agriculture must be given adequate attention by government, against the backdrop of its potentials to create millions of jobs, eradicate poverty as well as arrest youth restiveness.

Atiku, who also spoke, said the major challenge before the PDP Chairman is the entrenchment of internal democracy in the party to give C M Y K

delight that the various projects in “LASU, are making progress.” He went on: “We have also enunciated many far-reaching policies in the primary, and junior and senior secondary schools in order to improve the quality of education in the state.

“We believe that a faithful implementation of these policies will gradually increase the performance of all our students in their terminal exams. Of course we recognize that not all students have the aptitude for grammar and reading. Some of them have a stronger aptitude for doing things with their hands.”

Youth empowerment Commenting on his administration’s drive to eradicate unemployment and create jobs for the youths in the state, he explained: “We have also recently inaugurated the Apprenticeship Scheme, to empower young people with skills in vocations where our economy is in such dire need.

every member a sense of belonging.

The former VP, who spoke on behalf of he North East, urged the new leadership of the party to ensure that there was fairness, justice, rule of law, transparency in all forms of election within the PDP as that will install discipline and respect in the party, adding that the new leadership must work to ensure that the PDP controlled states increased dramatically in the forthcoming elections.

Also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by the governor of Niger State and Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Mu’zu Babangida Aliyu, promised, at the event, that the governors elected on the platform of the party will ensure that during the tenure of Tukur, all doors of factions were closed, just as they expressed total support and loyalty to the

leadership of the party.

In his remarks, former Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, who spoke for the South South Zone, described the PDP boss as a manager of men, a bridge-builder, just as he warned that, if PDP must get it right, indiscipline must be addressed and there must be internal democracy.

Speaking for the South East, former PDP National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, said the message for Tukur was for him to succeed in his assignment.

Former Minister of Education, Professor Tunde Adeniran, who spoke for the South West, described the celebration as an emerging hope, a new dawn and a celebration of the passage of an old order.

Governor of Kogi State, Captain Idris Wada, who spoke for the North Central, urged the new leadership of the party to reposition the PDP to ensure that it wins all future elections.

us know how these awards are given. Most of them are purchased.” The position of this aspirant, a lawyer, is bereft of logic. There is no logic in a performer procuring awards in recognition of his works.

For the records, the bulk of these awards for Mimiko’s excellent performance came from distinguished professional bodies including the national body of the society watchdog, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, and the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) which decorated the governor as a Honorary Fellow for his contributions to safe motherhood in Nigeria. It is the same safe motherhood (Abiye) programme, which cut infant and maternal mortality in Ondo by about 80 percent, that the World Bank is so impressed about that it stopped short of giving an award to the state government for the ingenuity.

This same motherhood programme has been adopted by the Federal Government with an advice that all the states in the country should adopt it. The Brettonwoods institution has also recommended the programme as a model for Africa. Another of the ACN aspirants made a questionable statement.

He said:” … But in Ondo, (gubernatorial) aspirants and ordinary members are joining (the ACN) to achieve a common goal, which is to drive away Dr Olusegun Rahman Mimiko.” This statement is at best illusory. Transporters in the state, who are the beneficiaries of the 290 vehicles procured by the Mimiko administration to facilitate transportation, as late as two weeks ago, cannot be in the

league of those wishing to drive the governor away. Neither are the traders who have been moved away by the Labour Party government from the scotching sun in the streets to world class shopping complexes nor the less privileged who now have access to affordable but qualitative health care and education. Also count out the youths who are being empowered and used to feed the people through the agricultural villages in Ore and Epe, as well as community leaders who now have a say on what projects are sited in their areas, courtesy of the Mimiko ‘bottom-up’ developmental m o d e l .

So, who is left in the league of those wanting to drive Mimiko away? Could they be the happy sporting people of the state that Mimiko has put smiles on their faces? Only the motley crowd of 30 ACN gubernatorial aspirants, their supporters and master from outside Ondo State. But they will meet their match in the enlightened people of the state who have tasted good governance under the Labour Party government and are waiting for more beyond the October election.

Civil servants in the state who get the highest monthly take home pay of N22,000 in the country have vowed to ensure the governor continues in office, ditto for the market women whose lives have experienced a turnaround for the better.

The artisans are not left out in the quest to ensure Mimiko gets his mandate renewed.

Religious leaders in and out of the state have not hidden their preference for the performing governor either. Its obvious this Iroko can only continue to grow in strength.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

chimeena@yahoo.com

The titanic ship (inset) Leanardo di Capprio and Kate Winset, the movie stars.

Titanic… the Immortality of love…

MO VIE MOVIE

In April this year, a 100 years after the original Titanic sailed and sank, the Irish station from which it sailed has had another boat built. A party went out on the boat to the spot where the original Titanic sank, in honour of those who died.

I

n December of 1997 , the film,Titanic hit movie screens across the globe, launching the careers of movie stars Leonardo di Capprio and Kate Winslet. Directed, written, co-produced, and coedited by . James Cameron and funded by production giants Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, it was, at the time, most expensive film ever made, with an estimated budget of $200 million.

It was, then, the budget and not the story that drove fans in droves to the cinemas.

What sort of film- they wanted to know, would require that kind of money?

At the end of the day, it was the story and not the budget that made Titanic into the greatest story ever told on the big screen, pulling more emotional response than any other last century but Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.

It was a love story in the league of Gone with the Wind, and more so, since the ultimate price was paid. It is unforgettable, not only for the biographical factor (producers

,

BY MORENIKE TAIRE

It is on record that despite carrying a maximum capacity of over 3200 passengers and crew the ship was only equipped with 16 lifeboats and a handful of life rafts

tie the movie’s story to the account of the heroine, who had kept the dark secret bound to her bosom for more than seven decades), but for the killing combination of love, pain, joy, hatred. evil, good, suspense, glamour, coincidence and of course, tragedy.

Like in Romeo and Juliet, undying, unflinching love was the central theme, and of course, death; but unlike the Shakespearean story, the death was unplanned, though really inevitable. It can be conjectured that the hero, who is simply known as Jack, no last name, was to have been killed one way or the other, being an underclass and getting- as he so very blatantly did- the affections of the intended of one of a higher class.

A pinch of controversy made the story even more intriguing. The rumour mill went, and had it that the builders of the ship the Titanic, Harland and Wolff of Belfast, Ireland, had boasted that even God could not sink the ship.

Even with no record of such a

,

thing being sent and continued denials from Ireland, this remains the prevailing notion.

Perhaps it is a way of explaining so grave a tragedy where no other explanation would have sufficed, except for the sheer carelessness of the whole paraphernalia, proven this time by the recorded fact that the Titanic, when it sailed in 1912, was unprepared for disaster. It is on record that despite carrying a maximum capacity of over 3200 passengers and crew the ship was only equipped with 16 lifeboats and a handful of life rafts. In total only one third of all those aboard could have fitted into the life saving measures.

All these ingredients, naturally, aroused interest in the history. Other stories have been written since the 1997 film exploring other perspectives, digging up other characters, some with happy endings or not so tragic ones.

Not surprising, really. With anything between 1600 and 2,400 people on board the ship and 75% perishing, there

are thousands of individual stories to tell.

The more popular was the one with Jack and (better known as Leonardo di Caprio and Kate Winslet respectively) who, despite their disparagingly distant backgrounds, meet in the middle of the Atlantic and fall desperately in love.

She was engaged, as it were, to be married to one of her kind and though she was only 17, her mind was made up about her intended beau. She did not want him, and would die, actually, rather than have him.

It was on the mission to do this that she met the boy and entered the epic relationship that was to become the stuff of legend and history. She went as far as giving herself to him, before tragedy struck and when it was clear that the Titanic was going to sink, Jack was bent on getting them both saved.

The most cynical of individuals would agree that what existed between the two was true love, because it was proved over and over. When it mattered most, the English Rose abandoned her kind, and risked her life first to save her love.

She had made her mind up regardless, to take her own life than spend a lifetime with a man she not only did not love but quite despised. Still, she put herself in harm’s way for the sake of love, and so did her lover. One of them paid the ultimate price, while the other blossomed by the secret for almost eight decades. Then the story was told.

In April this year, a 100 years after the original Titanic sailed and sank, the Irish station from which it sailed has had another boat built. A party went out on the boat to the spot where the original Titanic sank, in honour of those who died. MS Balmoral’s passengers conducted a memorial service in Tribute to the dearly departed. “Although it happened 100 years ago the grief is still so very raw for so many people,” says Reverend Huw Mosford, who led the service. Wreaths were thrown into the sea, and relatives of victims came together.

A million and one lessons were learned from the story, as many as the different stories told. Still, the outstanding lesson is the one that true love never dies. Or does it?

India partners Africa for Youth Devt.

I

ndia is reaching out to Africa in a groundbreaking initiative to foster a People-toPeople (P2P) understanding with Africa.

“With 70% of the population in Africa and India below the age of 25,” according to Navdeep Suri, Joint Secretary, Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry of External Affairs, “promoting engagement between youth in Africa and India is imperative to pave the way for a shared future.”

The IndiAfrica train will berth in Nigeria on May 24 at the University of Lagos in a daylong session of entrepreneurial seminars and musical show featuring Indian band, Parikrama.

Speaking on the new initiative, Ambassador Pinak Chakravarty, Special Secretary,

Public Diplomacy, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India said, “We are entering a new phase in our ties with Africa. From a shared history of struggle against colonial oppression and economic exploitation to achieve freedom, we are now poised to take a great leap in our developing partnership. This new relationship is based on economic partnership in a globalized, deeply interconnected world.”

This great leap is being mid-wifed by theideaswork, a design and strategy firm headquartered in Delhi, and supported by the Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

INDIAFRICA: A Shared Future is a three year initiative that was launched in 2011.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012, PAGE 45

chimeena@yahoo.com

Castellote launches compass to Nigeria’s art

BY JAPHET ALAKAM PRESENT ATION PRESENTA

F

OR many art collectors and lovers who have been looking for how to acquire knowledge about art works in the Lagos art market, a new window of opportunity was opened last week as a new book that celebrates the rich expressions, accomplishment and creative talents of Nigerian artists and their works in private collections in Lagos titled; Contemporary Nigerian Art in Lagos Private Collections was officially presented to the public.

Presented at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, the occasion anchored by Bolanle Austen Peters of TerraKulture can only be described as another encouraging prospect for the Nigerian visual arts as it was graced by eminent personalities, especially art collectors, promoters, artists and many art lovers.

Among those who witnessed the events were; Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi) the Obi of Onitsha and Chief Sunny Oyekunle, who represented Oba

BY MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

BOOK REVIEW

T

he story of African American experience is replete with harrowing experiences of cultural dislocation , double consciousness, anger, sexual molestation, physical and spiritual torture and of course, an indescribable sense of race and colour segregation.

This is the pattern of thread that runs through the entire gamut of African American creative expressions be it film, like in Beloved an adaptation of Toni Morrison’s novel of the same title, Root, also film adaptation of Alex Haley’s biographical novel of the same title, Invisible Man novel by Ralph Ellison, Bluest Eye or Colour Purple both novels by Morrison and by Alice Walker.

As it were, these experiences are captured in these creative media by the children of slaves, whose parents were forcefully taken away from their original home countries to work in the new world of America.

But over time now, slavery at least in a literal sense was abolished. But one thing that is not abolished is the

Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III - The Alake of Egbaland.

Others were; Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Bankole Olayebi of Book craft, Sammy Olagbaju, Frank Okonta, Rasheed Gbadamosi and Jess Castellote, the Editor.

•Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogodi, Obi of Onitsha and Chief Suny Oyekunle who represented the As Africa joins other Alake of Egbaland present the book to the public while Sammy Olagbaju (left) and Jess Castelotte(right) countries of the world watch.Photo: Lamidi Bamidele. in the more and more vibrant global art market the need art collecting, art management tors to take images of their works. demic benefits of the book and for Nigeria to document the sto- and practice. In his opening re- The editor of the book, Castel- enjoined cultural institutions, curies on the business of art col- marks, the sponsor of the book, lote described by many as the rators and critics to come to arts lecting in Lagos, which is argu- collector and chairman of the best export from Spain said that and build institutions that will ably, one of the most important Visual Arts Society of Nigeria VA- the celebration was about a promote art. art centres in the continent formed SON, Sammy Olagbaju said art mission he embarked on two In his erudite and descriptive is one thing Nigerians does well years ago. “I embarked on the review, Femi Lijadu, a lawyer the choice of the book.

The book which is coming on the described the book as the first of mission two years ago but never and art collector described the heels of similar efforts by the duo its kind and his own little contri- knew that it was interesting as it book, Contemporary Nigeria Art of Ben Bosah and George Edozie bution to the development art in took me too many homes and of- in Lagos Private Collections with fices.” Continuing he added that, a sub title New Trees in an old titled, A celebration of modern Nigeria.

Nigerian artists, 101 Nigerian “It is one impact or landmark for “the main focus of the book is to Forest as a quintessential referArtists and Professor Sylvester celebrating artists. The book is a unearth some of the hidden tal- ence book of contemporary Ogbeche’s Ben Enwonwu:The focal point to artist and their ents in Nigeria as we need more Nigeria art. In his part, Igwe Making of An African Modern- works and people will use it and people to see some of the works Nnaemeka, Agbogidi, The Obi of Onitsha, an avid art collector ists is in fulfillment of Sammy get where their works are.” He of artists.

Olagbaju and Jess Castellote’s said. He however pointed out that The book according to him who was the special Guest of shared desires to open doors to the publication took them many is a fragment of a reality that is Honour, commended the colhomes of collectors in Lagos state years to write as it was not an complex with snapshots. He laborative effort of Sammy and and highlights issues relating to easy task going to many collec- highlighted some of the aca- Jess in producing the good work.

Immigrant’s Experience as Narrative Aesthetic… Psychologically too, the dominant black conscious city continued emergency of America as a military, political and economic power, whose influence prevails over the affairs of the entire globe.

The tendency is for many continents of the world, especially countries from the third world continents including Nigeria to continue to look up to America as a country that promises hope of attaining desires, dreams and fulfillment.

My Song Bird Can Sing, Pissed: My Song Bird Can Sing2 &Pissed Off: My Song Bird Can Sing 3, Vigil Chimee, Break fast Entertainment, Inc. New York,

children of America’s former slaves, who now find themselves at cross road of being neither here no there, automatically become more culturally and socially dislocated. The effect of this dislocation is palpably present in their relationships with their foster American country and their original home land.

This pathetic development there fore raises a new sense of value in both the resident African Americans and their immigrant kith and kin, which flock to America in search of greener pastures.

It is all of these entire thread of experiences that Nigerian born, American based writer, Vigil Chime explores in her narrative trilogy titled; My Song Bird Can Dance, Piseed: My Song Bird Can Dance 2 and Piss Off: My Song Bird Can Dance 3.

Published in New York City

by Break fast Pictures Entertainment, Inc, Chime’s trilogy explores life of African immigrants and their supposedly African American cousins. Set in the culturally

of Harlem, the narrative woven round African immigrants, Nathaniel Ofordille and his estranged family comprising, Anna, wife, daughters; Ada and Efee( Rachael) and the Peyton’s, African American family navigates the entire world of immigrants in the Americas.

Using characters drawn from Nigeria, America and Dakar, Senegal, Chime tries to establish how the new form of neo slavery that is called immigration is established through bad cultural and religious practices as represented by Yasmin, the Senegalese girl that comes to the united State as a slave sex trader.

Drawing from large canvass of well developed characters, Chime’s trilogy explores how the new cultural contact with America helps to not only inspire dream as in Fee’s ambition to become a writer, but more tragically, how it results in the loss of home grown and cherished values as exemplified by Nathaniel’s denial of his family.

Marcus Peyton in the narrative is the symbolic vehicle through which Chimee x rays the neo- cultural relationship that exists between immigrants and America. He is the new bully and slave driver, who take advantage of misfortune of the immigrant to molest abuse and rape her.

The entire drama is all about life in America as an immigrant: what the immigrants do to survive and how this new culture contact kills peoples cherished value system The dialogue is quite engaging and very filmic. The large collage of characters from the Ofordili’s to Jade, Chris, Bo etc are so well developed and through each of these characters, the narrative explores several of the strands of thematic concern of the gripping tale.

For a first time publisher, this is a commendable effort. The perspective of this narrative is very germane and marks an important contribution to the study and appreciation of African American experience, now with special interest in the plight of neo slaves in Americathe immigrants.

PAGE 46—SUNDAY

VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

Re: War of the ladies RIGHT OF REPL Y REPLY Matters arising from the House of Reps probe of the Capital Market

A

S a capital market oper ator with a 25-year ante cedent under the collar, I feel scandalized that any journalist worth his salt can celebrate the comical theatre of deceit and falsehood mounted on the floor of the public hearing to hoodwink the unwary, rather than render a remorseful account of a stewardship which has visited adversity on not a few hapless Nigerian investors in the capital market.

When Okereke–Onyiuke, gleefully announces that she has four injunctions from different courts forbiding the publicizing and circulation of the report of a forensic audit of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, under her watch commissioned by the SEC, people should wonder at the contents of the report. Why would anyone who is strongly persuaded that they have done no wrong go to such great length to prevent any document from being made public?

Why does she not just bite the bullet, permit the document and its contents to circulate in the public domain and then pooh pooh its claims and contentions by proffering better evidence and superior logic to demonstrate their falsity? If the Adhoc Committee investigating the so–called “near collapse of the capital

market” was minded to do other than extend hostility to Arunma Oteh, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) DG, for “humiliating” their colleague, Herman Hembe, and attending Havard University, they should have done sufficient research on this issue. Rather, all they did was fawn over the former NSE boss and rejoice in the detrimental evidence she gave against Oteh.

Did the report in Sunday Vanguard notice that Okereke–Onyiuke failed to deny the allegation of graft leveled against her in relation to the purchase of a yacht and alleged theft of a substantial number of the Rolex watches supposedly procured for long serving staff of the NSE? Why did Sunday Vanguard not remark and report the explanation by Okereke–Onyiuke that NSE’s funds were private funds which were beyond regulatory oversight? That the funds were for her to do as she pleased with?

Is it any wonder then that the NSE became financially insolvent, that the Exchange’s account by 2010 was in the red to the tune of over a billion naira? Why did Sunday Vanguard reporter not rue the fact that the Adhoc Committee members failed to ask Okereke – Onyiuke any question on the state of the NSE’s finances, a useful barometer for assessing and apprehending the state of health of the Exchange? How come that by 2011, a year after the removal of Okereke–Onyiuke, the same NSE had rebounded to a post operating surplus of N357 million? Is this not evidence that her removal was good for the Exchange?

On the trading platform about which Okereke–Onyiuke regaled her audience that the platform remains robust and had recorded neither glitches nor downtimes, my investigations show that the platform’s lifespan actually lapsed in December 2011! It is alleged that Okereke–Onyiuke

,

BY JOSEPH OMO-OSAHON

Why did the paper not express concern that the legislators failed, refused and or neglected to ask specific stewardship related questions of executive commissioners who confessed to having spent between two and three decades at the SEC?

,

initiated a process for acquiring an alleged credit facility from AFREXIM Bank for 20 million US Dollars for replacing the trading platform. I am aware that the current leadership of the Exchange has almost concluded arrangement for replacing the same platform at a cost of only 10 million US Dollars, a mere half the cost. What does this say?

Should the Adhoc Committee members not have been asking profounder questions founded on such grave matters rather than embark on the mischief of mobilizing frivolous petitions against

Oteh and extending more than equal access and inordinate time frame to a self-styled shareholder activist, Boniface Okezie, to pour invectives on Oteh?

The Sunday Vanguard reporter kept referring to “five executive commissioners of the SEC” whom he said “disagreed” with Oteh. As an operator in the market, I am aware that the SEC has only three executive commissioners: Where did the reporter get its additional executive commissioners from?

All three executive commissioners would serve out their five – year tenure in June 2012. Given this factor and or consideration, can it be contemplated that the imminence of their exit and forlorn hope of being recommended by Oteh for reappointment by the Presidency may have been responsible for this open display of disaffection and ill will towards Oteh? Does it explain the gang-up that has witnessed a violation, even rape of the document management system at the SEC such that confidential documents have been put on the internet, distributed to journalists and passed on to members of the legislature with impunity?

Why did the paper not express concern that the legislators failed, refused and or neglected to ask specific stewardship related questions of executive commissioners who confessed to having spent between two and three decades at the SEC? Where were these executive commissioners when regulatory inertia combined with operator malfeasance to supervise the erection of a humongous bubble in the market which went burst in 2008 the af-

termath of which Oteh has been grappling with since 2010? Is it not questions such as these that would reveal the “causes of the near collapse of the capital market?”

Why would the writer not counsel the legislators to desist from the clueless nostalgia and technical illiteracy of lamenting that the capital market has yet to return to its pre 2008 performance level? Rather than evince his passionate hatred for Oteh, why does he not have them know that, in line with the views correctly expressed by Dr. Alex Oti, Prof.

Charles Soludo and other informed minds on the financial sector, that the pre-crisis performance was a bubble which was created by pervasive sharp practices? That the bubble was absolutely unrelated to the fundamentals of the Nigerian economy? Since the capital market is only a mirror with which an economy sees itself, how can the market attain a glorious high while other performance indicators of the economy are looking downwards? This nostalgia is detrimental and amounts to a craving for a return to the dark days of unregulated margin lending, dubious equities’ pricing and pervasive malpractices which erected the horrendous bubble and induced the market crash. The market has undergone and is undergoing self – correction. It has struck a more natural tone in which price discovery is happening evolutionarily and in line with market fundamentals.

Gombe government refurbished 35 grounded tractors and procured the same number for the state farmers’ use. Still felling underachieved and haunted by the drive to make the state the food basket of the north-eastern subregion, government ordered an additional 200 units of tractors from Pakistan. On arrival, the state tractor hiring unit will have more than enough at farmers disposals and at giveaway prices too.

government is currently training Environmental Marshalls who upon graduation will enforce government plans in that direction. Also being trained are Security and Traffic Marshalls all of whom will help out in enforcement on related fields of endeavour. Numbering 1,200 trainees, these are mostly illiterate and unemployed youths, most of whom hitherto earned living through brutality, hooliganism and begging.

520 of their secondary school dropout counterparts on the other hand have just commenced training on 13 different trades in four skills acquisition centres spread across the three senatorial districts of the state. 320 were graduated on Thursday, May 3, 2012 and resettled with tools of the trades they learnt and an interest-free loan of N250,000= to enable them take-off.

Suffice it at this juncture to know that these schemes are at the pilot stage and would soon be scaled up to contain the massive response to government call.

Also not left out are the unemployed graduates. Their data have been captured by the various Ministries in which their course of study are relevant. The aim is to engage them temporarily or permanently as opportunities present themselves.

* Omo – Osahon is a Benin based lawyer and a capital market operator.

Gombe one year after

BY M. L. ISMAIL

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Governor Dankwambo on scale

D

ESPITE the improve ments here and there, we are still wriggling under the agony of politicians (chief executives per-se) gross abuse of the word promise. But that nevertheless has not taken away the fact that promise is a norm in the leadership circles and on it hinges the trust thrust on them via our mandates.

Therefore, the much the leader and the led would expect from one another depends largely on the quality of what has come to be known as ‘political promise(s)’ in the Nigerian parlance on the one hand, and how well the goods are delivered on the other.

And like every other, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo made it abundantly clear from the onset that the fulcrum of administration in Gombe State is to steadily rekindle the peoples’ hopes while re-engineering the institution of governance to create better opportunities for positive change.

He capped it with the assurance that the administration would consistently match words with action, both in policy formulation and implementation, adding that this would be seen from the numerous programmes and projects to be accomplished under his leadership in the next four years.

Integral to this resolve as often expressed by him is the high premium placed on the development of infrastructure and social amenities across the state as vehicles of galvanizing meaningful socioeconomic development of the state and its people.

It is now about a year since he assumed office and it is justifiable to say the gains of Dankwambo administration reflect every promise made since mounting the driver’s seat and even as far back as during the electioneering campaigns.

More so, the activities of this less talk, more action governor thus far indicate that of a leader who is in touch with the led. The same way he brandish a scorecard that stands out over and above most of its counterparts’ over the same period of time. In a nutshell, he has made his mark and, just like the views of some observers, he will live to be remembered if what we have seen in less than just a year is all he would do for the whole four years.

But as luck would have it, the governor is not yet done with the dogged effort at delivering the goods to the good people of Gombe. This is evident in the recent procurement of machinery and other earth moving equipment to fast-track the development of rural communities. The equipment, according to Hassan Ahmadu, Commissioner for Rural Development and Cooperatives, will be used for the construction of access roads, earth dams, culverts and other smaller works that would make rural life more cheerful and enticing, especially to the youths.

The move is not only inspired by the need to save funds but the burning desire to speedily transform Gombe as well. It will at the same time provide employment opportunities for unemployed youths who will be engaged whenever there is any work to do in their domain.

The initiative behind making the rural settlement more alluring a habitation is engendered by need to diversify the economy through fostering participation in agricultural activities, especially among the younger people who require great deal of encouragement to stand up to the task of replacing the present generation of aging farmers.

But agriculture itself has to be made easy to attract participation. It is on this note that the

,

VIEWPOINT

It is now about a year since he assumed office and it is justifiable to say the gains of Dankwambo administration reflect every promise made

,

In the interim, however, 34,000 metric tons of assorted fertilizers have been earmarked for this year’s farming season with the probability of adding more.

And talking about environmental sanitation activities, Gombe

Ismail is resident in Bolari Quarters, Gombe.

Contribution of not more than 1,200 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012 — PAGE 47

Salami: Jonathan and the challenge of NJC’s recommendation

BY ABDULMALIK UMARU

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Reasons the president should exercise caution on the suspended PCA issue.

I

N the last one year or so, two key players in the nation’s judiciary have been in the news for reasons not unconnected with the allegations raised by one of them against the other.

Just before his retirement, the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Aloysius KatsinaAlu, one of the most reticent and media shy judicial officers, was accused, in a very public manner, by the then President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Salami, of sundry allegations of financial malpractices and an attempt to thwart the course of justice.

Salami, who was suspended as a result of that public spat with Katsina-Alu, had alleged that he (Katsina-Alu) directed him to undermine the hearing of a pending matter in the Court of Appeal sitting as appellate election tribunal over a litigation instituted against the governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Magawakarda Wamako, by the Democratic Peoples’ Party governorship candidate in the 2011 election, Alhaji Dingyadi. Salami did not provide incontrovertible evidence to advance this line of allegation which was stridently denied by both Katsina-Alu and the Sokoto State governor.

Salami is also at the center of a series of allegations that he was used to unseat two of the then

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors in Ekiti and Osun states.

The allegations of official indiscretion and breach of trust, which have resulted in multiple subsisting court cases against Salami, are yet to be determined when information filtered in the media that the National Judicial Council (NJC), which hitherto suspended him, had decided, through a vote (10 for and eight against), to reinstate him.

Before canvassing the merits or otherwise of President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to act on the recommendation to recall Salami, a little historical account of the entire scenario is necessary just as the wider implications of recalling the suspended PCA would be logically advanced subsequently.

Prior to August 18, 2011 when the NJC announced the indefinite suspension from the position of the PCA, Salami failed and/or refused to comply with a lawful order of the constitutionally empowered disciplinary institution of the judiciary to apologize to the then CJN ( Katsina-Alu) for making the damaging allegation that was widely publicized.

Salami also disrespected the NJC when he refused to accept an appointment to join the Bench at the nation’s Supreme Court and he did not just write a rejection letter but publicly repudiated the appointment as a political game plan to ease him out of the office of the PCA to enable the cases against the PDP to get unfavorable hearing and thereby favor the ruling party at the center.

With the decision to recall Salami, critics are of the considered opinion that the NJC has set a dangerous and damaging prece-

dence for other judicial officers to so disobey and flout her constitutional directive and still remain in their offices. Critics also say that the recall of Salami without allowing pending cases against his recall to be expeditiously determined could inevitably undermine not just the independence of the nation’s judiciary but will also rubbish Nigerians’ collective determination to operate in strict compliance with the principle of the rule of law.

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VIEWPOINT

why the same NJC has embarked on this current suicidal mission to completely erode its constitutional power and undermine the independence of the judiciary.

Must the president of the Federal Republic, who swore by the constitution, be drawn into the trap of taking a hasty decision that will impede the adherence to the rule of law?

It is the considered opinion of a lot of thinkers that Jonathan should not make haste in error

The best way out of this troubling development is for Jonathan to suspend his decision for a while so as to allow the judiciary to complete the hearing of the subsisting court cases challenging Salami’s recall

It is clear that any hasty decision to recall Salami without allowing the courts to decide the pending suits will compromise the principle of the rule of law.

It is on record that it was at the point that Salami learnt from the grapevine of his impending elevation by the NJC that he proceeded to court to forestall the lawful execution of the constitutional mandate of the Council.

The action of Salami in turning down his elevation to the Supreme Court could be likened to the atrocious rejection by a reserve striker in a football match to turn down the instruction of his coach to be deployed as a substitute.

The basic question that follows consequently in the light of the emerging development around his recall and reinstatement is

,

by acting on the recommendation of the NJC since he is aware of several pending suits in the competent courts of law by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Segun Oni against Salami’s reinstatement.

Importantly, since the office of the Federal Attorney General and that of President of the Federal Republic are joined as respondents in these suits, it will be illegal for the president to take any executive action that would foist a fait accompli and jeopardize the determination of or the res of the matters in courts.

Some analysts with considerable knowledge about propaganda have argued that the political elite belonging to the ACN with overwhelming media presence were the actors behind the sudden recommendation by the NJC

on Salami.

Those who hold the above view say the pro-Salami political elite behind the new decision made extensive manipulation of the third normative face of power debate by using the media of mass communication to put undue pressure on the NJC which has now snowballed into the fractious decision to recommend his recall.

According to findings from recorded thoughts of some of the finest scholars of contemporary times, this third dimension is inspired by many neo-Gramscian views such as cultural hegemony and deals with how civil society and the general public have their preferences shaped for them by those in power through the use of propaganda or the media. Ultimately, this third dimension holds that the general public may not be aware of what decisions are actually in their interest due to the invisible power of elites who work to distort their perceptions.

The best way out of this troubling development is for Jonathan to suspend his decision for a while so as to allow the judiciary to complete the hearing of the subsisting court cases challenging Salami’s recall. The hierarchy of the nation’s court system should work out modality whereby these pending cases are harmonized and streamlined and speedily determined so that all parties to the disputes will not have a sense of victimhood. Let the action of the president not be construed or constructed as impeding the independent determination of the matters against Salami in the competent courts of law.

Umaru, a public policy analyst, lives in Lagos.

Economic Summit without Coastal Road

BY BOLANLE SHONUBI

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Economic benefits of the road planned to connect the N-Delta with Lagos.

T

HE second edition of the South-South Economic Summit came up in Asaba, Delta State recently. Indeed, it held with all the glamour and razzmatazz befitting an event of that magnitude. With the calibre of dignitaries that attended from home and abroad, and the total number of participants, the summit was an immense success.

President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, one of the key invited guests, though could not attend, was ably represented by an aide who also read his speech. The same went for President Goodluck Jonathan, who sent Vice President Namadi Sambo to hold forte for him.

Also at the summit were six governors from the South-South states; Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta; Adams Oshiomhole, Edo; Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa; Liyel Imoke, Cross River; Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers; and Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom, apart from

acclaimed scholars, business executives and entrepreneurs that turned up.

The seriousness which the South-south governors put into organising the summit left no one in doubt as to their determination to give direction and add a fillip to economic activities in the Niger Delta towards ultimately making the region an economic power base.

However, as laudable and successful as the summit was, something was conspicuously missing - a common voice for the proposed East-West Coastal Road being planned by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The road has been in the strategic planning of the commission for more than a decade now without the actual execution commencing. The NDDC, responding to the mandate of the federal government to provide modern social amenities, including road infrastructure for the long neglected region, had come up with the master plan of the East-West Coastal Road, which is expected to run from Calabar, Cross River State through the entire Niger Delta to Lagos.

Still determined to get it right for the Niger Delta areas and its people, the federal government gave a fresh mandate to the NDDC in 2000 to, among other

social amenities, get modern road network for the Niger Delta. This charge apparently gave birth to the concept of the East West Coastal Road.

There is no doubt that the design of the 704 km road had since been completed, and the route identified, in addition to other preliminary civil and geological works.

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VIEWPOINT

There is nothing that can ensure and sustain a better economic and commercial prosperity for the Niger Delta in a post-oil era than the proposed road

,

As far as we can see now, there is nothing that can ensure and sustain a better economic and commercial prosperity for the Niger Delta in a post-oil era than the proposed road. The numerous benefits of the road to the people of the area and the strategic survival of the region itself

are the reasons me think the South-south governors should be asking the same question: “What is happening to the East West Coastal Road?” This they must do with louder intensity. But it seems that the governors are not asking that question, or albeit with subdued interest.

All that the Niger-Delta governors and indeed well-meaning Nigerians need to imagine, to spur them to vigorously push for the execution of the East-West Coastal Road, is a scenario where the oil wells go dry in say, 30 years time, as is now being speculated. If this happens, with the current paucity of social amenities and infrastructural decay in the area, what is the fate of the region and its people in the years to come? How can economic prosperity come to the region again?

These questions are germane against the backdrop of brazen challenges that came with oil discovery and exploitation and have now become endemic in the area.

These include pervasive insecurity, restiveness and militancy associated with unemployment, social and geographical isolation of the area, inaccessibility to social amenities like schools, hospitals and markets, diseases, profound ecological dislocation and serious environmental damage, among others.

Therefore, the only plausible thing that could bring economic prosperity and stability to the area is the proposed East- West Coastal Road. If executed, the road would open up the entire Niger Delta to both the old and new economic opportunities. The transportation of people from Calabar to Lagos, which would now be done under four hours, will encourage massive local and foreign investments inflow into the area.

Being a coastal road with proximity to beaches and opportunity for ocean viewing, tourism will get an unprecedented boost as is the case in some coastal cities in West Africa.The new road, which would connect prominent towns and cities on its way, will reorder road networks in the region, and increase accessibility to social amenities in the far-flung creeks and hinterlands.

As individuals, groups, NGOs and the South-South itself continue to push for true fiscal federalism, the concerned governors and eminent persons from the area should individually and collectively push for the execution of the project. If accomplished, it would be a permanent legacy for coming generations in the Niger Delta region. * Shonubi is of 36, New Lagos Road, Benin City, Edo State.

C M Y K

India reaches out to Africa for shared future

I

NDIA is reaching out to Africa in a groundbreaking initiative to foster a People-to-People (P2P) understanding with Africa.

“With 70% of the population in Africa and India below the age of 25,” according to Navdeep Suri, Joint Secretary, Public Diplomacy Division, Ministry External Affairs, “promoting engagement between youth in Africa and India is imperative to pave the way for a shared future.”

The IndiAfrica train will berth in Nigeria on May 24 at the University of Lagos in a day-long session of entrepreneurial seminars and musical show featuring Indian band, Parikrama.

Speaking on the new initiative, Ambassador Pinak Chakravarty, Special Secretary, Public Diplomacy, Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India, said, “We are entering a new phase in our ties with Africa. From a shared history of struggle against colonial oppression and economic exploitation to achieve freedom, we are now poised to take a great leap in our developing

partnership. This new relationship is based on economic partnership in a globalized, deeply interconnected world.”

This great leap is being mid-wifed by Theideaswork, a design and strategy firm headquartered in Delhi, and supported by the

Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.

INDIAFRICA: A Shared Future is a three year initiative that was launched in 2011. They are partnering with AISEC, Lagos Business School and EDC for the Nigeria event.

JTF ceasefire: Oboko urges FG to rebuild Okerenkoko

A GS the people of

b a r a m a t u Kingdom in Warri commemorate the third anniversary of ceasefire of the JTF May 15, 2009 bombardment, the Federal Government has been called upon to rebuild Okerenkoko and other Ijaw communities to strengthen the peace process in the area.

The occasion was also used to mark the release of the book How The Word Begets Our Inheritance, a tribute to late Mama Return Oboko who died consequent to the JTF bombardment of Oporoza.

The event was held at the residence of President, Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC) Chief Bello Oboko.

Chief Oboko lamented that three years after:: “the destroyed civil communities have not been rebuilt and the displaced refugees with livelihoods destroyed are yet to be rehabilitated.

There is hunger and seeming frustration in the land. We are still sitting in limbo and the world is watching helplessly”.

The JTF on May 15th, 2009 swooped on Gbaramatu, Ijaw communities in alleged search of militants leading to destruction of the communities and a huge humanitarian/ refugee crisis.

Oboko also called for a review of the national peace process on the Niger Delta with a view to seeking reconciliation and issues of agitation of the region.

PAGE 52—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

L

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012 — PAGE 53

54— SUNDAY

VANGUARD, MAY 20, 2012

The name 10-10 opens doors for me — Omokaro

•As he recalls his exploits at Maroc ‘88

M

aroc ’88 still remains one of Nigeria’s painful Nations Cup outing considering the Green Eagles’ 0-1 loss to neighbours Cameroon in the final. Bright Omokaro, one of the few that donned the green and white jersey got a new name from the championship.

He shares the euphoria and pain of that era in this interview with Ime Bassey. Excerpts: How did you come about the name 10-10?

It was in the semi finals of the Maroc ’88 Nations Cup against Algeria, we were one goal ahead and one man down.

Ademola Adeshina was given a red card and I was on the bench. The coach then, Manfred Hoener came to me and said, you know you play hard, so use it to our own

advantage as you go in. On getting in, I went hard on one of their players and he was stretched off the field and could not return. More so, they could not substitute any player as they had already used their three substitutes. On the commentary box, Ernest Okonkwo of blessed memories said ‘Omokaro has made it 10-10’.

When we returned to the country during the state honorary dinner at Dodan Barracks, the president then, General Ibrahim Babangida asked me, Bright, how did you make 10-10?

That was where the name came about, and I will forever be grateful to Nigeria for giving me the opportunity to serve because if I had gone to school or did something else, I don’t think I would have gotten such

Bright Omokaro (10-10) a popular name in the country.

I am very happy today because wherever I go in the country and I mention the name ’10-10’, the door is always open for me.

Can you recall your emergence into football?

I started playing the game with Bendel Insurance in my tender age while in still secondary school, later I moved to Asec Memosa of Abidjan. I also played for ACB Lagos,

Abiola Babes, New Nigerian Bank and ended up with Shooting Stars of Ibadan in 1993-96. I don’t have any regret playing for 3SC. I got married Ibadan and my kids are still there as I speak. I see Ibadan as my home.

My medals cabinet started in 1982, I was the best player in state league with Bendel Insurance and I was called to join the junior national team.

I won the league with NNB and also the WAFU Cup three times and the CAF Cup with Shooting Stars the first season it started.

You were amongst those that made are early entry into the national team, how did you get the nudge?

I joined the junior national in 1977/78 in first ever junior national team; letter I was invited to the senior team for the1980 Nations Cup. Silvanus Okpala, Henry Nwonsu and I were the three players invited from the junior team to join the Green Eagles. From then on, I was a regular player of the national team till I retired in 1996.

It was a wonderful time playing in the national team.

With this, whenever I am called to serve my country, I will do it with utmost joy and sacrifice to contribute to the development of the game in the country.

You virtually spend your career in the Nigerian league, what is your overview of the present league?

If they (league organizers) want the league to grow, they should look for a way to make the match officials to be honest.

Nigerian referees and match commissioners are not honest.

This has made teams not being able to win away matches regularly as it used to be in our time.

Also, some players are naturally skillful that even inside the eighteen yard box, they can chest the ball, but when they do this nowadays, the referee will say it is penalty. Tell me if such a player will do that next time, this is part of what is killing the glamour of the game in the country.

When did you get married and how many children do you have?

I go married fourteen years ago to my heart rub, a graduate of Communication and Language Art from the University of Ibadan and I am blessed with three kids, two girls and a boy.

Chukwu rates sports devt in Nigeria below average

By KATE OBODO

*Says those taking football to court have nothing to offer

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echnical consultant of Heartland FC of Owerri, Christian Chukwu has advised that for sports to be fully developed in the country, the government should take its hands off from sports, particularly football organization and concentrate on the provision of facilities .

In this interview with Sunday Vanguard Sports, the former Super Eagles coach said unless government washes its hands off the control of sports, sports will remain in its poor state.

Excerpts: Contribution to Sports Development in Nigeria As a football administrator, my aim is to improve sports but particularly football in the country with my position even as a technical consultant of Heartland of Owerri FC. I believe in grass-roots sports and I have been working towards discovering players from the grass-roots as it is the bedrock of school sports. It is important we prepare the young players that can replace the old ones in the future. So it is not a question of being on the NFF board or chairman of an association before one can contribute to the development of our football. There are so many ways we can partake and develop our football. For now, I have chosen to go down to grass-roots sports. I have decided to go into clubs, national teams, the amateur

•Christian Chukwu level and even to the streets to get these players.

Sports development in Nigeria On the aspect of development, we are not there yet. By now, clubs in the Nigeria Premier League need to have their own pitch or pitches. I think the government should gradually remove its hands from the running of clubs and concentrate more in providing facilities for our sports, not only football. We rarely see swimming pools where our youths could swim and also be discovered, Lawn Tennis courts, Basketball courts where athletes can be discovered, Gymnasium for boxers etc. In the past, there used to be clubs and associations in Boxing, Basketball but these things have died because of lack of facilities . I believe that if our clubs are run as public limited companies, it will help the clubs in the league and other

sports.

Football crisis As far as I’m concerned, there shouldn’t be any crisis. It is those who don’t have anything to contribute to the game that are causing the problems. Must everybody be chairman or president of the federation?

Must everybody be a member of the federation? In life, you need to wait for your turn. And if you don’t succeed, you need to find another means of survival .

I contested for election and did not succeed, I did not go to court and waited for my turn.

There are other ways to contribute to the development

of the game, it is not compulsory that you must be a chairman or member for you to contribute. I see those going to court and making trouble as those who have nothing to offer to the development of the game.

Using Secondary school students for national team assignments I don’t have problem with that but where are the competitions?

Where would Keshi find them?

Would Keshi go from school to school to get them? Like in the past, most of us and some athletes were discovered from Secondary School competitions.

For instance, Adokiye Amiesimaka, Patrick Ekeji,

Segun Odegbemi, Felix Owolabi and others.

It is no more so. With such competitions, we could get the true ages of our players, that is where you can get the real U17 and U-20 players.

The Problems The problem is that we have always wanted to win at all cost.

If we should step down a little bit, we would have done well in youth tournaments. It is hight time we forgot about winning and focus more on the developmental programmes.

We should be able to get the right ages of players, not using over aged players so that when it is time to move up to the next level they (players) should be able to move.

Storm Rocket celebrating their victory after qualifing for the semifinals in the on-going Gulder Five-Aside Midwest Qualifiers holding at the Oleh Township Staduim, Oleh, Delta State.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 20, 2012 — 55

Champions League: We all have equal chances — Ogunbote

By IME BASSEY

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IGERIA’S flag bearers in the 2012 CAF Champions League, Sunshine Stars of Akure were drawn over the week in Group A of the tournament alongside three north African teams but their coach, Gbenga Ogunbote believes all the teams in the

group have equal chances of qualifying. Coach Ogunbote said that the two Tunisian giants (Esperance and Etoile du Sahel) and AS Chlef of Algeria will aid his team to rise to the occasion.

“I want Nigerians to know that all the teams at this stage of the competition are tough because to get to this stage, you must be a good team. We

respect every team in the group as we all have equal chances of qualifying and also losing at this point.

“I know we are playing in the tournament for the first time even as nobody gave us a chance of reaching this level but we will rise to the occasion.

More so, it is a call to challenge on our part not to put the integrity of the club and Nation into jeopardy,”he said at the weekend.

Ogunbote noted that the lackluster display of the team in their last game against Djoliba of Mali wasn’t a true reflection of the team’s style of play.

“We have a culture at Sunshine Stars and that is beautiful football. We will not go back on that and we will continue to bring it to the pitch of play. It is until we win a game with enterprising football that we will feel okay, so Nigerians should expect better football from us at this stage,” he assured.

FOOTBALL UNITY... A briefing to usher in the MTN Football Scholar was held recently at the Astro Turf complex in Ikoyi, Lagos. From left, Mr Yele Adewole, Mr Kelvin Orifa, Segment Manager Youth and Trendy MTN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi , GM Consumer Marketing, MTN, MR Tom DeMaio , Programme Coordinator MTN Football( PPM ) and Mr. Seyi. Akinwunmi Chairman Lagos State Football Assocation ( LSFA ) at the occasion. Photo by Diran Oshe.

Weightlifting coach sure of medal at London Olympics

By IME BASSEY

C

HIEF Coach of the Nigerian Weightlifting Federation, Patrick Bassey is optimistic that his two lifters going to the London Olympics will end the long wait of Olympic medals from the federation.

Coach Patrick told Sunday Vanguard Sports that the Owerri camp is bubbling and the lifters are in high spirirt and injury free.

“The three male and four female lifters in camp have be impressive. I am very confident and hopeful that they will translate the techniques taught here at the Games. What we are taking them through will be determined by the approaches of all other athletes at the games,” said Coach Bassey He further explained the reason behind the federation’s clinching of two slots at the African Weightlifting qualifiers

held in Kenya last month.

“This issue of us not going to the Olympics with more lifters started after we did not attend the world Championship in

Turkey in 2010. This is because points are accumulated from all World Championships after the end of every Olympics,” Coach Bassey added.

Young talents discovered at Enugu Inter House competition

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HE Inter House sports competition re-engineered

by Enugu state government entered the zonal stage last month and is heading towards the state finals this month with a lot of young talents discovered so far. Director of Information in the Enugu State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Edwin Eze said that some of those discovered after five days zonal competition include Mellitus Ugwoke from Nsukka High School who ran 10.91 secs in the 100m, just a second off the national record of 9.97 secs.

“There is also Emekagu Ebere from Girl’s Secondary School Obe who scaled 1.43m in the

High jump in Enugu East senatorial zone. The festival record is 2m. There are so many other medal prospects discovered in the zonal competition and by extension the state finals will help the state galvanize, synthesize and shore up these stars for the task ahead,” Mr. Eze said.

Other revelations in the zonal competition include Ugwumba Grace from Queens Secondary School, Enugu in 800m, Ogenyi Friday in Javelin; the duo of Ani Gideon and Onyekwere Ebube from Government Technical College (GTC) Enugu in 200m, Long jump, Shot Put and 400m.

Ferguson: Eating one’s humble pie

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HE late Reggae crooner, Lucky Dube in one of his songs said, “If you don’t have any good thing to say about somebody, just shut up because the thing you say may come back to hurt you”. Dube was right as Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has found out after his ‘noisy neighbours’, Manchester City denied him of the 2011/2012 Premiership title last Sunday.

In 2009 after Argentine striker, Carlos Tevez, left the Red Devils for Manchester City, Alex Ferguson was reportedly asked whether he thinks his team, Man Utd will ever play second fiddle to city rivals, Man City and his reply was caustic. “Not in my life time”, he had said.

After the nerve wrecking 3-2 victory over QPR which handed Roberto Mancini’s team their first title since 1968, ecstatic City fans who poured unto the pitch to celebrate carried a banner with the inscription ‘Not in my life time’ to mock Ferguson over his remarks in 2009. It was the continuation of mockery for the Man U manager, that controversial Tevez also carried a placard with the inscription ‘R.I.P. Ferguson’. Yes, Man City management apologised to Ferguson and Man Utd over the issue but would anyone blame Tevez? Ferguson told the world that Man City would become league champions over his dead body and Tevez assumed he was dead after the Sunday victory.

Man City did not leave anyone in doubt that this was their year to lift the trophy. They were ruthless from the blast of the whistle signaling the start of the season in August last year, pounding teams with wide score margins including the 6-1 thrashing of Man Utd at their revered Old Trafford ground.

After they lost their first match 1-2 to struggling Chelsea at Stamford Bridge just before the Christmas break in December, Man City began to drop vital points in matches against supposedly weak opponents and before their fans could say City, the Red Devils had overtaken them.

With eight points gap, Mancini gave up on ever catching up with his rival, however, hoping that a win in the Derby at their Etihad Stadium home could help them revive their title dream.

It so happened on April 30, that was also after Everton helped them chop off two points from Man Utd in their 4-4 draw at Old Trafford and they, City, had a 2-0 away victory over Wolves a week earlier. Fate would have been cruel to City if QPR had beaten them in that last match and Man Utd had gone ahead to retain the title because the Blue side of Manchester did better in the season to be crowned champions.

They never lost any game at home and drew just one as against United who lost and drew two home matches respectively.

Except for a mischievous Man Utd fan, no one will not agree that City deserve their victory and should celebrate it even till they lose or retain it next season. Ferguson was a bad loser in the end when he said that despite their victory, Man City would need about a 100 years to match his side. That was cheeky and undeserving of a Sir of Ferguson’s calibre.

NFF must apologise to Amiesimaka

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DOKIE Amiesimaka is one man who never calls a spade by any other name than a spade. Many of the impostors running our football and their cohorts feel he should see evil and speak nothing about it. They have called him several names from disgruntled, unpatriotic to a jealous critic who never sees anything good in Nigerian football.

Amiesimaka was a school boy(University undergraduate) player for the Green Eagles who went to win the country’s first Nations Cup on home soil in Lagos in 1980. Since after he retired from the national team, he has continuously preached against the use of over aged players in the junior teams, stressing that the practice was injurious to the country’s football. But what did he get, abuses from the football administrators.

At last what Amiesimaka has been stressing has come out from one of the participants, Victor Ikpeba, an ex Eagles like the former chairman of Sharks FC. According to Ikpeba, who incidentally is in one of the NFF’s committees, Nigeria has been fielding over aged players in junior competitions and it is now taking its toll on her football development. He has not said he was misquoted since it was published.

Ikepba is right just like Amiesimaka. If you doubt it, then answer this question. Where are our soccer prodigies like Femi Opabunmi, Stanley Okoro and Chrisantus Macaulay who shone so much in the FIFA U-17 competitions not too long ago?

Before them, you had Dimeji Lawal and Phillip Osondu who mesmerized the U-17 World Cup in 1987 in the then USSR. From the 1989 set to Scotland, Ikpeba was the only one who played for a long time in big European clubs and he said it was because he used his real age. What else does the NFF need to know they were the mischievous and unpatriotic Nigerians who wanted a short cut to victory and therefore should tender an unreserved apology to Amiesimaka which should be published in same national newspapers through which they castigated him. Period!

SUNDAY Vanguard, MAY 19, 2012

Falconets book place in World Cup HREE first half *Beats Congo 3-0 (7-0 agg) T goals from Ngozi eight minutes into the tie go before Desire OparOkobi, Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega gave Nigeria’s Falconets a ticket at this year’s FIFA U’20 Women’s World Cup in Japan later this year. With just

at the Stade d’Martyrs in Kinshasa, the Edwin Okon lead team registered its name on the score’s sheet inflicting pains in the hearts of Leopardess of DR Con-

anozie made it two for the Falconets and Ordega scored her fourth goal for the team in the qualifiers with a in the 23rd minute bringing the final tie 7-0 on aggregate.

Drogba breaks Chelsea champions league jinx *Win 5-4 on penalty

*BLUETIFUL: Chelsea players and staff celebrate with the trophy on the pitch

Stories by Ime Bassey

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ROGBA yesterday made history after scoring Chelsea’s last

penalty kick in a dramatic Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at the home of the German side. Bay-

Wrestling: It’ll take Nigeria 10 years to win Olympic gold —Igali

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RESTLING coach, Dr. Daniel Igali has disclosed that it will take at lest 10 years for a Nigerian to win an Olympic gold medal.

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard Sports from Canada, the Olympic gold medalist said that it takes more than just mere wishes and luck but intensive and painstaking attention to the sport and the wrestlers themselves.

He however noted that the wrestlers have equal chance of winning a medal at the Games if the appropriate training is given. “It takes about 10 years or ten thousand hours of rigorous practice to produce an Elite ath-

lete. To win a gold medal will take a long process but I can only say that my wrestlers have the same chance as the other athletes at the Games to win medals “We will need more than mere luck and the wishes of 160 million people to win an Olympic gold medal. It requires massive investment and time just like any other aspect of life.

“My team has, may be, two athletes who have reached the 10 year threshold, but I can’t realistically say they should be considered as elite materials to challenge for an Olympic gold. I am not talking about medals here but gold medals,” Igali said.

ern looked to have won the game in normal time when Thomas Mueller headed home in the 83rd minute but shortly after, Didier Drogba headed in the equalizer in 88 minute to take the game to extra-time.

Bayern had numerous chances to wreck the dream of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, manager Roberto Di

Matteo and his players, and even led 3-1 in the shoot-out after goalkeeper Manuel Neuer had scored. But Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger both failed from the spot to allow Drogba, on potentially his final appearance for the club, to step up to erase the heartache of Moscow four years ago.

Thomas Muller ’s 83rd

minute header had earlier appeared likely to give Bayern victory on their home ground, only for Drogba’s stunning riposte to send the game into extra-time.

Drogba blotted his copybook by conceding a penalty early into extratime, only for Petr Cech to deny Arjen Robben and the veteran Ivorian, who was sent off in the final against Manchester United in 2008, completed his redemption by maintaining his composure in the shoot-out.

Di Matteo sent Chelsea out with a game-plan to contain Bayern and, for the most part, the policy worked as Jupp Heynckes’ side sought to pick holes in a resolute defence.

Midway through the first half, Robben wriggled into space inside the box, but the former Chelsea winger was denied by a smart reaction stop from Cech, who diverted the ball onto the post.

Mario Gomez, who had scored 20 goals in his previous 17 Champions League appearances, was enduring a frustrating night and he skied over just before half-time as Bayern remained the dominant force.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first as a marginal offside decision against Franck Ribery went Chelsea’s way when the French winger turned home the loose ball after Robben’s shot had been blocked by Ashley Cole.

The Blues full-back appeared to be a magnet for the ball inside the box, but a momentary lapse from Cole allowed Bayern to take the lead with seven minutes to go.

Toni Kroos curled in a cross from the left and Cole seemed unaware of Muller ’s presence behind him at the back post as the Germany international’s header bounced down and over Cech before going in off the underside of the crossbar.

Bayern brought on Daniel van Buyten in a bid to shut the game down, but were punished with two minutes left when Drogba powerfully headed home at the near post from Chelsea’s first corner of the game.

Drogba looked primed to go from hero to villain three minutes into extratime when he tripped Ribery in the box, but Cech spared the striker as he kept out former team-mate Robben’s low penalty.

ACROSS 1. Borno State ccity (9) 5. Fat (5) 7. Loafer (5) 8. Incisor 10. Employ (3) 11. Embarrassed (7) 13. Baking chamber (4) 16. Antelopes (6) 19. Hearing organ (3) 21. Primitive instincts (2) 22. Proceed (2) 23. Tap (3) 24. Do again (6) 28. Whirl pool (4) 32. Excuses (7) 33. Rodent (3) 34. Asian country (5) 35. Brain-Liquefying disease (5) 37. Give in (5) 38. Doubted (9)

DOWN 1. Error (7) 2. Charged particle (3) 3. Wild (7) 4. Adulterated (6) 5. Frequently (5) 6. Dug up (7) 9. Gemstone (4) 12. Perform (2) 14. Genuine (5) 15. Close (4) 17. Snooze (3) 18. Location (4) 20. Knock (3) 22. Weight (7) 25. Raise (7) 26. Scuffled (7) 27. Parched (4) 29. Debars (6) 30. You (2) 31. Big (5) 36. Flying mammal (3)

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 5

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