AFTERMATH OF NIS JOB TEST TRAGEDY How to cirb unemployment crisis- Gov. Uduaghan

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014 — PAGE 5

One of the rescued victims believed to have been bewitched and bound with fetters in a dungeon, in Soka, Oluyole local government area of Oyo State.

L-R: Olori Omooba Akile Ijebu and Chairman, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Olasubomi Balogun; the Awujale of Ijebuland and Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona; Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson; and the Chairman, Council of Otunbas, Otunba Oshinusi, during Dickson's re-union visit to his maternal kith and kin in Fidipote ruling house in Ijebu- Ode,Ogun State.

20 corpses of ritual victims uncovered in Oyo *23 rescued

BY OLAAJAYI

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BOUT 20 bodies of p eople be

lieved to have been killed for ritual purposes were discovered, yesterday, in Soka, Oluyole local government area of Oyo State.

Also, 18 m en and five

women, believed to have been bewitched and bound with fetters in a dungeon, were found and rescued.

The rescued victims looked emaciated. One of the women was said to have been delivered of a baby who was sold to a waiting buyer among those who always thronged the secluded area at night to buy human parts.

Some of the captives were too weak to tell their stories.

It was gathered that some Fulani cattle rearers grazed their cattle in the bush around the area.

A suspect identified as Akeem Isiaka (38) was

arrested in connection with the incident and taken to Sanyo Police Station.

Containers and wells

containing human parts including skulls were also discovered in the bush.

A woman, Titi Adeniyi,

who managed to speak, said she had been held

captive for more than two years.Another captive, Tunji Alabi, who said he

was a bus conductor before he became a victim of the ritualists, could not say much.

Oyo State Police Com-

mand PRO, SP Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, said some arrests had been made over the discoveri e s .

CONFAB XTIAN/MUSLIM REPRESENTATION CONTROVERSY

CAN threatens to boycott 2016 census

BY SAM EYOBOKA, HENRY UMORU & CALEB AYANSINA

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ONTROVERSY over representation at the ongoing National Conference yesterday made the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to threaten to boycott the 2016 population census and subsequent exercises if religion and ethnic data are not included. Responding to the claim by an Islamic organization, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III, that the process of selecting delegates to the National Conference was not done with fair representation and will affect the credibility of

SOLUTION

its outcome, CAN General Secretary, Dr. Musa Asake, said the inclusion of religion in population census will correct certain negative impressions about which religion has more adherents than the others in the country.

The JNI had, through its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, stated: “Christians, who by all acceptable records, are not more than 40 per cent of the country’s population, ironically, constitutes 62 per cent of the total delegates at the National Conference.”

Asake, in a statement, yesterday, described the claim as an “unprovoked defamation of Nigeria Christians.” “CAN may need to remind JNI of the argument and refusal of Muslims to include religion during the last census in Nigeria. We appeal to JNI not to use religion as a basis for their reservations about the National Conference. We believe the conference will do Nigeria a lot of good,” the CAN scribe said. ”Meanwhile, the JNI should come out with the figures that make the Muslim population to be more than that of Christians as we in CAN will boycott future census in Nigeria beginning with the 2016 exercise if they do not include religion.

Enough is enough!”

While describing the JNI claim as disappointing especially coming from a person of Khalid’s standing in educational attainment, Asake said assuming or suggesting, as it

were, that Muslims are more than Christians in Nigeria as the basis for argument when no census anchored on religion has been carried out was “logically faulty.” He said: “When and how are these figures by the international agencies arrived at?

Which of the international

agencies have census figures that Nigerians do not have? Has there been any census by international agencies in Nigeria? To put forward a suggestion or theories like this one by Khalid, for others to consider should have been well thought out. In this case, the JNI Secretary

General goofed, having put out insensible arguments and thoughts. ”We are therefore challenging the SecretaryGeneral of the JNI to make it public the source of his population figures which shows that Christians in this country are 40 per cent.”

Ekiti 2014: Protest as Fayose emerges The aggrieved aspirants Earlier, five out of PDP candidate votes. the 13 gubernatorial as- later regrouped in the GBENGA ARIYIBI, ADO EKITI

The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Special Congress for the nomination of the party’s candidate for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State has announced a former governor of the state,Mr Ayo Fayose, as the party’s flag bearer.

The five-man committee, which conducted the congress and headed by a former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, declared Fayose after polling 462 votes, while a former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, scored seven votes and the former spokesman of the Yoruba socio cultural organisation,Afenifere,Prince Dayo Adeyeye, had three votes. A former PDP Women Leader in Ekiti State, Chief( Mrs) Modupe Ogundipe, had one vote. Odili said 544 delegates were expected to participate in the exercise, but only 477delegates turned in to vote,while the committee recorded four voided

pirants namely, Adeyeye, Olubolade,Senator Gbenga Aluko, Mr. Abiodun Aluko and Mrs Modupe Ogundipe, who led their supporters on a protest, were tear gassed out of the premises.

campaign office of one of them where they addressed journalists, condemning the exercise.

The aspirants were the advocates of consensus,while Fayose insisted on primaries.

China satellite finds object near Malaysian missing jet search area

BY TONY NWANKWO, with agency reports

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satellite image re leased by China, yesterday, offered the latest sign that wreckage from a Malaysia Airlines plane lost for more than two weeks could be in a remote stretch of the southern Indian Ocean where planes and ships have been searching for three days. The image, showing an object 22 meters (72 feet) by 13 meters (43 feet), was taken around noon Tuesday.

The image location was about 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of where an Australian satellite viewed two objects two days earlier. The larger object was about as long as the one the Chinese

satellite detected.

“The news that I just received is that the Chinese ambassador received a satellite image of a floating object in the southern corridor and they will be sending ships to verify,” Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters, yesterday. Australian officials said the location was within the 36,000-squarekilometer (14,000-squaremile) area they searched on Saturday, but the object was not found. Australian Maritime Safety Authority spokeswoman Andrea Hayward-Maher said she did not know whether the precise coordinates of the location had been searched, but added that coordinators will use the

information to refine the search area.

PAGE 6 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

Anambra cult war: Monarch confirms 5 dead, 15 injured

BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO

T

HE traditional ruler of Obosi community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, has confirmed the death of five persons in the area, while 15 others were critically injured in renewed violent clash between two suspected cult groups.

In a petition to the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Iweka noted that Obosi Kingdom is under siege and has been overrun by cultists resulting in serial cult wars.

According to the petition written on his behalf by his legal counsel, Austin Oguejiofor Esq., the cultists, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, murdered Mr. Pope Okeleke and Mr. Tochukwu Obidiozor from Ugamuma village, Obosi.

In the petition entitled: “For your information and necessary action in respect of the return of violent killings and cultism in Obosi Kingdom”, the monarch also mentioned Mr. Odinaka Umolu and one

other unidentified person from Ire village, Obosi as those murdered, adding that the police and local vigilante group had been overwhelmed by the cultists.

In the petition, copied to the army, the police, DSS and National Assembly, the monarch expressed the fear that his investigation revealed that the cultists were planning to invade his palace since they perceived him as the arrow head of the war against cultism in the area.

He therefore urged the authorities to take urgent

steps to set Obosi Kingdom free from the cultists.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Director of Security Services, DSS, Mr. Alex Okeiyi, confirmed the killings in Obosi but said he did not know the actual number of the deaths.

Speaking in the same vein, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Usman Gwary, who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Emeka Chukwuemeka (DSP), confirmed the crisis and killings in Obosi but said he could not put a figure to the causalities.

NSCDC, Customs officers beat panel beater to death in Lagos

BY FUNMI AJUMOBI & BOSE ADELAJA

T

RAGEDY struck in Dopemu area of Lagos when two friends, identified as an official of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and a Customs officer, allegedly engaged a panel beater in a scuffle that led to his death.

Problem started when the deceased, 38-yearold Abiodun Akeju, was driving his commercial

bus after closing from his Opebi workshop and his bus hit the vehicle of the uniformed men in traffic gridlock.

As gathered by Sunday Vanguard, the officials

dragged the deceased out of his commercial bus and engaged him in a scuffle. Battered Akeju was said to have been rushed to hospital where he died.

The suspects were said to have been arrested and detained at Alabo Division, Dopemu, Lagos.

In an emotional laden voice, Akeju’s elder

Akure

N50 million ransom after kidnapping a two-year old girl, have been arrested by the police in Ondo State.

Another 28-year old suspected kidnapper, a student of Niger Delta University Bayelsa, Gasiakpo Niakpo, was paraded for the kidnapping of Olanrewaju Adekunle, a student of Leads City University, Ibadan.

The state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said Niakpo confessed to the crime

partners in crime escaped.

He said items recovered from him include a Toyota Solara car marked AKD 731 AR, adding that his case file will soon be transferred to the Oyo State Police Command.

Meanwhile, the kidnapped girl has not been released by three suspects at large.

Parading the pastor and the other suspected criminals, Eke said the pastor was arrested in his apartment.

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mobile policeman attached to a bank in Minna, Niger State allegedly shot himself to death with his service rifle. The reason for the suicide remained unknown.

The policeman, identified as Corporal Tanko Usman, according to eyewitnesses, shot himself in an uncompleted building around General M.I Wushishi Housing Estate along Eastern Bye-pass, Minna.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the corporal, attached to Squadron 12 Police Mobile Force, was returning from his duty post when he parked his motorcycle by the building, entered and shot himself.

The shot attracted people living in the area and passersby who rushed to the scene only to find the body of the policemen in a pool of his blood.

The people then notified the Maitumbi Police Division whose officials came along with the Police Mobile Squadron to evacuate the body and deposit it

Hospital, Minna.

Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Richard Oguche, who confirmed the incident, said the

T

HIRTY-ONE suspects including a 28-year- old Pastor Okpara Emmanuel Chigozie, who

Mobile Police Squardron will look into the reason the policemen took his own life, adding that the body had been evacuated and the deceased’s family informed.

FAMILY WIPED OUT: Man, pregnant wife, son killed by generator fumes

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, PH man, his pregnant wife and their son died in the early hours of yesterday, allegedly, from generator fumes at

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their residence in Elekehia area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

Landlord of the residence, Mr Chikarson Boms, said a 17-year-old

Christian leaders told to reject govt appts, awards

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI HRISTIAN leaders have been admonished to reject g o v e r n m e n t appointments to protest the state of the nation.

The author of ‘ Errors of Today ’s Church and the Way Out’, Evangelist Segun Olufemi, stated this at the public presentation of the book in Lagos. He accused clergy men of lobbying for awards and political appointments while the country is in crisis. He spoke against the backdrop of the killings in the North, corruption in government and the poor shape of the economy.

His words: “It is

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brother, Olawale, told Sunday Vanguard the family wants those who killed the deceased to be brought to book.

Corrupt Pastor arrested for kidnapping girl for ransom policemen jailed

BY DAYO JOHNSON, allegedly demanded for while his alleged

Mobile policeman shoots self to death in Minna at the IBB Specialist

By WOLE MOSADOMI, Minna

•The Managing Director, Promasidor, Mr. Keith Richards and the CEO, Accenture Nigeria, Mr. Niyi Yussuf, among other guests, at the opening of the 20th Nigeria Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja, last week.

disappointing to see non-Christian rejecting awards and political appointments and seeing Church leaders lobbying for same awards and appointments. These are some of the errors of today ’s Church that needs to be addressed urgently ”.

Olufemi admonished Christian faithful to live exemplary lifestyle and emulate Christ.

According to him, his two books entitled, ‘Errors of Today ’s Church, and ‘The Bewitchment the Day a Child is Born’, were directly inspired by the Holy Ghost inculcating the true values that stand Christian out of the crowd.

girl, who lived with the family, was the only one that survived. According to the landlord, the family placed the generator close to their room window.

He said neighbours became suspicious when they woke up to see the generator still running and the family members failed to come out. When they knocked on their door, there was no response.

According to him,

when the neighbours forced their way in, they met the family members in sleeping positions, but it was obvious something was wrong.

The man and son were apparently dead.

So the neighbours rushed the girl and the man’s wife who managed to utter some words to hospital.

Boms said the wife could have survived if doctors had responded to her early enough.

Delta NUJ gets new exco

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HE Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council has inaugurated a new Executive Committee.

Most of the state officers were returned unopposed at a peaceful election conducted at the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, House, Asaba.

The seven-member executive has Comrade Norbert Chiazor as Chairman (DBS Warri Chapel), the first chairman

to be returned unopposed in the over 20 years old Delta NUJ,Igbekoyi Felix, Vice Chairman (Asaba Correspondents Chapel), Churchill Oyowe, Secretary (State Information Chapel), Ufuoma Onovughakpo – Soekun, Assistant Secretary, (Asaba Correspondent Chapel) Lucky Ubiebor, Treasurer (Pointer Chapel), Afekobar Celestine, Financial Secretary, (Federal Information Chapel).

T

WO police officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department of Kwara State Command, Ilorin have been sentenced to three and two years i m p r i s o n m e n t respectively without option of fine for violating the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

Sergeant Alih Tenimu and Corporal Salawudeen Abubakar were each sentenced to three and two years imprisonment for demanding and collecting N800,000 bribe from a suspect involved in a criminal matter.

The policemen, alongside one Amodu Adamson, now deceased, were said to have asked one Bello Manisara to pay them N800,000 in order to close the case of criminal breach of trust, and threat to life, being investigated by them.

Joshua Olugbodi clocks 50

T

HE Managing Director of Verdant Zeal Marketing and Communications Limited, Joshua Olatunji Ishola Olugbodi, turns 50 on Tuesday.

He is a fellow of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and has distinguished himself in the advertising profession through numerous positions he occupied under the auspices of the Advertising Association of Nigeria (AAAN).

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 7

If I don’t make it (1)

W

get ready –just in case…

In 2004 as now, as the day drew near, I was plagued with all sorts of health worries. I almost had a fatal accident two months to the date. Well, on Saturday, March 8, 2014, history repeated itself. My old jalopy, which had been in a workshop for four months, was released to me on Thursday, March 6, 2014. That was after being chiseled out of N850,000 for an engine overhaul. I took the car home and parked it until that almost fateful Saturday, to attend a wedding ceremony.

Because of Lent, I took no food or drink at the ceremony. At 9.00 pm, I was on the Third Mainland Bridge, driving at about 70-80 kph – because I wanted to be sure the car was in good condition. Suddenly, a trailer in another lane, swerved in front of me and I applied the brakes.

NOTHING HAPPENED. The car just continued moving as if I had done nothing – even when my foot was down on the brake. Fortunately, there was a free lane on my right and I quickly

The young have a wasted future in Nigeria "We are forced to fall back on fatalism as an explanation of irrational events (that is to say, events the reasonableness of which we do not understand)." --- Leo Tolstoy young man, who lived near my par ents, sent me a message on the social network, some while back. He was a toddler when I left home but he knows of me and we occasionally communicate over the social media.

After the usual pleasantries, he asked me how life was like in the UK. So I told him but I had an inkling that there was more to his curiosities and my inbuilt flag was flaying madly waiting for the usual. And it didn't take long, he told me he needed some money, that he was saving up for a ticket .

To where I asked him? He said, to the Middle East. I did what any concerned person would, I asked what were his plans and if he was travelling for studying or meeting family? I knew his parents were deceased and he often stays at my parents or at his siblings.

So I asked him, has he got family in the Middle East?

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No, was the answer. Are there any immediate plans or prospects for a job when he gets there? No, he said.

Well, there I was telling the young man that he should not go anywhere until he has a concrete plan and a legitimate one at that.

I told him he may be putting his life in harm's way and advised him to stay in Nigeria, where he, at least, had family and friends. He told me there was nothing for him in Nigeria. I did try to dissuade him to change or alter his plans or at least have some cast iron plan prior to his travel. I knew this young man's mind was made up.

He is no older than my 24 year old son and I somehow felt helpless to convince him to stay at least protect him from the unknown as I would have my son.

He already knew and he felt he had no alternative, staying in Nigeria just as millions of other young Nigerians. The future for them is not worth contemplating with interrupted education, shrinking employment market, corrupt officials and establishment

words of appreciation will be sufficient. And Attah is the only politician I have ever trusted in Nigeria. You only need to know the man to realise that you are meeting with a rare sort of human being.

The surprises include Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President under Obasanjo. The relationship started when Obasanjo began victimizing Atiku in order to promote Baba Iyabo’s third term ambition. I was deeply involved in the struggle to ensure that OBJ did not succeed. Atiku then became a valuable ally in the struggle. One day, PDP hoodlums in Lagos

sponded with a gift of a car – at a time I seriously needed one. I turned the car down; after explaining to Atiku that people might read different meanings to the entire thing if I accepted the offer. I was without a car for three months after the offer. But, I am grateful the Turaki made the offer; I am even more grateful that he took no offense that I refused the offer. We remain friends and I appreciate him. He is an infinitely better human being than OBJ and that is why he moves around so effortlessly.

HELP; THAT SHE MAY NOT DIE NOW “ We spend our lives waiting and we are all condemned to die.” Epicurus, 341-270 B.C. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUITATIONS p32).

Yes death awaits us all.

But that doesn’t mean we should not help young people to stay alive.

There is a young lady in Ward D1 of the General Hospital, Lagos Island, who needs help to stay alive – N200,000 exactly. I don’t have N200,000; otherwise there would have been no point writing this appeal. But, I have ten copies left of the BOOK OF QUOTATIONS to send to twenty kind souls willing to donate N20,000 each. God will bless you abundantly.

moved to that lane. Certainly, if there was no alternative lane to use, or I was traveling at 100-120 kph, the car and I would have been decapitated.

Had the accident occurred, nobody would have thought the workshop was responsible.

The wine bottles in the car would have offered “proof ” that I was drunk and probably overspeeding.

I returned the car to the killer workshop on Monday and four days after, they were still checking the brake!! That only tells you how these workshops kill thousands of Nigerians and we don’t know it because their criminal negligence is buried with the victim.

So, if I don’t make it, permit me to register the fact that the Consumer Protection Council, CPC, has to conduct an inquiry into the operations of our car dealers – Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai and KIA; especially my own Killer workshop.

From comments made by other aggrieved customers, mine might not be an exception at that workshop.

However regarding the

Sobowale if not for Uncle Sam, Publisher, VANGUARD. He is my employer, my role model for column writing, mentor, supporter, debater and senior friend. Uncle Sam and Obong Victor Attah, former Governor and Father of Akwa Ibom State remain the only two people outside my immediate family for whom no

Island destroyed my almost brand new KIA OPTIMA and left me without transport for almost four months. Atiku heard about it and proceeded to buy me a new car. When he invited me to Abuja, the least I expected was a car. That put me in an ethical dilemma. I was supporting him on principle, and he had re-

Visit: www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/ biolasobowale

of staggering poverty for the majority of Nigerians.

It is no wonder that the young Nigerians see their future in Nigeria as dim and dire.

The alternative is not worth contemplating. They would rather take their chances elsewhere. These choices are difficult to make and they did not arrive at it lightly and yet, they have to make these choices every single, waking moment in order to survive or have a future. Two weeks, ago, I heard he has left Nigeria and I am unable to contact him. I remember what he told me that: that anywhere was better than Nigeria, I am inclines sadly, to believe him.

Last Saturday (15th March), was another dark day in the history of our country for young people.

Thousands of job-seekers were corralled into stadi-

ing of the form( I have been told this is actually the norm rather than the exception in many state and private establishments).

There was only 4,500 posts and millions applied!

Each applicant had to pay 1,000 naira which is about £3.5, to take the test. The department raked in over N6billion.

This is an act that I find disturbing and unethical that such unscrupulous people are cashing in on other peoples' miseries.

Even knowing that these people are unemployed; what is worrying is that many more would have applied and crammed into the very stadium if only they could have afforded the price of the form.

Depending on how many paper and media sourcesbetween seven and over a dozen died in the stampede

has a capacity for 60,000.

So to make matters worse the Interior Minister, Abba Moro had the temerity to blame the victims that "lost their lives through their impatience" and that "there have been "poor handling" of the event by officials, that unauthorised" people who had broken through the fence into the national stadium, Abuja.

One of the applicants, Mohammed Yusuf, recounted that he saw two people crushed to death in front of him, saying it was "very terrible". And he blamed the officials in charge of the stadium for the deaths, saying that more than one gate should have been opened" It seems to me that we all know where the blame lies and that the priorities was to fleece more money from people who have less and the safety of these applicants was never a priority. Where was the health and safety protocol or crowd control in a large scale event such as this?

The minister is indignant that he will not resign and that he was not culpable for the loss of lives in this debacle. He instead has asked Nigerians to be patient(again) so that he can carry out a robust investigation as to what went badly wrong and no, there is no refund.

The federal government has offered automatic employment to families of the victims following the stampede during the recruitment test of the Nigerian Immigration Service last Satur-

day.

President Jonathan gave the directive Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting and he has directed that families of all those who lost their lives would be given automatic slot for employment. You cannot make this up but I must tell you, I find this very distasteful that you have to lose your loved ones and then be given a fast track to employment. I do not know who advises the president but this is not the way one goes about solving a badly managed disaster nor a deeply flawed culture that sweeps corruption and corporate manslaughter under the carpet. It will rear its ugly head again and again. Lessons have to be learnt and people have to be held responsible and if need be, convicted for such large scale crime.

Would we ever get to the bottom of what went wrong? What do you think?

I would not hold my breath and I will advise you not to hope for a change of tact.

Life is cheap in Nigeria, the young seems to bear brunt of this administration's incompetence. Nigeria is Africa's biggest oil producer and with one of the world's fastest growing economies, what confidence have we in our government to steer and utilise the country's wealth and potential human resource. With billions of dollars misappropriated, siphoned or unaccounted for, what hope is there for our young people?

,

,

“Go and die.” Uncle Sam, of VANGUARD; Gov. Oshiomhole, Edo State.

ORDS of wis dom, as you will soon discover. If I wake up on the morning of May 8, this year, I will beam a benevolent smile on anybody saying to me “go and die”. What else is there to do? On that day, I would have broken a family jinx or curse as a result of which no male child in the Sobowale family, in two hundred years, had made it to 60.

On that day I will be 70.

When in 2004, I made 60, after being Head of Family, at the ridiculous age of 46, everybody expected a big party. I had the money; lots of it then.

But, there was no party.

To me it was really a sad occasion when I know families where a “Baba 70” still had elder brothers. In one Lagos family, the Baba 70 was fourth in line. Now, if I make it to 70, there will still be no big party. Now, I don’t have the money for a big bash. But, I will invite a few people for a small get together later in the month. So, my friends,

possibility of NOT making it to 70, let me express gratitude to certain individuals who had been there for me every step of the way. There are two names, on that list, which will surprise everybody. The last still baffles me. Wonders never cease.

On the home front, the two most important people in my life, alive today, remain, my brother (father) Professor B.K. Ogunmodede and our Mummy(a sister-in-law without comparison on earth), Mrs V.O. Sobowale. Outside the home, it is possible that few people would ever have heard the name Dele

Death awaits us all.

But that doesn’t mean we should not help young people to stay alive

I find this very distasteful that you have to lose your loved ones and then be given a fast track to employment

ums including one in Abuja, for an aptitude test to gain employment at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Over a million people applied and for 4,500 posts and to make matters worse, they also had to pay N 1,000 each for the process-

,

that followed. Many more were seriously injured. The Education Rights Campaign blamed the NIS for inviting more applicants than centres could accommodate. It said 65,000 people were invited to the Abuja National Stadium that

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PAGE 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

Immigration Tragedy: Minister Abba Moro will remain statement, hence the numerous calls for the removal of the Minister.

But then there are many reasons why Abba Moro would remain in office. The first is that it is not part of the Nigerian culture for a Minister to quit his office.

No one has ever done so on the basis of what is known as the principle of Ministe-

,

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N interesting fallout of the death of some Nigerians last week while in search of employment at the nation’s Immigration Service was a statement credited to ‘Comrade’ Abba Moro the Interior Minister in charge of the sector. According to media reports, the Minister was convinced that the tragedy was caused by the refusal of the applicants to adhere to the rules of engagement designed for the recruitment exercise. It was as if the Minister was sure that the only logical consequence of the applicants’ conduct was death. In other words, there were 3 options available to the applicants that fateful day - one was to expect to be recruited; another was the possibility of being rejected and third, was to expect to die.

A review of these options clearly suggests that the Minister ’s statement was not well thought out. Perhaps several individuals and groups must have been incensed by the reckless

accepting responsibility is firmly rooted in civilized societies where leaders bear vicarious liability for whatever transpires within their functional jurisdiction even where they are not personally at fault. We drew attention to the historic 1954 case in the United Kingdom of Sir Thomas Dugdale who saw it as his

Those who have issues with how the consultant was selected need not worry because events have overtaken all of that. The Federal Government has itself taken over the function now confirming that our Immigration Service can no longer conduct a routine recruitment exercise

,

rial Responsibility - a trend in other countries in which Ministers quit because of a problem in the sector they are in charge of. It is probably apt to repeat what this column canvassed some 2 years back. At that time we did say that the culture of

duty to resign as minister for agriculture after an inquiry criticised civil servants in his ministry over a compulsory purchase of some farmland. Meanwhile, though there was no evidence of his personal involvement. He only bowed out in honour

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

08116759758

Nigeria’s Centenary celebration and its discontents (3) wuma Nzeogwu and other ringleaders of the January 15, 1966 coup cited corruption as the major reason why they sought to overthrow the clueless government of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. Since then, corruption has grown to the level that, in 2014, misappropriation of public funds by top public officials is usually in the order hundreds of millions and billions of naira or their foreign currency equivalents.

Chinua Achebe, in his little book, The Trouble with Nigeria, correctly identified the ruling elite as the chief culprit in canonising corruption as a way of life.

The problem of corruption and indiscipline in the ruling class is worrisome, because effort to combat it by members of the same cabal has always been half-hearted and ineffective. For instance, President Jonathan committed a serious error of judgement by pardoning former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyesiegha, who was convicted in 2008 for stealing more than $10 million in state funds. In my opinion, despite the exonerative hot air from Jonathan’s sycophants, that singular act makes his administration the most corruptionfriendly government in Nigerian history.

Make no mistake about it; the malignant cancer of

corruption is worse now than it has ever been, because of the unprecedented and reckless manner in which politicians, from the presidency down to local government chairmen and their acolytes, are using the country’s resources to destroy the very country they swore to protect. Of course,

,

A

T this point, let us discuss one of the main reasons for having a low-key centenary celebration, namely, our inability to tame the octopus called corruption and indiscipline, whose ugly tentacles have spread to every facet of our national life, including the judiciary, the purported “last hope of the common man.” Corruption is a negative word that covers many things. Here, we are drawing attention to the propensity of government officials to divert public funds and assets into private use. Since amalgamation, corruption has been part of public administration in the country at all levels. However, the phenomenon is now so deeply entrenched, habitual and widespread, from the highest echelons of power to the lowest, that Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

During the colonial period, Nigerians appointed to various positions of authority connived with unscrupulous British officials to steal public funds. At independence, corruption steadily grew worse. Members of the political elite who inherited power from the departing colonialists saw it as an opportunity for self-enrichment, debauchery and petty-minded scheming for power. It is therefore not surprising that Major Chuk-

Many countries follow the same principle. In Romania, the minister of interior, Vasile Blaga, resigned a week after 5,000 police officers went on a one-day strike in protest over a 25% pay cut. Although Blaga described the strike as illegal, he never-the-less resigned as a gesture of honour. In India, two political leaders, including the Infrastructure Minister resigned after nearly two weeks of strike action by coal miners and health workers. In Ghana, Dr. George Yankey, the minister of health and Amadu Siedu, minister of state at the presidency resigned following bribery allegations against them.

Ghana's President did not only accept the resignations, he mandated the country's anti-corruption agency to investigate the matter. In Nigeria on the other hand, Ministers become more important when issues under their purview fail. For instance, our Education Ministers over the years often looked more robust whenever ASUU was on strike. They neither quit nor are sacked. People who leave the office of Minister in our clime do so only when they are set to contest for another position. So, there is nothing to suggest that our current Interior Minister is about to do the unusual.

The second reason why Minister Abba Moro is likely to remain in office is because the present administration is never too quick at then, and Nigerians seeking tertiary education had to go abroad for that purpose. In 1948, the University College, Ibadan, was founded as a campus of the University of London. In subsequent decades, the number of public owned universities increased rapidly. At all levels of education private individuals are involved as proprietors to fill the gap created by insufficient number of public schools and tertiary institutions. Now, in terms of curriculum content, a plausible case can be made that things have improved somewhat, with the introduction of new subjects such as computer studies relevant to the demands of contemporary life. However, in terms of quality of

I support those calling for the institution of true federalism, based on the principle that “from each geopolitical zone according to its capacity, to each according to its contribution

the widening eddies of corruption is a reflection of the crisis of values in our country. Since 1967, the Nigerian leadership has systematically dismantled structures created for meritocracy and replaced them with the ones that promote mediocrity, nepotism and indiscipline.

The clearest example of this is in our public universities, which leads us to important issue of deteriorating quality of education at all levels in the last hundred years. From 1914 to 1960, Nigeria had relatively few educational institutions majority of which were located in Southern Nigeria.

There were no universities

,

teachers, knowledge impartation, the learning environment, including infrastructure for teaching and learning, and calibre of graduates at all levels, there is a noticeable drop in quality despite few oases of excellence here and there.

Between the 1960s and early 1980s, some Nigerian universities were probably among the best in the world, and certainly in Africa. Presently, no Nigerian university is in the first five thousand among world universities, and first ten among universities in Africa. Although some of the parameters used in webometric ranking of universi-

sacking its members. Ministers that leave office in Nigeria are usually said to have been released to concentrate on political campaigns in furtherance of their electoral interests.

Even Minister Stella Oduah and Chief of Staff Mike Ogiadomhe who left recently allegedly did so on that account. Indeed were it not that an American University offered Dr. Ali Pate the post of Professor he would have remained in office as Minister of State (Health) even if he had to physically iron out issues on a daily basis with his estranged Minister of Health Third, Minister Abba Moro is too well connected to be sacked. Interestingly, some members of the Senate who are fully aware of this naively joined the public to call for the removal of the Minister. Did they mean it? Have the Senators forgotten so soon that they gave Mr Moro a blank cheque to operate as Minister? Otherwise, during his screening in the Senate, what value did he tell them he would add to government before they cleared him? In fact, did they bother to ask him any question whatsoever? They did not.

They only asked him to take a bow and leave. If so, on what grounds are they assessing him now? What target did the Senate set for him that he has not met?

The man simply bowed and left as directed and went to his Ministry to organize his own understanding of the best way to suties are questionable, there is no doubt that our educational institutions as a whole, not just the universities, are in serious trouble.

On this issue, our corrupt political leaders are largely responsible. Yet, within the institutions themselves, there is a rising tide of mediocrity and ethnic chauvinism which would destroy the system completely if corrective measures are not taken expeditiously. For instance, once upon a time, late Professors Eni Njoku and Kenneth Onwuka Dike were Vice Chancellors of University of Lagos and University of Ibadan respectively. Both men had solid intellectual profiles, and were selected on merit.

Their place of origin did not matter in the calculus of those that appointed them - and rightly so, because ethnicity is completely irrelevant in determining quality of performance by a VC. Nowadays, Professors of many years standing seek to become VCs on narrow ethnic platform, while others are prepared to go to any length to ensure that “a son of the soil” gets the position. The same folly of basing crucial decisions on silly criteria runs through the entire gamut of our education sector. Thus, from a panoramic view of our education since amalgamation, we are yet to evolve a system that can really address the fundamental problems of our national development.

The list of honourees for the centenary celebration shows that President Jonathan and his advisers did not do their homework well; perhaps they were not interested in applying the best standards in the process. It is difficult to ascertain rationally the criteria they used in compiling that list. In fact, a group that

pervise a government parastatal. He decided to do what some other Ministers do by subjecting the Chief Executives of his Parastatals who are supposed to be in charge of the day to day running of their organizations to routine supervision.

It would appear that this was what Rose Uzoma who was Comptroller General of Immigration didn’t quite fall for that she was sacked 3 months to the end of her tenure in January 2013. As Sambo Gwandu a retired Assistant Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, testified during the week, Minister Abba Moro hijacked the recruitment process from the board charged with the responsibility of recruiting personnel into the Nigeria immigration Service and other agencies under the watch of the Ministry. The assignment was then handed over to a Consultant.

Those who have issues with how the consultant was selected need not worry because events have overtaken all of that. The Federal Government has itself taken over the function now confirming that our Immigration Service can no longer conduct a routine recruitment exercise which they had always done well in the past until the era of ‘bow and go’ Minister. As we hear, Government has thoroughly warned the Minister but he remains in office. Of course, no need for probes that may unravel too many other issues. contains corrupt politicians, military dictators and undesirable elements, with a sprinkling of good people, is an indication of intellectual confusion and moral turpitude.

As for whether the socalled Nigerian unity is renegotiable, it is unfortunate that Mr. President adopted completely the slogan of military dictators that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable. I am a Nigerian, although occasionally I regret it for obvious reasons and sometimes I am happy about it. The fact is that the present geopolitical architectonic of Nigeria is in need of urgent reconstruction. Therefore, I support those calling for the institution of true federalism, based on the principle that “from each geopolitical zone according to its capacity, to each according to its contribution.” That is the only way to ensure justice and equity among the various peoples that make up this potentially great country, Nigeria.

In conclusion, like every birthday there are some good reasons for Nigerians to celebrate the centenary of their “nationhood.” Yet, a thinking government should have seriously considered the history of the country and the prevailing human condition nationwide to determine the appropriate way to mark the event. The wasteful manner Jonathan’s administration went about the whole thing shows that little deep thinking is going on at Aso Rock and other epicentres of power in Nigeria. Like the biblical prodigal son, our leaders are telling the world that we are poor managers of our affairs.

What a poor record, especially after a hundred years of experiment in nation building! CONCLUDED.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2024 — PAGE 9

•Bereaved husband and kids... Govt insensitive

AGONY OF IMMIGRATION STAMPEDE WIDOWER

‘I found my wife in the mortuary, cold dead, after parting at test venue’ SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

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f they had known, maybe they would have asked government to forget its job so they could live together. This is part of the lamentation of Mr Austin Amu, the widower of Mrs Sandra Amun, who lost her life, Saturday, March 15, 2014, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City, where the recruitment exercise of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) took place. Incidentally, Amun, from Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Council of Edo State, participated in the recruitment exercise with the deceased but survived the stampede. It was a pitiable sight when Sunday Vanguard visited the family’s residence in Benin City watching the husband of the deceased trying to administer medication on their last born, Favour, who was crying due to cough and catarrh.

Amun recalled that he and Sandra had woken up on the ill-fated day and had their bath together as they had always done in the past 10 years. They planned to get to the recruitment venue on time. They actually did but met an uncontrollable crowd at the stadium as thousands of applicants struggled to participate in the job test. Sunday Vanguard found that the stampede

occurred because the organizers decided to lock the big gates and used the small ones at the stadium. As a result, people had to pay N1000 each to gain entry.. Those who could not afford the money made frantic efforts to find their way into the stadium at all costs, a situation that created chaos.

Amun narrated his story to Sunday Vanguard: “ I applied for the job as a senior secondary school holder while

•Sandra... gone forever my wife applied as a graduate because she finished from Auchi Polytechnic.

On that day, while we were on queue, I could have been the victim because while I was in the crowd, I almost couldn’t breath. I told her we should go home. But she said I shouldn’t worry, that I should find somewhere to relax while she will be at the stadium and monitor things and then get back to me. About 20 minutes later, her younger brother who also came to write the examination saw me and asked after his sister. I told him she was in the crowd. 30 minutes later, somebody shouted that a woman had died.

I didn’t know it was my wife. It was then they now went to open the big gates into the stadium. The first time, they were using the small gates; it was after the incident that they went to open the big gates, for people to enter the stadium.. I thought I was going to see

her inside the stadium. I went round the place, I didn’t see her. Around 4 pm when we were about to write the test, I still had not seen her and I became more worried but the brother encouraged me to write the test saying maybe she was writing her own somewhere. After the test, I sat by the gates thinking while coming out I would see her. I waited till around 6.30 to 7 pm.

Later, thought maybe she would be in my viewing centre. I went there but didn’t see her, people came around to watch football, but because I had not seen my wife, I couldn’t open the shop.

I locked the place and called her younger brother and my friend who has a vehicle. We went to the hospital where they rushed those injured during the test, to check if she was there; but they said they had discharged four people who sustained injuries. They checked their names, my wife’s name was not there. They now said there was one woman who Immigration officials brought without a name and they used no name to book the woman’s corpse.

I now requested to see the woman.

Behold I saw my wife in the mortuary sleeping alone. I touched her, she could not touch me, I called her, she could not answer. I tried to call her phone because I did not believe she was dead; but she did not pick. But somebody picked her phone on the ground and the person told me he couldn’t reach the owner until after the test, because of the crowd. It was the next day that the Civil Defence people that collected it brought it home.

“Since the incident nobody has called me from the Immigration Service. The only people that came to see me were from a human rights group based in Abuja. They asked how I felt and what happened. I told them the story. I don’t know where to start from. We had been together even before she went to Auchi Polytechnic, she went to the polytechnic from my house; she finished her studies before we started having kids.

She graduated in HND banking and finance seven years ago. The most senior child, a girl, Favour, is six years, Miracle, the second, is five and the last, Favour (male), is three years. I want assistance from government, let them give the children scholarship, give me and my brother-in-law jobs.

My wife’s mother and grandmother are still alive; she is the first daughter of her family and I am the first son of my family too. This load is too much for me and I don’t know where to start.”

Why Western, herbal medicine must mix – Prof. Edema

By Ikenna Asomba rofessor Mary Edeme, Director, Centre for Gender Studies, University of Benin (UNIBEN), wants collaboration between Western and herbal medicine to improve our health sector.

Delivering the 137th Inaugural Lecture Series of UNIBEN, entitled: “Help From Nature, Addition to Nature: What Does it Contain,” Edeme said her Ph.D thesis had proven that for an improved health system in Nigeria, the need to mix western and herbal medicine within the university curriculum has become imperative. In the 45 minutes interactive lecture, the professor of organic chemistry attributed her inquisitiveness in her father ’s occasional herbal therapy and his wonderful herbal stories, as key pointers to carrying out the research, thereby looking at some plant materials implicated

P

in medicinal cure to verify the claims and possibly the chemical constituents.

Earlier, in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. John Okhuoya, said: “The lecture focuses on the help we can derive from nature, what we can add to nature through organic and synthetic chemistry,” adding that “today, chemical, analysis of nature’s gift has aided man to enjoy the products of synthesis of drugs, food and raw materials for industries.”

Particularly interested in the potency of herbs in bone healing and other ailments, Edema said: “My father had two different herbal mixtures for bone healing; one contained Crinum jagus (J. Thomps.) and the other Cisssu arguta (Hook F). As part of my

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PAGE 10 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

jumped inside the truck and drove off.

N

o one looked to see the air force man’s condition inside the gutter, as he could not come out immediately. From his countenance, he looked like someone drunk.

He must have become unconscious there.

“Meanwhile our duty commander, Sgt Eko Sunday, drove away with the other soldiers, and made false statement against me; that I was the one who first attacked them and Thompson. My colleague Caleb was also joined – as they left only two of us at the junction – and the deceased whom they abandoned in that state of unconsciousness.

“The following day, December 28, 2000, at about 7-8am, an army truck came to our duty post, with a group of soldiers.

They arrested Caleb and I and

body. Under that condition, we were then asked to write statements. Whatever we wrote was torn to shreds.

“They now began to dictate what we should write. When we refused, irons were used on us. My head was broken, my body peeled. Because I refused to accept the dictated statements, I was locked with chains – hands and legs and dumped in the guardroom.

“The next day, we were brought out for another round of torture. Weak and, at the point of death, I submitted under duress. I was asked 69 questions of their choice. I answered all to satisfy them to save myself from further torture.

“They said I shot the deceased. I said I did not. Right from the day I was deployed to 1 Division Garrison, I found out that one bullet was missing from the magazine of the AK 47 assigned to me which

,,

They now began to dictate what we should write. When we refused, irons were used on us. My head was broken, my body peeled. Because I refused to accept the dictated statements, I was locked with chains – hands and legs and dumped in the guardroom

‘Chained to the floor for four years!’ *Army corporal accused of killing fellow soldier cries for justice

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ance Corporal Matthew Isabu (93NA/35/1993), who claimed to have served in 1 Division Workshop of Nigerian Army, alleges that he has been tortured since December 2000 when a scuffle with an air force sergeant reportedly led to his death. His story: “I was on official assignment during the Kaduna crisis of Friday, December 27, 2000 at about 10-11pm at Musawa junction. We were four on duty that day, namely:

Oladokun Caleb (Pvte), Cpl Martins, Cpl Isikilu and myself. Sgt Eko Sunday was the guard commander in charge of the zone.

As there was no light that night, the whole area was very dark. An army truck drove to where we were with the headlights directed at us.

“The truck stopped and Sgt Eko Sunday called me to come.

I went to him and he asked what happened between me and one Sgt Thompson of the Air Force who was with them in the truck.

“Initially, I wasn’t aware of the man’s presence in the truck. But to my surprise the (now deceased) air force sergeant began to point at me, saying he will deal with me . I just stood alert watching him.

In the process, the air force sergeant jumped down from the truck and began to threaten me. He held my gun and wanted to disarm me. I resisted him. As we were struggling, he slipped and fell inside the gutter. As soon he fell inside the gutter, Sgt Eko Sunday and the other soldiers’

took us to the barracks where we were tortured, detained and locked up at Iusiu Garrison till the following day.

Up to that time, Sgt Thompson remained abandoned inside the gutter at Musawa junction.

Continued torture “On December 29, a group of armed soldiers came to the guardroom and asked us to come out. They tied us with chord – hands to the back, and commanded us to lay facedown. This was under the instructions of the then Lt. Col Audu, Commander of 1 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, Kaduna. We were thrown inside the truck, facing sky-wards under the hot late morning sun, and taken to 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna. We were handed over to the Military Police (MP) under the command of then Lt. Col Adeyemi, the Military Police Provost.

“Adeyemi commanded his men to continue the torture. We were now completely naked.

The MPs used all kinds of instruments to torture us – we sustained wounds all over the

usually contains 30 rounds of ammunition.

I

made this known to Lance Cpl Musa, whom I took over from and he admitted that he was the one that once misfired. To make it official, I took him to the armourer in company of other colleagues.

They counted and said there were 29 bullets in the presence of the armourer.

Thereafter, I signed and took over the rifle from L/Cpl Musa.

That notwithstanding, I was still locked in the Military Police guardroom for the missing bullet. Later a Board of Enquiry was set up by my unit. One Major Abu was the Chairman. He led other members to the guardroom where they interrogated me. I stated what happened. The Board discharged and acquitted me in their report.

‘Summary trial’ “Yet, a summary trial was carried out at 1 Division Garrison under the command of the then Lt.Col Audu, after

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SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 11

Delta artistes to key into Uduaghan’s three-point agenda

BY FESTUS AHON Comrade Ambassador Okwuigbedi is the Secretary of PMAN in Delta State. He is among those recently elected to lead the association. In the interview, he speaks on the election.

Excerpts:

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OULD you tell us your experience since the dissolution of Delta State PMAN? The state exco, under the leadership of Comrade Emma Grey, was dissolved on February 19, 2014 and, in that

Continued from page 10 which I was referred to a court martial in 2001. I can still remember vividly that at the end of the summary trial, Lt Col Audu said to my hearing that the officers in my unit wrote a very good report about us.

H

e said we should look for a good lawyer that will handle the case as it was referred to a court martial.

Unfortunately, I had no help from within or access to legal aid or my people before the sittings of the court martial.

Like a fait accompli, we were condemned to die by hanging.

“Four years on, I was still in chains in the Military Police guardroom. There, one Lt Col Ibokette, who took over from Lt Col Adeyemi as Provost Commander, 1 Division Headquarters, Kaduna, visited the guardroom during inspection. He was shocked to see me in chains. He exclaimed!, “Young man, how long have you been chained?”

I said four years. He shouted: “For what?” One of my tormentors present, in an attempt to justify their wickedness, responded: “Sir, it’s because of the seriousness of the

same meeting, I was made the Acting Governor and Chairman, Electoral Committee (PDEC) with all the zonal secretaries as members.

The Electoral Committee, under my leadership, worked out the electioneering processes and criteria that made the state election possible in Asaba on Thursday, March 13 where Evang Comrade Quincy Uruemuesiri Tebite, JP, popularly known as Tisio-Tisio, emerged as PMAN Governor with 39 votes against 11 votes polled by Emma Grey.

What do you think is responsible for the emergence of Tisio-Tisio as PMAN Governor-elect?

You are asking me why Emma Grey lost out?

From my own little understanding, and as Secretary of this noble association for 10 years now, I make bold to say that Emma Grey lost out not because he is not strong but the people just wanted change of government and fresh air at the helm of PMAN affairs in Delta State. Secondly, I feel Emma Grey did not do his

home work by campaigning across the 10 zones in the state. The PMAN GovernorElect went round all the zones; even at the exGovernor ’s zone which is Warri and convinced the people about the need for fresh air which was bought into by fellow comrades across Delta State.

As a Secretary Delta PMAN, what do you think Tisio-Tisio could do differently?

When all the contestants presented their manifestoes before the election, it was obvious that there is a clarion call that Delta PMAN must collaborate with the state government and corporate organizations if it must succeed. This was the first issue addressed by the Governor-elect in his manifesto. This alone turned everybody to his side because the past administration failed on this which left Delta PMAN in the lurch.

Do you foresee PMAN Delta State going in the right direction under the leadership of Tisio-Tisio?

Yes! To my own understanding, Tisio Tsio has personal relationship with Delta State government since

the inception of democracy, I mean since the time of Chief James Onanefe Ibori as governor. Comrade Tisio played in the campaigns of Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. And, over these years, Tisio has advocated the need for Delta PMAN to key into the state government developmental agenda. Now that he holds Delta PMAN’s mantle of leadership, the preacher must do what he preaches. Like what he told me after his victory, that Delta PMAN must key into the three-point agenda of Governor Uduaghan if we must succeed. Somebody of such standing can not rule PMAN and something less will be expected.

So what do you think is the way forward?

The PMAN Governor-elect is out of the country on consultation trip. According to him, he ought to have traveled before but he delayed because of the election. Before his trip abroad, he arranged with me what to do before his return for our inauguration. Fellow comrades across the 10 zones of the state are making arrangements to give him a rousing welcome at Osubi airport when he returns on Tuesday, March 25.

Why Western, herbal medicine must mix – Prof.

Edema Continued from page 9 PhD work, I took a look at Crinum jagus, a plant with bulbs that are like big onions.

It has various uses in herbal medicine in Nigeria: treatment of cough, open wounds, convulsion and bone healing. We further carried out work on Crinium jagus, Solanum indicum (Linn) and a herbal mixture containing Ipomoea aquatica, all of which are used for treatment of convulsion and epilepsy.

All three, showed protection against electrically induced convulsion. Some scholastic works have supported the herbal claim for their use.”

Sueing for an effective collaboration, the don said: “There is so much divide between western medicine and herbal practice on bone healing in Nigeria. This work showed that the herb aids the calcium precipitation and thus time for healing.

However, the proper arrangement of the bones, the tension level of the tied area and microbial activity in the affected area is a different issue.

Instead of a dichotomy, the Ministries of health and researchers in Medicine should find a common ground to market this gift from nature.”

‘Chained to the floor for four years!’ case.” The Commander asked,” What is so serious about the case? Were the soldiers not on duty? And was it not on operation?” They became silent; they could not answer the questions. Lt. Col Ibokette recommended that we should be released, having already over-stayed in the guardroom. Shortly after, Lt.Col Ibokette was transferred to the War College, Abuja while his recommendation was dumped.

But by God’s intervention, the death sentence was commuted to life jail on May 26, 2004. Next, we were transferred to Kaduna Central Prison. Although our tormentors were said to have secretly warned the prisons officials, with a written note on my warrant, that on no account should I be transferred to any other prison without their permission, in 2009, I was transferred by the Kaduna Prison’s authority to the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos, without their knowledge.

‘Providence’ “By providence, while I was

in Kaduna Prison, early in 2009, one Lydia, then an undergraduate at the University of Jos, who heard about my

case, took the matter to the then Chief of the Defence Staff, General Martins Agwai.

The Defence Chief, reported-

ly furious over the way I was treated, summoned the 1 Division Commander to his office and cautioned him concerning my continued detention. Rather than complying with General Agwai’s order, the G.O.C 1 Division, Kaduna reportedly took some of his men to UNIJOS to identify the lady who reported my case and ‘’pleaded” with her, promising that he will ensure I was released from prison.

Through Agwai’s efforts, the matter was tabled before the late President Umar Yar ’Adua shortly before he took ill – and never returned to work. It was also reported to the National Assembly in 2009.

Meanwhile, it was discovered that the air force authorities, in 2001, court martialled the deceased Sergeant Thompson and found him guilty of abandoning his duty post and going to the army post.”

The authorities could not be reached to comment on L/ Cpl. Isabu’s story at the weekend.

PAGE 12 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

The Crimea referendum and the great betrayal

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BY FEMI FANI-KAYODE

N Sunday 16th March 2014 a ref erendum was held in Crimea to determine whether the people of that region will stay in Ukraine or opt to be part of the Russian Federation. This was a positive development that has now made Crimea part of Russia and thereby right the wrongs of 1954.

This was the year that Crimea people were handed over, rather like cattle, to Ukraine by an over-generous and rather excitable Soviet President Nikita Kruschev who could not possibly have conceived what the future would hold 60 years later and who could not possibly have envisaged what a threat this act would eventually constitute to the fortunes, welfare and security of the Russian state.

One of the things that needs to be clearly understood right from the outset about the unfolding crisis in the Ukraine is that as far as the majority of the people of Crimea are concerned and as far as President Vladimer Putin and the government of the Russian Federation is concerned, the new regime in the Ukraine came to power by unconstitutional means and is therefore illegitimate and illegal. Rightly or wrongly these are their views and their concerns.

They also have grave fears for the safety, security and welfare of the Russian-speaking population who actually live in Crimea and who constitute the majority. Given the history of the area and the nature of those that now hold the reigns of power in Kiev, these concerns cannot be easily dismissed or wished away even by the most cynical of commentators.

I believe that those concerns are very real and that they are perfectly legitimate. In any case the Russians are not the only ones that harbour these fears. American presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, a man whose views are highly respected and who is noted for his ability to speak nothing but the bitter truth, told Fox News host Bill O’Reilly some interesting things.

Intellihub.com, an American website magazine, wrote‘’Tuesday evening while speaking to Fox News host Bill O’Reilly, presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich, dropped information on the situation in the Ukraine that is rarely heard in the mainstream media. In the interview, Kucinich revealed that the United States government was guilty of funding some of the violent rebel groups who have overrun the Ukraine. When asked how he would handle the crisis if he were President, Kucinich replied by saying: ‘’What I’d do is not have USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy working with U.S. taxpayers’ money to knock off an elected government in Ukraine, which is what they did. I wouldn’t try to force the people of Ukraine into a deal with NATO against their interest or into a deal with the European Union, which is against their economic interest.”

O’Reilly replied by saying, ‘’so, it’s the USA’s fault that Putin rolled in? We made them do it?” to which Kucinich responded by saying, ‘’Bill O’Reilly, if you don’t believe in cause and effect, I don’t know what I can do for you.”

Kucinich is absolutely right. He has spoken nothing but the truth and such subterranean manouverings and covert operations by the United States government and their agents right on the doorstep of a nervous Russia was bound to result in drastic and extreme retaliatory measures from Putin. This is all the more so given the fact that history, the law and logic is clearly on Putin’s side.

I say this because claiming that Crimea is not Russian is simply absurd and it betrays nothing but ignorance. It is rather like saying that the people of the city of Ilorin and environs in Kwara state and the people of Kabba, Yagba-West, Yagba-East, Mopa-Amuro, Ijumu and Kabba-Bunu local government areas of Kogi state respec-

The Crimea referendum tively are not Yoruba and that those areas are not part and parcel of Yorubaland simply because they are in the northern part of Nigeria.

Historically, Crimea has always been part of Russia and no less than 65 per cent of it’s population are not only ethnic Russians but they also speak nothing but the Russian language. There are also massive and substantial pockets of Russian populations in eastern Ukraine.

It is absolutely absurd for anyone to assume that the Russian Federation would sit by silently and allow the lives, the future, the fortunes and the destiny of their kinsmen from those parts to be in any way threatened.

Some have compared the situation in the Ukraine and the Crimea to the situation

The truth is that the people of Crimea have as much of a right to life as anyone else and as long as they remain in a Ukraine that is in the power and under the control of the pro-western, ultra-nationalist and essentially fascist forces, that right to life cannot be guaranteed that exists between China and Taiwan. This is an inappropriate and erroneous comparison and those that equate the two are not sufficiently aware of the relevant facts.

The difference is that the people of Taiwan, though they are ethnic Chinese, do not want to be part of China but the people of Crimea, who are ethnic Russians, want to be part of Russia desperately. That is the difference between the two.

It is simply a matter of the right to selfdetermination. They have that right and it is guaranteed by international law. Remember the Falklands matter between

Great Britain and Argentina which led to war? That is a better comparison to this case than that of Taiwan and China. Great Britain did exactly what Russia is doing today in the Falklands in 1982.

They secured the rights of the people in the geographical space that was in dispute and they effected their wishes and will as was reflected in a free and fair referendum.

In order to achieve this they went to war. I would have expected no less from Margaret Thatcher and the British.

Quite apart from the principle of selfdetermination there is also the principle of the right to safety, the right to freedom from persecution and, most important of all, the right to life. The truth is that the people of Crimea have as much of a right to life as anyone else and as long as they remain in a Ukraine that is in the power and under the control of the pro-western, ultra-nationalist and essentially fascist forces, that right to life cannot be guaranteed.

The fact of the matter is that those that are presently in power in Ukraine simply hate the Russians of Crimea and we can be be rest assured that they will utterly destroy them, strip away their rights, humiliate them and subject them to the most vicious and insidious form of persecution if given half a chance. President Krushchev of the old Soviet Union made a grave error when he handed Crimea and it’s almost total Russian population over to Ukraine in 1954.

He did so only because he never envisioned a situation whereby the old Soviet Union would break up and that the people of Ukraine would fall under the sphere of influence of America and western Europe and end up being so hostile to ethnic Russians and to the Russian Federation. That situation is what Putin is faced with today and he has to rise up to the occasion and clean up the mess that was created in 1954.

He has to rectify that mistake by taking Crimea back and protecting the lives and property of the ethnic Russians that live there. He must allay their fears and protect their interests because they are his kinsmen and they have no other nation to protect them apart from Russia. That is his right and duty and I am glad to see that he appears to be doing it.

Only access This is all the more so given the fact that, by treaty and by international law, Cri-

mea is host to no less than 45,000 Russian soldiers and a massive Russian naval base.

This naval base provides the only access that the Russian fleet has to a warm sea port anywhere in the world. Perhaps this is what informed the comments of Mr. Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, when he told a British audience in London on 14th March 2014 that ‘“ the Crimea is more important to Russia than the Falklands is to Great Britain”.

Given this, anyone that seriously believes that the Russians would sit back and allow all that to be taken away from them by a hostile government in Kiev which is under the beautiful spell of the Americans has not understood the situation very well.

Whether anyone likes it or not, Crimea, and indeed much of southern and eastern Ukraine, is an area that touches and concerns the vital and strategic national and security interests of the Russian Federation.

What goes on in that area and who controls it is of great interest to the Russians and this must be so for very obvious reasons. Excuse my crude language but you cannot piss on a giant’s doorstep and expect him to be pleased with you.

Bakassi, Cameroun and France This brings me to the issue of the question of the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsular in Nigeria and the way in which the Camerounians pissed on our doorstep and eventually managed to take it from us. This was after a ruling at the International Court of Justice in 2002 when President Olusegun Obasanjo was in power. We lost that ruling and after that Bakassi was physically and formally handed over to the Camerounians by the Yar’Adua administration in August 2008.

Our humiliating surrender and capitulation to Camerounian aggression took place after many decades of provocation and military incursions into the area by the Camerounian military and after many of our people were humiliated and slaughtered in the most brutal manner by them.

Yet this was not always so. Under the military government of General Sani Abacha things were very different and one of the few good things that he ever did as Head of State was to call the bluff of the French and the Camerounians over the Bakassi Peninsular.

Continues next week

*Fani-Kayode was Minister of Aviation under the Obasanjo administration.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 13

UNEMPLOYMENT CRISIS

ROLL CALL

Nigeria without oil is the solution – Gov. Uduaghan

By Emmanuel Aziken, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu and Gbenga Oke

AMID the staggering unemployment challenge facing the nation, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State asked the authorities to look beyond oil for solution.

Uduaghan spoke against the backdrop of the deaths recorded, last week, during the recruitment into the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) which attracted nearly half a million applicants for less than 5,000 vacant slots.

Speaking yesterday at the award ceremony of the 2013 Vanguard Personality of Year Award in Lagos, the governor said the deaths during the NIS job test could not have happened had the nation focused on several ways of generating jobs.

The award ceremony, which saw a high turnout of high society and held amidst pomp, had Vice-President Namadi Sambo as special guest of honour and former Governor Olusegun Osoba of Ogun State as chairman.

Uduaghan received the Vanguard Personality of the Year 2013, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the chairman of Dangote Group, got the award of African Personality of the Year 2013 while Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of Innoson Group, was honoured as the Most Innovative Entrepreneur, 2013.

Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, the governor said: “Two weeks ago, we had young ones who died looking for jobs. It was not apparent to many Nigerians the level of unemployment until that day. From stadium to stadium across the country, we had people gathered much more than those who go to watch football matches.

“What were they looking for? Looking for jobs.

Our Delta Beyond Oil is to deal with what happened two weeks ago.

We are encouraging people to create jobs so that our youths will not go and die in stadia looking for jobs. If we had enough jobs, what happened two weeks ago would not have happened and that is just is the summary of our Delta Beyond Oil. “Creating jobs so that our youths will be engaged, so that our youths will be employed and I am happy that Mr. president is leading the way in the creation of jobs.

“So, I want to encourage our private investors to put their money into areas that will ensure that our young ones are

From left: Mr Paul Osaji, a former Commissioner for Works, Delta State; Chief (Mrs) Pat Ejeteh, Executive Chairman, SUBEB, Delta State; Dr Anthonia Ashiedu, Hon Commissioner, Poverty Alleviation and Mrs Justina Ngwodo at the Vanguard Personalty of the Year Award held in Lagos yesterday. guard’s way of keeping employed. Our vision of guard Newspaper. We aghan for thinking about with its brand promise Delta State beyond oil. that this distinction was Delta beyond oil is about are honouring you and employment of our the other recipients be- Very soon, we must start instituted; to celebrate youths, of our women, of cause we created the thinking of Nigeria be- exceptional achievers in Nigeria. No society can our men. It is not a vi- conducive environment yond oil.”

The former governor be so good as to be besion for today alone, it is for you to flourish.”

Talking to Uduaghan, added,”I want to also ap- yond improvement or so a vision for today, it is a said: plaud Innocent Chuk- bad that the collective efvision for tomorrow, it is Sambo a vision also for the fu- “You have not disap- wuma. He had a modest forts of its people cannot ture. So, I encourage all pointed us as a friend beginning, but, today, redeem it. One man’s of you to also be part of and as a party man. We he is a giant and a star effort to make a differbelieve that better things for the younger genera- ence can make all the difthis vision.”

Sambo, in his own ad- will come to the way of tions. We are honoring ference. And where such the greatest of the great- success are outstanding dress, praised the recip- Delta and Deltans.”

We’re honoring our est. When I was gover- then honour should be ients, noting that it was nor of Ogun State, (Al- given to whom it is due,” remarkable that their ef- greatest—Osoba haji) Aliko Dangote Adefaye said.

Earlier, Osoba, the forts had been recogn“The maiden edition ised by a reputable chairman of the occasion, came to ask for land in called for a minute si- Ibese. Today, his cement saw Rt. Hon. Chibuike newspaper.

Represented by the lence for those who lost company happens to be Rotimi Amaechi, Goverthe largest industry not nor of Rivers State, Minister of State their lives during the (Works), Alhaji Bashir NIS recruitment exer- only in Nigeria but in emerge as the VanAfrica.” guard Personality of the Yuguda, the vice presi- cise.

The former Ogun State Year 2012 while Mr. Aigdent said: ‘Why we initiated boje Aig-Imoukuede was “We are here to cele- governor, who extolled also honored as the runbrate three things; we the virtues of the award- awards’ Explaining the ratio- ner-up. are celebrating Nigeria, ees, said, “I am here on “With this initiative, Nigerians and our own the order of Sam Amu- nale behind the Personproducts. We are cele- ka, a good friend. I thank ality of the Year initiative Vanguard recognised the brating Nigerians as in- him for this brilliant idea started in 2013, Van- stellar actions of harddividuals because you to honour those who guard’s General Man- working individuals, have all excelled in your have contributed to the ager and Editor-in- people who have made own capacities, and the growth of this nation. Chief, Mr Gbenga Ade- indelible marks of excelthree of you are products Uduaghan, a man of vi- faye, said it was to draw lence in our society. sion, is telling us that be- attention to the impor- They are not reinventing of our environment.”

“We are not surprised yond oil, the state can tance of service by cele- the wheel, but within the wheel, they have found that you are getting this work. Very soon, Ameri- brating achievement.

“As an organization enough space to imrecognition from a repu- ca will be the biggest extable newspaper, Van- porter of oil. I want to committed to national prove situations that thank Governor Udu- betterment, it is Van- they inherited.”

•Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and wife, Roli •Chief Segun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State •Dr Cairo Ojougboh •Prof Sam Oyovbaire •Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole •Senator Ifeanyi Okowa •Barr Okonta Martin •Princess Ajudua •Chief Peter Nwaoboshi •Dr Bamigo •Victor Ochei •Mrs Irene Imilar •Dr Abayomi Ajayi •Edirin Okumagba •Sen Aguareavwodo •Chief Andrew Oru •Nwagwu Goodhope •Dr Augustine Ugo •Ebifa Ijomah •Ken Ifeanyichukwu •Stella Iwite •Chief Chinoye Aliyu •Tochukwu Chukwumerije •Thelma O’Khaz •Paul Odili •Mrs Betty Efekodha •Okey Ofor •Mrs Gina Oduala •Keston Okoro •Chike Oghea •Barbara Odoh •HRM Egbi Okobaro of Jeremi Kingdom •Ochade Osekwe •Uche Onyekweli •Nuhu Yakubu •Mrs ifeoma Agbomah •Mrs Stella Agidec Eko •Mrs Lyna Ocholor •Pastor Ray Efe Yugbovwre •CA Ajuyah •Barr Newworld Safugha •Hon J Mrakpor •Olorogun John Oguma •Engineer Eddy Agbahor •Mrs Joe Abeki •Hon Ema Okon •Sir Jude Sinibe •Sir Patrick Ferife •Prof Pat Muoboghare •Dr J Otumara •Tony Nwaka •Hon Victor Nwokolo •Hon Azuka Ajoka •Mr Femi Adeshina •Ngozi Nwosu •Hon. Friday Osanebi •Dr Abel Dafioghor •Clarion Chukwura •Bimbo Akintola •Chief Ighoyota Amori •Dr Okunbor •Victor Essiet •Hon. Efe Ofobruku

Timeline 6pm: Guests arrive Oriental Hotel, venue of the award 6:30pm: Former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and wife, arrive 6:58: Delta Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, wife, Roli and entourage arrive 7:13: Popular comedian, Ali Baba, calls for the recitation of the National Anthem.

7:18: Introduction of dignitaries by Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola 7:20: Musical

interlude 7:30: Introduction continues 7:35: Ace comedian, Gordons, takes the stage to thrill the audience to rib cracking jokes 7:40: Comedian, Frank the Don, takes the stage 7:45: Vanguard General Manager and Editor in Chief, Gbenga Adefaye, gives opening remarks 7:50: Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olusegun Osoba, calls for one-minute silence for those who lost their lives during the Nigeria

Immigration Service recruitment exercise.

7:55: Osoba gives remarks.

8pm: Osoba concludes speech 8:01pm: Singer, Waje, thrills guests 8:10pm: Popular comedian, Bovi, performs 8:15pm: Documentary presentation of Innocent Chukwuma’s entrepreneurship strides 8:20pm: Ambassador Dele Cole presents award to Chief Chukwuma.

8:30pm: Comedian,

Buchi, takes the stage to thrill audience 8:40: Presentation of Aliko Dangote’s entrepreneurship strides 8:45: Osoba presents award to Aliko Dangote received by one of the Executive Directors, Dangote Group 8:46: Ace comedian, Ali Baba, invites Governor Uduaghan to receive his award 8:47pm: Uduaghan mounts the stage to receive his Vanguard Personality of the Year Award, 2013 8:50pm: Presentation

of Uduaghan’s strides in governance 8:55pm: Ambassador Bashir Yuguda (representing Vice President Namadi Sambo) presents award plaque to Uduaghan 9 pm: Uduaghan gives remarks 9:05 pm: The three recipients mount the stage to display award plaques 9:10pm: Musical interlude by gospel artiste, Sammie Okposo Musical interlude continues with Kaycee, Iyanya and Delta All Stars performing.

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

FACES AT THE VANGUARD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2013 AWARD

Ambassador Dele Cole presenting Vanguard Most Innovative Industrialist of the Year Award to Chief (Dr) Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma

Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta State, and wife, Roli, receiving Vanguard Personality of the Year Award from Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, representing Vice President, Namadi Sambo

Í Aremo Olusegun Osoba, a former Governor of Ogun State, presenting Vanguard Africa Personality of the year Award to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, represented by Eng Ahmed Mansur, Executive Director, Dangote Group

Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers (l) and Chief Oseragbaje Apollo

From left: Dr Augustine Uzodibe, Bashorun Nduka Obikwelu and Engr. Chris Obiona

Í

From left: Chief Solomon Ogba, Secretary, Delta State PDP; Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Delta SSG and Dr Festus Okubor, Chief of Staff

Dr Victor Hammond and wife

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 15

FACES AT THE VANGUARD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2013 AWARD

From right: Mrs. Roli Uduaghan, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, a guest and Vanguard Editor, Mr. Mideno Bayagbon.

From left: Arc. Fred Dudu, Arc Mac Nunu and Mr ThankGod Ebi Okiyefa

From left: Hon Ino Esewezie, Mr Ken Ifeanyichukwu and Chief E C O Uzor

From left: Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Minister of National Planning Commission representing the Vice President; and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

From left: Mr Gbenga Adefaye, General Manager and Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr Femi Adeshina, Managing Director, The Sun Newspapers; and Mr Ikeddy Isiguzo, Chairman, Editorial Board, Vanguard Newspapers.

Mrs Enyi Dorris, Senior Special Adviser to Delta State Governor (l) and Hon Florence Ekemere

From left: Mr Alfred Nwosu; Mr Emeka Ugwu-Uju, President, SouthEast/ South-South Professionals of Nigeria; Chief Innocent Chukwuma and Mr Andy Azike

From left: Hon Okey Ofor; Rt Hon Chief Obiuwerbi Ominimini, National Chairman, Urhobo Political Movement; and Sir Kenny Okolugbo

PAGE 16—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

Participants at the Northern Nigeria Governors’ symposium held at the United States Institute of Peace, Washington DC

Nigeria, US joining forces against B/Haram – Ambassador Adefuye

*’America’s investments to Nigeria annually to reach $8bn’ ners, roll up their sleeves and join hands with the Federal Government to tackle these challenges.

The 2015 elections will come and go, but insecurity, poverty and our various national pathologies will remain with us for as long as the political elites of our country choose to prioritize politics over development. I urge our political leaders to refrain from political grandstanding to score cheap political points. This is an occasion for us to put heads together to solve the Boko Haram problem and violence across much of northern Nigeria.

Our country will make the progress we all crave and, I dare say, the progress we deserve, only by being honest with ourselves. The reason for the problem of insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria predates the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is a result of decades of bad governance by the post-independence political elites of our country. The facts behind my assertion cannot be controverted. Hence, attacks on, and condemnation of President Jonathan for a problem he did not create, and against which he is taking strong and carefully calibrated measures is not only unfair, but absolutely illogical.

Beginning with the work of the Presidential Technical Committee tasked to

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HE Nigerian Ambassador to the United States (US), Prof. Ade Adefuye, says Nigeria and the US are cooperating to combat Boko Haram and engage in special economic developments to parts of the North. Adefuye spoke at a meeting of northern governors with the US Institute of Peace in Washington D.C. Extracts from his speech.

Through the mechanisms of the Nigeria-United States Bi-National Commission (BNC) and the Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), U.S. Investment flow into key sectors of the Nigerian economy continues to grow.

The goal is to raise the level of FDI flow from the United States to Nigeria to $8 billion annually, up from $5.4 billion in 2012. In the area of governance, the United States Government continues to provide support to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral management bodies, Civil society and other critical stakeholders to advance free, fair and peaceful elections in 2015. This is good for our country.

The challenges of development and insecurity in northern Nigeria, indeed, across the length and breadth of Nigeria, do not wear party colours. These are national problems requiring a bipartisan approach to solve. It is in light of this that I must encourage the state chief executives to drop their party ban-

The 2015 elections will come and go, but insecurity, poverty and our various national pathologies will remain with us for as long as the political elites of our country choose to prioritize politics over development

review fresh modalities for addressing insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria to the Kabiru Turaki committee charged with defining a comprehensive and workable framework for resolving the crisis of insecurity in the region, the federal government has sought to create a secure and peaceful environment so that socio-economic development could commence. The North East Eco-

nomic Summit recently held in Gombe State is evidence of Federal Government’s commitment towards the socioeconomic development of the region.

In my view, facilitating a violencefree environment in northern Nigeria must remain an urgent task for all Nigerians, particularly high level public officials in the region. Northern governors are best placed to lead this patriotic endeavour. Going forward, we must address our minds, energy and resources to addressing the root cause of the crises of insecurity and development in our country. The causes, if we are honest with ourselves, go beyond poverty. There are governance issues as well. Once again, this is an area where state chief executives working with the federal government can address.

It is of course a legitimate intellectual enquiry to attribute the Boko Haram insurgency and much of the violence in parts of northern Nigeria to poverty. There is much else to this problem and we must be courageous to dig deep so as to arrive at solutions that will endure. I have gone around Nigeria and can attest that poverty cuts across Nigeria, with income inequality as severe in the North as in other parts of Nigeria. A number of communities in South West, South East and Niger Delta are as poor and poverty stricken as some in the North. Making poverty an excuse or justification for insurrection in one part of the country is as dishonest as it is unsustainable.

As of now, Nigeria and the US governments are cooperating to combat Boko Haram and engage in special economic developments to parts of northern Nigeria.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 17

* DELEGATES AFTER INAUGURATION ... One conference many agendas

GENETICALLY MODIFIED CONFAB

`My agenda or psychotherapeutic relief, this national talk shop, the rally of sorts, presently going on in Nigeria’s federal capital, is not only timely, it is needed for celebratory purposes.

Timely, because the hoopla and the hullaballoo that were becoming deafening because of the agitation for it have cooled off.

Celebratory, because some politicians are already feeling hip, that this administration has pulled off a masterstroke. They may indeed be right because the announcement alone procured some goodwill.

Whereas it would be politically intelligent to read meanings that are far from the altruistic to the sudden change of heart by President Goodluck Jonathan on the issue of a National Conference, the need for a talk shop cannot be said to be unintelligent. For, in the words of the late American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, JFK, we should be conscious “not to negotiate out of fear and never fear to negotiate”. Therefore, those in Abuja should not fear to negotiate but should not negotiate out of fear.

Interestingly, getting nominations into the body created a despicable life of its own because some politicians suddenly saw it as the Noah’s Ark. Not just politicians, even civil society groups trampled on each other’s person and integrity over who should be nominated.

However, with its composition which has a preponderance of Nigerians most of whom have participated in and have been part of the systematic underdevelopment of the country, there are suggestions in some quarters that the conference may have been inadvertently genetically modified to fail and make a mockery of a well-intentioned idea. Are the delegates not Nigerians? Are they not imbued with what is called the ‘Nigerian mentality’? Would they not get to the conference and pollute it with their old ways and old thinking?

Poor President Jonathan! Poor Nigeria! Poor Nigerians!

But the delegates have since started their debates and religion, expectedly, created the first

flash point.

There would, however, be other flash points.

Revenue sharing! Indeed, that was one of the issues that almost brought the Sani Abacha conference to a halt.

In what is bound to be very interesting, this conference would pitch the North against the South and vice versa depending on the issue for debate. Just as it was 20 years ago, Obong Victor Attah, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, who read a speech seeking to enhance the resource control expectation of Nigerians generally, and for which there was vehement opposition, there is today Professor Jubril Aminu, a former multiple minister, who would be making his feelings known and strongly too. Don’t be deceived, almost everybody participating in the conference would be speaking from positions of interests that may not necessarily be pan-Nigerian, especially judging from the rehearsals and shadow-boxing that had gone on before its inauguration – because they are Nigerians.

Overleaf, you will read the speech Attah delivered in 1994; you will read the interview of the Anglican Prelate, Bishop Okoh; factional leader of the Yoruba inspired Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederik Fasehun, also has something to

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BYJIDE AJANI

is bigger than yours’

The usual narrative about the Nigerian and his unique attributes as a living being seeks to almost always interrogate whether the he or she is the problem (in terms of his political existence) or the laws governing the country and the structure of the country are inhibiting factors

say; and then, there is Dr. Usman Bugaje, a former vice presidential adviser, whose perspectives on the notion of ‘oil-producing-state’ is bound to irritate an Attah.

For a people with a knack for rendering otherwise simple ideas discombobulate, the National Conference may be yet another clear example of why Nigerians are the way they are.

The usual narrative about the Nigerian and his unique attributes as a living being seeks to almost always interrogate whether the Nigerian is the problem (in terms of his political existence) or the laws governing the country and the structure of the country are inhibiting factors.

Firstly, when Jonathan disclosed that he was ready to convoke a National Conference, some people engaged in a debate over the propriety of such an epochal event less than a year to the general elections. Some even pontificated that it was part of a grand agenda to keep Nigerians distracted and busy while tardiness per governance continues.

Yet, there were many who welcomed it with both hands.No matter. With the benefit of hindsight, we had the Mathieu Kerekou conference of February 1990 in Benin Republic, a conference which transmuted itself into a de jure government – it just announced itself as the new government and ordered Kerekou to step aside. That was possible because a peoples revolution necessitated the empanelling of the conference in the first place, therefore the conferees enjoyed the benefit of people power.

In the instance of Nigeria, one of the challenges President Jonathan would have to contend with is how the conference would not be hijacked by some political forces and turn it into a trip-wire for him and his administration.

Mercifully, the structures of democracy in Nigeria (and though unimpressive) as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, would make it very difficult if not impossible for a “civilian coup” to occur because a stringent decision making system anchored on consensus or 75% agreement in a polity of clashing socio-political and economic interests may prove difficult, very difficult to achieve – but not impossible when interests coalesce.

C M Y K

PAGE 18 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014 VANGUARD MAN-OF-THE-YEAR 2013

T

he CONFAB resumed its daily routine of predictable motions and meaningless expressions of gratitude to the Head of State. That was how General Sani Abacha wanted it, until Obong Victor Attah, who later became the governor of Akwa Ibom State for eight years, dropped a bombshell on Wednesday, July 20, I994. Thereafter, things were never the same at the CONFAB; mostly because, like most gatherings of Nigerians, this CONFAB was also supposed to be dominated by the three large ethnic groups – Hausa/ Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo. The minority tribes would literally have to beg for any concessions to be granted to them by the big three.

Instead, Attah, an Ibibio, one of the minority tribes, jolted them and challenged them with unprecedented audacity. The submission was a masterpiece in tone and courage.

The Attah speech:

Answer to bad leadership The answer to coups, to bad leadership and bad governance, can all be found in the provision that the people will have the right C M Y K

Obong Attah

ECHOES OF THE 1994 ABACHA CONFAB

Why we cannot run away from genuine federalism —Obong Attah

to decide; and their decision will not be frustrated by rigging, by the blatant declaration of false results or by annulment.

The second point that I would like to deal with, quickly, is the issue of the transition programme, and I thank the delegate whose amendment made it possible for the matter to be dealt with at committee level.

I could not agree more with the delegate who suggested that the worst thing we could do is to send the military packing in disarray.

If NADECO and others, in that group, can go this far with a military government, there is no gain saying the need for us to plan our transition very carefully. But having said that, I have to admit that, today, Nigeria is treated like a leper in the community of nations.

Already we are familiar with the sanctions that have been clamped against us.

Last week the Times of London carried an editorial asking for the expulsion of Nigeria from the Commonwealth.

All forms of aid have been withdrawn; at a time that our own earnings are dwindling; trade missions have been cancelled; our

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“I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me this opportunity to join others in thanking the Head of State for convening this conference, for a very comprehensive inauguration speech, and for the opportunity to continue the debate on that speech; from which I intend to quote quite liberally.

I have a lot to say, in only ten minutes; so, I will right away deal with two quick issues before concentrating on my main area of concern.

The first is the question of leadership and good governance which have been proffered as the panacea for stopping coups.

The military has been condemned; the political class has been castigated. I have to ask in which market are we going to find a good leader and a good government to buy?

The truth of the matter is that you elect people and the government on trust, in the hope that they will govern well. At the end of their tenure in office, the people ought to have the unfettered right to assess the government and its leaders, and either endorse them to carry on or replace them.

I believe that if this had been allowed to happen in the past, barring the total indiscipline of the military itself, we might not have had any coups. The reason I say this is that, hardly ever a coup succeeded, in this country that was not considered a popular coup.

In other words, whether at the prompting of civilians or not, the military always took the opportunity of such frustration of the people’s will, at the polls, to fulfill only half of the people’s will. I say only half, because, while they would have helped to remove the bad government that the people wanted to see removed, they would then proceed to install themselves rather than give the people an immediate second chance to elect a replacement.

This is what the Head of State has to say about this in paragraph 34 of his speech and I quote: ?”A common denominator of all forms of democracy is the belief that power, which is legitimate, is that which derives from the authority and consent of the people. It must provide for a credible and inviolable procedure for orderly succession”.

Nigeria, in my assessment, has one essential problem; and, that is that we profess federalism and practice something else entirely. All the other problems seem to derive from this

appeals for debt relief have been rebuffed and capital inflow has totally dried up. In other words, we have been isolated to the point that, socio-economically, we are dead.

This is what the Head of State has to say about it: “As you all know, we in the present government in Nigeria are committed to ensuring that there is a speedy and unimpeded transi-

tion to a civil democratic rule in which we shall not be participants”.

You will find that in paragraph 5.

And in paragraph 41 he adds: “No set of Nigerians look forward to early democratic rule more than patriotic Nigerians who are serving in this administration”.

Therefore, Mr. Chairman, sir, fellow delegates, none of us should feel hesitant to suggest that the military has already become a most unfortunate and regrettable anachronism and should be dispensed with very quickly so that Nigeria can begin to live again.

Now to my major mission which is to try and tackle the related issues of: ?The Structure of the Nigerian State ?Power Sharing ?Revenue Generation and ?Revenue Allocation Formula.

In bringing us here, the Head of State, in paragraph 8 of his speech said: ?“History invites you today to bear the burden of our nation’s regeneration”.

Though representing various conference districts of various states, we are national delegates on a national assignment.

It was disturbing therefore to listen to several delegates speaking as though we have come here to see what we can take home to our various parochial enclaves.

Form of federalism A few, though, have spoken with varying degrees of concern for Nigeria, and those are the ones that I wish to join; in an attempt to find a possible solution to the problems that now plague Nigeria.

In doing so, I will affirm that, though from Akwa Ibom, whatever I am going to say, I would say if I had come from any other part of this country because I am going to dwell on principles.

Nigeria, in my assessment, has one essential problem; and, that is that we profess federalism and practice something else entirely. All the other problems seem to derive from this.

Dr. Ekeng Anamdu gave us a brilliant presentation of the basis and framework for the establishment of true federalism. I want to go one step further and say that true federalism, balanced federalism, genuine federalism, however we may wish to qualify it, has certain incontrovertible characteristics and all of them, to varying degrees, must be present in any form of federalism.

These characteristics include the empowerment of the federating units towards political and socioeconomic self actualisation. In other words, much of the powers that the Federal Government now exercises are in contravention of the norms of federalism and must be taken back to the states.

Self propulsion of the federating parts implies the availability of the wherewithal. That is why derivation has become a cardinal principle of revenue allocation in any successful federation.

And that is why the 1963 Constitution represents the epitome of Federal Constitution making in Nigeria. It was this twin principle of empowerment and derivation that made it possible for the country to develop as it did in the past.

The West, in particular, was able, as we have already been told, to

Continues on page 22

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 19

LEGITIMA CY OF NA TIONAL CONF AB! LEGITIMACY NATIONAL CONFAB!

North must make the best of bad situation, by Usman Bugaje *Insists the concept of ‘oil producing state’ is a misnomer Dr. Usman Bugaje was a member of the House of Representatives and a former National Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He offers a perspective on the ongoing National Conference.

Our fears are confirmed The sordid origin of the President’s National Conference is too well known to warrant any further commentary. As if to confirm all our fears, the President’s nomination has not only dominated the membership of the conference but it has shown clearly his preferences and his proclivities. If anybody was in doubt where the heart and mind of the president is, the list of the conferees provides the evidence. Perhaps, since the Nigerian independence, the North has never faced the kinds of challenges it is facing today. In the last 15years the North has been systematically impoverished, its legitimate share of the federal resources diminished, its teeming population, especially its youth, abandoned to their devices, its economic activities paralyzed in the face of increasing insecurity, its presence in the Federal services pruned, its region increasingly garrisoned and now invited to participate in a National Conference, whose outcome would appear to have been predetermined by a leadership that has made, to quote one of the leaders of the North, “tribalism and nepotism state policy”. This indeed is a MOMENT OF TRUTH for the North.

The North will have to decide either claim to represent? The President or way; there is no room for neutrality, not Governor who hand picked them? Or anymore. who exactly? It certainly cannot be the over sixty percent of the poor citizens of National Conference is illegal this country who live below a dollar a The intended National Conference is day, sweating and struggling to keep illegal, illegitimate and funded by a body and soul together. By implication, violation of the Constitution of the any decision taken by this Conference is Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is illegal not implementable as it lacks both the because there is no act of the National legal authority and legitimacy. In fact, Assembly establishing or authorizing it. the delegates/conferees are not repreThe executive arm is certainly free to senting the legal constituencies in establish committees to advise it on any Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitumatter but they must not pretend to tion. convoke anything more than a mere administrative committee with no Funding challenge powers to take any decision, only We don’t know much about the funding recommendations to the president. So if of this conference beyond the report that we reduce the conference to what it is, it the president is allocating some seven is simply a presidential committee and billion Naira for the national conferwe should be able to see it as such and ence. But what we know is that, there is have the courage to strip it of all no money appropriated by the National pretences. Indeed in the responses of Assembly for this conference. More both the executive and the legislature to public criticism of the conference, they have made the point that recommendations of the conference will eventually be brought to the National Assembly for consideration. So why the conference in the first place? Wouldn’t citizens be right to suspect some diversionary tactic here?

Given the dearth of trust between citizens and their governments where can citizens find the benefit of doubt to give the governments?

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Illegitimacy The intended National Conference is illegitimate not only because conferees were simply hand picked and didn’t have any mandate to represent any constituency but also because the conferees did not even have the honor and dignity to elect their own leaders. That the leadership of the conference and therefore the rules and procedures of the conference would be determined largely by a leadership handpicked by the president further denies the conference of any trace of legitimacy. For the avoidance of doubt let us ask the simple question: who would the handpicked conferees

On the other hand, the very conception of “oil producing states” is not only a misnomer but inherently illegitimate. The only oil producing state in Nigeria is the Nigerian state itself, which alone made all the investments in oil exploration and production since its discovery till today

Usman Bugaje

importantly, section 80, (2), (3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has made it explicitly clear that no monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation without an act of the National Assembly. So where is the money going to come from, if we may ask? Are we borrowing from the IMF or Paris Club? Or is it going to come from the missing or hitherto unexplained $20 billion? We can’t fail to see the seriousness of this fundamental breach of our grand norm!, we cant ignore a constitutional violation of this magnitude! We can’t be neutral in matters unconstitutional!

Duplicity If truly the object of the conference is to discuss the vexing and urgent national issues, the existing Nigerian Constitution, under which the President holds his chair and exercises the powers he wields, has prescribed all the structures and institutions - both political and legal capable of generating the representatives of Nigerians that can discuss anything and promulgate all the needed laws and policies to address the problems and challenges of the Nigerian federation. These existing structures, institutions as well as the representatives of the people are intact and in operation.

These representatives of Nigerians are elected in conformity with the law of the land, and no matter how imperfectly they emerged but the process conform to the historically universal principles of representation since ancient times contrary to the President’s reckless and vacuous way of producing the delegates of the Conference.

North should participate in the illegality Despite all these, and given the level of impunity in this government, the chances are that the conference may still continue; after all how many such violations have taken place. The general rule of while hoping for the best we must

prepare for the worst would appear to apply here. The North may have to participate, even as it is illegal, illegitimate and funded by constitutional breach. It is not because much can come out of it but perhaps because being an instrument of propaganda and intimidation, the North must be there to stand up to the grandstanding and empty threats of people who have made Northern bashing a state policy.

Opportunities The North may wish to use the opportunity to educate many of the ignoramuses that have been lined up, who know nothing about the North, not even the country itself as many of them are like the proverbial fish out of water. In other words the North should participate only to appropriately respond to political propaganda largely directed against it, which are founded on a historical and unscientific structure of the Nigerian State and to lay down the facts on the dynamics of the Nigerian social formation before the propagandists, their mentors and apologists. The ARDP particularly believes that the North has never articulated any particularistic agenda to put any part of the country at disadvantage. Our position is that the North should prepare to discuss issues in a fashion of a national discourse on a national stage and indicate willingness to discuss, negotiate, and renegotiate all issues relating to the corporate existence of Nigeria in a sovereign and constitutional framework.

Issues to confront The ARDP is of the opinion that some of the key or broad issues that may come up in the Conference, and which the North MUST appropriately respond to may include the following: • Structuring the Nigerian federation along the principles of the so-called “true federalism”. Here, it is being erroneously inferred - either out of

Continues on page 25 C M Y K

PAGE 20 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

NATIONAL CONFAB

How to reconcile North/South conflicting interests, by Fasheun D

r. Fredrick Fasheun is the founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and interim national chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). In this interview, Fasheun faults the opposition by some northern political leaders to the bid by President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 elections. He also bares his mind on the on-going National Conference and the Boko Haram insurgency. Excerpts: You are championing the revitalization of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) founded by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

What is the party bringing new to the polity that the existing parties have failed to offer?

The UPN is purely an ideological party; the people first. The people first means that UPN will be a welfarist party. In a situation whereby in our recent political history sinners suddenly become angels and sinners mingle with angels; we don’t know what ideological manifestation they offer to the country. When you mix hot water with cold water, you neither get hot nor cold water but lukewarm water, which cannot make tea, and that is what we have in our polity now. The sinners of yesterday have become angels of today and sinners and angels have mixed together; what do they offer us?

Nigeria, the biggest black nation, C M Y

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By DAPO AKINREFON

We have been unable to overcome our internal challenges; Boko Haram has become a nail in our soul for some years and it seems that the country has no answer to what is going on

should be a leader in world affairs and leadership involves a lot; you must be able to meet and overcome challenges.

That is what leadership is. A leader should leave the stage as an icon and let the people feel nostalgic that he is leaving the stage. We have been unable to overcome our internal challenges; Boko Haram has become a nail in our soul for some years and it seems that the country has no answer to what is going on. If Nigeria does not know that after killing more than a thousand of her citizens, she is at war, then she will never know anything.

Over a thousand citizens of our nation have been killed, and if it is a

fact that government is in place for the comfort and welfare of the governed, where is our comfort in the midst of this insecurity? Where is the convenience of the governed in this country? That is why UPN has come to introduce discipline into our national polity and to remove impunity which gives rise to corruption. There is so much impunity in this country and that is why we have not been able to fight corruption. UPN won’t stop people from becoming multi-billionaires, but they must pay their taxes; they must obey the rules.

We reviewed all the other political parties and what we saw was indiscipline, corruption, anti-peoplepolicies. It may interest you to know that one of the greatest political leaders that we’ve ever had in this country was Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and even foreigners regretted that he was not allowed to lead the country. That is why those of us who know about him are saying that enough is enough; that there shall now be a political party that will not only instill discipline in our polity, but also democratic enough to allow everybody to unfold his or her wings. We will spread our common wealth, so that Nigerians will enjoy it.

There is a lot in this country to go round and make every Nigerian to beat his or chest and say ‘thank God I am a Nigerian.’

We have seen some people claim in the past that they were Awoists, but immediately they got into power, they

abandoned the ideology of late Chief Awolowo. How will the new UPN guard against this?

I have told you that leadership is about challenges; we will confront the challenges headlong and proffer change. It would be like the second day after creation because all the good things that Nigerians have been yearning for would be made available.

We will not allow any Nigerian to starve even if he or she wishes because our common wealth would be made common. When you see some civil servants smiling to their banks because of the looting of our treasury, you realise that some people are taking more than their normal share. A civil servant was found to be having N27 billion in his bank account, and I ask: What for? Will that not pay what we in the UPN call social benefit to unemployed graduates for three to four years? It can be done, just put UPN in government and you will see that every Nigerian can feed from our natural resources.

How will your party handle the challenge posed by the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is already on ground in your supposed base – the South-West?

We will not acknowledge threat from anywhere because ours will be politics without bitterness; service to the people and let the people decide. If they choose to go with sinners mingled

Continues on page 23

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014 , PAGE 21

Failure of National Confab will have grave consequences — Okoh, Primate of Anglican Church

•Says enemies within are helping to sustain B/Haram •‘The challenge of operating the Church in the insurgents enclave’ •On same sex marriage: The problem with revisionists

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he Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Nicholas Orogodo Okoh, believes strongly that the ongoing National Conference must not fail, saying it is a great opportunity to resolve the challenges faced by Nigeria.

He also speaks on the Boko Haram insurgency which has claimed many lives and affected the Church in the Northeast and the controversial antigay law. Excerpts from interview: There are allegations lately that corruption has crept into Christianity with some men of God accused of sharp practices. How do you react

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I am the Archbishop and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, but i am not the owner of the Church of Nigeria; I am in fact a hired servant, I am under the authority of the Synod of the Church of Nigeria

to this?

I think you used an omnibus word ‘sharp practices’. I don’t know what it means because it could mean so many things. Can you be more

specific?

Corruption has one definition, unethical practice. That is exactly what I am talking about.

There are different churches today. It would appear as if the Church has been deregulated so that what you consider to be corruption in the Anglican Church may not necessarily be so in the Pentecostal church. This is because in the Anglican Church or in the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptist Church, Methodist, these older denominations have different Church polity. In most of the new generation churches, invariably, the pastor is the owner; so •Nicholas Orogodo Okoh, Private jet ownership is dictated by need when you say corruption, if he takes the money that comes to the church, do we say that flashy cars, dress in flamboyant church that what you are talking is corruption? I am the Archbishop attires. Are those things not an about is desirable and I doubt if you and Primate of the Church of Nigewill go beyond that level. So you abuse in Christianity? ria, but i am not the owner of the have to convince them that of all the Church of Nigeria; I am in fact a ow, again, I go back to where I competing needs, it is aircraft that hired servant, I am under the started. In the new generation you need. If they don’t approve it, authority of the Synod of the Church churches, some of them actually have you sit down. There is no question of of Nigeria. They look at what I do. you insisting you want to go ahead a lot to do by way of travelling There is account, there is audit, and whereas in other places, the pastor is around. Outside the country they there is report, which must be the chief executive and the sole have churches. Within the country approved or disapproved. That is authority. they have. So they do it like the why I am saying that we cannot I will say he is much more powerful secular CEO, now they believe that generalize because we are not under programming themselves to schedthan in a place like the Anglican the same type of governance Church where the Synod or the uled flights may not solve their standing committee will decide the problems and they have enough What many refer to in this regard priority. money to acquire these machines. is the ostentation that seems to have But if you go back to the older taken over many men of God. It With the benefit of hindsight, is it denominations, there are so many begins when men of God fly in checks and balances. First and private jets, live in mansions, drive Continues on page 24 foremost, you have to convince the

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PAGE 22 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

Why we cannot run away from genuine federalism —Obong Attah

Milk.

Drought and the threat of the desert are no excuse either because a lot of dams and irrigation systems have been built.

Far more money too has been spent on afforestation and desert control than has ever been spent on erosion control. And what is interesting is that, though Niger Republic is far more into the desert, it is able to produce so much more cattle and sheep that, every Sallah, we go there to import rams into Nigeria.

Continued from page 18 build Cocoa House in Ibadan, Western House in Lagos, several cocoa roads, and through prudent management of its resources, rather than through allocations from federal funds, was able to offer free education to its people.

My father did not go to the Federal Government to complain that he had to pay fees for me, my brothers, sisters and numerous others. He accepted that federalism did not mean uniformity nor did unity imply equality of means. Equality of opportunities, yes, but not of means.

The West did what it could for its people as did the North and the East and none was jealous or envious of the other. That was the golden age of federalism.

Then the coup of 1966 started a series of events that culminated in the civil war. As patriotic citizens, we offered this country the proceeds from all the oil within our continental shelf, so that this country could prosecute the civil war without having to borrow one red cent or one penny from any source.

And what did we get in return! A slap in the face — for being so naive and so trusting.

A law was passed, an obnoxious, vicious law, passed by decree called offshore —/ onshore dichotomy. Decree No II3 of I970, so the oil whose ownership was never in dispute; the ownership of which was enshrined in the 1963 Constitution, became “our oil” – common property to be shared equally by all.

“That was the most unkindest cut of all for when the mighty Ceaser saw him stab, ingratitude more strong than traitors arms, quite vanquised him, then burst his mighty heart”. Quote from Shakerspears’s Julius Caeser.

Mr. Chairman sir, fellow delegates, that was indeed the most unkindest cut of all.

A most devisive thing, that any people, repeating these same principles if, using the strength of numbers, could rather than the oil in my backyard, perpetrate on their follow countrymen. we were discussing the gold in Mr. Chairman sir, I wish to say, with all Sokoto, the precious stones in the solemnity that I can command, that Niger, the salt in Abia, the marble law could never have been passed in Ikpeti, the tar in Ondo, the against any of the three major tribes in granite and other rocks that we this country. quarry, the clay, the limestone or any other sub soil minerals which I From federal to unitary system understand have been found in such With the onset of military rule, we had large quantities that this governstarted the very unfortunate process of ment was considering setting up a transforming a beautiful federal system separate ministry for solid minerinto a unitary system. als.

Of course at that time, we had so much money from oil that was seized by force Monstrous system from its rightful owners that we did not So, please, there is no selfishness know what to do with it. about the position that we are So we relaxed. We allowed indolence to taking. What we want, in fact, is massage us into a stupor. So much so that Nigeria will enjoy total that when we were confronted with development rather than develpanother constitution making exercise in ment of the oil sector only. After all, 1979, we refused to confront the real one day, the oil will finish. issues. Instead we came up with an When I hear people say that we apology to the military in power who evidently preferred an approximation to should come and put all our complaints about marginalization a unitary rather than a true federal type and domination on the table to of governance.

That Constitution remained silent on the determine who has been the victim, I feel quite distressed. Why do we cardinal issue of derivation and that is want to indulge in such futile why today, the question of how much exercise of tribal witch- hunting? It rightfully belongs to those from whose is sufficient to know that, by our land and continental shelf the oil is being extracted has become a matter for own foibles, we have transmogrified a federal system into a monstrous capricious jerry meandering. unitary system that appears to have Derivation is not a matter of how much terrorized all of us. you give me, it is not manna from All we need to do is to confront this heaven, it is rather a question of how monster and kill it and, in its place, much I give you out of what is extracted install a true federal system. from my soil, my waters and my toils If we do that, we will never again and enterprise. have cause to go to the Federal Mr. Chairman sir, fellow delegates, I Government with a plethora of want to assure you that I would be

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With the onset of military rule, we had started the very unfortunate process of transforming a beautiful federal system into a unitary system.

Sani Abacha complaints which are borne out of a series of political and socio-economic dislocations and misconceptions.

As has been said here before, waiting on oil money will not help us to truly develop. And, unless we develop our resources, there is no state, including the new ones that we are being urged to create, that cannot live in some measure of abundance.

I will give you a few examples. Start from the East. We have allowed Malaysia which, only a few years ago, came to borrow palm nuts from us, to outstrip us.

They are now trying to refine palm oil for use in lieu of petroleum oil. But the oil producing areas have some excuse because, quite apart from the fact that their land has been confiscated, other oil related activities such as flaring will destroy your crops and damage your buildings for several kilometers around the oil flares which are all over the place.

A lot has been said about the disappearance of the ground nut pyramids in Kano and I want to add that, recently, UAC of Nigeria had to close some of its textiles mills because it could no longer get cotton. And this has happened since oil money was used to build several dams for irrigation. The people have taken instead to selling currency in the streets of Lagos and other state capitals.

If you go to Adamawa, you find that the Savannah sugar plantation land is more than three times the size of the Island State of Barbados. Yet that Island is exporting sugar from five plantations to large areas of the world. But Savannah, even along with Bacita and Sunti, cannot give Nigeria sugar, because we have oil money with which to import.

What will we do when the oil dries up?

As, indeed, it will.

I designed the tea factory on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, and I know that the Highland tea from there was sought after in the London Tea Exchange because it was of such high quality that it was used to blend and improve the poorer quality tea from certain other parts of the world. Today we have all been reduced to Yellow label tea lovers. And that same Mambilla Plateau could flood this country with milk cheese and butter but instead we have to pay N20:00 for a tin of Peak

Justice and derivation Please do not misunderstand me, I am not saying any of this to pillory or castigate anybody. I am merely appealing to us to accept that this oil has already done a lot to develop this country but most of it outside the oil areas themselves. The fly overs, the dams, the dual carriage ways, electrification projects — none of which you will find in the oil producing areas. Even, this new Federal Capital territory where we are.

We are not querreling with any of this.

We are proud to have been the cause of it all.

But we are certainly saying that we should now also be able to share in it.

It is time for us to return to justice, equity and fairplay by reinstating the derivation principle.

This appeal would not be difficult for anybody to understand and accept except for the fact that we have come to confuse revenue generation with allocation.

The Head of State in paragraph 23 of his speech had this to say: “Any useful and long lasting revenue allocation formula has to conform with the political structure of the country One of the valid observations which has been made is that revenue allocation should complement rather than substitute revenue generation”.

Anti-federalism We have for too long now been substituting generation with allocation, and this is anti-federalism.

In this regard, I will say that I was very disturbed, by something that was claimed to have said by Prof. Bala Usman, in an interview.

He was quoted as saying that Ogoni claim was baseless. That they had lost all claims to whatever they might have had when they were conquered by the British and this conquest – listen to this very carefully, dear fellow delegates – this conquest has since been transferred to Nigeria.

Several questions come to mind, and it must be recognised in this context that Ogoni is only representational of all the oil producing areas.

Does Ogoni not belong in Nigeria that inherited the conquest from the British; can Ogoni people therefore be wrong in claiming that they are now suffering from internal colonization from Nigeria; are they therefore not justified in asking for their independence?

Similarly, I want to counsel that we discountenance and dismiss such specious arguments as, “they did not put the oil in the ground so they are no more entitled to it than we are”.

Such arguments can only lead us to serious confrontation. We heard the man from Bonny say that if a father ill treats a child for too long, the child has the right to renounce the father.

We heard the Ijaw man say that if Nigeria rejects them, they cannot reject themselves.

These are weighty statements but the Akwa Ibom man is not saying anything yet than to hope that we will come up with a Constitution that will give everybody a sense of belonging and guarantee justice, equity and fair play”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 23

power must stay in the region indefinitely.

Continued from page 20 with angels, we won’t mind, but we will offer service to the people and allow the people to decide the way they want to go.

Will the UPN contest the 2015 elections, particularly that for the presidency?

I don’t think we will contest the presidency, but we will contest all other positions.

Why is the UPN opting out of the presidency? Is it against the backdrop of the allegation that the party is being sponsored by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to cause crisis in the South-West, which is the stronghold of the APC? President Jonathan wants to go back to Aso Rock Villa and he has been campaigning for five years now, do you want a UPN candidate to just wake up and challenge him in ten months?

Does that mean that your party will adopt him in 2015?

If they want to discuss with us; we will table our terms and, if there is a consensus, why not? But nobody should attempt to water down our ideological commitment.

Do you think the President should go for a second term, given the belief in some quarters that he has not performed to the expectations of Nigerians who gave him massive support in 2011?

Let Jonathan contest for a second term; that is what the Constitution says.

The moment you say he cannot contest; you are denying him of his constitutional right, and should he turn round that you must vote for him, that would be unconstitutional. So, what I stand for is: Let him enjoy his constitutional right, but let Nigerians also enjoy their own right. Nigerians have the constitutional right to vote or not to vote for Jonathan, but he has the constitutional right to contest the election.

There is the perception that win or lose, Nigeria will boil if Jonathan contests the election. What is your take on that?

There are only two ways; you contest to win or lose. Why is it that some people want him to lose; is it because he has not performed?. Do you say that he has not done well and he is putting up lasting infrastructure; building rail from the South to the North; constructing the East-West Road? I don’t want to believe that Nigerians have short memory because successive administrations bastardized the

NATIONAL CONFAB Ho w tto o reconcile Nor th/South How North/South conf licting int erests, b asheun conflicting interests, byy FFasheun economy before Jonathan came to power. He came in not as a magician but as a political president and he has been fixing what has been damaged.

He has been able to fix in four, five years what it took previous administrations decades to destroy.

So, for how long should we keep losing innocent Nigerians? The future of any country is a function of its youths and we are folding our hands, looking at our children been slaughtered every day. We are compromising our future.

Nigeria needs to take care of her future.

You said Nigeria is at war with itself as a result of the insurgency by the Boko Haram sect. How do you think the Federal Government can bring it to a halt?

I don’t think that this present government is trying to fight Boko Haram. It is rather trying to work out ways to accommodate it. Like I said, the Federal Government is not even aware that the country is at war and the definition of war is when a thousand citizens of yours have been mauled by an external force. That is warfare. But here we are; we have declared a state of emergency in the three affected states, but the states are still being governed by civilian governors; what a paradox! Can you govern under emergency using civilians?

I had expected people to say that the military should be in charge in these areas. If you fill these states with soldiers, Boko Haram will fizzle out within weeks. And these soldiers will man our borders and make it very expensive for neighbouring countries to allow insurgents to cross into our territory to destroy our human resources. It shouldn’t be allowed. Why are people crossing freely from Chad, Niger and Cameroon into Nigeria?

These crossings should have been discouraged by teaching these neighbouring countries lessons they would find difficult to forget. Nigeria, the biggest black nation in the world, cannot even defend her children!

Where is government?

The planned National Conference has finally taken off, what do you make of the exercise?

I was one of those who started the agitation for a National Conference in this country, but see what is happening now. Even before the National Conference started, people, including Lagosians, were already agitating their exclusion. To be honest, I think we should have had a pre-conference orientation before we slammed the National Conference on the people.

How many of the delegates know what a confab is or have they just gone there for the money? The orientation should have been more superior to the confab, so that when the delegates get there, they will know what it takes to strengthen the unity of Nigeria. In the South-West, we have been agitating for a parliamentary system; in the SouthEast, there is the agitation for complete autonomy; in the South-South, there is the agitation for resource control and in the North, some people believe that

You are advocating the use of force against Boko Haram, but some northern elders have insisted on dialogue. How do you reconcile these two positions?

About three years ago, I was one of those who said we should dialogue with the insurgents; but the more we preach dialogue, the more we lose our children and women to the insurgents.

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Some political parties have already kick-started campaigns for the 2015 elections against the provision of the Electoral Act. Don’t you think that they are heating up the polity unnecessarily?

I believe in democracy and like Chairman Mao, during his march in 1948, said: ‘Let a thousand flowers blossom.’ Do you know what he meant?

Let a thousand political parties blossom. And about five decades later, China has emerged a world super power. So, let the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allow parties to blossom and allow the system to weed off weak ones. INEC should not hold the hands of the political parties. If we are holding a confab to build a nation and INEC is holding political parties in shackles, then we are not building democracy.

I was one of those who said we should dialogue with the insurgents; but the more we preach dialogue, the more we lose our children and women to the insurgents. So, for how long should we keep losing innocent Nigerians?

How do we reconcile these conflicting interests?

Through the re-orientation that I just talked about. I have attended the meetings of the Southern Leaders Assembly and I know what we discussed. Such meetings should have gone on for some time, prescribed by the Federal Government and not just waking up to go to the confab. There are contentious issues and we know them, so let us be seen to be making efforts to douse these contentious issues before bringing people together for a conference. I chose to opt out of the conference because I feel that the present confab may not solve our problems.

When I saw the list of those who are at the confab, I felt that the conference should have been something for the youths. Those of us are going into our 80s have no business being at the conference. What recommendations are they going to come out with that would be acceptable to the present generation? Is it the Land Use Act?; if you are from the South-South, are you going to accept 13 per cent from your resources? I come from the SouthWest; am I going to accept the presidential system as expensive and corruption prone as it is? I don’t believe that octogenarians should be at the confab; some people have even described our generation as a wasted one, so are we going to formulate a wasted constitution?

The issue of no-go-areas; what is your take on it?

There shouldn’t be, else it is no longer a confab.

Did you take into consideration that some people would want to discuss the dismemberment of Nigeria?

Let them discuss it; give them the freedom to discuss it. Ethiopia had a constitutional conference, Dr. Bola Onagoruwa was invited and, before the conference, Ethiopia was so unstable that some parts of the country wanted to pull out – the Massai, Eritreans, etc. But after that conference, Ethiopia got for herself a beautiful constitution that those who had almost pulled out of the country came back, seeking their positions back. So, saying that there are no-goareas is wrong. May be, because President Goodluck Jonathan was in a hurry; that was why he wanted the confab to last for three months, but nobody can build a nation in three months. We started the building of our nation in 1914; how much have we achieved? And you now want to build a Nigerian nation in three months; that cannot be done.

The confab is coming ahead of the 2015 general elections. Don’t you envisage a situation whereby it could have some spill-over effects on the polls?

We are building our nation and not political parties. Nothing prevents us going on with confab and when the elections come, we stop it may be for 30 days to have the elections and after that go back to the confab. This will throw up Nigeria as a serious country willing to build a united nation. As one of the agitators of national conference, I admire President Jonathan for giving us the opportunity to sit down together and fashion out how to build the Nigerian nation, but it cannot be done in three months.

PAGE 24 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

issue of James Robinson and one American who were ordained Bishop despite being homosexuals came, we were called to a meeting in Lambert and we refused to attend. We decided not to go and we went to Jerusalem instead with others of like minds. Now, people are living and worshipping according to their convictions. It is not just about history such that because you are historically attached to this man, then he must tell you everything; what you will eat, how you will eat, how you will lie down, how you will sleep and more.

Continued from page 21

right for men of God to live ostentatiously, does it not portray wrong values in the Christian world?

Now you are talking about ostentation. From what I have described, if the church leader needs aircraft like the case of the Redeemed (Church), they have branches all over the world and one problem is that if you don’t attend to them properly, there’s likely to be crisis. So, if the need is there, and the money is available, then it does not amount to ostentation.

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hat has the Anglican Communion done on the spate of attacks on Christians in the North by Boko Haram?

We are, indeed, suffering in those areas. Our diocese in Damaturu has been closed down, the Bishop has relocated to Jos; the clergy is just being paid to keep it on.

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hat is my way of looking at it.

Ostentation will look like you are doing it because others are doing it and that you don’t really have the need for it. You think that this one has got it, therefore, you also want to get one. That makes it ostentation.

So what may be ostentatious in one situation may not necessarily be in another because of the supervisory role the church has to carry out. But like I said, in the denominations where you have so many checks and balances, it will be difficult for you to convince them that your immediate need is aircraft What issues do you think the Church can raise at the National Conference?

I think the Church, apart from belonging to a group on its own, is part and parcel of the Nigerian society. The Church belongs to the Igbo, so what are the Igbo talking about in the conference? The Church belongs to the Yoruba, what are the Yoruba talking about in the conference? The Church belongs to the North, what are the northerners talking about in the dialogue? The aggregation of these is what they are taking there and, as a Church body, we believe that President Jonathan, for instance, has taken the right step by outlawing same sex marriage because it is not, to us, a normal thing. Women are not scarce, men are not scarce and God has made adequate arrangement for human sexuality, so anybody who is developing any extra sexual instinct or desire, I think such person should attend to himself because there is something wrong.

Same sex relationship is anchored on human rights and the right of two adults to partner based on agreement. Now, looking at the law of the Church, does it cover same sex marriage, which Leviticus clearly condemns? How do you explain the position of the Church?

You have explained that the scripture does not permit it and you are asking me about the position of the Church. You know it already. Anyway, there are those we call revisionists. There is a group trying to put a new interpretation and they are arguing about human rights; but God himself has a right. If we do believe in God, then we should know that He also has a right; right of ownership. So it depends on where you stand. If you believe that God has no right to tell you anything then, that’s a different thing. I want you to remember that this is how man started in the wrong way in the first

•Nicholas Orogodo Okoh

Okoh: Enemies within are helping to sustain B/Haram place.

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od said you should not eat this fruit and the enemy came and said did God say you should not?

Then Eve came and said ‘see the fruit, eat it’ and then man ate and started having problems. The consequence was that man was banished from the presence of God; now we are back to the same question? Did God say a woman should marry only a man? Did God say that a man should marry only a woman? If God did not say a woman can marry a woman and a man can marry a man, the disaster that followed the first disobedience is also likely to follow this very one.

You just commended President Jonathan for signing the anti-gay law, but the developed world was against that, and the criticism has been very strong against Nigeria.

What is the Church doing in Nigeria to convince the world that Jonathan was right?

It is not the President that started

this. It is the Church. The President is only being democratic in the sense that he is listening to the people who put him in power. What baffles me is the attitude of the white people.

What they do in their place, they don’t allow you to do in your country.

When this issue of Syria came up, there was a time they tried to mobilise for attack on Syria, but the British people said no, the parliament refused and the Prime Minister backed down. The same thing happened in the U.S. Why is it that when our people speak on what we want our President to do, they start criticizing us? Why should they become the headmaster on moral issues in the world? Did they create us? They have no such right and we will be foolish to submit to them.

Does your Church still maintain relationship with the mother Church in England since the controversy on the gay issue broke out?

We have made our position very clear to them. About 2008 after the

Only Damaturu?

Yes; our church in Maiduguri is miraculously on but the churches are being attacked here and there. The Bishop has escaped so many attacks, but he is still there; so what we are doing is to find a way to support the Bishop to support his members. The Bishop is there to ensure that the church does not die; recently the Archbishops of the Church of Nigeria visited Maiduguri and met with the governor, the Shehu of Borno and our members to tell them that this is a passing phase in our history; it will not be permanent. Let me say that evil will not win this battle no matter how long it takes. We are aware that some people are behind it all, because it is not just the poor Boko Haram person who is perpetrating this evil; there are people behind it who bring the money, who bring the ideology and use these poor boys as canon fodder. By the grace of God, the evil will be defeated.

Why do you think it has it been pretty difficult for government to understand the mystery of Boko Haram?

I think government should know. I don’t know whether it knows, but I think it should know that there are insiders in government, in the military, in the police, in the in system that there are Boko Haram loyalists. They are the people who are expanding the coast of Boko Haram, internationalising their issues, giving them resources because if they don’t have strong resources, they will not have lasted this long. I have been a military man and I know that you need logistics to fight a battle, so who is supplying Boko Haram logistics?

As a church, have you sat down to fashion a way out to say let us take this to the President?

The Church does not attend Federal Executive Council meetings.

The Church does not attend any government meeting where views are directly presented. We can only make suggestions through our Synods and our prophetic ministries.

Through we can have meeting with the President, but whatever is done in this regard is what I may call suggestion because the politicians Continues on page 25

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 25

Continued from page 19 political ignorance or political maneuver or both - that the 36 States of the Federation are “federating units” and should therefore operate and derive their powers and functions on the classical meaning of federalism, as in the case of the United States of America.

Unlike the US where the States were formally independent and sovereign polities that decided to come together to form the USA, in the case of Nigeria the existing 36 States are historically and structurally administrative units created, at different times, by the Nigerian State.

The political reality of the 36 States of Nigeria only confers them the status of “federal units”, which have largely been created to promote unity in diversity. No matter how one could shout out the concept of the so-called principle of “fiscal federalism” it doesn’t confer States any inherent power(s) over anything Nigerian. But the North should be ready to renegotiate the political restructuring of Nigeria on its terms: either Nigeria operates the proper true federalism that guarantees all political equitable access to national resources or any other new arrangement on mutually agreeable terms.

• The Institutionalization of the Principles of Resource Control in the allocation of resources, or what is also referred to as operating the principles of fiscal federalism. Here, it is also erroneously propagated that fiscal federalism is equivalent or at least presupposes the principle of “resource control” by which the so-called ‘oil producing States’ should have greater share of the Nigerian oil revenues if they are “denied” complete control over their God-given resources. But it only requires an elementary understanding of the concept of fiscal federalism to appreciate the fact that it refers to principles by which tiers of government of a country appropriate common resources on the basis of fiscal responsibilities of each tier of government as enshrined in the constitution. On the other hand, the very conception of “oil producing states” is not only a misnomer but inherently illegitimate. The only oil producing

be appropriating federal funds while their functions are for the benefits of a section of the country and the other sections do not have similar corresponding federal agencies.

• Citizenship Rights. Here, the North does not have any problem with the promotion of the principles of equal rights and privileges to Nigerians wherever they choose to work and live. But, it must be fully realized this principle is inconsistent with “resource control”. If Nigerians are equal everywhere, to the extent that the same proponent of “resource control” are calling for the abrogation of State of Origin and substituting this with State of Residence, it then follows that all resources of the nation belong to all Nigerian and therefore the basic principle of sharing resources would have to fundamentally rest on need, equity and fiscal responsibilities of tiers of governments to citizens under their jurisdiction, supplemented by other appropriate principles to encourage wealth production, economic growth and social

North must make the best of bad situation,

by Usman Bugaje state in Nigeria is the Nigerian state itself, which alone made all the investments in oil exploration and production since its discovery till today. The North should also reject and call for the scrapping of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Corporation, both cannot legitimately

‘Why I stopped talking about corruption’ Continued from page 24 will come and ask him why he is listening to religious people.

But I think we have reached a stage where the common views of Nigerians are converging in the sense that it is becoming clear that there are enemies within who have helped Boko Haram to sustain this insurgency. The views of Christians, Muslims, civil society groups, students, market men and women, journalists like you are beginning to converge and this is why the National Conference is very important. It is important that we agree how to run Nigeria. There is a Bible passage that says ‘can two work together except they agree?’ If you want to marry, you must be compatible with your wife; you must be able to say to the woman this is the direction we are heading. If I entered your motor and I discovered that you are driving like a drunkard and you are facing an oncoming truck without getting out of the way, I will ask you to put me down. If this is the way you like to drive, I can imagine that you will not go very far. So this idea of National Dialogue is a good thing. If it means quarrelling, let us quarrel without fighting. Let us disagree to agree. If it means shouting, let us shout but, in the end, let us be clear on the way forward so that the poor man

will agree with the rich man on how they will live. The Christian will agree with the Muslim on how they will live. The old man will agree with the young man on how they will live. The women will agree with men on how they will live. Different interest groups, the minorities will agree with the majority. There are people who are not Igbo, there are people who are not Yoruba, there are people who are not Hausa and Fulani in Nigeria, they will agree on how they will be part of Nigeria.

This is the first attempt to streamline Nigeria.

We have had conferences in the past, but, to a very large extent, none has been able to proffer practicable solutions to the problems of Nigeria. So what is the hope that this one will not go the same way of others?

This one should not go the same way of past conferences. If it does, people will be disillusioned. This one must solve Nigeria’s problems. The equation of Nigeria’s project must be thoroughly addressed in such a way that if we agree that there should be no go area and that Nigeria should remain an indivisible entity, then I should be able to lie down in Kano and sleep with my two eyes closed.

The person in Kano should be able to lie down in Port Harcourt and sleep soundly.

development.

• Security and Human Rights Violation.

The security situation in the North has reached a point where the North can no longer continue to assume and hope that those with the responsibility to protect its citizens have the political will to do so. That the North has to collectively

Somebody should be able to lie down in Lagos or Warri without bothering about ethnicity, same thing Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and other places. The question of why should you build a church in my area should not arise. These are the issues. If we go to the National Conference and come back without resolving the issues, then, we have not started!

What other key areas do you think should attract the attention of the delegates at the conference apart from negotiating the unity of the country?

Another focal point should be governmental arrangement, that is, what type of government should we adopt? We started with parliamentary democracy, and then we copied the American presidential system with our own additions and so on.

Now in between, we have the military system which is what we are running now and not a federal system. In the military, you will be allowed to talk, you will be allowed to discuss, but the commander takes his decision. So, in this very matter, therefore, what type of government is good for us? Should we concentrate on having the power of government placed at the centre, a kind of winner takes, or we go back to the old system where the regions were developing according to their different capacities and what you can provide in the West may be different from what you provide in the East? In those days the North was not depending on any region and the spirit of competition was engendered. But this system we are running now is ‘wait for me’ type. If I can’t do it, you will have to wait for me, I must hold you down.

Are you not worried about the level of

wake up to the ‘war by other means’ against its people is fairly obvious for all to see. This is not the place to say more. It should suffice to say that we cannot continue with our complacent, naïve and fatalistic attitude that has never served us. It is time to consider something radical and ultimate.

• The Choice of an Appropriate System of Government for Nigeria is another issue that is certain to come up. The North must not be dragged into the futile debate of the Presidency or the Parliamentary system, which only diverts attention from the more fundamental issue of good governance. It is not so much the system of government as the entrenchment of corruption in our political culture and governance system.

It is the value system that informs the political culture that really matters and we should be able to retrace our steps and fall back on our values of honesty, hard work, dedication and selflessness.

Admonition The point has been made that even as the conference lacks both legality and legitimacy, we may not serve our cause by absenting our selves. We may even turn it into an opportunity to educate and inform and address the misinformation and propaganda against the North.

In doing this we shall require a strong coordinating secretariat, which will provide the facts and figures so that Northern conferees will speak from the point of knowledge and the point of strength. This is critical to the role we must play in this confab. At this meeting, we must workout how that can be put in place.

Even more urgent and more important is the issue of the Security and Human Rights violation in the North. The assault and humiliation on our persons and dignity have become unbearable. To say that we have been abandoned is to understate the gravity of the crises. Our children and more importantly God Himself may not forgive us if we leave this meeting without doing something serious and consequential. May the Most High guide us that which is best.

corruption in this country?

I stopped talking about it because it appears that the more we talk about it, the more we get immune to it. Let me give you a practical example of what I am trying to describe. We always talk about sin in the Church, let’s assume that there’s is a particular sin that is attractive to somebody and you know that it is wrong. The first time you fall into it, you will find it painful. You will be sorrowful and the feeling of regret will come over you. You will be full of grief. The second time you fall into the temptation, your feeling of regret would be less. The third time, it will be less and the fourth time, it would be much less. So, after some time, you will become addicted such that you don’t see anything wrong with it again. So we have almost reached that level in Nigeria. That is why I stopped talking about it directly.

The way I decided to talk about it is to be doing things differently for others to learn.

In our last standing committee meeting, our theme was, ‘Thou shall not bear false witness’. Why did we choose that topic? We see that in this country, we are very religious. Muslims, Christians, traditionalists place emphasis on their religions.

But the religions do not carry with it the expectations of moral obligations. There are, of course, very fine people in this country, people who have strong moral powers, who believe in what they do, who allow their beliefs to influence their morals, but a large percentage do not see the connection, the affinity between religion and morality. So I say the best thing to do is to teach, to talk, to educate ourselves.

C M Y K

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

How we make Lagos, Ogun secure — AIG Tsafe

men. The IGP has already created a very high morale for officers and men, the recent promotion with its attendant jubilation in all formations has certainly made our men to be in high spirits nation wide.

NPF under MD Abubakar The force has been trying to the best of its ability to ensure safety and security. With more incentives as recently demonstrated by the IGP in view of the promotions, awards and commendations that cut across all the ranks, the force has been contributing effectively in the security and safety of the nation.

•‘We need continuity in police leadership’

Areas that need improvement in the force I honestly feel that much efforts should be directed towards intensifying training that will make the force more pro-active by way of boosting the intelligence institutions of the force. There is also need for an increase of credible manpower drawn from members of the society of proven integrity to boost the operational strategies of the force. This is because when we prevent, we have little to investigate. In this respect,

G

etting a few minutes chat with the Assistant Inspector - General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan Lagos, Mamman Tsafe, is like squeezing water from the rock. He consistently insisted that the Commissioners under his command, Lagos and Ogun, are accessible for any information needed while his boss in Abuja and the Force Headquarters spokesman are there for policy statements. He, however, asserted that he was ready to clear any grey areas provided issues are properly straightened out. The amiable and articulate officer did when our man, Emma Nnadozie, engaged him in a chat. Excerpts: Policing Lagos and Ogun ike you said, these are two seemingly volatile states. It takes concentration on the part of officers and men, effective supervision by senior officers, judicious deployment of the personnel, reaching out to the people – members of the community, intensified intelligence gathering, comprehensive synergy with other security agencies etc to police these states.

L

Harmony in curbing crime The two commands have the same historical and cultural background. They are blessed with highly educated personalities with high level of security consciousness and high sense of the need for cooperation with the security agencies. Equally, the Chief Executive Officers of the commands take the business of security seriously and in that respect, we find it easy to

•AIG Mamman Tsafe

co-ordinate and work together to ensure security and safety in the states.

The logistics support by the governors also contributed to the success story we have here. The zonal supervision ensures that harmony exists between the commands as it cuts across the thin borderlines which make crime prevention faster.

Additionally, both Commissioners of Police and the AssistantInspector General of Police served in the two terrains as junior officers and they are very conversant with them and are fully on the ground all the time to check the excesses of hoodlums.

Reduction in police funding and after effect on members of the force

I

want to

assure the people that the kind of inspirational leadership of the InspectorGeneral of P o l i c e , Mohammed Abubakar, has the tendency of boosting the morale of officers and men of the force and the deliberate calculations of the IGP to boost the p a t r i o t i c tendencies of every member of the force, the issue of reduction in police funding and the anticipated concomitant backlash will have little or no effect on the morale of our

T h e essence of c o n t i n u i t y especially when the current leadership is applauded is to e n s u r e sustainability of good work for the betterment of the organization the job is made easier by way of effective deployment of personnel on patrol as characterized by the IGP’s philosophy of visibility policing. There is also need to consider adequate funding of the force for it to be able to service all its financial requirements .

Recent promotions and morale of men of the force Their morale is very high all over the country. It is now the responsibility of supervising officers to sustain and improve on this level for better service delivery.

Expectations We expect the beneficiaries and even those expecting their elevation to justify the

confidence reposed on them by the IGP and be more committed to their responsibilities for more positive results. Those who did not benefit directly are assured that as long as they remain disciplined and committed to effective service delivery, they would definitely be considered. In my area, some of these complaints are been looked into by a panel of credible officers. Genuine complaints would be given the required attention. However, cases of flagrant disobedience to lawful orders and other undisciplined behaviors must face disciplinary action.

My ideal policeman y ideal policeman must be gallant, studious, honest, firm and fair, steadfast in policing and must be above board when it comes to decision taken in matters involving parties. This is amply reflected in the present IGP, MD Abubakar.

M

Encouraging continuity The essence of continuity especially when the current leadership is applauded is to ensure sustainability of good work for the betterment of the organization. For sometime now, the force had suffered breakages of leadership, previous ones will serve two years, one and half years and in the process, each one that comes will start a programme that will be short lived. For instance, the recent bold step taken by the present IGP to abolish all road blocks and he ensured they were abolished despite resentments by some faceless and lawless groups and individuals, is credible and worthy of sustenance in whatever regime. If, for example, the present IGP has a longer period of heading the force for say, five years, such solid achievement cant be advertently or inadvertently rubbished.

Policing the police I want to assure Nigerians that so far, I personally supervise the activities of men under my command and they report directly to me. So far, we have been able to fish out many bad eggs and we have taken decisive departmental action on them. I have also re-invigorated the X-squad.

It’s been commanded by an Assistant Commissioner of Police. By so doing, we have been able to make the bad eggs know that we are poised for action and would not hesitate in dealing with anybody that tries to daint the image of the force.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014,

PAGE 27

By SONI DANIEL, Regional Editor, North

S

omething very interesting happened earlier that morning. In the searing heat that has been ravaging the region since last year, an early morning rain suddenly descended like fresh dew, washing the Jordanian capital, Amman, and environs, bringing a temporary relief to residents.

As the rain began to recede, a massive bird, a Boeing 777-300 aircraft, carrying a small Nigerian delegation, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, landed at the Jordanian International Airport.

Strolling out of the aircraft, Kuku, clad in a white lace caftan and a pair of black sandals to match, smiled broadly in quick succession, as he shook hands with the Nigerian Ambassador to Jordan, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja, and other embassy officials, who came to receive the delegation. With the brief airport reception over, the delegation moved in a motorcade to the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, RJAA, located within the centre of the city. As the motorcade left the airport, the showers of rainfall continued, providing a conducive and relaxing ambience for the day. But by the time the visitors got to the RJAA, the showers had turned to heavy cold not very conducive to people with light clothes.

But the joy and excitement on the faces of both the RJAA officials and the visiting Nigerians overshadowed the penetrating cold, which was later checkmated with the provision of winter jackets branded with the emblems of the RJAA for the visitors.

Kuku and his team were taken round the RJAA by its Director General, Mohammed Kwaweldeh, to see the training facilities, including aircraft, simulators, training laboratories, workshops and classrooms, where 18 Nigerians from the Niger Delta region under the sponsorship of the Presidential Amnesty Office, had been trained along with other cadet pilots from other parts of the world by the renowned air academy. The facility tour was rounded off with a detailed Power Point presentation on the history of the academy by its Director General, showcasing its steady progress and success since it was set up in 1966. Since its inception, the college has continued to train pilots to fly different brands of aircraft.

The 17 out of the 18 Nigerians, who graduated on March 12, 2014 as Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) holders, were among the 27 sent by the PAO to train in the academy. Of the number, nine were dropped due to their inability to pass medical tests and qualifying flying courses. But the young cadets, who made it to the end, also made their families and Nigeria proud, as they were singled out for honour on that breezy afternoon.

The proud Nigerians had assembled inside the Banquet Hall of the RJAA with great expectations as the Special Adviser to the President and officials of the RJAA made their way to the hall for the official decoration with wings and presentation of diplomas and licences.

As the event was about to start, the college rolled the tape and the Jordanian national anthem began to blare from the

Nigeria’s amnesty pilots ‘air show’ in Jordan! loudspeakers as everyone in the hall stood still. But when the authorities wanted to play the Nigerian anthem, the jubilant graduates, propelled by a deep sense of fulfilment and patriotism, motioned to them that they would rather sing the national anthem, and they were obliged.

With uncommon zeal and enthusiasm, the boys rendered the National Anthem with a sense of commitment to their fatherland and proved beyond any reasonable doubt to those present that indeed they were happy and proud to be Nigerians in a foreign land. Shortly, they were presented with their certificates as a proof that they had completed their training programme at the prestigious academy.

As they received their certificates and wings, they shook hands with Kuku, Arapaja and the DG of the academy and also posed for photographs with the officials before returning to their seats amid standing ovation from admirers, friends and associates, who had assembled in the hall for the epoch event.

When it was time for Kuku to speak, he stood up, walked majestically to the podium, cleared his throat and smiled before waving to the students, who had burst into dancing and celebration on sighting him and other Nigerian officials, which included the Head of Aviation Training in the Amnesty Office, Captain Perekeme Porbeni, Chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN), Barr. Allen Onyeama, Kuku’s Special Assistant (Special Duties), Chief Henry Ugbolue, and the PAP’s Head of Media and Communications, Mr Daniel Alabrah.

The joy of the new commercial pilots apparently knew no bounds on realizing that it was Kuku who spearheaded the training of pilots

under the Amnesty Programme and had continued to pay unwavering attention to the training of young Nigerians as aviators. Excited that his *Kuku products had excelled in the flying programme, Kuku, like the mother of a beautiful employment upon the successful bride, spoke proudly about the completion of their training. deliberate attempt at training more Speaking, the Nigerian pilots to give the Nigerian aviation Ambassador to Jordan, Arapaja, sector a new lease of life and make said he was happy to be associated Nigeria the hub of the business in with the strong ties between Africa.

Nigeria and Jordan in the areas of commerce, aviation and economic development, and promised to ensure the success of the training programme already launched by the Amnesty Office in Amman.

The new commercial pilots are expected to return to Nigeria and proceed for further training in the aircraft type of their choice.

So far, no fewer than 200 Nigerians have either been trained or are in training under the PAP’s aviation programme. Forty-eight of them are already commercial pilots, with 21 of them currently undergoing specialisation training at the Lufthansa Aviation College in Germany while nine others doing same at the CAE Oxford in England. Some others are undergoing helicopter training in Kuku said although the training Egypt and Italy. The training of the pilots was just one aspect of involved some ex-agitators and the PAP training programmes, youths whose communities were efforts were ongoing to train more, negatively affected by the Niger particularly in the areas of Aircraft Delta crisis.

Engineering, Grounds Handling “The training programme is our Operations and Air Traffic Control. own way of rebuilding the capacity The presidential aide however of Niger Delta youths and requested foreign aviation impacting positively on their institutions currently training communities,” the Head of Media Nigerians under the Amnesty and Communications, Alabrah, Programme to offer them explained.

With uncommon zeal and enthusiasm, the boys rendered the National Anthem with a sense of commitment to their fatherland and proved beyond any reasonable doubt to those present that indeed they were happy and proud to be Nigerians in a foreign land

PAGE 28 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

NO KIDDING WAMAKKO

All in the interest of the

Caliphate

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

G

OVERNOR Aliyu Wamakko, according to many Sokoto State people, has transformed the state to Makkah of a sort. Were those people talking out of sentiments? The former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Mallam Nasir Danladi Bako, who is currently the state Commissioner for Information, said, “By the time I take you round, what you see will be the answer to what you seek to know on the part of the government.” Like an ordinary man in the street, Bako, a world class veteran broadcasting journalist, personally drove this reporter from his Mabera Guest Inn (hotel) round Sokoto metropolis and made sure that the tour did not end until he had taken him to at least three local government areas including Wamakko Local Government Council, some 6.5 kilometres away from the city.

At Wamakko, we found a governor’s idea of how to keep elected council officers and staff within their areas of responsibility for discernible performance and tangible output. Wammako did this by building an executive chairman’s lodge, fenced, which consists of everything that a leader of that status requires to settle to work. Not far from that compound is another residential area built for other elected officers and officials of the council. A new NYSC Camp that has been adjudged one of the biggest in the country was also seen to be set for commissioning and a new orthopaedic hospital equipped and staffed with five foreign doctors, who had resumed and were being accommodated in the doctors quarters, was also found on ground in Wamakko.

“As for the chairman and council officials’ quarters, this is how it is in all the 23 local government areas in Sokoto especially the ones that are in remote areas.

It was discovered that before Wamakko

came to office, chairmen of those councils came to office only once in a month to share allocation from the Federation Account, and the moment the sharing is concluded, they would leave till another month end. But Aliyu said no. This must stop. He rolled out a riot act, ordering all elected officers

,,

I am no longer a kid.

With the white hair here (touching his moustache), I know what I am doing, where I am going and that is exactly what I am going to continue to pursue, especially for the good of Sokoto State people

of each council to stay and live with their people because that is the only way to truly give service and achieve delivery,” the commissioner said.

On Kalambaina Road sits the industrial nerve centre of the state where Sokoto Cement Company, Sokoto Aluminium Company, a foam making factory, groundnut oil industry, among

others operate. Their operations are made possible by the infrastructure put in place by the governor.

Sokoto transformation Coming from the Sultan Siddique Abubakar III International Airport on the left is the new Sokoto State University, an intervention by Wamakko to ensure that the lost glory of the state as an education haven in the pre-colonial and colonial era is restored. Sokoto, records revealed, had been exposed to books on geometry and other aspects of knowledge as far back as 1817. It peeved Wamakko the extent to which the state had gone backward in education as a result of misgovernment of successive administrations especially after Shehu Kangiwa’s. He then swung into action and began to liberate Sokoto State through education, which led to his voting of huge sums to expand of primary, secondary schools and the building of the university in addition to the existing polytechnic and college of education.

Today, Gov. Wamakko appears to have truly transformed Sokoto in the sense of infrastructural excellence which now drives growth of the state economy and general development in and around the state and, two, in the sense of attraction which now has planted Sokoto in the hearts of many groups, organisations and even government agencies, outside Sokoto, which think Sokoto for venues of their conferences and other kinds of meetings. This has added to the human traffic that attracted two major privately owned airlines to now fly in and out of the state. Good access roads, federal and state; 500-unit low-earners housing project scattered all over the place to cater for the housing needs of his people; a 20-million gallon capacity water project at Azare, because of which former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who commissioned the project, had said “Wamakko’s effort is miracle.” The governor has currently embarked upon a 40 megawatts Independent Power Project, IPP, which will soon be commissioned, mainly to power the economic growth and general development of the state.

Bako, pointing to the Sokoto Cement

Company factory site, said, “This company you see, like those other ones, was moribund before. But Governor Aliyu Wamakko did not only inject money into resuscitating it but also built the roads to create accessibility. And you can see trailers queuing up to load cement products here now for supply within and outside Sokoto State.” People who say Wamakko is a Khalifa of Sardauna or that his administration is the second coming of the Shehu Kangiwa administration may therefore not be wrong considering the level of development he has been able to put on ground since 2007. The Giginya Coral Hotel, built by Shehu Kangiwa in 1981, which was later let to die by successive administrations, has just been resuscitated by Wamakko. The five-star hotel, according to Danladi Bako. “The governor injected N2.5 billion into the hotel, got experts to manage it and, now, the state government has recovered its investment and has started making good profit.”

Wamakko, who, sometimes, move around Sokoto unannounced, even extended his infrastructural development gesture to federal projects in the state, which include the construction of quarters for judges of the Court of Appeal near the Federal Low Cost Housing Estate area and the 11-kilometer Airport Road.

“He would have done the judges quarters a long time ago but, because he had election case with the court, he wanted to avoid a situation where people would say he was doing it to influence the judges.

But now that the case, which got to the Supreme Court, is disposed off, the governor decided to build the judges quarters. He said he knew that those projects are federal but that they benefit the people of Sokoto State,” said Bako.

Encounter with governor Appreciating Sunday Vanguard for coming to Sokoto, Bako insisted on taking this reporter to Wammako. “How can a journalist from Uncle Sam Amuka’s media organisation come to Sokoto and he would go back without seeing the governor?”, Bako asked. The information commissioner took me to the Gaunama area private residence of the governor.. On getting there, the Sariki Yamma had left for the Government House. But Wamakko does not stay in the Government House.

He lives in the private residence among his people. We headed for the Government House, where we met, in a three-man meeting, the governor who quickly picked my first name and called me with it throughout the time the meeting lasted.

Wamakko, appreciating the three numbers roll-up banners, took his time to explain his areas of interest to me in the banners. “Bashir, you see this IPP project?

It is a project that we have embarked upon, not only to light up Sokoto but to also boost the electricity needs of our industrial areas,” said the governor, who added, “I am no longer a kid. With the white hair here,” touching his moustache, “I know what I am doing, where I am going and that is exactly what I am going to continue to pursue, especially for the good of Sokoto State people.”

It is however not clear whether that statement by the governor was an indirect reaction to the rumour in town the day before that President Jonathan had come to town to drag him to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, to be prevailed upon to return to the PDP. However, a government source told this reporter, “Jonathan needs Wamakko but Wamakko does not need Jonathan.”

Although the governor was not scheduled to be interviewed during the visit, information revealed that Wammako had vowed to operate a government driven by transparency and accountability. That, the governor attested to during the short meeting with him. Wamakko has lived up to his word, considering the number of projects he has executed that today made Sokoto State an emerging economy in Nigeria.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014,

PAGE 29

Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

Children with autism are fascinating — Heather MacKenzie, Canadian autism researcher

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

Y

early, new cases of autism are increasingly recorded allover the world while parents are torn in two over managing children with autism. Mrs. Heather E. MacKenzie, a Canadian autism expert with almost 30 years of experience, however believes children with autism are the most impressive and interesting. This, she says, is because despite their complex neurological disorder, most children living with autism, like Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton, are exceptionally innovative and intelligent. Heather who holds a Ph.D in Speech Language Pathology and Administration of Medical Educational Institutions was in Nigeria last week where she facilitated a one-week autism training at Patrick Speech & Languages Centre in Lagos. Feminista had a chat with her.

We’re also learning some things about environmental issues which make us want to believe that mothers who are exposed to more pollution during pregnancy have a higher risk of having a child with autism

,,

What has been your experience with children living with autism?

When I started working with children with autism about 30 years ago, they became more and more fascinating to me because I saw that they were people who had lots of abilities, as well as some areas that were really challenging.

But they are interesting, puzzling and intriguing children. Most of them are very visual, so, what they see is what they know and what they believe. Hearing and learning through their ears is often very difficult. I’ve studied them and I have therefore been able to help make the world a better place for them to live in.

How come you’ve been working with autistic children for about 30 years while we’re only just beginning to understand autism in Nigeria?

I think we have a different medical system in Canada and perhaps a different way of thinking about children and caring for them. France is also just trying to develop ideas that are more progressive about children with autism.

So, it’s also just starting in France! You see, it takes a while and you’ve got to get people thinking differently;

like a cultural shift. You’ve got to get people to understand that these children are part of the human society but are only unique in some ways. If we can take the time, we can learn more about those unique gifts that they have. It takes people like Mrs.Dotun Akande, the Founder of Patrick Speech & Languages Centre, to make such steps, so that other people will know more about these children.

As an autism researcher, what new discoveries have been made to further demystify autism since its cause is still not known?

We are now more able to look at the brain to see what’s

happening, so that we can now say people with autism do not have the same kind of connections between the different areas of their brain like regular people. But we also know that with good therapy and teaching, they can develop those connections so that the differences can become less.

We’re also learning some things about environmental issues which make us want to believe that mothers who are exposed to more pollution during pregnancy have a higher risk of having a child with autism.

We’ve also learnt, from Dr.Temple Grandin, an American doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, what things make a difference and why people with autism do not like eye contact.

Grandin was able to achieve in life despite having shown clear signs of autism as a child.

These people do not make eye contact, not because they don’t care, but because it’s too hard

Heather MacKenzie for them. Some people say their brain just become empty if they have to look at somebody because for them, seeing and listening at same time is just too difficult.

Next month, April precisely, is International Autism Awareness Month; what word of advice do you have about children with autism?

They are people of value.

They may seem different from other people but they sure have gifts that they bring to this world. They only need love and acceptance, just like anyone else. It’s not mental

these people should be catered for. I take care of their health and give them clothes as well”, Primate Ayodele responded while feeding questions from newsmen during a modest celebration tagged ‘Moment of Gratitude 2014’ in commemoration of his birthday in Lagos recently.

The week-long activity also witnessed another season of giving as it featured distribution of food items and free eye screening to orphans and vulnerable children, aged persons and indigent youths, and visits/presentations of various gift items to schools, hospitals, police stations and agencies. There was also the commissioning of a water

Why I am committed to helping widows, others — Primate Ayodele

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

E

veryone knows him as a prophet of God but only a few hear of his generosity towards widows and other less-privileged.

So passionate he is about ‘giving’ that even widows in the Republic of Benin and other neighbouring WestAfrican states could attest to his good deeds even in their sleep. This, is because, Prophet Babatunde Ayodele, Founder/Spiritual Head of Inri Evangelical Church, Lagos, has empowered over 13,000 widows both in Nigeria

and neighbouring nations.

“I love to assist widows because my heart always goes out to them. Next year, I am going to Ghana to again reach out to widows. I want ease their burden to the barest minimum and ensure their children do not drop out from school simply because they cannot afford to pay school fees. I have done this for over 13,000 widows and I’m set to do more because society does not seem to understand why

illness but a different way of being wired in the brain. It’s simply that some differences happened when they were still in their mothers’ tummies. So, we cannot blame them for their situation. My passion is actually children with autism.

This is because I know they are people of ability who have exceptional skills in different areas. That’s why one in ten people on the autism spectrum are able to perform extraordinarily in areas like mathematics. You can’t find such ability amongst one in ten of the regular general population. project and cell renovation at selected police stations.

Declaring that God had been generous towards him also, Ayodele disclosed that plans were underway to build low cost houses for less privileged people, so cushion the problem of housing in Lagos state.

“We are going to give out mini-flats for as low as 2,000 per month. A room and a parlour will be let out for N1,000 per month. Also, we will be opening our mega parish with IT and health centre as well. I have witnessed the good things of God in my life and I have no regret working in God’s vineyard. That’s why I am passionate about making life comfortable for others”, he said.

PAGE 30 SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

SUNDAY, Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 31

e tuga hooks Images fr om Subomi Balogun’s 80th bir thda from birthda thdayy Toyin FFe Akinwunmi Orogun Founder/chairman of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, celebrated his 80th birthday on March 9, 2014.

The business community, government, the traditional institution and even the academia were part of the celebrations in Ijebu Ode and Lagos. Photos

by Akeem Salau

T

HE families of Mr and Mrs Ademola Fetuga and Evangelist and Deaconess Orogun became one penultimate Saturday when their children Adetoun Oluwatoyin Fetuga and Caleb Akinwunmi Orogun - exchanged matrimonial vows at the Rhema Chapel International Church, Yaba. Friends and associates of the two families graced the occasion.

Photos by Biodun Ogunleye

L-R: Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen.Yakubu Gowon, Otunba Subomi Balogun, wife, Olori Abimbola, Chief Chris Ogunbanjo, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, First Lady, Ogun State and Gov. Ibikunle Amosun.

The new couple, Mr & Mrs Caleb Adetoun Jaiyeola, signing the mariage register

L-R: Mr. Femi Otedola, Mr. Segun Osebanjo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mr. Wale Tinubu.

Erelu Abiola Dosunmu.

Dosunmu

and

Mrs

Ronke

The new couple flanked by parents.

L-R:Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande, Chief Adebayo Akande and Otunba Oladunni.

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives (left) with Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Chin we and TTon on ed Chinw onyy w wed

Henetem and Shanese marital bliss

MR. Ikechukwu Tony Chukwueke Owunna and Mrs Constance Chinwe Owunna became one after their wedding at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lagos.

HENETEM Edward and Shanese Bassey wedded , March 1, 2014 at Grace Consulate in Calabar, Cross Rivers State after their traditional marriage on February 27, 2004, also in Calabar.

The couple, Mr.and Mrs Ikechukwu Tony Chukwueke Owunna, flanked by Eze Amasu of Arochukwu, Euguene Frances, representing groom's father; and Chief (Mrs.) Nkechi Owunna, groom's mother

The couple: Henetem and Shanese Edward

L-R: Parents of the bride, Mr & Mrs Ademola Fetuga, with Pastor Tunde Oketola

From left: Mrs Adelaju Omotoso, Mrs Adetutu Bakare and Mrs Yinka Fetuga

PAGE 32 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

GORY DEATH SCENES

‘Women, children worst hit in Kaduna three-way attacks that killed 119’

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

P

enultimate Friday night, the full moon shone brightly over Ma’ Sankwai village – a cluster of well spaced compounds with a mix of traditional thatched homes and modern buildings contently nestling on ancient plains occupied for centuries by the Asholio natives.

You could see the tree-line perennial streams snaked past Ma’ Sankwai farmlands as the village was suffused in the esoteric sound of the night while everyone retired to bed awaiting the village chores of the next day.

Everyone was sleeping peacefully, except the local vigilante.

Then the Fulani gunmen arrived shortly before midnight.

The vigilante saw them coming out of the bush well armed, and large in number.

Like the fury of hell, there were deafening explosions that brought down homes from the roof to the foundation, sounds of gunshots, wailing voices of women and children as the village became one giant ball of flames and huge billowing of fumes that further darkened the night. Eerie screaming of the hapless pierced the night as they made their last attempt to cheat death, but many never made it.

Sankwai village, Tekum and Unguwan Gata lay in ruins four hours after. About 119 corpses - some

mutilated, other decapitated or outrightly burnt to ashes – littered the homes and bush of Ma’Sankwai, Tekum and Ungwan Gata, rural communities in Bodong district villagers of Moroa chiefdom in Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

The Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurencia Mallam, could not hold back tears outside the partly burnt Anglican Church, Sankwai, when she visited the attacked village. She wept along side women at the site of one of the mass graves holding 119 corpses.

“I am devastated ”, Mallam said while fielding questions from journalists later at the LEA Model Primary School, Bodong, where about 2,000 persons displaced by the violence were putting up under the watch of soldiers.

Mallam, a native of Kaura LGA, was the Chairman of Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna State (1999 – 2002) and one-time National President of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO).

Explaining what transpired that night, Mr. Nuhu Waney, a community leader and the refugees’ camp coordinator, said the invasion came as a shock to the three communities, saying they had never had any quarrels with the Fulani, who he insisted, were behind the massacre.

Said Waney: “They (assailants) came around 11pm that day when

most people had gone to bed. They came in such a large number, maybe about 200, some dressed in army camouflage uniform. They operated into the early hours of Saturday.

“They divided themselves into three groups. There was a group that detonated bombs. The bombs brought down homes in flames. Then there was another group that shot at those trying to escape from the fire. The last group used machetes to hack to death those trying to escape. The victims were mostly women and children”, he said, showing the minister an album that contained the pictures of decapitated and mutilated corpses. “The attack was coordinated in the same way in Tekum and Unguwan Mata. So far, we have buried 119 corpses in three mass graves. The grave here has 57 people. We still have some corpses that we cannot reach, because the collapsed buildings have buried them. Even now, we are still picking some human remains in the bush. So we cannot give accurate account of the number of deaths until things settle and we carry out a detailed census. But I know we still have more corpses to bury. We have counted about 250 houses burnt by the attackers. Those injured are many. We are still counting.

“In spite of the fact that we were overwhelmed, we were able to kill four of the attackers. The assailants fled with two of their slain colleagues as they saw the light of army trucks

coming in the early hours of the morning. It is strange that it took the soldiers that long to come to our rescue, because they have a base not far from here, and they must have heard all the noise and seen the inferno. . . But the bodies of two of the assailants killed and left behind showed them to be Fulani boys that were resident in this community.

Everyone knew them here. They engaged in commercial motor cycle riding. That is why we are saying it was the Fulani that invaded our communities, for reasons we don’t know”.

The minister, Mallam, assured the villagers of Federal Government’s assistance, saying that God would stand by all those who love peace and shun vengeance. She said President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo were worried by the incident and had sent her to come for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.

Before visiting the attacked villages, the minister paid a courtesy visit to the chief of Moroa chiefdom, Mr. Tagwai Sambo, in his palace in Manchok. In a related development, the President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Dr Ephraim Goje, says there had been 54 invasions of southern Kaduna communities since 2011, with 545 lives lost and not less than 1,000 homes damaged. The majority of the attacks took place in Kaura LGA, according to him.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PPA AGE 33

BY CALEB AYANSINA & FUNMI OLASUPO

T

uesday, March 18 is not a day some operators of tricycles, popularly called ‘KEKE NAPEP’, in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory would want to come back.

The day began like any other day at Durumi II in Durumi District of the FCT, and business was going on smoothly for the operators. Some of them, who started operation early, had been counting their gains before the atmosphere was interrupted by the noise of shots fired sporadically into the air by security men.

Residents, traders, passersby and passengers scampered for safety, while ‘Keke operators’ abandoned their tricycles and ran for their lives.

By the time the dust raised by the stampede settled, Sunday Vanguard gathered that most of the ‘Keke’ on sight had been vandalized.

Some security officers were said to have used knife to slice the tyres of the tricycles while their windscreens were smashed.

One of the executives of the Motorcycles and Tricycles Operators Association of Nigeria (MOTOAN), Comrade David Akpan, who reportedly approached the security men to find out why they were de-

Angst over red card for Keke NAPEP in Abuja stroying their machines, was said to have been rough handled and taken away in a Black Maria.

Last year, the FCT Administration had announced the restriction of the tricycles, popularly known as Keke NAPEP, operation to Gwarinpa, Life Camp and Kado Estates including all large settlements and estates.

In Durumi II, two unions

operate in the park mostly occupied by Keke NAPEP. They are the National Union of Road Transport Workers (Tricycles), FCT Council and MOTOAN. It is one of the areas reportedly given to Keke NAPEP to ply.

The Deputy Chairman of NURTW (Tricycle), FCT Council, Comrade Thomas Danjuman, told Sunday Vanguard that they had been told to re-

strict their operation to the area alloted to them by government, but some of the areas were not clearly spelt out.

“We only know Wuse, Area 1 but other areas are not well spelt out. Besides, Durumi is one of the areas alloted to us to be plying,” he said.

Narrating his ordeal, Danjuma said, “We were in our office when we heard gun shots.

When we came out, we met

al tragedy is unfortunate and a show of shame. It is yet another profound example of a failed state and wholesale institutional collapse. We certainly have a leadership deficit in our hands, hence the clamour for change by the progressives. If these applicants actually paid the required 1,000 naira eligibility fee for the aptitude test as administrative cost which includes security, and yet 19

BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE poor Nigerians, including 3 pregnant women died in this disgraceful circumSecret budget defence lives of 21 job seekers. stance, the federal government must Some of the lawmakers who It is now common for Committee Chairapologise to the bereaved families and men to allow ministries, departments spoke to Sunday Vanguard exalso compensate them as appropriate and agencies of government, MDAs, pressed their views laced with without delay. All those found culpable defend their budget estimates in the anger. The Chairman, House must be sanctioned.” Also, contributing, House in hidden conference halls.

Committee on Anti-Corruption, Hon Peter Akpatason representing The 7th Assembly’s approach in its early Ethics and Values, Abiodun Akoko-Edo, Edo state, APC, said the sad days of spitting fire and damning the Faleke (APC, Lagos State), said: occurrence revealed the level of rot in consequence seem to have kissed the dust. ”It is very sad that our unemploy- the public service. ”It is a most unfortuWell this could be attributed to the ment rate is over 30%. Government nate occurrence and a sad reminder of massive defection from the ruling PDP to must have seen that we have the level of rot and decay in the public APC. The espirit de corps that greeted the serious problems. If we can have sector of our national economy. As if it is 7th Assembly has suddenly vanished. graduates unemployed as high as not enough pain that graduates roam the Chairmen of sensitive committees on 27000 in a state, then what is the streets for years on end without finding security now operate like secret level of uneducated unemployed jobs to do, agencies of government have agents. They disallow journalists from Nigerians that are readily availnow seized the opportunity to fatally covering their budget debates and if able for Boko Haram as ready exploit them by collecting monies from they must invite journalists they pick made army. ”This has shown that them before hounding them into death just one or two electronic media the government has not achieved traps in the name of recruitment test. houses. anything towards our security ”They obviously knew that the facilities The most guilty of them is the challenges,” he said. were inadequate to accommodate the Committee on Defence.

On his part, Chairman House numbers invited, and that scrambling Committee on e-Parliament, Razaq and stampede was a likely outcome, yet Bello-Osagie,Oredo Federal they deliberately refused to neither Echoes of Immigration Constituency, APC, Edo state stagger the interview dates to reduce the recruitment tragedy described the incident as national numbers to manageable proportion nor Members of the House on Tuesday tragedy and declared that the separated them into more centres. Yet no roundly condemned the Immigration incident was an indication of a crowd management plans, no emergency recruitment exercise that claimed the failed state. He said: “The Nation- control measures where put in place. I

the security agents cutting the tyres of our members tricycles and my vice, David, asked them what the problem was. The men started beating him, dragging him with his dress and asking him to come and ask the minister that question.

“Is Keke NAPEP Boko Haram? If they don’t want us, let them call us to a round table and tell us what to do. They say we should not ply restricted areas.

Now, the area they asked us to ply, Okada people are there, and we cannot compete with them”.

The Chairman of MOTOAN, Comrade Innocent Matthew, said most of the areas alloted to them by government to ply were not motorable, adding that it would be okay if government could repair the roads.

personally don’t need any further evidence to convince me that it was a deliberate attempt to justify the fees that were collected from the applicants. ”They simply had no plans for them.

Whoever blamed the incidence on the desperation of the victims is a day time witch that deserves to die in worse circumstance. It is my view that the handlers should be prosecuted, and bereaved families robustly compensated. Whilst not suggesting that the minister and CG should be sacked, I expect them in good conscience to apologise to Nigerians and turn in their letters voluntarily.”

Committees Tambuwal may slam

The Speaker of the House, Hon Aminu Tambuwal, is a man of few words. On Wednesday, he simply sounded a last warning that, by Thursday, if committees fail to submit their budget reports by 2pm, they will automatically forfeit their rights to the Appropriation Committee. The Committees he pointed the accusing finger at include: Environment, Aviation, Banking and Currency, Police, Sports, Public Accounts, Upstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources sector, Human Rights, Science and Technology, Defence, FERMA and MDGs. For God’s sake, what are they waiting?

Twice the House leadership shifted the goal post to allow them deliver.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

AMID DEFECTIONS IN THE NORTH

No politics in Sokoto without my family

—Senator Maccido

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Maccido is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation. He represents Sokoto North Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party. In this interview, he describes the All Progressives Congress as an opposition that the Peoples Democratic Party has to overcome in the North. He also speaks on why he may contest election on the platform of APC and other national issues. Excerpts: What is your opinion on the defection of key politicians in Sokoto State from the PDP to APC? This is democracy and everybody has the right to join any group or party as far as he has the conviction that that is the forum that best meets the wishes of his people. Defection of politicians in Sokoto is a normal thing. It is the same everywhere people have the right to make the choice of a political party. Therefore it is nothing new. We have seen it before and l am sure it will come again. But as far as Sokoto is concerned, we have never had this kind of situation. I believe being the ruling party we have had a lot of challenges earlier and we will continue to have challenges. There will always be opposition in politics.

Sokoto is not different but we have seen challenges and we are handling them maturely.

Did you see the defection of Bafarawa from the APC to the PDP as posing some challenge to your position in the Senate?

I don’t see it that way. It is a good omen that he joined the party. Being a seasoned politician, any party he happens to be I am sure he is going to contribute positively. And we have received him well knowing the value he is going to add value to the PDP in Sokoto State.

Considering your pedigree, do you have any fear that you may not have political persuasion if the APC eventually becomes the dominant party in Sokoto State since you are still in the PDP? There are two ways to look at this.

One you will have to look at me as an individual playing politics in Sokoto.

But there is a bigger picture which you have to look at. I come from a leading family in Sokoto State. No one can afford to play politics without my family. What I did was to add to what I met. My family has been received well by people in Sokoto for the past 200 years. This particular family is deeply involved, not just in Sokoto but in Nigeria and West Africa

at large.

So if you look at it from the institutional perspective, that is the Sultanate, I don’t think the Sultanate can fade out overnight in the politics in Sokoto and Nigeria as a whole and in the community of Muslim Uumahh.

As Mohammed Maccido playing politics, all l did was to add value to what l met on ground. It all depends on how l play my politics, if l play woefully, people will look at it and disassociate themselves from me but, as far l am concerned, l have done well and my constituents can attest to that. They appreciate the little service that l am able to offer at the National Assembly and I appreciate that from my people. So l can’t fade away.

If your people want you to contest election in 2015 under another political platform, how will you respond?

You realise that it is not for me to decide. If my people decide today that l must contest on another platform other than the PDP, l would have no choice but to continue to serve them.

It is speculated that Governor Wammako will contest for the Sokoto North senatorial seat which could dislodge you. How do you intend to maintain the status quo?

That would have to play out first. As far as l am concerned, l have not heard that yet, he has not personally told me that and nobody has come to tell me Wammako is going to vie for my seat. However, it may not be taken for granted that he is considering that,

he is a politician, he has the right to contest, but when that time comes, if he chooses to contest, nobody can stop him because it is his right to contest. I don’t have that right to stop him, if it comes to primaries, so be it.

We play politics, that’s all.

Having served for some time now, what strikes your mind most each time you reflect on your tenure as a senator?

That will be very difficult because there are so many of them especially because all my life as a senator l have served under appropriation and you would have observed that we have a very busy committee which does not necessarily give time to reflect on issues other than matters on appropriation. I have been the vice chairman of the appropriation committee in the sixth National Assembly and the bulk of the work had been on my neck.

Now l am the chairman, my whole time is consumed by issues on appropriation.

But if l am to pick a particular instance l would say the best time is when my members and colleagues in the committee stand up and appreciate the work one does as the chairman of the appropriation committee. That’s the time l cherish very much because it is a vote of confidence that you have done well and we appreciate that.

Following the spate of defections in the North, do you see the APC as a serious threat to your party in 2015?

Every single opposition could be a challenge. You can’t underrate anything. Even a single individual that opposes you on a particular principle you may have to sit down and examine that issue because it could create a problem which you may never have seen. We have seen examples where you underrate your opponent and at the end of the day he becomes the winner.

The APC is becoming, l don’t want to say a threat because it is a stronger word, but it is an opposition that we will have to be overcome, have to reckon with, an opposition that PDP can’t afford to overlook . We have to sit down and re-examine the way we do our things as a party, we have to sit and re-examine the way we deliver service because there are grievances that have to be looked into. Really, it all boils down to service delivery to the people because if you deliver, obviously the opposition will have nothing to say about you.

We must re-examine where we went wrong. But I believe we will come out the winner, God’s willing. PDP is still strong and is growing stronger.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, recently defected to the APC following the allegation that the culture of impunity, among others, reigns in the PDP. What is your take on the allegation?

That’s why opposition is opposition.

The opposition always tries to highlight issues in a way that it would become alarming to the people. I will not want to call it culture of impunity but l know that there are things that have not been done well like issues of negligence, non-inclusiveness of members, there is no cohesiveness, leadership tends to override decisions, things like that are rampant, they have been there in PDP for quite some time but we are going to look into them. God willing, we will overcome them. But the question of impunity? l don’t want to call it that.

Some politicians seem not to really mean well for this country going by their campaign of sensationalism.

How could this be corrected?

What you have said is true. Some people are out to destroy because of their personal ambitions. They don’t care if Nigeria is destroyed so long as they come out winners. That is not politicking, which is about service to the people and the nation. All that should matter in politics is how you would serve your people, not destroy them.

Politics of do-or-die should not be in our society, it is not in our life and we should not start it now. It is just like Gandhi said ‘an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind’. If you say because some person said something and you too have to reply, we will just be killing ourselves and at the end of the day we may not have a country, God forbid!

We do not wish to have that. What l will like to advise our politicians is to, like the late Waziri Ibrahim used to say, “ siyasa ba da gaba ba” (politics without bitterness), copy from others if we have to. We see how it is done in the US and most of our official life was copied from the West; unfortunately in matters like this we tend to overlook what they do. They don’t do this kind of killing: don’t maim because of politicking.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 35

08112662589

What kind of a rat steals his stepson’s girl?

A

FTER years of be ing a single mother of two children, Amaka considered herself lucky to have fallen for Gideon, another divorcee who was estranged from his three children. “He had his own modest business,” explained Amaka, “and I was lucky my children took to him. My son Jude was then 11 years old and his sister nine. In no time, we all moved into his flat and we were contented playing a happy family. I knew he missed his children but he was quite at home with my two and life couldn’t be better.

Soon after we moved in, we had a traditional wedding.

“One evening, as I was tidying the bedroom, I found Gideon’s mobile phone. For some reason, he’d put it on silent. I wondered why. I began scrolling through his messages. ‘Can’t wait to see you again’, one read.

‘Miss you’, read another.

Shaken, I scrolled down to his out-box but that was almost empty except for some harmless texts. I waited impatiently for him to come home before waving the phone at him.

‘What’s going on?’ I yelled at him. ‘Who are these texts from?’

“It’s not what you

think”, he said guiltily.

They ’re just from a woman at work. She’s just a friend. Nothing’s happened’. I didn’t believe him of course. His first wife left him because he was a serial cheater. Would this leopard ever change its spots? Over the months, he kept going out late and texting secretly.

When his name began to be linked with the female colleague of his who sent the texts in, I told him I’d had enough. He tried to talk me out of what he termed making rash decisions when a friend offered to rent me her flat as she’d been offered a temporary job abroad. I jumped at the chance. It was the fresh start I desperately needed.

“I settled in well with my two children but Jude missed Gideon and was still in touch with him. He was now over 20 and had a girlfriend in his life. They’d both finished their A-levels and were waiting for admission into the university.

Then Jude dropped a bombshell, his girlfriend was pregnant! She was 19 and her parents were livid. They didn’t want her to have an abortion and kicked her out to go and live with the father

of her unborn child. So she moved in with her aunt and Jude went to live with them.

“A few weeks later, he called to tell me he’d had a big row with Rosie, his girlfriend and that Gideon had offered him a shoulder to cry on in his house. A few weeks later, they’d patched things up when Gideon became a sort of mediator, urging both of them to give things another go. I was grateful that Gideon was still looking out for Jude.

He even had both of them to stay over at his house a couple of times so he could get to know Rosie better.

“I was relaxing after a

hard day’s job one night when Jude phoned, drunk and crying. ‘Rosie is seeing someone else’, he wept ‘How could she?

She’s expecting your child for goodness sake.

And who the heck is this man?’ I asked. ‘Uncle Gideon’ he sobbed. Eh? ‘Don’t be silly’, I scolded him. It must be the booze confusing him. ‘They’ve been texting’, he raged.

“Listen: `I can’t watt until you’re in my arms and I can hold you all night’... Then; ‘When you’re in your miniskirt, I’ll bend you over and...!’

That’s enough’ I bellowed. I knew Gideon was a cheat. But seduc-

ing his stepson’s pregnant girlfriend? This was off the scale!

“My son was inconsolable so I rang Gideon, shaking with rage. ‘How could you seduce Rosie?’

I spat. ‘Don’t be stupid’, he said. ‘She’s the same age as my daughter’. ‘So, my son is lying’ I asked him. ‘He’s certainly mistaken’, he said convincingly. Confused, I hung up, praying it was a massive misunderstanding.

Jude went over to Gideon to have it out with him and he was arrested for being violent. He spent the night with the police before I eventually got him bailed out in the morning. It was then we both heard Gideon had taken Rosie home to stay with him. The lying rat!

She was five months pregnant with my son’s baby!

“As my son nursed a broken heart and lost interest in his studies, Rosie gave birth to a son.

Rosie’s parents were appalled by her behaviour and washed their hands off her. But I insisted on seeing my grandson and Rosie brought him over.

He was the spitting image of his dad. My son perked up a bit when he saw him and as he came back from seeing both of them off, he said happily

that Rosie had agreed to give their relationship another chance.

“Sadly, that was the last we saw of her. She told Jude she was staying with Gideon. I was speechless. We even discovered that Gideon had put himself as the father on the child’s birth certificate. Now Jude can’t get over the fact that his step dad is claiming to be his son’s father. I hope Gideon is proud of what he’s done. He’s bagged himself a teenage live-in-lover and ruined my son’s life into the bargain. He’s not a dad - just a cheating rat!”

Unfortunately, Gideon doesn’t see himself as the cad Amaka makes him out to be. “Rosie and I got together by accident”, he said in his defence. “I didn’t expect to fall for her and tried to fight how I felt. Rosie wanted my name on the birth certificate and I’m happy to bring the little boy up as mine. Anyone can be a dad but it takes a real man to be a father.

“I only want the best for the poor boy. It wouldn’t be right for him to get confused if Jude came back on the scene...”

08052201867(Text Only)

Revitalise your fatigued body through exercise

F

or most people o v e r thirty the abdominal region gets to be the least toned set of muscles of the body. We work with our hands and walk with our feet, therefore, somehow, those parts are almost always in better shape than the abdominal wall.

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

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

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

As regards exercise, there are countless ways to deal with the bulge of the belly. Some get results from practising dit-ups, others from legraises and so on.

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

Besides strengthening the muscles of the abdomen, some of these practices can be used for purification purposes along with drinking large quantities of salt water. The following exercise will help trim the waist and keep it so, forever. I have had the same waistline since the

past thirty years and I am fifty two now. If yours truly can do it, so can

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

*The Abdominal Lift

you! All it takes is diligence. Lets consider the Rocking.

Technique: Sit with the knees drawn and the hands placed at the back of the knees. Now, lunge

both legs forwards and quickly draw them back and thrust them forth again. Keep this to and fro movement of the feet going continually. If you break the rhythm by hesitating you rill immediately fail to keep going.

You may do as few as 5 thrusts and withdrawals of the feet initially and then increase the number of times as you improve.

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

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

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

Now, with the breath out, draw in the muscles of the abdomen until you have a hollow forming beneath the ribs. The

hands should be placed on the thighs and the knees bent a little. Keep the trunk a bit tipped forward but don’t lower it.

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

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

Then, ease up, stand erect and begin to breathe normally. Repeat only once more if you’re just stating this exercise. As regards this very exercise, Indra Devi advises gradually bringing it up to seven times adding one time each week.

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

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

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Which child would you rescue first from a fire?

A

BOUT two years ago, American science writer, Jeffrey Kluger ’s controversial book The Sibling Effect claimed 95 per cent of parents had a favourite. Majority of the mums, especially friends, that I discussed it with assured me they didn’t have favourites as such. When pressed further, they agreed they know who their parents’ favourites had been - and sometimes still were. A lot of them regaled me with tales of how their youngest brothers seemed to be on a pedestal in their mum’s eyes, with mum explaining how no one had their bath until she’d had hers. Another recalled with disgust how her mum gave the only son the chicken drumstick, with the other one going to their dad -the rest of the children got what was on their plate. That she’s still doing exactly that for their ‘little brother ’ even though he’s now 28 and over 6ft tall!. Pamela, a personal trainer says now she has a son, she understands her mum’s preference.

“Perhaps mums appear to love boys more because as toddlers, they could be cute!” she explained. “When I first fell pregnant, I was honest about my preference for a boy. I thought it was proper the head of the family should be male.

Three girls down the line and my husband’s friends ribbing him about living with ‘Charlie’s Angles’, I had everything crossed during my fourth pregnancy for the chance to buy footballs and macho toys with my daughters’ assortment of dolls littering their rooms. My doctor was acutely aware of my longing and excitedly blurted out the sex of my baby at my 18-week scan. A boy at last! And he was a gentle, loveable one when he eventually

arrived.

“It wasn’t that difficult to find extra ‘heart room’, as I called it, for this son of mine who never failed to show me how much he loved me. Mind you, I don’t believe he is more loved, but there are times when he’s more loveable.

Unfortunately, my three girls saw things differently. They accused me of loving my youngest more than them. They all abandoned their constant bickering and bonded over their belief that the poor boy was my favourite - so they ganged up against him. As the only child who pees standing up, their fury at his alleged preferential treatment reached a peak when he was allowed to bring in a girlfriend at an age they weren’t allowed to date. All explanations on how girls needed to be protected fell on deaf ears - why didn’t my son’s girl’s mum protect her by forbidding her to go on a date? Well, what could I say?”

The truth perhaps? A recent survey concluded that 59 per cent of parents favoured their youngest children and

Y

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

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

My Dearest

Holding hands in the park-

perhaps mums appear to love boys more because the male toddler is so tactile, all cocky and cocksure smile. “At the Bank of Family Love,” said Precious, a social worker “ you can withdraw as much as you put in with boys. I’ve found it’s more complicated with girls.”

Which brings us to the million dollar question.

If there was a house fire, who would you save first?

Your daughters? Your sons? Or those designer bags and shoes!?

Can Alcohol Really Slow Down The Ageing Process?

Consumption of alcohol is one of the topics that’ll forever be on the front burner.

Just when you think you’ve nailed the right intake to give you that feel-good lift you need and still keep you from kealing over with a terrible liver disease, up comes a flurry of research telling you you could either take more, or less! Now, it’s been said that the science of ageing, though still in its infancy could up your intake of safe - booze. It’s

part of vital regimes you need to adopt to stay healthy!

Experts from research into ageing have sniffed the evidence and come up with advise they think will stand the test of time.

They have now produced a book that answers the most frequently asked question about exercise, diet and mental agility, based on the most rigorous research currently available.

Here are the scientists’ top tips on how to thrive past 55: Take more exercise: Studies have shown that exercise deficiency is the biggest risk we face as we get older. Most of us are simply not taking enough exercise to stay well. Exercise not only make us feel fitter, younger and more alert, but also prevents many of the disabling conditions we associate with later life. : Give up smoking: Smoking is the biggest single risk to your health after inactivity. It’s not just heart and lungs that are at risk. Smoking will slow down your rate of healing, which is bad news if you need an op-

We learned the secrets of friendship, Holding each other in our armsWe learned of our deep affection Holding each other tightlyWe learned to survive the bad times In caring for one anotherWe learned of Love Emma Mine.

Delta State.

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Ladies tears versus guys tears Don't make a woman cry because there is nothing expensive more than a lady's tears. When a

eration or injure yourself.

It’s important to keep socially and mentally active: Having a strong network of family and friends and lots of purposeful activity is vital to our health as we grow older. Keep on challenging the grey matter.

Brain power can last as long as we do but appears to work best when it’s fully stretched.

Drink more water: Many of us are slightly dehydrated, which not only interferes with digestion, (leading to constipation, for example) and other processes, but also fogs up the brain.

Alcohol and Cafferin are diuretic - however, you still take in more liquid than you lose from a cup of tea, coffee or Colatype soft drink.

Get outdoors as often as possible: Exposure to light, especially sunshine, is vital for our body clocks and our Vitamin D Levels. Lack of Vitamin D makes development of the bone disease Osteoporosis more likely. Getting outdoors is important for social reasons, too - It keeps us

in touch with the world.

Make sure you eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables: These are nature’s anti-ageing remedy, protecting us from many of the diseases we associate with later life.

If you drink alcohol, then little and often will do you the most good: Studies have shown that people who regularly drink small amount of alcohol tend to live longer than teetotalers, because alcohol helps prevent coronary heart disease.

However, this protection is only significant once man pass the 40 milestone and women pass the menopause. The maximum health benefits then come from drinking between one and two units of alcohol a day.

Make your home safe: Clear your home of things that can trip you up. Increase the level of lighting everywhere, especially of the stairs - you should have 400 watts in every room. Have gas and electrical appliances installed or checked by a qualified person.

See your doctor when you’re ill: Don’t put up with health problems or assume nothing can be done because of your age. Age is more the cause of illness than youth is the cause of chicken pox. We are entitled to good health care at any age - including a second opinion. See the dentist and optician regularly.

Be positive: This doesn’t just give us a rosier view of life, but also gives our immune system a lift. Every day, spend 20 minutes focused on a really uplifting thought or memory - you will feel better and your immune system will get a boost.

Be positive about your wants and needs too: Studies have shown that longevity appears to be linked to a determination to stay in control.

single drop comes out, it first mixes wit LOREAL eye line(N7,500) & REVLON mascara (N8,500), then when it rolls down the cheek it mixes with Estee Louder foundation (N11,000) D&G blusher (N15,000) and MAC powder (N19,000).

Finally when it touches the lips it gets mixed with MAYBELINE lipstick (N12,000) and AVON lip gloss (N5,000). A single drop of a lady's tears is running for about N78,000.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE HER CRY When you make a man cry, it is only Vaseline (N200) and powder (N300) total for men NGN 500.

Chris Onunaku.

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SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 37

Preparing for that memorable kiss

By Yetunde Arebi

According to the Longman’s Dictionary of Contemporary English, a kiss is a touch with the lips between two people as a greeting or to show love.

In romantic context, a kiss is the first opportunity for intending or established partners to physically connect with each other. The kissing act has a variety of names which includes, smooching, making out or lip-lock among others. The kiss you share with a partner can be as unique as your relationship with the person. A good kiss can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, a journey through your partner ’ s s o u l s .

And whether it’s your first kiss or your thousandth, whether it’s with someone new or with your long term partner, kissing leaves an impression, one that lingers long after your lips have disengaged.

A good kiss is more than just a kiss; it marks the beginning of communication by a man to the woman that he has a genuine and sincere interest in more than just her physical presence.

This is not to say that a woman cannot initiate a kiss.

Experts say, kissing plays an important role in relationships, fostering romantic compatibility.

The more people kiss, the more they are able to communicate on a romantic level. ”The emotional importance of a kiss is where it all begins and you shouldn’t let it go just because you’ve known someone for a long time.

You’ve got to keep the kissing game going”. Studies have shown that it is common to find couples in steamy make out sessions at the beginning of a relationship or during the honeymoon period.

However, they often stop kissing and lose intimate connection when they get into long term relationships.

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This is not good for a fulfilling intimate relationship, experts say.

Another study also indicted that kissing has a long list of health and physiological benefits. According to it, kissing is great for selfesteem as it makes you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind. Also, those who kiss quite frequently are less

being a kissing expert, information based on experience and research suggests that if partners, especially a guy, follows one or a combination of the tips below, they are likely to strike gold with their partners every time they reach out.

Try to keep things clean: Just as you prepare your body when going on a date,

Keep love alive, be attentive to each other's needs and invest in quality, romantic moments likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections, while the saliva secreted during kissing, contains natural antibiotics and a type of anaesthesia that helps relieve pain among other things. A good kissing session can last for hours without the hint of sexual intentions, depending on the level of chemistry and passion between the partners, just as it can be abrupt and a complete turn off, especially for the female.

If done right, a good kiss can be intoxicating, mesmerising and even magical, leaving you breathless and in a state of exquisite euphoria. So, how does a partner take advantage of all the benefits of the kiss while maximising his/her chances of a repeat performance?

Though I have no claim to

you need to prepare your mouth for the kissing session. There are very few people, if any, that enjoy kissing someone whose breath is unpleasant.

To be a good kisser, you need to make yourself an inviting target. Brush your teeth and tongue very well. Knowing that your mouth is clean and appealing can help you feel more confident about kissing. Body odour is obviously not going to win you any points and may just keep you from getting that kiss at all.

For guys, you need to understand how abrasive your face can be if you have not shaved very recently. Use chap-stick, lip gloss or lip balm over chapped lips to smoothen them. Proper grooming for both partners is very important. If your

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Links

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

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

mouth feels a little stale, use breath mints or spray to freshen up.

Go slowly: Unless you’re both so overwhelmed with desire that you have to kiss right away or the world will end, draw it out. If you’re nervous about not knowing the right techniques, let your partner initiate what happens during the kiss and imitate what he or she does until you’re comfortable trying your own moves. If this is a first kiss, resist the temptation to kiss hard or with tongue, unless you’ve been chasing this person for quite some time. It might seem too forward and shut down future opportunities. Don’t try to show her how sturdy you are by sticking your tongue down her throat and gagging her.

Lightly brush your lips against hers. Don’t try to engulf her head. Never stick your tongue more than half into her mouth.

Half way is sexy, any further is desperate. Studies have shown that men are fonder of very wet kisses and tongue contact than women, who often complain that guys use too much tongue. Keep your lips softly parted and either plant a straightforward kiss on your partner’s lips or up the ante by gently locking lips.

You need your hands too: To be a good kisser, you need to put your hands to good use. Don’t just hang them by your sides; place them on your partner ’s body as this will help you establish a more intimate physical connection.

In Western culture, girls generally put their hands on the guy’s shoulders while he puts his hands around her waist.

However, there is no rule to where your hands can be. Just stay away from “high risk” zones on your partner’s body so you don’t send the wrong signals that you are only interested in a full body search.

You can take the intimacy up a notch by pulling your partner closer. You may also want to try touching the face, the cheekbone, back of the neck or shoulders. Put a hand under his or her chin and tilt it up.

For the female, one serious

sensual move is to put your hands around the back of his head and run your hands through his hair. A gentle pull will work wonders too. It will be a total waste to leave your hands by your sides.

Be confident: Because the kiss is your first intimate physical contact with your partner, it is important that you not only get it right, but be sure that you know what you are doing and in control of your actions and emotions.

Never pounce on your partner without indicating to them first that you want to kiss them. It is equally important that you get their consent to do this. Rushing or forcing yourself on a partner can ruin a magical moment for anyone and even send the relationship to an early grave.

There are several ways you both can communicate your intensions and desires without putting them to words. Just ensure that you remain attentive all through and know when to withdraw or take things to the next level.

Don’t physically push too hard or too soft. Yet, try not to kiss so softly your partner begins to wonder if you are actually there. Stay away from the Lizard-King Style as if you are conducting an investigation of her mouth.

Any tongue action should involve a give-and-take, with both parties allowed the opportunity for interaction.

Repeated kisses accompanied by inordinately loud smacky sounds are also not allowed, it’s a turn off for most women.

Get your positioning right to avoid awkward nose bumping, most people turn their heads to the right on instinct.

Always remember that the two keys to a memorable kiss are pleasing your partner and yourself. Don’t focus on what a kiss might lead to, enjoy it for its own sake. If you hit the ball, you might be lucky. Let’s meet here again next Sunday and we will look at the various types of kisses you can explore with your partner.

Feel free to reach me via the e-mail address. Cheers!

Lawrence Nwekwe, Clarkson Wariboko and C.C Okere, they were classmates, at Federal Poly Idah Kogi State. From.

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PAGE 38 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

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I’m dating Alao Malaika for fun not for marriage – Tayo Odueke

Yes, I’m crazy about Frank Artus

S

ultry Yoruba actress, Tayo Odueke, popularly known as Sikiratu Sindodo, has confirmed that she is back in the arms of ace Fuji musician, Alao Malaika. The duo have, in the past, been playing hide and seek with the media, denying their romance even when evidence showed that they were up to something.

In a recent chat, the actress, who dated MC Oluomo, the NURTW boss, some years back, confessed she is dating the musician, saying both of them were having fun as two people dating each other.

According to her, marriage is however out of the picture.

“Some people called, asking me if it’s true that I am getting married to Alao Malaika soon. I told them I am not getting married anytime soon. But it is true that Malaika and I are back together. We are dating for fun now. No marriage plans in sight”, she said.

- Nazareth Jesse

W

e have seen romance come and go in Nollywood. While in some cases it dies before it matures, in others it thrives. Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh are about hitting the altar, following their declaration, a couple of weeks back, that they would be tying the nuptial soon. Now, Nuella Njubigbo seems to have worked her magic on movie director, Tchidi Chikere, and the director is rushing her to the altar las if the lady is butter that could melt away if he doesn’t do the needful fast enough. Now, there seems to be another Nollywood romance brewing, and those involved are none other than Nigerian actress, Nazareth Jesse Bako, and Ghanain actor, Frank Artus. This revelation came about during my recent discussion with Nazareth. In fact, we were chatting on the bbm when I caught a glimpse of Frank’s photograph as the ‘display picture’ on her phone.

Curious, I asked the ‘Bitter Generation’ actress if there is anything going on between her and Frank. “Yes, I am crazy about Arthus Frank,he has a heart of gold and qualities every woman wants in a man. People misjudge him by his appearance and kindness but getting to know him, he turned out to be different”, she told me, “I was impressed, so I made him my friend for life”.

That should be a declaration of a woman in love but when I asked her if Frank feels the same about her. She replied, “I don’t know, I only know about myself ”.

I ceased to be a Christian 18 years ago — Lizzy Anjorin B

eautiful Yoruba actress, Liz Anjorin, has always had her name in the news for all sorts of reasons. The recent one was her conversion from Christianity to Islam, much to the chagrin of some of her fans who questioned what could be the reason behind the actress’ change of faith.

The conjecture of many is that Lizzy has found love in a Muslim man and thus changed her religion to please her new lover but the ‘Iyawo Ojo Kan’ character has confessed to Potpourri that love was never in the picture.

“No man can make me convert to Islam. I converted to Islam because of my late mum.

Something happened the day

she passed on. I wouldn’t disclose that here. So, I went to Mecca to pray for her and also, for myself as an orphan”, she said.

Describing life after her trip to Mecca as beautiful, Liz revealed that for the past 18 years, she has never gone to any church to worship. “I have been a Muslim for a long time now, even when I was in the North. You can never spot me in any social function wearing suggestive clothes. In fact I ceased to be a Christian 18 years ago” The actress, who is all set to premiere her latest film, “Kofo: The First Lady”, as well as marking the second anniversary of ‘Lizzy Anjorin Foundation’, now goes with the name of Aisha.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014 — PAGE 39

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I can’t marr marryy my colleague – Empress Njamah

first time and the line went dead only for him to call back the next day to say, indeed, there is always a first time to everything in life.

Here is our conversation: Are you aware there is an x-rated picture of you and Biola Ige all over the internet, both of you partially naked, with you, sucking her boobs?

I was made aware of it. I don’t remember the movie. I also don’t remember sucking Biola’s breasts. If the movie exists, that scene never took place.

Muna Obiekewe

Biola Ige

Biola Ige, Muna Obiekwe x-rated picture update

Muna breaks silence:

I don’t remember sucking Biola’s ...

N

ollywood actress, Biola Ige, and Enugu-based actor, Muna Obiekewe, have not been resting easy since a picture, portraying the two Thespians allegedly smooching, with Muna sucking Biola’s boobs went viral online.

Biola talked to me last week to explain her position, claiming that, what appeared in the picture must have been a trick of photoshop because,

according to her, the scene never took place, during, before or after shooting of the film ‘Pregnant Hawkers’.

Now, Muna, based in Enugu, has opened up on the matter. It was quite hard, getting the fairskinned actor to talk as he brusquely told me he doesn’t grant interviews, challenging me to bring any interview he has granted before.

I told him there is always a

The film is ‘Pregnant Hawkers’ and were you and Biola Ige involved in any sensual scene where you were both nude, making love, real and unreal?

Like I told you, I don’t recall the movie. I do a lot of movies and I can’t remember what happens in all of them. The fact that I don’t recall means that the movie was shot a long time ago. Probably three or more years back. when love scene was in vogue with producers. I’m still searching for the movie to acquaint myself with the story.

There has never been anything between myself and any actress that I’ve made a movie with. My romantic relationships have always been outside the movie industry. I don’t take my work home.

But you seem to have the knack for romantic scenes.

Why? Love making scenes are normal in movies. When we see them in foreign movies it’s nothing. But when it’s done here, people start questioning actors morality.

Bear in mind that these scenes are not shot the way it’s finally seen when the movie comes out. Nothing

N

ollywood ebony beauty, Empress Njamah, may not be visible and as relevant as she used to be in the movie industry some years ago, but when it comes to her choice of man, the actress cum businesswoman certainly has ideas.

She says she can never contemplate dating a poor man, let alone consider getting married to one. When I asked her recently to talk about marriage, she discounted the issue with a wave of the hand, saying, “Please, marriage is not the thing on my mind right now” We all know she is busy with her House of Empress in Abuja and also working tirelessly on her foundation that is reaching out to motherless babies, but then, age is not on her side.

Like I said, she has ideas,one of those ideas does not include getting married to her fellow actor in the industry.

She told me : “I can’t marry my colleague!

Boring living in the same house with someone you know his job so well as well as his income! Should you be more popular or get richer than the man, then you are in trouble as this could be dangerous. If you are on six figures and his is on less, there is trouble.

Men and their egos!”

ever actually happens. Not with about ten people in the production crew in the room with you.

I want to add that the aim in making movies is to enlighten people. You want them to see exactly what’s happening in the world

Love making scenes are normal in movies.

When we see them in foreign movies it’s nothing around them. You want them shocked into action against whatever it is you’re trying to portray. Avoiding to touch, the sensibilities of people only result in those things you want seen and

treated, ignored. In that regard, I try to make my acting as real as possible without actually doing something wrong.

How do you feel being labelled a porn star, because some people feel that is what you are actually becoming in the industry I’m not a porn star and I never will be. Love making scenes are sometimes inclusive in a movie and should be done with class.

Sometimes editors and directors don’t edit or direct well and it comes out wrong.

Will you call any of the American or British movie stars a porn star?

As a top brand in Nollywood and as a sex symbol: how do you handle advances from women?

I avoid them. And please, I’m not a sex symbol. I’ve done two hundred movies, out of which only about ten of them have anything concerning sex. Why are people concentrating on those? An actor, before he can be acknowledged as one, has to play quite a number of roles in his career.

PAGE 40—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 2014

BY BENJAMIN NJOKU

Charly Boy’s romance revelation

‘Lady D intimidated me into marrying her’

Maverick musician and social crusader, Charles Oputa a.k.a Charly Boy, and his south American born wife, Diane, popularly known as Lady D, have remained, an item after 35 years of marriage.Some critics believe their union is a case of birds of a feather that flock together. But the couple have a different opinion as they share the secrets of their marriage as well as how they weathered the storms of cultural boundaries and still remain as husband and wife.

BENJAMIN NJOKU How I met my wife I met my wife in 1974/1975 in a hair saloon in Boston, USA. I went to do my hair there when I saw this beautiful lady with an overflowing hair.I admired her beauty and decided I was going to invite her to a party that never happened. She accepted my invitation and the party was just me and her in my limousine and I asked my driver to drive us round town. While we were cruising, we talked and that was how we started.

Attraction She has a child’s spirit; almost like shy. Also, she has the best figure I have ever seen in a woman. Of course, she was pretty, but I think it was her spirit that attracted me to her.

Love at first sight No, it wasn’t. I was looking forward to coming back home and settling down. It wasn’t much of love at first sight than more of companionship at a time.

Married twice Yes, I was prepared to settle down before I met her. I had been married twice or thrice but it didn’t work out for me. I was leaving one relationship when I met her.

More or less, she was filling the gap kind of a thing.

Marrying a woman from another cultural background She comes from the southern part of America. They are more inclined to the homeliness kind of thing. She didn’t have any problem readjusting after all, we started from the village. When I returned to the country, and completed my youth service, I had problem with my parents because they didn’t support what I wanted to do for myself. I couldn’t take it, hence I disowned them. That was how I relocated to the village to put myself together. I started the Charly Boy brand in the village and she was with me for about eight years there before we moved to Lagos. So, I think I’m a lucky bastard.

My parents’ reaction My parents had met her several times in Boston. I didn’t know she was going to be my wife. I wanted to marry a Nigerian and not an American. But she was all over me, and when I wanted to return to Nigeria in 1980/1981, she bought her own ticket under the guise that she was coming to spend two weeks in Nigeria, only for her to end up spending six months. So, my parents were worried that she should go back

to her country to give me chance to look for a wife. She was supposed to book for a ticket to return to America. One day, she woke up and said to me: “Marry me or I will never come back to Nigeria.” That was how I was intimidated into marrying her. I didn’t propose to her, rather she was the one who proposed to me.

That ‘s why I said I was intimidated into marrying her.

35 years after It’s like a moving coaster. We have

had our low as well as our high moments. Sometimes, it’s good, at other times, it’s averagely good. We have had our issues, but, above every other thing, I think we have great understanding and respect for each other; love and trust for each other. Also, we were willing to work out anything that will keep us together. That’s why I think we have come this far.

Strength of our marriage Great understanding, mutual

respect and a lot of communication.

Hanging out These days, I really don’t hang out. In fact, I don’t have a social life any more. At 7 pm, I’m already in my bed. My house is like a castle. We have done all the going out in the past, but that does not mean that we should stop going out. That’s why every six months, we try to come up

Continues on page 41

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 2014, PAGE 41

‘Lady D intimidated me into marrying her’

Continued from page 40

with an idea just to keep abreast of time.

Like I said, we are determined to make our marriage work and to find ways that we can keep reinventing ourselves and keeping our interests in each other going.

What I don’t like about her What I don’t like about her is the thing I like about her. She is like a child, she’s so innocent and naïve. I keep being afraid, if I’m not around, who protects her. Sometimes I quarrel with her that she’s too trusting.

That innocence, I think I have a lot of that in me, that’s why I have always remained a boy. You know, children are open-minded about a lot of things. I don’t want to be calculative; I want to be like that boy, I just want to play.

That’s the spirit that attracted me to her. That’s the same spirit I wish I could change in her because Nigeria is a very treacherous place and one needs to be very careful.

What I cannot do for her Following the deep friendship that we share, I can almost do anything for her.

She has become my baby, my angel and my best friend ever. I don’t even see her as a wife, rather I see her as my body.

Advice to young couples I don’t think most couples respect themselves. And if there is no respect, there will be no understanding.But in a marriage where there is respect and understanding, the couple will approach any problem that comes their way with that kind of mindset. If I do something that is out of order, I quickly apologise to my wife. For longev-

ity in marriage, there should be great friendship, understanding and a lot of

If he has not pr amily prooven ttoo be a ffamily man, I pr obably wouldn’t have been probably in Nigeria — Wife 35 years in marriage Sometimes, I wonder if it is really up to 35 years. Maybe it’s because one is just enjoying the ride. When you are comfortable and you do the things you like to do and you are around people that you enjoy, you wouldn’t just realize when time is going by. But it is going by because I see my children in college graduating with first degrees, definitely something is changing around me. It is a long journey and we have had ups and downs within the 36 years that we have been together. But we are happy together. A lot of couples haven’t got that far-we are really privileged.

What I enjoyed most in marriage Companionship. Like I said, all couples have their ups and downs but we have been able to sort things out by ourselves. Also, we communicate a lot. Talking is a key thing in any relationship and we always point this out anytime we are interviewed. Honesty and agreement are also important. We strive to make things good for ourselves and our extended family including our children and parents. We look beyond just ourselves.

Hard part of it I guess it is just the small things that every couple experiences in a relationship. It may be disagreement in raising the kids among

Platinum Mortgage Bank meets recapitalisation benchmark

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HE Executive Director, Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited (PMBL), Mr. Okechukwu Onyejiuwa, says the bank has met the recapitalization benchmark set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He said the mortgage bank was able to raise its share capital to N5 billion as stipulated by the CBN ahead of the deadline of December 31, 2013. While a waiting official pronouncement by the CBN, the bank, by its share capital, qualifies to be a national bank and therefore can operate in all states of the federation.

Onyejiuwa disclosed this at the IMPACT Nigeria Awards 2014 where the Managing Director/CEO of Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited was honoured with “Outstanding Professional Personality Award” for service and development.

The Executive Director, who represented the awardee, Engr. Mbaka at the award ceremony, said that Mbaka does not see award as a reward or recompense but as a challenge to do more. ‘He has received several awards in the past and it only challenges him to do more each time he receives a new award. It is his nature to do what we does-philanthropy; he is a firm believer of hard work and diligence”, Onyejiuwa added.

The Ed disclosed that Mbaka deserved the honour. “He has worked very hard I

R-L: The Secretary, Igbimo Ure Ekiti, and Chairman, Chartered Standard Bank Ltd, Sir Remi Omotoso, briefing Governor Kayode Fayemi (right) and the group’s President, Prince Julius AdewusiAdeluyi, a former Health Minister and Chairman of Juli Pharmacy, on the forthcoming Ekiti State election during a visit to the Governor ’s Office, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

communication and determination to want to stick to it and make it work.

can tell you. I think Engr. Mbaka deserves every award for service and development of mankind. Mbaka works day and night, he doesn’t stop working. Again, he reaches out to the less privileged but does not make noise about it,” Speaking further on the mortgage industry and the recapitalization exercise, Onyejiuwa recalled that, two years ago, the CBN directed that mortgage banks needed to shore up their capital to be able to take up the challenges of mortgage banking. “This was done to sanitize the industry and position mortgage banks to be able to serve the people and reduce the huge housing deficit which stood at 18 million. The recapitalization requirement

by CBN was N5 billion and N2.5 billion for national and state mortgage banks respectively and we met the N5 billion recapitalization benchmark,” the ED stated.

“To achieve that Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited went to its shareholders who have implicit confidence on the Managing Director, Engr. Mbaka and they raised N5 billion which enabled the bank to recapitalize well ahead of the deadline. With this we have more money to finance our transactions in the business and housing sector ”.

others. I also have step children to look after.

The bottom-line is the resolve by both of us to make the relationship work.

My home I have seven kids altogether out of which three are mine biologically, the rest are step children. We are all very close. We reprimand those who are not doing well and commend those who are doing well. We try and work with them and they know they have our love as parents. They don’t really look at me as their step mum and that is how I have always wanted it to be. They all call me by my first name. I hate it when they use the appellation ‘Ma’ for me. It hurts me.

One of my step children came to Nigeria some years back and when he saw me he was overwhelmed. He never knew that a step mother could have such a positive influence on one’s life.

Coming to live in Nigeria With regards to coming to Nigeria, I don’t think I would have changed anything. But I think if someone had told me that I would come and live in Nigeria and have kids here, I would have told whoever the person is that it was not possible. The first time I came to Nigeria, I wanted to stay for three months but I ended up staying for nine months. So, it’s not about the country but the person who

brought me to Nigeria. I don’t want to brag but I am grateful to God for my relationship.

How I got hooked From the beginning, meeting Charles was different because he was a Nigerian. I have never really gone out with a Nigerian. I have a lot of American boyfriends but not a Nigerian. I really wanted to know much about a Nigerian man and his culture and people.

That was what really intrigued me.

Coping at the home front He takes care of his family very well. If he had not proven to be a family man, I probably would not have been in Nigeria in the first place. He has been a good husband and father to his children.

Advice for young couples I think they have to first get it right from the start. I think dating is very important. You need to know what you want to get yourself into. For women, it is not because the clock is ticking and for men, it is not about what you have. But you need to know the person you want to spend your life with before you commit yourself. We make mistakes but people have to be careful. One of the things that work for me and my husband is that he is not a typically and culturally Nigerian man, maybe it is because of his exposure.

PAGE 42, SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014 — Page 43

BY EGUFE YAFUGHORHI

Edward O. Ekpoko (Esq) is Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought and the Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders Forum. In this interview, the Warri-based lawyer explains why ethnic minorities, especially those in the South-south, should not be among those kicking against the contentious PDP zoning of the Presidency.

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head of 2015, the polity is saturated with permutations and interest building for the coming elections with stakeholders hardly taking stock on how much we have fared under the current dispensation. Shall we then start with a performance audit on the current dispensation?

Nigerians are not happy with the present state of affairs. Take power supply for instance. We have never had it so bad. Power is very central to the economy and its poor state is affecting us. Small businesses like barbing, hair-dressing, beer parlour and all that cannot thrive without power. So people who would have been self employed are thrown into the labour market. If you have no job doing and you take a specialization in welding, you cannot succeed without electricity because you cannot rely on power generator. Our infrastructures are not going the way it ought to be. 20 years ago, it took far shorter time to travel to Lagos (from Benin), not to talk about the Lagos Ibadan Expressway. Second, the rate of corruption is very high. Nothing has changed. I still see EFCC, ICPC and others as political instruments to witch-hunt opponents. And when people begin to agitate for state creation, zoning and all that, you see that we are dealing with failure of leadership. These agitations are the fallouts. If you have a good governor or President who can deliver, people would think less of where the man comes from. But because of our own inadequacies, if a man manages to get to a position of leadership, the only thing he thinks about is how to do one or two things in his village. Go to Bayelsa, Jonathan has to put a university in his village, there is Law School in Bayelsa and all that. Political appointments now favour the Ijaw. So why would the Itsekiri man not want to be President of Nigeria to also gain opportunity to do same for his community.

But the public believes President Jonathan has done considerably well because of the extreme security challenges he has had to contend with.

Your ability to manage crisis shows your leadership quality. These things make a leader. Crisis would always come, but what counts is how the leadership handles the moment. I agree the President inherited the crisis. The ethno-religious Boko-Haram issue started towards the end of the Obasanjo era and then President Yar’Adua before it got out of hand now. Honestly, I am not satisfied with Jonathan’s handling of the crisis.

If you are in his shoes, how would you deal with the matter?

He should be more drastic. No civilized government would tolerate it. People talk of cthe arrot and stick approach; he should negotiate with Boko Haram and all that. I don’t agree. America will never sit to negotiate with any terrorist, neither will Europe. He should be able to use the military to quell the insurgency except we are saying the military is incapable.

Contention over zoning of the Presidency is raging again towards 2015. What is your stand on this?

There is the view that zoning exists between the North and South. Obasanjo appeared to have confirmed that too.

Obasanjo was there for eight years, Yar’Adua came, and Goodluck had to complete his first tenure. When Goodluck was to run, northern agitation was strong but people just said he should go.

Zoning not constitutional That is not debatable but if indeed there

PRESIDENCY: Zoning in South’s best interest — Ekpoko •Says Ijaw dominate appointments for S/South

•Ekpoko is such an arrangement within PDP, the party has to respect it. However, under the circumstance, President Jonathan is entitled to a second tenure. And when he emerged in the face of zoning in 2011, it was done on a political process. For northerners who do not want Jonathan now, let them exhaust that party process.

They will also participate in the primaries. Let them go and vote whoever they want. It is not a question of denying the man the right to run. My final word on the PDP zoning, if it does exist, is in the interest of the South with the way the country is

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The President got it wrong. I don’t want a divided Nigeria, but to declare the unity of Nigeria as a no-go area in the National Dialogue makes it an exercise in futility configured. If you allow it to be winner takes all, it will not be in the interest of the South because numerical strength favours North. So the South must not be seen to truncate an arrangement that would bring justice to us. It would be difficult for a southerner, particularly the minorities, to become President.

Still on performance audit at the federal level, can all ethnic minorities in the Niger Delta say they have benefitted satisfactorily from a Jonathan presidency they voted for with very high hopes?

That is the irony of it all. Frankly, the

Jonathan presidency was a great joy to the southern minorities, but certainly more for Niger Delta because of our peculiar situation as the region where oil, the main stay of our economy, comes from. Yet it remains the most undeveloped part of the country.

What have we got in return? Everything about Niger Delta under the Jonathan presidency has become Ijaw. Key appointments for the region are for the Ijaw. From ministerial appointments to key agencies, South-south slots are given to the Ijaw.

Amnesty is an all-Ijaw affair from the management to the beneficiaries. 90% of Nigerians sent abroad under the Amnesty programme are Ijaw. In PTDF, they have funds for scholarship and empowerment schemes. In the past four years, the number of Ijaw there compared with other parts of the Niger Delta will make the alienated majority weep. There was a presentation I made at the Pan Niger Delta Conference in Port Harcourt on the topic, “The Ijaw Should Build More Bridges Rather Than Fences”, where I emphasized this irony.

You begin to ask yourself, do we all belong to the same Niger Delta? With all these happening in the South-south, people are grumbling. Look at the plight of the Urhobo. A minister was to be appointed for Delta State. The governor is Itsekiri, so you don’t expect a minister to be picked from Itsekiri. The President is Ijaw. Now you want to appoint a minister from Delta State and you ignore Urhobo, the most populous ethnic nationality in the state.

You went and picked an Ijaw man as minister. And, today, Urhobo have no minister.

It is unfair. People know Niger Delta Affairs Ministry as Ijaw ministry. At times, you talk about the domination of the North, but when your own brother oppresses you, it is more painful. East West Road is a key issue of anger. It is the only road that connects the West to the East. The contract for the dualisation of the road was awarded by former President Obasanjo. It is not a project initiated by Jonathan. Why can’t he complete it? With the way he is going, he may not be able to complete it even if he gets second tenure. So it is a justified an-

ger when people begin to raise issues over the administration’s indifference to the completion of the project.

On confab The President got it wrong. I don’t want a divided Nigeria, but to declare the unity of Nigeria as a no-go area in the National Dialogue makes it an exercise in futility.

That is the way I see it as an Itsekiri man.

As early as 1848, the Itsekiri nation, long sovereign, had started signing treaties with external stakeholders beginning with John Bicroft, earliest British imperialism front who arrived at the time. Today, we may not be the most populous in a forcibly united Nigeria, but we, by the grace of God, remain so relevant by our significant contribution to national treasury. Now, when it comes to national recognition, we have only one House of Reps member. In the case of the Senate, we can only get there by rotation. What then is our right to self determination if we do not have liberty to discuss the terms of our continued involvement in a united Nigeria?

Are you then saying Itsekiri should not participate in the confab?

Far from that, we will participate to make out feelings known. But what is wrong is wrong. The unity of Nigeria is the most paramount agenda if the conference is good intentioned.

What can you say about the state of Delta?

We have not fared well in Delta. Impunity is high. Lawlessness is rampart. People just feel they can get away with anything. The state is dirty. Drivers, motorists and residents are reckless. And the source of this impunity and recklessness is tied to the emerging millionaire politicians whose source of wealth you cannot trace beyond 1999. These politicians do things with impunity because they have one political godfather here or there. People are reckless because government is not doing anything to check the impunity. Warri is an old town, older than Tel-Aviv, the capital of Israel. Tel-Aviv was founded 1912.

Warri predates it. But government and the people just treat the town with disdain.

On 2015, your perceived emerging millionaire politicians whose wealth cannot be traced beyond 1999 are still the most prominent in contention for political offices. Will maintaining the status quo change the story of Delta from the perception of stagnation you hold?

We are aware of the permutations. We are not impressed by what we see. There is also the talk of zoning, particularly for the governorship. I am not aware of zoning in the state. But if there is any such arrangement within PDP, it is not binding on other parties. Indigenes from all ethnic groups have been contesting the election since 1999 and the results have never reflected zoning. The Ijaw, Isoko and Itsekiri Leaders Forum where I am secretary is quite concerned about the avalanche of aspirants and the sentiments here and there for the senatorial seat. We have made it clear we are still consulting with other stakeholders within Delta South and other the districts. At the right time, we will make our stand known. What I am sure of now is that it would not be business as usual for the majority who have enjoyed undeserved ride into leadership. Those who have held offices should be ready to give account. We will soon make their scorecards known.

Some of us will come and go to the field to ensure that the votes count. That is not a threat. Only time will tell.

PAGE 44— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City

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HERE is tension in Edo All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of its March 15 congresses as leaders and Governor Adams Oshiomhole battle for the soul of the party. While Oshiomhole is trying to have a firm grip on the party structure to ensure that a successor who will be generally accepted to the people of the state emerges in 2016, some APC leaders insist that he should loosen his grip due to their various interests.

The battle over political structure has been a recurring decimal in the politics of the Edo since 1999. Between 1999 and 2007, during the administration of Governor Lucky Igbinedion, the current Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, controlled the structure of the PDP and the politics of the state. But immediately after Igbinedion entered his second tenure, his group in the PDP, led by his then Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, tried to break Anenih’s grip, accusing him of playing God. The crisis led to the destabilization of the PDP and the eventual fall of the party in the state because most of Igbinedion’s loyalists were deregistered and they moved to the present day APC. They worked against the PDP and that led to the emergence of Oshiomhole.

In the just concluded registration exercise of the APC in the state, in order to avoid rivalry and ensure neutrality, Oshiomhole tactically removed the exercise from the control of the group led by his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, and that of Ize-Iyamu, who was also the South-south Vice-Chairman of the party.

A former Chief of Staff to the Governor and current Commissioner for Works, Barr.Osarodion Ogie, and the Majority Leader in the state House of Assembly, Philip Shaibu, who are leaders of the Edo is Safe Hands, were in charge of the registration. This did not go down well with the Ize-Iyamu group and it kicked.

Eventually, the group was asked to bring supervisors for the registration; it is not clear it if the Odubu group was given such opportunity. And that also pitched the governor against his loyalists in the Edo Solidarity Movement (ESM), led by his political adviser, Mr Charles Idahosa, who felt the governor is conceding to Ize-Iyamu on a lot of issues while his group is being taken for granted.

However, the registration exercise was successful and, as expected, Oshiomhole’s men ensured that materials were not hijacked. Genuine members of the party were registered.

But following what happened during the registration exercise, the Ize-Iyamu group in particular is strategizing on how to deal with the forthcoming congresses to keep his governorship ambition alive. That is actually creating tension in the party because his loyalists believe he is the best candidate to succeed the governor. The situation had led to the rumour of his possible defection to the PDP in the

•Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

•Governor Adams Oshiomhole

•Dr Pius Odubu

Edo APC: The rough road is too early to discuss my to 2016 •It successor — Oshiomhole event that Oshiomhole stopped him from grabbing the structure of the APC. As a matter of fact, one of the leaders of the party in Edo South, Chief Amos Osunbor, perceived to be sympathetic to Ize-Iyamu’s ambition, almost dumped the APC few weeks ago for the PDP. It was learnt that Ize-Iyamu prevailed on him to remain in the party while they continue discussions with the governor.

There are increasing threats by his loyalists to either dump the party in the event that he was denied the ticket or work against the APC in the 2015 general elections.

There are also insinuations he might pursue his ambition on the platform of

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However, the registration exercise was successful and, as expected, Oshiomhole’s men ensured that materials were not hijacked. Genuine members of the party were registered

the Labour Party if the APC denies him the ticket.

The brewing crisis is allegedly being exploited by a Benin billionaire and chieftain of the PDP, Captain Hosa Okunbor, whose popularity cuts across

the PDP and the APC. The PDP leader has been on spending spree in his Edo South with a view to strengthening the party ahead of the forthcoming elections. It is even being rumoured that he may join the senatorial race in the South; if that happens, it may cause a problem for the APC due to many lives he has touched through his philanthropy. The current Chairman of Oredo Local Government, Osaro Obaze, and the state Commissioner for Sports, Chris Okaiben, are said to be among his loyalists. Okunbor has always been sympathetic to Ize-Iyamu’s guber ambition and it will not come as a shock to many if he convinces Anenih and other PDP leaders in Edo to give IzeIyamu the party’s guber ticket if he is denied in the APC. It would be recalled that shortly after the Appeal Court judgment in 2008 which brought in Oshiomhole, there was reportedly a meeting between Okunbor,Ize-Iyamu and few others where it was said that after Oshiomhole’s tenure, Ize-Iyamu will take over. With the seeming anger by the Ize-Iyamu group over the failure by the governor to give him the green light for the guber ticket, Senator Ehigie Uzamere, who recently dumped the APC for the PDP, Okunbor and IzeIyamu may be regrouping to work against the APC in Edo South.

Uzamere dumped the APC after he accused the leadership of the party of neglecting his person and went further to accuse the Oshiomhole administration of not doing enough for the Binis.

Ironically, the Binis had rejected Uzamere’s second term bid in 2011 due to what they alleged as his poor representation in the Senate but he was rescued by Oshiomhole whom he later referred as a dictator and a godfather whose decisions are influenced according to his mood. Many groups condemned Uzamere’s comments arguing

that he has not worked for the interest of the Binis.

Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has been trying to manage the situation knowing fully well that any crisis would not be good for the APC. The governor wants to avoid debates over 2016 in order not to be distracted.

He said, during the swearing in of Okaiben, the new Sports Commissioner:”In Edo State under APC, we must not forget that we must first use the current mandate in such a way that people will urge you to continue to preside. That is to say therefore that we must never subordinate governance to politicking.

To do so is that we have abused the trust that the electorate have on us and again it is tantamount to taking the electorate for granted. And it is for this reason that I want to again insist that it is not time to discuss the politics of 2016 when, by the grace of God, I look forward to with honour and pride handing over to the next governor by November 2016, that is still a long way to go. Only God knows among all of us standing here who will be where because life is in the hand of God.” For the Edo PDP, the Minister of Works, Arch.Mike Onolemenmen, Kenneth Imasuagbon, the candidate of the party in 2012 guber election, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, are likely to join the 2016 guber race. They are waiting patiently for any crack that may occur in the APC during the forthcoming congresses and nominations.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that Oshiomhole learnt his political lessons when he dumped Matthew Urhoghide for Uzamere who later opposed him. Sources said he is no longer ready to repeat such mistake.

He is expected to sit with leaders of the APC to ensure that credible candidates are picked for elections and whosoever is aggrieved after their decision may have to wait for him at the field.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 45

How Gov Mimiko is transforming Ondo — Akinmade

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BY DAPO AKINREFON MR Kayode Akinmade is the Ondo State Commissioner for Information. In this interview, Akinmade explains how Governor Olusegun Mimiko is transforming the state.

H

OW do you describe the approach of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to governance?

His approach is pragmatic and scientific. He is methodological in his handling of governance and implementation of government policies. That is why he has been able to carry everybody in the state along and we can all see the result. The people have been very generous with their support for the Mimiko government because they can understand the direction of the government. He had been with them for a while before he became governor; they knew his pedigree, and that was the reason they supported him to reclaim his mandate when he was robbed of it initially.

Don’t forget, most people believe it was impossible for any governor to get a second term mandate in Ondo State, but the people made it happen because of the trust and belief they have in Mr Governor.

How has the Mimiko administration intervened in the agricultural sector?

When Mr Governor assumed office, he discovered that the agricultural sector was not what it ought to be and he set out immediately to implement the progamme he had to revolutionize the sector. So, in no time, he was able to make appreciable impact on the sector.

Initial 18 Mobile Farm Service Centres were provided across the state to attend to the immediate needs of established farmers in the state. Soon after, the government introduced a farm produce buy-back programme, through which N25m was provided for the buy-back of excess produce from farmers.

The government procured 12 tractors with disc plough, burrow, ridger and tipping trailer and established Agricultural Villages to encourage fresh graduates to go into farming. The Agricultural Village initiative gave birth to the Agricultural Village in Ore, Odigbo local government area in December 2010 being one of the three integrated villages established in the state for crop farming, animal husbandry, mushroom farming and oil palm revolution.

Other areas of intervention by the government in the agricultural sector include the disbursement of N32.8m loan to farm-

•A k i n m a d e

ers across six local government areas, the establishment of Farmers Field School and training of 720 farmers, production of fingerlings, fish seed production and pond construction for 200 fish farmers, distribution of one million cocoa seedlings, 90,244 oil palm and 5,000 coconut seedlings to farmers, procurement of N3 million veterinary drugs and the payment of N60 million counterpart fund. Other areas include the building of Fadama Headquarters Office in Akure, the disbursement of N93.7million grant to Fadama farmers in 2010, and additional N42.6m grant.

The education sector has also witnessed a turn around with the introduction of Mega Primary Schools. What other efforts have been made on the development of the sector?

No doubt, the efforts of Mr Governor have yielded bountifully to the extent that the state’s laudable programmes have become a benchmark for Africa. The governor accorded the sector priority in his 12point programme tagged ‘Caring Heart’.

The aim was to reposition the education and restore its lost glory.

This led to investing in physical infrastructure in schools all over the state with the realization that the environment in which learning takes place has an overwhelming effect on the learning process.

The structures in public primary and secondary schools inherited by the administration were nothing to write home about and could not guarantee the desired standard of education as they were in state of

This is the first administration in Ondo State that asks the people what they want government to do for them and goes ahead to do same

total disrepair. The walls in several schools had given way while many of the schools had had their roofs blown off.

This made the intervention of government in infrastructure in the schools necessary. The challenge was approached from two ways. The first was the building of model schools tagged ‘Caring Heart Mega Primary Schools’ while the other is massive renovation of existing schools.

The idea of the Mega Schools was to make available a world class facility with stateof-the-art instructional materials.

The Mega School innovation is second to none. But beyond the Mega Schools, government procured N60m science and mathematics equipment for schools in addition to robust incentive package for teachers. Nine principals were elevated to the status of Tutors-General. The TutorGeneral position is equivalent of the Permanent Secretary.

Some hold the view that government has not done much in impacting in the Community Development sector, how true is this?

The 3Is initiative of Mr Governor is one policy of government which derives from an enduring pact with the people. When Mr Governor assumed office, he perceived a disconnect between government and the people. The 3is programme was to bridge this disconnect so that government can

crystallise the environment that engenders development.

The Labour Party, which he represents, is a social democratic platform; in the ideological spectrum, it belongs to the left. We believe that government has a responsibility to the people. We believe that government has to make the private sector thrive so that profit can motivate the people to grow the economy. We also believe that government has the responsibility to ensure that equitable opportunity is given to people in the society in a manner that they are carried along in the development process.

This is the first administration in Ondo State that asks the people what they want government to do for them and goes ahead to do same. Using the philosophy of the 3Is, the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperative Services ensures that every nook and cranny of the state feels the impact of government through the execution of self-selected projects.

Mimiko’s information management and media relations It is not in our character to blow our own trumpet. We believe that the good works of Mr. Governor eloquently speak for the administration, and the people are in the position to assess the government based on the transformation that has happened in virtually all sectors of Ondo State over the past five years that inevitably earned Dr Mimiko the sobriquet ‘ A Caring Heart’ Governor. Nevertheless, I and my team are doing well in terms of our relationship with the media. I am, in fact, proud to say that our input, output and outcome on media delivery is robust though there is still room for improvement, but by and large we are determined never again to wink in the dark so every activity of the state must be well projected.

It has been praises all the way for the government over its Urban Renewal drive, what exactly has the government done in this area Over the past five years in Ondo State, many old things have passed away and all have become new. Am talking about physical changes people could identify with. For instance, the traditional markets that exposed traders and their customer to inclement weather in various parts of the state have been replaced with the Caring Heart Neighborhood Markets. In Akure, the state capital, alone, there are at least three of such markets: NEPA, Afunbiowo and Isinkan. Other towns where the ultramodern markets are established include Ondo, Owo, Ikare-Akoko and Okitipupa.

PAGE 46— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

Fuel scarcity: Rising price of the product is killing the economy.

WHERE IS PETROL? *Nigerians groan under profiteering

BY UDEME CLEMENT

T

HE scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, which took the nation unawares over a month ago, has taken a new dimension with the rising price of the product.

Sunday Vanguard, while monitoring the situation in Lagos metropolis, gathered that some service outlets sold fuel from N120 per litre and above, instead of the official pump price of N97. It was also observed that some stations had more queues than others, while people who bought in Jerry cans out numbered car owners. Some motorists have been patronising black market dealers, who are selling 20 litres of fuel for N4, 500 and above.

At Ojodu area of the metropolis, many stations were out of product, while few that dispensed used two pumps only, leaving other pumps idle. At Ikorodu Road, there was a mild drama at a filling station, following a disagreement between a customer and the station manager, as the latter complained of under-dispensing of product by the station attendants to cheat customers.

Some experts are of the opinion that scarcity of petrol is not good for the economy and must be tackled pragmatically

by fixing the refineries to produce optimally. Currently, the production capacity of the four refineries stands at 45,000 per barrel of crude oil daily. This means the huge amounts of money put into Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) of the refineries by the Federal Government is not yielding positive results.

Our investigations revealed that the delay in payment of fuel subsidy claims to oil marketers since the third quarter of 2013 by government contributed to the shortage of petrol nationwide, as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is currently the sole importer. Also, the unpaid subsidy claims, since last year, which accumulated up to nine months, are estimated at about N1.001 trillion. Another delay was said to have come from fuel import permit, which the Petroleum Products Price Regulation Agency (PPPRA) allegedly did not release to oil marketers in time.

Speaking on the situation, the President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN), Alhaji Abdulkadir Aminu, stressed that scarcity of petrol may persist because there is a supply gap in the distribution chain nationwide. This, he said, was due to the fact that NNPC, which is now the sole importer of petrol, could only

Return of long queues at the fuel stations

Our investigations revealed that the delay in payment of fuel subsidy claims to oil marketers since the third quarter of 2013 by government contributed to the shortage of petrol nationwide, as Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is currently the sole importer supply 50 percent of the increasing consumption need of the nation.

On why NNPC is still importing product when independent marketers are not, he said, “NNPC is an agency of government and must continue to import fuel, but private market-

ers could not import fuel without payment of accumulated subsidy, because of liquidity issues. I am appealing to the minister of finance, as a matter of urgency, to intervene and pay marketers accordingly, so that the augmentation of this shortfall could be

achieved within a short period”.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have warned government to ignore the call for total removal of fuel subsidy by the Forum of States Finance Commissioners, emphasizing that Labour would not accept the move which, according to it, is to the detriment of the masses. In a statement by the President of TUC, Mr. Bobboi Kaigama, the union maintained that petrol subsidy must not be removed until government revamps ailing refineries and build new ones to ensure adequate supply of products across the country.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 47

Fresh case for economic empowerment for women *SEC sets agenda for investment

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

THE potential implications of gender differences in financial literacy are farreaching. Entrepreneurship or investing is not the exclusive preserve of any gender. Both women and men generate the same result provided they follow the principles of investment.

Entrepreneurship gives women opportunities of owning businesses, thereby increasing their personal wealth. Women’s entrepreneurship will of course generate employment in developing economies especially in Nigeria and bring the long excluded population of women into the labour force thereby empowering them.

Director-General of Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Aruma Oteh, at the 2nd Learning Series in Abuja which fell on the eve of International Women’s Day, the day women all over the world were celebrated, invited women from all spheres of life including secondary school girls to a forum held under the theme, “Inspiring Change for Women’s Economic Development”.

She outlined four basic qualities a good investor must have which she believed women have in abundance. “They have lots of patience, systematic analysis, discipline and a feeling of being ignored, which creates a passion to suc-

In Nigeria, although women make up between 60 to 79 percent of rural workforce, they are five times less likely to own land than men

L - Director-General of Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms Aruma Oteh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Viola Onwuliri and Mrs Ngozi Chianakwalam, the Chairman, Investment and Securities Tribunal, IST at the Learning Series organized by SEC for women in Abuja penultimate Friday. ceed even in investment,” access to loans. ment Climate in Nigeria”, she said.

“But of the many realities that about 76 per cent of Oteh said for any society that women face, there is women rely on informal to be at its best, it was im- perhaps none as disenfran- sources of funds and savportant to empower wom- chising as poor access to fi- ings in sharp contrast to en to enable them contrib- nance. A recent study by the only about 1 per cent that ute their quota to the econ- IFC showed that women- obtained capital from the omy. owned SMEs are particu- formal sector while many She said women, all over larly a financially unde- other surveys have reportthe world, were still faced served segment. They are ed women being denied with societal realities that not only less likely to ob- bank loans in high numthreatened to limit their tain formal financing; they bers. achievements and prevent also often get charged high“In addition to limited them from attaining their er interest rates,” Oteh stat- access to finance, women economic potentials. ed. face discriminatory cusShe pondered why womShe said, quoting a World tomary and other practicen are often charged high- Bank report on “Invest- es in inheriting land and er rates whenever they have

property. In Nigeria, although women make up between 60 to 79 percent of rural workforce, they are five times less likely to own land than men,” the SEC boss said.

Oteh said that another reason for women’s economic exclusion is the disparities in earnings as, in almost all parts of the world, women earn less than men.

On her part, Evelyn Oputu, Managing Director, Bank of Industry, noted that government is doing a lot to empower women by making available facilities that would allow them grow their businesses.

Oputu, therefore, urged women to shun extravagant buying and cultivate the habit of saving to empower themselves, adding: “If we want to measure up with the menfolk, we should be able to develop

ourselves and develop our savings culture”.

Also, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Viola Onwuliri, at the occasion, charged women to wake up to their responsibilities on economic development and against vices that tend to box them to a corner.

Onwuliri, who relived her experience and feminism to success, advised women to stop playing the second fiddle.

Mrs Ngozi Chianakwalam, the Chairman, Investment and Securities Tribunal, who also addressed the participants, said that, globally, decision-making spaces for women’s rights had continued to dwindle, whilst gender equality remained a mirage.

Chianakwalam said the International Women’s Day afforded a platform for the needed awakening to appraise the fate of the womenfolk with a “determination to taking our destiny in our own hands”.

She said women were not present in equal numbers in business, politics, education and health, whilst violence against women was worse than that of men.

Chianakwalam appraised the efforts by President Jonathan in ensuring that gender consideration was relevant in decision making as well as appointment to government and political offices.

IBADAN ARMS HAUL!

How we uncovered it, by Customs Comptroller

BY UDEME CLEMENT There was tension at the Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as police officers from Ibadan Area Command and other security agencies surrounded the NCS Command for the unveiling and handing over of extra-ordinary seizure of 30,000 rounds of live ammunition intercepted in Ibadan last week. The suspect, Mr. Abdulraheem Adegoke, arrested along with the arms was also handed over to the police for investigation to unravel the syndicate behind importation of the ammunition into the state. For security experts, the timely arrest of the Redstar high speed live cartridges has averted what would have become another national tragedy, if such dangerous weapons, smuggled by bandits to kill innocent citizens had gone into the economic environment un-checked. Sunday Vanguard gathered that Saki axis has routes linking Nigeria and countries like Republic of Benin, Togo Republic and Burkina Faso, as

well as illegal routes within the borders. A senior police officer, Mr. Musa Kimo, who received the items on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, described the CAC as determined to curb smuggling of offensive items into the state. The CAC, Mr. Oteri Richard, spoke on how the operation was carried out. Excerpts: Your Command has intercepted 30,000 rounds of live ammunition, only few months after you seized 56,750, Red-star high speed live cartridges. How did you carry out the operation?

To start with, I want to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Abdullahi Inde, for providing us with logistics, skills through regular capacity building programmes and the work tools to enhance efficiency in our daily operations. For instance, our Command just received three new patrol Hilux, deployed to assist us in effecting this seizure. The 30, 000 rounds of live ammunition, were ar-

The suspect, Mr. Abdulraheem Adegoke, middle, surrounded by Customs officers, and the seized ammunition, at the Oyo/Osun Customs Command . rested by a team of officers led by SC Okoi, A.U during patrol, around Saki Aguare axis. The officers who carried out the operations displayed a high level of intelligence, as the offensive items were neatly packed and concealed with many bags of dried cassava, yam tubers and used tyre in a bid to escape se-

curity checks. Our officers also arrested the suspect and a white Toyota Hiace bus, with registration number KW 286 SHH, used as means of conveyance.

We learnt that Saki axis has illegal routes along the borders of other countries, which could be used by smugglers to bring in

arms into Nigeria. What strategies are you mapping out to check the activities of smugglers within the borders of your Command, especially with the level of insecurity in the country now?

We cannot reveal vital information about our operational strategies but our men are on ground at strategic locations within the state, and at the border lines to ensure that prohibited goods, especially dangerous weapons like ammunition are not smuggled into our economic environment. The technique used by the suspect was quite sophisticated, because the items were neatly packed like farm produce inside the bus, but our officers were able to outsmart them. We give kudos to our officers at their ingenuity in intercepting the arms despite the tactics used by the culprits to escape security checks. It is worthy of note to recall that on May 18, 2013, our Command intercepted similar seizure of huge ammunition around

the same Saki axis of the state. We are alert and would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute smugglers, who indulge in criminal activities against the backdrop of the heightened insecurity in our country. The Command is poised about building on the success recorded in the past years.

We would continue to draw on our robust intelligence strategy on border security, which has been inculcated in us through regular training.

I am warning smugglers to desist from economic sabotage and allow sanity in our economic ambience. Let me use this medium to warn unpatriotic Nigerians who engage in smuggling of unwholesome goods that we are more determined now than ever to make Oyo/Osun Command a no hiding place for smugglers and their nefarious activities.

We would continue to promote legitimate trade among businessmen and women in the area, and partner with other security agencies in the state to curb crime

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014

A National Conference without youths

BY TOYOSI AKERELE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The marginalisation of a generation NOUGH is enough. To say I am depressed by the list of E delegates for the National

Conference is a gross misrepresentation of my heart’s true cry. I am bewildered; gob smacked by the sheer lack of prioritization of the most significant bloc of Nigeria’s population in a National Dialogue I believe was conceived to chart the course of a resplendent and favourable future for Nigeria. We have less than 10 percent participation of people below the age range of 30-40. Others are above 50 and please stretch it to 70 and 80. I do not detest these people. In fact, I am inherently a

traditional Yoruba woman and so respect elders is mandatory. Yet I think aloud in utter trepidation, anxiety, disdain and disappointment, I wonder if tomorrow will ever come. I stumbled upon this commentary that’s gone viral on social media in this past week and I am convinced that it’s an instructive analysis that should inspire deep thought for the elders, the young and the not-so-young in our country. My thoughts find great expression in the manner in which it informs, provokes and then, enervates. I am sure the ages stated here are not downright inaccurate in terms of the actual dates of birth of some of these statesmen. Here it goes: THEN “Awolowo (37), Akintola (36), Ahmadu Bello (36) Balewa (34), Okotie-Eboh (27) and Enahoro (27) led the struggle for independence after the death of Macaulay. Only Nnamdi Azikwe was 42 at the time.

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VIEWPOINT

We have less than 10 percent participation of people below the age range of 30-40.

Others are above 50 and please stretch it to 70 and 80

,

“In 1966, the first coup was led by Kaduna Nzeogwu (29) and countered by Murtala Muhammed (28), Theophilus Danjuma (28), Babangida (25), Nanven Garba (23), Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (23), and brought into power Gowon (32), Ojukwu (33), Obasanjo (29), Buhari (24). Most of the military administrators who governed the states under successive military regimes, most of whom are

governors now, were under 30 years.

The brief democratic dispensation which interjected the military interregnums also saw the House of Representatives in particular populated by majority of members under 30 years as well as some senators. Under 30s were also not in short supply with appointments; we have examples of Matthew Mbu who became foreign affairs minister at 23 and Pat Utomi who became a presidential adviser at 27 and so on and so forth.

NOW “Why is it that this age bracket is today still sleeping in three-seater chairs in their parents’ homes? * Why is it that this age bracket is today still collecting pocket money from their parents? * Why is it that this age bracket is today still sagging their trousers? * Why is it that this age bracket is today still searching for jobs? * Why is it that this age bracket is today no longer qualified to even be leaders of youth wings of political parties? * Why is it that this age bracket is today so docile? * Why is it that this age bracket

Delta 2015: How Urhobo candidate may emerge

BY PAUL OGHENE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The intriguing battle ahead of the next governorship election

A

S 2015 gets closer, the race to Government House, Asaba, Delta State is assuming a new dimension as the Urhobo from Delta Central insist on being the next occupant when Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan leaves.

This is contrary to the struggle for power shift to Delta North championed by some politicians.

Delta Central people, who are mainly Urhobo, are said to be working towards producing the next governor either from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or any other political party..

The agitation by the people from Delta North for power shift in 2015 is based on the grounds that they have not occupied the Government House since the creation of Delta

VIEWPOINT

BY OHIO-MICHAEL ELAKHE

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF Electoral body's ominous silence on deregistration of parties

T

HE whole of government consists of the art of being honest- Thomas Jefferson William Shakespeare was quoted as saying “the world is a stage, and we are all players”. With the beehive of activities and ongoing scrambling for the attention of the citizens leading up to the 2015 general elections, we are likely to see the customary play out of familiar satires and comedies in the coming months, depending on whose script our politicians and umpires are holding. The Quo Vadis question at a time like this should therefore be, “which way Nigeria”?

On the electoral front, last year, as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) began its

from Bendel State.

The counter position is that all the three senatorial districts in the state had always contested for the governorship in the past. This school of thought, therefore, believes other districts in Delta have the right to contest for the position this time around.

There was no such thing as an agreement that only Delta Central or any other zone should produce the governor. The Anioma have always contested for the governorship from the time of Prof. Eric Opia under the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) when he ran against Chief Felix Ibru of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

It would be recalled also that Chief James Ibori, an Urhobo, contested against many people of Anioma extraction (Delta North) like the late Joshua Enueme who Ibori later appointed commissioner and, in 2007 there were well over 11 candidates from Delta North.

Delta North politicians have maintained that Delta Central has held power twice with Ibru’s one year ten months and Ibori’s two

terms of eight years in office, Delta South has had the taste of power through Uduaghan who is rounding off his eight-year tenure next year.

Delta North, no doubt, has credible people who have indicated interest in the governorship election. The list include Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei; a retired police officer, Chief Godswill Obielum; Chief (Mrs.) Ngozi Olejeme; Hon Sam Obi, who was acting governor in the state; the Chief of Staff to the Governor Chief Festus Okubor; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu; Chief Sylvester Monye; Hon. Charles Emetulu; Chief Otive Igbuzo; Chief Peter Okocha and Gabriel Oyibode.

Political observers say the problem Delta North may encounter in producing a governorship candidate in the PDP is the long list of aspirants and the inability to pick a candidate that will be acceptable to everyone.

In Delta South where the incumbent governor comes from, the former Minister of Niger Delta

FRESH: INEC’s sullen silence preparations in earnest, but it shocked the nation with the deregistration of 29 political parties, sighting numerous reasons. Of all the 29 parties involved, only Rev. Chris Okotie, and the FRESH Democratic Party, represented by its team of lawyers, Barr. Kola Dopamu and Barr. Fred Agbaje, SAN, went to the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge this action, and won on June 29, 2013.

INEC, in turn, went to the Appeal Court to challenge the reversal, only to subsequently abandon its petition. Yet, till date, INEC has not written the FRESH Party to notify it of its position on the judgment, according to the party.

Winston Churchill said, “civilization means a society based upon the opinion of civilians, it means that violence, the rule of warriors and despotics, the conditions of camps and warfare, of riot and tyranny, give place to parliaments (and congresses,

senates etc) where laws are made, and independent courts of justice, in which over long periods, those laws are maintained”. INEC claims that it has not been briefed by its lawyers. What then is the basis of it’s instituting an action at the Appeal court, seeking to quash the reversal of it’s de-registration of FRESH Party, and why would the election umpire now claim that months after a judgment was passed, it has still not been briefed?

A million naira question indeed!

It will be recalled that Rev. Okotie had severally said in many of his interviews in the print and electronic media that INEC is a ‘quango’, which is not really autonomous, and Prof. Jega will only do the bidding of his employers. This claim seems to be playing out as true. As the date for the flag off of political activities, and INEC’s printing and collation of election materials draw close, the

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VIEWPOINT

There was no such thing as an agreement that only Delta Central or any other zone should produce the governor

,

Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Tosan Arthur Prest, a Lagos based businessman and a few others have declared their intention to vie for the plum job, while, in Delta Central, there are indications that the deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama; Chief Kenneth Gbagi; and Chief Ovie Omo-Agege are on the list of aspirants though speculations are rife that a popular Urhobo politician of the Okpe stock is likely to join the race.

The governorship candidate of

continued omission of FRESH Democratic Party from ballot papers may just be imminent, as the party may not even be able to hold its conventions, let alone contest the general elections. Another political catastrophe may just be in the offing, as there are indications the ruling party, PDP and government, may be muscling INEC into silencing the opposition.

Nigeria cannot continue to be impoverished by greedy and inept politicians and their cronies, in their bid to hang onto power. Men and women will readily blame past leaders for our woes, yet memory fails them, otherwise they would have remembered that they often connive with those leaders in their diabolical perpetration of the status quo. They advance their political aspirations at the expense of the Nigerian nation and peoples, employing the same resources that God in His infinite mercies and wisdom has blessed us with, to finance their indiscretions and hedonistic lifestyles.

Rev. Okotie’s posture and

is today still incapable of feeding itself? * Why is it that this age bracket is today barred by law from even aspiring to certain political offices? * Why is it that this age bracket is today, incapacitated, unwilling, unable and incapable of asking question? * Why are they not at the forefront of national development but only on Facebook/Twitter ranting and whining but relegated and ostracized from being involved in nation building?”

These are pertinent, mind boggling questions. Is our Generation not good enough for today? If not, why? General Ibrahim Babangida once pronounced some years ago that the youth of Nigeria are not fit to rule this country and I agree with him because we are a generation of Leaders, not rulers. Rulers should please stand aside. Leaders build nations and empower their people.

•Toyosi, the founder/CEO of Rise Networks, is resident in Lagos. the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), in the last election, Chief Great Ogboru is believed to be interested in contesting again on the platform of Labour Party.

It was learnt that the Urhobo, through the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, have vowed to return to Government House in 2015.

Infact, they are said to be looking for a sellable, vibrant and courageous candidate.

In a recent publication, the UPU affirmed the decision of the Urhobo to present a governorship candidate in 2015 as consultations with stakeholders were going on.

The Urhobo are believed to have decided to present one of their own on the platform ofr the PDP or APC. The game plan is that if the PDP picks a candidate from Delta North, then they will present an Urhobo candidate from the APC. It was gathered that the Urhobo are consulting on who will be the candidate and some of the criteria that will be used to pick him will include the ability to carry the people along and the person must be humble and accessible to the people. Delta people are waiting as the 2015 battle unfolds.

•Oghene lives Asaba dispositions towards government are not antagonistic of anyone, but as it were, his predictions may just be coming true before our eyes that the PDP is opposed to change. This is the time when the legislature, judiciary, media and civil society need to stand up and question the endless intrigue by our political class.

We need to redefine our priorities, and create a vision to align ourselves behind. Our past and present leaders restrain us by their inability to visualize a future where there are boundless possibilities. It is one of the clearest indicators that the time for change has come. It is a new dawn, and time for a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s politics.

INEC needs to speak out on FRESH, otherwise, its sullen silence will be misinterpreted to mean it is ignoring the ruling that de-annulled the party’s existence, which is too bad.

•Ohio-Michael Elakhe is a Lagos based political commentator

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 49

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

Ihedioha at 49

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF Celebrating the Deputy Speaker on his birthday

S

EBASTEIN-ROCH Nicolas, a French Philosopher and Writer who lived between 1741

and 1794, famously known for his witty epigrams and aphorisms foresaw Wednesday, March 24, 1965 when he said “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

On that day, laughter came louder on the then sleepy town of Mbutu in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

Laughing loudest were Chief Bernard Maduakolam Green Ihedioha, Nze Udo 1 of Mbutu, a retired senior public servant/ community leader who died recently and Dame Dorothy Ihedioha, KSM/ retired school teachers.

These couple were blessed with 11 children but unfortunately 2 later dropped dead leaving 9 behind.

Out of the 9 survivors is Chief Chukwuemeka Nkemakolam Ihedioha whose arrival on the day foreseen by Nicolas sparked off a

Chief Emeka Ihedioha cord of unprecedented laughter and joy throughout the family of Nze Ihedioha.

Ihedioha took a middle course in the family chain. He is the 6th child of the family. Today, the little Ihedioha in the mid 60s has grown into man who has carved a niche for himself in the annals of Nigeria’s, nay, world’s political history. The man who will clock 49 years old tomorrow presently occupies the exalted political office

as the Deputy Speaker of the Nigeria’s House of Representatives. But guess what?

Coincidentally, the nation’s protocol list places the 6th child as the number six citizen.

Ihedioha’s current position was not accidental. It’s a reward of many conscious and concerted efforts made over time. But, ultimately, the grace of God. Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha kicked off his political career in 1992 when he was appointed Press Officer to then Senate President, Chief Iyorchia Ayu. Shortly afterwards, he was also appointed as Chief Press Secretary to the then Deputy Senate President, the late Senator Albert Legogie. But the Nigerian military cut short the life of that democratic process which affected Ihedioha’s appointment.

However, by 1995, when the ban for partisan politics was lifted, Ihedioha pitched tent with the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), which was the harbinger of the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 as the Director of Publicity.

In that capacity, he played very crucial and prominent roles in the

David Mark: Nigeria’s next minority president?

BY NDUKA UZUAKPUNDU

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A peep into the future of the country

T

HE next five decades promise to be one in which the president will come from any one of the country’s minority ethnic nationalities.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from Otuoke, in the Izonspeaking area of the oil-rich Niger Delta, and behind whom is selfeffacing General Abubakar Abdulsalami (rtd), has set in motion what promises to be a quiet, if unswerving, revolution in the art of democratic style of administration.

It’s such that, if carefully nurtured, it might set a new standard of democracy – a genuinely, peopleoriented democracy for the countries of the African Union – and, almost certainly, a majority of the developing countries of the South.

He figures that the Minority Ethnic Nationalities Presidency Project (MENPP) is, necessarily, not a protest against the majors – Hausa-Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba – whose domination of Nigerian politics, since the past five decades, was responsible for the Biafra war, mismanagement of the economy and promotion of crippling

corruption as a national pastime, but an honest attempt to entrench some equipoise, which Nigeria requires for an appealing and sustainable development.

,

VIEWPOINT

Those who see Mark as the one to succeed Jonathan as the next minority president of Nigeria argue that he’s about the third most powerful politician in the country

,

The reason for Abdulsalami’s backing for Jonathan is that he is from one of the rural areas of the oil-rich Niger Delta – a region that has tirelessly produced the crude oil on which Nigeria’s economy is largely dependent.

Since independence, five decades ago, from Britain, that oil-rich, but muchpolluted and neglected area of the country has never produced the president until Jonathan broke the jinx. Besides, Abdulsalami, has vowed that he’d ensure that, after Jonathan, the next president must come from a minority ethnic nationality. He says further that –

more than anything else – he wants to prove cynics – including the United States’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – wrong that Nigeria by 2015 will disintegrate.

Abdulsalami is passionate about MENPP in that he is the architect of the fourth republic. He’s gratified that his 14-year-old baby has lasted more than the first and second republics.

And if current speculations are any guide, Senate President, Senator David Mark, may fit well into a post-Jonathan craft. As a top loyalist of the governing People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mark says he’d ensure that the party, which is Africa’s largest and strongest, does not disintegrate.

In agreement with Jonathan, the gospel according to Mark is that Abdulsalami, for voluntarily relinquishing power to Obasanjo, richly deserves a special national honour: “the Supreme Spiritual Leader of the Fourth Republic.”

Those who see Mark as the one to succeed Jonathan as the next minority president of Nigeria argue that he’s about the third most powerful politician in the country.

And Mark’s admirers see him as the most enterprising and successful president of the Senate since 1999.

Abdulsalami says Mark was a transparent military governor of Niger State. And this trait he has brought to bear on the financial dealings of the Senate.

emergence of the President Olusegun Obasanjo administration at the dawn of the present democratic experiment in 1999.

To other politicians craving for

,

VIEWPOINT

Under his leadership, the constitution amendment process has progressed remarkably with new innovations to make it a bottom-up exercise that places a premium on the wishes and aspirations of the people

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a place in the 360 seats at the House of Representatives, it may be a struggle to get there but for Ihedioha, it was a call from his people

The Abdulsalam-Jonathan-Mark triumvirate shares a common view: a reconstruction of governance in Nigeria, in order to win the fastfading confidence of the minority ethnic nationalities on account of unfair distribution of the country’s wealth, location of infrastructure and appointments, amongst others.

Since Mark is from the “Food Basket of the Nation” (Benue State), his administration would embark on a large-scale mechanised agriculture, with an eye to steeling food security in Nigeria in the interest of the poor. A Mark administration’s food security and export project would have and army of 8,888 supervisors ably headed by Abdulsalami. It would be their duty to ensure that about 9,000 Federal Government-owned farms in the 36 states of the federation are run professionally. About 75 per cent of the farm supervisors would be drawn from the minority areas of the country. About 60 percent of the large-scale, mechanised farms, according to Mark, would be located in some of the minority ethnic nationalities’ areas. And, for the avoidance of doubt, says Mark, “my administration, just in case, would liaise, actively, with the Senate, towards making a law stating, very clearly, that the largescale, mechanised farms located in some of the minority ethnic nationalities’ areas are the property of the Federal Government in which in the interest of social justice, all the minority ethnic nationalities in the country would have a controlling

of Aboh-Mbasie-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency. And so, in 2003, he answered the call and got elected to represent the people.

The Imo State born politician got re-elected the third time in an unbroken stance from 2003. It was at this time that he emerged the Deputy Speaker of the House.

In his capacity as the Deputy Speaker, Ihedioha chairs the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Constitution Review. Under his leadership, the constitution amendment process has progressed remarkably with new innovations to make it a bottomup exercise that places a premium on the wishes and aspirations of the people.

For a man who has recorded such track of political pedigree within 49 years of his life, it follows to say that the journey has just started. To state the obvious, the world is driven by men with great wealth of multifaceted experiences. And Nigeria, being a microcosm of the macrocosm cannot thrive in isolation of that fact. For Ihedioha, it may not be Deputy Speaker again but something else which only 2015 and beyond can tell.

•Nwabughiogu is a Vanguard staff

share of 79.99 percent of the accruing revenue from the food items sold within and outside the country”. There will also be a Special Ethnic Minority Nationalities’ Trust Fund; with about 65 percent of all the revenue generated by the federally-owned, large-scale mechanised farms meant, according to Mark, mainly for the education of all the children of minority ethnic nationality origin, from primary school to the first two years in any university in Nigeria.

Still, according to Mark, the Special Minority Ethnic Nationalities’ Trust Fund would be overseen by Abdulsalami, who’d be ably assisted by trust-worthy Nigerians hand-picked by Jonathan and Mark on behalf of the minority ethnic nationalities.

By 2027, on the eve of Mark’s exit glorious from where Jonathan is presently, it’s expected that the federally-owned large-scale, mechanised farms, would have generated about US$140 billion as revenue into the Federal Government’s till.

The forecast is that within the first four years of Mark’s administration, he would preach the gospels of fiscal transparency, patience and cooperation to every Nigerian taxpayer and voter – in response to a need to improve upon the performance of Jonathan. Mark’s success would be to the happiness of the country.

*Uzuakpundu is a Lagos-based journalist.

Warri South 1 constituency bemoans non performance of reps

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

E

LECTORATES in Warri South 1 Constituency, Delta State, have scored past and present political representatives low, vowing not to dissipate their voting power in supporting mediocres again.

The call for a change was

the consensus among stakeholders of the constituency, yesterday, at a voters’ education forum convened by lawyer and equitable social development campaigner, Robinson Ariyo, who has declared to challenge for the 2015 Warri South 1 seat when electioneering campaigns open.

Ariyo, who described representatives of the constituency as willfully inaccessible and

averse to pursuing the common good of their constituents, said the situation in the past eight years has retarded the development of the area in spite of the huge resources available to the people.

According to him, “Given the derivative resources at the disposal of the State within the period in view contrasted with outcome of policy decision and developmental processes

in our constituency, we could have recorded fairer impact on the lives of the people.

The assembly hopeful consequently called for “change we can trust”, tasking the electorates to shun inducements and vote a new order of accessible representatives that place as priority, the responsibility to consult with the constituents, execute sustainable projects as well as building

synergy in Public Private Partnership to maximise development of the area.

Other constituents present in their various responses pledged to be part of the intended new political order in the constituency, demanding aspirants seeking to represent the area to come out with clean hands and convincing track record as there would be no room for mediocres come 2015.

PAGE 50—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014 sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

DOS CONVENTION 2014:

Discovering to recover

By SAM EYOBOKA

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HRISTOPHER Balogun is a middle-aged C h r i s t i a n determined to serve God even on a wheel chair. He travelled all the way from Kogi State to Warri in Delta State, a distance of about 250 kilometres to attend the just concluded Daughters of Sarah International Convention 2014/Trade Fair. Daughters of Sarah Fellowship is an arm of Word of Life Bible Church under the leadership of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor’s wife, Mama Helen Oritsejafor. It consists of women above 25 years old, both married and unmarried. They are known as Proverbs 31 Women.

The 5-day programme which began on March 12, featured a variety of ministrations including a no-holds-barred question-and-answer session on thorny issues, presentations by multiple Award winner, Cece Winans, Sammie Okposo and a Lagos-based vibrant force in the Nigerian gospel industry, Linda Etukudo who constantly mesmerized the participants.

Different groups including the Ijaw, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Igbo, Akwa Ibom cultural groups showcased their dance steps and the large crowd of participants applauded. A group from Kebbi State presented the Zulu Dance to the delight of all.

Besides song ministrations the spiritual fiesta also paraded high quality speakers including the Archbishop of Church of God Mission, Most Rev. Margaret BensonIdahosa, US-based Bishop Deitra Michelle Walker, as well as the wife of PFN national president, Rev. (Mrs.) Abiola Omobude all of whom drew inspiration from the Bible as they took turn to preach on the theme of the event, “Discover to recover.”

Worthy of note is that the entire parking lot of the Word of Life Bible Church along Ajamimogha Road, Warri was completely taken over by exhibitors/traders on various items ranging inspirational materials to household appliances as well as agricultural equipment and produce. The

fair was declared open on Thursday, March 13, by the founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor. It continues till next Sunday.

National president of CAN, Pastor Oritsejafor, used the occasion of the Q&A, to address some knotty issues in Christendom, saying it was expedient for husbands to maintain joint accounts with their wives, addng that couples must cement their love for one another through joint accounts.

On the issue of Christianity and wealth, he said money is good but Christians must be extremely careful, noting that the Bible which says money answereth all things also warned that the love of money is the root of all evil.

One after the other, the eminent preachers at the 7th edition of Daughters of Sarah International Convention encouraged the army of participants, most of whom responded to invitations during a onemonth round-the-state market crusade by Mama Helen to sensitise market women for the programme. She preached the closing sermon and it was electric as she was totally overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit who energised her as she moved from one point to the other demonstrating the power of God. Under that very charged atmosphere, Papa Ayo summoned a stunned Cece Winans

*DOS 2014 CONFERENCE: National President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, mutiple Grammy Award winner, Cece Winans and president of Daughters of Sarah Fellowship, Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor during the closing ceremony of this year's DOS Convention at Word of Life Bible Church, Warri, Delta State. to close the service with her award winning, He’s a wonder, and the overstretched 35,000capacity crowd erupted in ecstacy, dancing heartily for several more minutes, not wanting the service to end.

Men, women, boys and girls of all shades came, they saw and they were abundantly rewarded not just by the messages but also by the gift of a 10-kilo bag of rice each and N1,000.00 cash by the patriarch of the church to all the new comers. In addition, they were invited for possible water baptism and launch with the matriarch of church this afternoon.

The highpoint of the 5-day event that drew participants from Liberia, Ghana, Togo, Kenya, US, UK, and at least, 15 states of the federation was

*Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor (m) presenting a Hair Dryer to a Kogi delegate, Mr. Christopher Balogun (on wheel chair), assisted by Office Manager, Mr. Emeka Ohaeri, (l) Pastor Kevin Nwachukwu (2nd l) and DOS vice president, Pastor (Mrs.) Valentina Bitimi.

the presentation of 13 grinding machines, 14 sewing machines and 13 hair dryers for some of the delegates. Mrs. Betty Musambulu (Lagos), Bishop Prescilla John (Taraba), Pastor Pastor Joy Okurobo (Edo), Mrs. Paulina Joel Joseph (Yobe), Pastor Goodluck Raymond (Borno), Mrs. Josephine Onuigwe (Anambra) and Rev. (Mrs.) Lois Angula (Adamwa) and Mr. Christopher Balogun (Kogi) were among the beneficiaries.

One church member described the service as one of the longest he had witnessed in Word of Life, just as the vice president of Daughters of Sarah Fellowship, Pastor (Mrs.) Otaghogho Valentina Bitimi adjudged this year ’s convention as different from all others because “for the first time we have really taken our time to discover what it takes to a royalty and we have identified them, we have recovered them and now they will soon start manifesting and the world will see them. Of the truth, children of God are royalty.”

Asked to confirm the sentiments of her husband that the 2014 DOS convention was the best ever, Mama Helen said: “He is right on target. Is it about the market crusades; children who will now have opportunity to see their vision come to past; or women out there who had nothing but now have opportunities to upgrade their living standards?"

She proceeded to salute all the speakers at this year ’s convention. “I am just so grateful that the Lord would set aside this period to bless us.

And then of course, our own father, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor for giving us the opportunity, praying for us and just being a blessing…we are so grateful,” she continued.

Asked why the couple uses every opportunity to reach out to the needy, this is what she said: “It is the love of God and in accordance with the vision that God gave our father, Papa Ayo to build the people that build the nation. For the vision to come to fruition, its not just to minister to the spirit of the people; we gone beyond that.

God does not just save you spiritually. He wants us to be able to create an atmosphere where people will rediscover themselves through whatever we are doing to the glory of God. He gave His only begotten Son and He said when I was hungry you fed me; I was in hospital, you visited me.”

She also used the occasion to appeal to women all over the countries of Africa to brace up to the challenges of everyday life, stressing the need for them not to be despondent, but always do the needful that will empower them to help meet to their spouses and their children. “Don’t allow frustration, depression, segregation or even rejection to stop you from forging ahead to your goal. You must know that you are a gift to yourself and the nation.

Make your voice to be heard around you. Don’t allow your background to debar you from what you are supposed to be in the society because you are the greatest thing that has happened to this nation.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 51

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OD sometimes tells us the fu ture beforehand through dreams. Thus, Daniel said to Nebuchadnezzar: “There is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has told you in your dream what will happen in the future.” (Daniel 2:28).

Since only God is able to do this, dreams become one of the things that affirm conclusively that our Lord is God. Jesus says: “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am he.”

(John 13:19).

In February 1996, the Lord gave me a dream.

In it, I was at a funeral but could not tell who was being buried. So I pushed people aside in order to find out. When I got to the front, laid out in the coffin was my “old man:” T.S.B. Aribisala. I shouted: "No. But it is his birthday!" Then I woke up.

Sickness not unto death June 25, 1996 would be his 80th birthday, and we were planning to have a big thanksgiving party for him. I prayed vigorously against the spirit of death and did not give the matter much thought thereafter. But on June 10, 1996, I got a phone-call from Biodun; my brother.

"The old man is very sick," he said matter-of-factly, "you better go and see him because I don't think he is going to make it."

The next day, the Lord woke me up with a scripture. He said: "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may

DREAMING DREAMS OF THE ALMIGHTY (3) be glorified through it."

(John 11:4). I was overjoyed on hearing this. It was raining cats and dogs, so I decided not to go to Ibadan again that day. When I went the next day, T.S.B. was much recovered. He was sitting up in bed and having something to eat.

I spent the entire day with him and left Ibadan for Lagos in good spirits.

However, on June 15, 1996, I received an "inner witness" of the Holy Spirit to go to Ibadan. It took me a while to respond to it.

When I finally got there, my sister-in-law met me at the door. "Papa is gone," she said. I did not quite understand her. I thought maybe he had gone out. Then I discovered that he passed away that morning. "But it is his birthday!" T.S.B. passed away 10 days to his 80th birthday.

I became terribly distraught. So what was the point of the revelation I received in Austria? What was the use of my fervent prayers against the spirit of death? Why did the Lord tell me the sickness was not unto death? And yet, he still passed away on the eve of his birthday.

Sickness unto resurrection

God’s works cannot be limited to what is recorded in an inspired book called “the Holy Bible.”

The scriptures finally opened to me the “kingdom dynamics” of this divine revelation. I discovered that after Jesus observed that Lazarus' sickness was not unto death, Lazarus actually died. Then Jesus raised him from the dead.

Therefore, I realised belatedly that what the Lord meant was that he would raise T.S.B. from the dead to eternal life.

How carnal I had been, praying against an 80year-old man returning back to his Father in glory. Indeed, God turns man back into dust and says: “Return, O children of men.” (Psalm 90:3).

When I finally came to this realisation, I was filled with joy so overwhelming, I suddenly started laughing. Like Sarah, it was the Lord who put the laughter in my mouth, so it was completely out of my control.

(Genesis 21:6). I laughed and laughed non-stop for several minutes. When I finally stopped, I was exhausted. “When the

Debunking the evil fallacy of being born gay

By TUNJI ODUGBESAN

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HE recent sign ing into law of anti-gay law by Ugandan Head of State, Yoweri Museveni, has generated a lot of interest. The World Bank was reported to have postponed the disburse-ment of some funds to that country. Similar pressure accompanied Nigeria’s signing of a similar bill a few weeks earlier. It is sad that the people who gave us Christianity are the ones who no longer understand the basic principles they have been propagating. They are of the mistaken belief that their affluence precludes their need of God. I understand the reasoning of the industrialized world in their claim that everybody should be allowed to take decisions on what he feels is best for him (as long as it does not impinge on the rights of others). But what they do not understand is the fact that the encourage-

ment of homosexual behavior is worse than the terrorism they claim to be fighting.

Two very serious implications are being overlooked when a homosexual claims he was born that way. For one, he is calling God a liar because God’s injunction to “Be fruitful and increase in number ” (Gen 1:28) is not possible with samesex marriage! Secondly, he is saying God is a partial judge since He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah for this same sin (Gen. 19:1-26). God is no res-pecter of persons (Acts 10:34), they are the ones who must be wrong.

Satan and his demons ensure that these people have sex and even attain orgasm during their first sexual experience with a same-sex partner. Thereafter, they would always relate sexually...thereby believing that that is the only way to enjoy sex.

Isn’t it a known fact that people's sexual orientation and behaviour are

largely deter-mined by their first experien-ce?

When God gave man dom-inion, He recognized the fact that spirits could not operate on earth without a physical body. So He gave our spirit a body with which to operate on earth. As long as our spirits maintain dominion over our bodies, Satan and his demons will have no place, no operat-ional base on earth. But then, when we “decide” to sin, we empower a demon to operate.

When a homosexual is young, Satan keeps giving him reasons (through his thoughts) why he should have a relationship with a same-sex person. The moment he agrees, the demon takes over his body and does the act. Knowing that that first act is very crucial, he ensures that the young man enjoys it so much that he gets hooked.

Before President Museveni signed the bill, he had asked doctors to

LORD brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.”

(Psalm 126:1-2).

Faith walk In 1997, I rented a building in Lagos. However, the Lord assured me he had given it to me. As a result, I spent a small fortune renovating it. At the expiration of my lease, the landlady offered to sell it to me, even though I never asked to buy it. She agreed for me to pay her unconventionally; in instalments over four years. After four years, I took out a bankloan for the outstanding N10 million. Thereafter, I did something totally foolish: I closed down all my businesses in one day; 11 of them in all.

When I met the Lord, I owned Videonet; then the largest video-rental chain in Nigeria. The business grew by leaps and bounds from Lagos to give their medical perspective to enable him make a decision. They insisted that homosexuality was a behavioural aberration; it is something learnt and not something anyone is born with. They are absolutely correct.

Much as I accept the right of the individual to be free to choose his preferences, we should not forget that these deviants prey on our youths. There was one well known homosexual gentleman; he preyed on young souls then.

The foregoing explanation is also to be used when we want to understand all kinds of aberration---drugs, alcohol, smoking, and other destructive acts we seem not to be able to stop. The demons keep push-ing until a person becomes addicted. But by undergoing a thorough deliverance session, the demon (and its power) will be detached from person’s life and body. *Mr. Odugbesan, author of Winning the mind game of life, wrote in from Lagos.

Ibadan, to Port Harcourt.

But because of the dramatic circumstances of my meeting Jesus, and his miraculous healing of my bullet-ridden leg, my big fear was that one day he would ask me to close down my business and concentrate on the gospel.

However, I was very relieved when God reassured me he would never ask me to do this. It took me nearly 10 years to understand exactly what he meant by this. Since I knew he wanted me to close down the business, the Lord wanted me to do so myself, without his having to tell me. I resisted this because the business was my pride and joy. Finally, I relented. In just one day in 2005, I closed down all the branches of Videonet in one fell swoop. The nagging question was then how I proposed to pay back my outstanding ten-million-naira bankloan.

Old wives’ tales Out of the blue, the Lord provided the answer.

Christian folklore says if you ever see a dead person in a dream, it must be the devil. I know for a

fact this is not necessarily so because, a few weeks after closing down all my business outfits, the Lord appeared to me in a dream as my late “old man,” T.S.B. Aribisala. In the dream, I was arranging video-tapes on a shelf. When I saw him, I started sobbing, saying repeatedly: “I am sorry, I am sorry!” He drew me to him and held me to his chest. He wiped away my tears and told me to stop crying. Then he said to me: “I am sending you some money next month from Canada.” That was the end of the dream.

Within eight days, I received unsolicited gifts from friends totaling N11 million. One long-lost friend walked into my office and said: “The Lord says I should give this to you.” He placed a cheque on my table face-down.

When I turned it over, it was for N6,300,000.

Thus, I was able to complete the repayment of my bank-loan. As a matter of fact, I got the bank to knock off N2.1 million because I cleared it outright.

There are many old wives’ tales about what God will do and not do through dreams. Those who fabricate them may read the bible but they have little or no first-hand knowledge of God. Don’t bother with these chronically envious “Christian agnostics.” God’s works cannot be limited to what is recorded in an inspired book called “the Holy Bible.” Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?” (Isaiah 43:19).

(To Be Continued).

Catholic priest tasks Christians on love

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HRISTIANS have been enjoined to always have faith in God and ensure that they love one another as directed by the Holy Book.

Parish priest of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ibusa, Delta State, Rev. Monsignor Uzor gave the charge while delivering a sermon at a thanksgiving service/investiture of some knights of St. Lumumba of Ibusa sub council who were recently upgraded to second degree of the order. Uzor, who commended the leadership and members of the Knights for their support and commitment to the service of God's Vineyard, urged them not to relent.

Chapel of His Presence celebrates women

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OME Sunday, March 30, 2014, the Chapel of His Presence, Nedu Okafor Crescent, will celebrate her 2014 Women’s/Mothers’ Day with the theme: Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.

According to the organisers, the programme which comes up at 9:00am at the church auditorium, will feature word and music ministrations as well as talks on entrepreneurship and health.

Dr. Adeola Abimbola-Israel will be speaking on The Entrepreneurial Spirit while Ify Okudo will be speaking on Depression in women.

Senior Pastor of the Church, Dr. Omadeli Boyo and other anointed men of God will be ministering.

PAGE 52—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

japhdave@yahoo.com 08056402376

VISUAL

T

he Centre for Contemporary Art, (CCA), Yaba was always beehive of activities because of what the centre offers to the art community, but last Friday was a different ball game as people from all works of life, art collectors, patrons, artists, students, alumni of the University of Nigeria, Fine and Applied Art department and art lovers gathered at the centre during the opening ceremony of a special exhibition to celebrate, a teacher, sculptor and one described as one of the most exciting contemporary visual artists from Africa, El Anatsui and his monumental works as he turned 70.

The exhibition which is CCA Lagos’s unique way of marking the artist’s 70th birthday tagged Playing With Chance opened on March 14 and will run to April 12, 2014. The exhibition was full of memorabilia, and a lot of art-related personal effects of El Anatsui old pencil and ink drawings, exhibition catalogues, a selection of Art books, sales receipts etc. A preview of the contents as displayed during the opening suggests that CCA has actually lifted the artist’s studio from Nsukka to Lagos.

The Ghanaian born sculptor who has spent much of his career in Nigeria emerged from the vibrant post-independence art movements of 1960s and ’70s West Africa, has gone on to receive widespread international acclaim for his sculptural experiments with media, form and tradition.

Throughout a distinguished

forty-year career as both sculptor and teacher – as Professor of Sculpture and Departmental Head at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka – El Anatsui has addressed a vast range of social, political and historical concerns, and embraced an equally diverse range of media and processes.

According to Bisi Silva, the curator, “the exhibition is shaped primarily through archival material in an attempt to present an alternative insight into the work and career of the artists.” The exhibition is not the normal exhibition of works of the artists, rather it is an attempt to present an alternative insight into the work and career of the artists.

A visit to the exhibition hall at the centre shows that the entire hall was filled with some of materials brought together from his studio, his study and his library, they includes sketchbooks, draw-

* Prof. El Anatsui beside one of his works

CCA celebrates monumental strides of El Anatsui at 70 ings, letters, key exhibition planning and instruction documents, books he reads

,

By JAPHET ALAKAM

reproductions of Uche Okeke’s 1958 drawings. They looked like sketches Anatsui could have

The exhibition is shaped primarily through archival material in an attempt to present an alternative insight into the work and career of the artist

,

and those he did not read, video, slide images, drawings, sketches, photographs, writings, documents as well as his art. Of particular note was El Anatsui’s collection of

made for his wall hangings. His work also had strong echoes of the kente textiles of his native country Ghana. He had investigated his roots deeply, and had chosen a technique unique

to his origins. An understanding of the evolution of the man’s work would fill anyone going through the show with awe, and reverence The presentation of these archival material which many are seeing for the very first time gives an insight into the thinking and working process of one of Africa’s most important contemporary artist.

As a consummate teacher who made an indelible mark on his students, many of whom are now enjoying increasing national and in-

World Book Capital: Port Harcourt set to host the world

By JAPHET ALAKAM LITERATURE n 30 days to come,the city of Port Harcourt will officially take over as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.

Addressing media writers last week in Lagos, Project Director of the Port Harcourt World Book Capital, Mrs Koko Kalango disclosed that all arrangements have been put in place to ensure the success of the project which formally began at the weekend with the conclusion of The pilot programmes, such as the test run of book clubs, reading tree, and the Walking Book in Rivers State has been concluded and a book donation drive and participation in CARNIVRIV (the annual Rivers State Carnival) were also held to sensitize residents of the city on the project.

She said that the recognitio presents the nation to a unque occasion for positive change.

Adding that it was an the strenght of what writers has done in the literary world that the city won it.

I

The week long Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014 kicks off on April 22nd, 2014, but the main opening ceremony is scheduled for April 23, which is the United Nations (UN) World Book and Copyright Day. On this occasion when Bangkok will officially hand over to Port Harcourt, the keynote address would be delivered by Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. The opening ceremonies would feature celebrities reading to children, interactive sessions with some of Nigeria’s most celebrated authors, and a dance-drama directed by award-winning playwright Bikiya Graham-Douglas. ikiya, a Port Harcourt girl, is currently in the city scouting local talent to participate in this drama, titled Along Came the Book, which traces the role of information-sharing from our oral tradition to the written word, culminating in the PH World Book Capital.

There would also be the

public presentation of The Walking Book, a communal story on the sights and sounds of Rivers State, written by children from across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state. Finally, visitors to Port Harcourt would be treated to the warm Rivers hospitality, which includes the display of a boat regatta and an excursion to Songhai Farms.

During the International Lit-

B

•Mrs Koko Kalango

erature Exhibition between Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 24th April (tagged It’s a Small World After all), literature and literary efforts from around the world will be showcased to embassies and foreign missions in Nigeria, local and international book festivals, literary awards bodies, and key partners and stakeholders in the book chain industry. here is also the Hay Festival initiative, tagged ‘Africa 39’, which features the selection and celebration of 39 writers under the age of 40 who have the potential to define the literature of an area or language. ‘Africa 39’ features writers from Africa, South of the Sahara.

T

As part of the book festival, 12 carefully-selected books will be featured in each of the months of the year. The books will be the subject of discussions on partner electronic and print platforms, while a play would be staged throughout the year based on each one.

ternationally visibility especially women, the exhibition also featured some of the works of his three former female students like Nnenna Okore, Lucy Azubuike and Amarachi Okafor.

T

he hall was like a tourist place as people moved from one side to the other looking at some of the things that made the man, especially his works and that of his students.

Looking at the exhibits, one couldn’t understand where , how he started and what has kept him going, but the man simply said is consistence.

El Anatsui is an internationally acclaimed artist who transforms simple materials into complex assemblages that create distinctive visual impact.

He uses resources typically discarded such as liquor bottle caps and cassava graters to create sculpture that defies categorization. His use of these

materials reflects his interest in reuse, transformation, and an intrinsic desire to connect to his continent while transcending the limitations of place. His work can interrogate the history of colonialism, and draw connections between consumption, waste, and the environment, but at the core is his unique formal language that distinguishes his practice.

Making use of tools as diverse as chainsaws, welding torches and power tools as well as developing a range of processes such as the intricate and meditative ‘sewing’ process of his later work, he has shaped found materials that range from cassava graters, railway sleepers, driftwood, iron nails and obituary printing plates, aluminium bottle-tops, etc. to create a wide variety of novel sculptural forms.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014 PAGE 53

Immigration deaths: The horror! AFN prepares camp for world relays the horror!!

A M sources – intellectual and material – towards that possibility.

The solitude in me, of course remembers Mrs. Ohaka, and May God be with her wherever she may be. The trouble that haunts me is that the future arrived for my generation, and we are still waiting for its promise. The future was stolen from us from the generation that broke the back of this country, and now, many of us are middle-aged men, and much of our talents and promise; much of the hope invested on that promise was aborted. In 1986, Wole Soyinka took a hard and steady look at his own generation and called it a “ wasted generation.”

Well, my generation was aborted. It is a great human tragedy that equally reflects the powerful tragedy of postcolonial and postwar Nigeria, that we have lived through a fiftyyear curse. There are many among us who, years after graduating from the Universities since the late 1980s, have never had the opportunity of gainful employment. They live in suspended animation: no homes; no families; no regular jobs; nothing to their names after so much striving. The situation of the more contemporary

,

Y fourth-grade teacher – who was also my all-time favorite – Mrs. Beatrice Ohaka was a kindly and charming woman. In her most voluble moments she used to say to us kids: “ you are the leaders of tomorrow. You will go to University or to England, and become important people. Do important things. Become teachers, doctors, engineers, journalists, professors; and you will make me proud.”

The point of course was that we had to be great scholars first – pass our exams; iron and keep our white shirts white, buckle up our sandals, walk straight and with purpose; not be slouches or lazybones, and be generally good examples. That was the making of great leaders of tomorrow. It was Mrs. Ohaka who first intimated me about that kind of possibility. Otherwise, I had been living my life, all of nine or ten year years in 1976 without thinking about “leaders of tomorrow.”

In fact, not long before then, one evening, as my mother was wont to do after dinner, she had thrown a question to my siblings and me? “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My sister Rosemary in those days wanted to be a doctor – a Paediatrician. I think she liked the word, “Paediatrician.” She had started spending her pocket-money by then in the bookshops in Umuahia on the Mills & Boon and the Agatha Christie novels. So, she was quite ahead of the game. Me, I just told my mother, “I want to be a street dancer like Ok Jazz!” – you know, one of those profoundly comical and stylish dancers that followed the trade trucks around, and performed to a motley of crowds on the streets. They were regular fare in those days on Eastern streets. It was street theatre per excellence.

They usually advertised dubious medicines like the popular “Ikan Power ” – which was a cure all - and sometimes appeared on the popular Ukonu’s club as guests of the variety show on the NTA Channel 6 Aba, of those years. In those days, they seemed to me like the ne plus ultra of human experience. My poor mother, and I was quite a handful, now that I think of it, was too dumbstruck by my ambition that she fell off the seat laughing, and just quietly closed the matter by simply saying, “Anuohia!” and nothing else. I think she was more amused than shocked by my folly. I did not understand. It was Mrs. Ohaka who made me understand that we were primed for greater things; for a future of accomplishment and public service.

Teachers and parents in those years had great hopes for their children, and dedicated their re-

Nigeria is an unjust and inhuman society.

Its leaders have lacked the basic human capacity to feel, and think broadly about the welfare and the future of the people. The story of this recruitment exercise itself is a pointer to the fundamental contradictions of the Nigerian state

,

generation is even more telling. I have a younger sibling who has graduated with a University degree for the last nine years, and has expended a great deal of energy looking for a job.

Last week, he was among the group of applicants who went for a job recruitment exercise by the Immigration Services. He came out of the experience lucky to be alive. The crowd of the unemployed reported in the various designated venues looking for five thousand jobs was in the millions. It led to tragedies. With deaths from stampedes; young educated men and women subjected to the most horrendous and most unparalleled forms of indignity.

Several newspaper reports have given various numbers of the fatalities: people crushed in the melee of job-seeking to about a hundred deaths with nu-

merous injured. Let me be more specific: the event of last week, when the Ministry of Home Affairs conducted that tragic recruitment exercise that resulted in the death of those young, jobless Nigerians is the beginning of the end of the road for this country as it is currently constituted. It is an unjust and inhuman society that can subject its citizens, particularly its young and talented citizens, to this kind of experience. Nigeria is an unjust and inhuman society. Its leaders have lacked the basic human capacity to feel, and think broadly about the welfare and the future of the people. The story of this recruitment exercise itself is a pointer to the fundamental contradictions of the Nigerian state.

First, the minister, Mr. Abba Moro, did not find it in himself to dignify that office by resigning his position, even though it is an indictment to his office, that under his charge this kind of unseemly tragedy should happen. It is jobbery at its worse. Mr. Moro has continued to give weight to the axiom that the blind cannot lead the blind. His excuses and justifications about the conduct of the exercise are atrocious. It is critical to note that the departments under his ministry have disavowed his leadership of that ministry.

It is imperative for the Federal Government to investigate this incident thoroughly – either through a Presidential Commission or a Legislative probe – and make some heads roll.

It is crucial to ascertain quite clearly what went wrong and how? Is there any truth in the allegations that the minister directly handled the recruitment using a consultancy firm in which his wife had some stakes? Should the minister of government be involved in recruitments into the public service? What is the role of the Civil Service Commission, and the Permanent Secretaries in the Administrative Services these days? It is about time that we begin to ask these questions and demand some answers.

Meanwhile, what happened last Saturday is indicative of the vast troubles ahead for Nigeria: with this army of unemployed and highly trained people, we have a ticking bomb more potent than a nuclear device, and it is just a matter of time before the explosion happens. Boko Haram will be a cakewalk in comparison to what is about to take place if we do not find a quick and urgent solution to this paradox; this legion of the jobless and increasingly antsy young men and women.

Mark my word fellow Nigerians: an unemployed man trained in Physics and Chemistry is a walking nightmare. That crowd last Saturday is the outline of a horror movie unfolding.

FTER the flavour less outing of the Nigeria team at the last World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland, Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN are hoping for a good expedition at the IAAF World Relays scheduled for May 24-25 in Nassau, Bahamas.

The relays are like a tradition to Nigerian athletics, but in recent times Nigerian athletes have struggled at world meets including the recent World Indoors where the 4x400m teams failed to make their presence felt.

However, according to AFN technical director, Omatseye Nesiama, the federation is working to

reverse this trend.

“We are working on opening a small camp for our relay teams. This is to put them in a good shape for the world relays. We are aiming to do well in three events, the 4x100, 4x200 and 4x400m.

“The teams that represented us at the last World Indoor will form the nucleus of our team.

The camp will have foreign and home based athletes,” said Navy Commodore Nesiama.

At the indoors meet the Nigerian men 4x400m team set a African indoor record of 3.07.95, but they narrowly missed the final where the US team

set a new world record of 3.03. 13. It was an indication that there was still a lot of work to be done by the Nigerian quarter-milers.

The women running without the strongest leg, Regina George forced their way into the women 4x400m final, but their 3.31.59 put them in the sixth position in the race won by USA with 3.24.83 a world leading time in the event.

The IAAF World Relays will have more than just the 4x100m and 4x400m, though. Also on the programme will be the 4x200m, 4x800m and 4x1500m.

HEATED UP...Nigeria’s Gloria Asumnu feeling the heat as she competes with Cote’d Ivoire’s Murielle Ahoure and Holland’s Jamile Samuel at the Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland.

Anambra plots total take over of athletics

A

NAMBRA commis sioner for sports, Edozie Aroh has said that a comprehensive programme for athletics is awaiting approval of the new government and when operational it will put Anambra State in a dominate position in Nigeria athletics.

Mr. Aroh was speaking against the background of Anambra athletes representing other States in national competitions as funding became problematic. He noted that starting from the 19 th edition of the National Sports Festival, Anambra will put up a good showing in athletics and indeed other sports that it has representation. The State is a catchment area for ath-

letics. Notable names like Innocent Egbunike, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, Mbanefo Akpom, Obinna Metu and many others have their roots in Anambra.

“We have put together a comprehensive programme to reposition athletics and other sports. Anambra is home to sports and we want to have a solid development base that will see Anambra in healthy rivalry with other athletics endowed States.

“The national sports festival is still a long way off and its even open.

But we are going to concentrate on grassroots development of talents.

We are also going to renovate the track facility at the Onitsha Stadium to a

world standard facility to give credence to our development efforts,” said the commissioner.

He added that local coach Johnny Igboka was already working towards that direction by training grassroots athletes that have done the State proud in national competitions, stressing, “We are impressed with what he is doing and will continue to support his efforts. His programme has produced a lot of athletes and we will key into it.”

ZENITH BASKETBALL LEAGUE Sunshine Angels FCT Queens First Deep Water IGP Queens Dolphins Customs First Bank

45 51 77 53 78 32 66

Delta Force AHIP Taraba Hurricane GT Coal City Plateau Benue Queens

41 31 17 40 43 35 40

•Edozie Aroh

PAGE 54 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014,

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Okpala more useful to Keshi than Amokachi — Egbunam

BY OJIEVA EHIOSUN As the Stephen Okechukwu Keshi-tutored Super Eagles prepares to hit Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in June, Nigerians have continued to express worries over the ability of the Keshi–led technical crew to weather the storm weather without the presence of a sound technical person to help read matches when the chips are down.

In this interview, ex-International Arthur Egbunam speaks on the need for Eagles to have a sound technical man that can help Keshi out in time of crisis. He also explains why Silvanus Okpala is better than Daniel Amokachi in Eagles technical crew.

World cup build up think Keshi is not doing badly when you talk of build up for the World cup in Brazil. we just have less than three months before the fiesta, and Eagles have played a number of friendly games, which if you ask me I would say are not just enough for a team going to the world cup.

Look the World cup is not for rookies, it is for senior boys, and so no coach would want to go to such world event to fail. For us to do well, we need to go extra- mile in our preparations, Keshi needs to cry out for help he should be able to tell Nigerians where the problem is, because he can not tell me that it is all going well with the team. There are a lot of things to be put in place before you can boastfully say that we are ready for the show.

There should be more friendly played with Grade A countries and clubs, our defense is a big problem, also he needs good intelligent and experienced strikers and a mid field marshal that has control of the mid field. Present day football needs players that can use their brain. The Argentine forward and probably the richest player in the world Lionel Messi is what he is today because of the way he makes use

I

of his brain on the pitch of play. Present day player in the national team lack such attribute. The FA must give their all to this team if they expect some thing good from Keshi and his team. Of course you know that there are no two ways or magic to it, if they want to get the best, they must be ready to give their best to the boys. I’m not too ok with the level of preparations we need more that this.

Okpala and Amokachi In all ramifications as far as this game is concerned, there is no way you can put Silvanus Okpala and Daniel Amokachi in the same group technically, Okpala is better than Dan Amokachi. I have interacted with many Super Eagles players during and after the 2013 Cup of Nations in South Africa, Silvanus has more technical in put. Let us put ethnicity aside, Okpala was instrumental to keshi leading Nigeria to winning that prestigious trophy in South Africa. When you talk of the experience, Okpala has it more than Amokachi. Again all the teams Amokachi has led in the past as head coach, what has he come up with look we must face the reality Stephen Keshi needs Sylvanus Okpala more than Amokachi in the Eagles technical crew. He has

•Egbunam more contributions to make to the success of the team. You see the reason why most of our coaches don’t do well is that they do not want to learn, whether you like it or not, Keshi needs a technical man be it white or black it does not matter. Samson Siasia won’t have succeeded without the help of Kalika. The world cup is the pinnacle and zenith of all football events, so any coach or country participating at the world cup should be ready for serious war and challenges. So if I were Keshi

National Sports Festival: We are not hosting to win, says Imoke

C

ROSS River governor Liyel Imoke stated that the state will not be hosting the 2014 National Sports Festival (NSF) billed for November 27- December7, with plans to win the event at all cost.

Imoke said this in Calabar

Young wrestler’s death shocks NWF officials

N

IGERIA Wrestling Federation president, Daniel Igali has been depressed by the sudden passing away of a young and up coming wrestler, Pradus Boatman who died last week and was interred yesterday in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.

Fifteen year-old Boatman was the national champion in the Greco and Freestyle under-15 category. And according to Igali he was one of the young wrestlers, the federation was grooming to become world beaters in the near future, but he took ill and died.

“He was diagnosed with typhoid and malaria a week ago. Coaches and wrestlers contributed money to support his treatment. “ He went to the hospital and was discharged after a few days. And he looked fit when he came to the gym and promised to resume training two days ago.

“But he took ill again and complained about headache and died before even getting to the hospital. “His death is shocking to us all in the Nigeria wrestling circle. Only a few days ago he reminded me to redeem my promise of a new wrestling shoes for him. Sadly, the shoes ended up in his casket. It’s a huge loss! There is enormous pain!” lamented Igali

I will tell the FA who I want to work with. Eagles crew have not gotten some body that can help read games when the chips are down. Is either the FA recall Okpala or go for some one else.

During CHAN tournament in South Africa, if you watch our game with the Black Stars of Ghana,you will know that we have a long way to go. And they must do some thing about it now before we go to Brazil to disgrace the entire country.

Osaze and Eagles squad.

I think a lot has been said

about Osaze Odemwingie and nor invitation to the national team. Osaze is a very fine and committed player no doubt, among his team mate, he is the most business like player. He does every thing with his full mind, and very experience and intelligent when it comes to handling the ball. So Keshi does not need a prophet to tell him that he needs such a player in his world cup squad.He is in charge, he knows what he needs to excel. I do not want to waste my head on t6alking about that any more.

He his my friend I will always give him my support but if he allow himself to be messed up so be it. After all his successes so far, he has carried the glory alone. If he want to fail at the World cup fine and good.

What I know is that he should be ready for criticism should he fail to deliver. World cup is not a place to test players. And if any body thinks that we are in the easiest group, that would be deceiving himself.

The game of football is going scientific big names of countries are no longer threat. We must put our house in order before going to Brazil. It is my wish for us to make the finals, but we must work hard to make it.

SNATCHED BY DEATH... Pradus Boatman

when he officially unveiled the logo for the 19th NSF tagged “Centenary Games, Calabar 2014”.

“We are not hosting to win, but we are hosting to give you the best games ever,” the governor said.

He said there was the need for transparency during the games.

Imoke said the state, in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), the owners of the event, was ready to upgrade the games to meet international standards.

In his speech, Mr Efiok Cobham, the Chairman of the festival’s Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the festival was coming home as Calabar was the first capital of Nigeria.

He said the state’s promise of organising the best festival ever in Nigeria was not a fluke, adding that the state was well prepared for the event.

Cobham, who is also Deputy Governor of Cross River, further said the unveiling of the logo, mascot, website and festival songs was a testimony that the state was on course.

Former 100 metres champion, Mercy Nku, unveiled the mascot for the games, nicknamed Bamaba, representing the name of one of the surviv-

ing gorillas in the state’s Boki Local Government Area.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the festival’s Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Gbenga Elegbeleye, described the event as a landmark in the preparation for the games.

He also said the MOC had earlier undertaken the tour of facilities for the games, saying it was satisfied with what was on ground.

“So with the level of preparations so far, we can say that Cross River is ready to go.

“On our part, we are ready to support Cross River to make the festival a huge success,” Elegbeleye, who is also the Director-General of the NSC, said.

At the occasion, the festival’s theme song, called “Standing Tall”, was performed by Sunny Neji, a popular musician Meanwhile, Rivers State director of sports, Edwin Amadi declared that the state would come tops in the upcoming 2014 National Sports Festival.

He said that the state was rejuvenating its athletes and would strive to be at the top at the games.

“This year will be different for us. We are coming back to become overall winners. Last festival we came second and the 2011 we were first.

“Now, we are gunning for the top position and adequate preparation is already in the process for our athletes.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2014, PAGE 55

Ocean Crest School Lagos... inter-house sports!

•Ocean Crest pupils demostrating their skills during their inter-house sports competition.

•Hadjia Abubarka Atiku being presented a calabash by the King of Atlantic (Blue) House during the event.

Champions League draw: Club bosses speak P

HILIPP Lahm has expressed his delight at the Champions League quarterfinal draw after Bayern Munich were pitted against Manchester United.

The reigning champions will meet United in the last eight of the competition, with the first leg to played on April 1 at Old Trafford, before the return game takes place at the Allianz Arena on April 9.

And while Lahm is pleased to come up against David Moyes’ struggling side, who are seventh in the Premier League, the Bayern captain is refusing to get complacent.

“That’s a great draw. A fantastic stadium, super atmosphere, and we had many great clashes with them in the past. I am looking forward to it,” he told the club’s official website.

“We shouldn’t be misled by their Premier League position. They are a great team, they have got outstanding individual quality. We must give it our all in both legs, and then we’ll have the chance to go through to the semis.”

Moyes told a news conference: “Firstly, I was thrilled that we were in the draw. When we were 2-0 down to Olympiakos a week or so ago and I don’t think a lot of people were putting us through. So in a lot of ways it didn’t matter who we drew. We’ve got the favourites and the holders so it’s a really tough draw but one that I’m looking forward to.”

Real Madrid chief Emilio Butragueno says it is a plus for his team that Champions League quarterfinal opponents Borussia Dortmund are not the force they were last season.

The first leg is set for Madrid’s Estadio Santi-

ago Bernabeu on Wednesday April 2, with the return at Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion on Tuesday April 8.

Butragueno told Canal Plus from Nyon that it seemed this season’s Dortmund were not as strong, but Madrid would take nothing for granted.

“You never know,” the former Blancos striker said. “It appears that there were stronger rivals in the draw. This season they are not playing as well as last season, but we must be very careful.

The second leg is away and their stadium has a special magic, their fans support their team a lot.

We must go there with a

good result in hand. We have hopes of being back here for the semi-final draw.”

Meanwhile, Juergen Klopp admitted that Real Madrid are favourites to qualify for the semifinals, but insisted that there is no chance Dortmund will lie down.

“That’s a good draw,” he said. “If you repeatedly qualify for the final eight of the competition, you have to calculate on getting drawn to the same opponent — as is the case now.

“It will be two games with an extremely cool atmosphere. We can’t wait for this challenge, and will try and make use of our

slim chance.”

Paris Saint-Germain CEO Jean-Claude Blanc believes the club will go into their Champions League quarterfinal tie against Chelsea with “a lot of conviction” after Friday’s draw.

“Laurent Blanc does the most with his players.

We have a gap to maintain in the league, which allows us to remain concentrated on the Champions League, and which allows the club to take on a world dimension,” the PSG CEO said.

“We’re proud to be among the eight last clubs in the competition.

Our squad has a year’s more experience, but we

have a lot of respect for Chelsea. We’ll go into the two games with a lot of conviction.”

The two clubs have met just once, during the 2004-05 Champions League group stage, when Chelsea won 3-0 in Paris with the return game in London ending in a goalless draw.

Meanwhile, Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay is also eagerly anticipating the tie, and is hoping that having the second leg at home will work in the club’s favour.

“It was always going to be tough when you looked at the teams who were left in the draw,” he told Chelsea’s official

website. “It’s the top eight teams, Paris Saint-Germain is a very tough game but we’ll be ready for the first match.

“Our form is good, we’ve got a lot of games between now and the end of the season. We’re in a good position in the Premier League so we just need to take it one game at a time, try and win every game and see how everybody else does around us.

“We will treat Paris Saint-Germain with the utmost respect and hopefully we can go there, put on a show for our fans and bring it back to Stamford Bridge.”

Ekpolo dreams big contract with Barcelona

BY BEN EFE

B

High Expectations.... Elohor Ekpolo working hard for the Barca junior team. Now he wants big time football with the likes of Lionel Messi.

ARCELONA of Spain junior team star, Elohor Godswill Ekpolo is expectant of a rewarding contract at Nou Camp after he impressed coach Gerardo Martino during a training with the senior team.

The 19-year-old Ekpolo is captain of the Barca junior team that has been doing creditably well in the UEFA youth league. Only last week they defeated Arsenal 42 to reach the semi-final with the Delta-born Ekpolo playing a vital role.

“It was a rewarding ex-

perience training with the senior team. My greatest wish now is for me to get a good contract with the club.

“It is a big club with big stars and it will be a dream come true to play alongside some of the best players in the world,” said the player.

He was discovered by a Barca scout at nine year-old, while playing in the streets of a Barcelona suburb, where he and his father reside and after coming through the club academy where the likes of Lionel Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas horned their

skills, Ekpolo has been a regular with the Barca junior team.

He reiterated his interest to play for the Nigeria U-20 team and also the Olympic team if only the coaches will look at his direction.

“Most definitely every player wants to be part of their national teams. I will gladly come home, if invited to play for junior team and may be in the near future the senior team. I watched them when they played Catalonia last year and I have always looked forward to be part of the team,” said the youngster.

Confederation Cup: Warri Wolves ready to bite Bizertin hard

W

ARRI Wolves will test their intention of going far in the CAF Confedration Cup when they host visiting Tunisian side Athletique Bizertin in the first leg round of 16.

Though the Wolves are confident of a win, they also expect a difficult match, which according to coach, Paul Aigbogun will very tactical as the

Tunisia would want to play safe.

“We have prepared ourselves psychologically and physically for the game.

“Ordinarily, you expect the visiting team to sit back and defend in the first leg but football is usually a spur of the moment thing.”

“If they realise that they can actually win the game

here (in Warri), there will be no point sitting back to defend.

“You can have a plan which can go right out of the window as soon as the game starts but I do believe they will come here with a conservative approach.

“We have studied them but you can never know everything about your opponents.

“We are prepared though and I am confident we will get a good result,” he said.

Wolves beat Camerounian club, Union Douala 4-3 on aggregate in the first round. The Nigeria club are making their third appearance in the competition and have never advanced Bizertin have won the two games they have

played so far in this year’s competition dispatching Angolan club, Desportivo da Huíla 3-0 on aggregate in the first round and Aigbogun revealed the tactic the Tunisians will adopt on Sunday remains shrouded in mystery.

Meanwhile the team players are motivated to win and give their captain Azubuike Egwuekwe who got married yesterday.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2014

Ronaldo, Messi will decide El-Clasico, says Barca defender S

rivals Barcelona. A win for Madrid will stretch their lead over the defending champions to seven points and deal a severe blow to Barcelona’s chances of a fifth title in six years. Barca are third with 66 points, a point behind secondplaced Atletico Madrid.

However, Barcelona’s full back Jordi Alba stated that the out come of the match will be determined by the performances of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

“I think they are two of the best players in the world.

“I think Cristiano, you have to be honest, he’s a beast, he’s a very important player for Real Madrid. When Madrid are not at their best he always pulls through,” the 24-yearold said.

“But we have Leo and other players and I think we are more of a team than a bunch of individuals.”

Ronaldo, a two-time World Player of the Year, has scored 41 times in 37 appearances for Madrid this season, including a double in Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Schalke 04 which secured Real Madrid’s place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Messi overtook Paulino AlDemolition Job ... Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Oscar (L) scores his team’s fourth goal past Arsenal’s Polish goalkeeper cantara to become Barcelona’s Wojciech Szczesny (C) during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge all-time leading scorer by netin London. Arsenal had a player wrongly sent off in the 6-0 thrashing. ting a hat-trick during the Catalan giants’ 7-0 rout of Osasuna in La Liga last Sunday. The three goals brought Messi’s career tally for Barcelona to 371 in all games, breaking the club record of 369 held by Alcantara since 1927.

“Madrid are a really good team.

This year they are playat the Estadio das Dunas, NaUPER Eagles first choice Ligue 1 game said that the this season. ing at a great level. It is gotal in Brazil. keeper, Vincent Enyeama group F games will not be easy Meanwhile US coach Jurgen ing to be a very difficult match, “We are absolutely thrilled has warned his teammates not as thought by Nigerians.

Klinsman said he is delighted very complicated, at their with the schedule we have put to underrate any of the teams “Whether Iran, Bosnia and to be playing against the Eaground,” said Alba. in the group F of the Brazil Argentina these are no easy gles in a warm up tournament together for the Send-Off Series,” said Klinsmann.

2014 World Cup starting for games. All these nations we are for the world cup on June 7.

Nigeria on June 16 with a facing,are also serious about Klinsmann believes the Super TODAY’S MATCHES match against unpredictable getting results. But we will see Eagles will offer him an insight Iran. v Southampton 2.30pm how it goes with the Super Ea- on how to plan his strategy for Tottenham Both Nigerian and Iranian gles, we will do all our best to USA’s group G foe, Ghana Aston Villa v Stoke 5.00pm football officials are hoping to progress from the group,” said when both sides clash on June Real Betis v Atletico Madrid 5.00pm get a good result from the that Enyeama who will be making 16 in the opening group game Valencia v Villarreal 7.00pm game and make a bright start his third world cup appearance Real Madrid v Barcelona 9.00pm to their campaign. Bosnia barring any unforeseen circumCROSS WORD PUZZLE Herzegovina and Argentina stance. are the other nations in the DOWN He added that it will be a good ACROSS group.Iran coach Carlos thing if Nigeria progress and 1. House of Reps Speaker (8) 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) Queiroz said he is targeting a then may be meet France in the 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 3. Observe (5) win against Nigeria stating second round.

8. Upright (4) 4. Lecture (6) that the match could be the be5. Everyone (3) “I hope of course that we can 9. Lantern (4) ginning and the end of their pass the group stage. And who 11. Tradition (6) 6. Use (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 10. Inquires (4) campaign in Brazil. knows, meet France in the secExclamation (2) 12. Carpet (3) Enyeama who was speaking ond round,” added the Eagles 15.

16. Pig’s nose (5) 14. Colour (6) ahead of Lille’s trip to AS Mo- keeper. He is rated one of the 18. Agent (3) 15. Resistance unit (3) naco for tonight’s French best in the European league 20. Glitters (6) 17. Coax (4) PANISH league leaders Real Madrid will have the chance to expand their lead tonight when they host

Stick to long jump, coach advises Okagbare

World Cup 2014: We must not underrate Iran & Bosnia — Enyeama S

Chelsea Cardiff Everton Hull Man City Newcastle Norwich West Ham

6 3 3 2 5 0 2 0

RESULTS

Arsenal Liverpool Swansea West Brom Fulham Crystal Palace Sunderland Man Utd

0 6 1 0 0 0 0 2

CAF Confederation Cup How Mine

2

Bayelsa Utd

1

24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

SOLUTION on page 5

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