Nigerians can trace 55 looters of N1.34trillion - FG

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Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 3

Gunmen attack ex-NBA chairman

By Ugochukwu Alaribe

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NKNOWN gunmen have shot a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Aba Branch, Sir Chidozie Ogunji, as he drove into his residence along Ikot Ekpene Road, Ogbor Hill, Aba. Sunday Vanguard gathered that Ogunji was on his way home from work at about 8.30pm without knowing that the gunmen had laid ambush close to his residence.

According to a resident of the area who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, “Chidozie Ogunji is an easygoing and peace loving

person, who could have plotted him? He was just coming back at the end of the day’s work. As he drove into his residence, the gunmen joined him.

Before he knew what was happening, the gunmen,

who I believe, were kidnappers, attempted to force him into the boot of his car, but he resisted them. After the failed attempt, they shot him and sped off.”

It was also gathered

that the gunmen shot Ogunji on the leg, took away his Toyota Corolla vehicle and other valuables they could lay their hands on, leaving him in a pool of his own blood.

A-Ibom governor grants amnesty to 64-year-old prison inmate

By Chioma Onuegbu, Uyo

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KWA Ibom State gover nor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has granted amnesty to a 64-yr- old inmate of Medium Security Prisons, Ikot Ekpene, Mr.

Okon Sunday Akpan, after spending 25 years in prison.

Emmanuel also directed that proper medical attention be given to two pregnant inmates of the prison to ensure their safe delivery.

Emmanuel, accompanied by the state

Chief judge, Justice Stephen Okon, and members of his cabinet during a working visit to the Ikot Ekpene prisons under the prerogative of mercy, charged Akpan to turn a new leaf and shun all temptations that could lure him into any form of crime in future.

Senator Anthony Adefuye (r) and a former Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Oladipo Diya (retd), during Adefuye’s 2016 thanksgiving service held at his Lekki Phase I, Lagos residence.

Aregbesola inaugurates committees for Osun schools

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OVERNOR of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has inaugurated a communitybased management com-

mittee for schools in the state a bold step towards the effective maintenance of public school facilities.

The committee members, drawn from local governments in the state, are in three categories separately for all the local governments in the state for the elementary, middle and high schools.

Speaking at the inauguration held at the Government Technical College, Osogbo, Aregbesola pointed out that the move would return schools to communities which he described as the original owners for easy management and maintenance.

He said the government was inaugurating the committee because it believed the community owns education and they are the ones who can manage better than anybody.

Don Parker: EFCC operatives were professional in their conduct

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ARRI-based waste management and bottle water production company, Don Parker General Enterprises Limited, yesterday, described the conduct of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, operatives during their raid on the company, last week, as “most professional and upto-the task,” insisting that neither its Procurement Manager, Omoregha Emmanuel, nor any of the company staff granted interview to journalists regarding the EFCC visit.

In a statement in Warri, Delta State, the company, while acknowledging that the EFCC operatives stormed their Warri headquarters and ransacked its premises in the most professional manner, expressed “utter dismay and chagrin” at reports, published in some newspapers on Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23, 2016 respectively, wherein the Procurement Manager of the company was quoted to have granted interview regarding the EFCC raid.

PAGE 4 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

NON-REMITTANCE OF REVENUE:

Reps threaten to arrest EFCC boss •Walk

out NDLEA, NAFDAC team

By Emman Ovuakporie & Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

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From left: Gani Balogun, Publisher, GKB News Digest, Dotun Oladipo, Managing Editor, The Eagle Online, Alhaji Lai Muhamed, Minister of Information and Culture, and Mojeed Jamiu, Executive Editor, Upshot Report, during a meeting of the minister with online publishers, in Lagos, at the weekend.

he House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee, investigating alleged fraudulent practices in the collection and management of non-oil revenue remittances by MDAs, has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, if he fails to appear before the Committee, on Tuesday, to account for the revenue collected and remitted to the Federation Account. The Committee had,

on Thursday, walked out representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control, NAFDAC, because their Directors-General were absent at a meeting in the National Assembly.

Expressing his dissatisfaction with the absence of the DGs of the two agencies, the Chairman of the Ad-Hoc Committee, Rep Chike John Okafor, said some government agencies treat the National Assembly with disrespect especially in honouring invitations during

the course of oversight functions.

Okafor said that if the EFCC Chairman fails to appear on Tuesday to give account of the money the commission collected on behalf of the Federal Government and how much had been remitted to the coffers of government, the Committee would have no other option than to issue a warrant of arrest on him.

He condemned the absence of the DGs of NDLEA and NAFDAC, who sent representatives, as they were said to be having a meeting in the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, wondering if the NSA by law was more important than the National Assembly.

Delta Speaker, ALGON Chairman dismiss story on remittance of N325million

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he Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, has stressed the need for media practitioners to be thorough and be armed with accurate facts and figures in their

investigative journalism He also asked them to always project the image of the State in its true perspective to counter the negative picture being presented by some individuals even as the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State chapter, Hon Itiako Ikpokpo has dismissed the story, describing it as a stupid allegation.

Igbuya who spoke while receiving the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Award of

Excellence, in Legislative Competence and Exceptional Leadership in Asaba expressed disappointment at the actions of some journalists in the state.

“Those with sinister motives rush to online media to air their frivolous and malicious publication because it provides cover for litigation. They need to be mindful that true journalism is not a tool for witch hunting. Some days ago, I read a report in the socia media on the remittance of N325million by council chairmen. You don’t make allegations that are unfounded. Paucity of fund in the state, the allocation to councils has dropped drastically. Some local government areas are in arrears of salaries to their staff. Some of them do not have three million as allocation, let alone raising N3m for the House of Assembly. In fact, my local government council got N2.7 as allocation. So, how can a council that got N2.7m pay N3m? Where will the chairman get the money? Some got zero allocation. Most local governments are currently indebted to the federal government”, he said.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 5

President Muhammed Buhari (r), welcoming the Osile of OkeOna, Egba, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuoso, and Senator Lanre Tejuo sos, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

L-r: Mr Chiedu Ebie, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education; Prof Patrick Muoboghare, Chairman , Planning Committee; and Engr.

Jude Sinebe, Commissioner for Higer Education, during a press briefing on Delta State Education Summit scheduled to hold from Tuesday.

We have begun investigation into alleged N1.34tr stolen money — Nta, ICPC boss

By Caleb Ayansina

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he Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has begun the processes of investigation that would help the Federal Government trace and recover the N1.34 trillion allegedly stolen by government officials.

The move, it said, followed the revelation by the Minister of

Information and Culture, Lai Mohammad, that 55 Nigerians stole over N1.34 trillion from public coffers between 2006 and 2013.

Speaking on a TV Programme in Abuja, the Chairman of ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, said the alleged stolen money could be traced.

Nta said ICPC was analyzing intelligence reports on the issue and would go into action at the conclusion of its analysis

with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.

He said, “Some of these revelations have put to fore the issues bedeviling the country and giving us bad names. What has now been put in the open, we have to sift it and that is what we have been doing.

“That money must come from somewhere; if it was appropriated by government through the National Assembly, it is going to be traced. If it

ILLEGAL ARMS FACTORY:

Police burst syndicate in Benue ...arrest kidnap gang, rescue victims

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

he Benue state Police T Command has smashed an illegal firearms

manufacturing syndicate in Kwande Local Government Area of the state. They are alleged to be involved in the production and sale of arms to criminals from other parts of the country.

The command also recovered different types of firearms, unfinished locally made guns, working tools, live ammunition and cartridges from the suspects.

Parading members of the gang along with 31 other suspects apprehended for various crimes in parts of the state, at the Command headquarters in Makurdi,

the state capital, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Yakadi, said the command also recovered over 17 different types of firearms and 85 live ammunition, cartridges and other exhibits from the suspects.

Among those also paraded, was a four-man kidnap gang who, last week, allegedly abducted one Yakubu Odoma at Naka town, in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

He said the gang had, last week, stormed the home of their victim in Naka, in a Toyota Corolla car, with registration number AE 949 UGG, and took him away to an unknown destination.

“His wife alerted the Police

and our Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, swung into action immediately; the victim was rescued and all the masterminds, including Wilfred Igbadio, Tarza Ajiir, Monday Yorgongbi and Sunday Iortyange, were arrested.

“Among the items recovered from gang were one AK 47 rifle without magazine, one Automatic Pump Action, one locally made Barretta pistol with two rounds of .9mm live ammunition and six cartridges.”

The Commissioner of Police, who stated that his command had declared an all out onslaught against perpetrators of crimes and criminality in the state, urged all criminals to leave the state or be prepared for a showdown with the Police.

comes from the bank, it makes life easier for everybody.”

The Chairman further spoke on new strategies being put in place by the Commission to stop the looting of public funds by civil servants and political office holders.

The ICPC boss, who also spoke on the independence of the ICPC, stressed that he had never experienced any interference or received directives from government on any investigation.

Nta said, “From

TENSION IN KANO: Residents call for 13 years and in over a demolition of Shi’ite shrine past decade of its existence

By Abdulsalam Muhammad

ANO —Residents of K Kofar Waika quarters have requested

the Kano State Government to demolish the residence of late Muhammad Turi that has been converted to a shrine

by Shi’ite members in the state.

The residents, under the aegis of Kofar Waika Community Elders Committee, in a strongly worded petition to the state government and signed by Alhaji Lawan Waika, stated that “none of the residents of Waika area is of the Shi’ite sect” but explained that “since the Shi’ites’ clash with the military at Zaria in December 2015, we have been witnessing the presence and movement of strange faces in and out of the area” – the Waika area is where the residence of the deputy leader of the sect, Mallam Muhammad Turi, who was killed in the December clash, is located.

The residents also revealed in the petition that

“Shi’ite members organize preaching sessions and they disrespect constituted authority in the process; they also disrespect the traditional rulers and members of the security agencies and also incite their followers to carry out violent acts”.

The late Turi’s residence, which is alleged to have been converted to a shrine, is located on the northern plain of Goron Dutse hill, behind the residence of Sheik Isyaku Rabiu.

But in a swift reaction, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, the main Shi’ite sect in the country, dismissed the call for demolition of Turi’s residence, describing it as a “peak of mischief ”.

In a statement circulated and made available to Sunday Vanguard in Kano, and signed by Dr. Dauda Nalado, IMN said that what is being referred to as shrine serves as “Kano Markaz” of IMN. Dr Nalado, who is a university don, in the statement, noted that “the Islamic Center has been in the neighborhood for the

50 Ekiti PDP leaders set to defect to APC

By Bashir Adefaka he support base of T Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State faces

depletion as leaders and members of his party, PDP, in the state have perfected arrangement to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

50 of them, according to reliable sources in Ado-Ekiti and Osogbo, met with Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State in Osogbo, Wednesday, where they told him that they were in the Osun

written reports of my predecessors, I can say that there has never been government interference.

No government has ever directed me to go after anybody. The past government did not do that and the new government has not done that.”

State capital to indicate their intention to join APC. Coming to Oshogbo, one of the sources said, was in consideration of

Aregbesola as the serving APC governor closest to Ekiti.

Speaking on the Wednesday meeting, one of the PDP

We have no hand in the disappearance of ex- Ogun Secretary — RTEAN

By Daud Olatunji, Abeokuta

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he Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has distanced itself from the disappearance of a former Secretary of the association,

Alhaji Olayinka Oshinkoya, who was reportedly kidnapped in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

The association, in its reaction to media reports that Osinkoya’s abduction might be connected to the victim’s plan to vie for the post of Chairman of the association

there has never been a single report of any criminal activity by the neighbours of the center.”

He maintained that “for anybody to claim that members of the Islamic Movement are engaged in dangerous activities is malicious, mischievous and a blatant lie”.

The statement further called on the Kano State Government to “disregard such malicious claims perpetrated by mischief makers bent on brewing sectarian sentiments that will be detrimental to peaceful coexistence in the state”.

He further stressed “The Islamic Movement for the past 40 years has been the most tolerant of all groups and associations within the Islamic community in the country, therefore for someone to associate us with violence is the peak of mischief ”.

A visit to the contentious structure at Kofar Waika quarters 300metres from a police station revealed s t e r n - l o o k i n g malnourished middle aged men keeping vigil. leaders, who spoke under strict condition of anonymity, told Sunday Vanguard that Fayose had run Ekiti PDP like his private estate and so did not deserve to continue to have them with him.

in the state, said there was no vacancy that would necessitate any election.

The state Secretary of the association, Tiwalade Akingbade, in a press statement, said though, the news of the alleged abduction of Osinkoya came to them as a rude shock, the association has no reason to engage in dastardly act of kidnapping any of its members .

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

Edo 2016: No plan to impeach Deputy Gov — Speaker

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

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PEAKER of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr Victor Edor-

or, yesterday, described as untrue the report that the state House of Assembly may have been directed by Governor Ad-

ams Oshiomhole to impeach his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, because of the latter ’s ambition to succeed the former.

A group, under the aegis of ‘Let the People Lead Vanguard’, had, in a publication, raised the alarm that members of the state Assembly, in Asaba, for a week induction, had perfected a plot to impeach Odubu.

A cross section of the Community Based School Management ComEdoror and another mittee to oversee school activities in Osun, during the inauguration member of the state by Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government Technical College, House of Assembly, Mr Osogbo.

Crosby Eribo, expressed shock over the report, asserting that they were only in Asaba for legislative duties and not to discuss impeachment.

“We have been in AsaHE leadership of the All State have realized their marketable candidate as ba attending an inducProgressives Congress mistakes and are anxious- flag bearer irrespective of tion which we were supposed to attend last year (APC) in Ondo state has ly waiting to put an end to the senatorial district he or but because of paucity of been urged to organise a the inglorious and misrule she comes from.

“As a former House of funds we could not. So free, fair, transparent and of PDP in the State. With I am really shocked to credible governorship pri- the reality on ground it is Representatives and govvery certain that the gov- ernorship aspirant in the hear about impeach- mary election.

This is contained in a ernment of PDP cannot ful- state, so many people have ment, I think it is the figment of the imagination press release issued at the fil 25% of its promises to the been calling on me to conof those spreading such end of the media briefing people of Ondo State. Our test again, but all of us canrumours. We have nev- organised by Oyato Cam- state cannot afford to lag not be governor at the same er discussed any issue paign Group to drum up behind any longer,” he time. What is more important to me is the collective of impeachment, may support for APC in the said.

Mr Oyato also urges the interest of the party. That be those who wants to state.

According to the release party leadership to play is why our group has startmake money from the deputy governor are the signed by Mr Olayato Ari- down on the issue of zon- ed to work across the state ones spreading such ru- bo, there must be a prima- ing, which is often exploit- to ensure whoever emergmours”, the Speaker ry election devoid of manip- ed as a tool of propaganda es as party’s candidate beto enable the party produce comes governor come Oculation and imposition. stated.

“The people of Ondo a trusted, dependable, and tober, 2016".

Also speaking, Eribo said: “We were actually receiving calls from Benin, people were telling us that we were planning to impeach the deputy governor but that was stupid and I • Says Mark has done well for the zone told them. We were in rerun election was not a Asaba where we reYoung Professionals, has battle for Senator David

By Henry Umoru ceived lectures from vowed that it would resist Mark, a former Senate past Speakers of the any attempt by a former President,but for the surstate Assembly. This inHEAD of the Benue governor of the state, Sen- vival of Idoma people, duction was supposed South senatorial rerun ator George Akume, a Tiv adding that the fact that to have come last week election, a youth group, man, to determine who his challenger, Onjeh, but because of money it under the aegis of Idoma should represent the peo- was being sponsored by was delayed”.

Dream and Idoma ple of the zone. external forces against “ The group noted that the the interest of our people is enough affront and insult to the sensibilities of our people.”

The group,parading over 1,000 youths in Benue South, converged on Otukpo, the traditional with the new entrant.

Company, made an apANY people be The meeting was auspearance before the capital of Idoma nation, to lieve that the Nipicious, coming as it House of Representa- canvass support for the gerian telecom industry did, just one week after tives Committees on rerun election of Mark, has witnessed a transdescribing him as a man formation in the past 15 ntel and its parent com- Communications and who has helped the peopany, Natcom InvestPrivatization/Commeryears. With ntel coming ple of the zone. on stream this year, I ment and Development cialization. believe we are about to witness a revolution.”

Kamar Abass, CEO of ntel, Nigeria’s newest mobile network operator, stated this when he played host to a delegation from the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria (ATCON).

The seven-man ATCON delegation, led by their President, Engineer Lanre Ajayi, paid a courtesy call on Abass and his team at ntel’s Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Oluranti Adebule (3rd kight), project office in Ikoyi, Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, (SUBEB), Dr. Lagos. The visit was to Ganiyu Shopeyin (2nd right), DFID S/ W Regional Coordinator, appraise ntel’s readi- Mrs Magaret Fagboyo, (4th left) Representatives from Developing ness for launch, intro- Effective Private Education In Nigeria (DEEPIN) and other stakeduce the association to holders in the education sector at a two day retreat on the review of ntel and establish a the Lagos State educational agenda at Golden Tulip Hotel, Featac, symbiotic relationship at the weekend.

APC should conduct credible governorship primary in Ondo — Chieftain

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Benue South Senatorial poll: Akume can’t determine who represents Idoma — Youth group

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Ntel is leading a revolution — Kamar Abass, CEO “M

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016 — PAGE 7

rexmarinus@hotmail.com

Buhari is not fighting corruption

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he minister for justice just announced that judges found to be corrupt will be tried by this administration. This is problematic. Though this sentiment is much shared, it should not be left to the president and his administration to define “corruption,” or determine which judge is corrupt. For the avoidance of doubt the writ of this republic does not make the president the supreme authority of the land.

The constitution is the governing authority of this republic, and the president is, as are all Nigerians, governed by the Constitution. It would amount to overreach for the president to break the thin glass boundaries that established the separation of powers under the constitution. It would be powergrabbing, and the National Assembly and the courts must keep an eye on this president. In fact, it is about time that the National Assembly moved to reduce some of the powers granted the president, because one of the great sources of corruption in Nigeria is the enormous and almost limitless power granted the executive by this constitution designed by the military. Let me advert the minds of Nigerians to January 1, 1984: a military coup had just sacked the democratically elected Government of President Shehu Shagari. At the

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he Director of Atimoh Odili Foundation, AOF, Ms Chioma Nwigwe, has said her organisation is willing to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) get back into the society by granting them soft loans through mortgage banks after they have been educated and acquired some form of skill.

Nwigwe spoke when the Foundation visited New Kuchingoro IDP camp at Games Village Abuja to donate 1000 bags of rice, 1000 mattresses, tin tomatoes, oil and milk as part of its mission to eradicate poverty in Nigeria.

She asked the inmates to take the opportunity before them and be willing to help themselves so that they will not depend on assistance from government, private organisations, NGOs or individuals.

“We will carry out a survey to know the form of skill they have and the ones they need to acquire. We don’t intend to dash anybody money. Once you have been educated and you have acquired these skills, we give what we call soft loans through mortgage banks and with that you will be helped with business outlines that will help you start the business and you will be followed up and, because it is a loan, people are made more accountable, they know they have to pay back as against

head of that coup was a tall, lean, unsmiling General, who came across as a Spartan, no-nonsense, missionary soldier, out to rescue Nigeria from political and economic collapse.

Shagari had just been reelected in a very controversial election, which had the great Nnamdi Azikiwe spewing fire in his very prophetic, as it turned out, postelection letter to Nigerians, “History Will Vindicate the Just,” published widely in the Nigerian Press. It was clear that the election was riddled with irregularities.

Yet, corruption in the politics of those years was the bread and butter kind. It was confined mostly in the political parties. The civil institutions were still intact: the public service; the judicial system; the entire bureaucracy of state governance which could put to check to the excesses of political leadership. And they were still all there in 1984.

Then came Buhari and his dark-browed praetorian guard, sacking the civil government, and instituting a rule by decrees. The first order of business was to dismantle the credibility of the elected political leaders the soldiers had sacked. In very elaborate fashion General Buhari and his rubberstamp Supreme Military Council authorized the arrest, detention, and prosecution of the discredited poli-

ticians. His Minister for Justice, Chike Ofodile quickly crafted decrees that established extrajudicial tribunals that evacuated the powers of the civil courts. Some of the trials were in-camera.

But it soon became obvious that these arrests and detentions were skewered mostly against politicians from the South, particularly of the group that called itself the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and by politicians from the Middle Belt. It might have been inadvertent, but the impression it created was of a partisan, regionalist witch-hunt of Southern politicians – some of them the most popular, and in fact, the more credible in their visible achievements in the four years between 1979 and 1983.

One of the most dangerous contributions of Buhari’s era as a military dictator was the erosion of the credibility, dignity and the aura of impartiality of the Nigerian judiciary, until then seen my Nigerians as the bulwark against tyranny; and most credible of the three arms of government, particularly with the sack of the parliament, and the seizure of executive power by military decree. The judiciary lost its independence.

Malleable and secondrate people were rapidly appointed to the bench. As the generation of solid jurists began to leave the scene by the attrition of time, a new generation of judges, the product of a corrupted judicature became more or less judicial executioners of the mandate of anyone in power. The corruption of the Nigerian judicial system, which had been subdued to military decrees began with Muhammed Buhari in 1984. The use to which he put the courts of the land was corrupt. This is the fear that President Buhari’s opponents are currently expressing in the current use of state power, in what is being in-

creasingly seen as a partisan witch-hunt to suppress a political opposition. Again, the same method seems obvious: Buhari is arriving the scene of government again at a time when oil prices have dipped very dangerously, and perhaps more dangerously is that the era of hydrocarbon is rapidly coming to an end, which means, even more financial instability for nations like Nigeria that have long depended on oil to fuel their national

For a man who spent twelve years seeking the office he now occupies, this president does not seem to have any clear, alternative strategies, or able to deliver on the promises he made

economies. To all intents and purposes, as like in October 1984, Nigeria is broke.

Buhari has suddenly discovered that he is unable to meet the lofty promises of his campaign, and his political strategy now is to beat the drum of corruption ad nauseam, and blame his old political opponents for his own increasingly apparent inabilities to revive the economy, or lead. For a man who spent twelve years seeking the office he now occupies, this president does not seem to have any clear, alternative strategies, or able to deliver on the promises he made.

Now, here is my worry: the arrest of the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, and his arraignment

The Odili Foundation loans for IDPs

when you just dash them money and forget about them, “she stated.

“The loan depends on their level of education. If you are dealing with peo-

ple that have no form of education, you have to start little and the way soft loan works is that when you are given little and you are able to pay, we follow your

business module and we see that you can improve we will gradually increase. We are willing to help them as much as they are willing to help themselves. We will provide all the resources; so it is now left to them to take the advantage. We know it is not particularly easy because most of the people we are dealing with here have no formal form of education so it is going to be very challenging but we are positive we are going to achieve it.

“We have come to realise that Nigeria is blessed but the people enjoying the bless-

PARENTS OF FRESH GRADUATE KILLED IN POLICE CUSTODY

Two years after, we are still crying for justice!’

By Kingsley Omonobi-Abuja

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wo years after Chukwuma Ihezie, a graduate of mechanical engineering at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, had his life cut short reportedly in the hands of policemen attached to the Enugu State Police Command, the family of Sabastine Ihezie of Umuozu Ezumoha in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State has requested the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, and the

Police Service Commission to ensure justice is done.

Chukwuma was awaiting his call-up for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and, in the interim, had taken up cab driving to earn money when he had an encounter with the police which led to his suspicious death in their custody.

It was inconceivable at the time that the effort of the young graduate to earn a decent living, away from crime, would lead to his death allegedly in the hands of officers of the Special Anti-

Robbery Squad (SARS) attached to the Enugu State Police Command, under suspicious circumstances.

In a bid to unravel the mystery surrounding the death as well as seek justice, the family, represented by Chinedu Ihezie, elder brother of the deceased, through several petitions to the EnuguStatePoliceCommand;the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG); the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Police Service Commission (PSC), reported the case to the police but are yet to get justice more than two years after.

In an initial petition dated March

in handcuffs give negative optics to this government.

Yes, Buhari claims to be fighting corruption, and Olisa Metuh is accused of receiving N400 million from Colonel Sambo Dasuki, allegedly from the $2.1 billion approved for the NSA for arms procurement, the question most Nigerians are now asking is: was Olisa Metuh awarded an arms contract which he didn’t deliver, or is it just about receiving money from Dasuki. Why lock him up, and bring him to court in handcuffs, when not even Sambo Dasuki was brought to court in handcuffs? Is this a ploy to intimidate, humiliate, and ultimately punish and silence the PDP’s spokesman who has so far been engaging the current regime and calling some oftheir assertions to question? Because even people like Falae received money, and have publicly declared that they’d not return it because it has nothing to do with arms procurement, and they have not been locked up or brought to the court in chains. While every Nigerian supports the president and his administration’s apparent resolve to investigate, prosecute, and retrieve Nigeria’s stolen funds from whoever embezzled such funds, we must continue to insist that unless it is all for show, the process must not degenerate into illegality of its own. It is both sad and distressing hearing distinguished scholars of the law like Itsay Sagay, and the Criminologist, Professor Femi Odekunle arguing in support of a “limited rule of law,” these days.

It points exactly to what went wrong with Nigeria: a shiftless and inferior elite incapable of the hard, long view. If the argument were to be made about a limited rule of law, Abacha

would have hanged Odekunle who was brought before a military tribunal accused with Diya of plotting a coup.

But in the convenience of his current elation, the good professor has forgotten. Buhari is not fighting corruption. He is enabling corruption by interfering in the judicial process. If he were fighting corruption he would have addressed the following questions: how did the system fail so much that Sambo Dasuki as the NSA could appropriate and dispose of state fund as though it were personal funds without oversight?

What happened to the old system of financial control that required a vast and complex system of inter-departmental coordination?

What happened to the public tenders system? How come the police services, charged with crime prevention, did not anticipate and prevent this financial crime before it happened through its own police intelligence?

How come the EFCC is only just showing interest after the facts? How did the disbursement of this money escape the Federal Audit Department, the government’s official inspectorate arm, which ought to report all transactions and irregularities to both the National Assembly and the Executive, and if need be, to the police, in the event that any government agency is misappropriating state fund. What this president has been unable to do is understand that what happened here is beyond Dasuki, it is systemic failure.

It is in part the result of some of the forces Buhari himself unleashed against the system in 1984. Corruption is not only the “looting” of public funds, it is the corruption of the institutions when they are turned to the private, and convenient tools of people in power – and they lose legitimacy and capacity.

ing are very few. The majority of the people living in Nigeria are living below poverty line and is just unacceptable. We are focused on actually eliminating poverty. We are not just focused on giving you food today, we want to actually help these people to get back on their feet and earn income on their own. We are also calling on private individuals; we can’t keep heaping the burden on government. While government has a duty to assist the people, it will also be nice to see private individuals help in any way they can. I know that there is a lot of trust is-

sues and people are always of the opinion that non profit organisations are always there to eat and make money, but when you search, you will find people who are really dedicated to helping people. Nigeria has been through a lot recently and there are a lot of people living in fear, demoralized but we believe if we can work together, Nigeria will get better.”

The Chairman of New Kuchingoro IDP Camp, Philemon Emmanuel, expressed gratitude to the Foundation for the project which cost about N20 million and pleaded with government to come to their aid.

31, 2014, to the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of Enugu State Police Command titled: ‘The Extrajudicial Murder of Mr. Chukwuma Ihezie; And Subsequent Financial Extortion/ Expliotation of The Family by Men And Officers of The Enugu State Police Command,’ the family demandedthe arrest,dismissal and prosecution of the police officers involved in the alleged murder.

It alleged: “The deceased was unlawfully and brutally murdered on January 18, 2014, by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Enugu State Police Command. “ The murder story of the

deceased, started sometime on Sunday, January 12, 2014, when the deceased’s service, as a taxi-cab driver, was secured by an unknown passenger, for the passenger to be conveyed by the deceased to a hotel located at Independence Layout area of Enugu, known and called Royal Media Hotel.

Late Chukwuma Ihezie,

PAGE 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

Wanted: A new national political party (3)

“ Marriage is always a “great risk.” Henry

James, 1843-1916. olitical marriages variously called alliances, coalitions or accords are invariably the greatest risks of all. The “marriage” between the CPC and ACN which formed the nucleus of the APC reminds me of what happened to another marriage in Dorchester, Boston, USA in 1974. The two “lovers” desperate for marital bliss, but not financially strong individually agreed to pool their resources to make a go of their wedlock. One Tuesday, after several

P

years of living in penury, the two love-birds decided to play the State Lottery, but only the husband had money. Not really believing that they could win, he asked that the ticket be registered in the wife’s name. On Saturday, the result was announced. The ticket had won the jackpot prize of several million dollars.

Thereafter, the relationship in the household changed. The formerly submissive wife became the dominant partner – notwithstanding the fact that it was the husband’s dollar which brought the great fortune.

Former members of the

OMOLUABI:The trustworthy and much more

T

he Alafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeye mi III, not too long ago, conferred the title of OMOLUABI, meaning the trustworthy, on Ogbeni Abdulrauf Adesoji Aregbesola.

Rauf happens to be the Governor of State of Osun. Up to now, I am not privy to all the good things the good king said about him. But it must have been plenty.

There seems to have been

many trustworthy personages among Nigerians. But it seems the rank is diminishing in all the ranks.

The subject of being trustworthy seems to have occupied the space in this country in the last many months.

What of the many who have been trusted and lost the trust.

What of those who trusted that their beloved husbands and/or sons would

SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

With Janet Adetu

info@etiquetteconsortium.com JSK Etiquette & Image Training Janet@JSKEtiquette JSK Etiquette Consortium — 08188135000

Grooming & Protocol in the Air (3) Continued… from last week Seating

W

e all know that aircraft seats are not the most comfortable - they are just about OK for the period of the journey. At times due to lateness or failure to check in online some people travelling together have been assigned seats away from

each other. They are advised at times to politely ask other passengers if they would swap seats. If this is fine by you, just accept politely and swap, if you prefer to stay in your assigned seat, simply apologize for not being able to do so; they will understand.

Many passengers prefer the window seats for privacy; however caution must

ACN have my sympathies like that husband in 1974. Everybody knows that it was mostly ACN money, organization, media, publicity etc which formed the back bone of the APC campaign effort. But, the roles changed the minute Professor Jega pronounced Buhari elected.

Into his laps and CPC’s have fallen all the benefits of the campaign. That explained why the first ten important appointments were unknown in ACN circles. Thereafter, ACN members can only accept whatever they are given. It is a matter of “take it or leave it”. It is not easy to eat humble pie. And, I knew it is only a matter of time before the frustration boils over. Furthermore, they know, and I know, that their position can only get worse within the alliance. Defections from other political parties are swelling the ranks of APC; most of them on arrival will swear absolute loyalty to Buhari.

The bank-rollers of the 2015 elections will not be needed in 2019. Incidentally, those who financed the APC campaign were have been able to wade through the Nigerian jungle but were unable to do so. Because they were unable to get the weapons to wage the war. Someone the Nigerian state let them down very badly. They have all eaten the money and looked the other way. But no way!

Suddenly, the man who should be our keeper on the strength of his age and experience, has agreed to keep something on the side – not from his own hardearned money – but from the commonwealth till.

And he says, I have been spending my own money to win “your ” elections. And don’t ask how much that has been, because it is just a matter of a couple of a miserable 250 or 280 million naira .

Even the man whose tongue races in his mouth could not keep his hand from the till. And we are talking of a couple of 400 million naira or so.

Whatever uniform he wears the Nigerian legion would do you (the country)

Out of courtesy follow your seating arrangements as given to you upon check in. Ifyou are uncertain, call the air hostess for assistance be taken when moving up and down the aircraft as this can create a lot of inconvenience to other passengers if it is frequent. If you are concerned about service and room space you may have to consider upgrading to business or first class. Always drink lots of water, practice head, leg and arm exercises to avoid

not altruistic. They made an investment which they expected to yield positive returns. At the moment, they risk losing their investments after winning the election the way Buhari is going about running the government – like a religion. To win an election and lose your money at the same time is enough to make grown men cry.

Let nobody tell us that the “investors” don’t want their money back. At least one APC Governor (name withheld) wants his.

N17 billion to allow Jonathan win in the South West. Surely, nobody asked or cared where the money came from in 2011. Hypocrisy has no better definition going by the selfrighteousness demonstrated by some people today; as Buhari harasses the PDP. I have an idea what will happen next; but let me keep it for now.

But, the APC as we know it today will not be

General Obasanjo (rtd) from 1999 to 2007 collected $13-16 billion from the Central Bank for power project. No power to show for it. They want Nigerians to forget their $13-16 billions. GEJ, a bloody civilian, is daily insulted on account of alleged $2 billion arms deal.

It serves Jonathan right. I asked and even begged him to probe Obasanjo. He did not.

In 2011, when it was clear that Malam Ribadu was going to lose the presidential election, a deal was struck and the allegation is that investors in ACN were refunded a cool

The subject of being trustworthy seems to have occupied the space in this country in the last many months. What of the many who have been trusted and lost the trust

in. Be he in the military! In the customs and I will be surprised if he is not found in the police – in or out of the uniform – in good numbers! No wonder many well-heelled Nigerias are missing. Not in battle but AWOL and many more will do the same as times goes on. cramps. Seat belts are assigned per seating, at times you may mistakenly take one side of the belt that belongs to another seat, once you notice this just correct yourself immediately. Choose your preferred seating position while checking in online - the aisle or window seats are most preferable.

Baggage Hole At times passengers have more than one carry-on so may tend to take up more space in the baggage hole than permitted. By doing this they extend their belonging to a baggage hole proposed for another passenger with no apologies. For them it is a case of who got there first. I witnessed an argument on a flight where the rightful owner took out all the bags from the baggage whole and replaced with his after know-

the same one contesting the 2019 elections. For that matter the PDP as we know it will not be a viable opposition party.

PDP has been decapitated. They can’t even

call a meeting anymore.

Only a third political party will serve the purpose of providing the emerging APC a run for its money.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”

George Orwell, 19031950.

General Obasanjo (rtd) from 1999 to 2007 collected $13-16 billion from the Central Bank for power project. No power to show for it. They want Nigerians to forget their $13-16 billions. In addition, close to N8trillion was missing during the same period. Read my book PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED. You’ll be shocked.

GEJ, a bloody civilian, is daily insulted on account of alleged $2 billion arms deal. It serves Jonathan right. I asked and even begged him to probe Obasanjo. He lacked the guts to conduct an investigation which could have strengthened his hands as President, immortalize him and yielded trillions of loot. “I dey laugh O!”

My brother once – many, many years ago – named me like Abdulrauf Omoluabi. Then my brother was in Alagbon – under watch – with a good number of good people. Then I thought it was not on. But I am not sure what my brother will think of it now.

After SAP Government Minister and Secretary Government and the mess! Except it was not a farce that the money being bandied was not fake money. They were true money and were being spent like fish and like nobody’s business – in 100,000 million here; 400 billion there. For once, I think money was getting out of fashion. It was the fashionable to see father and son in a company. Another reminds me of “IKEJIANI” and “IKETAANI”.

You may not remember late Dr IKEJIANI, a wellknown Medical doctor in Abeokuta and of the Nigeria Railways.

Every nationality was

involved. You find a Yoruba man here; a Hausa one there and Igbo holding court at the centre stage!

Don’t say you did not see the Itsekiri or an Urhobo among the revellers.

Now that the come as how to become, to borrow K.O Mbadiwe’s brogue we all must stew for it. That means all of us have a stake in making this country something worthwhile. Especially the members of the fourth estate of the realm.

We have not been pulling our weight. In fact, we have been degenerating as the other estates we have not looked at the areas we should; rather our attention has been on what we all benefit us. We have not asked what we should do for Nigeria. It has been what has been in it for us.

IKU BABA YEYE, the Alafin of Oyo, has again reminded us of what we should be: Omoluabi , Trustworthy, Selfless.

ing that the owner of the bags had taken up 3 baggage holes for himself and family just because he wanted all the bags to be in one place. Out of courtesy follow your seating arrangements as given to you upon check in. Ifyou are uncertain, call the air hostess for assistance.

Washroom

of the known queue outside.

Unfortunately the number of washrooms is very limited, and assigned according to the class of seating you are in. You are not to leave your section to use the facility in another class. It is also important at this time to keep the wash room as clean as possible. Many times the floor is wet, the sink is full of soapy water and tissue paper is carelessly lying everywhere. The washroom should be left just the way you would like to see it as you enter. If you are flying with children it is a good idea to follow your children to the washroom, at times if you are polite other passengers will consider your children and give them way.

How interesting it is to see the washrooms sparsely used during the course of the flight. Suddenly the pilot announces 40 minutes to landing, and then you see everybody rushing to use the washroom just before landing; by this time there is a line clutter.

Passengers anxiously waiting sometimes become very angry especially when the person using the facility has decided to take their time regardless

Sun Dele-Animasaun—22-01-2016

Kola Animasaun Writes from Lagos.

Keep reading for more tips……

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 9

INEC AND DEMOCRA CY GNIFYING DEMOCRACY CY:: MA MAGNIFYING THE SPECTRE OF GLOOM

How President Buhari is hurting Nigeria’s electoral process •President Buhari

By Jide Ajani

P

erhaps, because the more vocal sector of Nigeria’s civil society has been co-opted into the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Federal Government, there is a creeping danger into Nigeria’s electoral system as President Muhammad Buhari has serially refused to obey the provisions of the 1999 Constitution regarding the composition of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the same body that was reformed and structured to deliver an election that ironically brought him to power. In the latest in a long series by Sunday Vanguard, it has been discovered that the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Kogi State, appointed on December 16, 2010, and whose tenure should have ended on December 16, 2015, is still sitting pretty in office. Either because of an oversight, or a deliberate base appeal to primal and ethanereligious considerations, or both, Hussaini Halilu Pai, is still in office over 39 days after the expiration of his tenure. This, at a time when the statutory 13-member Commission is not in place, leading to half-baked and sometimes confusing policy statements from INEC. This report will show the danger in what President Buhari is doing and why men and women of goodwill must guide him appropriately before Nigeria’s electoral system (of which he is a major beneficiary) is sent to the dogs.

Hussaini Halilu Pai, appointed December 16, 2010, and was expected to have finished his tenure by December 16, 2015, is still in office as Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Kogi State. Mind you, that was the state where the controversial governorship election produced an outcome that has confounded even the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He hails from the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. Vanguard’s Boluwaji Obahopo, correspondent in Kogi State, upon inquiry from Kogi State office of INEC last Friday, confirmed authoritatively that Halilu Pai was still in office operating as REC for Kogi State.

Two others, Dr. Kwanga Godwin M.,

C M Y K

from Benue State, and Mr. Akinyemi Orebiyi, from Ogun State, who were also appointed on the same date of December 16, 2010, have since left the employ of INEC and moved on.

The question is, why is President Muhammad Buhari still keeping Hallilu Pai in office some 39days since the expiration of his tenure?

Perhaps, it is traditional with the emerging realities of the modus operandi of Mr. President in his appreciation of the fundamentality of the electoral process as a critical bastion of democracy which is expected to lead to good governance.

But as was the case with Madam Amina Zakari, so it is now with Pai today. Another question is, what infraction would President Buhari come up with again, in this macabre appreciation of the real essence of obedience to rule of law?

Many and not a few stakeholders in the politically effervescent Kogi State are wondering - particularly INEC staff - that what started in the national headquarters of INEC Abuja where an “acting Chairman” of INEC was unconstitutionally imposed and continued illegally in office even when her tenure ended on the July 21, 2015, and the National Assembly kept quiet, has now been extended to Kogi State that now has an “acting Rec” on account of the unofficial extension of the Kogi State REC’s tenure, perhaps earned, according to stakeholders, from events arising from the recent inconclusive elections in the state.

This special REC, whose conditions for appointment to the office, as clearly indicated in the Constitution, requires clearly defined consecutive steps beginning at the National Council of State and Senate approval.

Consequently, not a few tongues have been kept wagging in speculative anxiety over how the political appointee earned the special treatment and the very first of its kind. Inside sources at the INEC headquarters confirmed that the REC had written a hand-over note just as the then “acting chairperson” also claimed that she was not aware of anything as she was driving home when she received a call to continue in office without due process.

No doubt, the failure of Nigerians to rise up against the first unconstitutional retention of a National Commissioner

•Like Madam Zakari, INEC REC in Kogi remains in office beyond tenure

•Why Nigerians must compel FG to obey the Constitution as an “Acting chairperson” of the electoral commission despite the attrition of her tenure of office, has now been taken to the states starting with Kogi.

Insiders in INEC say that what is happening in Kogi with a REC whose tenure had ended but is still staying in office could not have happened under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega who could not be ordered by any authority to allow someone whose tenure had ended to remain in office in violation of the five-year tenure.

A senior official of INEC in Abuja revealed further that were it to be under the regime of Jega, a letter of notice would have long been written to the REC to hand-over to the Administrative Secretary but that “right now nobody could be sure of independence of the commission”.

Regrettably, the National Assembly since the inception of this administration, has been silent on the many unconstitutional acts with respect to INEC. It was pointed out by those who make such allusions that the former “acting Chairperson “ of INEC Mrs Amina Zakari, worked in legal limbo, because she did not have a constitutionally defined mandate until she was recently re-appointed.

Observers of the electoral arena find such constitutional breaches deeply disturbing because under a very contested political atmosphere, constitutional breaches are grave impeachable offences and can be destabilising for political development.

The current government has been plagued by several constitutional missteps regarding INEC, apart from the unguarded removal of an acting “chairperson” as determined by the autonomous decisions of the Commission, the President then allowed the Commission to function with just seven individulas without the defined constitutional board of 13 members and perpetuated this state of affairs till date, making all actions and decisions of the Commission susceptible to legal challenges.

In the same vein, well over 20 states according to sources in INEC, have no RECs yet to be appointed.

COMPOSITION OF INEC BOARD STILL INCONCLUSIVE

Two others, Dr. Kwanga Godwin M., from Benue State, and Mr. Akinyemi Orebiyi, from Ogun State, who were also appointed on the same date of December 16, 2010, have since left the employ of INEC and moved on.

The question is, why is President Muhammadu Buhari still keeping Hallilu Pai in office some 39days since the expiration of his tenure?

The government’s early constitutional breaches when it had not appointed Attorney General were somewhat attributed to that void but since that office now has a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, as the chief legal officer of the country, how do we explain what is going on now in INEC where seven Nigerians are now running the affairs of a constitutionally provided 13-man board from which a quorum of 5 minimum members can sit to take decisions on election matters.

If section 159 of the constitution says one third of a full board of 13 - which a Federal High Court had declared to be 5, the question then is, does one third of the current seven INEC commissioners as configured, give us five members?

Therefore, why is it that the AGF is not giving the president an unimpeachable counsel on the implications of such constitutional breaches, particularly in an atmosphere of internal and external political rancour surrounding the APC government.

The APC, which is a merged party with many internal tensions and clear obvious external tension from an opposition party that is struggling to retain its political relevance, cannot afford the luxury of constitutional violations as this is a dangerous weapon in the hands of its opponents.

INEC is one of the areas where the APC government has however continued to portray itself as inelegant in abiding by statutes and regulation.

For instance, it took the spooking reminder of a various editions of Sunday Vanguard and that of a SAN, Barr. Femi Falana, to inform the government that a subsisting court order required INEC to have its full complement of board members in order to legally conduct elections.

However - and embarrassingly so - the government only made minimalist gestures in addressing the matter by appointing an incomplete board to conduct the affairs of the Commission.

And even at that, Sunday Vanguard discovered that there was no proper background check on two of the commissioners in the light of paragraph 14(2) of the constitution.

•NEXT WEEK, WE SERVE YOU THE SEEMINGLY INCOHERENT STATEMENTS FROM INEC ABOUT UPTURNED ELECTIONS

PAGE 10 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

Edo 2016: Brewing war between Oshiomhole, Oyegun, Odubu over APC ticket •We will not let gov down—Hon.Shuaibu

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin City

T

HE battle for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State ahead of the April governorship primary of the party moved to Abuja, last Wednesday, when the national leadership of the APC met with the aspirants. The meeting became inevitable following the tension in Edo APC over who succeeds Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Following the seeming preference for the Chairman of the state government’s Economic Team, Mr Godwin Obaseki, as the APC governorship candidate by Oshiomhole, it was learnt that some of the aspirants started mounting pressure on the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, to react on the issue, after they feared that the primary may be manipulated in favour of Obaseki. At the Abuja meeting, Oyegun reportedly allayed the fear of the aspirants, assuring them that the national leadership of the party will ensure a level-playing ground for all of them.

The National Chairman is from Edo South - where all of the APC aspirants hail from apart from former Governor Osarhiemien Osunbor and Barr.Ken Imasuagbon who are both from Edo Central. Meanwhile, the name of a former President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Peter Esele, surfaced last week as a possible aspirant of the party . Esele is also from Edo Central. Due to his reputation in the politics of the state, Oyegun is like a father to all and he has worked very closely with Oshiomhole since he became the National Chairman of the APC. The question on the lips of most people in Edo is, what is the position of Oyegun in the Obaseki project?

Though Sunday Vanguard gathered that there were attempts by some Bini politicians to cause disaffection between Oshiomhole and Oyegun shortly after President Muhammadu Buhari won the presidential election, the attempts hit the rocks after the governor and Oyegun met on some of the issues raised. Oshiomhole was uncomfortable when he learnt that some Bini politicians attempted to join the APC through the back door, running to Oyegun on the grounds that he is one of their own. It was learnt that some even went as far as advising him to take charge of the structure of the party in Edo so that he will decide who becomes the governor of the state.

However, the former Permanent Secretary was said to have told them that he had more problems at the national level to contend withy; so they should not drag him into the politics of the state. He equally admonished them to meet with the governor or the state Chairman of the APC if they had any issue on the running of the party or joining the party. Sunday Vanguard gathered that when Oshiomhole and Oyegun met to resolve

C M Y K

•Oshiomhole

•Oyegun

Edo issues, the former reminded latter that the same Bini politicians hovering around him were the same people fighting him a week to the presidential election, adding that if former President Jonathan had won, they would not have remembered that he (Oyegun) is a Bini son. The duo agreed to be wary of such politicians who would want to hide under ethnicity to cause disaffection between the duo. It was gathered that both leaders laughed over the matter and resolved not to allow any body to come between them.

However what is going to test that agreement is the issue of who becomes

the candidate of the APC at the Edo governorship poll. It is rumoured that while the Governor prefers Obaseki, Oyegun is rooting for the former Minister of State, Works, Engr.Chris Ogiemwonyi.

But unlike the governor who has taken pains to explain the reason why he prefers Obaseki to others, Oyegun declared he has no preferred candidate when he met with the aspirants in Abuja last Wednesday. Oshiomhole has been dogged in marketing Obaseki, asserting that, just like other political leaders have their preferred aspirants, he equally has the right to back his choice of aspirant, assuring however that the primary will be free and fair. And anyone who has been following Oshiomhole’s politics will believe him when he says the primary will be free and fair.

Even politicians in the state used to make it as a mockery that whoever he backs in any primary does not win. They cited his Chief of Staff, Patrick Obahiagbon who ran for the senatorial primary of the party against Samson Osagie as an example. They equally sited his Nephew Romeo who ran for the House of Assembly seat. He rather plays politics of conviction rather than imposition which he started.

But it was learnt however that some of the aspirants are still worried because the fear is that the governor must have learnt from such political lessons and may have upgraded his tactics with a view to delivering his aspirant at the primary, particularly when he is aware that he is going to face men with deep pockets at the field. Governorship aspirants such as Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, who won the PDP ticket to face Oshiomhole in 2012 cannot be underestimated. Oshiomhole equally knows that his deputy understands the internal politics of the APC and will also be a hard nut to crack at the primaries. Ogienwonyi is today equipped with better experiences which he is expected to unleash at the primary.

They equally sited his Nephew Romeo who ran for the House of Assembly seat.

He rather plays politics of conviction rather than imposition which he started.

Imansuagbon, the Rice Man, has been roaring to go. These men, Sunday Vanguard learnt, Oshiomhole is watching with keen interest.

But the only snag in the governor’s camp right now is the inability of some of his key foot soldiers to join him in the Obaseki project. Though Sunday Vanguard learnt that efforts are being made to oil the Edo. In Safe Hand political machinery, led by the state former Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie Philip Shuaibu, who is now in the House of Representatives, the idea is to stop some of the members of the group from moving to the camps of other governorship aspirants which may be devastating for the governor.

Ogie is one of the governorship aspirants and a key Oshiomhole foot soldier, but his followers are angry that Obaseki was preferred ahead of their man. And if nothing urgent is done to check the exodus of members of this group to other camps, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Pius Odubu,a strong contender for the governorship seat, may be the beneficiary. Odubu has been working round the clock to ensure he clinches the ticket of the APC, knowing he is facing opposition from his boss who has told the party he has his preferred candidate. However, Oshiomhole is working assiduously to get his key men on track so that he does not lose them to Odubu or Ogienwonyi.

Shuaibu, who reacted to the meeting held last week between the governor and political leaders in the state, debunked the insinuation that members of the Edo In Safe Hands are working against the governor’s interest just as he vowed that the group will always work with Oshiomhole whom he described as their father.

“People are praying that we have issues with the governor but that will not work, no matter the situation right now. The governor is my father, and wherever he goes I go, but he is such a great man that he always gives you the opportunity to argue with him on issues and, at the end of the day, whoever has the superior argument wins. And that is why we must commend him for finding time to consult with political leaders on who the next governor will be. But some have dissenting voices, some have fears about certain candidates. But the general view, at the end of the day, is that we will not rubbish the Comrade Governor. All of us that know what the Comrade Governor has done to liberate us from the political slavery of Edo god fathers, will not want to go back to Egypt.

The Comrade Governor has liberalized the political space such that the son of a farmer can now contest for the governorship of this state without any form of intimidation. So we will definitely come to an agreement and obviously I can tell you that, with what the Comrade Governor has done in this state, it will be difficult for anybody to defeat his candidate or the APC candidate. And the process of choosing the APC candidate is what the Comrade Governor has started by consulting with stakeholders and more meetings will come up”.

The next one month will be very interesting in the politics of the ruling APC Edo. Oyegun’s position on the governorship candidate of the APC will be clearer, while the cordial relationship between Oshiomhole and his deputy, will be tested now that Odubu is determined to gun for the APC ticket despite the seeming opposition from his boss.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 11

Imo: T h side o e other f Okoro Gov. cha

By Chidi Nkwopara

S

EVERAL intervening factors, including the alleged deumanization of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Eustace Okorie, added to making Chief Rochas Okorocha achieve his goal of becoming Imo State governor in 2011.

Naturally, the visibly angry Catholics, and they are over 75 percent of the Imo populace, teamed up with other Christian faithful, to give the then incumbent governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a run for his money, during that year ’s gubernatorial election.

Ohakim did everything to debunk the news weaved around him about Rev. Fr. Okorie, which had gone viral, but the rumour stuck like a blood thirsty tick. Ohakim eventually lost his second term bid and quietly vacated the Douglas House, Owerri.

The jubilation over Ohakim’s sack from the seat of government was spontaneous, palpable and deafening.

People coined and sang all manner of unprintable songs, clapped and danced round the major cities and communities of the state.

Although Ohakim accepted his defeat, after exploiting the legal options open to him, he, however, left his words on marble. He told Sunday Vanguard during an interview that Imo people would not only remember him, but would one day wish that he remained in office to complete the projects he started.

Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in his characteristic manner, jabbed Imo people over Ohakim’s fall and the loss of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. A lot of people laughed it off and every other thing that followed Ohakim’s prediction and Obasanjo’s joke, is now history.

While the ovation over his electoral victory remained high, Okorocha who, no doubt, has the gift of oratory, took advantage of the claims against his predecessor and started dishing out directives in quick succession. He ordered all ministries, parastatals, agencies and C M Y K

departments to go all out and make money for the payment of their monthly emoluments.

This led to the formation of all manner of task forces Imo. Citizens were harassed, intimidated and fleeced. Public outcry later forced the governor to scrap the task forces.

Okorocha sacked a number of statutory establishments, in his first broadcast to Imo people. These included the State Council of Traditional Rulers, headed at the time by the traditional ruler of Obinugwu, Eze Dr. Cletus Ilomuanya. This royal father promptly took the administration to court and floored the governor.

Okorocha doesn’t obey court decisions and he never forgave lawyers in the Ministry of Justice over the numerous judgments against the state.

Today, he has suspended all the Directors in the Ministry of Justice for losing cases in court!

When contacted for comments, one of the lawyers said: “We cannot perform any magic when certain decisions are taken by the governor without minding the legal implications. We are not

A lot of people laughed it off and every other thing that followed Ohakim’s prediction and Obasanjo’s joke, is now history

•Okorocha magicians and you cannot fault the judges for taking the decisions they took. The governor should learn to seek legal advice before acting”.

Sacked Other legal entities sacked

by Okorocha were the State Judicial Service Commission, the State Independent Electoral Commission, elected local government chairmen and councillors.

He equally sacked the operators and staff of the local government development areas, which were carved out through an act of parliament, during the administration of Chief Achike Udenwa.

Another group that came under the sledgehammer of governor were administration when he came on board, was the beneficiaries of Ohakim’s 10,000-job placement. A announcing the youngsters’ summary sack from the state’s civil service, Okorocha told the people that it was a political gimmick masterminded by Ohakim to actualize his gubernatorial ambition. Imo people continued chanting the governor’s refrain on the issue and the unfortunate Imo children lost out.

Currently, no fewer than 3,000 civil servants have been summarily sacked by the government.

The government’s press statement to this effect, signed by the Secretary to Imo State Government, Sir Jude Ejioigu, was aired intermittently on the radio and television channels of Imo Broadcasting Corporation, IBC. The other group of people

visited with Okorocha trash bin, were Ohakim’s political appointees. They were entitled to their severance allowance on leaving office but it was not paid.

Some of these appointees, including but not limited to Vanguard’s Pini Jason, have since died without getting their entitlements!

Before the Okorocha administration came on board, journalists had freedom to get into the Government House and get any information they wanted from any of it’s functionaries. It is not so today, as they have been told that the information they need can be found outside Douglas House.

Journalists now visit Government House strictly on invitation.

Another sore point is the closure of Sub Treasuries during Okocha’s first tenure.

By the act, all the workers in these Sub Treasuries became redundant. This fueled the use of contractors for revenue collection. Again, this has subsisted till date.

Many people have been lamenting that public taps in Owerri municipality, and other communities, have remained dry since Okorocha came on board. They have not ceased to wonder why the supply of potable water, which ordinarily should be a social responsibility of government, was transformed into a luxury by the administration.

Then the issue of concessioning of government owned health establishments was moved to the front burner.

The governor did not understand why hospitals and clinics were not making

enough money to take care of the salaries and allowances of workers. So, the workers had to go and they were summarily off-loaded.

There is no doubt that Okorocha was in a hurry to develop and impress Imo people. He said this much on several occasions when he addressed the journalists. In trying to do this, he did a number of things that were not in consonance with due process.

He proudly told the journalists that since he was the final approving authority, he did not see anything wrong in going ahead to give approval upfront and without passing through the bureaucratic rigmarole associated with government processes.

Construction of what the administration called “City Gates” started at every turn.

The gates have remained unrealized till now. Feelers then were and still is that no contract agreement was signed with any of the people undertaking the construction and no money was advanced to them. There has also not been any effort by the administration to dismantle the abandoned pillars dotting the streets of Owerri.

Abandoned roads As with the gates, so also with the roads. Many of the roads were started and abandoned by the contractors. In some cases, government went all out and paid the total sum without minding the extent of work done or the capabilities of the contracting firms.

Closely associated with the non-adherence to due process, is the non-advertisement of jobs to be executed and nonconstitution of either the Ministerial or Executive Tenders Board.

There is also the disturbing aspect of investing in projects that has not created employment or generated revenue for the state, and they are many. What of the demolition of people’s buildings without paying compensation? Some of the victims dragged the state government to court and got judgment in their favour. The judgment debt is staggering and public money would be used in defraying this huge debt. Truth is that the state remains indebted to such people until they are either paid or a higher court declares otherwise. Government is a continuum and it does not matter if Okorocha remains the governor or not.

There are other serious pains experienced by residents but Sunday Vanguard will, at a later date, give a summary of some of the projects executed by the Okorocha administration.

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

IMA GINE THIS FR OM A MAN OF UNS IMAGINE FROM UNSTTABLE MIND

“They poisoned me because they could not control me”

By Favour Nnabugwu

M

entally challenged persons on the streets of Abuja are becoming an eye sore.

Many of them have to deal with being abandoned and treated as less than human by the society.

The stigma mental illnesses carry has broken strong family bonds and made the most caring person to turn cruel. Marriages have ended, children have given up on parents, and many families have abandoned their sick ones to roam the streets because of the uncertainties that follow mental illnesses.

As if living a life of constant interruption from mental illness is not enough, insensitive words like ‘psycho’, ‘crazy’, ‘mad’ and ‘nuts’ have been used to describe mentally ill people irrespective of the cause of their disorder. Mental illness is one of the most misunderstood sicknesses in the country as people with mental disorder are often portrayed as violent, aggressive and dangerous.

That is not often this case.

Clad in a wheat brown babariga with a big brow envelops in one hand, on the morning of Thursday, January 14, 2015, Tajudeen Ishola Olasunkanmi Alarape Kaderee, 50, and from IluOba, Ibadan, Oyo State, roamed Phases 1 and 2 of the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and the Eagle Square, as is his practice everyday.

Sunday Vanguard accosted him. He responded with a smile in Queen’s English garnished with Ghanian accent. He offered this correspondent a seat under a tree in Phase 1 and we got talking.

Civil servants from the Secretariat greeted him as they passed during the 15minutes Sunday Vanguard engaged him.

The following encounter ensued: Who are you?

I was born in Kumasi, Ghana. I came from a family of 22 children. My mother was the second wife in the family and I happen to be the 12th child of my father. I left C M Y K

Kumasi at the age of five and came to Nigeria because my father and mother were separated. My mother was in Ghana and my father was in Nigeria, so I moved to Nigeria. I went to primary school in Ibadan.

Is your mother a Ghanaian?

My father was from Ibadan while my mother was from Abeokuta. But business took them Ghana. I went to primary school in Ibadan, Progressive Day School, Aladurun and I also went to Arabic school. When I finished primary school in Ibadan, I moved to Lagos.

While in Lagos, I worked for Okunola Brothers operating cold stores at the age of 1011years. I left for the United States in 1970 after my secondary school. I got the US Green Card two years later, after which I left all the jobs I was doing and formed my own company called KadereeDicks in 1974.

What would you say is good about you?

There are lots of things which are good about me.

One is my spiritual composition; two, the name I brought from heaven; three, my earthly purpose and activities and four, the sun was made by God as the glorious lamb among the cosmic objects.

By the grace of Almighty God, the father of all creation, He made me the glorious lamb of mankind and why I say that is that the Bible says you will know them with signs and scripture, not wonders. Wonders can be magical and what is magical is not spiritualism. There are two things which make a man’s existence: spiritualism and physicalism. Spiritualism is what you brought from heaven and physicalism is how you transform the possibilities into reality. And so every programme they are doing in the world is mine.

Why is it that people call you President?

I am not the President. I am the leader of the whole world.

I am the global leader. And you as a Christian and a journalist, you see, not every journalist is well informed.

Some are peripheral and some have depth.

You will know them with signs and scriptures. I am not

The Bible says you will know them with signs and scripture, not wonders.

Wonders can be magical and what is magical is not spiritualism

only the leader of the whole world, I am also a prophet because a prophet is known by prophesy that comes to life.

Are you a pastor?

No. Jesus Christ never had a church. Mohammed never had a mosque and neither did Moses. I read the Bible and I also read the Quran. I was born a Muslim and I am still a Muslim. What makes a man a Muslim is the pillar of Islam but God enlightened me recently that the five pillars of Islam do not make a person a Muslim; the only thing that makes a person a Muslim is, there is no god exception God Almighty. But when they say Mohammed is a messenger and you must go to Mecca, you must do this, those are irrelevant. Look at what happened recently in Mecca, it was planned by the Saudis.

What about your wife and children?

I met my wife when I came back from Denmark in 1976, then she was working at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. I was in Denmark, Sweden, Spain.

I took her to Europe and then to America. Our first boy was supposed to have been delivered in New York. But a

week before delivery, I said ‘let’s go back home’ and, a week after we got to Nigeria, she delivered in 1979. My first daughter was born in 1982. Then in 1984 our second boy was born and we took him to America after two weeks. My wife left me after five children.

What then happened to you?

They poisoned me because they could not control me.

They said: ‘The best thing is that this man we cannot control him, we cannot put him under out feet, he is not one of our boys, he refuses to join us, let’s fight him with poverty. Not only poverty, let’s kill him, let’s poison him’ and they have tried it several times. But God said they may gather together but

not by me, ‘no weapon fashioned against thee’ and the Bible also goes further to say ‘touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm’.

Investigation by Sunday Vanguard revealed that Kaderee is widely traveled and has dined and wined with the high and mighty in and out of Nigeria.

He was said to be a comfortable man before his illness.

Though he was never a civil servant, he reportedly had dealings with some key ministries in the past which may not be unconnected with his popularity in the Secretariat.

Kaderee first caught the attention of Sunday Vanguard around Eagle Square late last year wearing boxers that covered his near naked body and another day around Federal Secretariat parking lot where he stood by a newsstand glancing through the dailies.

Sunday Vanguard was particularly stunned to find Kaderee calm and neatly clothed on the day of the interview after combing the entire Secretariat before this correspondent was directed to where he could be found at that time of the day. Further findings revealed that Kaderee is passionate about current issues including politics and he is quite friendly.

A vendor told Sunday Vanguard that Kaderee could have been poisoned because he says things as it is without fear or favour.

According to him, “Madam, President (referring to Kaderee) is not a poor man o.

He says things the way it is.

If l tell where he lives, you will not believe it. I am sure he was poisoned.”

Kaderee mentioned names of top government officials whom he had dealings before he was allegedly poisoned because they could not control him.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 13

Mixed reactions greet Davido’s new deal with Sony Music

By ROTIMI AGBANA

I

t is no longer news that David Adeleke, aka ‘Davido’, has been the talk of the town for sometime now. The HKN boss has taken his career a notch higher by signing a deal with Sony BMG Music. The 23-year-old millionaire announced this news himself on his twitter handle onThursday.

He tweeted “to all those that doubted me, its a done deal!

First African artist to sign a global record deal!! My story is just starting!! My mother is smiling in heaven right now!! Sony Music Entertainment!! Owo ti wole.” Davido sounds very elated about this new development in his musical career because the deal seems to be a promising one.

On the other hand, reactions have begun to trail his announcement. Some people are happy for the young and enterprising artiste while some feel very pessimistic about this development. Sesan Adeniji, publisher of Mystreetz Magazine seems to be

very pessimistic about this deal.

Here is what he has to say about it “In this present moment, every news that is related to Davido will always make the headline. For Davido, any news that is far from his Baby Mama drama is a perfect distraction that is welcome and the news of his deal with Sony Music came at the perfect time. The announcement has been made and the 23-yearold star has just signed a lucrative deal with Sony BMG Music for a whooping $1 Million. As much as this news continue to attract media frenzy, I, for one will not be joining this bandwagon without asking the nagging question, is this the real deal or the same Ol’ story?I won’t forget when P-square and some other Nigerian artistes came through with same news without proper details and information to backup their claims. Without throwing

•Wizkid, Seyi Shay and Tinie Tempah

•Davido shades at any of these artistes, most of this deals have been sketchy. The media need to grow up, they need to stop jumping on news as if their whole life depends on it. They need to thoroughly investigate all this information to be able to feed their audience with adequate news.

In spite of what anyone thinks, 2016 may be a year of bumper harvest for Davido.

But will this deal with Sony Music pay off? Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Seyi Shay, Wizkid, Tinie Tempah up to something

M

onths after Seyi Shay teased fans on social media with a photo of her self and Tinie Tempah in the studio back in the UK, the UK act arrives in Lagos. Since arriving Lagos Tinie Tempah has been having a fabulous time, enjoying life to the fullest and hanging out with his best buds.

According to photos on his Instagram Wizkid has definitely been showing him around town.

Earlier this week, Tinie Tempah was spotted hanging out with his friends Wizkid and Seyi Shay at an upscale restaurant in Victoria Island, it is rumoured that they decided to go and have a treat after a studio session involving three of the artists. Sources also say that they felt so good about the song that were contemplating releasing it soon.

Veteran comedian, Allan Bloo, calls for unity in fight against insurgency

By Esther Onyegbula

A

veteran in the entertainment industry, Prince Elvis AllamBlossom, popularly known as Allam-Blooo has called on Nigerians to unite in the fight against insurgency.“AllamBlooo, a comedian made the statement during a press conference to promote his coming comedy event.

According to him, ''Nigerians should unite to put an end to insurgency.“''The army cannot do it alone and this is why we, entertainment practitioners have to support them and come together to make sure insurgency is brought to an end in the country,'' he said.“Allam Bloo also called on comedians, actors and

entertainer ’s generally to always promote the country positively and stop making insulting jokes about the country and our leaders.“''Everyone should know that without Nigeria, there is no black race.This is why we have to put our country out there in a good light because we are the only ones that can make or break our country.“Alam-Bloo said his coming comedy show was to celebrate his 31 years on stage and to support Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari and the poor masses.“''This comedy event is for everyone who has voted for change.This comedy event is to also introduce the next level of entertainment revolution called 'Laffotainment'” This

Fred’s School of Acting Ikoyi auditions

N

•Allam Bloo

comedy event is to mobilise all entertainment practitioners especially in this generation, to use the power of entertainment to change life of the poor masses and to rebrand Nigeria, the police force, customs and the black race worldwide,'' he said

igeria’s numero uno School of Acting, The Fred’s School of Acting & Presentation is organizing her January 2016 Auditions for students (adults & children) who want to major in Acting for TV and Film. The goal of the prestigious school is to train professionals to the highest standards and provide them with quality acting jobs afterward .

The school possesses cutting edge facilities for training, production, a strong faculty of teachers and a formidable network in the Nigerian entertainment industry to propel the careers of her graduating students.

The Auditions takes place on Saturday, January 30, 2016 .

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

PAGE 14— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

10 things

GOTV to beam Hollywood’s award live G

you don’t know about Ella Martins

B

eninese Singer, Ella Martins is an ebony beauty that can never be missed in a crowd. She has her talents going and making ways for her, but her bum? Hey, that will make any man pee in their pants.

She has been accused of having worked on it because they are so shapely and so proportionately captivating it is hard to imagine it is real.

But Ella has told anyone who cares to listen it is real.

She is something of an enigma. Behind those lovely eyes, smashing figure and cute bum lies a person you can never get to know too well. Here are ten things you never knew about her: 1. She got married at the age of 14 to a German whom she plans to divorce soon.

2. She’s really a Yoruba girl, both her father and mother are Yorubas; Father is Olayinka Martins and mum is Wulemat Fagbemi 3. She grew up in Abidjan and France 4. Apart from being a singer and an actress, she is

also a visual artist.

5. She has at one time dated an African President and Congolese singer, Fally Ipupa 6. She has released four studio albums; First one is Shut Up, second one Electric, third one Rich Attitude and the fourth one is Success.

7. Her major influence is Rihanna; she once said she inspires her. “We have a lot in common; she has talents, beauty and also possesses delightful sex appeals” she said 8. Though she’s a very curvaceous woman with what you would call ‘bomb bum’, but she hates to have her boobs touched. ‘I can only show off my hips not my breasts’ she once said 9. The only man she would love to be trapped in a desert with is Bill Gates 10. What she can never do: “I cannot go nude in a movie and I won’t allow an actor touch my breast” she declared

•Ella Martins

OTV has an nounced that the Red Carpet of one of Hollywood’s most glamorous nights, the 2016 Screen Actors Guild Awards, will be shown live on its bouquet on Saturday, January 30.

The Red Carpet on Channel E! will take viewers behind the scenes of the event, reporting live with all the latest gossip and fashion updates, as the stars hit the red carpet in their finery to celebrate outstanding work in film and television.

Channel E! will capture every fascinating moment, including exclusive interviews and expert predictions for the night ahead.

Meanwhile, GOgetters who love to watch series on Telemundo, are also advised to look out for what happens to Genaro in For Love and Justice as the series gets hotter.

For Love and Justice, shown weekdays at 5pm and its Finale on Friday 22 January, Diablo and Genaro

TV girl, Salma Philips loats Philips,, ffloats ‘The Salma Show’

M

•Salma Philips

C M Y K

EDIA personality girl, Salma Phillips has announced she will be launching her own TV talk show tagged,‘The Salma Show’ next month, on AfricaMagic Urban channel.

The upcoming show is a weekly programme which focuses on trending topics, lifestyle, entertainment, fashion, and current affairs. The show, which will last for 30 minutes per episode, will be an infusion of celebrity interviews, useful tips and round-table panel discussions.

Speaking on the birth of the show, Salma said “Being a talk show host, is a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to have a platform where I can

air my views on topics that I’m passionate about” “This journey started 3 years ago when I shot my pilot episode, amid a lot of setbacks and discouragement, I was determined to give whatever it takes to succeed. It feels great to finally see it coming together,” she added.

‘The Salma Show’ is scheduled for premiere on Sunday, February 7 on Africa Magic Urban (DSTV Channel 153).

The show is a must-see as the Fulani host is ready to raise the bar in the talk show industry among the northern community. Salma Phillips is a writer, talk show host, presenter and TV producer from the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

The adorable wife and mother was born to a Fulani Shuwa father and a Calabari mother

are looking for Liliana in every hideout they can think of.

Fernanda must stop the kids before they discover where Liliana is hiding. Lucia is also curious, but then Liliana threatens her with a gun.

El Diablo and his men attack a police control post and flee to Austin, Texas. Liliana is finally defeated, but Fernanda is in a bad way. It is Marisela and Rodriguez’s wedding day. Diablo sets a trap for Daniel. Lucia goes to the place where Daniel is being held prisoner. The confrontation between Diablo and Liliana results in Genaro getting shot.

Other captivating programmes this week include Shabri on Zee World, Deadly Instincts: Fear Factor and The Amazing Spider House on NatGeo Wild, among others.

Zee World is on GOtv Plus Channel 25. Shabri takes matters into her hands after her brother is killed by corrupt police officers.

She seeks revenge on the police and the gangsters that were involved.

The Nollywood Week Paris Filmfest:

Call for submission of entries 2016

O

ek rganisers of the NollywoodWe for ing call are l tiva Fes Paris Film of submissions for the 4th edition and ls iva fest film g one of Europe’s leadin ood in the biggest celebration of Nollyw France each year. held at the The 4th edition which will be , from nce Fra is, Par in uin leq Cinema l’Ar dire mo a June 2-5, 2016, will feature and nts eve re mo n, verse film selectio are excited more audience surprises. “We oodllyw No of about this year ’s edition bal glo a into g win gro Week which is n bigger model and promises to be eve ge NoukSer r nde fou and better,” says cooue. film In just three years this unique with rk ma its de ma festival has already s with 24 some noteworthy achievement nch and Fre into ed Nigerian films translat ood llyw No 20 er Ov is. screened in Par ted in hos ers duc pro and rs cto dire , actors itions uis acq , ips rsh tne the city of lights Par ive act ple peo for ls dea tion duc and co-pro in the industry. ek Paris More than ever, NollywoodWe Nigerian ing vid pro to ted mit com s remain se their wca sho to filmmakers a platform ned ope e hav s sion mis work. Film sub ker to -ma film n eria Nig any g win allo to the submit their short or feature film d in ene scre be to nce cha a festival for sion is Paris. The deadline for submis selection cial offi The 6.

February 12, 201 6.

201 rch Ma in ced oun ann will be

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 15

EXCLUSIVE INSIDE STORY

How Fulani

herdsmen

abducted, killed Delta monarch

•Escape bid that went awry •Protests in Ubulu-Uku kingdom over abominable act •Okowa furious, orders inquiry

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South & Festus Ahon

U

BULU-UKU -

DESPICABLE, abominable, horrible, detestable, repugnant, name it. But words are not enough to express the act that has caused agony for the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of the State.

Their monarch, HRM Akaeze Edward Ofulue III, abducted 19 days ago at about 4.00 pm, on January 5, 2016, by suspected Fulani herdsmen, was discovered stone dead 15 days after the creepy incident.

In Ubulu-Uku and other kingdoms, it is a taboo to kidnap a king, not to talk of killing him. Vigilante group members found his decomposing remains at the stomp of a tree in the bush at Umunede, Ika North East local government area, the boundary between Delta and Edo States.

Ofulue III, a lawyer, businessperson and an ardent Christian of the Deeper Life Bible ministry was driving with a young pastor of the church, who also served as one of his aides in his Land Cruiser Jeep, along the notorious Obior/ Igbodo Road when the abductors struck at a disgracefully bad spot. The bad spot, about 40 kilometers from his country home, has been a flash-point in recent times - many persons, including two Catholic Priests were kidnapped at the spot by C M Y K

suspected Fulani herdsmen, who more often than not lay siege there.

How we identified his remains

A vigilante group member, who pleaded anonymity, said they discovered two decomposing corpses in the bush but were able to identify the monarch “because of his beads and apparel,” adding, “The king’s corpse was found resting at the bottom of a palm tree.” The source, who was cornered by our correspondent in the community, said; “We could not identify the second body but the fellow had Hausa shoes on. This is a very challenging period for us in this kingdom. I was one of those who went in search of the king.”

Robbery in the palace

Independent investigation by Sunday Vanguard showed that

HRM Ofulue III, who was 10 years on the throne this year just marked the anniversary and was duped of some money running into millions of naira and items, including royal beads by one of his houseboys from the northern part of the country.

A dependable source said, “He kept N2million in the palace but his houseboy allegedly stole the money and ran away with the items.”

Set-up

He added, “I learned that some

days after, unknown persons suspected to be the Fulani herdsmen called the king, claiming that they saw his beads and money and that he should come to collect them. They told him to drive to the notorious road and the king not knowing that it was a set-up, set out to meet with them. His fleeing houseboy linked up with the herdsmen, who talked him into arranging the monarch for ransom.

However, Sunday Vanguard could not confirm whether the pastor that went with him and his driver knew that anybody invited the king or that he was on a mission to meet the kidnappers, who pretended to have found his beads.

However, while a version said only he and the pastor were in the car, another said they were three, including his driver.

“At the bad spot, the herdsmen, who laid ambush, came out shooting sporadically. It was obvious they were old in the game, as they led him into the bush immediately leaving his SUV on the roadside.

HRM Ofulue III, who was 10 years on the throne this year just marked the anniversary and was duped of some money running into millions of naira and items, including royal beads by one of his houseboys from the northern part of the country

From available information, the fleeing houseboy did not show up, but it was through him they got the monarch’s phone number with which they established contact.

Deadly escape

Miraculously, both the king and the pastor, managed to break out from the kidnappers’ grip a day after their abduction, but while the pastor was able to make it to Ubulu-Uku, the king could not.

A villager said, the pastor told the story of how he and the monarch broke loose from their abductors, but while he, being younger was able to run with more energy, the monarch, due to his age, could not make it because of exhaustion.

The king reportedly complained that he was tired and needed to rest, but the pastor ran to the community to inform the people.

He gave a graphic description of the area in the bush where they took them to, but before any of

Continues on page 16

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

Gruesome murder of Delta monarch

•Bonfire set by protesters in Ubulu Uku Continued from page 15 the search parties could get there, the Fulani herdsmen found the king and took him away.

The escape of the pastor actually raised the villagers’ hope that they could find their king alive and gave them more impetus to comb the forest in search of him, but that was not to be.

The police confirmed the story of the pastor ’s escape from the kidnappers den. The pastor, according to our sources, narrated how the herdsmen beat him mercilessly in the bush but spared the king because they know his status.

He disclosed that they took them inside the forest in Mbiri area, closer to Umunede and that their abductors came out when the monarch’s driver slowed down the Jeep at the bad spot.

Contact with palace

Inside the bush, just like the recent kidnap of the former Secretary to the Federal Government, SFG, Chief Olu Falae, by Fulani herdsmen in the Southwest region, they asked the king for the names and phone numbers of his trusted family member that would pay ransom for his release.

The suspected kidnappers established contact with the palace after about three days that they had taken the king hostage and made a demand of N100 million ransom, but later settled for N30 million after much negotiation.

They reportedly requested to speak with one of the monarch’s brothers, Nzekwue Don Ofulue, and warned him never to inform the police about the matter. It was not clear if he hinted the police but the kidnappers subsequently asked the family to bring the ransom to Auchi. On getting to Auchi in Edo State, they instructed him to move to Benin and later to Kwale in Delta State.

Frustration

With the escape of the pastor, the abductors became quite perturbed and panicky. They knew that the game had become

C M Y K

Our source was not certain whether the houseboy met with the monarch in the kidnappers den after the escape of the pastor or whether the king tried another escape, but the herdsmen took a decision that it was in their best interest to kill the king.

more dangerous with the police and the community people looking for them, but they were still desperate to collect the ransom. “It was to divert the attention of the police and people hunting for them that they asked the family to bring the ransom to Auchi in Edo State and when they got there, they told them to come to Benin and later Kwale,” a source said. However, they were very suspicious that the family had contacted security agents and that they would be arrested once they come out to collect the ransom.

Murder of a king

Our source was not certain whether the houseboy met with the monarch in the kidnappers den after the escape of the pastor or whether the king tried another escape, but the herdsmen took a decision that it was in their best interest to kill the king. They fled after killing him and ceased further communication with the family. Unknown to family members and elders, who thought the king was still alive and furtively discussing how to pay the kidnappers the ransom, but wondering at the same time why the abductors had cut-off communication, the Fulani herdsmen had abandoned the remains of the monarch in the forest and fled.

Dashed expectation

Not many believed the saga would end tragically for the king.

In fact, the police in the state kept telling journalists that the monarch was not dead and that it was closing-in on the kidnappers.

From the comments of the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Baba Alkali Usman, it was obvious, however, that the police knew about the kidnappers’ contact with the family and demand for ransom.

Speaking at Udu in Udu local government area of the state at a

meeting with the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC days before villagers found the remains of the monarch, he said the police was trying to rescue them alive.

He said the police was aware of the location of the monarch and another kidnap-victim, a neurologist with the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, DELSUTH, Oghara, abducted before the New Year.

The police commissioners said the police was aware of the location where the kidnappers were holding the two victims but would not disclose plans to rescue the monarch in the media.

He said, “The kidnappers have made calls. We have been able to close-in on their location. We have not been able to rescue them because we are doing a lot of planning. The process of rescuing is delicate so you must be very cautious so that you do not harm the victims”.

Fresh clue!

However, a source close to the palace hinted that security agents arrested a young Hausa man found with the king’s GSM handset, five days ago by the Police.

As at yesterday, Sunday Vanguard could not confirm the identity of the second person whose remains the vigilante members also found alongside the king. A source said the other victim wore a Hausa shoe. It has not been established whether he was an aide of the king or one of the kidnappers eliminated to cover their tracks.

Controversy over his tenure

Obi Ofulue, who ascended the throne of his ancestors at the age of 44 in 2006, spent most of his life in the United Kingdom and married a foreigner. His people loved him but his reign was not without disagreement. He had a

running dispute with his elder brother born of a white woman from the United Kingdom and a section of the community over his kingship.

While some said it was a taboo to have someone born of a foreigner as their king, others stood their ground that the first son should be crowned, his maternal affiliation notwithstanding. However, those in support of the late king, the second son of the royal family, overwhelmed the other group, hence his successful installation as king about 10 years ago. As the kingdom is mourning, some persons are linking the killing of the monarch to the storm over his coronation, expressing worry that the kingship dispute may arise again with his demise.

An informed native, who was not pleased with the monarch’s Christianity, blamed him for what happened. He said, “The monarch distanced himself from the tradition of the people and unguardedly gave his life away. If he was consulting with the traditional priests, there was no way he would have left his palace that day without knowing that there was going to be danger.

“The oracles would have warned him, but he refused to associate with them describing it as idol worship, now, look at what has happened,” he said.

On the other hand, a pastor, who is a non-indigene, was shocked that some people were accusing the king of being responsible for his death because he refused to have anything to do with idols.

He said, “The king did the right thing by giving his life to Christ and worshiping God in the prescribed way.

“The monarch told his people when he assumed the throne that he would not participate in anything that is not in conformity with his faith and many of them rejected his reforms when he came, but they later came to understand that he meant well,” he said. To some people in the monarchy, however, what happened was a palace coup by some power brokers in the community.

How he finally assumed leadership

Before his death, Obi Ofulue told a national newspaper of his reaction when his people called him to take up the kingship.

“Well, it was very shocking, I must say. I am married to a foreigner, so the first thing I did was to call my wife, to tell her everything in details, about what was coming up. The following day, because I am a practicing Christian, we went together to see our pastor, but we have a man we call the G.O., the General Overseer who is in charge of our church in the whole of Western Europe, so, we went to see him. ’When we got to the office, I told him everything. I wanted to find out whether my coming home to become a traditional ruler and the issue of playing my traditional roles would conflict with my Christian belief; I told him everything. At the end of the day, he advised me to go and take up my new responsibilities and that my coming back would be to the glory of God. He said that my return will

Continues from page 17

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 17

Continues from page 16 bring light to my people, and that God was going to use me as an instrument.

“So what he did was to write a letter for me, because I am a member of the Deeper Life Bible Ministries, that I should go to our headquarters and give it to our pastor, but unfortunately, when I got to Lagos, the Pastor was in Italy, but I met the second-in-command, so I gave him the letter.

“The second-in-command also wrote a letter for me to give to the man in charge of Asaba District.

Therefore, when I came in, I invited my church people again, but the first thing that struck me was the level of development; you know when I came and I saw the state of our basic infrastructure, I was a bit apprehensive. That was when I realized the magnitude of the job ahead.”

He confessed that it was not easy to lead people because human beings were the most difficult to handle.

The monarch explained, “The courage came from a pastor friend of mine. He came and started talking to me so I told him of my fears and challenges, and he told me that God is going to take charge of everything and the affairs of the land. I came back after meeting with him to understand the big picture. I said God I hand over this land to you.”

‘I’m not against tradition’

He said the fact that he did not engage in fetish traditional practices did not mean that he was against the tradition of his people, saying that at a time, he called meeting of his immediate family members to explain his position.

Obi Ofulue recalled in that interview, an instance of a festival called Igbamechi in his community.

He said, “It lasts about three or four days. My subjects will come with yam, palm wine, kolanuts and, even money, whatever pleases them to bring, and the chief priest puts a table right there and sits behind it while I sit next to him. “When I was born, my grandfather called his chiefs and people together and had a lavish celebration for three days to herald the birth of another king.

When the people come, he would use the white chalk to bless them and pray for them, but they do not call the name of Jesus Christ; they call other names.

“So when I came, I called them and told them that I was not against that tradition, but that we are going to change it. Instead of using the white chalk and praying in the names of deceased people, we will be using the word –the Bible. I will be praying, while he sits around there, that is the chief priest.

“I did not take his position.

However, when people come, they would call me and I would pray for them using the Bible and anointing oil. So I am not against tradition, instead, let us do away with the ones we find wanting,” he had said.

Okowa hollers The governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who became dumbfounded upon hearing the news of the death of the monarch, said, Friday evening, that his death had opened a sacrilegious

The other victim later escaped from their abductors, while efforts have been on to rescue the Obi of UbuluUku. “However, on 20/1/2016 information was received by the DPO Umunede Division that two unidentified male corpses in decomposing state were found in a bush within Umunede at the boundary between Delta and Edo states. Consequently, detectives moved to the scene and photographed the corpses while efforts are on to evacuate the corpses to hospital for autopsy,” she said.

Kalu added, “Meanwhile, one of the corpses has been identified as that of the Obi of Ubulu-Uku by his family members. The Command wishes to commiserate with the people of Ubulu-Uku kingdom over the unfortunate incident and hereby urged them to remain calm, while assuring them that efforts are being made to fish out the perpetrators of this heinous act.”

•Protesting youths block road

Police launch manhunt for monarch’s killers chapter in the history of the state and vowed that the state, under his watch, would ensure that his abduction and subsequent death would be thoroughly investigated.

His words, “It was sad that a reigning king was abducted but an unheard of fact was his murder in the most dehumanising circumstances by his abductors in the forest. I have directed an inquiry into this abominable act and call on Deltans, particularly the kingdom and the security agencies to work harmoniously to unearth the culprits”.

In a statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, commiserating with the families of late monarch and people of Ubulu Uku kingdom, the governor said “I have directed an inquiry into this abominable act and call on Deltans; particularly the Kingdom and the security agencies to work harmoniously to unearth the culprits” Governor Okowa lamented that he received with shock the news of the Obi’s abduction about 19 days ago and enjoined the people of Ubulu-Uku to close ranks in the course of this investigation.

He said that King Edward’s death “ will mark a new vista in the battle against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state and called on parents to warn their wards about the companies they keep as the state was out to make a guinea pig of anybody found to be culpable in related crimes.”

The governor, who underscored the place of security for peaceful and investor friendly environment, observed that it was against this background that his administration set up the committees on peace and security with prominent community leaders as members.

Senator Okowa noted that as

part of enlightenment on the dangers of these violent crimes, the government has been sponsoring seminars in higher institutions across the state to sensitize the youths on the dangers and implications of these crimes to their career and the security of the state.

Maddening affront For the people of Ubulu-Uku kingdom, it was strange and an insult that Fulani herdsmen kidnapped their king and the natives, local vigilante members, hunters and herbalists raised different search parties searching for him. As soon the people confirmed the death of the monarch, the town erupted in a protest on Friday with irate villagers marching about the streets in anger.

Police confirm death

Police Public Relations Officer for the Delta State Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, in a statement confirming the death and recovery of the remains of the monarch, Friday, said, “On 5/1/2016, the DPO Igbodo Division received information that the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, HRM Edward Akaeze Ofulue III, was kidnapped alongside a friend. Sequel to the report, detectives were mobilized in search of the Obi and possible arrest of the hoodlums. The Jeep in which both victims were travelling in was found abandoned in the bush around Igbodo area.”

“Following information from passersby that they saw suspected hoodlums entering the bush where the Jeep was recovered, vigilante men and local hunters were mobilized to join hands with the police in ensuring the rescue of the Obi and apprehension of the kidnappers.

It was sad that a reigning king was abducted but an unheard of fact was his murder in the most dehumanising circumstances by his abductors in the forest

Fury in the land

When Sunday Vanguard visited the community on Friday, there was uneasy calm, as armed soldiers stationed at the Ogwashi-Uku road end of the town to forestall the breakdown of law and order, whereas youths of the area barricaded the Issele-Uku road end with woods and bonfire. The youths in their numbers took advantage of the situation to make brisk business by extorting money from motorists and ‘Okada’ riders before they allowed them access to the community.

One of our correspondents, who drove round the community, reported that the news of the unexpected death of the 52 -year-old monarch crippled economic activities in the town, adding that residents closed their shops.

Some persons approached in the community declined comments, saying they were not in the mood to talk. “As you can see, everybody is mourning, including children. These Fulani herdsmen have dealt with us.

We have not been ourselves since we got the news of the death of our revered king,” one of them said.

Later on Friday, angry youths, who prevented some conventional media from gaining access into the community, chased away the police.

It was only when soldiers came that they dismantled the roadblocks, which the youths mounted.

There was allegation that some persons were sustained injuries from stray bullets fired by security operatives.

Fish out his killersHon Mrakpor

Reacting to the death of the king, the member representing Aniocha/ Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mrs Joan Mrakpor described the passage of the monarch as catastrophic. Mrakpor, who is also a cousin to the late king, said amid sobs, “What a waste,” calling for drastic solution to the harassment of the civil population in Delta North by nomadic kidnappers.

“What have we done to deserve this?

They keep on brutalizing our people,” she asked. She appealed to the police and other security agents to go after those behind the dastardly act with a view to bringing them to book.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

Just because Champagne is now ‘affordable’doesn’t make it common!

C ‘

hampagne’ used to be a really seductive word a few decades back.

You didn’t have to say it in a sultry French accent for it to convey a word of sophistication, glamour and wealth.

Jerry, my friend’s British husband really loves the stuff. According to him: “It sashays off the tongue like a yacht gliding into Monte Carlo harbour.” At least it used to. But something has gone seriously wrong.

Nowadays, you’re more likely to hear the word yelled across various night clubs, demanded by casually dressed ‘celebs’, and celebswanabes looking more like recalcitrant youths.

Sadly to say, champagne “ain’t posh no more”. In certain circles, the doubt has been creeping in for some time. For old school snobs, the sophistication began to wane when supermarkets and ‘Okearin’ and Apongbon stalls began stock-pilling crates of the stuff next to locally brewed spirits and cut-price fizz drinks.

Early last year, pictures emerged in most British tabloids when pictures emerged of race-goers at the Cheltenham Festival swigging it straight from the bottle. This wasn’t just a few over-excited punters celebrating their winnings. It was the distinguished Moet & Chandon encouraging drinkers not to bother with a glass by providing mini-bottles pre-fitted with a plastic spout!

“Forget sniffing at an elegant crystal flute, savouring the tart aroma,” grumbled Jerry,

“Now, the producers of this upmarket sparkling wine are urging us to guzzle it straight from the bottle. Get it down your throat!

How ’s that for sophistication? I’m sure the game is up for brands such as Moet. They can’t trade on an air of exclusivity while encouraging people to behave like hooligans.

When something magical and just out-ofreach becomes mainstream, the bubble busts. Suddenly, we realise it is ludicrous to splurge £30 (God knows how much that is now in the spiralling Naira!) or more on a bottle.

“Once, when buying a bottle of champagne, we were not only investing in the drink itself, we were paying to belong to another world, one more sophisticated and refined than our own. The fact is that champagne is expensive to make. The process is slow and complicated.There are special tours of the French champagne houses, a particular feature is the riddling, which involves someone rotating the bottles a little in their racks every other day to stop the build-up of sediments. But what really makes it expensive is the fact that true champagne can be made only in small areas of France. But such is the demand for champagne that grower have been lobbying the French authorities to extend the designated area. But if they do that, it would devalue the brand even more.

“In the face of serious competition from

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"

"HEART TO HEART"

alternative, cheaper sparkling wines, the big champagne brands such as Moet, need to stop trying to be all things to all people.

“If champagne is no longer seen as exclusive, few will want to pay such high prices when they can buy a bottle of fizz for under a third of the price of champagne.

Wine connoisseurs have known this for a long time, and have been abandoning champagne in favour of Spanish, Italian, American, South African and even English equivalents.

And the word has spread -sales of non-champagne sparkling wine have increased tremendously in the last ten years.

“And the profiles of these alternative sparkling wines is growing. Whereas they were seen as champagne’s cheap causins, now people are happy to pay top whacks for respected brands. In reality, the idea of champagne as an exclusive product is

something of a 20thcentur y, almost all champagne was sweet.

Only when Perrier-Jonet came up with the dry type of champagne that we drink today did it become sophisticated, critics hated it at first, calling it ‘brute!’, or ugly, which is why it’s now known as brute champagne. The jazz age of the Twenties and Thirties helped catapult champagne’s reputation into something chic. “As post-war generations become wealthier,” commented Mat Bell, a wine critique, “more families aspired to drink champagne on special occasions.

It was reassuringly expensive, and every mouthful would be savoured. The sound of corks popping was synonymous with celebrating, but also discretion and class.

“Today, champagne has lost its fizz. It is being downed in gargantuan quantities with no dignity or grace.”

Frankly, I don’t know what these

critics expect with millionaires and billionaires springing up all over the world and needing their own status symbols! A quick visit to Nigeria will show the depth to which champagne has sunk with street parties serving the stuff as if it were ‘pure water ’! The writer F.Scott Fitzgerals once said that “ too much of anything is bad, but too much champagne is just right”!

Why binge drinking is a risk to baby’s mental health Pregnant women who binge drink could raise the risk of mental health problems in their children, research shows.

The study conducted by the universities of Nottingham, Bristol, Oxford, Sheffield and Leicester, discovered problems with hyperactivity, attention deficit and poor exam results persisted at ages four, seven and 11.

The scientists world defined a binge as four or more units of alcohol - two pints of beer or four small glasses of wineconsumed in a single day at least once during the pregnancy.

They monitored 4,000 women and then tracked their children periodically until the age of 11. One in four mothers reported binge drinking at least once during pregnancy.

Professor Kapil Sayal of Nottingham University, whose work is published in the journal European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, said: ‘Women who are pregnant or who are planning to be should be aware of the possible risks associated with heavier drinking during pregnancy, even if this only occurs occasionally.

‘The study ’s findings highlight the need for clear policy messages about patterns of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, whereby women who choose to drink occasionally should avoid having several drinks in a day.’

Seeing double?!

(Humour) The club had just closed and Frank was taking a short cut through the cemetery when he fell into a newly - dug hole which the grave-diggers had left uncovered.

Frank made a valiant attempt to get out but couldn’t make it. He gave up, pulled a bottle from his hip pocket and decided to settle in the corner until morning.

Half an hour later another drunk fell into the hole. “You’ll never get out, lad,” said Frank. But he did, in one mighty leap.

Let them give you happiness And satisfaction in every grace With a sense of humour

They are WONDEROUS and STRANGE And there's nothing in life That love cannot CHANGE!!

Intuitive are these words of mine From heart to heart With amorous sensation As the treasure of my life.

Love can TRANSFORM The most common place Into BEAUTY and SPLENDOR And SWEETNESS and GRACE

From the heart they came straight Telling you nothing but love To keep you company all day and night Because a rare gem you are to me.

Sunday Ogbaoyibo sunlightworld82@gmail.com 07032615563

Love is UNSELFISH UNDERSTANDING and KIND For it sees with its heart And not with its MIND!!

LOVE CRITERIA

The words of my mouth Are true reflection of my heart Straight from my mind they flow To intimate you my feelings

Love is like MAGIC And it always will be For love still remains Life's sweet mystery

Let these words be appreciated

Love works in ways

Love is the ANSWER That everyone seeks...

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

LOVE,like PURE MAGIC, Is Life's SWEET MYSTERY. Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015. #KriSpiratiOn2016

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 19

Reminiscences Jan 15, 1966 Night Of Terror: An eye witness account

•Tafawa Balewa

•Ahmadu Bello

By Femi Fani-Kayode

wardrobes. They were very brutal and frightful and we were terrified. My mother, Chief Mrs. Adia Adunni FaniKayode, was screaming and crying from the balcony because all she could do was focus on her husband who was downstairs.

O

n the night of January 15, 1966, a coup d’etat took place in Nigeria which resulted in the murder of a number of leading political figures and senior army officers in Lagos, Kaduna and Ibadan. This was the first coup in the history of our country and 98 per cent of the officers that planned and led it were Igbo. From the political class those that were killed included the following: Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the Prime Minister, who was abducted from his home, murdered and whose body was dumped somewhere along Lagos-Abeokuta Road; Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of the old Northern Region, who was killed in the sanctity of his own home together with his wife and his security assistant; Chief S.L. Akintola, the Premier of the old Western Region, who was gunned down in the presence of his family and Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh, the Minister of Finance, who was abducted from his home, brutalised, murdered and dumped in a bush.

From the ranks of the military, those that were murdered included Brigadier Zakari Maimalari, who had held a cocktail party in his home a few hours earlier that evening which was attended by most of the young officers that participated in the coup.; said Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun, who was shot to death in his matrimonial bed along with his eight-month pregnant wife.

Also killed were Col. Ralph Shodeinde, Col. Kur Muhammed, Lt. Col. James Pam, Lt. Col. Abogi Largema, Lt. Col. Aurthur Unegbe, PC Yohanna Garkawa, PC Haga Lai, Lance Corporal Musa Nimzo, Sgt. Daramola Oyegoke, PC Akpan Anduka and Ahmed Ben Musa.

Sadly, the mutineers came to our home in Ibadan that night as well and they brutalized and abducted my father, Chief Remilekun FaniKayode, the Deputy Premier of the old Western Region. What I witnessed that night was traumatic and devastating for me and my family and, of course, what the nation witnessed that night was horrific. It was a night of carnage, barbarity and terror. The events of that night set in motion a series of events which changed our history.

The consequences of the events of

•Samuel Akintola

Don’t kill him, don’t kill him!!”, she kept screaming at them. I can still visualise this and hear her voice pleading, screaming and crying that night are still with us till this day.

It was a sad and terrible night: one of blood and slaughter. ‘ Where are your thugs now? ‘ What I witnessed was as follows: In the middle of the night, my mother came into the room which I shared with my older brother, Rotimi, and my younger sister, Toyin. I was six years old at the time. The lights had been cut, so, initially, we were in darkness and all we could see were lights from three large vehicles. The official residence had a very long drive so it took the vehicles a while to reach us.

We saw three sets of headlights and heard the engines of three lorries drive up the drive-way. The occupants of the lorries, who were uniformed men and who carried torches, positioned themselves and prepared to storm our home whilst calling my father ’ s name and ordering him to come out. My father went out to meet them after he had gathered us together, prayed for us and explained to us that, since it was him they wanted, he must go out there.

He explained that he would rather go out to meet them than let them come into the house to shoot or harm us.

The minute he stepped out they brutalised him. I witnessed this. They tied him up and threw him into one of the the lorries. Interestingly, the first thing they said to him was,”Where are your thugs now?” My father’s response was,”I don’t have thugs, only gentlemen.” I think this made them brutalise him even more. They tied him up, threw him in the back of one of their houses and then stormed the house.

When they got into the house, they ransacked every nook and cranny, shooting into the ceiling and

‘ Don’t kill him’ “Don’t kill him, don’t kill him!!”, she kept screaming at them. I can still visualise this and hear her voice pleading, screaming and crying. I didn’t know where my brother or sister was at this point because the house was in total chaos. I was just six years old and I was standing there in the middle of the house, surrounded by uniformed men who were ransacking the whole place and terrorising my family.

Then out of the blue something extraordinary happened. One of the soldiers came up to me, put his hand on my head and said: “Don’t worry, we won’t kill your father, stop crying.” He said this thrice. After he said it the third time, I stopped crying. This was because he gave me hope and he spoke with compassion.

With new-found confidence, I went rushing to my mother who was still screaming on the balcony and told her to stop crying because the soldier had promised that they would not kill my father and that everything would be okay.

I held on to the words of that soldier and that night, despite all that was going on around me, I never cried again. They took my father away and as the lorry drove off, my mother kept on wailing and crying and so was everyone else in the house except me.

From there, they went to the home of Chief S.L. Akintola, the Premier of the Western Region, a great statesman and nationalist and a very dear uncle of mine.

My mother had phoned Akintola to inform him of what had happened in our home. She was sceaming down the phone asking where her husband had been taken and by this time she was quite hysterical.

Chief Akintola tried to calm her down assuring her that all would be well.

Gun battle in Akintola’s home When they got to Akintola’s house, he already knew that they were coming and he was well prepared for them. Instead of coming out to meet them, he had stationed some of his policemen and they started shooting. A gun battle ensued and consequently the mutineers were delayed by at least one hour. According to the Special Branch reports and the official statements of the mutineers that survived that night and that were involved in the Ibadan operation, their plan had been to pick up my father and Chief Akintola

•Okotie Eboh from their homes, take them to Lagos, gather them all together at Dodan Barracks with the other political leaders that had been abducted and then execute them all together.

The difficulty they had was that Akintola resisted them and he and his policemen ended up wounding two of the soldiers that came to his home. One of the soldiers, whose name was apparently James, had his fingers blown off and the other, whose name was not recorded, had his ear blown off. After some time, Chief Akintola’s ammunition ran out and the shooting stopped. His policemen stood down and they surrendered. He came out waving a white handkerchief and the minute he stepped out, they shot him to pieces and slaughtered him.

The rescue My father witnessed Akintola’s cold-blooded murder in utter shock and horror because he was tied up in the back of the lorry from where he could see everything that transpired. The soldiers were apparently enraged by the fact that two of their men had been wounded and that Akintola resisted and delayed them. After they killed him, they moved on to Lagos with my father. When they got there, they took him to the Officers Mess at Dodan Barracks. He was rescued, after a dramatic gun battle, by loyalist troops led by Capt. S.G. Tokida, who were under the command of Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon.

When the mutineers took my dad away, everyone in our home, except me, thought he had been killed. The next morning, a handful of policemen came and took us to the house of my mother ’s first cousin, Justice Atanda Fatai-Williams, who was a judge of the Western Region at the time. He later became the Chief Justice of Nigeria. From there, we were taken to the home of Justice Adenekan Ademola, another High Court judge of the Western Region at the time, who was a very close friend of my father and who later became a Judge of the Court of Appeal.

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

P AGE 20 —SUNDAY Vanguard , JANUARY 24 , 2016

Women don’t see this as sexual harassment!

I

T was the end of the day and the office was virtually deserted.

The deputy chief accountant was still at his desk. A comparatively young man for the job title pinned on his office door, he jumped nervously when he heard the shrill sound of the bell. He knew whose forefinger was on the buzzer.

His immediate boss. A woman whose sexual appetite was absolutely insatiable.

“Have you completed the compilation of those figures?”, she purred when he went into her office, eyes smouldering like a school girl on heat.

He was really getting fed up with this middle-age woman, whose sexual prowess surpasses any young chick’s. He wished he could have the nerves to tell this simpering specimen where to get off. But where would he get the nerve to? All he has was some two-beat certificate from a not-so-reputable institution in the USA and the ‘project’ madam insisted he should hang

around to discuss with her was a compilation of staff ’s travelling expenses for the quarter!

But then, he knew all that discussion lark was a ruse for the casual invitation that would follow. And it came almost immediately. “You poor thing,” madam cooed, “you must be hungry, I’ve asked Musa to get dinner ready at the guest house. The driver

will take us there now then come back to pick your car ... “ It’s been going on for about nine months now and Taiye, the deputy chief accountant, still smirks from the humiliation of it all. Once in a while madam would taunt him with some younger and more

good-looking studs who are members of staff and all he could do is wait in the wings like an obedient dog waiting for his master’s favours ...

A lot of hue and cry have always been made over men who sexually harass the supposedly weaker female sex. It is no secret that sexual harassment is a form of bullying. It is disgusting

rough guide, a flirt is a man who tries to make his victim glow happily beneath his flattery and stops if she doesn’t. A harasser is one who either wants to make her squirm -or almost worse, someone, who is so insensitive that he doesn’t notice how she feels at all.

“And if men are to be brought to book for sexual harassment what about women?

Some years back, a company had this female doctor on its list of consultants. A young executive went to see her and that was the beginning of very steamy sex sessions.

The man was very elated at his good fortunes to start with but he went and spoilt it all by getting married.

That put paid to the freedom of his flat and time. In fact, he begged off the affair.

But ‘madam’, was so bitter she plotted the downfall of her exlover. Luckily, he found a better job and happily resigned!

and cowardly. And that is it! But what exactly is sexual harassment? As someone aptly puts it: “In one kind of office (well, media offices for example) it is a routine for the staff to sit around on one another’s knees and flop their heads on the nearest bossom and yet nobody has the remotest inclination or ability to take it any further.

‘In another kind (say banks, for instance) everyone acts so repressed that the slightest graze of an elbow on the way though to the computer room becomes charged with sexual meaning!

Within the same office, tastes vary. A remark which might be met by one girl with a pleased ‘ooooh, Mr. Peters, you are a rascal!’ may be interpreted by another as just two doors down from rape. Some deep thinkers have a simple rule-of-thumb: that flirtation is what you do with pretty women and harassment is what happens to ugly and embittered ones. I suppose if you want a

08052201867(Text Only)

Firm up your flabby thighs Taut Abdominals: The leg raise ECHNIQUE: Sit on the floor with the legs outstretched in front of you, place the hands just behind waist level and a little away from the body.

Inhale and raise both legs up diagonally, forming a ‘V’ with the trunk.

Once you are in the posture breathe normally.

Retain the position for

T

five to seven seconds, rest and repeat a few more times.

The Triangle: Firm Thighs and Butt Te c h n i q u e : Standing with the

feet apart, bend the right knee to waist level with the toes pointing forward, keep the left

knee slanted with the knee locked. Keep the hands at shoulder level and the trunk erect.

Count to 10 and repeat changing legs.

Front to Back Splits Technique: Standing up straight, turn the trunk to the left and begin spreading out the legs as you lower down the body. As you get closer to the floor invert the left foot and keep the right heel down.

You may keep the hands on the floor so you can hold your body up a bit if the stretching effect gets too uncomfortable.

As usual, regular practice makes the pose easier and easier.

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

* The Leg Raise

*The Warrior Pose

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 21 Edited by: Morenike Taire

My greatest desire is to take this tribunal to the grassroots — Dr Ngozi Chianakwalam, Chairman, IST

A

By JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

former Solicitor General and Director of Public Prosecution in Abia State, Dr Ngozi Chianakwalam is Chairman cum Chief Judge, Investment and Securities Tribunal, IST, a body set up by the Federal Government to resolve investments and securities' issues in the capital market The second woman to steer this wheel since IST's inception, Ngozi who was called to the bar in 1978 was Director of Registry at the Corporate Affairs Commission from 2001 to 2006, a period in which she also sometimes acted as registrar. She speaks on her career choice as well as plans for IST in this interview.

Have you always wanted to be a lawyer?

The only two career options I was open to while growing up were law and fashion designing.

That was because I was born to a lawyer father and a mother who’s a fashion designer.

But I settled for the legal profession because I was greatly inspired by my father who was also a judge. I however love to sew. In fact everybody in my house sews. I was making my own clothes while in university.

For readers who know nothing about the IST, what's it about?

The Investment and Securities Tribunal, IST, was constituted and formally inaugurated in 2002 as part of the Federal Government's key reform of the financial sector. It is a specialized and fast track civil court of all purposes for the resolution of disputes arising from investments and securities transactions.

The IST has both original and appellate jurisdiction to hear and determine capital market disputes.

You've chaired the body since 2013. How effective has it been in the discharge of cases?

Disputes are resolved in an efficient manner. All matters brought before the Tribunal are disposed of within 90 days from the date of hearing and we adhere strictly to it. The IST has an Alternative Dispute Resolution centre which provides an opportunity for parties to be involved in mutual settlement of disputes through mediation. As a matter of fact, the whole essence is to provide an efficient resolution of capital market disputes with a sense of fairness and transparency.

What was the focus of your workshop held in Lagos recently?

The real essence of that C M Y K

workshop was to sensitize the general public about the activities of the IST. The stakeholders need to know that there is a place to seek redress and justice. By stakeholders I mean anyone that has something to do with buying and selling of shares. There is a need to inform and enlighten them on where and what to do as stakeholders in the capital market sector.

The theme of this year's workshop is 'IST: A Veritable Tool for Development and Growth in the Nigerian Capital Market' was well thought of. One of the key performance indices of the IST is that we must have at least three enlightenment workshops in a year.

For some time now, we have not been able to do this because of lack of funds and non budgetary provision for the organization. We have not been able to have such workshops for a while and the course of events which unfolded throughout the year had also resulted in the delay of knowing the way forward.

Now, it is obvious that the national economy is quite low and the performance of the capital market has gone down a lot. We, therefore, thought that we should also share some information and enlightenment.

One of the indices for measuring a capital market is their conflict resolution mechanism which many countries do not have. IST is a trail blazer in the market, especially in Africa and other emerging markets. We would like to let the international community know that they should have confidence in the Nigerian capital market.

What's the most challenging case you've handled in the last one year?

That was a case with nonexecutive directors and their responsibilities, as well as culpability, in case of any

infraction. ...and your most memorable achievement?

That should be the fact that we moved into our official property in Abuja. When I resumed in 2013, one of the challenges we had was that we were occupying and operating from two different offices in Abuja at very exorbitant rates and you know landlords and the way they keep increasing the rent every year.

So, we said that the best thing was to see what we could do to get our own building. The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, gave us a grant, as the then Minister for State for Finance requested that they assist us. The grant was supposed to clear the rent for about three years. So when we got the money, I realised we could save cost by using it to get our own space. It was a costsaving mechanism and we approached the Ministry of Works to help us. Then we got the approval of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, that was at the beginning of 2015 and we were able to move in the same year. The FEC also mandated the FCT Minister to give us land, where we would build a befitting purpose built structure for IST. Now, we are looking forward to the new

All matters brought before the Tribunal are disposed of within 90 days

•Dr Ngozi Chianakwalam

Minister of FCT helping us to get land as well as the Ministry of Finance assisting us to build a befitting place for our Courts.

Challenges so far?

That was part of the sensitization that we did and we talked about whether our constitution should be amended or whether a fresh bill should be presented or both. And then we also looked at whether IST should be an independent agency or we should still be under the Ministry of Finance, where we are now. These are all options that we have now and it is very important that the status of IST be secured in the role it plays in adjudication in Nigeria.

At the same time, we need to be careful about where we really want to be. Do we want to be in the Judiciary or the Executive arm of government? But we have to understand which one would serve the purpose. So in that case, we would set up a work group that would look in it. I have had discussions with the Honorable Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, and she is also of the view that this should be resolved as soon as possible.

What is your agency doing to stop completely or limit the challenge to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal?

I have discussed with the Chairman of the Capital Market Committee of the House of Representatives and the Chairman, Capital Market Committee of the Senate. All of them are of the view that this is important and we've been talking about this in a long while. Even the Vice President, who is also a lawyer, has handled cases in the IST and he is very familiar with our court and he is desirous of having the bill presented. Now that everyone is anxious to get

that bill passed, we are really going to work on it and I believe that this would be the focus of the New Year. There would be limited challenge to the Jurisdiction of the Tribunal once the Bill is passed and the Constitution is in place.

So, what's the position of the law about IST? Right now, the position of the law is that after judgment, the person who wants to enforce the law has to go to the Federal High Court and register our judgment there. This is part of what the new work group would look at and part of what would be in the new amended ACT. This means that IST should be able to enforce its judgment. If someone commits contempt of court before us, there is not much that we can do. You can't really try the person.

But in a regular court, if anyone commits contempt of court, you should be able to summarily try the person. Some people had even talked about having criminal as well as even civil jurisdiction but I do not know how that would work out for now.

However, these are part of the things that we are looking at and we would look at everything holistically. At the same time, the Vision 2020 committee recommended that the jurisdiction of the IST should be expanded to include all the financial services and to include the banking and insurance ACT, paving way for all financial institutions to come under the jurisdiction of the IST. ...and your utmost desire for IST? My greatest desire is to take this tribunal to the grassroots; to get our services as close as possible to the grassroots so that people can recover their lost money.

PAGE 22—SUNDAY

Vanguard , JANUARY 24, 2016

FALAE FIRES BACK OVER $2.1BN ARMS PROBE

‘Nobody can prosecute me for the N100million we collected’

•Chief Olu Falae

•Sa aud demeaning •Sayys linking him with fr fraud •Narr at es how Ak ure parley with Anenih •Narrat ates Akure paved the way for money •Osoba rejected Ogun’s share, he discloses

BY DAYO JOHNSON

A former presidential candidate of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP) and Alliance for Democracy (AD), and Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, has been in the news in the last few months.

From his abduction by some HausaFulani herdsmen in his farm in Ilado, Akure North area of Ondo State, to his alleged receiving of N100m from the $2.1 billion arms money from the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, the former Finance Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) speaks, in this interview, on the issues.

Excerpts:

W

hat’s your involvement in the $2.1 billion arms money from Dasuki I want to say with all emphasis that I never took even one naira from Dasuki. Beyond that, I want to assert that I never had any relationship with Dasuki. I knew Dasuki way back in 1986-87,when he was ADC to General Babagida and I was Secretary to the Federal Government. Since he left that government around 1987, I had no contact or dealing with him; absolutely none.

The N100 million they are bandying about in the media, the one that I know about, it happened as follows: Chief Tony Anenih, a former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of

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the PDP, phoned me late January last year and said he would like to see me; he would like to come from Abuja to see me in Akure. And he came. He came with someone, and I, too, invited somebody to be with me. The four of us were together in the meeting; and Chief Anenih said they were observing that my party, SDP, had no presidential candidate and, therefore, they would want us to ask our supporters to vote for his own party’s candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan. I told him that, in principle, there was nothing wrong with the two parties collaborating, but that the collaboration must be a principled collaboration: it must be based on principles. I told him that there were certain things we desired the government to do but they had not done for the people, and that if we were going to support their candidate, they must commit themselves to make changes in those areas. He asked for the areas? I said number one, their party must be prepared to restructure Nigeria from the colossal unity system, and the best way of doing that was to fully implement the report of the National Conference 2014.

Number two, that the party must commit itself to a policy of zero tolerance for corruption because I saw that corruption was monumental in what they were doing. Number three, I said the party in government must destroy Boko

Haram and give stability to Nigeria. Number four, there was mass unemployment and youths were getting frustrated, that they must articulate programmes to create jobs for the unemployed.

Number five, that I observed that the party in government was spending virtually our entire revenue on recurrent expenditure, that they must reduce recurrent expenditure so as to generate surpluses to finance capital development like roads, schools, hospitals, etc.

Item number six, that if we accepted this tide and accepted them, then if the party won the election, we will expect reasonable participation in that government.

And he said they were totally happy with all these strict conditions, that the conditions were acceptable to them; in fact, he said they were already implementing some of them. So, on that note, he returned to Abuja.

But after he left, I decided to write to him in order to document this relationship. The letter I wrote to him, again I listed the six conditions which I had mentioned in our oral discussion. And three days later, he wrote back to me saying that he had consulted all the stakeholders of his party including the President and they were all happy to accept those conditions to work with the SDP in the election’s that were

I want to say with all emphasis that I never took even one naira from Dasuki.

Beyond that, I want to assert that I never had any relationship with Dasuki.

forthcoming. So, having accepted our conditions, I proceeded to Abuja to summon the meeting of my party executive and decision making organs and made the presentation to them. There was a very robust debate and, at the end of the debate, the executive committee of my party endorsed their request that we should work with Jonathan in the elections.

CRITICAL FACTOR I want to emphasize that the most critical factor that turned the debate in favour of Jonathan was because he had said he would restructure Nigeria and that he summoned the National Conference as a great step in that direction. And to most of us in the SDP and in Afenifere, restructuring Nigeria is the most important, single political objective that we pursue in Nigeria today; and whoever commits himself to that objective, we will support him.

I want to remind you that, in 2007, when the then General Muhammadu Buhari was running for the President on the platform of ANPP, six parties, including my party; we were then called DPA, went for similar collaboration. In fact, they turned round to make me the Chairman of the Buhari Campaign Committee in the South-West, although I was not a member of their party. And in that collaborative effort, I and some other friends of Buhari contributed money to run the campaign. We held a mammoth rally at Mokola, Ibadan.

So, what I am saying is that, collaboration between two parties is normal in democracy; and the collaborating parties, it is normal for them to contribute money to ensure that their joint project is implemented.

That is exactly what happened on this occasion.

Now, after we had endorsed the candidacy of President Jonathan, I think a week or two, Chief Anenih phoned me and said that he knew that SDP didn’t have fund to campaign effectively for our candidates.

Therefore, they will be sending us

Continues on page 23

SUNDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 23

Continued from page 22 some money to enable us campaign effectively and Jonathan was now our joint candidate. That was the note on which he sent the N100 million they are talking about.

And on receiving the N100 million, I promptly paid it into the account of the SDP at the First Bank in Abuja. And from there, I set up a committee of the party to work out the modalities for distributing the money among the various state branches of the party and campaign organisations. Taking to account the number of candidates for House of Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives, governorship, weight was attached to it and they did it rationally and fairly.

Plus our own money, which was much more than the N100 million, the money was distributed to the state organs for executing the campaign and the elections. In summary, we had no contact whatsoever with Dasuki. We took nothing, not a kobo from Dasuki.

The money that came to us was from the PDP through Chief Anenih to me as the Chairman of SDP, which I then passed on to my party. My party held a press conference on Monday, January 11, 2016, where they declared that I gave them the money in full, promptly and they used it for the elections. So, those who said the money was given to Falae are lying, the money was only sent through me to my party and my party has acknowledged receipt in full. The money did not come from Dasuki but from the PDP. By the way, I have read in the media where Chief Anenih said that the money he sent to me and some other people was his own personal money and given on behalf of his party, not from Dasuki and later he got reimbursement from Dasuki. All that has nothing to do with us: we knew nothing about it, we did not approve of anything, not our duty either, legal or moral, to find out where PDP was getting the money to pursue its campaign. So, in summary, we took no money from Dasuki, the money given was for the party and not for me, it was delivered to the party, the party has acknowledged receipt in full.

But some state chapters of the party have openly distanced themselves from receiving any money from the national secretariat of the SDP as you claimed.

A: It is only Ogun, we have active branches in about 33 states. I was surprised to read that Ogun said they were not aware. The truth is that the allocating committee in Abuja was supposed to send N8 million to Ogun but I know the amount is something from the campaign fund.

This is not the only money we were using for the campaigns, that was just a small part of what we spent on the elections. Our own contribution was much more than the N100 million, so, the committee said they were going to send N8 million to them.

But Chief Osoba said the money available for the party was too small, N8 million could do nothing in the state; so he would take care of the needs of the party in Ogun; we should leave what we were going to give to the state to states that were in need.

Ogun knew about it, something was allocated to them but they declined to take it because they said they could take care of their needs. So, it is not true that they were not aware.

From your explanation so far, would it be right to say this is a smear campaign?

Of course, that is the point. From what I have told you, there is nothing legally or morally wrong. It is a two-

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party cooperation, normal; when there is such a collaboration, the participating parties contribute money to actualize the objective. We did it in 2007 when we adopted General Buhari: ANPP, DPA and other parties, there was nothing absolutely wrong with this. We did not go to Dasuki for money, it was PDP that sent us the money; for the PDP to decide where to get their money was not our business. The PDP sent us the money, I sent the money to the party; the party said they got it in full and it was used for the purpose it was meant, which was the elections. So anybody that is raising issues is merely trying to start a smear-campaign, but I am totally at peace with myself because my conscience is absolutely clear. Indeed, I am proud of my track record and my performance even in this state.

Then I became Minister of Finance of Nigeria, both naira and dollar were under my control at the Central Bank, I did not abuse the office. So people should look at my type of person and say, can this person do this?

Have you been queried or invited by the anti-graft agency ( EFCC) on the need to refund the N100m?

Up to this moment, EFCC has not got in touch with me about this matter because they know the truth, that I did not take money from Dasuki; it was PDP that sent money to SDP through me and the money was delivered to SDP. Legitimate, normal and noncontroversial. That tells you that there is a smear campaign going on. Some newspapers are saying I will have to refund the money when nobody has been in touch with me about the money.

Those reports showed bias, malice and campaign of smear. I have been a public officer all my life. I became a Permanent Secretary at the age of 39.

I did not abuse my office. I became the Managing Director of a bank at 42. I did not abuse my office. The signature of an MD of a bank is money, yet I did not take one kobo illegally and, at that time, my bank was one of the fastest growing banks in the country. I did not receive one single query from the Central Bank.

Then I became the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria and substantial amount of security vote was under my control. I did not touch one kobo illegitimately. Then I became Minister of Finance of Nigeria, both naira and dollar were under my control at the Central Bank, I did not abuse the office. So people should look at my type of person and say, can this person do this? When as a young man that I needed money for many things I didn’t take anything, now that I am old, what will I be doing with it? When you grow old, the less you enjoy money. So that is the truth of the matter. I feel ashamed that some people can be repeating these lies. It is absolutely false and there is no basis for it.

You submitted that you are a target of a smear campaign. Is it not meant to cause problems among the Yoruba?

Well, anybody can have a conjecture or hypothesis to explain a phenomenon but it is a possible hypothesis. Maybe some people in Yorubaland or outside who don’t want us to be united have been worried

‘Linking me with fraud demeaning’

about what has been happening . You remember when I came out of kidnapping, Yoruba leaders met in Ibadan, for the first time in many years; Yoruba leadership was united over my issue and they said if Nigeria could not protect the Yoruba race, Yoruba will protect themselves. That may have given them some impression in certain quarters that I have the potential to galvanize Yoruba and those who don’t want Yoruba unity can now see whether they can smear me, linking me with Dansuki fairly or unfairly and Yoruba people are very critical; once they hear you are linked with a dirty person, they will be the first to condemn you . This is what is going on. So it is a possible hypothesis, one has no fact, but it does make sense that anyone who doesn’t want Yoruba to come together may be doing this to discourage the Yoruba from seeing me as a possible rally ground .

What’s your assessment of the anticorruption crusade by the Buhari administration.

It is going out of hand. They know that there is no charge they can bring against me. That’s why smear campaign is used as a substitute so that, over time, people will say I am a bad man . I read some articles in the paper that say the anti-graft war is increasingly becoming controversial.

It is truly becoming controversial because it is no longer reasonable, it is beginning to look selective. How could you link me with Dasuki? The person I have not seen for more than 20 years.

The man I had no dealing with whatsoever. It is important to clean Nigeria up. When we were launching our party, SDP, in Abuja, in 2014, the title of my speech was; Nigeria must kill corruption so that corruption does not kill Nigeria. I have been an anticorruption campaigner all my life; so I support anti-corruption campaign but it should be conducted within the confines of the law and should be fair.

How best can the administration fight corruption?

A: Let me tell you a story. In 1985 when Buhari was the Head of State, I had retired from the civil service and had joined the banking industry. This kind of thing was going on. But, you know, once a public officer is always a public officer. So, I went and met with the then Head of the Civil Service, Mr Gray Longe, and I told him to advise the government that they could not be going on sacking people, probing people. There are two models to clean up a society: The Sampling Model and Total Revolution, like the French Revolution. The one that might be suitable for our own situation is for the government to take cases that are very unambiguous to court and make such people as examples, take the money f r o m t h e m

and send them to jail. Then put that behind you and go ahead with the development of the society. But, if you take all the time looking for every criminal to send to jail, that will be an endless journey.

At the beginning, the people will hail you because they like to see big men fall, but, as more and more people are destroyed, more and more members of the public will be affected. For some, their brothers or fathers or friends would have lost their jobs and, at the end of the day, the tide will turn and people will turn against that government. To avoid that, my recommendation is that government should make some people who are found to be corrupt scape goats. Similarly, my advice will be that, those people who are the criminals in this system, whose crimes are unambiguous and documented, take them, apply the law, confiscate the loot they have taken, try them, let them go to prison. Do that for a couple of months and leave the rest for the police to do their jobs in a normal way. This omnibus antigraft campaign phase would have been over, but the police would continue to monitor the system and catch thieves and criminals and the government would now focus on the development of the society .

There are many issues calling for attention right now . For example, the drop in oil revenue is worrisome because, for 40 years, when I was in the planning ministry, we recommended that we should use the oil money to diversify the economy so that we have other sources of income.

For instance, they should develop solid minerals. Solid minerals have more potential for revenue than oil . If they had implemented the recommendation that time, we will not be where we are today.

Secondly, we said government should generate 6,000 megawatts of electricity by 1980, it is in the national plan; if that was done in 1980, today, we shall be talking of 100,000 megawatts; so we will not be where we are. If we had diversified the economy by developing small industries and agro-businesses, we will not be where we are today . So, these are the problems crying for attention. If the government now tries to implement these recommendations, it takes time before the projects begin to yield revenue. In the meantime, how are we going to cope because Iran has now entered the oil market? Iran is going to pump more oil and send the prices of crude oil further down. I think we have a real economic crisis for now and I believe all hands must be on deck so that the system survives .

Let’s talk about the report of the 2014 National Conference. Any hope that it will see the light of day under this present administration?

They are not interested in the report.

Even when we were in the National Conference, the APC opposed it and this is one of the reasons we did not support the candidate of the APC because what is most important to Afenifere is the restructuring of Nigeria so that each area can develop at its own pace in accordance with its own priority. If we don’t do that, the crisis will continue. So restructuring, to me, is number one priority and we believe in it and those who oppose it naturally oppose what I stand for and I will not be surprised if such people work against my interest.

Is there going to be any backlash if the report is consigned to the dustbin?

Then Nigeria will be as it is till eternity; governments come and go, a day will come when one government will see the need to implement this report because, for the first time in the history of Nigeria, over 450 people, from various sections of the society, sat down for about six months and, in a very cantankerous society like Nigeria and by some divine grace, we passed over 600 resolutions by consensus.

To me, that was a miracle. I believe God has a hand in that confab and, therefore, I believe that document is going to save Nigeria if it is implemented. That is the panacea to our myriads of problems as a nation.

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

BOMBING OF PIPELINES IN THE N-DEL N-DELTTA

Militants’ failed plot to arm-twist Buhari

•The FG backlash, panic in the creeks

By Emma Amaize,

Regional Editor, South-South

I

F the militants who sabotaged crude and gas pipelines in Delta State thought that by their action, they would succeed in browbeating the Federal Government into bargaining amnesty with them and awarding them contracts for protection of pipelines in the region, then they seriously misfired.

According to a militant leader, “General” Levi (not real name), whose group claimed responsibility for the attacks that led to the shutdown of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, they would not drop their arms until the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, “meets and negotiates” with them.

Apparently convinced that the damage in the face of dwindling oil price and crash of the Naira might force government to parley with the group, “General” Levi

asserted, “We are ready to commence discussion and denounce association with this present situation. Henceforth, we are ready to block any channel for anyone not to go through to bomb oil pipelines.”

Bombshell However, the reaction from President Muhammadu Buhari, a week after the explosions that destroyed the Escravos-WarriLagos-Abuja gas pipelines and other oil facilities in Warri South-west and Warri north local government areas of Delta State from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, UAE, jolted the militants.

Rather than plead for their understanding with his government, Buhari, during a meeting with the Nigerian community in UAE, vowed to deal with oil thieves, abductors and vandals of oil and gas pipelines.

It was not a story time for the President, who is ruing the attack that is costing the economy a daily loss of N470 million besides the closure of the refineries.

Recalling how the armed forces had dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram insurgents to re-launch the country on safety path, he declared, “The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will reorganize and deal with them.”

Confusion Buhari’s tough mien actually staggered the militants, who held a secret meeting shortly after the January 14-16 attacks to review their exploit.

Unknown to them, they had just given Buhari, who, all along, had been trying to be cautious about his actions/inactions on the unpredictable Niger Delta cannon fodder to unleash his “ war” plan. A source said the reaction of the Federal Government threw the militants into disarray, as what they planned was not what they got.

A source said they might likely go back to the drawing board to plot their next move. But the dust their cunning strikes left is rumbling everywhere in the oil rich region.

Huge loss A source told Sunday

Rather than plead for their understanding with his government, Buhari, during a meeting with the Nigerian community in UAE, vowed to deal with oil thieves, abductors and vandals of oil and gas pipelines

Vanguard, “Because of the strategic importance of Niger Delta to the nation, the Federal Government did not want to do anything that will provoke tension in the region and give people the excuse to blow up oil pipelines. But they have caused it themselves; so they should take anything that comes out of it.”

“You can see that Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries have been shut down because of crude supply challenges arising from recent attacks on vital crude oil pipelines. The NNPC shut the plants simultaneously penultimate Sunday after the Bonny –Okirika crude supply line to the Port Harcourt refinery and the EscravosWarri crude supply line to the Kaduna refinery suffered breaches.”

The NNPC, in a statement by its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe, said the corporation shut the plants, simultaneously, on Sunday, after the Bonny-Okrika crude supply line to the Port Harcourt refinery, and the Escravos-Warri crude supply line to the Kaduna refinery suffered breaches.

It stated that before the closure, the Port Harcourt refinery was recording a daily petrol yield of over 4.1 million litres, while the Kaduna refinery was posting a daily petrol production of about 1.3 million litres.

According to the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the vandalism of the gas Continues on page 25

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 25

Continued from page 24 pipelines would affect negatively the Olorunsogo National Integrated Power Project plant, which has the capacity to supply 600 megawatts of electricity, and other power plants across the country.

The Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Hakeem Bello, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday, that although security agencies had intensified the search for those behind the attack on the pipeline, their action would slow down the country’s power supply system.

Bello stated, “The sabotaged gas pipeline, which contributes to the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System, has led to a loss of 160mmsfcd of gas daily. At a cost of $2.50 per thousand scf, this loss means about $400,000 loss to the country on a daily basis (N78.8m) in gas volume.”

No more tea party – Defense Minister

The Minister of Defense, Brigadier-General Monsur Mohammed-Dan-Ali (retd.), who stopped over in Warri, on Tuesday, for an on-the-spot assessment of the blown-up pipelines, gave a clear indication that the Federal Government was not going to huddle with criminals.

Even as residents of the various Delta State riverside communities lived in fear following the heavy deployment by the military, he directed the JTF Commander, Major General Alani Okunola, and his men to fish out the bombers.

“I came here to intensify assistance to the armed forces and provide them with the equipment that will help them to bring down these criminals. This was an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion”, the Minister stated.

“I believe it was well arranged and well planned. You can see the magnitude of the explosion. I believe this will be taken care of by members of our armed forces. We have intensified patrol. We are still looking for them and the Joint Task Force (JTF) Commander has assured me that they will get to the root of it.”

In his entourage were the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ite Ikwe Ibas; the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Apochi Suleiman, the JTF Commander, Major General Okunmola, Commander, 2 Battalion, Lt. Col Omoke Igwe Patrick, and Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Delta, Commodore Raimi Mohammed.

Terrorism, no more pipeline vandalism —CNS

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja and apparently re-echoing Buhari’s new “ war” plan, the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas, said, henceforth, the Nigerian Navy would treat such infraction as terrorist attack, rather than mere

The FG backlash, panic in the creeks pipeline vandalism.

Describing the bomb blasts as unfortunate, the CNS, who delivered a lecture to Course 24 participants at the National Defence College, entitled, ‘Nigerian Navy: Challenges and Future Perspectives,’ noted that the Navy was not taking the sabotage nonchalantly because the act was capable of undermining the Navy’s recent push in sanitizing the nation’s maritime sector.

His words, “The incident that just happened recently is rather unfortunate and of course that cannot be taken lightly by any serious nation and of course the Nigerian Navy is not going to take it lightly as well.

“We have made it clear that it goes beyond just mere vandalism for the purpose of making any gains; this is absolute sabotage, something that can even be termed terrorism.

“If the guys were doing that to derive benefit from the destruction then one will say it is vandalism, but that is not the

case”.

New order, fresh fears A military source told Sunday Vanguard, at the weekend.

“President Buhari has directed the Minister of Defense on what to do. When he said the militants who blew up the pipelines were less problematic than Boko Haram, the President has intelligence information at his disposal and, I tell you, it is just to re-organize as he said, they will be taken care of.”

“Some persons have been compromised before now because they know the militants and they parley with them. I am not supposed to tell you the changes that will be made, but you will see them with your eyes soon.”

Meanwhile, investigations showed that the JTF had been given an unambiguous order to stop at nothing to fish out the perpetrators of the attacks on the crude and gas pipelines in the Delta State and the Federal Government was prepared to provide more

The threat by the JTF Commander that the task force would hold community leaders responsible for any future attacks in their areas had also raised the heartbeat of the people

logistics. The threat by the JTF Commander that the task force would hold community leaders responsible for any future attacks in their areas had also raised the heartbeat of the people. Indeed, the fear of what it portends is what has made many riverside dwellers to flee their communities in the last one week.

Uncertainty

Ijaw leaders and groups, who suspect that some persons were trying to get at a former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, with the current development, have urged the military to be cautious so as not to exacerbate the already complicated state of affairs. However, normalcy has returned after the three-day bombings, especially when the task force took commanding control of some major entry and exit routes in the creeks of Warri, last Sunday, but the next line of action is like two peas in a pod.

PAGE 26— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

ALLEGED 55 LOOTERS OF N1.34 TRILLION

Vendetta claim is nonsense —Lai Mohammed, Information Minister •Says Nigerians can trace suspected thieves

•Alhaji Lai Muhammed

By Dapo Akinrefon

L

ast week, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, went to town with the news that N1.34 trillion had been stolen from the treasury by 55 public officials in eight years, that is, between 2006 and 2013.

In a follow up interview with Sunday Vanguard, the Minister said Nigerians determined to get the identity of the alleged looters could get them in courts. He also spoke on some other national issues.

Anti—corruption crusade is apparently the issue of the moment. What is the update?

Talking about corruption, it is time we brought into perspective what corruption has done to our nation, our people and our international image, how corruption stifles economic growth, hinders the fight against poverty, leads to decay in infrastructure and reduces educational standards, lowers life expectancy, stunts the fight against maternal and infant mortality and impacts negatively on the general livelihood of the citizens.

The situation is dire and the time to act is now. For example, between 2006 and 2013, just 55 people allegedly stole a total of 1.34 trillion Naira in Nigeria.

That’s more than a quarter of last year’s national budget! Out of the stolen funds, 15 former Governors allegedly stole 146.84 billion

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naira; four former Ministers allegedly stole 7 billion naira; 12 former public servants, both at federal and state levels, allegedly stole over 14 billion Naira; eight people in the banking industry allegedly stole 524 billion Naira; while 11 businessmen allegedly stole 653 billion naira.

Now, what does these figures translate to in the actual sense?

In other words, what is the cost of these stolen funds for Nigerians?

Using World Bank rates and costs, the stolen amount would have built 1,905 kilometres of roads, 108 ultra modern hospitals, built 549 schools, educated 11,922 children from primary to tertiary level at 25.24 million naira per child, and built 60,186 units of 2bedroom houses. This is the money that a few people, just 55, allegedly stole in eight years. And instead of a national outrage, all we hear are these nonsensical statements that the government is fighting only the opposition, or that the government is engaging in vendetta.

Irrespective of your political, religious or tribal leanings, and not minding whether you belong to the APC, PDP, SDP or Labour Party, if you have stolen public funds, you must not go scot-free. You must return the funds to the treasury and face prosecution. Nigerians must know that they cannot get the best even from the very best government if the scourge of corruption is not tackled decisively. Everyone and every arm

of government must rise up to be counted in this epic war, and defeat is not an option if our country is to survive. As President Muhammadu Buhari likes to say, if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.

There is no better way to say it.

Everyone and every arm of government must be involved in the fight against corruption, which is one of the cardinal programmes of the Buhari administration. Irrespective of what anyone may say, President Buhari is leading this fight by example and right from the front.

His unparalleled integrity, his uncommon love of country and his undiluted dedication to service all put him in good stead to wage this war, and we must all support him and own the war in order to ensure its success. This is not Buhari’s war. This is not APC’s war. This is Nigeria’s war.

Questionable court orders Equally critical to the success of the war is the judiciary. Unless this very important arm of government fully joins in waging this war and does not consider it business as usual, the pending cases of corruption will just drag on until they outlast this administration. I am not saying this lightly at all. A situation in which a single court issued five orders all in favour of those being prosecuted for corruption in 2015 alone calls for concern.

In one case, the court granted an ex-parte order staying all actions in connection with any allegation of corruption or other wrong doing which has been the subject of investigation by the EFCC and the House of Representatives. The same court declared unconstitutional the arrest of two applicants, despite exhibit of the criminal charge pending against the applicants, and ordered the de-freezing of the applicants’ account, even after the court had been informed of the existence of a subsisting freezing order by the High Court in Lagos on the account. The same court ordered the EFCC to de-freeze the accounts of people implicated in the laundering of 4.5 billion Naira and perpetually restrained the EFCC from investigating them, after they were invited for an interview by the commission.

This is the money that a few people, just 55, allegedly stole in eight years.

And instead of a national outrage, all we hear are these nonsensical statements that the government is fighting only the opposition, or that the government is engaging in vendetta

The same court stopped the investigation and arrest of an accused, and ordered the release of 2.2 million dollars seized from him.

And, finally, the court ordered that the accused implicated in the laundering of over 1 billion dollars should not be harassed or intimidated and his seized international passport be released.

You can judge for yourselves whether these orders help or hinder the fight against corruption.

In the days ahead, we intend to carry this sensitization programme to all the corners of the country, leveraging on the wide reach of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). We also intend to partner with other agencies of government, especially the anti-corruption agencies and the police, as well as the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-Corruption. We have no doubt that if Nigerians know the true costs of corruption to their lives and well-being, they will be less susceptible to swallowing the frivolous, self-serving and orchestrated distractions from the corrupt people and their benefactors and beneficiaries. We must kill corruption before it kills us.

But Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, who is a leader of the opposition PDP, has challenged you to mention the names of the 55 Nigerians who alleged stole these funds.

My answer to him (Fayose) is that those people who stole the money know themselves.

But shouldn’t government disclose the looters’ names or publish them?

If you go our courts, you will find their names, we are not just compiling new names Mixed reactions are trailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s media chat I think Mr President was forthright and candid in his response to issues; so how can anybody say he was not forthcoming? He was very forthcoming on every issue. On his asset declaration, he said he had done his duty, it was for you to go to the Code of Conduct Bureau to find out. He went further to say that if they don’t allow you, you can go to court. All he said is that he had declared his assets and he made it

Continues on page 28

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 27

ANTI-GRAFT CRUSADE AND RULE OF LAW

We must advise Buhari correctly

•Ebun Adegboruwa

—Ebun Adegboruwa

L

agos lawyer, Ebun Adegboruwa, says President Muhammadu Buhari ought to be properly advised on human rights issues amid to the on-going anti-corruption crusade so that he is not accused of vendetta.

Corruption has become a big issue in Nigeria. What is your take?

Apart from the scourge of military coups, no other thing has dealt more harm to Nigeria than corruption.

Once a leader comes in and says ‘I want to fight corruption’, it gingers the people because corruption has led to the collapse of infrastructure and so many other things; for a leader to endear himself to Nigerians, all he needs to do is to assume office and proclaim anti-corruption war.

Have we always had this with past leaders?

Of course, virtually every leader had claimed to attempt to fight corruption.

As a matter of fact, former President Olusegun Obasanjo started this with ICPC and EFCC. Some people criticised it then that it was not necessary No. What some of us said at that time was that the two bodies shouldn’t be set up to the detriment of the other agencies of government like the police because the police is everywhere while the EFCC is only in Lagos and Abuja.

Do you agree with the claim that some form of witch-hunting is going on?

When Buhari was campaigning, he made war on corruption a campaign issue and, since he came to power, that has been our national anthem. You wake up in the morning, it is anti-corruption, you go to the toilet, you evacuate anti-corruption and it has now become the only song we hear and it seems to have become a distraction.

We support the war against corruption because it has eaten deep into almost every facet of our national life.

In the judiciary, an emergency should be declared because what is going on there is not normal.

If you really want to fight corruption, the gateway to that battle is the judiciary because the President cannot fight corruption.

When you talk about fighting corruption, you’re talking about the

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Office of the Attorney General and the courts and the statutory law enforcement agencies like the ICPC and EFCC, but, if you can follow me to the offices of some of these agencies, you will discover that we are not serious about fighting corruption.

In the EFCC office in Lagos, for instance, there are no tables; no electricity; the operatives I’ve met several times using their personal stationeries, personal computers to conduct investigations.

You may want to find out why high-profile cases collapse in court.

Manpower is not enough.

There is no method of research to properly investigate a corruption case.

Let me tell you what they do: When you get a Yahoo-Yahoo (Advance Fee Fraudster) person, an ordinary person who has no money, you beat him up, hang him, get confessional statement from him; and the next day he is in court; he has been so intimidated and battered and he has no lawyer. In a week’s time, the case is done away with and you get a conviction.

So what happens in high-profile cases?

Ha, in that instance, when you get a public figure who has resources, he goes there with, maybe, two SANs. So, when he sits with you, he folds his hands, waits for you to bring all the evidence you have. You try to force him to write something, the refuses. So, you carry your halfbaked corruption charge against him to court and lawyers pick it and begin to tear it to shreds.

Then, in another one week, you come with another amended charge and, the following week, you come again, from 101 counts, you reduce it to 50 and then you reduce it to 10 and eventually the case is struck out. Remember Timi Sylva and Fani-Kayode’s cases. The problem really is not EFCC’s; look at the budget and find out how much was earmarked for the agency.

After the EFCC may have finished - even if it had done a thorough job - you will still take your case to court.

Go to courts in Lagos today, electricity is not there. The average number of cases before a judge in a day is about 50. There is no way a human being can conduct a serious trial of 15 cases in a day.

Let’s talk about the independence of the judiciary The executive arm of government has hijacked the judiciary.

The judicial workers have been fighting for the past five years to liberate the judiciary because the judiciary in almost all the states is in the hand of the Commissioner for Justice in terms of funding because he who pays the piper dictates the tune. The judiciary must go cap in hand to get its funds from the commissioner. The same thing happens at the federal level.

Most judges in Lagos have an average of 20 judgments (outstanding) to deliver, over 30 rulings. In every country, the executive implements policies and it can seize people’s land by force or imprison people anyhow. But when the judiciary is effective, it curtails the excesses of the executive. Therefore, it is in the executive’s interest to stifle the judiciary by starving it of funds.

A senator has a personal assistant on research, another on media and so on; the same thing for a minister. But go to the court and see what a judge goes through.

He sits in the court from 9am to 3pm before he rises and goes to his chambers. Then he starts to research into cases. Check all the lives of the retired Chief Judges in Lagos, they have one form of illness or the other on account of their years in service. We are not caring for these people. Investment is not made in the judges. All we are hearing about this so- called anti-corruption war is about arrests, bail or no bail, handcuffs and so on and, when the cases collapse, you will turn round to accuse the judges of corruption.

What actually is your problem with the anti-corruption war?

During the campaign, a documentary was aired on AIT which some people considered offensive. The PDP, through its spokesperson, hammered Buhari.

So, when I saw Raymond Dokpesi in court, I have an idea why he is being tried even though there are allegations against him. I saw the PDP spokesman in court and I understand why. I also understand that in 1985 when there was a coup against Buhari, some

If you really want to fight corruption, the gateway to that battle is the judiciary because the President cannot fight corruption

officers played prominent roles then and one of them is Dasuki; so I saw him in court and I have an idea why. After Ayo Fayose’s tenure as governor of Ekiti, I expect to see him in the EFCC office. So, people raise the issue of vendetta. We must advise the President correctly.

I cannot understand why people are saying human rights must be subsumed under a war against corruption. We cannot say that people will no longer be granted bail because they are facing corruption charges. Corruption trial, terrorism trial will come under human rights. Felony is a bailable offence.

Section 36 of the Constitution says people are presumed innocent until proven guilty so you cannot just keep people in detention. And the reason is that if the man is found not to be guilty, he would have suffered for an offence he was not guilty of.

So you allow him that presumption.

Look at the case of Dasuki. J B Daudu is standing for him. He has been the eye of the law in this country. He was the President of the NBA. Why should any reasonable person expect or think that Daudu would encourage his client to jump bail, knowing the consequences?

It seems we are being hypnotised with this anti-corruption war. Look at the high-profile cases and all you hear are stories about bail or no bail and EFCC arresting this and that but when you get to the real trial you don’t get to hear anything because it would seem the proper investigation has not been done. That is what some of us have been saying and that is what we want reversed encourage the EFCC operatives to conduct proper investigation.

Look, there is nothing in bail. The real deal is when you march your suspects to court and confront them with hard facts.

In one high profile case here in Lagos, bail became the main issue and people were coming to court in ‘Aso Ebi’. Keyamo, standing for EFCC, said ‘grant the man bail on self recognisance and I will face the trial proper. He got a conviction

Continues on page 28

PAGE 28— SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

Continued from page 26 public. Anyone who is interested in knowing the details can go to the Code of a Conduct Bureau and if they stop you there, you should know what to do. On the Dasuki issue, he was forthright. The conclusion I draw from what the President said during the chat is that he was asking all of us how the cause of justice will be better served? Is it by giving Dasuki bail or he absconds or he is allowed to have his day in court?

On the President’s position on the NASS and the electricity tariff and removal of fuel subsidy What I understand from Mr President’s statement is that, given the cost of crude, there is no subsidy element if PMS is sold for N85. The President said it is not a matter of removing subsidy or not, the reality today is that with the present cost of crude, under $40, government is not subsidizing anybody by selling refined petrol at N85. So why should we go to the National Assembly with a bill? He went further to say that what government needs to do now is to ensure that our refineries are working. When they are working, we will be importing less fuel and,, that way, even if the price of crude goes up, if we can refine the 445,000 barrel of crude per day, that will be more than 60 per cent of our needs.

Electricity tariff This tariff was actually approved and was supposed to have been implemented just before the 2015 elections. But for political reasons, the then President said it should not be implemented. The new minister must have met with the major stakeholders and listened to them.

We cannot on the one hand need power and not pay for what I call price reflective tariff.

What I know the minister also did

•Lai Muhammed

This tariff was actually approved and was supposed to have been implemented just before the 2015 elections.

But for political reasons, the then President said it should not be implemented

‘Nigerians can trace the 55 looters’ was that he abolished the basic tariff and that increase really

should not be seen in terms of percentage, but in terms of naira and kobo. The real increase might look huge in terms of percentage but in terms of naira and kobo, it goes between 12kobo and N1. What I don’t know is whether, the first time the tariff was increased and implemented before it was

reversed, had the assent of the National Assembly.

His critics on Boko Haram It is either my critics are misinformed, ignorant or mischievous or they have their own agenda because they all sit

down in their small rooms and comment on what they know little or nothing about. What I said, which has attracted so much criticism, is that the military had largely met the deadline of defeating Boko Haram by December 31, 2015 and I backed it with facts and figures. For instance, I said that about a year ago, Boko Haram was in firm control of at least 30 local governments in Nigeria. They were controlling a territory the size of an entire geo-political zone but that, today, they have been decimated and pushed out of those local governments. They might be operating from one or two but they are definitely not in control.

‘We must advise Buhari correctly’ Continued from page 27 here in Lagos until the Supreme Court upturned the verdict years after.

But when the issue is all about vendetta, ‘oh, he’s the spokesperson of the PDP, let’s put him in handcuffs and humiliate him’, you might not get anywhere. This was a man you arrested in his house and he did not resist arrest. What is going on is not trial.

What do you have against this government because it would seem you have something against it?

Me? That cannot be true. I have no grievance against this government or the war against corruption. We are blessed with the President that we have, a devout Muslim, a well-trained soldier who is disciplined. We are blessed as a nation with the Vice President, a professor of law, a SAN, a pastor in the RCCG, who rose to the highest position of Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and revolutionised the judicial system in Lagos. But we must guide them right. We cannot say because we have idols in government, then we should shift the goal post of justice. In any clime, we know the conditions under which you can grant somebody bail, but we cannot now say because we are fighting corruption, so we must change the rules arbitrarily and say ‘let the accused prove his innocence’, I cannot support that.

When people went to court in February 2015 to try to stop Buhari from contesting, I was in court in Abuja spending my resources to defend the President that he should be allowed to contest.

The judiciary was independent at that time because Jonathan did not interfere.

The Attorney General made a statement that judges are going to be sent to jail because they are

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granting bail to suspects according to the Constitution!

Some people are of the view that once suspects are granted bail, the case drags on and on and appears never to be concluded?

To prosecute Chief Ibori, the UK government spent millions of Euros, sending investigators, combing virtually all over the world and, by the time the charge was presented, he had no choice, the evidence was overwhelming. Can we do that in Nigeria? How many lawyers does the EFCC have? Only two prominent lawyers are helping EFCC prosecute its cases Rotimi Jacobs and Festus Keyamo. Any SAN you approach to handl an EFCC case would not agree.

Would you agree to prosecute on behalf of the EFCC? I have called them to say I am ready so that we can fight this anti-corruption war together but that is a private matter.

But talking about bail, I cannot sit here and encourage what is going on because it would turn round to haunt every other aspect of our lives.

A husband, angry with his wife, can push to lock the wife up because then it would no longer be anti-corruption. It cannot work.

But the gravity of what these people have done, the lost lives, infrastructure deficit?

The gravity of a crime is defined by a charge and the law. In Nigeria today, bail comes in three categories, misdemeanour, felonies and capital offences.

With the law today in Nigeria, any offence is

I also said that Boko Haram had been so dealt with that they lacked the capacity to unleash the kind of mayhem they used to unleash before, like coming to attack police headquarters, United Nations complex or our barracks or garrisons. Today, they have been reduced to cowardly attacks on soft targets.

I also said in my statement that this defeat does not mean the end of suicide bombings, it does not mean the end of attacks on soft targets, but that this is a time that we civilians must take over the civilian components of the fight, that will start with national security awareness.

How do you identify suicide bombers? How do you make sure that your parks and cinema houses are better secured. I had also appealed to the media that they should look at the war from a more patriotic viewpoint and that in time of war, nobody can afford to be neutral and that they should please refrain from glamourising Boko Haram and giving them oxygen.

So, I do not see how anybody can fault these facts. I would have been worried, for instance, if they have retaken any territory we had taken from them, that is when I would see relevance and I had also said that we expect these spikes in their attacks before they would want to prove that the army has not met the deadline. It would be part of their propaganda. I have been to the liberated areas but they critics have not been there; so whatever information they are receiving is second hand or third hand. I have been there and I have seen the gallantry of our soldiers. I stand by what I have said and I am happy that my position was re-echoed by Mr President.

bailable.

I would have expected this government to hand over the judiciary to the Vice President to say ‘this is your field, please take it over, reform the judiciary so that when we take a case to court, we can be sure of the outcome

What of terrorism? Because there is a debate now on the gravity of terror…

(Cuts in) Look, if you want us to have a debate, that is another matter. But if you are discussing the law, then the law is the law.

Human rightm is intrinsic, you cannot remove it from that individual’s being.

I have no problem with anybody being arrested and re-arrested and charged. The reason for the argument on the bail matter is that if somebody is being charged, you must have had your evidence - bank statement and all that - before you even charge him. If the issue is not about witch-hunting or just arbitrary punishment, once you charge him repeatedly over and over, people will see through that and concluded that you are just doing what you’re doing to just punish the individual. The multitude of charges is not a problem for me, bail is not a licence for freedom forever.

What do you expect this government to do that it is not doing?

I would have expected this government to hand over the judiciary to the Vice President to say ‘this is your field, please take it over, reform the judiciary so that when we take a case to court, we can be sure of the outcome’.

And please, let us do proper investigation so that when we take a case to court, we would have successfully prosecuted the individual and not all the needless energy on bail and media trial because if the case is not strong and the accused is set free, people will turn round to blame judges for corruption.

•THIS INTERVIEW WAS FIRST AIRED ON CHANNELS TELEVISION

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 29 petition had called for Mr. Donald Trump to be banned from entering UK. To observers the subject matter of the petition was too trivial to engage the precious time of the parliament.

Who will 'bell' Donald Trump?

M

r. Donald Trump is a flamboyant and successful United States businessman cum politician who courts controversies and revels in them. Trump is undoubtedly the leading US Republican Party presidential hopeful in the coming elections. A son of a Scottish immigrant mother. But do not be deceived, his mother's long journey from Scotland to the US has not in any way shaped his views on immigration. It is ironic that his political campaign seem to be anchored on immigration and he is not getting tired very soon of suggesting that immigrants are the cause of the problems in the US. Trump's ideas on immigration is simple - keep as many illegal immigrants out of the US as possible.

You will agree he is not alone in this desire. All over the developed world immigration has become an important issue, and leaders are doing all they could to keep their borders locked up. In Europe, especially the United Kingdom, there is no hiding the fact that non-EEA citizens (legal or illegal) are being kept out of the country by all means by recent immigration policies of the Tory-led government.

Trump's views are not much different from what the UK Prime Minister David Cameron had been preaching for the past five years. And that is to keep Britain for Britons. The only difference between Trump and Cameron is in the choice of words. On the other hand, Cameron has been pursuing his reforms silently to ensure non-EEA migrants are kept out that people barely notice.

Trump may be a man giving to careless words. He may seem to play to the gallery in some of his speeches, but on this immigration reform, he is "dead serious". He has been compared with Briton Nigel Farage who played on people's sentiments on Immigrations in the run up to last year's UK general elections, but ended up having his fingers burnt. Trump seem to be getting the support of the mainstream Americans, who believe he may be the one to make America great again.

Illegal immigration, especially from Mexico, had been a great headache for the country for ages. Mr Trump seem to have dreamt of a permanent solution to this problem - build a wall across the southern border.

According to him, this is the only way to keep the immigrants out of the country.

Every leader is a dreamer. Without a dream, there won't be any reality. Is Trump's dream of a better US conflicting with reality? Is he courting more enemies than friends in his bid for the White House? He seem to have ruffled a few feathers as a result of his recent comments, especially in the UK.

TRUMP AND BRITAIN The British are reputed to be direct, frank and sometimes brutal in their comments. This does not mean they have no feelings. Not at all. They may be "described" as conservative in their lifestyles, however when it comes to telling a story as it is, they do not mince their words. Obviously the British politicians are not in the same league as their Nigerian counterparts who would play the hide and seek game behind a finger.

A typical British politician is not known to tell fibs the way politicians do in this part of the world and will not go not out of his/ her way so as to win votes of the electorates. Listening to some of these politicians campaign in run ups to elections you tend to wonder at the simplicity and down to earth method of winning votes. Likewise in every day relationship the British are very straight forward and you need no divination to realise the position of a Briton on any issue.

Watching proceedings of the British Parliament, the House of Commons, is a constant reminder that the Nigerian lawmakers can be labelled as pretenders "to the throne" in the art of legislation. The decorum that is displayed in Nigeria's National Assembly, which is the equivalent of the British Parliament, is nothing to write home about.

The British Parliament is

Watching proceedings of the British Parliament, the House of Commons, is a constant reminder that the Nigerian lawmakers can be labelled as pretenders "to the throne" in the art of legislation. The decorum that is displayed in Nigeria's National Assembly, which is the equivalent of the British Parliament, is nothing to write home about not often giving to debating trivial matters that would not benefit the larger society. However, earlier this year, it seem to shift a bit when it announced that its Petition Committee would meet to debate a petition, spearheaded by Scottish freelance journalist and activist Suzanne Kelly. The

However, the provision of the law mandates the parliament to hear any petition with signatories over one hundred thousand. As at Monday morning, over 570,000 people had signed the petition.

In his plan to "protect" America from external "invasion" and "pollution", Trump last month suggested the government should ban all Muslims from entering US. Supporters of Trump had come to his defence that his comments should be considered against the backdrop of the terrorists attack by the radicalised Muslim couple in California earlier in December. The couple - Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik - shot and killed 14 people in San Bernando.

These arguments did not however hold water with the petitioners and members of the committee who reached into their rich vocabularies to find suitable words to describe the person of Trump. The members of the committee described Trump in various adjectives that are not in any way flattery of him. "Idiot", "a fool", "a buffoon", etc were some of the words. A Labour MP Jack Dromey said in support of the proposed Trump ban: "Donald Trump is a fool. He's free to be a fool.

He's not free to be a dangerous fool on our shores."

The lawmakers were united in one purpose - condemn the American who had suggested UK had serious problems with Islamic radicalisation.

Trump expressed his fears about radicalisation in the UK when he said: “We have places in London and other places that are so radicalised that the police are afraid for their own lives.

We have to be very smart and very vigilant.” Although the Metropolitan Police, groups and individuals had condemned Trump's views, the reality on ground may suggest a hint of truth in them. A TV documentary on Channel 4 last week, aptly titled "Jihadist Next Door", featured two young Muslims preaching hate messages at various venues in London yet the police was helpless in dealing with them.

Should Trump see this, he will feel right about his views?

Although the Parliament's committee took no vote on the petition, it was however clear that should Trump visit the UK he would not be accorded any red carpet reception by these MPs. Many people had expressed disappointment at the Parliament's waste of public resources to discuss the petition, and its lack of will to stand up to the US politician. The debate of the petition last Monday has not had any effect on the position of the flamboyant politician. Instead, his associates expressed surprise that the parliament could bring itself so low to discuss a non relevant issue.

It is certain though that the over 570,000 signatories to the petition would not cry for him should he lose his presidential bid.

Don’t give up, all is not lost

T

his column this week is a slight de viation from our usual focus on couples waiting on the Lord for children.

The focus is on troubled homes. What do I mean by troubled homes? I mean homes where couples are living like strangers; where couples are not on speaking terms, where the marriage is under a serious threat or homes where children who should have become a source of joy have become a source of sadness.

Let’s go practical and take the case of a young couple residing outside Lagos as an example.

Emma and Vero ( not real names ) got married and have been waiting on the Lord for about five years.

On a particular occasion, Vero made an overseas trip and, before she returned, her husband had packed his belongings out of their matrimonial home.

She returned to find out he had left home.

We’ll return to the details later.

There was another case of a couple that had been married for about 30 years , they too had been having issues over the man’s late home coming.

In their own case, they had teenage children. It got so bad that madam locked out her husband on several occasions and he had to sleep in the car outside.

The man built the house in which they both resided.

Unknown to the wife, the man had started taking his clothes out of the home.

One day, he finally left home.

A third experience is that of a woman who has practically lost her husband to other women .

She is disturbed . The once joyful home had become a sorrowful home.

The issues In the case of Emma, he told his friends that his leaving home had nothing to do with their waiting on the Lord for children. Rather, he said, the woman had become too hot for him. In other words, she was not longer the lover he married.

In the second case, the woman claimed to have be come a s e riou s Christian and could, therefore, not tolerate a man who returned home late.

On the other hand, the man said he chose to return home late because the traffic to their home in Ikotun, Lagos was jammed with traffic and he had to stay late to enable him have a free ride home.

Now, Joyful Homes was not there to pass judgment on anybody but to suggest that whatever we are going through that has made a once joyful home to be tensed, is temporary. As Pastor Oso of the Laughter Foundation Cathedral, Lagos often says, “ Every challenge has an expiry date”.

Beyond that, the solution is available.

In some homes, it is not any of these issues we have mentioned, it could be financial limitation.

In others , it can be health challenges.

Communication Communication is essential . Without it,no problem can be solved.

It can be initiated by either of the spouses and this should be done when one is not angry or having any

Communication is essential .Without it,no problem can be solved. It can be initiated by either of the spouses and this should be done when one is not angry or having any form of emotional stress form of emotional stress .

No partner in such a discussion must insist on having his or her way on all issues.

True, some men can be difficult; where this is the case, there is no need to engage in shouting match or arguments .

The best communication is with God Almighty, the Creator of Heaven and Earth .

The God of possibility Whatever it is that one is going through, we need to turn to God for mercy and compassion , which can turn things around in our favor.

To access his mercy, however, we must ask for it.

Bear in mind, Romans 9 vs 15: “ I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion”.

We need not cry unto man but to cry to the God of man.

For those who have been wronged by other people especially people you trusted so much, Pastor J.T. Kalejaye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God often describes such people as “ unfriendly friends”.

There are ways of dealing with such issues.

The one who has been wronged must do away with bitterness.

Romans 12 vs 19 suggests to us: “ Dearly beloved , avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine ; I will repay , saith the Lord”.

It adds in verses 20 and 21: “ Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good”.

Did I hear you say, ‘this is easier said than done’? I rather say it can be done easily once you have completely yielded yourself to Christ.

Remember, God can change any situation.

It is advisable that we spend more time praying and studying the Word of God than engaging in war of words that may even be hazardous to health.

God is able to give children, He is able to restore broken homes.

He is able to heal.

Are you troubled by the health situation of your spouse, child or other family members? Demonstrate your faith in God by praying.

We have assurance in the Word of God, according to Jeremiah 30 vs 17: “ For I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord…”.

A further assurance is given in Exodus 15 vs. 26 “ ….. For I am the Lord that health thee”.

God’s ability to heal sickness, broken hearts etc is not in doubt. He never fails.

He is able to change every point of sorrow to joy only if we trust in Him. Our trust in Him must be total. It is total trust in Him that turns situations around.

In the words of Pastor J.T. K alejaye, “ Those who carry God’s grace can never suffer disgrace”.

Feedback I end this colunm ths week with a prayer request from Mr. Benjamin, one of our readers.

He has requested that we join him to pray for healing . Let’s spare a moment to ask God to heal this brother, believing that, by the grace of God, he will testify to healing in Jesus name.

PAGE 30—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

Now that the budget has been found, what next?

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hen journalists claim that it is their exclusive preserve to set the national agenda of a nation, not many people fully appreciate the weight and significance of their claim.

One politician said the other day that the agenda setting theory of the media is unrealistic in Nigeria because it is not the media but the political class that initiates and directs the course of the nation’s agenda. If indeed, national agenda refers to the predominant topic of discuss, then the politician is correct because what Nigerians are forced to discuss is set everyday by politicians. For example for the better part of last year, Nigerians were manipulated to discuss election campaigns in place of the abduction of over 200 of their young compatriots. To make matters worse, the media, as if to confirm that their agenda function has been

lost to politicians merely help to publicise what our politicians want us all to discuss. Otherwise, what would have made Nigerians to busy themselves through a whole week on a frivolous matter like an alleged missing budget which can reproduce a million times?

We submit that the type of national agenda that the media are supposed to set concern not just a determination of what people discuss but issues that should positively impact on the people.

Against this backdrop, it is important to draw the attention of media correspondents at the National Assembly that to merely publicise whatever happens in their location amounts to post-office journalism just the same way a post office delivers a letter untouched as it was sent.

Media professionals are not supposed to so serve as repeater mechanism for what politicians say; they are rather obliged to go beyond PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758

Coming back from America (2)

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lthough I did not go beyond Cali fornia while vacationing in the US, my experiences areenough to convince any reasonable person thatAmerica is a great country. Of course, the US is not a paradise: America is not a land where manna falls from heaven, as some people erroneously believe. Acquisitiveness, gun violence, excessive freedom accorded to children, racism, police brutality to minority groups (especially African-Americans), and the ever-present danger of terrorist attack make life in America quite challenging. However, to be candid, despite the issues highlighted above, living in the US is preferable to living in Nigeria, particularly for middle and low-incomeearners. Aside from solid reliable infrastructureand amenities, in addition to the affordable prices of food items and groceries, a hardworking person with low income can live reasonably well in America, unlike here in Nigeria where one requires a lot of money to

procure and sustain the basic comforts of life.

Some self-deceivers who live in denial pretend to be patriotic by arguing that "there is no place like home" or that "east or west, home is the best." They sermonise that no matter how bad the situation in Nigeria might be, one must stick around because "it is well," "we have no other country to call our own," and other shibboleths. But that argument is fallacious: it ignores the phenomenon of dual nationality and people who deliberately repudiate their country of origin for some reason to assume another country as their own. Life is too short for any human being to live on hope all the time, or even most of the time.

In our rapidly globalising world characterised by massive migrations of people, I believe that "home" is wherever anybody finds peace, productive work, love,happiness and good neighbourliness over a reasonable period, irrespective of the contingent fact of his or her place of origin.

Throughout my stay in America, I did not en-

telling a story of where when and how an event took place, by undertaking the interpretative dimension of a news report which enables society to understand the implications to their lives of the event being reported. To hype irrelevant alarms such as a missing budget only to downplay the substantive issues of governance such as the exact use, into which a budget is put, amounts to blowing cosmetic matters

The threat by President Obasanjo to deal with other MDAs found to have also ‘bribed’ legislators yielded nothing thereafter except that the MDAs that got scared of the threat and avoided lobbying lost out.

So, lobbying to distort the budget continued

out of proportion just to manipulate the people.

Unfortunately, that has been the fate of our national budget for long. Indeed,

counter the problems of e p i l e p t i c electricity,erratic water supply, poorly maintained roads,foul smelling heaps of refuse on roadsides, irritating harmattan weather, fuel scarcity, etc.Because things work efficiently, thousands of Nigerians are struggling relentlessly to be in the US. Indeed, I would relocate to America if I had enough resources to do so because, based on the real situation in both countries right now, the future of my two daughters is brighter there. Sometimes when you interact with Nigerians living in the United States, Britain, Germany,and so on, they complain bitterly about racism, bills and taxes, and express the desire to return home. Some of them are ashamed that they have achieved virtually nothing and would not want their relatives to know how poor they really are having wasted good opportunities for success while abroad through self-indulgent sybaritic lifestyles and have nothing to fall back upon if they come back home.

Others who have the wherewithal to return to Nigeria but stillstayed put just do not want to take on the added responsibility of catering for relativesand friends. Some Nigerians who discourage others from joining them abroad are so selfish and myopic that they do not want others to enjoy the kind of life they are enjoying overseas or are afraid that relatives or friends they brought over might be more successful than them in future.

Evidently, Nigeria has adequate resources to belong to the comity of de-

since 1999 when democracy was resurrected in Nigeria, we have never had a budget, what we have always had is a communiqué of political negotiations in which the polity is usually overheated in a cat and rat game between the Presidency and the National Assembly which always short changes the citizenry.

So it is always a tale of delayed budgets influenced by multifarious antics.

There was even a time when the budget could not be presented because the two chambers of the National Assembly suddenly feigned a disagreement over the appropriate venue of a joint session for the event.

Painfully, the public can hardly comprehend what fuels the contrived controversies. Could it be “constituency project”. If so what does it mean? How much does it cost? Is it ever executed? How many times is it recycled? Which contractors are involved?

What is the difference between a “constituency project” and other projects captured in the budget? Are the latter not located in constituencies? One analyst answered all these questions the other day when he said a “constituency projects vote” in the legislature is the same as “security vote” in the executive while some judges try to create one for the judiciary through election petitions. The summary is that all the antics normally

lead to delayed budgets yearly. In 2012, for example, it took four months for the budget to be passed.

Thereafter, it took the President’s aides a whole month to study the distortions introduced to jack up the budgets of some sectors.

While signing the budget on Friday April 13, 2012, an angry President Jonathan threatened to sack heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who lobbied to get their budgets increased by the legislature.

Jonathan was probably alone. In 2004, government had uncovered aN55million “public relations lobby fund” used by the Ministry of Education to influence the legislature to increase its budget. The issue led to the removal from office of the Senate President as well as the Minister of Education. The threat by President Obasanjo to deal with other MDAs found to have also ‘bribed’ legislators yielded nothing thereafter except that the MDAs that got scared of the threat and avoided lobbying lost out.

So, lobbying to distort the budget continued. It cannot change because budgeting in Nigeria is an annual ritual with static processes and procedures. To start with, an organization prepares a budget proposal; several months later, without reference to what informed the proposal it is

temperamentally moderated. Thereafter, another authority makes a decision on what fraction of the approved budget to be released; yet another authority decides on whether or not due process has been followed in the award of the contracts for the proposed projects; all of this takes no less than three quarters of a year leaving the public bodies with exceedingly short period to implement the budget; and then while all hands are on deck to rush a few assignments at the tail end of the year, a circular emerges with a directive that all unspent funds be returned to the treasury!

Can the 2016 budget change our fate? We hope it does. Anyway, now that the alleged missing document has been found along with the thief, there is no need for prosecution; instead let us merely use its content for the benefit of Nigerians. We are not even sure if the theft would not be beneficial in due course. In this regard, the rumour that the Presidency has reduced the allocation for exotic cars by N7billion is heart warming.

So is the other story that the allocation to the State House Medical Centre has also been rationalized. But who uses the centre - is it the same people who fly abroad to treat headache or is that one of changes we should look out for?

veloped nations through solid socioeconomic development and employment opportunities that would unleash the creative potentials of her people andminimise poverty, destitution, alienation and hopelessness. Unfortunately, the vicious recycling of medio-

a wicked virus deletes from their brains memories of their experiences while abroad and renders them incapable of working to replicate those things here.

In my opinion, our leaders should be ashamed of themselves; they deserve long prison terms with hard labour for wasting wonderful opportunities to make Nigeria great because of greed and wickedness.

Sadly, the mediocrity of our leaders is complemented by the lethargy of Nigerians who are on a daily diet of intellectually, morally and spiritually corrosive religious superstition served by spiritually bankrupt and hypocritical religious preachers. While on the issue of religion, Frank, my host, took me to churches in California on two separate Sundays, hoping for my miraculous reconversion to Christianity. I told him that my disavowal of conventional religion is final and that going to church with him is a kind of religious or theological tourism. Therefore, while the congregation was praying, I was busy looking around and taking photographs. Now, unlike Pentecostal churches in Nigeria that collect multiple offerings during each church service, the churches I visited in America collected offering only once. Also, whereas some Nigerian pastors instil fear and intimidate their church members by always preaching about the horrors of hell fire and invoking "holy ghost fire" to destroy imaginary enemies, American pastors tend to be more positive and rational by emphasising kindness, enhanced sense of self, and unflinching belief in God's power to

forgive sins inspite of ineradicable human fallibility.

Our Presidents, governors, ministers and members of the ruling elite visit developed countries regularly and enjoy the excellent facilities put in place by their counterparts.

Yet, when they return to Nigeria, it appears that a wicked virus deletes from their brains memories of their experiences while abroad cre leadership has virtually destroyed Nigeria to the extent that presently an increasing number of our people are scavenging refuse dumps at great personal risk to eke out a miserable living. Our Presidents, governors, ministers and members of the ruling elite visit developed countries regularly and enjoy the excellent facilities put in place by their counterparts. Yet, when they return to Nigeria, it appears that

Overall, I enjoyed my Christmas vacation in America. On my return journey, as the pilot announced that the aircraft would land at Murtala Mohammed International airport in thirty minutes, I became unhappy: the prospect of returning to Nigeria to face harsh weather, incessant power outages, and all the existential anomalies and anxieties of daily life in the country depressed me.

Silently, I futilely wished for an excuse that would make the pilot fly us back to where we were coming from. I got home to the warm embrace of my wife and daughters - I really missed them. I had a fulfilling vacation, despite the shortage of money to buy things for my family and friends to the extent I wanted. I use this opportunity to thank Apostle Frank Uwakwe and his amiable wife, Ngozi, for their hospitality and warm-heartedness. Without them, my Christmas vacation in America would not have been as enjoyable as it was. Mrs. Uwakwe, thank you so much for your care and concern: I really enjoyed the delicious meals you served daily, which have actually made me to regain all the weight I lost while in Nigeria. I miss your three lively daughters, Nnedi, Ugonma and Ugochi - I fondly call the last two abubu, their childlike corruption of the expression "I poo poo." I wish the Uwakwes peace profound, excellent health, lasting happiness and success in all their undertakings. Concluded.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 31

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Tenant removes neighbour’s 7-mth pregnancy with kitchen knife Esther Onyegbula

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mother of two, Mrs. Oyinyechi Chinaka, is recuperating after she was reportedly stabbed several times by her neighbour (names withheld) in Mushin area of Lagos.

Mrs Chinaka was rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, but she lost her seven months pregnancy.

The victim’s agony began after she allegedly caught the neighbour stealing money from her purse and, not wanting the woman to expose him at number 11, Anjorin Street, Mushin, Lagos, the suspect was said to have stabbed Mrs. Chinaka with a kitchen knife severally on her stomach ,arm and neck and left her to bleed to death .

The mother of two could have died but for the timely intervention of neighbours who went looking for her and called for help after they saw her lying in her room in a pool of blood.

While neighbours were at a loss about what happened to her, the assailant went about as if nothing happened until he was found out by his elder brother and he confessed to stabbing Mrs. Chinaka .

The victim, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard on her hospital bed, narrated, “ I was at home that fateful day when my children came to me in the kitchen where I was cooking to say electricity had been restored, and that I should come to the living room to play a cartoon video, called Power Ranger, for them. I left what I was doing and went to operate the

I thought he was joking but to my shock, he moved close and, as I attempted to escape, he held me and started stabbing me with the knife . He stabbed me until I lost consciousness television for them. But to my astonishment, I saw the neighbour in my room. He was going through my purse to steal money. I caught him red handed. He was shocked .I said, ‘ So, you are the one stealing all the money that has been missing in this compound’. I was shocked because I trusted him and we had never quarrelled before. I usually left my children with him and he entered my house the way he liked, but for him to be stealing was shocking to me. As I was still talking to him, he ran out of the room and before I knew what was happening, he came back with a kitchen knife and told me that he will stab me with it. I thought he was joking but to my shock, he moved close and, as I attempted to escape, he held me and started stabbing me with the knife .

He stabbed me until I lost consciousness. I did not know what happened next. I only found myself in hospital and, after surgery, I was revived. My husband told me that I was stabbed and would have died but

for God’s mercy. I could not feel my baby anymore. I was seven months pregnant but my baby was not kicking”.

Mr. Henry , Mrs Chinaka’s brother- in-law, explained the trouble the family went through to get medical help for her. “ When we heard that she was stabbed, the family rallied round and rushed her to LUTH. Doctors told us that she had to use the only ICU machine but a lot of people were on queue to use it. We ran helter skelter to look for money to deposit for her treatment. We had to deposit N500,000 and we have spent more than a million naira on her treatment but nobody knew who stabbed her and she was on life support machine for months .

Unknown to us, the assailant’s elder brother had reported him to the police at the Olosan Police Station and the police had charged him to court for attempted murder without carrying out thorough investigation nor did they visit the woman in the hospital” , Henry said. “ We have been prevailing on the police to include the case of murder in the charge against the assailant because the woman lost her seven months old pregnancy due to the stabbing. The baby is in the mortuary but the DPO of the Olosan Police Station and the IPO are not ready to cooperate with us as they went on to charge the boy to court without hearing from the family of the victim. We are appealing to the police to revisit the case and amend the charge to include murder. We want justice to be done.”

A human rights activist, Mr. Ishola Agbodemu, urged the police to get

•Mrs Oyinyechi Chinaka justice for the victim, especially in the light of the lost pregnancy.

“If she had not been stabbed and made to go through such a terrible experience, she would have given birth to a child by now. The child’s murder should not be overlooked by the police”, Agbodemu said.

In his statement to the police, the suspect said he was pushed by an evil spirit to stab Mrs. Chinaka.

“I went to her house to steal money. She caught me but a spirit told me to stab her, so I went to the kitchen and took the knife and stabbed her with it. I stabbed her because I did not want her to reveal to other neighbours that I am a thief. I fled the house when I saw blood gushing out. It was my brother who exposed me. He saw a cut wound on my hand and he questioned me where I got it. I had to confess to him that I used knife to stab Mrs Chinaka. My elder brother took me to the Olosan police station and I was arrested”.

DIABETES, UNEMPLOYMENT

The lifeline in Edo, Delta, by Edigin

By Simon Ebegbullem

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osasu Omoregbee Edigin is the Supervisory Grand Beacon for the Centre for Edo-Delta Development Initiative. Edigin speaks on the reason behind the establishment of the skill acquisition and diabetic care unit.

What is Edo-Delta Development Initiative all about?

The Initiative has been in existence since 2012 but became the Centre for EdoDelta Development Initiative and registered as a nongovernmental organization in 2014 by the founding Grand Beacons led by Chief Sam Igbe, the Iyase of Benin. Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi is also one of the Grand Beacons of this

project. The initiative is structured to also have Body of Partners, Body of Financial Supporters, Body of Voluntary Supporters, executives and beneficiaries.

The aim of the initiative is to eradicate the prevalence of poverty and the debilitating effects of diabetes on the inhabitants of Edo and Delta States.

The initiative is also involved in human capital development through periodic empowerment training programmes. The initiative has successfully empowered over 5,000 persons in seven local government areas in Edo in Plaster of Paris ceiling board design and moulding, liquid soap, sanitizer, insecticide, air fresher making and mobile fish farming. Some of the beneficiaries are funded to enable them kickstart the businesses the initiative has empowered

them with. There is also a special focus on physically challenged persons to make them self-employed and useful to the society. We have successfully done diabetic testing for over 10,000 persons and commenced treatment for over 1,000 persons our medical personnel diagnosed to be diabetic in our awareness campaign programmes in Edo and Delta. The beneficiaries always put their new found knowledge to help the larger community.

But there is this insinuation that the body was created due to the governorship ambition of Dr Chris Ogiemwonyi?

Certainly not.

Engr.Ogiemwonyi has been involved in the initiative long before he aspired to become the governor of Edo. The initiative was

created to serve the people of Edo and Delta States with a core mission to eradicate extreme poverty and educate the people about diabetes and how it can be managed while rendering free medical treatment to the sufferers diagnosed by our medical personnel.

I personally do pray and wish our Principal Grand Beacon, Ogiemwonyi, success in his aspirations, to serve the Edo people under the present day contemporary political system. He has been serving the people of Edo under the leadership and guidance of our father the Iyase of Benin in many ways which include his support for the Edo-Delta Development Initiative which gladdens the hearts of many.

What is the essence of the newly created skills

acquisition and diabetic care centre?

We saw the need to have a centre for diabetic care, where people can visit and meet our medical personnel weekly to be counseled and treated. The staff will give treatment to diabetic patients free of charge every Monday. We saw the essence for this from records which show a high percentage of deaths of especially people in their middle ages, deaths caused by uncontrolled or badly managed diabetic cases which lead to complications like cardiovascular diseases and ultimately stroke, blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage that results in impotence.

The skills acquisition centre will help in our poverty eradication efforts.

We are starting with professional training in hair barbing and hair making.

We are employing professionals to help beneficiaries develop their skills. The empowerment programme also be free for the beneficiaries.The centre would be officially opened on the 1st of February 2016.

PAGE 32—SUNDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

Priv at ar sities Privat atee vvar arsities students’ fees highly subsidized

08116759757

Amnesty Programme has sharpened our sense of reasoning — Ex-militant leader

By Abel Kolawole Amnesty Programme, granted exmilitants by the Federal Government, has been described as an eye-opener to youths of the Niger Delta. In this interview, the Delta State Chairman, Phase 2 Ex-militants, Mr Kingsley Muturu, discloses that the programme is a plus to the Nigerian government and the people. He also comments on the Buhari administration’s fight against corruption.

Can you tell us about the implementation of the Amnesty Programme, from its inception ?

The programme is progressing because there are a lot of success stories to tell. We have had new orientation for the former agitators; we have had better ways to approach issues regarding the Niger Delta struggle for fair treatment from the government at the centre.

In fact, the Amnesty Programme has sharpened our sense of reasoning and given us a better orientation on the Nigerian state.

How do you compare the former

Shell Pensioners Association elects new exco

By Akpokona Omafuaire

T

HE Shell Pensioners As sociation, Warri Branch has elected new executives to run the affairs of the union for next two years, with a promise to prioritize welfare of members.

This was revealed during the inauguration of new executives at Shell Club Ogunu at the annual General Meeting by Comrade Lucky Dudun, new Chairman who doubles as National Chairman of the union, who thanked members for the call to serve.

High point of the event was the inauguration of the new executives by Apostle Francis Ojoh.

Those sworn in are; Comrade Lucky Dudun, Chairman, Chief Pitylove Abanre, Vice Chairman, Comrade Godswill Komani, Secretary,Mr. Akin Abayomi, Assistant Secretary, Mr. David Egware, Treasurer, Apostle Edward Uchebike, Financial Secretary.

Others are; Chief Emmanuel Akporero, Assistant Financial Secretary, Mr. Sunday Akakari, P.R.O, Mrs. Edith Onyeneke, Social/ Welfare Officer, Chief C.A. Oji, Patron, His Highness E. Kimia, Patron, Chief Pat Edafe, Patron, Chief E. Imonikugbere, ex-officio and Comrade Frederick Tete as ex-Officio.

In his address, Mr. Sunday Aghoghovwia, the outgoing chairman, charged the new executive to be up and doing to be able meet the yearnings of members.

On his part, Chief Pitylove Abanre, new Vice Chairman added: “We are grateful that you have called us to serve” .

government and the present one in terms of the programme’s implementation?

The former administration, chaired

by Kingsley Kuku, did its best in carrying out re-orientation and training programmes, as well as payment of stipends to ex-agitators.

Kuku recorded considerable achievements in the execution of the programme, though he might not have satisfied everybody. And talking about the present management, Brig.

Gen. Paul Boroh (retd) is doing his best, most especially in the area of training of youths, and that ongoing efforts will establish the programme to create job opportunities for many.

We see him as somebody who has pains over the state of the Niger Delta in the discharge of his duties.

—Prof. Adeyemi, Bells University VC

•Caleb University, at 6, sets food production agenda

By Folashade Oladimeji

neither am I of the opinion that the Amnesty Programme will be mishandled under his government. I would also want to use this opportunity to call on those who have been sending unnecessary text messages to Brig.

Gen. Boroh over the figure appropriated in the budget to refrain. This is because he is working according to directives, he has no final say on any amount appropriated for the programme.

As an ex-agitator, do you have anything to say about the unfolding drama in the $2.1 billion arms scandal?

If the reports we hear are true, then I would say those indicted should be thoroughly probed. Nobody should begin to fight against the government’s efforts to unfold the arms Talking about the 2016 budget as presented to the National Assembly, scandal which the former NSA is said to have disclosed. We should allow the government to how do you assess the amount probe it to the end. Who knows why Boko appropriated for the Amnesty Haram was able to acquire sophisticated Programme, which is below the weapons to unleash terror on Nigerian sums appropriated for past years? citizens, many of whom had been sent to their We have already reacted to that early graves? How did they get those through an Open Letter to President weapons which even scared the Nigerian Muhammadu Buhari.. Buhari is a military fighting these insurgents? I urge man of integrity and implementing president Buhari to holistically carry out the the Amnesty Programme has to do arms probe to earn the trust of Nigerians, with integrity on the part of because there are also allegations that his government. We expressed the hope anti-corruption war is targeted at that the President will see the need to perceived enemies and critics, which is re-visit the amount appropriated in not good for his image as President of all the budget, because I do not think the Nigerians. I am in support of the antiPresident has ill-will towards the training programme for ex-agitators, corruption war.

Delta Marine School needs boats

By Ephraim Oseji

T

he Chairman of the Governing Council of the Delta State School of Marine Technology (DESMATECH), Burutu, Isah Clark, led other members of the Council on a three- day visit across the three campuses of the school.

The Governing Council members, received by the Ag Provost of Delta State School of Marine Technology , Dr CEO Anuku, at the Burutu Campus, were conducted round the school.

In his welcome speech, Anuku hinted the Council on the challenges facing the school. These, he said, to include lack of boats for staff and

students transit, infrastructures and low revenue base among others.

Clark, while responding, said that he and his team were on a familiarization visit of the institutions.

“We are here today to have a direct assessment of what is on ground, so we can put up those things that we need most in these hard times of economic meltdown before Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.”

On Clark’s entourage were Dr. David Ighovojah, Dr. Alex Obuh, Mrs Roli Kpenosen and Captain Tony Onokarigho.

On the team of Anuku who received the delegation were Mr H. Ofili, Mr O.S Izomoh, Engr Festus Akpule, Mr Oke Onokpite and Engr Famous Akpoyibo among others.

Ag Provost of School of Marine Technology, CEO Anuku (left) explaining a point to Chairman Governing Council of the school, Barr. Isah Clark (on suit) while other members look on

The Vice Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Prof. Isaac Adebayo Adeyemi, has described as erroneous the thinking that private universities are set up solely for the purpose of profit making.

In reality, according to Adeyemi, students of private universities across the country are highly subsidized out of the quest of the proprietors to contribute to Nigeria’s educational development.

The VC, who is also the Chairman, Committees of Vice-Chancellors and Registrars of Private Universities, spoke at the th 6 Foundation Day Lecture of Caleb University, Imota, Lagos.

He was the Guest Lecturer and the lecture was entitled, ‘ Advancing the food production chain: Route to economic transformation and human development in Nigeria.

The Foundation Day Lecture was Caleb University’s way of setting an agenda for food production in Nigeria. “ Many people erroneously think proprietors establish private universities to make profit. It takes at least 30 years for any private university to break even. Whereas it takes between N1 million and N1.5 million to educate an undergraduate every year, he pays an average of N400,000. The proprietor bridges the gap” , Adeyemi told the audience ahead of the lecture. “ I am saying this because I have operated a private university for about 10 years.”

In his lecture, the VC said :” The envisaged improvement in the economic and human development parameters through the expected transformation would call for investment in research and development on all facets of the food production chain and intensive research on exploitation of lesser known food crops. “ The value chain analysis does reveals how what each stage of the food chain has added (economic) value directly to the final food produce. Consequently, the value added at each step can be developed to a thriving business enterprise in its own way. Therefore, the entrepreneurial opportunities within the chain would be a means of reducing unemployment within the economy”, the Guest Lecturer added.

The Acting VC of Caleb University, Prof.

Olufemi Oludimu, said the Foundation Day Lecture was part of the institution’s efforts to help Nigeria to proffer solution to her food production challenges.

The occasion was graced by the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotebi while Ogun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Yetunde Onanuga, was represented by a permanent secretary in the state civil service. Also in attendance was the representative of the Governing Council of C aleb University, Prince Bola Taiwo; and Hon. Olatunji Olusoya, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Agric.

•Professor Olufemi Oludimu presenting a souvenir to Prof. Isaac Adebayo Adeyemi after the lecture.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 33

QUICK SEX! (2)

their bodies to foreign buyers. These women work in sub-human conditions; they are sent out without any hope of regularizing their legal status and can be easily transferred into criminal networks.

These Nigerian prostitutes work hard to send money home to their families.

In Nigeria, women of Benin City, a town in the state of Edo highly reported to have been going to Italy to work in the sex trade and every year, successful ones have been recruiting younger girls to follow them.

The trafficking industry in Nigeria is fuelled by the combination of widespread emigration aspirations and severely limited possibilities for migrating to Europe.

Most migrant women, including those who end up in the sex industry, have made a clear decision to leave home and take their chances overseas. They are headstrong and are perceived as ambitious women who migrate in order to escape conflict, persecution, environmental degradation, natural disasters and other situations that affect their habitat and livelihood.

Ensuring a better future for one’s family at home is a principal motivation for emigration within and outside the trafficking networks.

Working abroad is therefore often seen as the best strategy for escaping poverty.

The success of many Italos, as these women are called, is evident in Edo. For many girls, prostitution in Italy has become an entirely acceptable trade and the legend of their success makes the fight against sex traffickers all the more difficult.

Life in the red light district The first part was published last week

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huka is not the only male prostitute around.

In November 2015, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS said that an alarming 3,500 male prostitutes are working in the Federal Capital territory .

The agency disclosed that it recently discovered and identified about 3500 male sex workers within the Abuja city centre.

Lamenting these figures, the agency said over 60 per cent of these men are married.

The Director General of the agency, Professor John Idoko, at a lecture to mark last year’s World AIDS day in Abuja with the theme- Strategies for Ending AIDS in Nigeria by 2030, said the agency is now targeting hotspot areas in its drive to end the HIV epidemic.

Idoko said:”Within the Federal Capital Territory, we found that if we focus our resources in three council areas of Gwagwalada, Bwari and Abuja Municipal, we would have covered a greater population of persons with HIV within the area.”

A worried government wades in In 2010, Mallam Isa Mohammed, a former FCT Minister made a pronouncement banning the activities of commercial sex workers in the federal capital. The ban worked for a period of time but reverted as banning of prostitution had never worked in any part of the world.

Major cities like Lagos, Abuja, PortHarcout are a haven for prostitutes.

In spite of attempt by the FCT authority to establish a task force that was saddled with the responsibility of arresting and prosecuting anyone caught in the act within the FCT, prostitution has continued to thrive.

In Abuja, women of easy virtue still hold sway, from Kuje to Abaji down to Kubwa where a section of the satellite

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town has been code-named “women boku”.

All over the world, prostitution has gone digital. Prostitutes trade their naked bodies on the internet, asking to meet prospective clients on appointments .

Street prostitutes are still the most popular. Married and single women alike who engage in the trade come out at night, exposing their bodies for anybody who cared to patronise them.

There are still those who call themselves ‘call girls.’

Call girls These ones don’t hang around the streets . Some of these are in profitable businesses but attend parties and clubs where they meet potential clients who call on them whenever their services are required.

Ada Obi said she is a hair dresser but what she makes from the business does not sustain her and her family.

“I’m happily married and have four children. Things used to be good at home until my husband was retrenched from work three years ago.

Things deteriorated at home and since we’ve stopped having children, I decided to ‘work’ for the family. My husband is one of those who don’t want their wives to work but he has learned his lesson. I’m sure he knows what I do but he has never asked because I’m the one paying the rent and the children’s school fees and I’m sure he knows the money is not coming from my small business. But I have done things respectfully.

“I don’t hang on the streets. I go to joints and clubs instead where I meet clients and give out my call card.

Whenever a client needs me, he calls me and we agree on where to meet” At a joint off Toyin street on Xmas eve, the reporter paid a prostitute N4,000 for 30 minutes to open up on her trade.

“ I’m different from a prostitute.

I’m a call girl. I’m just having fun in this joint and if I see anybody that wants business, we negotiate. I don’t stand at street corners like other prostitutes do. I have a complimentary card. When any man admires me, I give him my card so that whenever he wants us to do business together, he calls me again. I earn between N5,000-N20,000 on a good day. Some of my customers will not want to take me home. They have wives at home. So, we just do ‘it’ in the convenient place , maybe a hotel or a car if it is night.

Jovita, another prostitute at a casino around Ojuelegba also spoke for a fee saying it is wrong for anyone to call her a prostitute.

“I’m like any other business person. I am a call girl and get I paid for services I render. I am classy and I make money in this business. I have done business in many cities but things are not easy for me in some places. I was in Abuja doing the same business but circumstances forced me to relocate to Lagos. Things were good when I was in Abuja because most times, I get paid in dollars . I have bought myself a good car and I have started building a house for my parents in our village.”

Taking it abroad Deceived with promises of a better life and fulfilling their American dreams in Italy, many Nigerian prostitutes are taking their trade abroad. Out of ignorance or due to poverty, young girls with the consent of their parents are deceived and taken into sex slavery overseas.

The media has been awash with the phenomenon of foreign women, who line the roadsides of Italy, selling

The agency disclosed that it recently discovered and identified about 3500 male sex workers within the Abuja city centre

Last Comment Miss Chinonye Obi, a broadcaster at Radio Nigeria in her comment on the issue said that “prostitution is a social vice which leaves lots of devastating effects on the girls, and these include HIV/AIDS, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis and other sexually-transmitted diseases.

Any form of sexual association with a prostitute is dangerous apart from the physical effect of unwanted pregnancy, and most of them abort several pregnancies during their time in prostitution, while others end up with irritable bowel syndrome, as well as partial and permanent disability. It is also on record that prostitutes suffer emotional health consequences like trauma, stress, depression, anxiety, and self-medication through alcohol and drug abuse, and eating disorders. Most of them also use drugs like marijuana, cocaine and alcohol frequently.”

PAGE 34—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

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SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 35

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PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

Kaleidoscope LASSA FEVER:

Let’s replicate the 2006-2008 intervention —DR G ANI EN AHOR O GANI ENAHOR AHORO

By Ishola Balogun

D

r. Gani Enahoro is Vice President, African Veterinary Association and former President of the Nigerian Veterinary Association of Nigeria. He bares his mind on the solution to Lassa fever outbreak.

“Luckily, there has been a preponderance of circulating “Facts on Lassa Fever” in the social media, since this current outbreak that has affected 94 patients and killed 43 in 10 states th as at 13 January 2016, resulting in a Case Fatality Rate of 44%.

This statistic and precautionary measures all trace their source to the press release by the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole. A man I admire so much, since I had close encounters with him during Alumni reunion programmes two years ago as Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan.

“This public document included the listing of symptoms to watch out for, GSM numbers to call, email addresses for the internet savvy, pathogenesis and epidemiology of Lassa Fever, tracing its origin to rats of Mastomys natalensis- the hairless tail, multi-mammate rat, which is prevalent in West Africa, as the hosts or reservoirs of the Lassa fever virus. It also has an incubation period of 6-21 days with multi system failures that would eventually lead to death.

“The objective of this volume of

information is laudable and meant to increase awareness through public education by warning and sensitizing people, but they could sometimes also frighten the citizens about the dangers of Lassa fever. Thanks to the advent of the social media, for making information dissemination very easy, cheap and just a single click away.

“However, beyond this hype and fears, there are fundamental issues and several questions that need to be addressed going forward, if we must conquer the scourge of Lassa fever, and by extension other viral haemorrhagic fevers.

“There must be a change in the past strategies employed by the health authorities, that has failed to stop the recurrence of this deadly zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fever, tapping from the experience of Ebola that we have just recovered from, and which seems to be our lot in West Africa and the successful experience in taming the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza popularly called Bird Flu. “Lassa Fever has been with us since 1969 and is still regrettably being talked about with more frenzy today with a case fatality rate almost thrice the 15% that WHO considers a very bad situation. The reason could be that old and current strategies deployed have been the same and ineffective. As a nation, we must come out of the box and design a new and sincere approach to dealing with a disease that is quite endemic in our region, rather than continue with the fire brigade methods of raising alarm, daily blowby-blow ministerial updates of deaths on television, setting up one-sided committee, begging for international

There must be a change in the past strategies employed by the health authorities, that has failed to stop the recurrence of this deadly zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fever, tapping from the experience of Ebola that we have just recovered from

donations and building professional silos around the outbreaks, as if an island exist around diseases. At best, what those steps have given us was to unfairly concentrate every effort in post infection management of patients and contact tracing of those who related with infected people, rather than a holistic multi-disciplinary approach that is more efficient, prudent and sustainable, when all hands are on the deck.

“The animal-human interface that makes elimination of rats and rodents critical in the case of Lassa fever has been completely ignored or played down, when the committees are formed and when funds are deployed. No expert in that area of competence has ever been found worthy of membership of Lassa Fever Committees, even when an unwieldy number of 26-man omnibus committee of solely medical doctors was formed in 2012.

“The failure of such one-sided panel beating of a very deadly situation is now steering us in the face today with the current recurrence. It sounds more logical that we should worry as much, if not more about the source of the disease and how to control it alongside the care for those already infected, in the hope that we could nip in the bud, exposing more people that could have been infected in future.

This is the missing link, which could be traced to pecuniary benefits that may surround the funds that would be provided, under emergency, to deal with the disease. I hope we are all learning from Dasukigate, the infamous arms fund deal that has confirmed that blood money does not stink in some people’s pockets, no matter their status in the society.

“For every student of public health, the first lesson was that no dividing lines exist between human and animal medicine, because more than sixty-five percent of infectious diseases in man are traceable to their animal origins. It then means that collaboration between these two specialties must be promoted at all opportunities for the overall interest of the general public. I must appreciate that just the one time this collaboration was tasked, Nigeria got better for it, and that was during the two major outbreaks of Bird Flu in 20062008 and recently last year, the vestiges of which we are still dealing with today.

“The trust in the competence with which the Veterinarians handled the animal component of the disease has currently saved the public an almost equal hype that Lassa has generated. As at January 13, 2016, it was reported that poultry farms in Bayelsa, Plateau, Lagos, Kano and the FCT recorded severe mortality rates due to bird flu. With all modesty, the bio-security and bio-safety measures, introduced by the veterinarians kept the disease away from man in all the cases. It should never be forgotten that person-to-

person transmission of mutated strains of HPAI virus is a possibility, with a case fatality rate (CFR) up to 60-70%. This is a more deadly situation than the worst of Lassa hemorrhagic fever outbreak known to history.

“At the peak of bird flu scourge in 2006-2008, what helped most was, that early recognition of animal and human components and the engagement of effective communicators at the Federal Ministry of Information who managed the information desk, and weighed the messages that should be passed to the public through the electronic and print media. Relevant jingles and posters were all over. Why can’t we replicate this beauty of multidisciplinary intervention when Lassa fever is concerned?

“A more concerted effort is required inter-ministerial from the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Environment and Information, if we sincerely wish to deal with this scourge. The Pest Control Services section has always been domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, just like the Department of Veterinary Services, and not anywhere else. There are Veterinary institutions like the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom in Plateau State, which can boast of diagnostic facilities of a similar Bio-Safety Levels (BSL 3 or 4) that is available at Irrua, which can confirm Lassa or possibly Ebola Viruses, such that samples from patients in Taraba would not have had to be transported all the way to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State for confirmation.

“This benefit can only come from effective inter-disciplinary collaboration. Well, the Hon. Minister of Health has announced the formation of a 4-man Committee to deal with the current Lassa outbreak with Prof Michael Asuzu, who is President of Public Health Practitioners in Nigeria as Chairman. This is a perfect fit, as we await the other members’ identity and know if the change desired from the old ways has come.”

Lassa fever thrives during the dry season – Eriobuna

By Yinka Ajayi

S

enator Nnamdi Eriobuna is a medical doctor and member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this encounter,he urges Nigerians to adhere strictly to the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health, to curtail Lassa fever.

How do you assess the outbreak of Lassa fever in some parts of the country after the successful curtailment of Ebola?

Obviously,this was the reason behind the Federal Ministry of Health discouraging people from eating bush meat. Ebola has just been conquered in this part of the world. But Lassa fever is a recurrent issue every year. And this happens after the rainy season. What primarily transmits Lassa to humans are rats. The way out is to avoid eating bush rat and covering your food very well. Lassa is an epidemic, no doubt but if we can curtail Ebola, we are sure to curtail Lassa fever. Ebola appeared once and it was dealt with, but Lassa fever re-occure every year.

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The Federal Ministry of Health is proactive in curtailing Lassa fever spread, so it does not stay longer than usual. And I hope this time, swift response by the Federal Ministry of Health will be the situation and it will be contained.

But many people think the Ministry of Health is not doing enough to stop the stread of the fever?

No! You cannot blame anybody presently, but if the issue linger than usual, then the Federal Ministry

of Health should be answerable for it.

But I strongly believe they are equal to the task. Also, on epidemic such as this hardly spreads during rainy season. It is during dry season that it spreads fast.

As a politician, how do you assess this administrations method of fighting corruption?

Corruption had been there before now. This administration is just trying to fight today’s problem with yesterday’s method and they expect to make

profit tomorrow. As far as I am in support of President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, I strongly believe it should be extended to members of other political parties including the ruling APC. All stolen funds should be returned and looters punished accordingly. I know PDP was in power but there are former governors and senators alleged to be corrupt as well.

It is obvious that the anti-corruption fight is directed at only members of the PDP. The fight against corruption should be allencompassing. Apart from former President Jonathan’s regime, this administration should go back to other regimes to unearth the corruption that happened under them.

Corruption in Nigeria has been growing in an exponential manner.

So, probing only Jonathan administration, is merely scratching the surface of corruption.

Nnamdi Eriobuna

From my observation, President Buhari is trying to run an inclusive government by carrying everybody along, but he should go deeper than President Jonathan’s administration.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 37

STAMP DUTIES

You will pay henceforth for depositing money in banks .Policy will stunt financial institutions patronage — Expert Borrowing is a way of accumulating more debts for our economy, and at the same time, we spend so much to service debts

STORIES BY UDEME CLEMENT As the Federal Government continues to put measures in place to prevent Nigeria’s economy from sliding into a recession in 2016, the system faces numerous challenges with a telling effect on the citizens. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed all commercial banks to charge customers N50 on deposits from N1,000 and above, as part of Nigeria’s stamp duties law on financial transactions. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) wants to increase electricity tariff by next month. The CBN said no more sale of dollars to Bureau De Change (BDC) due to scarcity of forex. The naira is depreciating beyond the control of the apex bank, despite monetary policies formulated to shore up the currency. A financial expert and the National President, Constance Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Mikail, speaks on issues in the economy and how government can prevent Nigeria’s economy from going bankrupt. he CBN has directed banks to charge N50 for deposits of N1.000 and above, in line with the Nigeria’s stamp duties law on financial transactions. What is your take on this?

I do not like this type of policy because it will discourage people from keeping money in the banks.

At present, Nigeria is largely unbanked, especially the rural areas. So, this type of policy will worsen the situation, in particular for traders doing business in the rural areas. It will have negative effect on the cashless monetary policy that is already in place. It

T

•Inset: Mr. Shehu Mikail is also another way of imposing extra tax on the poor masses. The CBN should jettison this method of taxation and come up with a monetary policy that will strengthen the naira to grow the economy, instead of putting another tax burden on the people.

NERC wants to increase electricity tariff by next month.

How does this affect low income earners in the country?

NERC must not increase power tariff without giving consumers pre-paid meters. Currently, about 80 percent Nigerians do not have pr-paid meters. Aside from that, what is the justification for increase in power tariff? Is it that power supply has improved better that before, and for that reason they want to increase the tariff? These are things NERC should make clear to us before talking about increase in tariff.

Is NERC trying to make us pay more for what we are not consuming? Is this another way of taxing the people? If at all, NERC wants to increase power tariff, the amount must not be more than N4 per unit, because now we are paying over N2 per unit.

What is the economic implication of the purported missing budget 2016?

In the history of Nigeria, this is the first time we heard that a budget was missing. This is not good for our economy, because investors will look at us as people who are not serious. If government altered the budget after it was presented to the Senate, it means they do not have a good economic team. Before the budget came out, they ought to have mapped out a good economic plan on how to implement it, in order to rejuvenate the economy. A budget is very important, because

that is what investors look at in making decision on whether to put their money in any economy or not. So, for us to hear that the budget was missing, is ridiculous.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), advised government to restructure the tax system to curtail excessive borrowing from external source. Do you share such opinion?

Borrowing is a way of accumulating more debts for our economy, and at the same time, we spend so much to service debts.

For instance, about N1.47trillion is allocated for debts servicing in the purported missing appropriation bill for 2016. But if we have good reasons to borrow to develop our infrastructure, I think we can borrow. The implication is that, continuous borrowing will make our currency to depreciate the more.

The exchange rate now is about N309 per dollar, which is the first time in the last 43years that the naira depreciated so low.

What is the way out?

Government should come up with a good economic blue print on how to restructure the economy.

The immediate past minister of agriculture during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, did a lot to develop the sector.

Let President

Muhammadu Buhari look at some of his policies and see how he can build on them. We need to revamp agriculture and the manufacturing sectors, so that we can start producing goods for domestic consumption and export. Continuous depreciation of the naira shows that the economy generally is in serious stress. If nothing is done to strengthen the system, our economy will slide into a recession. Look at the capital market, since the second quarter of last year till 2016, the market has been experiencing huge investments outflow.

The CBN said no more forex for Bureau de Change from its official window. Do you think the forex policy of the apex bank will strengthen the naira?

The CBN is trying to manage the financial system, but the implication of restricting BDC from getting forex can give way to black market situation, because importers will look for other means of getting forex. At the end, the masses will suffer the outcome, because prices of goods and services will increase due to high cost of foreign exchange. As such, there will be inflation in the system.

What can be done to reposition the economy at this point?

As I said earlier, let us come up with a good economic blue print on how to resuscitate the economy to prevent the economy from going bankrupt. Let us look inward to revamp the industrial sector for businesses to thrive and create wealth. The living condition of the people should be improved upon.

Let President Buhari get experienced economic team to work with him. He is doing well on tackling insecurity, but he is not doing enough to revamp the economy.

MultiChoice donates 10 digital resource centres to Enugu State

M

ultiChoice Nigeria, leading provider of video entertainment services, has once again reiterated its commitment to enhancing education in the country with its resource centre intervention by donating additional digital learning aids to 10 schools in Enugu State. This brings the number of the resource centres in the state to 17.

The intervention, a corporate social investment initiative dubbed the MultiChoice Resource Centre (MRC) project, involves the provision of a TV set, DStv Explora decoder, satellite dish, a power generating set, uninterrupted power system (UPS), sets of chairs and tables for the laboratory, and other equipment, avails students access to educational TV channels that include Discovery, National Geo graphic, History Channel, ED and Mindset, at no cost to the beneficiary schools.

The project, introduced to improve the knowledge levels and understanding of technical subject areas by students, is in its twelfth year and has been launched in 363 schools in 31 states of the fed-

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eration, including the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja.

Speaking on the project, Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Professor Uche Eze, thanked MultiChoice for returning to Enugu State to launch more resource centres.

“I appreciate MultiChoice for their timely intervention through the establishment of technology-driven educational MultiChoice Resource Centres, making it 17 in the state. Bringing television to the classroom is a commendable, creative and innovative way of adding value to teaching and learning. It is a paradigm shift that enables students manage their own learning under the guidance of the teacher. The government of Enugu State appreciates this gesture and like Oliver Twist, we ask for more to be able to reach the unreached. We are ready to do all that is necessary for more schools to benefit from this laudable project” Eze remarked.

Caroline Oghuma, Public Relations Manager, DStv, said MultiChoice launched the project with a view to improving the standard of education in public schools in the country primarily, and

R-L: Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Education, Dr. Sam Ugwu; Honorable Commissioner for Education Enugu State, Professor Uche Eze and Caroline Oghuma, Public Relations Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria during the Commissioning of 10 MultiChoice Resource Centre in Enugu held at Nsukka High School, Nsukka. to give back to its host community.

“MultiChoice as a company believes that improving the standard of education of its host community is one of the ways by which the company, as a socially-responsible organization can give back to the community. We have a strong conviction that the technological, economic, and socio-political advancement of any country and her future

are intrinsically tied to the quality of education that the youth are exposed to.

MultiChoice intends to take the learning resource centres to all the states of the federation,” she explained.

She also pointed out that MultiChoice will soon launch the resource centres in Jigawa and Zamfara States.

The 10 new beneficiary

schools include; Colliery Comprehensive Secondary School, Ngwo, Government Technical’s College, Nsukka, Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka, St. Theresa’s college, Nsukka, Nsukka High School, Nsukka, others are Community Secondary School, Okpuje, Community Secondary School, Obukpa, Boys High School, Orba, Akpugoeze High School, Akpugoeze and Rosary High School, Awgu.

It would be recalled that in 2005, MultiChoice rolled out resource centres in seven schools in the state and the schools are; Queen’s School, Enugu, Urban Girls’ Secondary School, Enugu, St. Patrick’s Secondar y School, Emene, College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, Girls’ Grammar School, Aw kunanau, Gover nment Technical College, Enugu and National Grammar School, Nike.

The MRC project, which is MultiChoice’s core Corporate Social Investment in the education sector, started in 2004 with launches in Abuja and Lagos States.

PAGE 38 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

ROSE EREWA-DANMOLE TURNS 70 The 70th birthday of Mrs Rose Erewa-Danmole was held at the Cinnamon Gardens, Lekki Phase I after a thanksgiving service at the Church of Pentecost, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Lagos at theweekend.

Mrs RoseErewa-Danmole, celebrant (m), joined by children and family members, cuts the birthday cake

From left: Mrs Omowale Akinrinade, Lady Maiden Alex Ibru and Julie Omamuli

Mrs Lanre Ojora (l) and Bere Derin Osoba

From left: Mr Bode Emmanuel with Prof & Mrs Osato Giwa-Osagie

Mrs Temilade RemiAdeoyen (left) and Mrs Olalonpe Atunrase

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Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Martin -Kuye (l) and Patricia Arawore.

From left: Mr Segun Erewa, Dr Taibat Lawanson, Mrs Rose ErewaDanmole,Hon Abike -Erewa and Mrs Olalonpe Atunrase.

Evelyn Re w a n e Fabyan (l) and Alero E r e w a Oyeyemi

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016, PAGE 39

AYO ONIKOYI 08052201215

Nuptial song ffor or Ben A tse yink u’s daught er Atse tseyink yinku’s daughter N O T A B L Ee n g i n e e r , Engr. Ben Atseyinku had a profound pleasure of hosting his friends to a deluxe treat when his daughter Amajuoritse Stephanie hooked her heart-throb, Olaoluwa .

Henry, son of Mr Segun Onifade.

The couple exchanged marital vows at the Catholic Church of the Asumption, Falomo Ikoyi Lagos penultimate Saturday, January 16, 2016 before their families and friends.

The event ended with a grand reception at Tafawa Balewa Square.

Photos by Sola Oyelese

R-L: Chief Eddy Agbahor, Mrs Isabella Agbahor, Mr Edema Ogbuagu and Mrs Emme Asemota

L-R; Mr Segun Onifade; groom's father, Mrs S. Atseyinku; bride's mother, the couple; Mr and Mrs Olaoluwa Henry Onifade, Mrs Esther Onifade; groom's mother and Engr. Ben Atseyinku; bride's father

Alawowo celebrates five years on the throne

H

is Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul Gafar Olasunkanmi Adisa Tijani, the Alawowo of Awowo Kingdom Gbadewolu 1 in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State recently celebrated his fifth year on the throne of his forefathers. The occasion which was truly a majestic affair was graced by fellow monarchs from the environs.

L-R: Mr Victor Hammond with Mr Peter Arigbe

L-R: Prof Egerton Urieghara, Mr E Godfrey and Chief Felix Esisi.

The couple, with the sponsors, Dr and Mrs Titus B. Okereke.

L-R: Mr Omaghomi Victor, Mr Emmanuel Adokpaye, Mr Isaac Shototie and Mr Tsola Agaho.

L-R: Revd. Tunde Onifade, Mr Diran Onifade and Dr Sola Onifade.

L-R:Chief Augustus Ikomi with Mr Utujin Dudu

Fisa yi Olusan edding Fisayyo and Se Seyi Olusanyya w wedding

L-R:Elder Segun Olusanya, Groom's father; Mrs Lola Dada, Brides mother; The couple, Mr and Mrs Seyi Olusanya; Dr. (Mrs) Bola Olusanya, Groom's motherand Rev Joseph Dada, Bride's father

L-R: Chief Alhaji Wasiu Atanda Balogun, Bashorun of Awowo Kingdom, Baba Oja General of Lagos, Balogun of Awowo kingdom, the celebrant, Oba Abdul Gafar Olasunkanmi Adisa, cutting his birthday cake with Olobu of Ilobu kingdom.

L-R: Oba Abdullateef Adeniran Akanni, Olofin Adimula of Ado-Odo, Oba Adedayo Shyllon Sogbulu, Alabgado Of Agbado, The celebrant, Oba Abdul Gafar Olasunkanmi Tijani, Alawo of Awowo, and Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan II (JP), Olabu of Ilobu land

Mr Larry Ettah GMD/CEO, UAC Nigeria and Mr Oloris of the celebrant, Olori Modupeola Tijani, Hakeem Ogunniran, MD, UAC Property Olori Florence Tijani, and Olori Iyunade Taiwo Tijani Development Company PLC

Page 40, SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

VIEWPOINT

BY MARVIN OMO-OSAGIE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Revisiting the past in Abia

I

was opportune to visit Abia State for a wedding and my observations led to this write up.

While traveling to Umuahia from Abuja, the topic inside the chartered bus was the state of affairs in Abia. Most of my colleagues in the bus were mainly from the South-South and SouthWest but there were a couple of Abia people who gave us a picture of the state that was so depressing that some of us felt we were going to hell.

A particular object of attack was the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Theodore Orji, who one of my colleagues labeled “did nothing in Abia”.

When we got to Umuahia, we lodged in a hotel very close to the Abia State Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Center. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the hospital, it was a departure from all I have heard before about Abia

VIEWPOINT

By Adejuwon Soyinka

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The quintessential gov on his birthday

t was a Sunday afternoon I and Jide Ajani, Sunday Editor of the Vanguard

Newspaper was on his way to Abeokuta, Ogun State capital for an official assignment.

Somewhere along the ever busy Siun-Kobape expressway he saw something unusual. From the corner of his eye, the Vanguard Editor spotted someone unusual, in what appears like an unusual place, doing something equally unusual.

As a senior journalist of note, Ajani could not have mistaken who he saw and what the man who caught his attention was doing. He knew he had seen Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogun State Governor, just emerging from deep inside a vast area of land along the expressway.

The governor was on his foot,

VIEWPOINT

By Niyi Anibaba VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A gov’s three months achievements

I

n furtherance of his vow to frequently engage the people on the state of affairs in the polity, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, rendered the account of his stewardship in the last three months, where he explained how he had turned the state into a construction site with completed and ongoing projects.

The Town Hall Meeting, the second since his assumption of office, was a platform designed for government and the governed to rub minds on the projects that have been done, projects being done, as well as other projects and areas to consider.

Political intrigues and the Ochendo experiment and especially what we heard throughout our seven hours plus journey from Abuja. I decided to pay a visit to the hospital. To my surprise, the hospital was fully equipped with six dialysis equipment and a host of other special intervention clinics and equipment. My amazement was further electrified when I learnt the hospital was conceived, built and equipped by the man commonly called ‘Ochendo’ Theodore Orji, a former governor and now senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District which incidentally included Umuahia and Ikwuano where we were headed the next day for the wedding. I went back to the hotel and convinced my friends to allow us use the next couple of hours of daylight to feed our eyes with Abia so as not to be misled by people’s idiosyncrasies.

We visited the digital library, the Umuahia market, the skills acquisition center in Umuahia, which we were told catered for

several thousands of Abians who were given a monthly stipend of 10,000 naira as students and a further financial grant on completion. By this time our perception of the man Ochendo has somewhat reversed to the extent that even our two friends from Abia actually confessed they were not aware of these projects.

We also saw the Timber Market, one of the Model Secondary Schools (we were told Governor Theodore Orji built about 70 such model schools in Abia, we however saw one and didn’t have time to inspect the inside but what we saw from the exterior was of good class), the state secretariat which we were told was the first place in Abia to have a lift.

Night came upon us and of course we had to retreat to our hotel with great expectation as we were off first light to Isiala Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area in Abia Central Senatorial District. We got to Isiala Oboro safe and sound and we

immediately went to the wedding grounds where we were received with the highest level of South Eastern Nigeria hospitality. We were overwhelmed with the rich cultural heritage of Abia and toasted to the finest cuisine and delicacies available. I decided to engage a variety of people of different persuasion as I could get to get a glimpse of the man Ochendo especially his last seven months as a senator.

Everybody was abuzz with the senator’s Christmas package to the local government. We learned that the senator gave all the traditional rulers in the six local government areas that made up the senatorial district foodstuff and cow. He also presented 120 bags of rice each to the people in each of the local government areas under the senatorial district.

Back in Abuja my curiosity led me to make some investigations and I found out that Orji has actually sponsored seven bills

which has all passed through first reading. I equally stumbled on a project which is still in the pipeline but will stand as a legacy of value when fully implemented.

The project is the award of scholarship to deserving students from each of the local government that makes up Abia Central Senatorial District, numbering 6 local governments and bringing the total number of scholarship to be awarded to 60 students of tertiary institutions.

I was impressed, first because the senator has never engaged his detractors nor joined issues with them on his developmental strides. He has gone about doing his work silently and leaving his prints in the sands of time. The conclusion of everyone that undertook the trip to Abia on our way back, including the two Abia sons, was that history will definitely be kind to Orji.

•Omo – Osagie is based in Abuja.

Amosun: Celebrating a purpose-driven leader at 58 armed with a tape and had apparently been busy measuring the breadth of newly tarred roads inside the vast estate which the state government has fully landscaped and provided with services including tarred roads, water, drainage, a central sewage system, gas and even wifi.

Now, for Ajani, that was something unusual. It is not common to see a state chief executive, on a Sunday, devoid of water tight security but simply armed with a measuring tape working very hard and without doing it for the cameras.

Understandably, the editor was surprised and he later shared his experience with me. Unknown to him however, what he saw was the quintessential Amosun, a governor and leader constantly driven by the passion to succeed on his self imposed mission to rebuild the gateway state.

By training and professional calling, Amosun is a Chartered Accountant. But today, as he

celebrates his 58th birthday, he is much more than that. As Governor, particularly one imbued with an unequalled passion to rebuild his state and empower his people, Amosun has metamorphosed into a civil engineer, mechanical engineer, structural engineer, architect, quantity surveyor and many more professionals all rolled into one.

Watching him engage engineers, especially the ease with which he uses engineering technical jargons while speaking, and his ability to come up with solutions to complex engineering challenges, is often times both amusing and surprising.

Now, this is happening not just because he is on a mission to rebuild the gateway state. But also because he is a man who dreams, talk, work and lives his passion to develop Ogun State.

It is that passion that drives Governor Amosun, his work ethics and disposition to public service. It is also the same reason

he could be found standing on Lagos-Ibadan expressway at about 2am to personally supervise the reconstruction of failed portions of that federal highway and regularly crisscrossing the three senatorial districts of the state in one day inspecting ongoing infrastructural projects spread around the nooks and crannies of the gateway state.

Indeed, one of the numerous projects through which Governor Amosun intends to achieve his mission to permanently change the look and feel of Ogun State is the one from which he emerged that Sundayafternoon.

Currently called the Three Hills Estate because of its location on three distinct, yet beautiful hills along the Siun-Kobape expressway, the landscaping of that estate, planned for people in the upper middle class economic segment of the society and above, is one of those legacy projects very dear to the heart of Governor Amosun. In fact, it is billed to be

commissioned on February 2, 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari as one of the 40 legacy projects which the Amosun-led administration is using to mark 40 years of the creation of Ogun State.

In view of this, it would therefore, not come as a surprise for anyone who knows Amosun to see him emerge from that site at anytime of the day. He visits that particular project site, just like several others spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, almost on a daily basis.

That is the quintessential Amosun. And that, perhaps explains why, the governor at 58, still has a work ethics and an energy level clearly unmatched by many of his close aides who are several years younger.

•Soyinka, a multiple awardwinning journalist, is the Senior Special Assistant (Media) and spokesman for Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Town Hall meeting: Ambode’s dream for Lagos Ambode, at the meeting, held at the City Hall, Lagos, wasted no time in utilizing the opportunity provided by the platform to reel out his achievements and also reaffirmed his commitment to remain resolute to serve and justify the trust reposed in him. He specifically assured that he would continue to work tirelessly to deliver good governance for the collective good of all Lagosians.

The governor assured that his administration will stay true to its overall policy built on a tripod of security, infrastructural development and job creation.

Addressing a large gathering of party chieftains, market men and women, captains of industry, members of the diplomatic corps as well as top government functionaries, Governor Ambode said his administration was fully

aware that a safer Lagos will attract more investments from local and foreign investors, hence he kept to his promise in the first quarter to improve on the security in the state with investment in security equipment worth over N4.7billion.

The governor reported that the investment in the security equipment has led to the reduction of crime rate in the state by 65 percent in the last quarter of 2015.

According to him, in the last quarter, 49 transformers were donated to communities that were hitherto in darkness for five years, while electricity has now been restored to 63 communities.

“We also commissioned the 33kva Electrical Sub-Station in Gberigbe Community, Ikorodu.

This is expected to improve the electricity situation in that axis,”

he said. Ambode said that over 300 roads were rehabilitated during the period under review, adding that 66 major road projects are at various stages of completion while 80 road grading and surface dressing projects will soon be completed in all the Local Government Area (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

He listed other strides of his administration in the last quarter to include the injection of 434 new BRT buses, the commencement of construction of fly-overs in high traffic areas of Ajah roundabout, Abule – Egba Junction and Berger Bus stop as well as the resumption of work on the Blue Line Rail Project expected to be completed

by December 2016.

He also said that the State Government has embarked on the

rehabilitation of schools, construction of new classroom blocks and provision of furniture to the tune of N2.5bn, jointly funded with the Federal Government under the Universal Basic Education (UBEC) scheme with the State adding an additional N526 million.

On the menace of land grabbers, known as Omo-Onile, Ambode said his administration was coming up with a permanent solution to the issue.

The Town Hall engagement provided yet again another opportunity for the governor to reInforce the social contract between him and the people of Lagos that was signed on May 29, 2015.

The picture of a brighter future he painted is already manifesting in every parts of the state and it can only get better.

•Anibaba, an economist, is resident in Gbagada.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016 — Page 41

VIEWPOINT

By Guy Ike Ikokwu

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A country in retrospect

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vents of the last 50 years, 1966-2016, do not show that we have truly transited into a full blown democracy. As a matter of fact, the military had dominated the governance of the country with coup d’état, enthroning military escapades like recurring decimals.

The military is an elitist group and has deliberately enamoured its escapades with clandestine and corrupt civilian elite.

Its decades of rulership were only punctuated by the Shehu Shagari civilian caliphate endorsement, and General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd) military endorsement by General Ibrahim Babangida and General Aliu Busau both retired, and thereafter the other civilian heads of government were Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

Significantly, the military agenda for taking over governance of the country included the re-organization of the armed forces; eradication of bribery and corruption; conduct of credible population census;

VIEWPOINT

By Matthew Osagie

Nigeria: 1966 - 2016 preparation and adoption of new peoples constitution; organization of credible elections; and the organization of genuine national political parties It is clear that the military, with the collusion of the civilian elite, has failed woefully and do not deserve a pass mark. As a matter of fact, Nigeria has deteriorated by all indices to a position of a failed state. We have become poorer within the last 50 years, whereas some other nations, during the period, catapulted from the third to the first world culturally, politically and economically.

It is heartening to learn that the 8th National Assembly under Saraki and Dogara are now putting together a committee to look into the amendment of the present Constitution. Many Nigerians expect that the documents will certainly include not just their own 2015 proposed amendments but also the 2014 Confab 600 resolutions which are right now on the Senate President’s table. It should be noted that the Confab resolutions

of 2014 were certainly the best that this country has been able to put forward after very sober discussions. Posterity will not forgive us if the 2014 proposals now before the legislative arm of the government are jettisoned. It should be noted that there is a separation of power in our current system. While President Buhari as the head of the executive, is tackling corruption, the economy and good governance; the legislative arm is endowed with the responsibility of providing the constitutional framework for the good governance and democratization of our institutions.

If they do not decentralize the central government from unitary federalism to true federalism and use the six geo political zones as federating units, and the ambit for rapid development, woe will certainly betide our country and the process of disintegration will be rife.

In the history of our country, three zones have advocated secessions. If there shall not be regionalism or true federalism, the North West, even before

independence, was proclaiming Araba or secession, while the SouthWest have been proclaiming its Odua republican tendencies and the South-East making a case for Biafra.

It is better done now than later as the six geo political zones want justice, equity and fair play.

Military regime in civilian guise Today Nigeria has a new military regime (in civilian guise) under the changed mantra and the amalgam of five seemingly reconcilable political entities under the leadership of Buhari, a former military ruler who overthrew the civilian government of Shagari.

As usual, this change mantra is based on the concept of eradicating insecurity, corruption, enhancing power and electrification, and diversification of the economy with the principle of accountability.

These are not new challenges for the country, and do not provide a lasting solution to the crippling issues of mis-governance, and constitutional inequities in the country.

President Buhari’s anti-corruption chant was that; if his regime did not kill corruption, then corruption will kill Nigeria. One of the anticorruption apostles was Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who headed the EFCC (anti-corruption organ) under

Do not be downhearted, Anenih… his capacity and readiness to fund special political activities on the instructions of the PDP leadership with the understanding that he would be refunded on completion of the tasks should be understood. It should be noted that there were some expenses incurred by Anenih, according to the grapevine, which he did not disclose in thelettertotheEconomicandFinancial Crimes Commission (EFCC). To be sure, his claims that he disbursed his personalfundsinexcessofN400million since 2013 for some assignments have not been debunked. Rather, some persons and political groups have confirmed that they received the publishedamounts. Whatcanbemore important than the confirmation by the receivers of the money? It has given him a clean bill of sort, having acted prudently and honestly in the disbursement of the funds to the individuals and political groups as directed.

I readily accepted, without any pinch

ofsalt,hisexplanationthattheso-called N260millionpaidintohisbankaccount was a refund of part of the out-of-pocket expenses on some political assignments. The clear implication is that the entire expenses were not completely defrayed before the end of the tenure of the last administration.

Accordingtomediareports,Anenihhad stated in the letter that the former President asked for his bank account details for the purpose of making a refund to him and he obliged. He was quoted to have said he did not know howthemoneywasgoingtobesourced or which office was going to pay.

Anenih’s position is compelling.

Nobodyin hisshoeswouldhaveasked thePresidentwherehewasgoingtoget themoneyfortherefund.Makingsuch aninquirywouldhavebeenconsidered insolent to the President. Besides, there was no way Anenih could have known whetherthemoneypaidintohisaccount was from the fund meant for the procurement of arms or, indeed, part of

Why taxation in Osun, why?

ages the activities by heavy taxation.

And for that, the residents and businesses of Osun ought to contribute towards the support of the government to increase the level of the economy of the state in unrestricted proportions. The urbanization of Osun as the outgrowth of Aregbesola’s completed and on-going development projects and the corresponding level of per capita income, no matter will make it possible to finance the increases in Osun economy.

Such increases in the state economy will generate more than proportionate increases in personal and corporate income tax revenues for the state, putting Osun in a relatively favourable position for the growth of revenues. But before now, the Osun government tax structures from the PDP days in the Bola Ige House Osogbo, the state capital, had depended on less elastic revenue sources and the income taxes were less heavily utilized, the development that generated fiscal deficit for the state, with the expenditures exceeding the revenues. It was a snapshot of Osun government’s financial position especially in the almost out-gone fiscal year.

Governments at all levels, the

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Still on the controversial N260 million arms money can imagine the level of despondency in the heart of the I former Chairman of the Board of

Trustees(BoT)ofthePeoplesDemocratic Party(PDP),ChiefTonyAnenih,overthe misrepresentationandembarrassment, arising from his financial interventions in the 2015 PDP presidential campaigns. One can only urge him not to be downcast or lament over the situation, including the misfortune that befell his party as a result of the loss of the presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC), I am sure 2015 was not the first time Chief Anenih would fund campaign activities of his party, particularly since 1999 both at the federal level and in his home State of Edo. In 2012, for instance, he funded, almost singlehanded,thePDPgovernorshipelection in the State in which the candidate,

BY OLUSESI ISAAC

I

n Nigeria’s fiscal federalism, the central government’s revenue allocations, with its occasional grantsin-aid, to the lower tiers of governance meant to support the state governments to deliver public services and navigate new areas, has grossly declined.

The central government uses taxing and general welfare power to give financial handouts to the states to pay for the services the states provide, making the central government a partner of the states. But somehow, the reduction in the finances from the federation accounts to the federating states due to global economic meltdown has forced the states to rely on their own revenue sources. By the way, the grants-in-aid, so called bailout, strictly speaking, is a ‘mercy’ grant from the central government and there is no political, legal or constitutional compulsion to continue the mercy.

Yet, state governments have major responsibility of providing the services needed by the governed. They

GeneralCharlesAirhiavwere(retd.),lost to the incumbent Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, whose election was fully supported by former President Goodluck Jonathan. This was because, according to the grapevine, Jonathan saw it as an opportunity to reward Oshiomhole who was the only opposition governor that stood behind him during the fuel subsidy riot.

Anenihhadspenthismoneytoensure thatPDPwonwithoutknowingthatthe FederalMightwasdeployedinsupport of Oshiomhole who was candidate of the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Those who know how much it costs to prosecute a governorship electionwouldhaveanideaofhowmuch Anenih must have spent on the failed battle to dislodge Oshiomhole. In spite of that loss, and knowing how his party leader worked against the party interest during the Edo governorship election, Anenih remained a loyal and unwaveringfatherfigureinthePDP. Againstthebackdropoftheforegoing,

require taxable residents and businesses to provide counter-part funds to finance the cost of the services. Regrettably however, the bastardization of the State of Osun economy by the past government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had gravely reduced the tax base of Osun with nebulous taxable businesses, loss of tax revenue and paucity of funds as consequences for the state.

Why taxation in Osun, why? Reality time is here and now. Taxes are the best alternative windows to the present day Osun to make up for the short-falls in the federal revenue allocations to the states of the federation. Tax funds will greatly contribute towards financing the development projects of Governor Rauf Aregbesola in education, health, roads, agriculture, mineral resources, security community affairs, environmental and sanitation, rural development, transportation, women, youths and sports, and other vital sectors, bringing unprecedented benefits to individuals and businesses in the state. Tax money will support Aregbesola’s huge physical infrastructure

projects, general welfare activities including slum and mud clearance, and social interventionist programmes that fight poverty frontally at all levels. It is Aregbesola’s into urbanization.

Only the deep recognizes the deep.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr (1841 – 1935), apparently alluding to Aregbesola’s urbanization of Osun, stated that, “taxes are the price we pay for civilization”, urbanization(emphasis mine). Holmes, a literary giant, attended Harvard Law School (1864) and was admitted into Masschusett Bar in 1867.

He was editor, Harvard Magazine; editor, American Law Review; author, the Common Law; Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts; Law Lecturer, Harvard University; and Justice of the United States Supreme Court in 1902.

Taxation, as a general obligation of the tax payers to be carried out in exchange for particular benefits covers government expenditures, energizes the economy, and encourages certain personal and corporate activities by tax exemption, or discour-

President Obasanjo, before he was again eased out by the military class.

He said: “I do not share the notion that corruption is a native of Nigeria, Africa, or indeed of any region of the world. This is not the case.

Corruption is certainly a global phenomenon and anyone who has keenly followed contemporary world events could not have missed the dizzying reports of Enron, Arthur Anderson, Citibank, and WorldCom scandals in the United States of America (USA), the Parmalatt scandal in Italy or even the central role of corruption and cronyism in the Asian financial crisis of the late 90s. Numerous other examples of large-scale malfeasance around the world show beyond doubt that corruption is not a native of one nation or region. If corruption therefore stands as the single most damaging force against economic growth, social stability and democracy; if corruption is one of the reasons why, after about half a century of independence, we still cannot proudly hold our own among nations that have built an enriching community life for their citizens, then there is a problem on why Africa has been so complacent in our quest for solutions.

•Continues next week the security votes of the President domiciled in the Office of the NSA. Fromthedisclosuressofar,thegreatest act of sacrifice was not so much the outof-pocketexpensesheincurred,butthe risk of accident and possible death in thecourseofhisnationwidetravelssince 2013 to help stabilise the party. In carrying out the instructions of the formerPresidenttotheBoardofTrustees (BoT), under his chair, to embark on a nationwide tour to reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP, he, along with selectedmembersoftheBoard,travelled by air and by road, to 23 States to accomplish the task. His chartered aircraft could have crashed. He could have been involved in an auto-crash.

Hecouldhavelosthislifeintheprocess.

But to the glory of God, none of these happened.

I sympathise with Anenih that the refundsarethepapertrailsthattheEFCC is following in the transactions on his bank account. One only hopes that with the truth of the matter now fast unfolding,therewouldbeawayinwhich the entire narrative would resolve itself inAnenih’sfavour. *OsagielivesinBeninCity,EdoState. world-over have always financed their deficits by borrowing, and the borrowed funds are repaid with interest. These repayments usually have first call on government’s revenues and must be made if the government is to remain solvent and credit worthy. In Nigeria, the deficit status of the component states is importantly being remedied, at least fairly, courtesy of the last bailout from the central government in the federal system.

Meanwhile, I have had ample time to study the Osun recent outlay of taxes and levies, right on my table in office. The new taxes will not obstruct the industry of the residents of the state as the taxes only take out something negligible from their pockets.

All the taxable objects in the state are treated alike and what the tax payers will pay is certain, not arbitrary. Same tax is not laid twice on the same tax object. And the extent of the income jurisdiction is essentially determined by the residence of the tax object and the source of its income.

Olusesi is Assistant Director, Directorate of Publicity, Research & Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC), State of Osun.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 24, 2016

We secure Nigerian languages through Bible translation — BSN boss THE eighth indigenous General Secretary of the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Rev. Dare Ajiboye, in this interview with OLAYINLA LATONA, recounts his experience at the Society founded on February 8, 1966 through the pioneering efforts of late Dr. Francis Ezeogo Akanu Ibiam, the first indigenous Governor of the defunct Eastern Region. Before 1966, According to him, the Society was under the supervision of the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) which had operated in Nigeria as far back as 1807 and the Bible House in Apapa served as a distribution centre to other neighbouring West African countries. "Since then, we have been translating the word of God into several Nigerian languages. We have translated it into 24 Nigerian languages and we are trusting God to add the 25th one this year. We distribute not less than 300,000 copies of the Bible in a year," he said, stressing that BSN has been in the vanguard of securing Nigerian culture and languages through its activities. He also spoke on some national issues. Excerpts...

Qualities of BSN general secretary o head an organization like BSN, one needs the help of Holy Spirit. One needs to be rooted in the word of God, in addition to the ability to manage business. One must also know how to balance discipline with the word of God. As general secretary of BSN, one must have sound leadership competent which means one must be sound in both spiritual and professional knowledge, vast in leadership, interpersonal and social skills. Attitude to money, women, luxury, and home must be impeccable because one have to be good examples to homes.

My past leadership experience only help me because they are not as challenging as the present position. I have to think about how to pay the salaries of over 200 staffs with the meager resources that we have and also motivate them. Marrying spiritual with business is not an easy task.

Challenge as BSN boss Funding is my greatest challenge, followed by piracy. If I have fund, I will wipe out piracy because I will render them irrelevant.

How will you do that?

Once the fund is available, I can afford to sell a Bible at an extremely cheaper price which the pirates cannot cope with. If I have funding from churches and individuals, I can even give out the Bibles free of charge and there will not be room for marketers to pirate the Bible because the market will not be there for them. The company still exists because we are not out for profit making.

Other businesses of BSN We have a guest house for retreat and recreation. Christians visit the guest house because we do not allow immorality and it is not expensive even though the quality is high. It is also meant for the use of our executives to reduce unnecessary expenses for hotels when we have meetings.

We do not have our own printing press because we do not have the fund. Last year I have to travel to China to inquire about the cost acquiring a small machine

Our religious leaders should not soil their hands in corrupt acts.

They should show good examples to their followers, just like Jesus Christ did.

If a member whose salary is not more than N1 million a month brings a tithe of N5 million in a month, his pastor should ask questions

T

•Rev. Dare Ajiboye that can print two million copies of Bibles in a year and the cost is put at over N2.9 billion.

Role of BSN in nation building Nigeria is one of the poorest countries in the world. If Nigerians cannot enjoy basic amenities in accordance with United Nations standards, then there is no development. If you look at our country critically, we cannot say there is development. In our little way, we are contributing to securing our culture.

Somebody said the death of a language is a death of a culture.

Most languages are dead today because they were not documented and when the younger

generations come they have nothing to refer to. BSN has successfully translated the bible into 24 Nigerian languages and published them. We are working on other languages. By so doing, we are securing these languages and the culture of our country.

In translating and publishing Bibles, we employ over 200 personnel who we pay salaries. We help such employees to earn income which will in turn help the growth of our economy. We have welfare packages for our staff and encourage them to build their own houses through our co-oporative scheme. We also contribute to their educational growth.

By so doing, we are contributing

to the gross domestic product of our country.

Plans and projections for 2016 By the grace of God, we are coming out with another Bible this year. We are also trusting God for the official dedication of our regional office in Ibadan, housing a modern translation center, a very big warehouse and an accommodation centre.

What do you think is responsible for high rate of corruption despite the fact that Nigeria is very religious country?

Being called Gabriel, James, Matthew does not make one a Christian. What makes one a Christian is an encounter with Christ. If you check the lives of our politicians what do you find?

That a politician can mindlessly kill his opponent during primary election. The Bible makes us to understand that in the last days, perilous times shall abound, people will be lovers of themselves. Those stealing money are doing it for self aggrandizement and their families. It is not strange seeing Christians looting treasuries. But without the churches, the situation could have been worse.

Are you worried over prophecies that never come to pass?

I am deeply concerned because some preachers are out to serve their own bellies. By such terrifying prophecies, they know that some gullible politicians will run to them for prayers to avert such calamities. When nothing happens, such politicians will believe that God has answered the prophetic prayers and will readily come with thanksgiving envelopes. Nigerians should study these prophecies and any prophecy that is not inline with the word of God should not be regarded. How will a prophet say; ‘Nigeria will perish’ and he did not give a solution. God is not that wicked. God will not give a prophecy without putting a clause which is always the way of escape.

Advice to church leaders and Nigerians Leadership is very important.

Our religious leaders should not soil their hands in corrupt acts.

They should show good examples to their followers, just like Jesus Christ did. If a member whose salary is not more than N1 million a month brings a tithe of N5 million in a month, his pastor should ask questions. Religious leaders should be alive to their responsibilities, and live their lives in accordance with biblical standards.

Are you afraid to pastor a church?

God has not called me. If He calls me, I don't have a choice than to obey. Pastoring a church or being a general overseer is challenging. You must be accountable to every of your member. God will ask you questions about those whom you pastor.

BSN 50th anniversary We are celebrating the goodness of God, as an organization that has passed through so many generations and in an environment like ours in Nigeria. It is not a joke. For an organization that depends on donations...it was not easy. The grace of God has sustained us and that is why we have to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God.

Buhari is not Nigeria's messiah, declares Bishop Kwakpovwe BY

OLAYINKA

P

LATONA

UBLISHER of the daily devotional booklet, Our Daily Manna, ODM, Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe has cautioned Nigerians especially those who believe that President Muhammadu Buhari is Nigeria’s messiah, pointing out that God's promised messiah is yet to come.

The cleric noted that Buhari is the forerunner of the messiah who will bring some changes if only he maintained his integrity and do the right things, just as he condemned recent agitations for a sovereign state of Biafra, saying "Biafra is like thick cloud without water or rain."

The bishop, who is also the General Overseer of Manna Prayer Mountain, made these declarations at an interview ses-

sion ahead of his ministry's annual world anointing service scheduled for next Friday at the Tafawa Balewa Square TBS, Lagos. The theme of this year's programme is: "Jehovah Ebenezer – Lord wipe my tears".

"President Buhari is not the messiah; he is only preparing the way for the messiah who will eventually emerge. Buhari is like the John the Baptist. As a politician, Buhari will bring about some changes if he maintain his integrity and genuinely probe those he ought to probe," he stated.

Accprding to the bishop, there are certain persons who assisted the president to get to power who he would not be able to probe even when he knows that they are not innocent.

"The messiah who will genuinely transform our country will

emerge. Buhari is not the messiah but we should be hopeful that one day, we will sing a new song," he stated.

Pledging his unwavering believe in the unity of Nigeria, the cleric argued that the peace the country has enjoyed since after the Nigerian Civil War should not be broken by digging up residues of hate for the selfish interest of certain individuals seeking to balkanize the nation.

He therefore enjoined all the pro-Biafra protesters to tread with caution, sheathe their swords and dialogue with constituted authorities on issues that would bring about unity, peace and progress of the country.

In his words: "There is nothing like Biafra. Biafra is like thick cloud without water or rain. There will be no civil war,

our brothers in the South East will enjoy President Muhammadu Buhari. They should just allow peace to reign. Whatever challenges, disagreements that may have re-surfaced, are not beyond our collective ability to resolve."

On the world anointing night, Bishop Kwakpovwe said the annual programme has attracted millions since its inception 11 years ago, adding that this year's edition will mark the end of a 21-day fasting and prayer, which began on January 9.

He said: “It is a night of 12 mantles and there will be series of testimonies, instant healing from God because God is going to visit His people. God has promised to wipe all tears and He asked me to tell the people to bring 12 mantles and these mantles are prophetic in nature."

SUNDAY VANGUARD,JANUARY 17, 2016, PAGE 43

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AVID counsels that when God speaks once, we should hear him twice. (Psalm 62:11). That does not mean twice literally, but several times. Similarly, Jesus maintains we must forgive our brothers seventy times seven times. (Matthew 18:22). That does not mean 490 times, but indefinitely.

Therefore, when God speaks, we should review what he says again and again.

Because we have listened to God as we do to men, we have missed a lot of what he has been saying. God does not think like men, and he does not speak like men.

His thoughts are not our thoughts; his ways are not our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Therefore, when he says something, we must be careful to make sure we understand exactly what he is saying.

Fishing men Jesus says to his disciples: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19). We have heard about this and talked about it. We have been singing about being fishers of men since we were little children in Sunday school. But should we not pause for a moment and ask what Jesus means by saying he will make us fishers of men? Is it wise to jump to the conclusion that he wants to turn us into exceptional evangelists and mega-pastors using combine-harvesters to bring men into the kingdom of God? The distinction between a fisher of men and a Saviour of men is important. However, this distinction is not

WHA O BE A FISHER OF MEN? WHATT DOES IT MEAN TTO understood by most Christians who presume erroneously that a fisher of men is a saviour of men. We know who fishermen are.

They are fishers, not of men, but of fish. But now Jesus talks of fishers, not of fish, but of men. So to start with, we need to determine what it means to fish men. How does a man fish men? What does he do with the men he “catches?”

God as fisherman Once we look to the bible for answers to these questions, we are in for a rude awakening. In quick order, we discover to our surprise that when God fished men in the scriptures, it was never for salvation: “Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the LORD, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them.” (Jeremiah 16:16). Amos echoes this: “Behold, the days shall come upon you when he (God) will take you away with fishhooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.”

(Amos 4:2).

The net was a weapon of warfare which gladiators used to hamstring their op-

The gospel will lead far more people to condemnation than to salvation ponents in combat. Therefore, to be a fisher of men scripturally is to be an instrument of God’s judgment. God says of disobedient Ephraimites: “Wherever they go, I will spread my net on them; I will bring them down like birds of the air; I will chastise them according to what their congregation has heard.” (Hosea 7:12). Solomon echoes him: “Like fish taken in a cruel net, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time.”

(Ecclesiastes 9:12).

Once caught, fishes end up in the frying-pan and eventually in someone’s dinner-table. The same applies to men with regard to the gospel. As fishes are taken unexpectedly in a net, so sinners are taken by the gospel. The prophetic design in preaching the gospel is that it will lead far more people to condemnation than to salvation.

Trap of the gospel Hear and understand:

God has designed the gospel in such a way that sons of God will receive it but men will reject it. Jesus tells his disciples: “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” (Matthew 13:11). Isaiah says: “The word of the LORD was to them, ‘Precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,’ that they might go and fall backward, and be broken and snared and caught.” (Isaiah 28:13).

The same person who sends us to preach the gospel also tells us beforehand that men will not accept it.

God said to Isaiah: “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’” (Isaiah 6:9). This scripture is repeated more times in the bible than any other scripture. John says: “They could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: ‘He has

blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turnand I would heal them.’”

(John 12:39-40).

Accordingly Jesus, the word of God, is a doubleedged sword. (Hebrews 4:12). Simeon, the prophet, prophesied that Jesus would cause people to fall before causing them to rise: “Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’” (Luke 2:34-35).

Stumbling stone Couched in this manner, the greatest trap of all will not be the devil: it will be Jesus. Many will stumble because of failure to understand and receive Jesus. Isaiah says: “He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the in-

habitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken.” (Isaiah 8:14-15).

Christians are mistaken in failing to recognise that it is the false gospel that fills the churches while the true gospel empties the churches.

(John 6:60-66). The true gospel is preached as a testimony against men. Thus, Jesus says to his disciples: “Whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that city!”

(Mark 6:11).

It is worse to hear the word of Jesus and reject it than not to have heard. Jesus says: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.” (John 15:22).

Through the gospel of the kingdom of God, all men are fished to condemnation; but sons of God are saved. The word of Jesus that men reject is precisely what will judge them on the last day. Jesus warns: “He who rejects me, and does not receive my words, has that which judges him---the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority; but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.” (John 12:48-49).

It is therefore imperative that Christians should magnify the words of Jesus in our lives. Only Jesus has this testimony from God: “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (Luke 9:35).

RCCG empowers industries, SMEs at Nigerian Economic Outlook BY

T

SAM

EYOBOKA

HE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has shown a firm commitment towards its support and encouragement to more Nigerians in diverse industries including the small and medium scale enterprises through its annual Nigerian Economic Outlook.

In a statement made available to Vanguard during the week, the organizers of the Nigerian Economic Outlook 2016, RCCG The King’s Court Lagos, the theme; "Diversifying the Nigerian Economy: Talk to Action", is pertinent because this is the appropriate time and season for industries and SMEs to get into profitable action in diversifying the Nigerian economy.

According to the statement, the objective of the program is to help position businesses to embrace the opportunities that are available within the different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The focus of the Economic Outlook 2016 includes; Agriculture, Entertainment, Energy, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Technology, SMEs, Job Opportunuties and Skill development.

The economic outlook which took place in the ‘City Church’ on Keystone Crescent, Off Adeyemo Alakija, Victoria Island on January 16, had in attendance Mr. Kunle Elebute, a senior partner KPMG, Nigeria as the keynote speaker among many other influencers of diverse Nigerian industries which included Mr. Bayo Rotimi, CEO

Quest Advisory Services speaking on Micro, Small, Medium-Scale Enterprises.

Others included Mr. Charles Igwe who spoke on Media and Entertainment; Dr. Acha Leke, Partner McKinsey & Co speaking on financial Services---Banking; Mr. Tony Oputa, partner West Market Area Financial Services, Industry leader, PricewaterhouseCoopers Africa, who addressed financial services---Non Banking; Omobola Johnson, Partner/West Africa Lead of Telecom and the honorary chairperson of the Global Alliance for Affordable Internet speaking on Information, Communication and Technology.

Founder/CEO and president of Beloxxi Industries Ltd, Obi Ezeude who spoke on manufacturing; Mezuo Nwuneli, managing partner, SAHEL Capital, co-

founder/director AACE Foods speaking on Agriculture, Abayomi Olarinmoye, managing director Accenture Nigeria speaking on Oil, Gas and Power, Mr. Deji Alli, chairman/CEO, Mixta Africa SA, who spoke on Real Estate and Construction, while Uwa Osa-Oboh, head of corporate de-

velopment, African Capital Alliance (ACA), speaking on job opportunities and skill development.

The Nigerian Economic Outlook 2016 at the RCCG The King’s Court gave opportunities to participants to gain access into uncommon knowledge, strategy, execution and an opportunity to

Gowon, Obasanjo, Anyaoku for BSN lectures

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WO former Heads of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd), Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku are among the distinguished personalities expected at The Bible Society of Nigeria’s 50th anniversary lectures.

While Gen. Gowon will chair the lecture taking place in Abuja on Feb-

ruary 4, 2016 with a keynote address titled: "The Bible and National Growth and Development,” to be delivered by Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Very Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah; Chief Obasanjo will be the Guest Speaker of the Lagos lecture which scheduled for February 8.

Chief Obasanjo will speak on the topic; “Man in pursuit of happiness”

Only love can heal Nigeria – Akinadewo

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or Nigeria to be great, Prelate and Supreme Head, Motailatu Church Cherubim & Seraphim Worldwide, Dr. Israel Akinadewo, has called on Nigerians to love one another because only love can move God to have mercy on the country and heal it.

The Baba Aladura was speaking at Motailatu Church Cherubim & Seraphim International Headquarters (Sanctuary Chapel), Sangotedo in Ajah, Lagos State, during the memorial of his father, Saint Isaiah Motailatu Akinadewo, the Founder of Motailatu Church Worldwide, re-

pray for wisdom and understanding to translate every available information to profitable opportunities.

The Nigerian Economic Outlook 2016 was powered by the RCCG The King’s Court at no cost for registered participants with free lunch!

cently. There was also thanksgiving service for the enthronement of the new Baba Aladura, Motailatu Akinadewo II. “If I don’t hate you and you don’t hate me; it will not take God one second to transform the captivity of this country into greatness for us.

“If we love one another, Nigeria will be greater than most advanced countries of this world,” he said.

According to him, Cherubim and Seraphim churches are pious, but fake prophets are the ones who drag its name and con-

gregation in the mud.

However, he agreed that there are real as well as fake prophets in the church.

At the reception held at RCCG TOD Light House, Ajah, after the church service, he introduced a book he wrote in honour of his late father, entitled Prophecies and the Messenger: The Lion of Judah Way. According to him, “those who use calabash or other fetish objects for worship are not prophets of Cherubim & Seraphim; they are prophets of Satan.”

while the chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Elder Felix Ohiwerei will chair the programme holding at Muson Centre, Lagos.

Similarly, Chief Anyaoku will be the chairman of the Enugu lecture to be delivered by the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma. The theme for the Enugu lecture which holds on February 2 is; “The impact of Bible translation on evangelism.”

At the Lagos event, three people: Pastor Abraham Akinosun, the president of Christ Apostolic Church; Engr. Gabriel Adewumi, chairman/ CEO of Quality Enterprise Limited and Pastor (Mrs.) Janet Ohiwerei, wife of Elder Felix Ohiwerei will receive The Bible Society of Nigeria’s award for Selfless Service to God and Humanity.

The lectures are part of a weeklong activities marking the 50th anniversary of the organisation; a not-for-profit-making interdenominational Christian body that translates the Bible into Nigerian Languages, publishes, distributes and raises funds for the Bible work.

The complete Bible has so far been translated into 24 Nigerian languages.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

By PRISCA SAM-DURU & ELIZABETH UWANDU ISSUES

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HE battle to save the life of Palestinian poet and visual artist, Ashraf Fayadh who has been sentenced to death by the Saudi Arabian government for renouncing Islam and for allegedly posting an online video showing women being flogged by Saudi Arabia authorities, continued last Thursday with Nigeria’s literary community led by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, joining the global community to demand for his unconditional release.

At an event tagged; ‘Free Ashraf Fayadh Now’ organised by AJ House of Poets, held at old prison yard now Freedom Park, Lagos, writers, poets and literary enthusiasts joined guests of honour, Prof Soyinka, Kunle Ajibade, in readings, conversation and performances to call on governments all over the world to intervene and save Ashraf from execution.

The programme kicked-off with a protest march which had participants, marching round the old prison yard and according to writer and poet, AJ Dagga Tola, symbolically represented freedom for the condemned poet. Ashraf’s posters were conspicuously displayed with inscriptions such as, The Poet they hated and sentenced to death must not die, free Ashraf Fayadh now!etc. They also chanted solidarity songs for

By JAPHET ALAKAM REVIEW

It is said that a good writer is one who relates intelligibly to his society and, using the society as a base to disseminate his message with a view to contributing positively to that society in particular and the world in general. The above statement can be said to be true of Dr Onyeka Onyekuba, who also writes as Onyeka Iwuchukwu, a literary scholar with bias in drama and theatre, a multidisciplinary researcher, and a playwright with varied experience and author of over eight plays, who has used her plays to highlight and address some compelling issues in the society. In one of such plays titled Into The World, the playwright joins other Nigerian writers in the reformist role which is of great relevance in our times as she brings to the fore the importance of proper planning which prevents poor performance.

In the 95 page book published

by Iwuchukwu brings her wealth of experience as a one time student, wife and career woman who has seen it all in different levels to narrate how carelessness can mar one’s future while hard work can make one achieve his/ her goals in life.

According to her, “Into the world is instructive to the truant, careless and unserious student; to the lazy, slothful and extravagant housewife; and indeed to the mindless polygamist. It insists that for harmonious relationships to exist, every individual should be hardworking and productive.”

With an interesting plot that moves the action and dialogue, an efficient delineation of characters with believable dialogue and interactions performed by good actors. With other elements, such as background, costumes, lighting, which are theatrical elements that join seamlessly to draw the spectators into the story. Dr. Iwuchukwu, which also published under the name Onyeka

Soyinka, other literary icons march against execution of Ashraf Fayadh freedom.

The reading session featured a performance of Ashraf’s existing works, such as Equal Opportunities, An Aphorism, Conclusions, Logic etc. Dagga Tola read a poem he wrote for the condemned Poet titled The Laments of Trees, Prof Soyinka read his poem, ‘Anthem to Humanism’, Executive Director, TheNews, Mr Kunle Ajibade read from his prison memoir, Jailed for Life, which he

We have allowed scripture texts like the Bible, Koran and other religious books to take symbolic and active control of our thoughts... wrote from his experience during incarceration by Sani Abacha.

There were also spoken word performances. Stage performances featuring Aduke took place later at the open air theatre.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Prof Soyinka decried what he termed religious bogotry.

According to him, “Religion is

• Ashraf Fayadh must be freed: Nobel laureate Prof Soyinka (m) leading other literay icons during the march

an act of faith, I want to make this declaration here, all of us here should make up our minds about the role of religion in our society. Religion is a personal affirmation …even among school children there is no inferior or superior among them, so, equal opportunity should be given to either male or female. We do not subscribe to any article of faith that places one superior to the other. We have been beating about the bush far too long, that we neglect our own

belief and this is what created the extremism of Boko Haram.”

The literary icon who condemned any religious practice that sentences people to death for espousing their faith also noted that, “We are not doing Ashraf Fayadh a favour by this protest.

We are doing ourselves a favour.

We are saying religion is a personal thing. No culture or religion should place one gender superior to another.

"All human beings are created equal. Like Martin Lurther King said that we should be judged not by the colour of our skin or gender or anatomy, but by our conduct or what we do.

"We have allowed scripture texts like Bible, Koran and other religious books to take symbolic and active control of our thoughts... We have not looked deeply to why one half of the world would impose their religion on the other half of the world. Why should a bunch of mortals

sit down and sentence someone to death , what kind of arrogance is that?Why should extremists impose their belief on others?

"We do not deserve to be sentenced to death, harassed or imprisoned for practising a different faith. Stop using religion as an excuse because if you use it, you are bringing it into public domain and it would become an object for discussion,” he intoned.

How best to make it into the world in print Onyekuba, has these attributes.

Divided into three movements, the first movement tells the discussion of four students about moving into the world after graduation. While serious and intelligent Monique was bent on futhering her education, Patsy was interested in moving to America to showcase her talents in the modeling world. On the other side Mercy was also determined to continue with her education and Tessy who was not

The playwrights’s belief is that people especially women should be hard working and not rely on their husbands for everything

Into The World, Onyeka Onyekuba; Phyleom Publishers, Nigeria; Revised, 2015: PP. 95.

that she eventually took and things changed for good.

A close look at the issues raised

by Dr. Iwuchukwu’s plays show that they are set against the background of a society that has thrown morality to the winds.

She has, therefore, in plain language highlighted the fundamental problems facing many homes in contemporary Nigerian society. Indeed, the plays will be better appreciated if seen from the Playwright’s belief that people especially women should be hardworking and not rely on their husband for every thing.

Despite the avoidable typographical errors and wrong spellings noticed which can be easily corrected in another version, the book is a must for all, especially, secondary and university students and the younger ones who are coming up.

Agunbiade pledges support for Ikorodu community devt. awards

By PRISCA SAM DURU AWARDS

interested in education decided to marry and be a housewife.

In the second movement, their individual desires manifested.

Tessy finally married and settled down with Tim, his wealthy businessman husband who provided her with everything including a maid named Janet.

And as fate will have it she did not make any move to be self reliant, rather she depended on his husband for everything, worse still she moved with bad friends who made her to abuse the privilege by spending the husband’s money recklessly.

Things changed when his

husband instructed her not to buy things on credit, an order she failed to keep, instead she became antagonistic to Janet, the maid and insisted on her leaving the house. In the course of the drama, she left and in the period of three years, Tim married Janet. When she came back with the parents, it was a surprise and after much pleading by the father, Tim accepted her back but she refused to recognise Janet as a wife.

In the third movement, the book also looks at conflicts in the polygamous family, pertaining to how the man can handle the situation. Tessy who did not recognise Janet’s new status was bent on setting the home on fire, and it was so, until Tessy’s school friends Mercy and Monique who have made it in their various disciplines visited and told her the truth and advised her to get a job or learn a trade, an advice

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he Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly. Hon. Sanai Oyeniran Bolanle (S.O.B) Agunbiade has pledged support for the Ikorodu Community Development Award (ICDA) which celebrates organisations and individuals including actors, visual artists, film makers and musicians, saying that the task of moving Ikorodu forward is a collective responsibility of progressive minds and those who believe in Ikorodu development should buy into that project.

The lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency 01 at the Lagos State House of Assembly made this pledge when a delegation of Ikorodu Community Development Award Foundation paid him a courtesy visit

at his constituency office in Ikorodu last week. The visit was led Mr. Austen Awulonu and former Health Adviser to Babatunde Raji Fashola, Dr. Idowu.

ICDA is the initiative of the Liberty Centre Branch of TREM. It annually celebrates positive grassroots impact in Ikorodu beyond tribal or religious lines.

Receiving the delegation, Agunbiade said, “I must say that I feel so impressed by what has been reeled out to me as presentation by Mr. Awulonu and corroborated by Dr. Idowu. I have a lot of plaques; I have a lot of awards; but towards my election I stopped getting awards. I had so many offers but I turned them down because awards in Nigeria have become so bastardized to the extent that it is money for hands awards for you.

“I am trying to say is that to have a foundation giving awards purely on integrity, purely on laid down procedures and conditions not on what you can offer but on what you have done for the community.

“I think today I am more motivated towards the idea that created the award, and the motivation is underlined by the caliber of the people that behind the foundation and the agenda, and spelt out the conditions and objectives of the awards. I am from two royal families in Ikorodu; I represent Ikorodu; Ikorodu flows in my bloods and in my veins. I am not satisfied with the situation in Ikorodu. I believe that by some unconscious manifestation of greed and unhealthy and unnecessary rivalry some people have put Ikorodu back on the track of history,” he said.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016 — 45

Roger Milla: Chikatara’s fantastic C

AMEROONIAN legend Roger Milla has heaped plaudits on home-based Super Eagles forward, Chisom Chikatara, for his impressive showing at the African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

The former Indomitable Lions forward also believes the Abia Warriors striker has what it takes to be one of the best players in the continent.

“The Nigeria number 13 is a fantastic striker,” he said.

“I have been impressed with his performance in the competition and I believe he will be a great star in future.”

T

•ON THE PROWL: Chisom Chikatara outwits a Tunisian defender. He scored in Eagles 1-1 draw with Tunisia

Murray rushes to hospital after father-in-law collapses

A

•Murray

Ighalo responsibility for Watford. He took his goals tally to 14 in the season.

“It is important that he knows that the team doesn’t depend just on Ighalo, because it is not this sort of pressure on the player,’ Flores said.

“In the last two matches I feel that Ighalo is a bit anxious

Continued from B/P more focused and hungry against Guinea when they face-off on Tuesday.

The former Nigeria international said although his team settled for a draw against Tunisia, he was happy with the performance of his players.

“We need to be a little tighter at the back because the kind of goals we have conceded in the tournament are all because of some lazy movement,” he added.

He said he will continue C M Y K

Irakpo hails Okowa’s appointment as Delta Sports Commission boss

Continued from B/P with the ball and it’s not the same Ighalo, but we are really confident and he is really clever and he wants to stop the situation.”

The Hornets will be glad to have ended their winless run, and are now only five points off fifth placed Man United.

With this spirited team, Flores will fancy his chances of finishing in a European spot.

CHAN to ring chances in the team because it is the best solution in such a tournament.

“We need to expose our players as much as possible,” concluded the coach.

The Super Eagles and Guinea will have to travel 144km to the Rubavu District where their last group game will take place, while Niger battle Tunisia in the other group game at the Nyamirambo Stadium on the same day.

NDY Murray ’s father-in-law Nigel Sears collapsed at the Australian Open - just weeks before his daughter Kim is due to give birth.

Sussex-based Sears, 58, fell ill during the third round match between Ana Ivanovic - who he coaches - and Madison Keys yesterday.

He was treated by paramedics in the stands and then stretchered away with his shirt off and attached to an oxygen tank. He is understood to have been conscious and alert as he was taken to hospital.

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OYAL FC of Lagos have emerged winners of the world five aside football championship sponsored by healthy milk brand Olympic.

The outstanding grass root football club were crowned champions at the final of the five aside competition held at the main bowl of the Campos Ministadium in Lagos Island.

The Club which had an unbeaten run from the start of the competition defeated Ago FC of Abeokuta 3-2 on penalties after a tough 1-1 draw to emerge winner as well as a chance to represent

Liverpool

but some clinical finishing as Jurgen Klopp’s men eventually grabbed all three points in a match they looked to have lost and then drawn.

Roberto Firmino gave the Reds the lead before Dieumerci Mbokani’s clever finish, a debut strike from Steven Naismith and Wes Hoolahan’s penalty put the Canaries 3-1 up.

But Liverpool scored three

times in a 20-minute spell through Jordan Henderson, Firmino again and James Milner – only for Bassong to notch a Norwich leveller in stoppage-time.

The drama continued, however, as Lallana volleyed home with seconds remaining to send Klopp dancing down the touchline and Alex Neil crestfallen in the home dugout.

Rubavu, one of the cities in Rwanda.

The Home Eagles and their coaches played their first two matches in the preliminary round at the Stade de Kigali, with their scheduled third match of the group taking place at the Rubavu Stadium on

whose sight is set for great things for the state.”

On the new Sports Council chairman, Irakpo said, “Okowa has the pedigree and technical know how to take Sports in Delta State to greater heights.”

He called on the state government and Nigerians generally to identify with the upcoming African Heavyweight Wrestling title defense fight between Power Lee de-Great of Nigeria and Marvelous Bufalo of Angola tagged ‘The RETURN OF GLORY, Delta 2016,’ which comes up March 6, at the indoor Sports Hall of Asaba Stadium.

Royal FC emerges Olympic 5-aside Nigeria at the world five demonstrating its deep champions commitment to mental

Continued from B/P

Continued from B/P

HE Chief Executive Officer of Silec Entertainment, Sunny Irakpo has commended the Delta State government over the appointment of Chief Tony Okowa as chairman of the state Sports Commission.

Applauding the appointment Chief Tony Okowa as the Chairman Delta State Sports commission, Irakpo, who also manages the African Heavyweight wrestling champion, Godspower Ikpide alias Power Lee deGreat, said, governor Okowa’s penchant for “putting round pegs in round holes” was a true reflection of a “great leader

aside football championships in Thailand.

Olympic Brand Manager, Bamise Oyegbami said that the competition is the Olympic brand’s way of

growth and physical development.

“Football is a sport that enhances healthy living and physical development keeping you active for longer.”

L-R Brand Manager, Olympic, Bamise Oyegbami; Former Super Eagles player, Jonathan Akpoborie; Board Member of Lagos FA, Mojeed Adegbidin and Former Super Eagles player, Victor Ikpeba at the Olympic 5 Aside finals in Lagos.

Continued from B/P Super Sunday looking to end a run of eight league games without a victory against their London rivals.

Henry believes Chelsea’s form, coupled with Mourinho’s exit, presents the Gunners with an opportunity too good not to take, although he stressed both sides’ form could

Henry influence the message the game delivers.

“What better chance will Arsenal have to play against the wounded Premier League champions, at home, and make a statement that they are in for the title?” Henry said.

Eagles Tuesday.

Information from Eagles’ camp in Kigali says the team will leave as early as possible to begin preparations ahead of the crucial match, which they must either draw or win to guarantee their passage to the quarter final stage.

Sports Commission loses Deputy Director A DEPUTY director with the National Sports Commission (NSC), Oluwole Akoja, is dead.

He died on Friday afternoon after a brief

illness at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Akoja, was a deputy director in the Federation and Elites Athletes Department (FEAD) of the NSC.

46 — S UNDAY Vanguard SUNDAY Vanguard,, JANUAYR 24, 2016

Thank You Mr. President But….

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Working Blue...John Obi Mikel takes on Manchester United players Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin (28) during a match. Mikel has been with the Blues for ten seasons.

Mikel not going to China — Agent P

LANS by fomer England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to lure John Obi Mikel to Shanghai SIPG may have hit a bring wall as Chelsea are not willing to let go their midfielder.

Shanghai SIPG offered to pay six million pounds transfer fee, with a personal offer of £3 million yearly wages to

Mikel.

“Yes, it is true that Shanghai SIPG made a bid for Mikel but Chelsea say he is not for sale and want him to see out his contract,” a representative of Mikel told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“He has to obey Chelsea but plans to hold further talks with them at the end of the season.”

The 28-year-old has made 15 appearances for the Blues this season, a number which has significantly risen since the arrival of Guus Hiddink as manager.

With the west London club languishing in 14th, it would be a surprise if they let go of a player who has had a part in their recent semi-revival.

Vieira picks Mourinho ahead of Wenger A

Vieria... Believes in Mourinho

RSENAL legend Patrick Vieira said that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho had more influence on him than Gunners boss Arsene Wenger due to his “unbelievable” attention to detail.

Ex-France international Vieira, who played under both Wenger and Mourinho, is now a coach himself at Manchester City’s MLS franchise New York City FC — and the former midfielder says Arsenal never approached him about a role with the club after his playing ca-

Olukoya, Ayomike eye top prize at Ikoyi golf tourney

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EFENDING champion of the Ikoyi Club Golf Championship, Remi Olukoya and contending rival Tim Ayomike are favourites for the top prize of the 35th edition of the competition which ends today in Lagos.

The duo are likely to face opposition from Peter EbenSpiff, Joe Abu and Austin Ojomo who are the other players that could rock their chances.

Meanwhile Captain of the Golf Section of the Ikoyi Club, Tony Onwu, has said that the 35th edition of the Championship, which began yesterday will be the most successful in the competition’s history.

According to Onwu, the tournament is to determine the best golfers at the club.

“The club championship is one of the most keenly contested events at the club, since the winners in each category would be regarded as the

C M Y K

club’s best golfers. We hope this year’s event will be the most successful in the history of the tournament,” he stated.

reer ended.

Vieira was asked to pick any manager in the world to coach his ultimate XI, and replied: “Jose. He’s the manager who had more influence on me.”

That may surprise Arsenal fans given that Vieira only spent 18 months under Mourinho at Inter Milan, while his Gunners career under Wenger lasted nine years.

Explaining the decision to pick Mourinho — whose bitter feud with Wenger lasted for years — Vieira said: “Why? Because he [Mourinho] was the one who impressed me most on his work ethic. He knew everything about the opposition, the strength, weakness.

“His detail was unbelievable; everything was so clear about what he wanted from each player. I don’t know what happened at Chelsea but he always got the best out of his players.”

Russian bank threatens legal action against WADA

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USSIA’s leading bank VTB has claimed that it is planning to sue the officials at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) behind its report into corruption in athletics after its

Seb Coe... IAAF boss

relationship with the international governing body was questioned in a report published last week.

According to the report published by the WADA Independent Commission, a $25 million (£17 million/•23 million) payment from VTB Bank was made in 2012 following a meeting between officials including Papa Massata Diack, the son of former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Lamine, All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) President Valentin Balaknichev and an unnamed Russian television advisor.

never believed that the ‘Labour of our Heroes past Shall not be in Vain’, that line in our national anthem was anything until President Buhari hosted our victorious athletes in various sports to a reception at the Banquet Hall of the Aso Villa last Thursday.

President Buhari rubbed it in when he read out the line in his speech at the occasion as he was talking about the 1985 Nduka Ugbade-led Golden Eaglets, the forerunners of the many successes we have recorded in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He was very emotional about this team, because like he said, he made a promise to them when he hosted them about 30 years ago as Military President but circumstances “which you all know” didn’t allow him fulfill it. 30 years after now as civilian president, he said he was happy that God kept him alive to fulfill his promise.

He also displayed some emotions when he called on the audience to join him in a minute silence for the only member of the team, Kingsley Aikhionbare who passed on some years ago in London.

This president’s gesture shows how a leader should behave, working his talk and not what present day politicians do, promising what they can never fulfill during campaigns but shut out the people once they get into power.

That was the only palatable aspect of the reception to me as a person and in fact a member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, which team, the D’Tigers performed a feat akin to what Christian Chukwu and his team did for football in 1980 under President Shehu Shagari.

Before 1980, Nigeria’s Red Devils which metamorphosed into Green Eagles then, had tried severally to win Africa’s most coveted football title, the Africa Nations Cup but each time crashed out at different stages, first round, quarter-finals, semi finals and painfully in four finals, mostly in the hands of Issa Hayatou’s Cameroon, the last being on home soil at the National Stadium, Lagos in 2000.

An appreciate nation gave this set of Eagles a rousing reception laced with national honours, cash gifts and houses. Nigeria celebrated it for weeks and the players lived larger than life.

Those who followed in 1994 were not left out either even though their rewards of houses were belatedly redeemed. Even the last set of 2013 under Stephen Keshi as coach, smiled to the bank with millions of Nigeria.

However, in 2015, Basketball through its team, D’Tigers achieved the same feat, theirs coming 50 years after several losses, some also painfully in the final to Angola, Tunisia and Senegal. Theirs was more hectic because, unlike football players, the 2013 group for example, who got paid $5000 as winning bonus each, they got no dime for winning any game on the way to winning the crown in Tunisia.

What these set of classy players from European and America clubs, with an NBA player in Al Farouk Aminu on the team got was a miserly $500 each for the semi final and final victory, making a total of $1000. This was after the NBBF president, Tijjani Umar called on the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Alhassan Yakmu to do something to motivate the players, as it was the best time for Nigeria to win the championship after the painful slip two years earlier in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

When they lifted the trophy in Tunisia and qualified for the Olympics, the first team apart from host Brazil and current champions USA to qualify, the boys celebrated into the night. They were expected to depart from there to their various clubs when news came from the sports commission that they should arrive Nigeria because the president wanted to host them.

After rescheduling their flights, news came again that the reception had been cancelled because of Mr. President’s tight schedule. They were told another day will be fixed for their reception. They looked forward to that day, which eventually came on January 21, 2015 when a disappointing N600,000 was announced for each of them as reward for their effort.

You can imagine how disappointed the players were and what would be running through their minds now. They all expressed regret coming down for the reception. Some even said they regretted coming to play for the country, which has kind of not appreciated all the sacrifices they made.

Yours sincerely and Nigeria’s longest serving player and captain, Olumide Oyedeji, perturbed about the likely repercussion, took up the matter with the Permanent Secretary of the Youth and Sports Ministry, Mr. Chinyeaka Ohaa. He told us our concerns would be looked into, to see how they can positively make amends. We take him for his words and believe Nigeria should extend equal or appropriate reward to our basketball heroes.

SUND AY SUNDA

C M Y K

Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016, 47

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 24, 2016

Ighalo rediscovers scoring boots A

FTER four games without a goal, Odion Ighalo rediscovered his confidence with a strike in Watford’s 2-1 win against Newcastle

yesterday.

Ighalo’s manager Quique Sanchez Flores was happy with the effort, which ended Watford’s five game run without a win. The coach

Arsenal must beat Chelsea — Henry

Continues on page 45

Liverpool edge Norwich in 9-goal thriller

A

S Arsenal chase their first Premier League title in almost 17 years, club legend Thiery Henry has told the Gunners to beat Chelsea today and make a statement of their intention to win in 2016.

The league-leading Gunners welcome the current champions to the Emirates Stadium on

Continues on page 45

A

•UNSTOPPABLE: Super Eagles and Watford striker, Odion Ighalo (m) waltzes through Newcastle defence before scoring for Watford in their 2-1 win.

CHAN: Oliseh rates Guinea high S

•Oliseh

was forced to hold a oneon-one talk with the top striker ahead of the match against the Magpies to help his star striker overcome any psychological problems affecting his form.

The Super Eagles striker has shouldered much of the goal scoring

UPER Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has said their last Group C game against Guinea in the on-going Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) will not be an easy task.

“I personally rate Guinea highly because they are a good team. We shall need to be at our best to be able to get a good result so that we

top the group,” Oliseh said.

Tunisia held the Super Eagles to a 1-1 draw on Friday in a game played at the Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Oliseh said although he is happy with the attitude of his players, he will need them to be

Continues on page 45

CROSS WORD PUZZLE DOWN ACROSS 1. Sample (5) 1. Governor of Sokoto 2. Niger state town (4) State (8) 3. Observe (5) 5. Assistant (4) 4. Lecture (6) 7. Praise (5) 5. Everyone (3) 8. Upright (4) 6. Use (6) 9. Lantern (4) 10. Inquires (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Exclamation (2) 15. Resistance unit (3) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 17. Coax (4) 18. Agent (3) 19. Rollicked (6) 20. Glitters (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 24. Forward (5) 22. Satisfied (4) 25. Nigerian state (6) 23. Nigerian state (3) 27. Boring tool (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 27 . African country (6) 31. Perform (2) Endure (4) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 28.

29. Child (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 30. Spoke (6) 36. Vow (4) 31. Adorn (5) 38. Musical quality (4) 33. Baking chambers 39. Inclination (5) (5) 40. Eager (4) 35. Asterisk (4) 41. Damages (8) 37. Possessed (3)

Eagles depart for Rubavu T

HE Super Eagles are getting set for their third Group C match of the ongoing African Nations Championship, Rwanda 2016 against Guinea as they depart Kigali this morning to

Continues on page 45

DAM Lallana scored an injury-time winner as Liverpool claimed a dramatic 5-4 win over Norwich in a topsy-turvy clash at Carrow Road.

Liverpool recovered from 3-1 down and Sebastien Bassong’s late equaliser in a game that was littered with some truly awful defending

Continues on page 45

•Klopp

Mikel not going to China—P.46 RESULTS CHAN Zimbabwe Uganda

0 0

Mali Zambia

1 1

EPL Norwich C/ Palace Leicester Man United Sunderland Watford West Brom West Ham

4 1 3 0 1 2 0 2

Liverpool Tottenham Stoke City Southampton Bournemouth Newcastle Aston Villa Manchester

5 3 0 1 1 1 0 2

TODAY'S FIXTURES

See solution on page 5

•Okoro

Morocco Cote d’Ivoire EPL Everton Arsenal

v v

Rwanda Gabon

3 pm 3 pm

v v

Swansea City 2:30 pm Chelsea 5:00 pm

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C M Y K