IN THE NAME OF GOD PLEA!: Avengers reply Buhari, demand referendum

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016 — PAGE 3

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L-r: 2015/2016 district 9110 Governor, Rotn Otunba Bola Onabadejo appreciating the Chief of Staff of the District 9110, Rotn Otunba Olusegun Ogunye at the 2016 annual conference of the 9110 District, Rotary 1 International, held at Chris Ogunbanjo conference complex, Erunwon, Ogun State.

L – r: Farouk Rabin Mudi, WFAN; Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture; Alhaji Y. Olalekan Saliu, Executive Secretary FMAN; and Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, Rep. Chairman FMAN; at the signing of MoU between Flour Millers Association of Nigeria and Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria, as a commitment toward self-sufficiency in local wheat production held in Abuja.

IN THE NAME OF GOD PLEA...

Avengers reply Buhari, demand referendum By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, SouthSouth, Egufe Yafugborhi & Perez Brisibe

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H E Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, yesterday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call for a referendum for Nigerians to decide if they want to stay as one country or not, just like Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK), David Cameron, did over the UK membership of the European Union EU.

NDA, which unveiled its plan for what it called a Sovereign State of Niger Delta, on May 12, made the call while reacting to last Friday’s appeal by Buhari to Niger Delta militants, in God’s name, to cease the bombing of oil and gas installations in the region.

The militant group, in separate responses to Sunday Vanguard inquiries at 2.04 pm and 2.56 pm respectively, yesterday, said: “He (Buhari) should call for a referendum to enable every Nigerian to vote if they want to stay as Nigerians or not just like what David Cameron of Great Britain did.”

Our reporter had asked: “Buhari is appealing to Niger Delta militants to stop the bombings in the region in God’s name because of the destruction to the economy, what is your group’s response to his appeal?”

NDA, which vowed over a month and a half ago “to display our currency, flag, passport, our ruling council and our territory to the world

by October 16,” seemed indifferent to the appeal.

Ball in President’s court

Other militants and Niger Delta groups, contacted by Sunday Vanguard on the President’s plea, were also guarded like the Avengers, some dismissing Buhari’s call and others asking him to take the bull by the horn by leading the planned dialogue with stakeholders of the region.

Notwithstanding the distrust of Buhari, many see his appeal to the militants as a major shift on his earlier stand that soldiers should crush them.

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They also believe that if he shores up the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, and his team spearheading the moves to stem the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta, they would end his nightmare with the present rapport he enjoys with the stakeholders and some of the militant groups.

Why Buhari should take the lead- IYC

Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, the umbrella body of Ijaw youths in the oil-rich region, stated: “What is required is not just an appeal but for him (Buhari) to led the dialogue with the Niger Delta people towards finding a lasting solution to the recurring militancy in the region.”

IYC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Eric Omare, went on: “President Buhari must come to the negotiation table with stakeholders in the Niger Delta as was done by his predecessors rather than through his subordinates.

“The IYC is also of the view that the perceived multiplicity of militant groups in the region as stated by President Buhari is not an obstacle to engagement with stakeholders. The sort of engagement the IYC expects from the Federal Government is a holistic dialogue with stakeholders in the region.

“And strongly with a view to finding a lasting solution to the root causes of militancy and other agitations, rather than engaging with a view to giving palliatives to present agitators without addressing the issues responsible for the recurring agitations as was done in the past.

“The IYC would only support a dialogue that is geared towards addressing the fundamental issues responsible for militancy in the Niger Delta.

“Therefore, we call on President Buhari to put his appeal to action by starting the process of genuine and serious engagement with the Niger Delta people with a view to addressing the Niger Delta agitation for resource control once and

for all.”

President should be sincere – Meinbutus

Secretary General, Meinbutus Federated Communities, an Ijaw group, Eniekebi Joseph, told Sunday Vanguard: “It is our opinion that Niger Delta needs special attention in terms of human and infrastructural development. We need sincerity of purpose from the President and his team to tackle the environmental and human degradation in the region.”

“We are not in support of bombing of pipeline and vandalisation of oil

installations. Mr President should also stop to use the military to invade and intimidate communities in the region.

We don’t trust Buhari – IPDI

National President of the Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo, in his response, said: “Our worry is that since Buhari returned from his short vacation last Sunday, he has started dancing different tones. We learnt that there are preparations ongoing to smash and crush innocent people of Niger Delta under

the guise of fighting militants.”

“Buhari is pretending and not serious with his plea.

He has a hidden agenda; he is just doing this for record purpose so that when he will smash and crush on the grounds of failed dialogue, the blame will not shift to him .

Spiritual and physical undertone

Meanwhile, a former leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Kemeizompoukomumor Ayuba, has appealed to

Buhari to dialogue with new Niger Delta militant groups in the interest of peace and national co-existence.

Ayuba, who styled himself as one of the founding leaders of MEND, in a statement, said those opposed to the proposed dialogue were not doing the present administration any good.

According to him, if the present situation is not properly handled by the President, it could snowball into a major catastrophe.

Pointing out that the crisis has both spiritual and physical undertone, he stated that what the militants, especially the NDA was demanding, was not different from what they fought for between 2001 and 2009 before they voluntarily acceded to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

LAGOS/OGUN MASSACRE: How militants took over our communities — Survivors dislodged by the task force

By Daud Olatunji

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WO days after the latest attack on some communities in Lagos and Ogun states by suspected Niger Delta militants, which led to the death of about 50 people, survivors have narrated their ordeal.

The communities include Ita Oluwo, Elepete and Oke- Muti , IgboOlomu, Ikorodu , ItaOluwo, Imagbon, Imushin and Kajola.

Efforts to visit the affected areas by our reporter were unsuccessful, yesterday, as no one was ready to go to the area considered as a deadly zone.

Our correspondent, who wanted to enter the communities through Sagamu-Ogijo, had to end the journey at the last bus stop at Ita -Oluwo as no commercial motorcycle operator was ready to go beyond the area.

Tension seemed to have spread to the area as

residents were not ready to talk about the militants so as not to incur their wrath.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that in the area, the fear of militants is the beginning of wisdom.

It was gathered that the population of the communities, surrounded

by creeks, was over 500,000 while different tribes of people lived peacefully.

Further findings showed that the communities comprised migrants from Majidun-Ikorodu and Arepo who settled there after they were

Osinbajo, Ambode, Dangote express confidence in Nigeria’s quick economic recovery •Lagos refinery, ready in first quarter of 2019 — VP •Projects to create over 235 direct, indirect jobs — Ambode •Lagos to get constant electricity supply from plant — Dangote

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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ICE President Yemi Osinbajo , Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, and President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote, have expressed confidence in the speedy recovery of Nigeria’s ailing economy if current efforts directed at revamping the economy are sustained.

Osibajo also disclosed that the on- going construction of the multi billion Naira Dangote refinery, located at Lekki Free Trade Zone, LFTZ, Lagos, will be ready in the first quarter of 2019.

The Vice President stated this, yesterday, when he led a delegation of government officials on inspection of work at the refinery, petro-chemical

Govt Wants INEC To Extend Ondo Voter Registration

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NDO State government has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the ongoing voters registration exercise in the state beyond today.

According to a statement by the state’s Commissioner

on vandalisation of petroleum pipelines.

The Federal Government war against pipeline vandalisation was said to have checkmated some of the militants who then took to robbery, and other crimes to make a living.

for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, in Akure, yesterday, the extension became imperative following the inability of many potential voters to register despite repeated visits to the registration points.

Urging the electoral body to consider the extension of the

registration beyond today, the government said there were complaints of INEC registration facilities malfunctioning in many of the centres across the state during the exercise, thus preventing many of the potential voters from registering.

plant, pipeline gas producing plant and fertilizer plant being undertaken by Dangote Group at the LFTZ. Eminent Nigerians present include the Chairman, Forte Oil, Mr. Femi Otedola; Minister of PowerWorks and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; and Minister of Industry and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah.

Osinbajo said government is harnessing the potentials of the private sector to accelerate the growth of the economy.

Also speaking on the projects Ambode said they will have multiplier effect on the economy.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016 — PAGE 5

PDP CRISIS DEEPENS

By Ben Agande, Simon Ebegbulem & Gabriel Enogalase

Sheriff sacks Edo Exco; Makarfi Committee dismisses action

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ower tussle in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened, yesterday, as the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee dismissed the suspension of the Edo State Executive Committee of the party by the Ali Modu Sheriff faction.

The Dan Orbih leadership of the PDP in Edo echoed the Caretaker Committee’s position.

Sheriff had, early yesterday, announced the suspension of the Edo PDP exco, replacing it with a Caretaker Committee.

The bone of contention is the PDP primary election organised by the Makarfi Caretaker Committee ahead of the Edo gubernatorial election last Monday, which produced Pastor Osagie IzeIyamu as the candidate of the PDP. The Sheriff group, also yesterday, fixed June 29 to pick the PDP candidate for the September 10 Edo gubernatorial election.

Meanwhile, about 20 youths, allegedly from Bayelsa and Delta States, were, yesterday, arrested by the All Progressives Congress (APC) youths at Ilogbo in Ikpoba Okahi LGA and Abudu in Orhionwon LGA after they reportedly invaded the LGAs to participate in the ongoing voter registration ahead of the September governorship poll.

Announcing the sack of the Edo PDP Exco, Sheriff and a former National Secretary of the party, Professor Wale Oladipo, said the decision was taken at the National Working Committee meeting of the party on June 21.

But in separate statements, the Markafi Committee and the Edo PDP Exco noted that Sheriff and members of his NWC had been removed from office and as such not in a position to suspend any body.

The statement, signed by the Head of Publicity of the Caretaker Committee, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, read: “The attention of the CareTaker Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party has been drawn to press statement issued by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and professor Wale Oladipo purporting to suspend the Edo State Executive Committee of the Party.

“The general public, in particular leadership and members of the PDP in Edo State are advised to ignore the statement as it is completely with neither basis nor T

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rban high-life maestro and Glo ambassador, Chinedu Okoli, popularly known as Flavour, has composed a scintillating sound track for the T. V social satire series, Professor John Bull, sponsored by grandmasters of data, Globacom.

The sound track highlights the key messages which the drama series seeks to send across to the teeming audience. It revolves around the central character, Prof.

John Bull, played by Nollywood legend, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and focuses on the grandiloquent language which the professor is famous for. The sound track concisely

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Flavour’s hot single ffor or new TT.V .V series, Pr of. John Bull, Prof. rules the air wave in South Eas t, South South airw East,

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Ex-Cross River State Gov. Donald Duke, presenting an award to an Insurance Broker, Mr Olanrewaju Akanni Giwa, to the delight of his wives at the commissioning of the Commint Buka Ikeja, Lagos outlet.

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ABUJA

—The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) has confirmed a Friday night jailbreak at the Kuje Minimum Prisons, but said it could not yet ascertain if any inmate escaped.

Specifically, the prisons authority said the alleged mastermind of the 2010 independence day bomb blast in Abuja, Charles Okah, is still in its custody contrary to fears that he escaped.

As a result of the incident, the Comptroller General of the Service, Ahmed Ja’afaru, has ordered an immediate audit of inmates at the facility.

He has also ordered a probe into the immediate and

remote cause of the incident.

The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Francis Enobore told Sunday Vanguard that although “there was an ‘incident’ at the prison on Friday night but it has nothing to do with Charles Okah”. “However, two inmates were reported to have escaped from the prison at about 1930hrs though not through jailbreak. The inmates in question were awaiting trial for culpable homicide and have no relationship with Charles Okah in what ever manner as it’s being speculated. Efforts are on in collaboration with sister security agencies and relevant bodies to recapture the fleeing prisoners

ASUU orders varsity to reinstate suspended VC

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Iduoriyekemwen, have collected nomination forms.

Briefing journalists, yesterday, Iduoriyekemwen, who participated in Monday’s primary organised by the Makarfi Committee, which threw up Ize-Iyamu as governorship candidate, said though the exercise was fraudulent, he realized that Sheriff is the authentic Chairman of the party according to the court, and decided to contest under that platform.

While rejecting Ize-Iyamu as the PDP candidate, Iduoriyekemwen and Agbonayinma pledged their loyalty to the Sheriff-led PDP.

By Omeiza Ajayi

By Jimitota Onoyume

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member of PDP. By his pronouncements and his actions, he has shown the whole world that he is not a true member of PDP”.

And in response to the announcement by Sheriff and Oladipo to organise another primary to pick the PDP candidate for the Edo governorship poll, two persons, including the member representing Egor/ Ikpoba Okhai federal constituency of the state in the House of Representatives, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, and a former member representing Edo in the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Matthew

*Prisons Service says 2 inmates escaped

as ex Student Dean threatens to quit union

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authority. Procedures for taking such far reaching decisions are prescribed in the constitution of the party, so is the organs so empowered to take it.

“It is no longer news that the Ali Modu Sheriff led National Working Committee and indeed all national officers were removed by the Party’s Convention, which is the highest decision making organ of the Party. Senator Sheriff and his cohorts therefore lack the locus to take any decision on behalf of the Party”.

Orbih, in his own statement, said: “Sheriff ’s action has shown that he is not a true

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•Faction fixes June 29 for primary election

Kuje jailbreak: Charles Okah still in custody

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summarizes the plot and storyline. For instance, it repeatedly hails the erudite scholar who has travelled round the world acquiring knowledge and enlarging his vocabulary.

The rhythm and beat of the sound track, originally produced in Igbo, are typical of Flavour’s urban high-life music genre and style and is full of eulogies for the professor.

The four-minute song which is currently ruling the airwaves particularly in the South East and South South part of the country, features notable stars such as Kanayo O. Kanayo,, Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), Bimbo Akintola, Mercy Johnson, Yomi Fash Lanso, Ime Bishop, Queen Nwokoye, Chiwetalu Agu and several other top Bollywood stars and Glo Ambassadors. The series is produced by Nollywood creative genius, Tchidi Chikere with iconic Nollywood legend Richard Mofe-Damijo as consultant.

Radio stations across the South East and South South states such as Enugu, Ebonyin, Anambra, Abia, Imo, Cross Rivers, Rivers and Akwa Ibom have started blasting the song massively on their stations while music lovers have been urging On-Air-Personalities to play the soundtrack during phone-in programmes. For instance, the song was heard repeatedly on Dream FM 92.7 Enugu and other stations on

Friday. The lead character in the drama series, Kanayo O. Kanayo, described the song as perfect. He declared: “the sound track for this drama series is just apt and awesome.

In-fact, I was marveled when I listened to it. It just summarizes what the drama series is about. It encapsulates the story-line”.

The producer/director of the new TV series, Mr. Tchidi Chikere, said that Flavour was carefully selected to compose the song because of his style and genre of music.

ORT HARCOURT — Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, has given a marching order to the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt to lift the suspension order slammed on the Vice Chancellor of the school, Professor Lale Ndowa, before June 27.

Chairman of the university’s chapter of ASUU, Dr Austen Sado, who spoke in the university said the Governing Council ignored procedural process in arriving at the

suspension of the Vice Chancellor.

Meanwhile, Professor Nelson Brambaifa of Pharmacology has threatened to resign from the union over its stand on the issue. Professor Brambaifa, who was a former Dean, Students Affairs of the University, said he had been a member of the union for about thirty years, adding that he was shocked at the decision of the union to embark on strike because the VC was suspended. He said the VC was being investigated for alleged financial misappropriation.

Resident doctors to resume work tomorrow role of the National Assembly in

BY Victoria Ojeme

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HE NationalAssociation of Resident Doctors (NARD)hassuspendedit’s on-going nationwide indefinite strikeandispoisedtoresumework tomorrow, M onday, June 27, 2016. In a communique issued at the end of an extraordinary national executive council meeting which was held at the trauma centre of the National Hospital,Abuja,thepresident,Dr Muhammad Adamu Askira, said the suspension of the strike was to enable the government implement the agreements reached within the agreed time frame. While commending the

Time for self re-appraisal, repentance Twenty days gone now in the month of Ramadan! How much has Ramadan affected you positively and how have you adjusted to the requirements of the month? What have you been doing that you would not want to do again?

Would you like to continue doing what you always do in Ramadan? It is indeed a time for stocktaking.

The remaining nine or 10 days could help to either consolidate on these areas or help to change them for good. Fasting in Ramadan can, in fact, be the perfect time to cut down on food in-take and bad habits like lying, back-biting, cheating, among other vices. Muslims are expected to be better persons at the end of this month. That is why the Prophet adviced that this month must not pass without Muslims seeking forgiveness of sins from Almighty Allah and turning out to be a better person. Therefore, a re-appraisal is necessary

the impasse, particularly the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara,theassociationsaiditwill review the progress of the intervention, at the July NEC scheduled for July 25-30.

“In view of the genuine intervention of the Hon. Speaker and other key stakeholders, NARD hereby suspends the on-going nationwide indefinite strike action so as to enable government implement the agreements reached within the agreed time frame on or before 14th July 2016.”

“Work will resume from Monday27thJune2016at8:am.

at this junction. Fasting during this month is a way to protect you from evil and learn patience, humility and control. It is also considered to be a shield against evil and allows Muslims to get rid of their sins. The Prophet (S.A.W.) said: “Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah will have all of his previous sins forgiven.”

One important benefit of fasting is that it helps you to understand the suffering and pain of the poor. It also allows human beings to understand how those who do not have enough money for a meal survive through the day. Therefore, it is believed that fasting makes individual a better person as it allows them to associate with the pain of others. No fasting Muslim will observe the Ramadan fast very well, keeping all the dictates, will remain the same. It will no doubt leave us a better person both physically and spiritually. Besides, the Prophet (S.A.W.) was reported by Bukhari that Allah said: “The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My Sake. Fasting is a screen (from hell), and there are two moments of pleasure (moments of happiness or joys) for a fasting person: one at the time of breaking his fast and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord.

PAGE 6—VANGUARD, SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016

ALLEGED RAPE IN US

Our Reps leave Americans angry

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru

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INCE the allegation of rape news of the involving three members of the House of Representatives broke, there have been many questions on the lips of many Nigerians with no answers yet available.

Did the lawmakers actually overreach themselves during their trip to the United States (US)? Why should the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle, rush to a conclusion without hearing from the lawmakers? Should the Ambassador have come up with such a weighty allegation without verification?

Even as the questions are yet to be answered, a school of thought with the ‘home grown’ mentality has questioned the allegation on the grounds that the lawmakers neither forcefully dragged the hotel house keeper, nor applied intimidation while soliciting for sex from prostitutes, while describing the US Ambassador ’s letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as mere blackmail, with the intention to rubbish the lawmakers and also smear the image of Nigeria.

However, some people argue that the calibre of people involved in the alleged misconduct are supposed to be versed in the laws of their host country and should know that some of the things that are overlooked in Nigeria constitute serious offences there.

Meanwhile, the House Speaker has asked Nigerian to wait for the outcome of investigation that will either prove the lawmakers innocent or guilty.

Dogara, according to statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, urged Nigerians to refrain from passing judgement and wait for the outcome of the investigation by the House, saying: “Judgement can only be passed when an allegation is proven.”

He further explained that apart from the letter from the US Ambassador to Nigeria, no evidence had been forwarded to his office and that there can be no conviction without trial.

The three lawmakers occupy Committee leadership positions in the House. One of them, a former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Samuel Okon Ikon, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is the Chairman, House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations. Representative Mark Terseer Gbillah, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Benue State, is the Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream). The two allegedly requested hotel parking attendants to assist them to solicit prostitutes. The

third member, Mohammed Garba Gololo, who represents Gamawa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State on the platform of the APC, is the Deputy Chairman on Power and is being accused by the U.S. Ambassador of grabbing a housekeeper in his hotel room and solicited for sex.

The three lawmakers are among the ten members of the House of Representatives invited by the US government for the International Visitor Leadership Program held between April 7 and 13, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Others are Jonathan Gbefwi Gaza from Nasarawa State, Danburam Abubakar Nuhu, from Kano State, Nkole Uko Ndukwe from Abia State, Rita Orji, from Lagis State and Ayo Huliyat Omidiran from Osun State.

Blowing the lid open, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Entwistle, had, penultimate week, petitioned Dogara, accusing the lawmakers of improper conduct, attempted rape and soliciting for prostitutes while on the trip to the US. In a letter, dated June 9, 2016, the envoy alleged that three lawmakers had brought disrepute to the parliament by soliciting for sex from prostitutes and grabbing a hotel housekeeper in an alleged bid to rape.

However, the lawmakers told the leadership of the House to convoke a public investigative hearing on the allegations against them.

Speaking on the floor of the House during plenary, one of the accused lawmakers, Gbillah, who represents Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency of Benue State, said he had never cheated on his wife since he got married and never had an eye on any other woman apart from the wife.

Relying on House Order 6, Rule 20 and 22 that deals with privileges of members, the lawmakers stated that it was important that the matter should be specifically addressed, adding that the allegation was completely false.

Contributing to the motion, Nnenna Elendu Ukeje, said the issue had become a matter between Nigeria and the US which are two sovereign countries.

Ukeje, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, advised the Committees handling the matter to jeopardise the relationship between the two countries.

While referring the matter to the Committees on Ethics and Privileges and Foreign Affairs, the House Speaker said the matter is as a very serious one on which many people had come to the conclusion that the three lawmakers were wrong.

He said that anybody thinking that the matter was only about the three lawmakers or the House alone was wrong as,

•The National Assembly complex, Abuja if not investigated well, could be extended to other Nigerians.

He said that going by the House Rule, any such allegation of impropriety was always referred to the Committee on Ethics, adding, “I have appointed the Committee on Foreign Affairs to join in the investigation because of the diplomatic angle to it.

“The standard in the US is that an accused is assumed innocent until proven guilty and that is the same standard in Nigeria.

Any one who has evidence can now see the probing committee.”

Meanwhile, a reliable source informed Sunday Vanguard that the Committees were yet to meet because it was just four days

Meanwhile, a reliable source informed Sunday Vanguard that the Committees were yet to meet because it was just four days ago they were able to get the Votes and Proceedings of the House that mandated them to carry out the assignment ago they were able to get the Votes and Proceedings of the House that mandated them to carry out the assignment.

The source stated that because of the forthcoming Sallah, it had become difficult to get a sizeable number of members in the two committees as some members have gone to Mecca for the lesser hajj and also the House just proceeded on two weeks Sallah break.

However, the source assured that whenever investigations commence,it would be open to make the process transparent so as to unravel the truth behind the allegation.

In a related development, the US government, it was gathered, has revoked the visa granted to the three embattled lawmakers while revealing they

could have been arrested before they left Cleveland, if not because of their status as members of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The lawmakers have continued to defend themselves on the US allegation. Ghillah demanded a video clip of the alleged misconduct.

He said: “Considering the psychological trauma, irredeemable defamation of my character and reputation before my spouse, Children, family, colleagues, leadership, constituents and the general Nigerian and Global public and the incalculable damage to my political career, I intend to take the following actions; “Institute legal action in the United States against the Marriot Hotel Brand, the Cleveland Council of World Affairs and the US State Department requesting for damages, comprehensive investigation of these allegations to exonerate myself and a formal globally publicized apology.

“Institute legal action in Nigeria against the US Embassy in Nigeria also requesting for damages, comprehensive investigation of these allegations and a formal globally publicized apology.

“Demand that the US Embassy and the US State Department (regardless of your revocation of my US visa) allow me to travel to Cleveland even at my own expense to confront my accuser and confirm my innocence. I otherwise have no desire to travel to a country that appears to pay only lip service to the ideals they claim to uphold.

“Demand for the full video/ cctv footage covering the period of our entire stay at the hotel; this should clearly show the movements and activities of every member of the group throughout the hotel.”

Also reacting, Ikon said: “My attention has been drawn to the publication alleging an act of impropriety against me by the US mission in Nigeria.

“I wish to state unequivocally that this is false and definitely not me.

This to me, is a case of mistaken identity and I have

already instituted measures both legally and diplomatically to clear my name and the institution I represent. I call for patience and God’s abiding wisdom at this time.”

In his reaction, Gololo described the allegation as false, unfounded and baseless, adding, “I categorically deny that any such incident happened. I never grabbed any housekeeper nor did I solicit for sex.”

While demanding for apology and retraction of the allegation against him from the U.S. Ambassador, he insisted that evidence against him on the allegation should be produced.

He said, “There is the example of Mr. Strauss, a former Managing Director of the IMF, who was involved in similar allegation, but the evidence was clearly brought showing what he did in the hotel room; so, I demand video or any similar evidence of my alleged misbehaviour.

“Also, may I remind your Excellency, of the recent case in your country where the great wrestler Hulk Hogan was similarly accused and he went to court and got $140m in damages. Gawker had applied for bankruptcy because of the case.

“Lastly, I was in Paris (France), Barcelona (Spain) before that trip. And on that trip, I was in Washington D.C and New York.

There was no allegation against me neither did I misbehave in any of those places, so why in Cleveland?”

Though, the Speaker has inaugurated the joint committee to investigate the allegation, it is yet not clear whether the members involved would still retain their Committee headships while investigation is ongoing.

But as it stands now, it is left for the U.S. authorities to provide evidence of the culpability of the three lawmakers in the scandal as well as the lawmakers also to prove their innocence. But until the matter is settled, it has brought to question the integrity of the nation’s national legislative body.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016 — PAGE 7

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PAGE 8— VANGUARD, SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016

BY PROF. WOLE SOYINKA (Only slightly altered from a 2008 contribution to a symposium at UNESCO, Paris.)

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he issue, I understand, is the flaunting of religious markers in public educational institutions. Let me begin by confessing that I envy the French to whom those choices have only been recently thrust to the fore – they have always been with us in Nigeria. I also envy those to whom the issues are straightforward, and permit of dogmatic positions. In normal circumstances, perhaps I would agree that it should be a non-issue. It is tempting to simplify the debate by evoking the nature of club membership - a public school has certain rules, and if you wish to be a member, or make use of its facilities, then you must conform to those rules or seek alternatives elsewhere.

However, the world we inhabit has changed vastly and dramatically over the past few decades, and club rules – like race or sex differentiated membership rules are no longer sacrosanct. In addition, the genie is out of the bottle and the beasts of intolerance, suspicion and polarization stalk the streets.

Dialogue is mostly relegated to the status of a poor relation of terror and intimidation, barely tolerated, often mocked. Conscious of the fact that the present dialogue is being conducted within such an atmosphere, it may be helpful if I began with a reference to my personal response when a directly contrary policy was announced in my own country, Nigeria, and not just recently. It happened about twenty years ago, long before the introduction of the Sharia – the Islamic law – in a number of states within the country.

After several decades of independence, during which the issue of school uniforms in public schools never emerged as a volatile social problem,

Soyinka on religion:To everything, its place I was appalled when a Minister of Education ordered that secondary school pupils should be allowed to dress in a distinct fashion that was favoured by their religious belonging.

What I experienced was, frankly, a deep sense of revulsion at this insertion of a wedge of difference among youth, at a period in their lives when they should be saved from the separatist imbecilities of the so-called adult world. My response was visceral and instinctive, and I realized that this move had savaged a deep held social philosophy within me that I had always taken for granted.

The contributive effects of upbringing to such a reaction cannot be ruled out, so let me also state my own background. The schools that I attended – both primary and secondary – observed the tradition of the school uniform. The primary school was an Anglican missionary school whose uniform – a khaki shirt, a pair of shorts and bare feet - could not, by any stretch of the imagination be attached to any religion - from the traditional orisa worship of the Yoruba to Zoroastrianism. My secondary school – or High School as it is known in some parts was a boarding school. On Sundays, Christian service was conducted in the chapel while, on Fridays, Moslems gathered for their devotion.

On Saturdays, the Seventh Day Adventists received an automatic exeat, went into town for their version of the Christian worship . Even Sunday devotion among the Christians respected differences. Roman Catholics as well as Pentecostal – known as the aladura - went their own spiritual ways. In short, although this school, a state owned school, could be said to be basically oriented towards an Anglican tradition, freedom of worship for every pupil was not only guaranteed but structured into the school’s routine. The

Minister ’s claim that the uniforms worn by pupils in the various secondary schools were ‘christian’ was so specious that even a number of his Moslems peers expressed deep skepticism about his motives. Those motives are reflected today in the deep social cleavages that have become exacerbated over time, and now express themselves in religious clashes of increasing savagery.

The basic question for me is this: what does adult society owe its younger generation in a world that is so badly torn by differences? Having observed alternative examples in practice, and weighed them without the burden of religious partisanship, I find the model of my upbringing infinitely preferable to most others. It proposes that, while the right of religious worship, even in schools, should remain sacrosanct, society profits in the long run from severely muting the overt manifestation of religion in places of public education. Now, I am positioning myself here on a platform of principle, not of details. We may find that some religious augmentation of a school’s dress code is not obtrusive, while others violently blare forth! I associate myself, basically, with a policy of creating the maximum possible sense of oneness within the younger generation. Allowance having been made for differences on those days allocated to spiritual exercises of choice, I see no harm done to the young mind when it is thereafter bound with others in routine expressions of a common identity, and that includes, most prominently, the school uniform.

If we may approach this issue obliquely and push aside religion for the moment, I should add that I hold the same view of schools where absolute freedom of dress is permitted school pupils.

What that has meant is that children from affluent homes can attend school in designer

•Soyinka clothing, forming associations distinguished by an elitist consciousness, in contrast to the farmers’ and workers’ children who can just about scrape together the odd pieces of castoff dressing from charity or second class clothing markets. A simplistic reading of the rights of chil-

In the name of whatever deity - or none - that we believe in, leave these youths alone! Subject them to a uniform character formative discipline

dren to individual self-expression is responsible for this takeover of the learning environment by fashion parades, a sight that is so prevalent in countries like the United States. My objection to this rests on the recognition that the modern school is an equivalent of the agegrade culture in traditional societies. There, the rites of passage from one phase of social existence to the next, are bound by rules that eliminate exhibitionism, and that includes a strict dress (or undress) code. The purpose of this is to create a common group solidarity distinguished only by age and learning aptitudes, enabling

the pupil to imbibe not only a formal education but the sense of place and responsibilities within the overall community. At the heart of this strategy is purposeful leveling.

This is the one place, in a child’s life, where the child can see the other as a human equal, as, very simply, another human being.

In a situation that involves a plurality of faiths, a common dress code thus strikes me as a medium of secular arbitration, a function that is thereby vitiated by a blatant divergence from the uniform.

To revert for a moment to our own Nigerian experience, the action of that Minister of Education in decreeing a duoform policy – as I dubbed it at the time - in place of the uniform, was a denial of a profound educational virtue in the personality formation of our youth. That equipment is a foundation block in the acquisition of the concept of oneness, one that does not interdict the celebration of the pupils’ faiths with their families at home, in places of worship outside the school, and in religious season.

Six to eight hours each day, five or six times a week, in a basically undifferentiated companionship of their age group, a period that is interspersed with huge spaces of vacation weeks during the year, strikes me as being not too great a sacrifice for parents to make, and I must stress that this ‘sacrifice’ is made, not by the children, but by the parentage, the adult stakeholders who are so obsessed with re-living their lives, with all acquired insecurities and prejudices, through their offspring. That sacrifice, or danger, exists only in the parental mind, since no child loses his or her spiritual bearings simply from the removal or addition of a piece of tissue or headgear from an outfit for a few hours a day.

Left alone, children create their own world. They should be encouraged to do so. They re-enter another world on returning home and again,

left alone, harmonise both and others without any anguish. In itself, this constitutes part of their educational process, and makes their existence a richer one. Learning includes cultivation of an adjustment capability. I should add that I take this position within the context of a situation where private educational institutions – which include missionary owned schools are permitted. Such schools are then free to decree their own modes of dressing, but their curricula should also be routinely vetted by the state – for reasons that I hope, are obvious. Schools should never be allowed to serve as an instructional field for the curriculum of hate in the young mind.

Boko Haram did not happen overnight. If I happen to believe that youths should be weaned away from any sense of class distinction through a display of affluence in school, it is only logical that the more insidious demonstration of religious difference should be equally discouraged. ‘I am wealthier than you’, as an attitude among youth earns our immediate disapprobation.

Even more binding an institutional responsibility should be the attenuation of all buntings that, today especially, leave impressionable youth with the message: ‘I am holier than thou.’

In the name of whatever deity - or none - that we believe in, leave these youths alone! Subject them to a uniform character formative discipline. Don’t give them airs – spiritual or material and do not fight surrogate wars through their vulnerable being. If there is an after-life of well deserved “weeping and gnashing of teeth” called hell, it is surely reserved for those who foster a mentality of separatism in humanity at an age when the sense of oneness, of bonding, comes instinctively, effortlessly, and selflessly.

Presentation of Steve Ayorinde's book on Gov Ambode Public presentation of the book, Cascade of Change, A Decade of Liberal Thoughts, written in honour of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, by Mr. Steve Ayorinde, took place at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. Faces at the occasion as captured by Bunmi Azeez

From left: Otunba Femi Pedro, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos representing Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Launcher; Oba Riliwan Akiolu of Lagos; Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode; Aremo Segun Osoba; chairman of the occasion, Dr. Doyin Abiola; Mr. Steve Ayorinde, author of the book and Lagos State Commissioner of Information/ Strategy, and Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

From right: Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Dr. Doyin Abiola, and Otunba Pedro.

From left: Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, GM/Editor-inChief, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Toke Alex Ibru and Mr. Ken Ugbechie, Editor-in-Chief, Political Economist

C M Y K

From left: Prof. Emevwo Biakolo of Pan Africa University and Book Reviewer, Prof. Pat Utomi, Guest of Honor, and Prof. Anthony Kiler

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 9

POLITICS ON THE CLIFF

Saraki, Ekweremadu go to court tomorrow

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

A

FTER the docking of the country’s number three citizen and President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, for allegedly doctoring his asset declaration last September, the sight of his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu in the dock would not be a surprise for a nation now beholden to the new sheriff in town.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s almost single-minded focus on clearing the system of corruption is, however, this time, about to be fully tested for its political or apolitical intentions in the high-profile case that is a direct offshoot from last year’s Senate leadership contest.

In docking two presiding officers over issues arising from the internal affairs of the Senate, the presidency has inevitably put in motion a potential clash between the two institutions.

Saraki and Ekweremadu are being docked for allegedly forging the 2015 Senate Standing Rules, the operational manual of the Senate. The two men alongside the immediate past clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa, and his deputy, Mr. Ben Efeturi, are alleged to have altered the rule book.

At what time the alleged alteration occurred has not been disclosed, and the role of the two presiding officers have also not been formally disclosed.

The case arose from the victory of Senator Saraki in the June 9 Senate leadership election.

He was elected after 57 of the 108 senators-elect present in the Senate chambers elected him in the absence of 51 others who were at the International Conference Centre, ICC, also in Abuja, waiting in vain for a reconciliation meeting of the APC senators-elect supposedly called by President Buhari.

The meeting did not hold and while the 51 senators waited, a few APC senators who boycotted the meeting teamed up with the PDP senators to elect Saraki.

Senator Ekweremadu of the PDP on his part defeated Senator Ali Ndume of the APC to resurface as the Deputy President of the Senate.

The substance of the case against the four men is that the Senate Rule Book was altered in Sections 2(iv), 3(3)E, I, ii, iii, G and H, 5 and 7.

One of the consequences of the changes is that voting for the election of presiding officers was changed from open balloting to secret ballot. Whether happenstance or crooked, the change was to the advantage of Senator Saraki, who was running against the choice of his party leadership, Senator Ahmad Lawan for the post of Senate President.

By allowing secret voting, the consequence was that those APC senators-elect who were willing to join the rebellion against the choice of Lawan would not be known and hence be to the advantage of Saraki.

•Saraki Following the June 9 leadership contest, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, APC, Kaduna North had on behalf of the Senate Unity Forum, SUF petitioned the police alleging that the 2015 Standing Order had been forged.

Remarkably, his petition did not mention Senator Saraki or Senator Ekweremadu.

So despite repeated media attention on the two men, the police investigative team led by DIG Dan‘Azumi Doma did not once interface with Saraki or Ekweremadu but restricted itself to submissions from mainly rivals of Senator Saraki in the SUF camp.

Maikasuwa and Efeturi were, however, quizzed. Maikasuwa, who conducted the election that led to the emergence of Saraki, is quoted in the police report on the case as affirming “that he did not refer to any Senate Standing Order/Rules but used the normal procedures for the opening of a new parliament.”

Efeturi, one of the National Assembly’s most experienced legislative hands with experience drawing from the Second Republic, however, claimed that the production of the 2015 Standing Rules was in line with convention. Mr. Efeturi, who has since 1999 been in one way or the other involved in the production of the different Standing Orders of the different Senates, said the same procedure used in producing the 2015 Standing Order was what was used in the production of the standing rules in 2003, 2007 and 2011.

The police report on Efeturi, read in part: “He emphasised that in the parliament, amendment of Standing Orders is by practice and not necessarily by procedure. He further stated that the ruling of the Senate President on the June 24, 2015, that the Senate Standing Orders of the Senate 2015 is authentic is final, relevant and cannot be challenged. He attached a copy of the debates of the Senate on Wednesday, June 24 24 where the Senate President ruled that the Senate Standing Order 2015 was the authentic Standing Orders of the 8th Senate.”

The 13-page report which was written in July 2015, however, disagreed with Efeturi and submitted that the alteration was criminal. The police, however, shied away from pursuing a criminal prosecution as it threw the ball into the court of the Attorney General to determine whether what was done was within the internal affairs of the Senate.

When the issue was raised in the Senate last June, the president of the Senate who was not in the preceding leadership, ruled that the 2015 Standing Order as circulated was genuine. Ordinarily by the rules and convention of the Senate, that dictates that the ruling of the President of the Senate

•Ekweremadu

The substance of the case against the four men is that the Senate Rule Book was altered in Sections 2(iv), 3(3)E, I, ii, iii, G and H, 5 and 7

shall not be challenged unless through a substantive motion that should have been the end of the matter.

On the other hand, Senator Hunkuyi should have come by substantive motion to declare the Standing Order illegal, but he rather went to the police.

Indeed, when the issue came up as a civil matter last year at an Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice G. O Kolawole, the jurist had settled the issue as an internal affair of the Senate.

In his ruling, he said: “My view is that in relation to the instant suit, the allegation which relates to alleged forgery of the Rules of the National Assembly is not an ordinary allegation in which the Court can approach with a pedantic mind set. It is so because, the issues as relating to the Senate Rules or Standing Orders are firstly, a purely domestic legislative matter, where allegation of forgery is made, it is for the Court to reflect deeply whether it is not an allegation which the Senate Committees on Rules and of its Ethics, can validly investigate and to take steps within its own internal proceedings to nullify any of its Standing Orders found to be irregular and to also sanction any of its members that may be found culpable.”

The Senate through a statement last Sunday also affirmed that its standing order was not forged, teasingly affirming that if the rules were forged, then that would mean that all the actions it carried out for the executive including appointments using the standing rule were also void.

The Senate statement issued by its spokesman Senator Aliyu Abdullahi saw the action of the executive as a threat and possibly a coup

against the Senate and a violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.

The political hue to the development is tied to claims that all four persons to be arraigned tomorrow for one reason or the other are in the bad books of the political class presently in control of the country. Saraki, who is presently undergoing trial for alleged acts of corruption, has claimed that he is being targeted because he contested the office of Senate President. Ekweremadu, who belongs to the PDP, is allegedly being targeted for fouling the victory of the APC by emerging as deputy president of the Senate.

Maikasuwa, the immediate past clerk of the National Assembly according to some, was an accomplice to the emergence of Saraki as he conducted the election despite the absence of some senators who were gathered at the ICC. Even more, it is alleged that a high-ranking senator close to a prominent APC leader had visited him in his residence as early as 3.00 a.m. on June 9, 2015, and warned him not to go ahead with the election. Mr. Efeturi, the deputy clerk of the National Assembly, is reportedly on the hook for allegedly being the facilitator. It is also claimed that Mr. Efeturi who ordinarily should have stepped in as Clerk of the National Assembly with the retirement of Maikasuwa was denied the opportunity by high influence forces on account of this.

Meanwhile, there had been insinuations that the four men could be slapped with difficult bail conditions when they are arraigned tomorrow. It is suggested in some quarters that the aim would be to keep them away from circulation for the purpose of forcing the election of a new set of presiding officers.

However, the prospect of that was immediately checked last Thursday when the Senate proceeded on holidays till July 12 supposedly for the Ramadan Break.

The relations between the two arms of government has nosedived to the lowest point since the advent of the Buhari administration with the significant PDP caucus vowing to stop cooperation with the APC-led administration.

Reflective of that, the Senate has vowed not to let go the mistakes of the executive branch. Last week it put a hold to further consideration of the president’s nominees for ambassadorial position on the fact that it did not reflect federal character.

Many such legislative proposals are bound to suffer similar fate, putting to practice the axiom that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Which in the case at point is the Nigerian economy, security situation, power and all that is presently at deficit for a nation state. And into this dangerous mix is the activities of some wrong-headed militants in the Niger Delta.

PAGE 10 —SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

periscope

Freeing NDDC withheld funds from NLNG obnoxious law

By Kennedy Mbele

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HE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established some 16 years ago to provide for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta and to tackle the ecological and environmental challenges in the region.

The establishment followed the acknowledged protracted neglect of the Niger Delta in general and the petroleum producing communities in particular, especially in the light of the daunting natural ecological difficulties in the region due to its peculiar delicate terrain, on the one hand, and, the other hand, the cumulative environmental devastation imposed on the communities in the region as a result of oil and gas operations over the past 60 years.

At inception, government did not lose sight of the fact that the NDDC must be adequately funded to enable it deliver on its mandate.

Consequently, the NDDC Act made provisions for the funding of the Commission that will involve government and oil and gas companies.

Whereas government is bound to make yearly budgetary allocation to the NDDC, Section 14 (2)(b) of the Commission’s enabling Act provides that gas processing companies operating in the Niger Delta should pay to the NDDC Fund three per cent of their annual budgets.

16 years after, there is evidence that the NDDC has reasonably tried to deliver on its mandate. But could it have done more to provide for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta and to tackle the ecological and environmental challenges in the region?

Answering that question objectively must take into cognisance the adequacy of the funding of the interventionist agency. Year in, year out, budgetary allocations have been made in favour of the NDDC. But most of the time, the Commission does not receive the budgetary allocations from government in full.

To further compound the problem, many gas processing companies that ordinarily should complement government’s efforts to fund the Commission by contributing three percent of their annual budgets to the NDDC Fund observe the agency’s enabling Act mostly in the breach.

Some of the companies post more than half a trillion Naira profit annually but would rather not pay the three percent of their annual budgets to the NDDC Fund, to develop the region which gives them so much petrol-dollars, hiding under one tenuous excuse or another. To redress the situation, the NDDC Management initiated moves to get one of the defaulting C M Y K

companies, Nigeria LNG Limited, to comply with the Commission’s enabling law. That the company is, by far, the leading operator in the gas industry and, at the moment, the only natural gas liquefaction (and other allied operations) body in Nigeria is not in doubt. It has remained one of the biggest and most profitable industrial ventures in Africa, posting profits in excess of N500 billion annually. Nigeria LNG has operated since 1999. That is one year before NDDC came on stream. But the Nigeria LNG may be the worst defaulter of the NDDC Act as it has failed to pay its statutory contributions to the NDDC Fund since 2000. Now, imagine the financial worth of the Nigeria LNG calculated from the standpoint that the company earns profits in excess of N500 billion annually, and juxtapuse it with how the three percent of its annual budgets for 16 years contributed to the NDDC Fund would have significantly affected the meeting of the NDDC’s mandate to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta and tackle the ecological and environmental challenges.

Upon demand by NDDC to pay its dues, Nigeria LNG Ltd based its refusal to pay on the following two grounds: I.That it, NLNG Ltd, is not a ‘gas processing company’ in the context of the NDDC Act. II.That NLNG Ltd is not subject to any new laws, taxes, dues or other obligations enacted or prescribed in Nigeria after 1993, except such laws, taxes or obligations are generally applicable

16 years after, there is evidence that the NDDC has reasonably tried to deliver on its mandate. But could it have done more to provide for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta and to tackle the ecological and environmental challenges in the region

•An NDDC project in Rivers State to All companies registered in Nigeria, this being a special exemption granted in perpetuity to NLNG Ltd by virtue of Section 9 ofnd and Clauses 2,3,6 and 15 of the 2 Schedule to the Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act 2004, previously Decrees Nos. 39 of 1990 and 113 of 1993 (herein also called the “NLNG Act”) It later added a third reason for its refusal to pay: That NLNG Ltd does not have an “annual budget”as envisaged by the NDDC Act, from which it would be expected to pay three per cent.

Enforcing compliance To enforce compliance, NDDC sued NLNG Ltd at the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt Division (Suit No. FNC/PH/CS/313/2005).

In its judgment, the Federal High Court held that NLNG Ltd is a “gas processing company” within the meaning of the NDDC Act. The court also pronounced that the offensive provisions of the NLNG Act were unconstitutional but declined to grant a formal order to that effect, on the grounds that NDDC did not in the reliefs it claimed ask specifically for a declaration that the said provisions are unconstitutional.

NDDC appealed the aspect of the Federal High Court’s decision declining (on grounds of procedural technicality) to declare the offensive provisions of the NLNG Act unconstitutional.

NLNG Ltd cross-appealed. At the instance of NLNG Ltd’s lawyers, and without the knowledge of NDDC, a special panel of five (instead of the usual three) justices of the Court of Appeal was constituted, consisting mainly of justices from other divisions of the Court of Appeal outside the Port Harcourt Division in which the appeal was filed. NDDC’s appeal was dismissed by the panel.

NDDC subsequently filed in the Supreme Court a notice of appeal against the Court of Appeal’s judgment and, in line with the rules of the court also filed an application for extension of time within which to file its appeal (having filed the notice of appeal a few days out of time). NLNG Ltd’s lawyers filed a counter affidavit opposing this application for extension of time.

While NDDC’s lawyers were awaiting a hearing notice from the Supreme Court for the application,

•Another NDDC project in Imo State they received instead an order of court dismissing the application, without hearing NDDC’s lawyers.

Option Meanwhile, the only option left to get Nigeria LNG Limited to fulfil its obligation to the NDDC is a repeal or a review of its enabling Act to bring it in conformity with the nation’s Constitution.

The obnoxious text of the Nigeria LNG Limited (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act should be modified to conform with Section 315 of the Constitution by deleting or omitting from the NLNG Act Section 9 thereof and Clauses 2,3,6 and 15 of the 2nd Schedule thereto. And better still, measures should be taken to compel the NLNG to forthwith pay the NDDC its outstanding statutory contributions and to continue thenceforth to comply with Section 14 (2) (b) of the NDDC Act. The NDDC took a bold step in this direction when it backed the bill for the amendment of the thNLNG Act in 2008 during the 6 session of the House of Representatives. The result of that effort was that the House Committee on Gas Resources fostered an attempt at amicable resolution of the arrears of statutory contributions due from the NLNG to the NDDC. A joint committee of both NDDC and NLNG was consequently set up, which met several times in both parties’ head offices in Lagos and Port Harcourt respectively. The joint committee, following further work by a joint technical sub-committee of both parties, went on to nominate and preliminarily scope out a number of projects that may be “jointly” executed as a first step towards resolving (at least part of)

NLNG Ltd’s arrears of dues at the time. In furtherance of that move, NDDC’s Management approved the report of the joint committee.

However, NLNG Ltd’s Management never reverted to NDDC on that settlement initiative.

The consideration of the amendment bill was also not concluded by in the 6th session of the House of Representatives.

Renewed moves The NDDC Management, under the leadership of Mrs Ibim Semenitari, has only recently renewed moves to compel the NLNG to perform its statutory responsibility to the NDDC when it presented a memorandum to the House of Representatives Committee on Gas Resources at the public hearing on ‘A bill for an Act to amend the NLNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act Cap N87, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004’.

Whereas the NLNG Act violates the laws, public policy and our national interest, NDDC’s interest in better served when the unconstitutionality of the provisions of the Act, which the Act purpurts cannot be amended (by the National Assembly) except with the prior consent of NLNG Limited and each of its shareholders, is addressed.

The ball is the court of our senators and House of Representatives members to free the NDDC funds from the NLNG obnoxious law.

They should carry out this responsibility expeditiously to up the ante of the transformation of the Niger Delta through effective funding of the NDDC interventionist mandate.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE11

BREXIT shakes Nigeria’s markets •Opportunities and challenges may be underway—Experts

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

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HE UK’s decision to end its relationship with the European Union is not so much an earthquake, just for Britain, but a tsunami for the whole world.

The development in UK has some, if not fundamental, impact on Nigeria, according to some analysts.

In the immediate, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, All Share Index was 30,649.66, down by -1.36% on Friday. Market capitalization closed at N10.5 trillion, down from N10.67 trillion.

It is not clear if it was BREXIT fallout or just profit taking on the back of 4-straight day bull run.

In the interbank foreign exchange market, the exchange rate was largely stable at N281.14/ USD1.0 yesterday as against the pre-BREXIT Thursday closing price of N282/USD1.0, showing an appreciation while British Pound went down marginally to N386.3 as against N385 previous day.

However, Naira appreciated against both US Dollar and British Pound moving to N338, up from N342 to the US Dollar and N460, up from N480 against British Pound.

The BREXIT, happening within the first week of Nigeria’s floatation of its currency market, may not give a clear impact as many other factors came into play, including market adjustments.

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has battled to sustain the supply situation in the market so as to maintain market and exchange rate stability, a development which has kept the Naira value to US Dollar at about N281.75, almost same level as the day before BREXIT decision.

The situation in Nigeria’s market in relation to BREXIT could better be appreciated when compared with what happened elsewhere.

U.S. stock futures had plummeted yesterday morning, caught up in a global sell-off, that saw Dow futures down more than 700 points.

European stock markets cratered, while stocks in Japan nosedived nearly 8.0%, oil price dropped and global bond yields were also in the red.

The British pound sterling had already taken a battering, falling to its lowest level for 31 years.

Reacting to the BREXIT implication to Nigerian economy analysts at Greenwich Trust, a Lagos based investment house, said ‘’as one of the British Commonwealth countries and the second largest trading partner of Britain in Africa, Nigeria will feel the effect of Britain’s exit from the European membership via several channels: ‘’As a bilateral trade partner, other benefits that accrue such as grants to nonprofits, technical· assistance and partnerships with other development agencies will be scaled back as their developmental projects in Nigeria will halt pending the time the UK experiences some form of stability. ‘’UK and Euro based Holding/ Parent companies may postpone

•A session of the NSE investment plans on subsidiaries· due to devaluations in their respective currencies. ‘’Trade between Nigeria and EU members that relied on the UK’s existing network will likely decline’’.

On the business opportunity in the BREXIT development, Greenwich said ‘’the currency (British Pound) is at a 31 year low due to what we believe is short term panic.· The UK economy remains robust and resilient with a GDP (gross domestic products) of over US$2.8 trillion and is the largest recipient of FDI (foreign direct investment) in the EU’’.

They added that ‘’investments in the UK may begin to look much more attractive· considering the exceptionally weak sterling levels that might be seen, representing something of a once in a life time opportunity to purchase UK

assets’’.

However, some analysts at Nairametrics, a Lagos based financial and economic analytics house, are seeing some consequencies in the horizon even though on the economic front the short-term perspective appears less consequential.

“In the short-term, being Nigeria’s former imperial rulers, the UK has been one of Nigeria’s traditional trading partners, and because of a shared language, has remained a destination of choice for most Nigerians”, they stated.

“Our elite are deeply ingrained in the UK, and have bought into that country very deeply. With a population of 201,184 according to the 2011 Census, the UK is home to one of the largest concentrations of Nigerians outside Nigeria. Issuance of visas

to Nigerians may take a hit as immigration was one of the key issues in the Brexit vote.

“However, in reality, the UK is not Nigeria’s biggest trading partner, even in Europe. As a destination for Nigerian exports, the UK at $5.21 billion comes fourth behind Spain ($9.7 billion), the Netherlands ($5.59 billion) and France ($5.48 billion).

“As a source for Nigerian imports, the UK at $2.28 billion, comes third behind the Netherlands ($3.4 billion) and Belgium ($2.59 billion).

“These realities, and the UK’s diminished status, have to be taken into account in the renegotiation of trade agreements that are sure to come. Nigeria must look to increase her ties with the bigger market that is the EU, while taking into account the cultural ties, especially the monies

spent by Nigerians in British schools”.

According to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institution and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nigeria currently spends over $2 billion annually as capital flight on education abroad, with the UK chalking up the lion share of those education dollars as 66 per cent of Nigerian foreign students attend universities in the UK, according to Euromonitor International.

Nigerians received a total of $3.7 billion from relatives residing in the UK in remittances in 2015 according to the Global Knowledge Partnership on Migration and Development, second only to the United States.

Also, a contracting UK economy will have a deep impact on aid programmes to Nigeria, especially DFID interventions, which have been a burning political issue in the UK. Politically, Nairametrics stated, “Westminster has always been a strong supporter of Abuja. This will not change. However, the strength of that support will wane. This will give some impetus to separatist movements within Nigeria.

“For a start, the Indigenous People of Biafra, far and away the loudest separatist movement in Nigeria today, has a very large diaspora support in the UK. “Should the political effects of the Brexit happen and the UK eventually disintegrate, IPOB, and its supporters will only get louder in their demands for a similar referendum here, and England, the only part of the UK that may maintain an interest in meddling in Nigerian affairs will no longer be in a position to offer unconditional support to Abuja.

“The case for self-determination would have been made stronger, and Nigeria may end up having to conduct referendums of its own, with uncertain results.”

‘It will affect aid from UK, immigration, others’

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

E

COWAS Coordinator, Dr. Godwin Okonkwo, believes the exit of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), decided through a referendum, on Thursday, will not affect Nigeria’s relationship with the EU. He, however, said aid to Nigeria from the UK would be affected by the new development. ‘’I don’t think it will affect Nigeria’s bilateral relationships with the EU because many of them had existed for long and some dates back to the colonial era. Also our membership of the Commonwealth gives us a long standing relationship with the UK. The aid that we that we get from the United Kingdom is likely to be affected. We have a lot of Nigerians that live in the United Kingdom,”Okonkwo told Sunday Vanguard at the weekend. ‘’We also believe that they are going to be affected because part of the reasons they voted for the exit is because they felt that most of the jobs that are supposed to be done by the UK citizens have been taken away by Africans, Asians and other migrants especially those that come from EU nations. If they are crying that type of cry, we should be rest assured that it is going to affect our Diaspora population. The tolerant of Britons for people that

are not actually British, is going to be affected. And there is this reason which no body is talking about. Because of terrorism now and the idea that the EU is accepting migrants and also the act of giving EU members a particular number of people to be accepted, they feel that with the terrorism that is happening, they don’t know people they are accepting. Some are radicalized, some are jihadists, so you don’t just accept people like that. ‘’ Even though the Londoners

felt they should stay in the EU most of the people that voted are for it are not Londoners. I think what they felt is that remaining in the EU with the conditions of allowing refugees into the UK will expose them to terrorism.

They kept talking about immigration but why they kept talking about immigration laws is because of terrorism.’’

Similarly, Director, Chiana-Africa Investment Group, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu, said: ‘’I am sure the Federal Government

will be reviewing their bilateral relations with the concerned bodies concerned. It is not a good thing for Britain. It will have negative impact on our commitment with them because we have so many Nigerians in the UK, we also have so many MOUs with the UK. So what I expect the Federal Government to do is to review how it will not affect us negatively. The pledge of resigning by the British Prime Minister should be an example for Nigeria and African leaders.’’

The fate of Nigerians – Amb. Dahiru

•Onuesoke urges African leaders to emulate Cameron

By Victoria Ojeme

A

MBASSADOR Sulieman Dahiru, (retd) says the 52% to 48%, UK vote to leave EU has no negative consequences on Nigeria but on Individuals.

Dahiru, who served in Brazil, Angola, United States of America, Poland, Ivory Coast, Austria, Sudan and Pakistan, said: “The effect will only be on Nigerians traveling to Britain through Europe because they will need to apply for a British visa.

“It will affect the immigration on the issue of immigrants, because the borders will be shut again.”

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has commended the practice of democracy in United

Kingdom with respect to the peaceful way the referendum to exit or stay in European Union (EU) was conducted.

Onuesoke enjoined African leaders to emulate the courage of British Prime Minister David Cameron who announced his resignation because the people voted against his choice of United Kingdom being a member of EU. He said he appreciated the manner the referendum was conducted, just as he wished that the Federal Government could call for referendum on some burning issues in Nigeria so as to know the true situation of things in the country.

“I want to believe some of us followed the build-up to the referendum. There were protests,

rallies, campaigns, etc, where the Exiters and Insiders were freely allowed to sell their views to the public.

Nobody was arrested for treason, neither did Prime Minister DavidCameron send soldiers to shoot at sight and kill Brexit protesters/ campaigners”, Onuesoke said.

Onuesoke, who urged African leaders to emulate Cameron’s style of leadership for resigning because the people voted against his wish, noted, “I’m not sure many African leaders would be prepared to accept the accountability that goes with their decisions and do what Cameron just did. It is also a wake up call to Britain to encourage their former colonies, such as Nigeria, to decide their future through referendum.”

PAGE 12 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

diplomatic world Kitaoka’s JICA: With love from Tokyo

By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor

I

N an upscale Mediterranean res taurant in Abuja, a group of four Nigerian journalists and three other officials of the Japanese Government in Nigeria are discussing the relationship between Nigeria and Japan. The lead discussant is the President of Japanese International Cooperation Agency, JICA, Shinichi Kitaoka, while the journalists are drawn from four different media establishments in Nigeria, who had been assembled to seek information from the JICA chief. He was in Nigeria for a three-day working visit.

Why was Kitaoka in Nigeria and what was of paramount interest to him and his Asian country? These and many more were the issues that the media men engaged the visitor, who was at his best trying to explain all the details before calling it a day.

Kitaoka, who became JICA’s new president on October 1, 2015, succeeding Akihiko Tanaka, is a thoroughbred diplomat and legal luminary, who has been deeply involved in the development and politics of Japan. He is also a top scholar who has done Japan proud in many areas, including serving as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Ambassador Plenipotentiary. He had once served as the Professor of College of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University and his area of specialty is Japanese modern politics and diplomacy. He is also Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo.

As he begins to talk about what unites

•Shinichi Kitaoka Nigeria with his country, it becomes clear that Kitaoka really understands the issues at stake and what his country holds in stock for Nigeria, and what the development cooperation between the two nations entails. Without mincing words, Kitaoka extols the strategic position of Nigeria in Africa and why it makes sense for Japan to take Nigeria very seriously in its scheme of things.

Hear him: “Nigeria is one of the most important countries in Africa despite its challenges which have affected its economic growth and development.

“Nigeria is key to a stable Africa and

RAMAT POLYTECHNIC MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

RAMAT POLYTECHNIC MAIDUGURI, BORNO STATE

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR THE YEAR 2015 TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND ANNUAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS

INVITATION FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR THE YEAR 2015 TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUST FUND LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION PROJECT

(Office of the Registrar)

1.0 PREAMBLE: The Polytechnic hereby invites competent /qualified contractors to submit Technical bids for execution of the under listed projects under year 2015 TETFUND Annual Intervention 2.0 SCOPE OF WORKS (1) Procurement of equipment and facilities for the school of Engineering, Environmental & Agric, Science & Technology LOT A (2) Procurement of a Utility Vehicle and a Power Generating Set LOT B 3.0 PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS To be qualified for tender, the following documents should be submitted. i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Company Name, Address and location should be clearly stated.

Certificate of Company Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C).

Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three years.

Company’s Audited Account for last Three years Evidence of Execution and completion of similar job in the last three years.

Certificate of compliance with the provision of Pension Reform Act 2004, as contained in Section 16 (6d) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. vii. Certificate of compliance with Section 6(2) of the Industrial Training Fund Act (as Amended) 2011. viii. VAT certificate and evidence of remittance 4.0 GENERALINFORMATION All enquiries regarding the advertisement should be directed to the Registrar, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

1.0 SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS All submissions for each LOT should be in duplicate copies in a Wax sealed Envelope and Identified with the project reference and lot number at the top left hand corner and marked “PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR TENDER” and delivered by hand or courier service to the “Registrar, Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1070, Maiduguri, Borno th state”, not later than 12 Noon Monday 8 August 2016. Pre- qualification documents will be publicly opened soon after the submission date line.

NB: This advertisement is only for prequalification and only prequalified companies will be eligible for financial bidding

SIGNED: REGISTRAR C M Y K

development and our general interest is to have a stable and prosperous Nigeria. We will, therefore, be supporting the stability and growth of Nigeria in all possible ways,” the JICA chief stated.

And the areas in which Japan has been intervening in the development of Nigeria are wide and variegated.

Since its offices were flung open in Lagos in 1983, JICA has happily offloaded not less than N600 billion in development assistance to Nigeria and is still working out new areas across the country to assist. But of all the areas that the agency has so far intervened, Nigeria has received tremendous support in the development of solar power, building and equipping of schools, particularly in Oyo State, establishment of health institution to promote maternal/child health care and provision of infrastructure generally.

With Japanese leading role in technological advancement, it has been sending routine support to aid Nigeria’s fight to eradicate polio, one of the most devastating childhood diseases that has ravaged many on the African continent and left a sore in the families.

But Kitaoka gives a ray of hope: “We have a unique approach to health issues in Nigeria having been deeply involved in the eradication of polio and provision for Universal Basic Health programmes in the country.

“We are currently assisting in the building of classroom blocks in primary schools in Oyo State. And once security improves in the North-East of Nige-

ria, Japan will send volunteers to teach in schools in the area.

Although he noted that Nigeria is blessed with lush green vegetation, Jitaoka lamented that food was still expensive in Nigeria because of its crude method of cultivation, processing and preservation of food. This, he noted, was no longer fashionable. According to him, Nigeria should be producing cheaper, greener foods given its large expense of land and good climate.

To solve the problem, the JICA chief indicated the willingness of Japan to send agricultural experts to Nigeria to assist in the development of agriculture, particularly, rice cultivation and production. “Food is expensive here and we can send our experts to come down and teach the farmers how to produce rice and other foods that can grow very well in Nigeria. But this must be based on a request by Nigeria. Once we have a request, we can send our small but very successful agriJICA. As he puts it, “JICA has been sending volunteers to other African countries but not Nigeria because of security challenges. Once this is sorted out, we will begin to send our volunteers to assist Nigeria in many ways,” he assured.

Within the three days that Kitaoka spent in Nigeria, he paid a visit to the Presidency during which he met with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, who stood in for President Mohammadu Buhari and also visited some IDP camps in the North-East, held meetings with some interest groups before returning to Tokyo.

Indeed, the JICA Chief came with a bag full of love and benevolence from Tokyo to Abuja.

(Office of the Registrar)

1.0 PREAMBLE: The Polytechnic hereby invites competent /qualified contractors to submit Technical bids for execution of the under listed projects under year 2015 TETFUND Library Development Intervention 2.0 SCOPE OF WORKS (1) Procurement of Assorted Books (2) Procurement and Installation of Library Equipments

LOT A LOT B

3.0 PRE-QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS To be qualified for tender, the following documents should be submitted. i.

Company Name, Address and location should be clearly stated. ii.

Certificate of Company Incorporation with Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C). iii. Evidence of Tax Clearance Certificate for the last three years. iv. Company’s Audited Account for last Three years v.

Evidence of Execution and completion of similar job in the last three years. vi. Certificate of compliance with the provision of Pension Reform Act 2004, as contained in Section 16 (6d) of the Public Procurement Act, 2007. vii. Certificate of compliance with Section 6(2) of the Industrial Training Fund Act (as Amended) 2011. viii. VAT certificate and evidence of remittance 4.0 GENERALINFORMATION All enquiries regarding the advertisement should be directed to the Registrar, Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday.

5.0 SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS All submissions for each LOT should be in duplicate copies in a Wax sealed Envelope and Identified with the project reference and lot number at the top left hand corner and marked “PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR TENDER” and delivered by hand or courier service to the “Registrar, Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1070, Maiduguri, Borno state”, not later than 12 Noon Monday 8th August 2016. Pre- qualification documents will be publicly opened soon after the submission date line.

NB: This advertisement is only for prequalification and only prequalified companies will be eligible for financial bidding

SIGNED: REGISTRAR

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 13

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

roya ity THE ALAKE, OBA GBADEBO’S OUTBURST

‘You cannot maltreat our senior citizens’

By Josephine Agbonkhese

S

ome people may have lost their sense of responsibility and compassion towards the elderly, but the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, certainly has his intact. This, he demonstrated when a team of professionals under the aegis of Care Companion & Quality Medicare visited his Ake palace in Abeokuta last week. Sunday Vanguard was with the visitors.

Later in an interview with Sunday Vanguard explained that besides efforts by extended family members, successive governments have failed Nigeria’s old citizens.

What’s your verdict on our disposition towards the elderly in our society?

The white people believe that we have a better system because we have this extended family system which tends to accommodate our old citizens and allows them to live with younger generations rather than keep them in old peoples’ homes.

In that aspect, we are better than them since we try to accommodate our old citizens. This is however particularly when we are a bit well-to-do.

The truth is that, our elderly people should not wish to die; they should not be praying for death because if they do, it is a big shame on their relations. It should not be a crime to be an old man; after all, we all pray to live long.

As a man who is well travelled, aside efforts by extended family members, what’s your opinion of government’s efforts towards them, compared to what you see in other parts of the world?

There’s still a lot to be put in place by government. The welfare system that is practiced in other countries should be copied so that when you’re out of job, even if you don’t have any pension, you should earn something. No elderly should die of starvation or lack of roof over his or her head. Those are part of the key things government •Alake should ensure. The plight of

the elderly in our society is disheartening. These people should not have to die on the streets simply because they have nobody to take care of them.

Abeokuta where they can put up a daycare for the elderly, so that they (elderly persons) can come in the morning and return home in the evening.

This is a non-profit initiative from me and I do not intend to ever make any money from it.

About five other Obas: HRM Dr. Joseph Adeogun Oguntona Ogunjobi, Oba Igbore, Orile Obafemi Owode LGA; HRH Oba Kolawole Sowemimo, Afin Olu Owode Egba; HRM Oba Fatai Akamo, Olu Of Itori Land; HRH Femi Ogunleye, Oba of Akinale, and Oba Dosumu Olowu of Owu, who were also present at the Council of Obas’ Meeting where the team made their presentation in my palace, also instantly donated plots of lands for more daycares to be set up for the elderly.

Public transport system A very challenging one is our public transport system. We have no public transport system designed to easily accommodate the aged.

It’s so bad that even younger people suffer the lack of a workingtransport system each day they have to move to and fro their places of work.

Every public building should have rams for those using wheel-chairs but we grossly do not take cognizance of this; thus, anybody on wheel-chair will have to remain inside the car wherever he goes to, and people will have to come meet him or her in the

•Alake

car.

Does this visit by Care Companion & Quality Medicare to your palace bring any ray of hope?

Yes, of course. I’m happy that some people have identified ‘growing old’ as a societal problem, and are also trying to address it. I’m happy that we can now turn to an organization and say: “Please, I want to send this particular old man for daycare from morning to evening, every day.” Or: “I want to send one of my staff to come learn from you how to care for the elderly. Or: “Send me a live-in help for this elderly

person”. This is so that the quality of life of the elderly will not be totally destroyed because of old age.

In fact, having lived till old age, an elderly person should die happy; not sad that he or she is unable to do things necessary for daily survival and personal hygiene such as not being able to shave, wear clean clothes, eat good food, enjoy good company, etc., which were easily done in the past.

How are you keying into their vision?

I have already promised to give them a plot of land in

I have already promised to give them a plot of land in Abeokuta where they can put up a daycare for the elderly, so that they (elderly persons) can come in the morning and return home in the evening

So far, how have you personally shown kindness to the elderly in your land?

Among other things, I encouraged a group from Lagos to set up a home for them at Kobakpe. That home will soon be opened. It has block of flats which relatives can purchase for their elderly so they can live together with their peers and feel alive again. The flats can also be sold out to another elderly person when an occupant passes on or decides to relocate, for example. The beauty of it is that they will have likeminded companions.

I also make it a point of duty to visit the Leper Colonies once a year, during my coronation anniversary. My help to them however continues throughout the year because I see it as a privilege; it’s by the grace of God that one is not there. So, I believe that in helping the vulnerable, you’re building up treasures for yourself in heaven, where no termite can eat them.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE15

people

•Amina Ali Nkeki

Amina Ali Nkeki:

Rescued but still ‘missing’ Chibok girl

By Omeiza Ajayi

W

as she rescued? Was she simply found?

Whatever the case, Amina Ali Nkeki, one of the 219 Chibok school girls, is no longer in the terrorists’ den; she has since been ‘recovered’. But, while she is not with her parents, Nkeki is also not with #BringBackOurGirls, a group of individuals who have been advocating the release of the girls and who should know better. She is also not with her ‘Boko Haram husband,’ from whom she was ‘recovered’.

Her whereabouts have remained largely unknown.

Her Chibok community are at a loss as to her present location and state of being.

Amina reappeared on May 18, 2016, a little more than two years after she and 218 others were snatched from their Government Secondary School, Chibok dormitory by Boko Haram terrorists.

If her ‘rescue’ gave so much hope for the rescue of others, subsequent events have only revealed the ‘bureaucratic bottlenecks on the part of government.

At its 785 special sit-out on Wednesday, June 23, which coincided with the 800th day of the abduction, the C M Y K

#BringBackOurGirls movement raised several issues that should provoke the administration into taking concrete and reassuring steps towards the rescue of the girls and all other persons abducted by the criminals.

President Muhammadu

The promise of the President that she will receive the best medical, psychological and all such care necessary for her wholesome restoration was very reassuring. We however assert that one month after the promises were made, it is proper that the Federal Government should share what specific programme is on-going for Ms. Ali, her child and her mother’s wellbeing

Buhari had stated in his inaugural address: “We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing the Chibok girls and all other innocent persons held hostage by insurgents. This government will do all it can to rescue them alive.”

With the manner Jonathan administration had been castigated for allegedly paying lip-service to the rescue of the girls, one had anxiously looked forward to a reversal of fortunes as soon as the Buhari regime came on stream. However, this is not to say that there has been no considerable gain in the current onslaught against insurgency in the country. For the most, Boko Haram terrorists have been forced into a retreat, albeit, with a significant number of their hostages.

In the face of the deadlock, some #BBOG activists now in government have suddenly become defensive of the administration’s difficult situations.

Indeed, in the face of the strident calls on the administration to raise its game, a number of them have accused the BBOG group of aiming to discredit the Buhari administration.

Co-leader of the group, Dr

Oby Ezekwesili, said as much when she declared that the BBOG is administrationblind. “It is unfortunate that there are those who continue to mock our Chibok girls. And when you see them, you would know them. Many of them started with us but now feel that we have to keep quiet because there is a new administration. What are we demanding? Bring back our girls. Our aspiration is administration-blind and we shall not be cowed into silence”, she said.

The posers raised by #BBOG are worth revisiting.

What is the status of Amina Ali Nkeki? At the reception held for her and her family by Buhari, the President had further committed himself to rehabilitating the girl, now a young woman.

“Although we cannot do anything to reverse the horrors of her past, the federal government can and will do everything possible to ensure that the rest of her life takes a completely different course” .

Those were the soothing words of Mr President which the BBOG said had “set the standard of expectation for the rehabilitation, resettlement and reintegration of not only Amina Ali but her peers and other abducted citizens once

they are rescued from terrorists.”

Over a month later, the whereabouts of Nkeki are not known or is her family involved in her restoration process.

Meanwhile, the #BBOG is asking the Federal Government to respond to the dissatisfaction expressed by the Chibok community on the lack of access of their leaders to their daughter since she was rescued.

The movement is also demanding that the government shares with Nigerians specific programmes for Nkeki, her baby and mother. “Can the Federal Government transparently share with the public the programme of recovery being implemented for Amina Ali? The Federal Government has a duty to do so. The promise of the President that she will receive the best medical, psychological and all such care necessary for her wholesome restoration was very reassuring. We however assert that one month after the promises were made, it is proper that the Federal Government should share what specific programme is on-going for Ms. Ali, her child and her mother ’s wellbeing.

Extremely important to us are what plans have been made for her eventual return to complete her education”, #BBOG demanded.

Debriefing Hayyatu

Nkeki

and

When the group met with Buhari, last year, he had said there was no credible intelligence in his possession regarding the location of the abducted girls.

However, many analysts continue to wonder as to what intelligence could be more credible than having Nkeki and the father of her child, Mohammed Hayyatu, around.

Chairperson of the #BBOG Strategic Team, Aisha Yesufu, and Ezekwesili are now asking the Federal Government to confirm to the public that a thorough intelligence debriefing was conducted with Nkeki and Hayyatu who was in her company during her rescue.

Equally of more concern is the status of Hayyatu. Where is he and does the Federal Government plan to prosecute him? Since the military has told Nigerians that Hayyatu is believed to be one of the Boko Haram commanders, the next thing would be to apply the law rather than give in to sentiments or emotions.

It is feared in some circles that Nkeki is perhaps suffering from ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ and would only want to spend her life with her alleged captor and father of her daughter.

That does not however exonerate Hayyatu, who the #BBOG said must be prosecuted for the alleged abduction and rape that resulted in Nkeki’s pregnancy and child-bearing.

PAGE 16—SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

Diaspora Matters

Educating The Unions Of What True Autonomy Is

W

hen In 2009 the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government reached an agreement to grant more autonomy to universities in Nigeria, there were jubilations and celebrations all over the country. There was the general consensus that the agreement was a genuine start in the development of the higher education.?These jubilations were not unconnected with an expected end to incessant closure of universities for one reason or the other.

All over the world, the universities play important roles in national development.

It is therefore important that this sector is not politicised or allowed to be manipulated by the government, unions or individuals with "too tall" ambitions . Education at whatever level is the foundation of a good nation.

With this notion at the back of the minds of leaders in the western world, the smooth running of the education system is paramount.

Nigerians have not been fortunate to have quality functional education system.

This has been attributed to many factors, among which are government's unnecessary interference and the overbearing nature of the various "trade" unions and associations that operate on the campuses. It is easy for us to blame various past and present administrations for the not so glorious state of education while we overlook the part played by the actors on the campuses.

It was a big relief when in 2009, the government and ASUU managed to get together and drafted something that have the semblance of autonomy for the universities. However, while this agreement was drafted with good intentions, in its short life span, it is discovered that campus unionism has been its main "enemy". Although the universities have autonomy, therefore free to an extent from government intervention, the various campuses now contend with a different "force" in terms of staff unionism.

Hiding behind unionism in some of these universities are staff "militants" who wants to directly or indirectly hijack the administrative control of the universities. Individuals with ambitions or inflated egos who are Union executives and desire to play kingmakers in the appointment of principal officers in universities.

This scenario played out at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, when the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) held the university to ransom following the Governing Council's selection of Professor Ayobami Salami as the new Vice Chancellor to succeed Professor Tale Omole.

For months the unions executives threw spanners in the wheel of progress in the

university, and in most cases paralysing activities, with threats that the appointment be reversed or hell would be let loose.

Last week it was a triumph of good over evil when the national headquarters of NASU suspended the executives of its OAU branch for failing to adhere to directives. The decision to suspend the executives of the branch, according to sources close to the union, was taken after so many efforts have been made to make the branch executives see reasons that they were fighting a needless battle with the Governing Council. The adamant stand of the executive council to paralyse the university has been embarrassing to many, especially their academic counterparts and the old students.

Despite the open process of selecting Salami as the new vice chancellor, the union members could not get the conspiracy theory that he was Professor Tale Omole's preferred successor off their heads. It would be recalled that Omole's term as Vice Chancellor came to an end last week Thursday.

One of the beauties of the 2009 agreement is the autonomy granted to governing councils of universities to select their vice chancellors. A process which the OAU Governing Council

It is not strange in Nigeria universities for unions to wield great influence in appointments of principal officers.

While this can be attributed to the popular “Nigerian Factor”, it has not helped the status of vice chancellors had conduced once before.

However the transition this time around was made very cumbersome by NASU and SSANU, The unions have come a little short of throwing out the baby with the bath water.

They criticised the position of the Governing Council on the shortlisting and selection process of Salami. The protests which started on the veiled allegation that the Governing Council usurped the powers of the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board within short time degenerated into a means of settling personal grudges against the candidates shortlisted. The union officials obviously chose to discard the fact that the Governing Council is self regulating in the shortlisting of the candidates before

presenting them to the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board.

All over the world, the selection and appointment of VCs are primarily based on the academic experiences followed by their robust knowledge of the institution.

However, in the OAU context, the campus NASU and SSANU seem more aggrieved with the personality of the new VC, than the selection process or his qualifications or what he is bringing to the table.

The selection and appointment of Vice Chancellors of Obafemi Awolowo University usually attract wide interests and attention because of the position of the university in Nigeria and Africa. It is in view of this that the Governing Council seemed to have painstakingly gone through the selection process in its consideration for the post. It advertised the post in national newspapers and stated clearly the selection process as requested by the statutes of the university and also drew up a time table of activities.

Out of the 33 candidates that applied or were recruited, the council shortlisted six for the post, out of whom only three, including Prof. Salami, participated in the appointment interview.

It is not strange in Nigeria universities for unions to wield great influence in appointments of principal officers. While this can be attributed to the popular “Nigerian Factor”, it has not helped the status of vice chancellors. While not disputing the academic or administrative capabilities of the vice chancellors, the undue influence of the unions, even non-academic, in their selection process tend to cast doubt on their suitability for the posts.

There is need to send out strong signals to unions, especially in the university system that the overall development of higher education in Nigeria should be the priority of all stakeholders. The era of hero worshipping of union leaders to ascend the highest post in the university should be discarded. In most cases, once the preferred candidates of the unions do not stand the chance of selection, the officials “cry murder” and fault either the shortlisting or selection process, as witnessed in OAU. The signal the national office of NASU has sent out to the members and officials in Ile-Ife is that although the union is a stakeholder in the university, there is always the right time to sheath the sword and move on. There is no doubt that ambition and overzealousness played vital roles in some, if not all the decisions, the officials took in reaction to the selection of Professor Salami.

In conclusion, the unions and all the stakeholders in the university should come together now that Professor Salami's term has begun. The unions should realise, and on time, that for the new Vice Chancellor to make any meaningful impact with his 10-point agenda, he has to hit the ground running immediately. In doing this, he would need the support of the unions. If therefore the unions have the love the university at heart, or of the students, they will put away their cudgels, cutlasses and placards and cooperate with Salami, the vice chancellor.

W

aiting on the Lord is an experience that many of us have had at one time or the other.

Some wait to get a job after years of graduation, others wait for marriage partners, still others look unto the Lord for healing and others wait on the Lord for children after years of marriage.

There are also people who look unto the Lord to have a peaceful marriage so that they will move from enduring a marriage to enjoying it. For others, they are trusting God for promotion.

Several others are also trusting God to help them possess their possession. What do I mean? A family may have an inheritance and others who are not entitled to it may hold on to it while the real owners are suffering.

The real owners who are being deprived need to cry unto Lord to help them possess what rightly belongs to them.

One needs to encounter someone going through this type of challenge to appreciate what it means. All of these issues are common in our society .

Wait on the Lord Whatever may be the challenge, a believer must wait on the Lord. This, however, must be done in FAITH. I emphasize faith because one should not be waiting without expectation.

Faith is the key . Hebrew 11 vs. 1 defines faith “ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.

The word of the Lord emphasizes faith in verse 6:” But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”.

The Bible passage is very clear, yet it has conditions that we, as human beings, must meet.

First, is that we must believe God. Our belief shouldn’t just be that God exists but we must believe that he can do all things.

Second, we must strive to seek him diligently.

This appears to be the more difficult part. How many of us seek him diligently? Many of us are too comfortable to remember to seek the face of the Lord and do so diligently.

This is not about going to church regularly. It’s beyond that.It is about what we do to expand his kingdom. How much time do we devote to the study of the word and how much love do we show to people around us? Do we live by his word? Have we taken time to identify sins and strive to live a holy life?

How often do we forgive those who offend us?

These and more are the things we need to do to seek the face of God. Are you expectant?Another important aspect of faith in God is expectation.

Are you expectant? A person who prays must be hopeful that someday, whatever he or she is praying for will manifest physically.

Pastor Samson Ajetunmobi often says, “ Nothing encourages a man like answers to prayer; if a man prays and he gets an answer, he likes to pray more”.

Let’s consider Hebrew 11 vs. 7:” By faith Noah , being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith”. Are you prepared for the solution to that challenge?

Preparing for our expectation goes beyond the

Learn to relate with the Holy Spirit physical. It takes one to the spiritual level.

Relationship with the Holy Sprit As we prepare for testimony, there is the need to establish a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls him “ the Spirit of Truth”.

John 16 vs. 13 is our reference:” Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear , that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to

Relationship with the Holy Spirit is so assuring that it gives one confidence that all will be well come”.

One only needs to read inbetween these lines to fully comprehend the role of the Holy Spirit .

A man of God, during a prayer meeting in Lagos, gave a prayer point . He asked the congregation to pray this way: “ O God, open my eyes like that of Elisha and give me the ears of Samuel”. This prayer point looks simple but it has a deeper meaning.

When we ask for the eyes of Elisha, it is to be able to see beyond the physical.

For some people, this is all that is needed for the testimony to manifest.

Such a vision not only identifies the root of the challenge but it also provides the solution.

Asking God to give one the ears of Samuel is to be given the ability to hear from the Holy Spirit. This is very important.

I’ll share with you the story of a pastor somewhere in Europe who was about to travel to preach a sermon in another city and he needed to travel by air. He heard a voice that told him to reschedule that assignment. Within him, he said, he would not like to do that as he would not like to disappoint the congregation. He travelled, had a plane crash and died.

It was after he died that his wife said, “Oh! He said a voice told him to postpone the meeting” but he did not.

The voice he heard was the “still small voice”, the voice of the Holy Spirit of God, the third personality in the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit. Another incident was that of a lady who had been asked to invite a seasoned photographer to cover an event.

This lady, while having dinner, suddenly turned down the volume of the television she was watching.

Then she heard a voice say, “ Don’t deliver the message”.

Since she was alone, she

knew no person spoke, but she also knew that she heard a voice but nobody was seen.

However, since she did not know the Holy Spirit, she ignored the warning. What h a p p e n e d ? T h e photographer went on the assignment and never returned. He died in an automobile accident.

The point here is that every one, whatever the situation we are confronted with, must strive to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Did you ask how? The simplest way is by studying and meditating on the word of God. Many of us who live in the cities get too busy to study the word of God, yet it is so important.

When we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, also known as the Spirit of Truth, we would save ourselves a lot of trouble.

Relationship with the Holy Spirit is so assuring that it gives one confidence that all will be well. It is only the Holy Spirit that can reveal that a bedridden person will walk again.It is the Holy Ghost that knows and can reveal that the one who is called barren will be a mother of children. If a woman who has been trusting God for children establishes a relationship with the Lord and begins to dream that she is washing baby clothes, taking her kids to school, attending ante- natal clinic etc, it is the Spirit of Truth showing her things to come.

Many a times, the Holy Spirit gives Bible passages to tackle specific challenges.

The same Holy Spirit guides our steps and leads us to the solution to a particular challenge.

Testimony I’ll share the story of Yemi , who had a set of twins.

Somehow, one of the twins got infected with tetanus and it got to a life-threatening point.

The twins were born after about eight years of waiting.

She had two daughters earlier but wanted boys. It got so bad that the medical team began to prepare her mind that she would have to go home with only a baby boy because, medically, the infected baby had less than 50 per cent chance of survival.

Though she was physically broken after several sleepless nights of prayer, she was spiritually confident.

Why? How? She began to have dreams that she dedicated her twin boys.

While this was going on, her pastor was with her in very serious prayers. To the glory of God and the surprise of the medical team, the baby boy survived.

So, brethren, have you been praying without establishing a relationship with the Holy Spirit?

Make up your mind to establish a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

While praying, let’s also ask mercy of God for the because the truth is sometimes for reasons known and unknown to us, we do not deserve what we are asking the Lord for but by his mercy, our desires are met.

Exercise your faith, be expectant and your story will change in Jesus name.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 17

healthy living

AILING HEARTS

More Nigerians may die suddenly — Experts

By Chioma Obinna

I

t is no longer news that more Nigerians are dying suddenly.

J u s t r e c e n t l y, some prominent Nigerians joined the league of sudden death victims.

They include two former national football coaches, Stephen Keshi, who died at 54, and Shuaibu Amodu, who passed on at 58; as well as the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu.

Investigation showed unreported cases of a lot more people dying on daily basis.

The rise in sudden deaths is becoming too common in the country almost every Nigerian knows somebody who has had a stroke, or died suddenly.

Why is sudden death on the rise?

Although, medical experts say many factors fuel it such as non- communicable diseases, NCDs, including diabetes; hypertension and obesity, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke are increasing.

There have been speculation that the rise in sudden deaths may be caused by the current harsh economic situation due to job losses, non-payment of salaries, rising cost of goods and services, persistent fuel scarcity, abysmal electricity power supply, among others.

Meanwhile, a school of thought believes that sometimes these deaths are diabolical, meaning that they are caused by witchcraft and enemies. The belief has continued to hamper accurate statistics and treatment of coronary heart disease which cardiologists have declared a public health concern.

But health watchers are of the view that though daily challenges could be contributors, there are a lot more causes.

According to them, there is need for Nigerians to embrace evidence-based approach, by conducting post-mortem when a person dies to erase doubts and help to find solution.

According to experts, sudden cardiac death is an unexpected natural event so devastating to the society but, unfortunately, in C M Y K

most cases, post-mortem examination, which is the hallmark of accurate diagnosis, is not carried out to ascertain the cause of the deaths.

As such, the diagnosis of sudden cardiac death in Nigeria is not commonly. Hence, data on the incidence of sudden cardiac death in Nigeria is sparse.

According to WHO data published in 2013, life expectancy in Nigeria is male 53.7, female 55.4.

Sudden death is said to occur when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the blood flow to the heart, preventing oxygen from getting to the heart. A lack of oxygencontaining blood flowing to the heart results in the loss of heart muscle.

According to a brain expert, Dr. Biodun Ogungbo, “People are dying from stroke and heart attack and the major causes of that in the country are hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Unfortunately, these are conditions that could be prevented”.

People are dying from stroke and heart attack and the major causes of that in the country are hypertension, diabetes and obesity

Reports show that 50 per cent of Nigerians are not aware that they have hypertension when they are actually coming to hospital with stroke or heart attack.

A renown cardiologist and Chief Medical Director, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Prof Adewale Oke, said there are rising cases of cholesterol, especially with the advent of eateries. His words: “It is on record that these eateries use salt massively in their cooking.

They also use fat and oil. All these impede the heart. People are guilty of inactivity. They do not exercise as required. The type of work they engage in does not allow them time to do exercise or walk around. They sit in the office all day long. And the energy is stored up as excess calories that add up to overweight and then obesity.”

Worried about the rise in sudden deaths, Director General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Innocent Ujah, said there is need to look into the deaths and conduct research with a view to finding the causes of this pattern of deaths and find solution.

Ujah, who identified cultural belief as one impediment to medical solution to some of the diseases, told Sunday Vanguard that NIMR had instituted a research group to investigate the trend.

Ujah posited that general cultural belief that many deaths in the country are not natural but linked to diabolical attacks, is not evidence-based, adding that, as scientists it could be easier to address some medical health conditions that could lead to sudden death when people adopt regular medical check-up.

While there is need for the people to watch their lifestyles with the advent of increasing NCDs, there is also the need to reawaken the consciousness of the health care workers and planners in Nigeria and other developing countries to rise up to the challenge and formulate plans to reduce the occurrence of sudden cardiac deaths.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016,

healthy living

FERTILITY ALERT:

Your sperm may no longer be viable

By Sola Ogundipe

A

paper published 20 years reviewed 61 studies of semen quality carried out between 1938 and 1990, and their conclusions published in 1992 were shocking.

They found that sperm quality was declining.

Today, male sperm counts around the world are dropping fast at a rate of two per cent every year and have more than halved in the past 50 years.

All over the world, reports of declining sperm quality and increasing male infertility attributable to low sperm count and poor sperm motility and morphology are making the rounds.

Indeed it is becoming more challenging for the typical African, Asian, American or European male to reproduce his own kind. Normally, a man’s fertility declines as he ages, but Sunday Vanguard’s findings show that the current rate of decline as a result of poor sperm parameters is significant. So what could be responsible for this rapid decline?

With 40 percent of fertility issues being male related, male infertility is becoming more predominant as a result of men being diagnosed with low sperm count and poor motility, more frequently, the man is being identified as the reason why couples are not getting pregnant.

Despite fact that many of the sperm conditions affecting male fertility are preventable or reversible, approximately two thirds of infertile men have sperm production problems, either because enough sperm is not being made, or the sperm is not functioning properly or a combination of both problems.

The reasons are not far-fetched.

They range from our increasingly stressful lifestyles, poor diet and environmental factors.Sunday Vanguard gathered that apart from

the genetic nature of the problem of male infertility, lifestyle issues are involved.

For instance it is now known that drastic reduction in men’s sperm counts is being driven by a deadly combination of estrogenic (feminising) toxins in the food supply; harmful chemicals in the environment, and poor lifestyle.

A man’s sperms carry half the genetic material necessary to make a complete human being. A woman’s egg holds the other half. Increasingly, experts are reporting incidences of men with genetically fragile sperms.

Such sperm have fragmented DNA chains, which make them to be of low quality and less capable of fertilisation.

Male infertility can be caused by various factors such as hormone disorders, illness, injury to reproductive anatomy, obstruction or

Low sperm counts or poor sperm motility may be due to environmental toxins such as chemicals, radiation, drugs, heavy metal exposure, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol use, street drug use and pollution

sexual dysfunction, etc. These factors can temporarily or permanently affect sperm and prevent conception. Some disorders become more difficult to treat the longer they persist without infertility treatment.

In Europe, records show that an average of 1 in 18 men has low sperm count, and the numbers of men who are affected are rapidly increasing.

In Denmark, about 40 percent of the men have low sperm count, so it’s a big problem.

The situation is no better even in the United States of America, probably worse, and although there are no specific data, the numbers are not expected to be far off for Nigerian men.

Clinical records show that in Nigeria, 25 percent of couples are infertile, and that half of the causes are due to male factor issues. An assessment of hospital data from leading tertiary health institutions revealed that over 90 percent of male infertility cases are either due to low sperm counts or poor sperm quality, or a combination of both.

To illustrate the continuing decline of male fertility in the modern world, French researchers in a study published in the Human Reproduction journal, conducted a study on French men aged 18 to 70, tracking their average sperm counts across the country between 1989 and 2005. Their findings showed a drop in sperm counts among all French men in this age range, of about 1.9 percent per year on average, and by 32.3 percent on average over the course of the 16-year period studied, while the number of normally-shaped sperm dropped by 33.4 percent during the study period.

Based on the figures, average sperm concentrations dropped from 73.6 million per milliliter (mi/mL) among 35-year-old men in 1989 to 49.9 mi/ mL among the same age group in 2005, highlighting a disastrous

situation. Similar findings have been observed in the United States of America, where sperm counts have been on the decline for more than 50 years.

Role of tight pants For about one-half of couples with fertility problems, experts say low sperm count is the cause. So something as simple as changing the kind of underwear a man wears can make a difference. This is because the temperature of the testes is at issue: In order for testes to produce sufficient quality and quantity of sperm, the temperature of testes must be lower than the core body temperature.

Testes can overheat when a man wears brief underwear. If the testes are too hot — several degrees above where they should be — they are not able to produce sufficient sperm, resulting in low sperm count.

To keep testes at optimal temperature, don’t wear tight pants — particularly during sports activities.

Wear loose clothing, especially if you sit for long periods of time. Wear boxer shorts at all times and stay away from saunas and hot tubs.

Risk factors every man must know Low sperm counts or poor sperm motility may be due to environmental toxins such as chemicals, radiation, drugs, heavy metal exposure, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol use, street drug use and pollution.

Drugs such as cimetidine and ranitidine have both been reported to decrease sperm count and produce impotence.

A school of is convinced that exposure to pesticides may be contributing to falling sperm counts.

Because of this link, fertility experts are advising all men trying to conceive to switch to organic food or thoroughly scrub fruits and vegetables to cut their exposure to harmful chemicals.

Painters, decorators, printers, welders, builders, taxi drivers and office workers could also be at risk from male infertility.

Heat can also reduce sperm production. Welders may be risking infertility because of the high temperatures associated with their work and the risk of exposure to metals such as lead. Heat can raise the temperature of the testicles which can cause a decline in sperm levels and scientists have recently discovered a link between high lead levels in Continues on page 19

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016 — PAGE 19

healthy living

We are seeing more men with bad, weak or abnormal sperms — Dr Abayomi Ajayi, Medical Director, Nordica Fertility Centre, Lagos.

S

perm counts have dropped over the years. What is regarded as normal sperm count is going down, even the World Health Organisation, WHO is aware of this.

We are seeing more men who are having bad sperms, weak sperms and abnormal sperms, and there is a real need to explore a suitable intervention to meet the growing proportion of men that need help in this direction.

Initially normal sperm count was 40 million per ml. Then it reduced to 20 million per ml, now it is 10 million per ml and still going down. Over the last 10 years, we have seen a 30 percent decline in the sperm parameters of men who presented at Nordica Fertility Clinic, Lagos. That’s an average of 3.3 percent every year and it is as severe all over the world.

A man can father a child up till age of 70 and for those who are fertile they remain fertile but everybody’s sperm count reduces eventually and there are other reasons especially environmental factors.

The cells of men divide more than cells of women. That is why we reproduce into older age and people are saying that may actually be where

the problem is from because with the division can come mistakes and probably that is why sperm count is getting worse by the day.

But as bad as things appear, there is hope. The first step of any successful treatment is the proper diagnosis of the male infertility cause.

Although IVF is taking care of the problem of low sperm count and poor motility, Ajayi said it can only work when there are some sperm to be got from the man, but even if there is none,we can go to the testes to get it.

But there are some cases that even then you are not going to get anything, so donor sperm may have to be used. While there are efforts to develop artificial sperm in the laboratory from stem cells, it is still experimental, but there are so many technologies to manage sperm problems.

We know sperms contribute to the quality of the embryo, so if there are poor sperms, the quality of the embryo will be bad and there may be no pregnancy at all, or the pregnancy will be lost through miscarriage. The poorer the quality of the sperm, the higher the number of abnormal embryos from the IVF procedure.

Now there is technology to check the DNA of the sperm so we can check the sperms with damaged DNA. The only thing the man contributes to fertilization is his DNA and if that code is already damaged, he will not be giving anything viable.”

Your sperm may no longer be viable Continued from page 18 semen and low fertility levels. Hot baths, sitting for long periods of time and tight-fitting underwear that constricts the testes can all elevate temperatures long enough to suppress sperm production.

Taxi drivers and long-haul lorry drivers are thought to be at risk from sitting in the same position for long periods of time. This can raise the temperature of the testicles, causing sperm levels to drop.

Same thing goes for office workers who spend hours sitting in front of a computer. Scientists say you should take a break every 20 to 30 minutes to get away from your desk and help regulate the temperature of the testicles.

High stress levels can cause the body to release the hormone cortisol which is thought to interfere with sperm production.

What is normal sperm count?

The average sperm count is between 120 - 350 million per cubic centimetre.

A low sperm count is below 40 million per cubic centimetre.

However, a “normal” sperm count will have an overall volume of at least 1.5ml, a density of more than 15 million sperm per ml and motility of at least 40 per cent and a proportion of normal forms of three to four per cent or greater.

That is not to say that couples with a lower sperm count won’t get pregnant - after all, it just takes one sperm just that the chances of pregnancy are reduced by low sperm counts or sperm

that do not swim well.

The complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate (azoospermia) can be either because of a blockage in the organ that stores and nourishes sperm as they mature (epididymis) or in the long tube that transports sperm cells from the epididymis to the testicles (vas deferens), or a problem with the actual production of sperm in the testicles.

Even if sperm are not being produced, it may be possible to surgically extract enough sperm cells from the testes to use for assisted conception.

Abnormal morphology (the shape of the sperm) and poor motility (how they move) can prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. The sperm need good motility to be able to swim well and survive for a number of hours in the female reproductive tract. If they do meet an egg, abnormal-looking sperm might be incapable of fertilising it.

Antibodies are the body’s natural defence against foreign objects. They are part of the immune system.

Sometimes a woman’s immune system can identify sperm as foreign and develop antibodies against them. A man can even develop antibodies against his own sperm - an issue most common in men who have had a vasectomy reversal.

The antibodies can attack the sperm by paralysing them, causing them to clump together or coating them so that they can’t fertilise the egg. Antibodies will be found in the semen, the cervical mucus, or either partner ’s blood.

Tips to boost perm count Get your rest.

Improve your diet Keep your weight in check and drink plenty of water, too Reduce stress, as

it can interfere with the hormones that assist in sperm production If you smoke, quit today Reduce alcohol consumption or stop drinking altogether.

Exercise regularly

PAGE 20— SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

Nollywood birthdays turn into sensual displays B irthdays are meant to be special, memorable and celebrated with as much vigour and splendour as the celebrant could muster, but these days, our screen divas are beginning to add a whole new meaning to it. Now, no actress celebrates her birthday without hitting the photo studio first, to do what is now known as ‘ birthday photo shoot’ which is released to the public via various social media on D-day. Any actress who doesn’t jump on this bandwagon on her birthday is perceived broke as the photo shoot which is usually done in some posh studios often entail substantial finance and new dandy, exuberant wardrobe. As expensive as the photo shoots are, the actresses try to outdo themselves, thus, more often than not going over the edge to broadcast and make a meal of their endowments. In the industry, it is called selling points, and it is quite amazing and entertaining to see how much of salesmanship that is put into it by these actresses. Skimpy dresses, topless poses, cleavage-bearing tops and pants, I mean butt and boobs cleavages, see-through gowns, bikinis, hot pants, bum shorts a shade too short- just anything goes for them for their birthday shoots except posing in their birthday suits. Hey, don’t we love them for it? After all, it is all make-believe. Enjoy some taken recently.

Peggy Onah shimmers bikini-style

•Etiko Destiny

T

Etiko Destiny’s queen of seduction

hose memorable Etiko Destiny’s pictures have trended almost over a year ago but the allure, the bravado and the sheer quantum of desires they elicit are hard to tuck away. If this isn’t seduction, then what is.

Mercy Macjoe goes topless A

ctress on the rise, Mercy Macjoe celebrated her birthday some six days ago and on the d-day she released some mouthwatering pictures to wow her fans. Mercy simply went for the spectacular as she unveiled her topless self. Her selling point?

Hard to tell, because she was actually laying on it all.

S

ome have said Peggy got frugal with showing her real selling point, which undoubtedly lies on her bosom. Her bikini-style shoot was meant to lay it all on the line but Peggy did a trick with a veil which covered it all.

Nancy Iheme in full bare blast

•Mercy Macjoe

U

pcoming actress, Nancy Iheme is just coming to her element in the make-believe world, yet she looks like she knows her way around. She dared us all with her birthday shoot which must have taught us a thing or two about the anatomy of a woman.

Tessy Oragwa in out of bathroom tease

•Peggy •Tessy Oragwa

H

er gap-teeth is always inviting, but Tessy Oragwa has other things in mind. Though she was sitting on a bed with only a tower around her mother nature but your imagination can’t help but seeing a damsel stepping out of the bath.

Nsikan Isaac uphill B

•Nancy Iheme

udding actress, Nsikan Isaac is a promising talent that is fast eating into people’s hearts both with her talent and beauty. Little wonder she’s called paragon of beauty. She set our emotions uphill in one of the pictures that trended during her recent birthday. It was a big show of cleavage.

Nollywood Film Festival Germany Calls for Entries R •Isaac Ehizoya

egistration and submission of films for the yearly Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) has started. According to the organizers of the festival, Ehizoya Golden Entertainment, the deadline for registration is July 21st, 2016, while submission of films ends on July 31st, 2016. Currently in its fourth year, NFFG, is a viable platform designed for Nollywood film makers to showcase their movies to Europeans and Nollywood fans in the Diaspora. According to the guidelines for submission, unless a special waiver is granted, films must have been made during the last 24 months preceding the Festival and must not have been shown on internet or TV. Both Blu-ray DVD and DCP are acceptable for cinema screening but they must be subtitled in English if the original version of the film is not in English

•Nsikan Isaac

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 21 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Mercy Aigbe verified on Instagram, set to splash cash G

leeful Mercy Aigbe Gentry on Friday morning broadcast on her Blackberry messenger that she now has one million people following her on Instagram.

True to her words,When Potpourri checked her claims, the Yoruba actress of Osas (Omoge Benin) fame as at Friday, June 24, 2016 has over one million people following her on Instagram “ Wow, 1 million followers on Instagram. I am super excited and humbled. Big thank you to all my Instagram followers, God bless you all. In appreciation, I am giving out 50,000 naira to a lucky follower. All you have to do is post your favourite picture of Mercy Aigbe Gentry and the picture with highest likes gets 50,000 naira” she quipped in her broadcast.

Mercy Aigbe by this feat has joined Funke Akindele as the onlyYoruba-speaking actresses to be verified on Instagram. In more ways than one, this is an indication of popularity in the industry which may have little to do with career success.

Beverly Naya’s advice to single ladies •Mercy Aigbe

Opeyemi Aiyeola joins #NoMakeUpMovement

By Kehinde Ajose

N

igerian actress, Beverly Naya is a screen diva who delivers her roles convincingly. She made a name for herself alongside Majid Michel when the duo emerged joint winners in the Best Kiss in a Movie at the 2014 edition of BON awards.

The graduate of psychology and sociology from Brunnel University recently took to her Twitter page to advice single ladies on letting God choose for them. “Why do I always choose the wrong men? That’s part of the problem ladies. We are always choosing. Sometimes let go and let God choose”.

Beverly Naya in the past has been romantically linked with Uti Nwachukwu, which has denied vehemently.

•Beverly Naya

By TOFARATI IGE

F

ollowing in the footsteps of American singer, Alicia Keys, popular actress, Opeyemi Aiyeola has also joined the #NoMakeUpMovement. She recently shared some pictures of herself without make-up on her Instagram page.

According to her, women don’t have to apply powder and creams to look good. She posted a picture of herself and her hubby without make-up, and added the caption, “I’m trying to prove a point to everyone out there that without adding anything, powder, body cream and all manner of makeovers, an ideal human, be it man or woman can still look good and naturally presentable...I am not saying making up is wrong; of course, looking good is good business, but I just realised virtually everyone of us have somehow been chained under the belief that we can never be appreciated, loved or welcomed in the society without the help of make-up or adding special effects to our look...we came to the world without make-up, looking natural and beautiful…I’m African, and believe me I’m proud of who I am…”

Many of her followers lauded her for her comment, saying it would boost the selfesteem of many people who feel insecure without make-up •Opeyemi Aiyeola

People didn’t buy my singing with comedy when I started — Kennyblaq

By Kehinde Ajose

T

•Kennyblaq

he Nigerian comedy industry is growing at a fast pace and It takes more than talent to get noticed in the competitive industry .Kennyblaq, a fast-rising music comedian is a youngster who has been able to distinguish himself through his brand of comedy. He was the only comedian who performed at Darey Art Alade’s Love Like a Movie Concert.

“We have a whole lot of comedians and for you to stand out you need to have something people will know you for. I use music to interpret my materials which makes me stand out from every comedian. I am fan of good music. I love singing a lot. People didn’t love the idea of me singing as a comedian when I started out. They usually ask me: “Are you a singer or a comedian?” Alibaba, Maleke and Julius Agwu did music comedy some years back. I decided to try my hands on music comedy, but i do it in a different way.

When I did it for the first time, I only got the attention of 30 percent of the audience. People started buying into it later on”

PAGE 22—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

By JAPHET ALAKAM LITERATURE

O

ne of the major crisis that faced the unity and existence of Nigeria was the civil war that lasted for over three years. The war really created many answered questions which afforded writers the much needed material to write on. But, in spite of the avalanche of books on the Nigeria civil war, someone still feels that the story is not yet complete, that there is an aspect of the story that has not been told and that is the minority angle of what happened during the war period.

Though, the war could be said to have been between the Igbo and the Hausa/Fulani, with the other tribes inevitably drawn into it, the minority areas of the then Midwest and those in the riverine areas, now Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states were also the battleground of the war with many casualties. But, most of the writers seem to concentrate on only the two fronts. It was the need to tell the minority story and at the same time balance the war story that spurred one of the prominent writers of our time, Sam Omatseye to come up with a new book entitled My Name Is Okoro.

According to Omatseye, who is the Editorial Board Chairman of The Nation, “when I discover that each time I read civil war literature is physically telling the story about one side of the civil war, but two significant works actually spurred me to write on it, they were Half of a Yellow Sun

by Chimamanda Adichie and Alabi Isama’s Tragedy of Victory, both telling stories from different point of view, but Isama gave a comprehensive treatment of the point of view from the Nigerian side and is not the work of

The minority story of the civil war must be told— Omatseye literature or fiction but a part autobiography and part history, so I discover that it told a lot of the minority story but it did not really reflect the sensibility of the minorities. While, Adichie’s Half of an Yellow Sun was unabashedly an Igbo perspective to the extent that it diminishes the point of view of the others, The progrom that took place in her work was targeted at Igbos, it was a one sided view. So I taught that this story has to to be told.”

From the accounts of the war, there was double occupation of minority areas and their people, especially in Midwest State, with capital in Benin City – first by the Biafran soldiers in their bid drive to capture Lagos and later, by Nigerian military to push Biafra back and launch full-scale war.

But the unfortunate thing is that while many especially, the Biafrans who took part and lost in the war took it upon themselves to write on it, the minority who also suffered similar fate like the Igbo decided not do so except the late Ken Saro-Wiwa who wrote Sozaboy, that told the story of a young man who got into the war

The story of the minority during the war has been descriminated against even in our literature which is a challenge to the minority writers

•Sam Omatseye from the minority side.

Sam Omatseye, in his new book, My Name Is Okoro in his characteristic way has decided to break the silence among minority people by providing the missing link in the account of how the minority areas and their people also suffered from both sides. The novel again raises the identity questions and recounts how innocent people lost their lives and property during the war.

Can an ordinary name cause the death of somebody in times of crisis? This was what Omatseye tells readers in the book, as the main character Okoro got himself into trouble just because of his name. ‘Okoro’ is a Igbo name but Urhobo, Itsekiri, Isoko and Edo also bear it. So to bear ‘Okoro’ during the war period up north was suicidal. Here, Omatseye’s tells the story of how Okoro finds himself in Kano and how he escapes and traces his Igbo wife to the heartland of Biafra.

Programmed to Inspayalise the despondent

By PRISCA SAM-DURU TELEVISION

I

t is rich, soul inspiring, enthralling and resuscitating!

Those are the characteristics of a new documentary television show, INSPAYA which was launched on Sunday 19th, June 2016 at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

Even a child knows that all is not well with Nigeria; and so people need comfort, solace and hope in the midst of economic uncertainties and social dysfunction. INSPAYA will not only provide this function, but will also calm the fear of tomorrow because when people listen to the numerous stories of survival on INSPAYA, it would help them to put their own challenges in perspective and know that there is a God that would help them too just as he helped others on the show. The stories are sure to get the audience inspayalised!

INSPAYA, the brain child of the President, Banji Adesanmi Ministry, Evangelist Banji Adesanmi a.k.a, Evangelistbee, is a flagship and original documentary with the theme “ Real People, Real Testimonies”.

Billed to go on air on television stations from the first week in July, 2016, INSPAYA the high quality presentation that will run

•The Production Manager, Wunmi Raji,

Evangelist Banji Adesanmi and Producer Pastor Yemi Adesanya

Omatseye who stated that he never taught of writing a book on Biafra, but has always been fascinated about the war recounts two scary incidents that touched him during the war. “It’s about association, about connection to race and tribe. My father, when he was in Lagos here, was mistaken for an Igbo man and was about to be killed. He was saved by an Urhobo man because he could speak Urhobo. That was how he escaped,” he added.

Omatseye is of the view that just like the minorities’ questions in major issues in Nigeria, their role in the civil war was too crucial to be left out. He is not happy that the minority story has yet to find a space in Nigerian war literature.

He sees it as another sort of discrimination and even on the creative side of minority writers who have decided to be silent over the years. The minority areas were battleground for many years till the end of the war. The minority areas were also places where both sides conquered. The stories of those my university days. My vision is to give a clear message of hope, encouragement by telling and sharing people’s life and survival stories. This is what the INSPAYA show will do - clearly delivering the testimony and stories of hope

MUSIC

INSPAYA is to encourage and inspire everyone, both Christians and unbelievers alike launch of the documentary programme, EvangelistBee who was joined by the Production Manager, Wunmi Raji and the Producer Pastor Yemi Adesanya, explained that “The intent of INSPAYA is to encourage and inspire everyone - Christians and unbelievers alike about the faithfulness and the power of

God - encouraging them never to give up by hearing and seeing the outstanding testimonies of the hand of God in the life of others. These stories range from deliverance from drugs, armed robbery, brain tumors, homelessness, acute sicknesses to survival of Sickle cell Anemia, cerebral palsy and more. The show has a rich repertoire of life changing and thought provoking testimonies delivered directly in the words of the testifiers. This show will jostle anyone from a state of despondence or discouragement.”

Inspired by his years of experience during his early days as youth and working in God’s Vineyard, the Presenter cum Executive Producer, INSPAYA disclosed that “I have always been an itinerant Evangelist alongside my businesses since

in the words of the testifiers with high quality production. Our audience will have the privilege of sharing from other people’s experiences from financial, marital, emotional and personal life challenges.

India Arie headlines Mike Aremu’s Sax Appeal 5

By JAPHET ALAKAM

from next quarter on several TV platforms, is a documentary that offers people the opportunity to tell their stories and testimonies in their own words.

At a press parley held prior to the

people needed to be told for the whole world to know.

And he says, “The story of the minority during the war has been discriminated against even in our literature which is a challenge to the minority writers who have remained silent over the years. The story is about the silenced voices of the minorities who have been psychically, psychologically, creatively oppressed because you think your story will not be interesting because you need the majority to endorse your stories or probably you don’t want to tell the story of what the majority did to you. That is the only way I can describe it.

Minority writers like JP Clark wrote The Casualties, but it says nothing about the minorities in the war. It’s so universal that the Igbo man, the Hausa man, anybody can claim it”.

On how he arrived at the title of the novel which took him about two years, Omatseye said, “I usually arrive at my title before I write, but this one was very strong. I have to consult a friend before I got the title”.

On the charge that his novel, My Name Is Okoro, though a work of fiction, might open up wounds over forty years after, Omatseye counters, “We’re not opening up any wounds because the wounds were never healed in the first instance. Up till today, we have Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) still fighting. We have them because the wound was never sealed or healed. So you cannot reopen a wound that is already open. It is a sour. So, we should engage these agitating groups rather than just say, ‘get out’”.

A

former singer and her father a former NBA basketball player.

An accomplished multiinstrumentalist India attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah which led to a personal revelation about songwriting and performing.She is quoted to have said “When I started tapping into my own sensitivity, I started to understand people better. It was a direct result of writing songs”.

Her debut album ‘Acoustic Soul’ released on March 27, 2001 was met with positive reviews and commercial success.

ll is now set for the 5th edition of Award winning Jazz Saxophonist Mike Aremu’s show SAX APPEAL 5 taking place today, the 26th of June 2016 by 6pm at the prestigious Expo Centre EKO Hotel & Suites Victoria Island Lagos. To headline SAX APPEAL 5 alongside chart topping Nigerian musicians including Timi Dakolo and Praiz is American singer-songwriter, actress, musician, and record producer INDIA ARIE. An accomplished four time Grammy Award winner from her 21 nominations, including Best R&B Album, India has sold over 3.3 million records in the US and 10 million worldwide.

Arie was born in Denver, Colorado, USA and her musical skills were encouraged by both parents in her younger years. Her mother was a •India Arie

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 23

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PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

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SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 25

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COMMON SEXU AL PR OBLEMS AND THEIR NO VEL T Y BASED SOL UTIONS (AD VER TORIAL) SEXUAL PROBLEMS NOVEL VELT SOLUTIONS (ADVER VERT Is masturbation bad?

Secondly, what are the disadvantages of anal sex?

– Mudiare Masturbation serves a purpose. It is how the human body gets sexual relief in the absence of a partner to have sex with. This sexual relief is very important because it helps lower stress and depression levels and also helps keep rape and sexual violence in human society to a minimum.

Secondly, anal sex like all other forms of intercourse does have risks such as bruising/ bleeding due to lack of lubrication and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial infections when protection is absent. If one is able to clean the anal passage before and after intercourse and use a good lubricant and protection, they will be fine.

Lots of couples are into anal play these days - Uche I will like to order more of the Boss Rhino Gold. I tried it a few weeks ago after a friend recommended it and I cannot believe how it transformed my love life at 58years. My erections are strong again and I can perform well, last long and keep performing for days – Chike I am currently using Volume Pills after I could not find Max Load. I understand that it is also good for fertility in addition to increasing semen quantity.

Is it true? I have noticed the semen increment part but the fertility bit is yet untested. I also want to know if I can also take it

when taking an erection supplement – Sola Yes Sola Volume Pills aids fertility by boosting motility.

Motility means the speed of movement of the sperm cells towards the egg when couples are trying to get pregnant.

Another supplement that helps improve motility is Motility Boost so that is another solid option for couples trying to conceive. And for your second enquiry, yes you can combine Volume Pills with an erection supplement like Boss Rhino Gold or Man Up Now. Their functions are different and they don’t clash– Uche I have started using the Man Up Now Erection Enhancer as recommended by you for weak erection and it is doing the job. Now I want penis enlargement as well but I don’t know if I can take both drugs at the same time – Yakubu An alternative way to enlarge your penis when you are already taking an erection supplement is through the use of an enlargement cream or pump. So for this, get the Classix Penis Enlargement Pump – Uche Hello sir. I have no problem with getting an erection. I get good erection but I just don’t have the power for second round of sex – Chinedu Get the Max Stamina supplement. It will give you the necessary energy and quick recovery time between erections. It is also good for arousal and firm erections – Uche My husband and I are interested in novelties that

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And for you, since you didn’t specify what you need in particular, a great female toy for sexual play is the Ovo k5 Rabbit Vibrator. You will enjoy this vibrator a lot. It has a very sophisticated modern look and is very pleasurable and durable too. And for movies, get the KamasutraSex Position Guide for couples and The Masseuse. You will love those too – Uche That’s it for today. The names of the people featured here have been changed for privacy. Adults in need of the above novelties and treatments can call us on 07086754515 or 08171912551 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com

- Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media .

PAGE 26—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

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The Ugwuanyi structures for governance

By Francis Igata, Enugu

V

ISITORS and staff at the Lion Building,Enugu Government House are upbeat about the rehabilitation of decrepit structures dotting the seat of power by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Most of the structures,built during the era of Micheal Okpara,Premier of the old Eastern Region,had caved in,as successive governments ignored maintenance.

From the Lion sculpture to the entrance gate, and the neatly trimmed lawns on the driveway to the Lion Building, you have a remarkable ambiance which filters the air of governance.

The aging five-storey Abuja Building, which houses the administrative paraphernalia responsible for oiling the wheels of governance,is being re-roofed with steel rafters and aluminum roof.

Sunday Vanguard’s investigation showed that the Abuja Building was

constructed with concrete roof which required constant maintenance with a substance to prevent water from penetrating. The failure of successive governments to maintain the roof led to it leaking state, where the present administration met it.

Apart from the roof,findings also showed that the Ugwuanyi lighting,plumbing and office equipment were being replaced with modern accessories to provide comfort for staff in a manner that the trajectory of productivity will notch higher in order to achieve the administration’s agenda of alleviating poverty and improving standard of living.

Also,the Deputy Governor’s Office, built during the old Eastern Region, has been rebuilt.

Similarly,the Protocol Office,which used to be a garage, has now become a structure with state-of-the art facilities.

Now sitting in the Lion Building is a car park spanning over 2,000 square meters that can accommodate

•The Abuja Building with Steel rafters for re-roofing

•The new Deputy Governor’s Office complex over 130 cars to halt the indiscriminate parking of cars within the Government House.

Army chief insists on professionalism

By Bashir Adefaka

T

HE Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has commissioned a newly constructed Sports Complex at the 9 Brigade Nigerian Army Cantonment, Ikeja, while on a familiarization visit to 81 Division Area of Responsibility.

The Sports Complex, named after him, consists of 14

*Commissions 9 Brigade sports complex

apparatus obstacle crossing, Basket Ball Court and a 120seating capacity pavilion.

Other facilities constructed include Barrack Youth Office and a meeting hall.

The Physical Training Wing also co-located was restructured to give it a face lift.

Before the commissioning of the project, the Commander, 9 Brigade, Brigadier General

•A commercial bus driver and his conductor, pushing their broken down vehicle opposite GTBank, at Olowu Bus Stop, on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos, after a downpour on Friday.

Bulama Biu, informed the COAS that 9 Brigade lacked basic sporting facilities to enable troops to train and keep fit. The commander further stated that in order for the Brigade to key-in into the COAS vision which is “To Have A Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the Discharge of Its Constitutional Roles” and also to maintain the COAS drives towards physical fitness of troops, the Brigade decided to embark on the construction of the sports complex through self help efforts. Biu used the occasion to present sport vest to the COAS to unveil the 9 Brigade slogan “Fit to Fight.”

Responding, Buratai applauded the Commander, officers and men of the 9 Brigade and urged them to always pursue the track of professionalism while promising them of his support at all times, just as he thanked Biu for his initiative and steadfastness to have put in place such standard training facilities to enable the personnel keep fit.

‘Why we did it’

Patrick Ikpenwa,the state Commissioner for Works, spoke on the massive rehabilitation: “The renovation work has been going on for some time in the Government House. The Deputy Governor’s office has been renovated. The Lion Building is about being competed. The Lodge also is being renovated. The Abuja Building is equally being renovated. In the Abuja Building,we are re-roofing because the roof is concrete.

“There has been this problem of Felt. Anywhere you use concrete roof,you need to Felt it periodically.

Whether you like it or not,there must be penetration of water when you concrete roof if you do not Felt it adequately. So,the Abuja Building is leaking at the moment. The best thing to do in the course of the renovation is to change the roof. That is why we are now using Long Span aluminum.

“Again,we shunned the use of wood for the rafters to ensure that wind does not blow off the roof. That is why we are using steel now. We are using steel for durability.

If we used wood,under strong wind it will be blown off at that height. That is why we are using steel as the roof carcass. Successive governments have not used

Felt for the concrete roof which is Bitmus material used to prevent water from entering the roof.

“Felt is applied to discourage water from staying too long on concrete roof. It is even applied when the concrete roof has slopes.

Whenever concrete roof is aging,there must be openings here and there. That is why we have sought for a permanent solution by using aluminum roof. We are also removing all the wooden partitions and painting the inside,outside. We will equally remove all the window and doors to bring the building at par with others in the Government House premises.

“This administration is bent on ensuring preventive maintenance culture. This is aimed at shutting our doors to reactive maintenance culture.

We cannot be waiting for our building to rot before we start renovation. The leakage did not start today. Previous governments were managing it. But this administration led

by Ugwuanyi decided to take the bull by the horn and ensure a permanent solution.

That is how you now people who are prepared for governance. Preventive maintenance culture is cost effective. Had it been the building was maintained, what we are spending now, we would not have spent it”.

‘Dividends of democracy’ The Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, commended Ugwuanyi for his, “uncommon vision, steadfastness and leadership role” in providing dividend of democracy to the people in spite of the current economic challenges in the country.

The party Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, expressed delight that Ugwuanyi has so far discharged his duties diligently and to the satisfaction of the PDP and the people of the state at large.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 27

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WIFE RELIVES HUSBAND’S HORRIFYING DEATH

‘Assailants strangled

83-yr-old Akure chief after tying his hands and legs’

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

T

HE murder of 83-year-old Chief Dada Oyateru in cold blood has sent jitters down the spines of notable personalities in Akure, Ondo State capital. Detectives are battling to unravel the mystery behind the murder of the old man weeks after he was allegedly strangled in the presence of his junior wife, Titilola. They are said to be investigating if the murder of the chief was a case of armed robbery or assassination.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the deceased went to bed that night after dinner. Three unknown gun men reportedly scaled the fence of his palatial building located at Oke-Ijebu area of Akure at about 1am.

After scaling the fence, the killers reportedly tied the security guard before settling to work on the burglary proof leading to the chief’s bedroom. A family source argued that the killers could not have found their way to the victim’s bedroom if the murder was not pre-planned.

The deceased and the wife were said to have been woken up while the killers broke down the burglary proof of the bedroom but helpless as their shouts for help yielded no result. It

was learnt that all the occupants of the building, including the children of the deceased, were held hostage for over four hours as all their shouts for help fell on the deaf ears of their neighbors who failed to come to their rescue.

The attackers reportedly had a field day as they insisted that Oyeteru should hand over to them all the money in his possession. His hands and legs, according to the source, were tied by the intruders who asked him to sit “quietly and watch them” as they ransacked and turned the whole room upside down . His family members were told to lie face down. They reportedly descended on the deceased after their search of the entire house failed to yield money.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the killers requested for money from the deceased but he told them he didn’t keep money in the house and offered to follow them to the ATM machine if they so desired. A family member hinted that she over heard the leader of the gang telling others to “ let’s finish this man and get out of here.” The attackers turned down the offer to take them to the ATM machine and reportedly pounced on the octogenarian and strangled him.

The deceased’s junior wife, who witnessed the murder, said it was scary and that it would remain an unforgettable experience in her lifetime. Narrating how it happened,

•The late Chief Dada Oyateru and wife Titilola said three gunmen broke into their house at about 1:00am on that day, Tuesday. “They entered the house through my husband’s room after cutting the burglary proof and held us hostage for about four hours,”she stated.

“They pointed gun at baba, demanding for ‘the money which he brought home last night’. “He pleaded with them that he didn’t have any money at home and usually didn’t keep money at home, but they refused to yield to his begging, threatening that they would kill us if we didn’t give them money. “He begged them not to kill him, imploring them to go with his two cars; and promised to go to the bank to withdraw money from his bank account for them but they refused.

“Baba begged them to name a point within or outside the town where they wanted him to drop the money for

ALLEGED NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FOIA

Ondo govt, OSOPADEC dragged to court

By Dayo Johnson Akure

T

HE Ondo State government and the state Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) have been dragged to court over alleged non-compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2011.

A human right activist, Adeyemi Nejo, filed a legal action against OSOPADEC for its alleged refusal to give information on the capital projects in the mandate areas, the location of the projects, the cost and the state of execution from 2010 to 2014.

The applicant pointed out: “Crude oil extraction/ exploration activities have been carried out in Oroto town, Awoye, Ilowo Obe etc; towns within Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. My family compound has been drastically affected by

these exploration/extraction.”

“That as a result, the Federal Government, in order to ameliorate our pains and to provide succor to those of us living within the oil exploration/ extraction areas, provided a fund for the development of our area known as 13% oil derivation fund.”

Justifying his action, the litigant said : “Ever since the commission was established in year 2003, I have not noticed any meaningful development in the area where my family compound is located, but rather oil exploration/extraction has been on the increase with its attendant pollution and land devastation.”

He principally sued OSOPADEC and the governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, but joined the Attorney-General of the state, the Minister of

them the following morning if they could not take him to the ATM machine that early morning but they insisted that they would kill him if he didn’t give them money at that particular time. “They tied him with rope and asked us to lie down with our faces to the ground after which they pounced on him and strangled him.” The gunmen, according to her, then ransacked the house and carted away valuables such as laptop, phones, jewelries and N35,000 cash. She stated that then escaped in the deceased’s red Toyota Camry car at about 4:30am.

The Ondo police image maker, Femi Joseph, confirmed the murder of the traditional chief, saying detectives were on the trail of the killers. Joseph said the command had not made any arrest but assured that the assailants would soon be apprehended.

Finance, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents respectively for failure to grant his first application on June 15, 2015. The commission, he said, which is directly controlled by the 2nd respondent and keeps parts of the funds allocated to the state under the 13% oil derivation fund, has failed in carrying out its functions as clearly spelt out in Part II Section 6(i)-(vii) of the law establishing OSOPADEC in 2003 that was marked as “Exhibit A.” The case was transferred from Abuja to the Federal High Court, Akure Judicial Division.

It was billed for hearing on Friday for submission of all applications under Justice Folashade Olubanjo but had to be rescheduled for September 20 as the judge was away to Abuja on official duty.

Pemu advises Okowa not to sack DESOPADEC staff

T

he Chairman, Oil and Gas Producing Commu nities, HOSTCOM, Delta Central, Comrade Festus Akponofuo Pemu, has appealed to

Why I cherish TUC’s peace award — Onyema, Air Peace boss

C

High Chief Michael & Mrs ELSIE UWAKA with their daughter, Naomi Uwaka,(middle) after her graduation ceremony from UC Berkley in the USA. C M Y K

hairman of Air Peace Limit ed, Chief Allen Onyema has described the “Icon of Peace” award given to him by Trade Union Congress (TUC) as a stimulus to continue to work for the peace and development of the country.

The award, he said, was proof that credible organisations had started to recognise the contributions of patriotic Nigerians to sustenance of peace and socioeconomic development of the nation.

Onyema commended TUC for rewarding his contributions to restoration and sustenance of peace in the country, especially in the Niger Delta.

The Air Peace boss, governors and other eminent Nigerians were recently honoured at TUC’s 10th Tri-

ennial National Delegate Conference and Awards Night held in Abuja.

Onyema was chosen as TUC’s “Icon of Peace” for his effort to achieve and sustain peaceful coexistence in the country on the platform of his Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN).

It could be recalled that for many years running, the Air Peace chair has been campaigning for peace in the country. Working with a team of experts from the University of Rhode Island Centre for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA, led by an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Bernard Lafayette Jr., Onyema convinced many Niger Delta militants to drop their arms and embrace dialogue.

the Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission, DESOPADEC, Olorogun Williams Makinde and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, not to sack about 400 Urhobo DESOPADEC staff in order not to worsen the current economic hardship in the state.

Comrade Pemu made this appeal in Sapele, saying if the rumoured plan to sack DESOPADEC workers is true,Governor Okowa should have a rethink because of its political implication and the consequences of such move.

The Urhobo nation’s HOSTCOM chairman explained that though the current economic situation is affecting every state, Delta State is not that poor that it cannot pay its citizens working in DESOPACDEC, advising the state government to intensify its internally generated revenue drive and create jobs for Deltans through its SMART agenda instead of sacking workers.

PAGE 28—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

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By Emmanuel Unah

A

t

7.30

am

on

Wednesday, three expatriates and two Nigerian staff of MeMahon Limited ,

a building firm executing contract work at Lafarge Cement, formerly Unicem, were abducted on their way to work at Mfamosing by hoodlums at Idundu Bridge, on the outskirts of Calabar, after the driver of the bus conveying them was shot dead.

This is just one of the several instances of violent crimes which have bedeviled Calabar, Cross River State capital, since the middle of 2015. The activities of these gun totting gangs, who operate at will and in broad daylight , are alarming to residents who are beginning to wonder about what has became the crime-free city which people from faraway places flocked to here to savour the peace they could not get in their places of abode.

In the past, it was thought that with Calabar surrounded by the sea and has just one entry and exit route, criminals are deterred from operating in the city because of the high chances of being arrested while trying to escape through the single route by security agencies, bu,t in recent times, the sea, which used to serve as a source of protection, has become an escape route as hoodlums use speed boats to make good their escape or to ferret their victims to the creeks before commencing negotiation for ransom with the victims’ families.

Kidnappers operate in the city in large numbers and life has not been the same again in the famous Canaan City, as, between mid last year and now, over 100 people have been kidnapped and these are cases that were reported to the police as many others simply paid ransom to kidnappers to let their kinsmen regain freedom without telling the police.

Many residents with reasonable financial base or considered rich enough and able to “bail” themselves out have either been abducted, attacked or threatened with abduction at some point or the other.

Worst affected are pastors of big churches, businessmen and university teachers whom the hoodlums believe no more stash cash at home or carry large sums around so can only be “dealt with” through kidnapping for ransom. Often the kidnappers demand for large sums of money ranging from five to 20 million naira depending on the person’s financial capacity.

The list of those abducted in the past six months include Pastor Seyi Adekunle of Winners Chapel, Tunde Osisonya, owner of Tuns 77, a furniture company, Lolo Peterson, wife of Igwe Peterson, a building material merchant, Eme Okonkon, owner of Eme Inn, goat head canteen, Chief Akins, director of Akito Rentals, Etubom Ekpo Cobham, a father of Efiok Cobham, former deputy governor of the state, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong Ekpe and brother of ex-Director General of DSS, Ekpenyong Ita. Others are Dr Walter Ibeh, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education Obudu, wife and daughter of Dr Osim, University of Calabar lecturer, Charles Nnaji , building materials trader at 17 Garden Street, Mr Etim Okon, cement distributor of 7 Garden, Chief Kenneth Ekeanyanwu, owner of Day Break Bread Factory at Chamly Street, Chief T AnC M Y K

•Igbo leaders at the Obong’s palace

AMID ABDUCTION OF 3 EXPATRIATES, 2 OTHERS

Igbo cry out: Kidnappers in Calabar after us It has become worrisome that the Igbo are the targets of kidnappers.

When they kidnap, they will make family members of their victim to go and borrow money, sell his or her belongings to pay ransom thony of 18 Garden Street, Barrister Igwe, building material trader at Garden Street and Chief Okoronkwo. Millions of naira in ransom was said to have been paid before the victims were set free.

Ekeayanwu, for instance, allegedly paid ten million naira to regain his freedom but died few days after his release following the torture he suffered in the hands of his captors.

Worried by the spate of kidnapping, which, they claimed, was targeted at their businesses, Igbo traders in Calabar, during the first week of June, went to the palace of the Obong. Edidem Ekpo Otu, to appeal for the intervention of of the royal father before their businesses are ruined by kidnappers.

The Vice President of the Igbo community in the state, Mr. Rufus Eze, told the Obong that 80 per cent of kidnapped victims in the state are Igbo traders.

“It has become worrisome that the Igbo are the targets of kidnappers. When they kidnap, they will make family members of their victim to go and borrow money, sell his or her belongings to pay ransom. We are appealing to the state government, traditional and religious leaders to

help us. We came here to do business and not to be kidnapped and forced to pay ransom,”Eze said.

The monarch, who sounded furious at the turn of events in Cross River State, told the protesters that Calabar was known for its peaceful nature and could not afford to be home to kidnappers, hence the need for security agencies to rise up to the challenge.

“In the last three months, it looks as if a particular set of kidnappers have targeted the Igbo to carry out their ugly business.

As a king of the Efik Kingdom, I

cannot fold my hands and watch this unfortunate situation to continue. We must look at this issue critically and find a way of curtailing it. These kidnappers are no ghosts, they live among us and we must fish them out,”he said.

Meanwhile, some of the kidnap victims accused security agencies of complicity in the abductions in the state. One of them confided in Sunday Vanguard that soon after his abduction, his family went to the police to report. “ Bur thirty minutes after, one

of the kidnappers received a phone call and someone at the other end related to him what my wife told the police which infuriated the kidnappers the more and warned me that there was nothing the police could do for me, so I had no choice but to pay the ransom”.

Sometimes, the kidnappers, it was also leant, have information on the amount their victims have in the bank accounts which mean they also have inside sources in some financial houses.

Ex-MEND leader appeals to FG to dialogue with militants A

BY BRISIBE PEREZ

former leader of the de funct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Kemeizompoukomumor Ayuba, has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with new Niger Delta militant groups in the interest of peace and national co-existence.

Ayuba, who styled himself as one of the founding leaders of MEND, in a statement made available to our correspondent, told the Federal Government that those opposed to dialogue were not doing the present administration any good.

According to him, if the present situation is not well handled by the President, it could snowball into a major crisis noting that the crisis has both spiritual and physical undertone.

He stated that what the militants, especially the Niger Delta Avengers, demanding is not different from what they fought for between 2001 and 2009 before they were acceded to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Ayuba posited, “I’ve been thinking since the renewed militancy in the Niger Delta region started and investigations revealed that this problem is both spiritual and physical; if not well handled there will be disaster in no

Deputy Speaker, police commissioner move to end herdsmen’s attacks in Delta

D

eputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi, yesterday, met with the new state commissioner of police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, and requested action in order to bring to an endto attack by suspected herdsmen in the state even as he called on residents to serve as whistle blowers by reporting crimes to the police.

Osanebi noted that the commissioner’s prompt action will go a long way to check further attacks from herdsmen, especially now that

youths in the area have threatened reprisal action and self defense.

Responding, the commissioner thanked the Deputy Speaker for toeing the line of peace and the maturity in which he had displayed so far in handling the issue.

He told him that he will put in his best to ensure the security of life and property in Delta. Further expressing readiness to fight the herdsmen menace, the Commissioner scheduled a security meeting with youth leaders and security outfits in Ndokwa land.

distant time. Development of the region must be seen as a priority.”

‘One out of seven children dies of infectious fever’

BY YINKA AJAYI

I

n a bid to curtail sepsis, the Chief Executive Officer of Outreach Medical Services, OMS, Dr Efunbo Dosekun, has called on the Federal Government to intensify the campaign against the fever that can lead to death among children.

Speaking in Lagos, Dosekun stated: “Fever is the most common symptom in children that attend healthcare centre, pharmacies or laboratory diagnostic units in Lagos. The common causes of it in children are infections. There is need for the Federal Government to take its campaign to every nook and cranny in Nigeria , because it can be dangerous .Our aim is to educate about four million persons in Lagos State on the fact that infectious fever in children can be dangerous. The current statistics in Nigeria shows that one in seven children dies of the infectious fever.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 29 08116759757

the gallery

PRIEST FOUND DEAD AFTER ABDUCTORS GOT N2M RANSOM Nigeria Breweries

My son’s spirit will haunt his killers – Bereaved mother

promotes Yoruba culture, splashes N1m on ‘best Fuji’ musician DAYO JOHNSON, AKURE

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Mother of the deceased, Mama Martha Kate Adeyi

•Adeyi...death in kidnappers’ den

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

B

enue South was jolted by the discovery of the decomposing remains of the Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, Rev. Fr. John Adeyi, who was

kidnapped over two months ago by some armed men.

Adeyi’s skeleton was found behind the office complex of Ogbadibo Local Government Education Authority at Otukpa, his home town, by a search party that had combed the area to locate him.

He had been abducted at Odoba village, along the busy Otukpo-Enugu Road after mediating in a crisis between parishioners and the parish priest of Odoba at the behest of the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo, Bishop Michael Apochi.

However, the priest had successfully resolved the crisis and was returning to Okpoga, when the armed men, on motorcycle, intercepted his vehicle and abducted him to an unknown destination.

His disappearance sparked angry reactions from his family members and the Catholic faithful in Benue who, at the time,

C M Y K

warned that the priest had health challenges.

It was learned that after his abduction, the kidnappers made an overture to his family demanding N2million ransom.

It was reliably gathered that the said amount was paid for his release but the abductors held on to him.

At the heat of his disappearance, Benue State government issued a statement, promising N5million reward for anyone with valid information on his whereabouts.

The government also went ahead to organise a search party for the cleric.

Adeyi’s kidnapping came on the heels of cases of abduction of innocent citizens in parts of Benue.

In most of the cases, the abductees regained their freedom after huge ransoms were paid.

When Sunday Vanguard visited the Otukpo family residence of the deceased cleric, located at number 21 Otukpa Street, sympathizers were seen commisserating with his octogenarian mother, Mama Martha Kate Adeyi.

Bereaved Mama Adeyi, who spoke through an interpreter, told Sunday

I am heartbroken, devastated but God knows why it happened this way. I thank everyone who showed concern about his abduction and eventual death

Vanguard that the kidnapping of her son and murder came to her as rude shock.

She said as she wept: “Since I heard of his kidnapping over two months ago, I had been praying fervently for his safe return but, unfortunately, I heard yesterday that my son has been killed.

“Fr. John had no problems with anybody, he served God and humanity with all his being, soul, spirit and body. He didn’t deserve the treatment they meted to him as a servant of God. “I am heartbroken, devastated but God knows why it happened this way.

I thank everyone who showed concern about his abduction and eventual death.

“I’m only pleading with government and law enforcement agencies to do justice in this matter by ensuring the arrest of the masterminds of this unfortunate incident. It is only then that Fr. John will find peace and the family will also be consoled.”

Reacting to the sad development, an umbrella body of the Idomas, the Opiatoha K’ Idoma, condemned the killing of the priest.

In a statement by the Secretary General of the organization, Chief Adoka Adaji, the group said: “The killing of Fr. Adayi by kidnappers shows the level of wickedness of some people and security lapses in our society.

“It is amazing that Fr. Adeyi whose body was recovered in the bush was killed within his Otukpa community. It means we are no longer our brothers’ keepers’ in Idoma land otherwise his kidnappers and killers would have been exposed”.

Meantime, the Catholic Bishop of Otukpo Diocese, Michael Apochi, was yet to issue a statement over the heinous murder as he was said to be in deep shock since the news broke.

On his part, Governor Samuel Ortom who was the first to broke the news of the discovery at a town hall meeting in Oju, last Wednesday, said that the skeleton of Adeyi was discovered three kilometers away from the road, adding that on receiving the report from security operatives, he directed the police and medical personnel to collect the skeleton of the deceased for postmortem.

Ortom, who fought back tears as he spoke, vowed to do everything possible to ensure that the abductors and killers of the cleric were brought to justice.

Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent, ASP, Moses Yamu, who also confirmed the discovery of the decomposing remains of the deceased at Otukpa by a team of police and medical personnel, said his corpse had been deposited at a morgue.

HE Nigeria Breweries has at the selection party of the fourth edition of its “ Fuji t’o Balm “, selected five Fuji musicians to participate in the quarter final of the competition.

In a bid to promote Yoruba culture through music, the company hunted for the best talent in Fuji in Akure, Ondo State.

The lucky musicians are Olayiwola Sunday, Sikiru Kuteyi, Adekunle Adebayo, Tumbi Akinola and Akanbi Taofeek.

The best among them would go home with N1m at the final stage of the competition.

Speaking with newsmen, the senior Executive Social Media for TPT, a consultant agency to the Nigeria Breweries, Onoriode Akusu, said the auditioning stage of the competition took place in eight venues across Nigeria: Sango-Ota, Egbeda, Oyo, Ilesha, Akure, Ado Ekiti, Ibadan and Sagamu.

Akusu pointed out that the competition was to promote tradition, culture and respect of the people of the regions as the core values of the brand are tradition, culture and respect.

‘Why Okpozo’s group is against new entrants into Delta APC’

BY INNOCENT ONOJA

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ecent agitation by some few APC Elders led by Senator Francis Okpozo, calling for the dissolution of the State Executive Committee is because of the ongoing arrangements to welcome Chief Great Ogboru, former Speaker Hon Victor Ochei, their teeming supporters and other PDP, ACCORD and SDP stalwarts into the party, Delta State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has revealed.

The party in a statement signed by its Legal Adviser, Barrister Valentine Onojeghuo and State Secretary, Comrade Chidi Okonji further disclosed that the so-called group organised by Senator Okpozo rejected the idea of welcoming these new entrants into the party at a time the federal government is yet to release the names of board appointees. ‘’It is the view of the agitators that the party ought to wait so as not to short-change old members, for the fear that the new comers may out stage them on federal board appointment slots. “ The APC in Delta State has for the past few months set up machinery to welcome into its fold key opposition leaders with a view to claiming the state from PDP in 2019. Such key leaders include; Chief Great Ogboru and the whole of his erstwhile Labour party structure; Hon Victor Ochei ( former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly ) and his erstwhile governorship structure in the state; party stalwarts from PDP, ACCORD, and SDP.

PAGE 30—SUNDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

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Why We Chose Bimbo Manuel, Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu As Lead Actors For Breathless —Alumona Jenkins Alumona, strategy expert and former editor of TheNEWS, talks about his movie production debut, which has delivered Breathless, a flick scheduled to premiere today.

Y

ou are better known as a journalist and strategy expert. What has pushed you in the direction of movie making?

I have always felt that I have a movie, movies even, in me.

Movie making is something I have always wanted to do as my own little contribution to the growth of the sector and the entertainment industry in general. I have always been around creative people who, I believe, are so many in this country. Being part of the advertising industry brings me in close contact with them and I have learnt a few tricks of the trade.

However, it has taken me this long to give life to the idea because I wanted something close to the ideal in terms of those and what to work with. I was glad when I met Charles Uwagbai, a young and forward- lookingdirector, who had previously worked on a number of successful movies. Uwagbai and I coproduced Breathless. My interaction with him convinced me that we were on to a winner.

He is a very capable director and shares with me the idea that the

L-R: Dr. Segun Ebitanmi, Chief Operating Officer, Outreach Group of Hospitals, Dr. Efunbo Dosekun, and Chief Executive Officer, Outreach Medical Services, Dr. Motilewa Elizabeth, Community Health Officer, at the launch of Fever in Children campaign held in Lagos. industry can further progress if we do a few more things right.

Did you not consider the fact that poor professionalism in the movie sector could hamper your dream?

I do think our movie industry deserves enormous applause and is unfairly criticised, mostly by those who think movie making is a picnic. I haven’t been in the

game for long, but I can tell you that it is no cakewalk. My point is that those in the industry have been working with mile-high odds stacked against them. And in spite of these odds, they have succeeded in establishing Nigeria’s hegemony in film making around Africa and in immigrant enclaves of Europe and the Americas. They deserve

lavish praise, not denigration.

They deserve help, in terms of encouragement by all of us, not hindrance via wounding criticisms.

I admit there is a room for improvement and that is not exclusive to Nollywood.

Whatever cannot be improved upon is not desirable.

What Breathless seeks to do is to join that movement to spark greater improvement in movie making. This is evident when you see the movie. We chose TierA cast and crew. The equipment is top-tier. The locations are stunning; the performances, simply wonderful.

What type of film is Breathless?

Breathless is a fascinating story of sibling rivalry, love, lust, murder and revenge. The story is tightly written, the movie well shot, the performances, as I said earlier, were stellar. As for the performances, you should not expect anything less from the lead stars (Mike Ezuruonye, Uti Nwachukwu and Bimbo Manuel), who are leading names in the industry. Attestation to the sterling performances were

given by Africa’s most prestigious movie awards- the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) and Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), at which Mike and Uti received nominations on account of their performances in Breathless. Uti was nominated in the category of Best Actor in a Supporting Role at AMAA, while Mike was nominated for Best Actor in Drama (TV Series) at the 2016 AMVCA. Why did you choose Ezuruonye, Nwachukwu and Bimbo Manuel?

I am of the opinion that you’d struggle to find a Nigerian movie fan, who’d argue that the CVs of these three gentlemen are unimpressive. But more than their resumes, Charles and I sat down to consider the characters in the movie and the actors who’d be the right fit for each role. That process took in many names and we checked their profiles for suitability for the roles to be assigned. Tedious work, I tell you. But at the end of the day, we found what we were looking for and they all delivered grippingly terrific performances.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Farm school ‘rescued’ from street urchins, armed gangs

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he story of the Farm Settlement Primary School, first built in 1978, is intriguing.

The authorities had conceived of a primary school to serve poor communities located in the outskirts of Ikorodu, the Lagos twin city which is now home to over two million people, many of whom live in slums and shanties.

The school has over 1,000 pupils, showcasing the grimiest images of poverty, with several of the pupils going to school barefooted, many unable to afford lunch.

The past was significantly traumatic. Over 200 pupils clustered in one room meant for barely 40. Six pupils perched on a set of wobbly tables and chairs.

Daily, the teachers scrambled to teach in the midst of the chaos.

In spite of the terrifying conditions poor children had no alternative. Enthusiasm to enroll in the school jumped into three digits all time high, no thanks to the displacement of families mostly from the North, due to Islamic insurgence and the crisis in the Maghreb region. Most see Lagos as the irresistible nectar.

For instance, one of the pupils told our correspondent that her parents were killed after a night ambush by Boko Haram in the North. She had to relocate to Lagos to meet her unemployed uncle. The best the uncle could do was to enroll her at the public school which is virtually free.

A flashback to the old ways of the school is a nightmare, an incubus dream that the pupils replay with anguish. Imagine: On a Monday morning, after the school’s time keeper had

slammed the bells, pupils rushed to the assembly to take instructions from cane-wielding teachers. But instead of marching to their classrooms, the pupils would first need to clear dunghills of human faeces left behind by street urchins and armed gangs who derived odd glee in converting the school into a red light district as soon as the pupils closed for the day. At weekends the situation was shoddier. Gangsters virtually lived on the vulnerable vast land on which the school is sited.

“Almost every morning, we had to pack human faeces. It was a shame. My friends laughed at me. They asked me why should they play with me when I used my hands to carry human faeces”, Mathew, a primary six pupil told our correspondent shortly before the Ford Foundation gave hope to a despairing community. There were other chilling accounts. One morning, Angela, a little girl of 7, discovered a pack of strange ‘tiny slippery nylons.’ She thought the items were nice or at best looked like some children goodies.

At first she was thrilled. She took them home to show her parents. They turned out to be used condoms, left behind by hoodlums who had either raped some girls or used the place as a sex hub the previous night.

“I almost had heart attack when my child brought home some condoms with what looked like thick layers of semen,” the terrified mother said.

The school had no fence. On weekends, armed street gangs invaded the school. “They do so

•The newly built Farm Settlement Primary School can kill” one of the pupils who sighted the gun Ford Foundation West Africa Rep, Mr said. An official Innocent Chukwuma, Mrs Yemisi Akinadeniyi said at the time of and Lagos SSG, Mr Tunji Bello after cutting the discovery, the gun was loaded. the tape to open the new classrooms A curious child could have pulled the trigger. also on week days. They came Mr Tunji Bello, the Secretary in tens, armed with dangerous to the Lagos State Government, weapons”, the school’s Head teacher, Mr Adewale Olukoga who attended the launching of told our correspondent. The the new look Farm Settlement classrooms were converted to Primary School, said the state is parties or a sex-pool. That was committed to dealing with the not enough. Armed gangs and upsurge in pupils’ enrolment, dare-devil robbers used the which shot up from 446,201 in 2008 to 479,256 in 2009, trend school as hideaway.

On one occasion, a pupil found analysts believe to have AK 47 in the classroom, Mr continued, through provision of Otunba Oduloye, the Local more schools and qualified Government Education Secretary teachers adding that Lagos said. He said the parents and staff remains the best in terms of were spellbound by the terrifying primary education in a country discovery. “It was the first time I of 170 million people out of which came close to a gun. I was told it 20 million of them live in Lagos.

Mr Innocent Chukwuma, the

Ford Foundation Representative for West Africa, speaking at the event, said his group is interested in public schools conceived to bring children from all backgrounds together to share fears and aspirations. “If the children of the rich are kept in different schools and these same rich students end up ruling the country tomorrow, they won’t understand the challenges of the society. This accounts partly for the social upheavals facing the country today,” he said.

The situation seems to have propelled Ford Foundation’s kind gesture. It began with the visit of Mrs Yemisi Akin Adeniyi, a staff of Ford Foundation, who had earlier highlighted the school’s plight.

In the intervention, six classrooms of world standards were provided, backed with modern furniture, six toilets built with red, bullet-proof bricks and borehole.

VANGUARD, SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016, 31

Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep record improved sales What is the lifespan of a tyre (2)

By Majemite Okome

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Kia models earn recognition from Strategic Vision, AutoPacific VSA K

IA Motors’ hard-earned reputation for delivering world-class quality and reliability across its model line was reinforced recently when Strategic Vision named it the highest quality brand under $26,000 in the research-based consultancy’s Total Quality Impact (TQI) study.

Leading the way for Kia were the Sorento and Carnival, which achieved the highest TQI scores in the mid-size CUV and minivan segments (in a tie), respectively.

“The latest Strategic Vision Total Quality Impact data is further proof of the ‘New Kia’s’ standing as a leader in design, quality, technology and value,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, Kia Motors America. “The Sorento and Carnival are prime examples of Kia’s commitment to surpassing consumers’ expectations in everything we do, and the Total Quality Impact recognition is especially gratifying as it represents the voice of our customers.”

Strategic Vision surveyed more than 39,000 new-car owners to select the winners of this year ’s Total Quality Impact awards. Owners surveyed praised the Sorento for its excellent value and premium interior design, while others gave the Carnival high marks for its innovative features, interior craftsmanship, and performance.

“Kia’s focus on design and technology has nurtured the belief that customers have in the thoughtfulness and quality of their products.” The Total Quality Award winners, and other well-performing models like the Optima, point to the success that Kia has had in this regard, said Alexander Edward, President, Strategic Vi-

sion.

In another development Kia Motors ranked highest among all popular brands in the 2016 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) and placed fifth overall in the industry – ahead of luxury brands such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. In addition, three of Kia’s world-class vehicles – the 2016 Soul, Optima and Carnival were named segment winners in the VSAs, which identify the most satisfying cars and automotive brands in the market.

“AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have become an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied owners are with their new vehicle, and we are thrilled to see the in-

credibly high level of satisfaction our customers are experiencing with our vehicles,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, Kia Motors America. “The Soul, Optima and Sedona are all expertly crafted vehicles and represent just how far the Kia brand has come.”

AutoPacific’s VSAs identify the most satisfying vehicles for sale in the U.S. market and assist new-car buyers in making informed vehicle purchase decisions. The results are based on responses to over 65,000 surveys completed by owners of new, model year 2015 and 2016 vehicles.

The survey measures owner satisfaction through numerous attributes ranging from interior comfort and convenience to fuel economy and performance.

Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler record improved sales

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HE Chrysler Group now known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles after the Fiat-Chrysler merger, has extended its amazing run of year over year gains, with May 2016 marking the 74th consecutive month where the brands combined to move more units globally than they had the same month, one year earlier. It was a slight improvement from May 2015 to May 2016, with the company improving by just 1%, but with around 3,200 more vehicles sold last month – the streak has continued.

In the statistics for May 2016 the company basically put all of their hopes in their large car, minivan, truck and SUV offerings, ignoring (for now) the critical compact and midsized sedan segment. Apparently, this plan seems to be working quite well.

Best Monthly Sales Ever for Jeep Jeep was the only brand from the Chrysler core group to post positive growth in May 2016, but with an improvement of 14% to 90,545 vehicles sold – May 2016 was the best sales

month in the history of the brand. May marks the 32nd straight month where the Jeep brand has posted year over year growth and the Trail Rated brand has really played the biggest role in the company’s streak of 74 months.

In May 2016, the Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Compass both posted their best sales months ever, combining for more than 20,000 units sold. The Jeep Patriot was up 19% and the Grand Cherokee was up 4%, while the Cherokee and the Wrangler both saw sales decline compared to the same month last year. However, Wrangler was the company’s bestselling non-truck vehicle, with 19,551 units sold.

Larger Cars and SUVs Share the Spotlight As mentioned above, the Jeep Grand Cherokee was up 4% in May and it was joined by the Dodge Durango, which improved by 2% last month. In addition to the growth from those large SUVs, the Dodge Charger improved by 5% and the Chrysler 300 improved by 38%, so the large sedans are selling well amidst the many rumors of the next generation models. Also, with 8,142 units sold, the Charger was the company’s bestselling car.

NVIRONMENTAL conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, as well as poor storage and infrequent use, accelerates the aging process. In ideal conditions, a tyre may have a life expectancy that exceeds ten years from its date of manufacture. However, such conditions are rare.

Aging may not exhibit any external indications and, since there is no non-destructive test to assess the serviceability of a tyre, even an inspection carried out by a tyre expert may not reveal the extent of any deterioration.”

More recently, the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommended practice, states, “Customers are encouraged to have their vehicle tyres promptly inspected after five years of use to determine if the tyres can continue to be used (recommends spare tyres be inspected as well). Furthermore, even when the tyres look usable, it is recommended that all tyres (including spare tyres) that were made more than ten years ago be replaced with new tyres. Additionally, because in some cases automobile makers— based on the characteristics of the relevant vehicle—stipulate in the owner’s manual the timing of tyre inspection and replacement.

Please read and confirm the content of the owner’s manual.”

Several European vehicle manufacturers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans identify that “under no circumstances should tyres older than 6 years be used” in their vehicle owner ’s manual. However, it should be noted that European recommendations must include driving conditions that include roads like the German Autobahn, which allows vehicles to be

It is clear, tyres should have an expiration date. Older tyres are substantially more likely to fail than newer ones

legally driven at their top speeds for extended periods of time.

While American driving conditions don’t include the high-speed challenges of the German Autobahn, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors have joined their European colleagues by recommending that tyres installed as Original Equipment be replaced after six years of service.

It is important to take into account Original Equipment tyres are mounted on wheels and put into service right after being received by vehicle manufacturers, so their calendar age begins immediately. However the same cannot be said of tyres properly stored in a tyre manufacturers’ warehouse or in Tyre Rack distribution centers before they go into service.

Properly stored tyres that are protected from the elements and not mounted on a wheel age very slowly before they are mounted and put into service.

Our experience has been that when properly stored and cared for, most street tyres have a useful life in service of between six to ten years. And while part of that time is spent as the tyre travels from the manufacturing plant to the manufacturer’s distribution center, to the retailer and to you, the remainder is the time it spends on your vehicle.

•Okome, is an Auto Engineer. 08066230187

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

Cecilia Oma-Williams retirement in style

celebrates

60, 3 southeast First Ladies

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t was a day of joy and merriment for the entire household of Dr Olu Oma-Williams when the mother of the house, th Mrs Cecilia Oma-Williams celebrated her 60 birthday. In fact, it was a double celebration as the was also used to celebrate her retirement from the Federal Ministry of Education, where she retired at a director’s level. A Thanksgiving held at St Peter Claver Catholic Church, Ajao Estate, Lagos to commemorate the occasions. Photos by Diran Oshe

L- R: Mrs Naomi Omokoro, Mrs Teju Thompson, Miss Mary Oma- Williams, Dr Olu Oma Williams, Mrs Cecilia Enivwenaye Oma- Williams, celebrant and Otunba Tunde Thompson

L- R: Miss Mary Oma- Williams, Dr Olu Oma Williams, husband, Mrs Cecilia Enivwenaye OmaWilliams, celebrant and Revd. Fr. Hyginus Nwanze

The celebrant with her friends, dancing

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grace school opening in Lagos THREE First Ladies of Imo State, Enugu State and Abia State were among the dignitaries that graced the opening of Blooming Greens School in Lagos recently. The school, owned by Mrs Susan Yamah, is an upscale school with top of the range modern teaching facilities in cosy environment. At least, presence of three First Ladies attest to the sophistication of the school.

Mrs Cecilia Enivwenaye celebrant.

Oma- Williams,

L-R: Abia State First Lady, Nkechi Ikpeazu, Enugu State First Lady, Monica Ugwuanyi, CEO/ Proprietress, Mrs Susan Yamah, Imo State Firt Lady, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, Mr Babatunde Yamah and son, Ewemhe.

Mr & Mrs John Mafeni and Amb. Eidan Arhawarien .

CEO/Proprietress, Mrs Susan Yamah, conducting the First Ladies round the school.

L- R: Mrs Linda Eboreome, VP, FGC, Ogbomoso, Mrs Bol Enadeghe, VP, FGC, Ogbomoso, Mrs Cecillia Enivwenaye Oma- Williams, celebrant and Dr. (Mrs ) O . V. Ochuba, Director /Principal, FGC, Ogbomoso.

L-R: Dr Ebere Ezewuji, proprietoress' son, Ewemhe and husband, Mr Babatunde Yamah

Send-of or Delta S tat e outgoing Head of Ser vice Send-offf ffor Stat tate Service

t was a gathering of top civil servants in Delta State recently when a send-off ceremony was organised in honour of Mr. Patrick Origho, out-going Head of Service, Delta State at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba. Both serving and retired permanent secretaries dominated the list of guests at the event. Photos by Nath Onojake

L-R: Mr. O.P Origho, his wife, Mary and Mr. Edwin Eddy -Ogidi Gbegbaje, Permanent Secretary, Govt. House and Protocols.

Cross section of retired permanent secretaries

L-R: Mr. S.E. Omekeh, guest speaker, Mr. Reginard Bayoko, Head of Service, DeltaState and Chief P.I.J Onyeobi, Iyase of Asaba.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 33

What will be Buhari’s legacy? (2) “The main essentials of a successful [President] are sleep and a sense of history.”

Harold Wilson, British Prime Minister, 1977. ilson, Labor Party leader in the 1970s had left the world with a sentence carved on stone – “A week is a long time in politics.”

He also left this advice which none of our national leaders had heeded until now – the need for a sense of history. If I had my life to live all over again, History would have been the subject of choice – not Economics.

That, notwithstanding, it is still my strong belief that every leader requires a strong sense of history as a guide to making decisions.

Plutarch, c46-120 BC, one of the greatest historians ever to grace the earth, wrote a series on leaders whose reigns were similar in many respects despite ruling in different countries and different times. From it, one can quickly grasp the message, that in some ways every leader mirrors the life of another one in the past. In Africa, Milton Obote of Uganda also ruled twice and was bundled out twice. “Not fire, nor walls of iron can hinder fate”, said Pindar, c518- 438 BC.

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(VAGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 57). Buhari’s history as leader of Nigeria started in December 31, 1983 – it continues now. History would record that he thrown out by the same supporters who brought him to power. Will that history be repeated?

At the moment, his legacy is under attack from six angles – the PDP, the Militants, Muslim religious fanatics, the military officers whose “godfathers” are being rubbished, his foes within APC, and surprisingly, his “friends” within APC. For now, this column will focus on his “friends”. Why? Because, “The enemies you should fear are those who smile [at you]”. (Rosenblatt, VBQ, p 48).

Certainly, President Buhari had been getting a lot of sleep in London. It is doubtful, however, if he had time to read any history books – with so many visitors from Nigeria being photographed with him.

Yet, his government is on the verge of making history with scant regard for economics and the warning

by Karl Marx, 1818-1883, who warned that “Men make history, but not just as

Do not fear,do what you think is right "If you would convince a man that he does wrong, do right.

But do not care to convince him.

Men will believe what they see. Let them see." —Henry David Thoreau

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he look of hunger on the emaciated child in the newspaper was shocking and more shocking that it is not a child from the usual drought-stricken country. No, it is not, this picture was a Nigerian child.

Who would believe that over 1,200 people have died of starvation and illness recently at an aid camp in Nigeria.

This child is one of the thousands of displaced people who fled the terror in the north-east of Nigeria.

According to the medical charity, Medecins San Frontieres(MSF) who are attending to the sick and the dying in the camp,there are too many people in the camp dying of acute malnutrition.

Let this sink in:we have refugee camps in Nigeria. It is shocking and tragic .

The MSF reported that there are at least 24,000 people,including 5,000 children,sheltering in the camp located in a hospital compound in Bama. Out of C M Y K

that number, nearly 200 people have died of starvation as a result of fleeing from the insurgents in Bama.

Boko Haram had decimated the city causing death and destruction for six months until it was liberated by the army from the deadly grip of the terrorists in March 2015.

The NIMBY (not in my back yard) crowd have to wake up and realise that this catastrophe is right at their doorstep and it is not in a farflung country yet,it seems that the powers that be are not addressing this disaster and giving it the priority that it deserves. If it happened in Bama, it can happen anywhere in the country and one would hope that regardless of where this tragedy is taking place,help should be expedited in reaching those in need. It is interesting that a lot of religious bodies are not campaigning to get aids to this places that need help.

Many of the refugees have lost their family, homes, livelihood, childhood and they have fled to these refugee camps within the borders of Nigeria and neighbouring

they please.” (VBQ, p 93).

When the President was away (many of the old school would remember the wisecrack “When the cat is away, the mice would play”), his assistants were launching a barrage of give-away programmes, chiefly, the Free Food programme and the engagement of 500,000 teachers. There was also the launch of yet another N90 billion bail-out for states by the Federal Minister for Finance who acts as if we have a unitary government instead of a Federal Republic.

Let me quickly point out the absurdity inherent in the N90 billion bail-out packages. Given 36 states, the total package comes down to N2.5 billion per state when already most of the states owe their staff over four months salaries, entitlements, unpaid pensions several times that amount. What then would N2.5 billion solve? It will certainly add another debt burden to those which cannot now be discharged.

And, in the end Buhari will be blamed for not minding his own business.

This column started last week analyzing the implications, particularly problems, associated with the Free Meals initiative – cost being one of them. The logistics of getting food to the remotest villages on a daily basis is another; and, it is doubtful that those costs have been included in the estimates. Already, most of the states had disclaimed the programme. Those who launched the Free Meal programme had announced that Abuja would provide sixty (60) per cent of the funds and the states forty (40) per cent.

The almost total disclaimer

by the states had forced Mr Laolu Akande, the spokesman for the Vice President to back track from that position. So, as far as the states are concerned, Abuja will bear the total cost – including logistics whose estimates are still unknown.

All these promises are being made against the background of dwindling revenue and rising food prices. Meanwhile, with the inevitable drought this year, and the national crop failure being expected, food prices will escalate further as we approach year end. Has anybody in that government made appropriate allowances for all these in the approved budget?

The questions are important because if Government fails to deliver on this programme this year and subsequent years, it will be Buhari’s failure – not that of his Advisers. They will walk away, just as Ministers and Advisers walked away in 1985 when he was sent packing. There is more to say on this programme as time goes on; so permit me to stop for now with a warning. As usual, I intend at my own expense to travel to some states listed to benefit from this programme later in the year. Our readers can be rest assured of an honest report.

countries but it seems that they have fled from frying pan to fire. I have said in the past that more needs to be done for people fleeing this terror and that many of this people are likely to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorders and that the displaced would need a coordinated financial and psychological support.

Frankly, this new development is shameful and it does send a message that people do not matter as much as they should. It is depressing to know that in these camps,as many as one in five children are suffering from extreme malnutrition.

The Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) does accept the dire conditions in Bama was as a result of the fighting between the military and the Boko Haram insurgency and that the people who are ill at the camp have recently arrived in Bama from isolated areas that have become battlefields between the military and the insurgents.

The spokesperson said :"Because they've been in communities that were cut off without access, they couldn't get food and medical supplies in those locations".

Every Nigerian life matters yet, the past government misappropriated funds intended for curbing the activities of the insurgents, which meant that BH was able to maintain a seven year reign of terror that left over 20,000 people dead and more than two million people displaced. That is seven years too long to endure the vile activities of the insurgents.

This human disaster is

reminiscent of the past and now in 2016,the tragedy is real and on a daily basis the people in these camps are burying their dead;the young,the old and the vulnerable on a daily basis and the most vulnerable are too weak from hunger,succumbing to opportunistic illnesses and as many as 30 die a day from hunger or illness in a country where few have too much and many have not enough to sustain life. The intervention is from charity overseas so where are the Nigerian help and what are the plans to help address

MAKING JOKE OF A SERIOUS MATTER. “A rich man’s jokes are always funny.” Thomas Browne, 1605-1682.

Launching a monumental programme like Free Meals for millions of kids even in China with over 300 million of them should be serious business. And many of the dignitaries, as well as Fellow Nigerians watching expected the event to be treated as such. But, it soon turned into something else.

Two

The intervention is from charity overseas so where are the Nigerian help and what are the plans to help address this human tragedy on Nigerian soil? this human tragedy on Nigerian soil? It was only with the help of the military that the MSF has been able to reach Bama and help attend to those in dire need.

"This is the first time MSF has been able to access Bama but we already know the needs of the people there are beyond critical. And Ghada Hatim, MSF head of mission in Nigeria said :"We are treating malnourished children in medical facilities in Maiduguri and see the trauma on the faces of our patients who have

eminently rich men took turns to entertain the audience to rib-cracking jokes. Governors, as every Nigerian knows, are filthy rich. The pun is intended.

They were two Governors from the Northwest and Southwest. For some reason, everything funny occurs on the Western part of Nigeria, including the

At the moment, his legacy is under attack from six angles – the PDP, the Militants, Muslim religious fanatics, the military officers whose “godfathers” are being rubbished, his foes within APC, and surprisingly, his “friends” within APC. For now, this column will focus on his “friends”.

Why? Because, “The enemies you should fear are those who smile at you clown who talks rubbish everyday while owing five months salaries. The tragedies blow in from the East – Boko Haram, murderous herdsmen and the scourge of PDP. Although the Northwest Governor spoke second, but, his was low comedy and justifiably received only mild and polite applause. He should have witnessed and survived many horrors" The government has to do better, there should be a robust plan to ensure that the displaced people are given the immediate help that they need and plans in place to resettle the displaced people and rebuild the towns and cities,give start ups for businesses to return, schools and health structures in the areas that were destroyed by the marauders.It is not going to be an easy process but action is needed to ensure that people can begin the healing and have some semblance of normality.

Better in than out They say be careful what you wish for:you might just get it. The UK has delivered a blow to the European Union and on the 24th of June,has marginally voted to part ways with EU after 48 years.This decision has cost the Prime Minister, David Cameron his job and he has told the British people, that he will step down in October. The EU is an economic and political union which was established in 1951 and it initially consisted of six countries and currently has 28 members. One of the sources of discontent for the Leave group was that the EU can impose laws on member countries, but it is up to individual nations to implement them. David Cameron had promised to hold a referendum when campaigning for the reelection of the conservative party in the 2015 general

spoken first. But, he had this to say.

He claimed to feed 1.6 million kids in his state while spending N318 million every week, or N1.272 billion a month.

He expected applause and he got it. Trust some busybodies like Yours truly, they quickly did some research discovered that 30%, 40% and 39.8% of the state’s revenue allocation must have gone to feeding the kids alone in that state in November , December 2015 and January 2016. Yet the allocations for those months were higher than what the state collects now.

For April 2016, the state must have spent almost 50% of its revenue just feeding kids? Do you think it is “unbelievable”? Yes it is!

So another detective work was needed. We called sources in Zaria who linked us with the head teacher in a Shi’ite primary school to find out if free food was being served. No, said the contact. In fact if food came from the Governor, it would be regarded by them as “haram”. That means poison, if you don’t know.

Calls to school teachers in Zonkwa and Pambeguwa yielded the same response.

So, where are the 1.6 million kids eating up the NW state’s budget? With friends like this…

Next week, you will read the classical joke, which brought down the roof, by the Southwest Governor who had been feeding kids on money the state doesn’t have. Even Jesus feeding thousands started with five loaves and two fishes. Our “Governor Divine” of the Southwest feeds over two hundred thousands kids without a kobo. Don’t go away…. election. There has been a growing number of Euroskeptics in his party and across the country and in particular, the resentment that the EU can impose laws and the increasing influx of EU migrants in to the UK.The vote on whether to leave the EU - referred to as the Brexit will have a wide-ranging impact on the global economy as well as the internal politics of the U.K. One of the main tenets of the EU was the free movement of labour and the UK has benefited greatly as result, but in the time of recession the foreigners always get the blame. The number of strong nationalistic and divisive elements has risen and for those who voted to leave,the anti-immigration agenda was touted unashamedly and there may be a contagion of such elements in other European countries and it will affect businesses, political relationships, domestic and international policies and it will affect the Nigeria diaspora as the sentiments whipped up is very divisive with a xenophobic agenda and in time we will see how that impacts Nigerians home and abroad.

Although the outcome is not legally binding but now that the "leave" side has won, it is now up to the Parliament to repeal the 1972 act that authorised the U.K. to join the bloc. For a lot of people who think that it is better to go it alone, then it is important to watch the aftermath of this monumental and seismic outcome. This will have a knock-on effect on many lives inside and outside the UK.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

The sad siege at the Federal Ministry of Finance

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ast week, the Federal Ministry of Finance was effectively blocked for at least 3days from performing any of its duties.

The act was carried out by the Ministry’s workers who were protesting the nonpayment of what they called Special overtime allowances “due” to them.

What greatly infuriated the workers was that the minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun allegedly ignored their demands hence they decided to show her their raw power. They locked the minister out of her office for two consecutive days which forced her to stay away from the premises. When it became clear that the workers were adamant, the minister appeared in the office to meet with them on the third day. As soon as the protesting workers saw the convoy of the minister, they rushed to the gate to prevent her from gaining access to the ministry.

Among the slogans they shouted were “Adeosun must go, she must go,” and

“ we want change, give us change.” For about ten minutes, the workers prevented the minister from gaining access to the ministry as they insisted that she must address them right at the gate before she could go in. After the law enforcement agents prevailed on the angry workers for about ten minutes, Adeosun alighted from her vehicle and was asked by the workers to walk into the ministry on foot which she did.

That the minister was so humiliated would probably not bother many people because all over the world protesting workers often exhibit such ample exuberance. The pain for the rest of the country is the undisputed fact that the demand of the workers is illegal based on the following. First, no staff of the ministry or the related offices of the AccountantGeneral of the Federation and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, is owed any salary which

PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758

means the demand is not about salary which is a right. Second, the payment of what the protesting staff called a Special Overtime was stopped by the last administration in 2014 on the ground that it was not listed in any extant government Circular, Financial Regulations or the Public Service Rules which renders both the current demand and all previous payments illegal.

Third, the sum of N1.2 billion computed by the staff union for payment being illegal was not budgeted for in 2016.

Unfortunately, the workers did not contest the illegality of their demand; instead they hinged it on past practices. Their Chairman, Ade Olaniyi told the media

It is this viewpoint which in earnest makes the siege on the ministry a sad development for Nigeria.

To start with, what type of change do the workers want? Is it change that keeps certain people benefiting from sharp practices? If not, why are the workers unwilling to drop illegal claims so that Nigeria can positively change? In any case, it is obvious that the concept of overtime in a Nigerian Ministry which is essentially a bureaucracy is irrational because a typical Ministry does not do enough work let alone to get involved in long hours of duty that necessitate overtime claims. All panels set up in Nigeria in the last four decades into the Public service are unanimous in their findings that our public bodies are overemployed. To idle about for the better part of a month only to purport to spend “long” hours at the tail end of the month compiling a monthly figure is in our opinion an abuse of the concept of overtime. If the large crowd that held up Adeosun use overtime to accomplish their routine

revolutionised boxing with his incredible skills, resilience and mesmerising footwork while in the ring. Ali did what no previous boxer before him had done: he predicted the round in which he would knock out his opponents - and he was right most of the time.

For Ali, boxing is a “sweet

crew gave flimsy excuses as to why he lost. Moreover, the unbelievable brutality of “Thriller in Manila,” a confrontation in which Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier pummelled each other until the latter could not come out for the fifteenth round demonstrated that Ali

If however political appointees like Ministers get such huge housing allowance as alleged by the workers, President Buhari must come in there to scale it down to suit the times

Inexhaustibility of the phenomenon called Muhammad Ali

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he unprecedented number of tributes to the greatest sportsperson of all time, Muhammad Ali, who died earlier this month might create the erroneous impression in certain quarters that enough has been said about this remarkable human being such that there is no need for more eulogies at this time. But given Ali’s phenomenal achievements not just as an athlete but also as a civil rights activist and philanthropist, people will continue to talk about him for a long time to come. In fact, I am convinced that the supremely self-confident young Cassius Marcellus Clay who declared himself the greatest boxer that ever lived after knocking out Sonny Liston in 1964 to win the heavyweight boxing championship of the world was to boxing what Albert Einstein was to physics and Bertrand Russell to philosophy.

Virtually everyone who followed his boxing career until he finally retired in 1981 would concur that he was the most handsome and most humane pugilist in the world.

Therefore, it is proper that Ali’s funeral ceremonies were beamed live to a global audience through cable television. Now, as I watched and listened with rapt

attention former President Bill Clinton and others pay tribute to the fallen hero, I was surprised that hot tears started flowing from my eyes. My admiration for Muhammad Ali began in 1974 after he knocked out George Foreman to regain the heavyweight boxing title stripped from him seven years earlier for refusing to fight in the Vietnam War. It was consolidated after the veteran sports journalist, Chuka Momah, through his television series, brought the greatest fights of Ali into the homes of Nigerians. The title bouts of Mohammad Ali that made the greatest impact on me were the ones he described eponymously as the “Rumble in the Jungle” and “Thriller in Manila.” I have watched both fights so many times on ESPN such that I can see in my mind’s eye at anytime the most incredible display of boxing intelligence by any fighter ever.

From 1964 to 1981, Ali made heavyweight boxing a highly respected sport worldwide, despite the brutality, blood, pain and possibility of serious head injuries and death associated with pugilism. Millions of people who hated boxing or were indifferent began to like the sport because of the man who “floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.”

Muhammad Ali

that there was never a time the allowance which the staff had enjoyed for over 22 years was captured in the budget explaining that it was the extra money made from the target given to FIRS that was given to the mother ministry.

science” or, more accurately, a harmonious combination of science and artistry. For boxers like Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and, much later, Mike Tyson, boxing is all about overwhelming your opponent with menacing stares, powerful punches and brute force. But Ali’s style was deliciously different. To begin with, he saw boxing as a sport with soul, rhythm and poetry, a matter of more brain and less brawn. This is amply demonstrated in his brilliant poems and witticisms.

Second, before a fight (and on several occasions when the fight was still on) Ali would taunt and talk to his opponents. This is as much a defence mechanism as it is an attempt to boost selfconfidence in himself. Third, Ali had the fastest pair of hands in any category of boxing: those quick hands, in my opinion, constitute one of the most lethal weapons in his boxing arsenal. Most crucially, Muhammad Ali was the master of boxing improvisation. The rope-adope strategy he deployed to neutralise the awesome punching power of George Foreman before knocking him out in the eighth round is a textbook example of how a thinking but less powerful fighter can overcome a more deadly puncher, although afterwards Foreman and his

Ali’s greatness was also evident in the way he lived with dignity and grace despite his affliction with Parkinson’s disease.

Overall, he endured his illness with stoic equanimity, although sometimes the boxing genius vented his frustrations on close family members and relatives was one of the most resilient boxers the world has ever known. Some commentators argue, and plausibly too, that the fight in Manila was partly responsible for the poor health suffered by both men in later years. Still, most boxing historians would rank it as one of the greatest boxing events in history.

In his tribute to “The Greatest,” George Foreman stated that restricting Ali’s greatness to his boxing career is an injustice. Most people would agree with that proposition. Indeed, if Ali were a philosopher, he would likely be a theistic existentialist. Like all genuine existentialists, Ali affirmed his authentic individuality by sticking to his principles even when it was unpopular to do so. As already indicated, he refused to join the United States army and fight in Vietnam War because,

schedule, what do they do during normal working hours? Parastatals which have daily targets may talk about overtime work but even that can be taken care of by the shift system of work. Overtime claims by Ministries are largely fake.

It is indeed instructive that monies earmarked by Finance workers to meet their overtime claims is the effort of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) because it is the excess of its revenue target that the “mother ministry ” occasionally shares to workers in the finance sector. Being finance operatives that are good at casting sub-heads, they call it Special Overtime (SOT).

Ministries in which the latter surreptitiously divert resources generated by the former under the guise of imaginary supervision. I recall in my days in government that our public enlightenment scope waned because broadcast stations especially radio were poorly funded. But our “mother ministry” seized N300 million in the budget to ‘renovate’ the ministry located in Radio House, Garki, Abuja; which Radio Nigeria the real landlord of the building did not get for its main operations.

Going by the clamour of the finance workers that revenue in excess of target raised not by them but by FIRS can be appropriated by them because FIRS is their child, the term mother ministry cannot but be dysfunctional to national development. It is because bureaucracy has been found world-wide to slow down governance that Parastatals are created to quickly execute public projects. As of fact their enabling laws hardly tie them to the apron strings of ministries as many bureaucrats opine; rather the law often empowers a Minister not Ministry to give certain directives to specified Parastatals.

Government therefore needs to examine the relationship between Parastatals and

An issue raised by Finance workers which we must not gloss over is that Minister Adeosun gets N30million housing allowance while refusing to pay workers their SOT. First, the comparison is inappropriate because SOT is not housing allowance. In addition, since monetisation policy has since been incorporated workers’ salaries they cannot generate other subheads on the same subject.

If however political appointees like Ministers get such huge housing allowance as alleged by the workers, President Buhari must come in there to scale it down to suit the times. On her part, Minister Adeosun should raise the target of the FIRS, ensure that all revenues get into the Treasury Single Account and disallow all illegal claims. That would be positive change.

according to him, he has no quarrel with any Vietnamese, and none of them had called him a nigger. He paid dearly for his decision. Nevertheless, he remained resolute until the US Supreme Court annulled the withdrawal of his boxing license, which enabled him to return to the ring once again.

Remarkably, in a society where Islam is anathema for millions of people, “The Greatest” converted to the religion and changed his name to Muhammad Ali from his slave name, Cassius Marcellus Clay. This singular rebellious act is not just an affirmation to be who he wanted to be, it is a poignant rejection of the domineering white supremacist establishment that professed Christianity and, yet, supported the most atrocious racial discrimination of the twentieth century. Evidently, Ali lived by his own principles on his own terms in order to justify his unshakable belief in the beauty, resilience and dignity of the black person. In affirming his authentic black individuality, “The greatest” transcended his blackness and boxing, which provided him the platform for the incredible influence he had on people worldwide. He made an impact as a diplomat, humanitarian and as an ambassador of peace globally.

In his hometown, Louisville, Kentucky, ordinary people testify to his kindness, his humanity and humour. No one in any sport truly deserves the title “The People’s Champion” more than Muhammad Ali does.

Ali’s greatness was also evident in the way he lived with dignity and grace despite his affliction with Parkinson’s disease. Overall, he endured his illness with stoic equanimity, although sometimes the boxing genius vented his frustrations on close family members and relatives.

That is quite understandable.

In his heydays as a boxer, Ali was the epitome of wit,

quickness, loquacity and strength: to be weighed down by an incurable health challenge after such a glittering boxing adventure would have broken ordinary mortals. But, true to his heroic nature, iron will and determination, Ali did not indulge in self pity or regret taking up boxing as a career.

His attitude is an inspiration to all those living with one health issue or another.

Like all geniuses, Ali did not pay adequate attention to raising a stable family. As an incredibly handsome and wealthy boxer, many women must have been soliciting for his attention - it would be unrealistic to expect him not to succumb occasionally. Ali married four times: some of his relationships took a heavy toll on his private life.

Children of great human beings rarely achieve the eminence of their parents.

“The greatest” was not an exception: his only son, Muhammad Ali (Jnr.), is an obscure fellow who sometime ago was reportedly living in poverty whereas one of his daughters, Leila Ali, is a talented boxer who can never get to the level her father achieved in boxing.

Muhammad Ali was a giant among giants. If Ali had lived about seven thousand years ago, he would have been worshipped as a God because he personified the Platonic Form of Boxing, and the inexhaustibility of inspiration that flows from his life places him in the pantheon of immortals. The best those of us who admire Ali can do is to live “dangerously,” that is, authentically, and remain true to who we are and what we believe in, knowing full well that one day we must die. We should stop counting the days and start making the days count.

My sincerest condolences to the family and close relatives of the greatest sports personality of all time, Muhammed Ali.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 35

rexmarinus@hotmail.com

EFCC and freezing accounts

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) strikes yet again: this time, the target is Mr. Ayo Fayose, the irrepressible governor of Ekiti State. Reports say the commission has “frozen” his accounts. The EFCC is very fond of “freezing” the bank accounts and records of those whom it is just investigating before bringing them to court.

Should the EFFC be allowed to do that by law?

The recent move also throws up an important question: does the EFCC have the power to freeze the bank accounts of the governor of a state? In short, should the commission be allowed the power to compel banks to put a hold or garnish the accounts of its customers as a result of investigations, by just going secretly before a judge, and obtaining a warrant ex parte, which jeopardizes the rights of the accused and the integrity of the investigations?

I have never understood this business of “freezing” individual’s accounts because they are under investigation, when all it could take, since it is merely investigation is to tag the accounts; continue to monitor or surveil its operations, and by that means gather incontrovertible evidence through bank records and evidence of transactions without alerting those under

investigation.

To freeze the accounts should mean that the EFCC has fully obtained judgment that would not only mean forfeiture of said property garnished. In other words, the freezing of an account must come only after a judgment has been entered indicating guilt. An account, even while still open, can still be material evidence, and should only be garnished only at the orders of a court when a prima facie case has been established in court.

But I’m prepared to abide in some ways with that practice, if it is given a modicum of legitimacy, and that is to say, the EFCC does not in its own right have the power, outside of the proper authority given by a judge in an open court, to order a bank to put its customer’s account on a temporary hold pending judgment in an established case.

It would be a terrible kind of power for a department of government to have the power to approach a judge secretly and obtain an order of restriction on the property of a citizen which it is only investigating without showing proper cause. And I do not know what lawyers say about all these, but as a citizen conscious of the boundaries that are in-built in the theory of the state, and the separation of the powers of the state as a matter of fact, the only power in the land that can authorize, or that should have the power

to authorize the hold on a citizen’s property, until provable grounds compels possession of such a property by the state, is the power of a judge obtained in an open court.

Such a warrant must be obtained in the presence of a lawyer acting for the potential victim, and only after a compelling case or grounds for such temporary seizure has been clearly or unambiguously proved, should a judge or Magistrate issue an order of temporary seizure, which is what I understand the phrase, “freezing an account,” means. In sum, from where I stand, and I hope it is the stance of the law, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not have the powers, and should never be invested with the powers, to order any bank to freeze the accounts of a private citizen, even if such a bank account is the subject of an investigation and can be adduced in material evidence.

If by some means of legislative shortsightedness such a power was ever given in the Act of the Legislature that established the EFCC, it should be challenged in court as an illegal mandate of legislation, and repealed by the courts themselves, whose powers would have been so willfully appropriated as to render the courts impotent, and the citizen at risk and helpless, and incapable of seeking redress or the protection of the courts in the event of a possible witch-hunt by a single organ of government. No Act of parliament should authorize the overreach of any part of the institution of state outside of the intentions of the constitution establishing the functions of state and the powers of the government of the federation.

The constitution places the power of adjudication and the interpretation of the laws in

the hands of the judicial branch of the state. The police, as a law enforcement arm of the state, cannot act for the judge, or act, outside the authority of the constitution that established the courts of the land. I have on occasion seen very ridiculous and embarrassing reports in newspapers with such screaming headlines: “IG orders the arrest of so-and-so”

The EFCC cannot seize or freeze the governor’s bank without the Ekiti HOA first impeaching him.

Fayose, by the definition of the federal law, is a head of government, not inferior in status to the president, and must be accorded the dignity, protocol, and protection of his office, until the EFCC produces very damning evidence from its own investigations

or “DG Immigration orders the arrest of those who have not returned their diplomatic passports.” As a matter of fact, I think occasionally, the press through its language, gives legitimacy to much illegality going on in government!

The IG has no constitutional powers to issue any orders arresting on any citizen. Such an order must be issued by a proper court which compels the Inspector General of police to effect the orders of the court to

My Fork or My Hand?

W

e all love the opportunity to dine out whether it is in a restaurant or at an event. It is so much fun eating in the right ambience, with the right people, in the right mood, this sets the tone for a great time out. There is always the opportunity to wine, dine and socialize given the numerous social events going on around us. This is the time where you will likely indulge yourself in eating all sorts of assorted dishes to playing it safe and eating only you are familiar with. As much as that sounds sensible, where is the fun and what experience would you have had if you are not adventurous enough to try something new? No matter the event many people tend to go for their favorite dish when asked, unless the dish looks somewhat attractive.

How safe do you play when you are out dining?

Do you use your imaginary fork or would you use your hand? You have just been served your favorite C M Y K

traditional delicacy, to enjoy the meal to its fullest instinctively you want to ask to wash your hands and get right into the meal. Are you right to use your hands or would you request for a knife and fork especially if you are in a formal environment?

Using etiquette to your advantage would mean don’t think twice, you ought to use you fork of course. Some others may argue that no matter where, they are going to divulge that meal the way they know best; with their hands. The real challenge is not in the method of how you complete that meal but the desire not to embarrass yourself from dripping oils and other unforeseen circumstances when you start eating. The truth really is in order to have a competitive advantage; it is a case of assessing your environment, the people you are with, others in your vicinity and the occurrence of the day.

Do you know how to navigate the tools of the table?

As a professional in the course of your career and as you climb up the corporate ladder you may have many opportunities to experience fine dining. This is an important area where you exhibit your executive presence, your interpersonal skills and your ability to engage in good networking skills.

Maintain rapport with those around you and tap

into building acquaintances and future partnerships.

Navigating the tools of the table is a skill that is learnt over night if you are willing.

It is not to be taken for granted when it matters most - because at this point any form of breach of etiquette can easily tarnish your image.

Once again imagine an executive dunking bread in his soup at a formal

detain in compliance with the provable demands under the criminal code, or release, as the case may be, where no evidence can be produced. The InspectorGeneral of police cannot issue an order of arrest on his own even in an emergency.

He must first obtain such an order from a court. Nor is the DG of immigration empowered to issue an order of arrest. He does not have that authority. He can simply apply to the courts to authorize the invalidation of diplomatic passports that are no longer warranted.

These are simple, civil actions in a society governed constitutionally.

But Nigerian institutions are still wired to the psychology of military rule where the law, and the courts that symbolized the sense of the rule of law, became no more than impotent rubber stamps of the military oligarchs.

The EFCC is a police organization specifically established by law to investigate financial crimes and bring criminals before a judge for trials, based on hard evidence obtained from careful investigation.

The current flap with Ayo Fayose indicates two things: either the EFCC has badly trained prosecutors and investigators, who show their hands too quickly in a case, or the law establishing the Commission is fundamentally defective. I think it is both. I was one of the few who spoke out against the law establishing the EFCC under Obasanjo.

The 4th Assembly which passed that law was railroaded, and it made the law that gave the president a tool for witch-hunt. In making that law, it overlooked certain modalities that should have made the EFCC truly independent. I had argued that the EFCC be placed under a reformed police

system, and the Nigerian Police itself, placed not under the president, or the Minister of the Interior, but under Justice with an Independent Attorney General who reports both to the president and the National Assembly, as should the Office of the AuditorGeneral of the Federation.

The EFCC in its current status could be used for witch-hunt, and this is exactly what seems to be the case in the Fayose case.

The EFCC cannot seize or freeze the governor’s bank without the Ekiti HOA first impeaching him. Fayose, by the definition of the federal law, is a head of government, not inferior in status to the president, and must be accorded the dignity, protocol, and protection of his office, until the EFCC produces very damning evidence from its own investigations, which it should pass along to the Ekiti State House of Assembly, which then must conduct its own internal investigations in order to commence, or not commence the impeachment of governor Fayose based on the highly impeachable offence of corruption.

But until that happens, the EFCC grows above its breeches in “freezing” the governor’s bank accounts. I have read Femi Falana’s rather obtuse position on this, and it rings very false. Falana seems to be part of a legal lynch-mob after Fayose, and it is important to alert Nigerians, that the Fayose case is most likely to brew into another “wild, wild west” if those after him for his political stances do not back off.

If there is a proven case of corruption, the EFCC should present such a case before the Ekiti House, which is the only body permitted by law to remove the governor ’s immunity, impeach him, and order his prosecution, at which point the EFCC can obtain the powers from a judge to freeze Fayose’s account.

gathering, instantly that executive sabotages his image negatively and leaves an impression of being unpolished. In such scenarios the best thing is to watch how others conduct themselves, if it looks sensible follow suit.

Today many organizations are realizing the need and importance of the fine dining experience to measure your judge of character and managerial decision abilities.

The whole idea is to see how you conduct yourself accordingly among a group of people. How do you create an impression that is acceptable among the people you are with?

Do you present yourself in an approachable manner enough for others to genuinely want to do business or engage in a relationship with you?

Simply put once you are seated you will see an army of cutlery on the table from knives, forks to spoon.

Do you know the correct tool to use from start to finish?

It does not matter whether you are left handed; your knife stays in your right hand while your fork stays in your left hand. Exceptions to this are when you decide to

dine the American Style this is when you switch your fork to the right hand to eat but once again to the left when you need to cut your food. It still baffles me when some people would rather not pick up the knife and settle for the use of fork only.

It is because it is easier and more comfortable to use.

Does the formal environment not bother them? Could it be that they are just not bothered. In the ideal situation your small fork is used for salad and the large fork for your entrée while the smallest fork is for your dessert.

Under no circumstance will you use your hand during any of these stages.

Your fork represents the major dining tool supported by the knife. Use your small knife for starter, your big knife for the main meal and the smallest knife to butter your bread. For a formal dining tutorial and practicing this yourself, let us create your Panache Advantage. Cutleries can never be forgotten or misplaced but make the right judgment call that is comfortable and acceptable.

Remember again the best of a man’s polish or Panache is in the way he dines. Use protocol and etiquette to stand out from the crowd.

Bon Appetite!

P AGE 36— SUND AY Vanguard , JUNE 26 , 2016 SUNDA

Should married couples make love in the office?!

W

ith all the innovative sex going on all over the place, a couple shouldn’t make lack of fulfilling sex the culprit in the success of their relationship.

Chris, a friend of decades, prides himself on being one of the few whose escapades make my scoop once in a while. A highly successful lawyer, his wife of over 20 years and the mother of two lovely girls was made a judge a few years back and Christ couldn’t be happier.

I barely asked how his wife was recently when this dirty smirk sprang to his face. “We’re on our second honeymoon,” he bragged.

I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. “Seriously, we are,” he assured. “It all happened when I called at Vivian’s (his wife) new office. You know judges are always encouraged to wear sober colours, and I couldn’t get over how different she looked when I got to her office. I had come to discuss a major case I was handling but became intrigued by all the trappings of power that surrounded Vivian. I was actually proud of her - her suit sat well with her too.

“It stood for so much more than a job - it was proof that my wife was now bound to be upstanding and moral. As strange as it was, I started feeling turned on by my wife’s new aura. She knew why I was in her office and had told her secretary not to let any visitor in. After our quick chat, I stood up to give her a goodbye kiss and found myself pulling her “

to me and giving her a long, lingering passionate tonguetingling kiss that hadn’t happened between us in the last few years. Vivian looked stunned and protested she was in the office with a lot of people at the reception wanting to see her. That turned me on more.

Sex was the last thing I’d been thinking when I called at Vivian’s office but that kiss had really aroused me - and I was delighted when I caught the look of desire in my wife’s eyes. It was clear she too wanted to make love, so I kissed her some more, deftly itching her knickers to one side, unbuckling my trousers and making wild love to my wife - in her big office and on top of her desk!

“The sex lasted just a few minutes - it couldn’t last any longer as we hadn’t made love for weeks and it’s been years since we’d been so carried away by raw, urgent desire. It felt so naughty making love to her, knowing there were respectable people sitting patiently, waiting to see her, oblivious to the lust- fuelled act we were carrying on virtually under their nose!

“The spontaneity of the sex made it very explosive and extremely invigorating.

Afterwards, I stepped into the reception and was greeted by her visitors. It was all I could do to suppress the dirty laugh that threatened to come out. I kissed my wife chastely on the cheek instead, proud of the lustful gleam in her eyes. I was on high all afternoon,

with constant, wonderful sex flashbacks making me grin as I went about my work. Back home that night, Vivian and I were all over each other the minute the children were asleep.

“Ever since then, I’ve made it a duty to call at that impressive office of hers when she least expects and Vivian now looks forward to our occasional romps in her office.

She confessed she was often so aroused when she was working, wondering if I might dash in for a quickie at any second. And whenever I do

pop in, we’re all over each other in seconds, in a frenzy of lust. We always make love in her office, not in the en-suite toilet. That way, we can hear subtle chatter of lawyers and visitors waiting outside to see the wife I’m busy bonking! And when I’m not with her, it turns me on no end, thinking of my wife sitting behind the huge desk in her office, and wondering when our next ‘fix’ will be!”

It was an effort picking my jaw off the floor. “Are you now suggesting that husbands should go to their wives’ offices

and ravage them, hoping that would revive their dormant sexual desires?” I asked him.

“You’re putting me on, aren’t you?” he asked croakily. “To each his own, I say. It might not be in the office. It could be anywhere. I have a friend who gets a kick at making love to his wife whenever they have a full house of visitors. His rounded eyes always followed her, and as soon as she’s in the bedroom, he quickly followed and would be all over her. In minutes, it’s all over.

Not very many people could guess what goes on at this slight interlude, but a few of us know and I tell you, I used to be envious. Now I know what tonic those short and furious romps could be. The fact that it is taboo to have sex in the office makes the wonderful sessions with my wife an opportunity for the bad randy side of me to be unleashed. Just think of it, isn’t it fun for you to have an affair, and with your wife? It costs you nothing. On the contrary, it enhances your marriage. And, seriously, I never knew Vivian could be as lustfully adventurous as she’s turned out to be.

“The tragedy would be if I hadn’t tapped into my wife’s potentials, leaving it to another randy goat to proposition her. And it could happen. Now, she could laugh at men lusting after her knowing her husband is always ever ready to fulfil her wildest sexual fantasy!”

08052201867(Text Only)

Exercises for your kidney, digestive system

T

he Wheel Posture will help to regularize bowel movements while the lateral spinal twist stimulates activities of the kidneys.

CHAKRASANA, or the Wheel Posture.

Technique: Lying flat on your back, draw in the knees and place your feet wide apart on the floor. Put your hands backward on the floor just below the shoulders. As you breathe in deeply, raise the entire body in the shape of a bridge.

As you stay in this position respiration must be slow and deep. After 15 to 20 seconds, lower the body, lie flat on your back and rest in a still fashion.

You may repeat this thrice.

MATSYENDRASANA or the lateral spinal twist.

Technique: Placing the left heel under the right thight which his lying horizontally on the ground put the right foot over the left thigh with the sole of the foot on the ground. As you turn the chest to the right put the left arm in front of the left knee which is uprightly C M Y K

erect and grasp your left knee.

Place the right hand across the middle of the back. As you stay in this posture your breathing must be of an even rhythm for some 30 seconds. Change legs and arms and repeat on the

* The Wheel Posture

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre

•The Twist

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

10.00am — 11.00am on Saturdays

other side.

Apart from the wonders it works on the kidneys and the digestive system, it is also said to restore strength to the nerves.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 37

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

Why your children might not like your new ‘find’

I

t stands to reason that with the spate of divorce the society now witnesses and the number of unwanted pregnancies, single parenthood has come to stay. The sad picture is that, unlike in the old days when single parents were mostly widows who couldn’t be considered young, a lot of single parents today, male and female, are young, intelligent and eager for new relationships.

As a bachelor aptly puts it: ‘’There are plenty of single women without children you can date, but let’s deal with the facts: An equally large number of single mothers are no longer with the fathers of their children, and in many cases have never been.

Does this mean they are supposed to stay home, stop dating and never meet someone worthy of them or their children?

Of course not! So let’s all wake up and smell the realities of the twenties!”

He continues: “I admit that not long ago, I would date an attractive, intelligent and humorous young lady, and the moment I found out she had a child, my attitude would change. I would find ways to end the relationship. The reason?

Well, there were plenty, and not all of them sincere. My main argument was that I felt the father of a woman’s baby always had a chance to get back with the mother of the child.

1 figured there was a bond and I didn’t want to take a chance on

getting close only to end up being dismissed later on in the relationship.

“I once dated a young lady whose little boy clearly knew that I wanted only one thing.

At that point, I was not interested in her child and had no desire to play the father-figure role.

Her son acknowledged my selfishness and bluntly said: ‘Mummy, I don’t like him.’ She had no qualms about showing me the door but I didn’t care - plenty of fish in the sea!” Which reminds me of a friend who met a man she considered caring enough to bring home to her two daughters. The man showed real interest in her kids - bringing them presents, helping them with their homework and occasionally taking them to the club. My friend couldn’t beleive her good fortune until she picked up the phone one

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"

WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is a mystery, you go extra miles before

evening to help her lover dial a number.

“So where is your mum now?” The line was obviously busy and her older daughter was talking to one of her friends on the phone.

“She is with her bobo in her room,” her daughter replied.

She would have put down the phone but for the resentment in her daughter’s voice. ‘’The same bobo she’s been seeing?” the friend asked. “Yes,o! Me sha, I don’t like him. As soon as he comes in, he pretends he likes us. He buys us magazines and sweets to keep us quiet then sneaks into mummy’s room. At times he doesn’t leave until two in the morning or even later.

Only God knows what she sees in him. He is yukky”. “Doesn’t he have a wife at home?” asked my daughter ’s friend. “I don’t know.

He’s been here twice with his horrible little son.

He might be a single dad who’s not married himself. That son of his is a drip.

Yetch!”

My friend couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “I have ended some relationships because of these ungrateful children” she fumed! “I have always tried to be careful with the type of men I encourage.

The last thing I wanted was for my children to see me bringing men in and out of the house. Can you then imagine the cheek of that one bad-mouthing a man who’s bent over backwards to please everybody?”

Single fathers too don’t have rosy tales to tell when they attempt dating again but they have discovered that relationships work better if they date single mothers instead of girls who are

getting what true love is all about. Love is like weather, you can't predict what will come out of it for the day and also it is like a coaching job,whenever you draft a positive strategy for a match, you get a good outcome. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend is not love, but having someone in your life on whom you have blind faith on that even if you hurt them to the extreme, they will still hold your hands and say I WAS, I AM, I WILL ALWAYS BE YOURS. Love is not all about sex,fashion,money and flirt.

Charles Chidubem Ogbonna charlesprince850@yahoo.com 08169186581.

inexperienced in raising kids. “Oh they pretend to like your kinds at first,” recalled Mark, an auto-mechanic.

“But wait until the kids start throwing tantrums or messing up their designer wears and their inexperienced side comes to the fore. I have seen a few friends who hurriedly got married again only to find themselves living in a nightmare. The single girl who pretends to like your kids becomes very selfish as soon as that wedding band is on her finger, and she’s started raising kids of her own.

One of such women even pleaded with her husband to send the step-son she met in the home away because he was a petty thief. The husband refused of course, warning her of the consequences if she didn’t get on with his son.

As the bachelor chap succinctly wraps it up: ‘The more I converse with my friends on the issue of dating single mothers, the more it appears we have all grown to accept the challenge. We have watched how our own mothers have handled raising children and dating. We are watching our sisters in their relationships while single-parenting. We see the effects on their children, and are now more willing to become that new aspect in the dating game - a father figure. For those men who have babies and are not with the mother of their children, this is the reality. Another man may be loving not only your lady but also your child!”

You’re The One That I Love!

(Humour}

An artist is highly delighted when a gorgeous model agrees to pose for him in the nude.

While he’s mixing his oils, the artist glances at the stunning girl draped seducively over the sofa.

Overcome with lust, he rushes across the room and makes passionate love to her there and then.

Afterwards, she asks coyly: “Do you make love to all your subjects?”

“No, you’re the first one,” he replies. “None of the others has driven me crazy with desire.”

Feeling flattered, she asks: “How many have you painted before me?”

“Just the two,” the artist says proudly. ‘A hat stand and a bowl of fruit. “

My sweet mother!

My lovely sweet mother,it's a honour and privilege to me to have you as a caring mummy.

Thanks be to God who made you to be my mother.

As you stand beside me through thick and thin,I pray to the almighty God to grant my lovely mummy in person of Mrs.Hamidat Shehu Abdussalam long life so as to reap the fruits of her labour.

May God increase you sound health and wealth,ameen. You remain my hero forever.

Ayoola Imran ihassan896@yahoo.com +2348067749615

PAGE 38—SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

Edo people will not forgive PDP for killing the civil service system — Obaseki SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY Mr Godwin Obaseki emerged the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State ahead of the September 10 governorship election. In this interview with Sunday Vanguard, he relishes his victory and declares his plans for the people of the state if elected governor.

Excerpts: How do you feel emerging the APC governorship candidate?

I feel very thankful to God because if you cast your mind back when these whole campaign started sometime in October, the view held by many people then was that I did not stand a chance, that I will not fly. Those were the things they said to describe my ambition.

And to imagine that from that time till now for the person who came into the contest last, to gather that momentum and prevail, I think all I can do is to say thank God, I am so grateful to God. I am humbled by this success. I know what Edo needs to pull through this difficult phase of our national life. My key motivation is that I believe that Nigeria as a whole is going through a major water shed. If you recall the events that led to the civil war and the changes that have occurred in our federation since the end of the war, how we have come to create a unitary system, how that unitary system has been nurtured by oil resources, that whole phase is now coming to an end. That means a total reorganisation of our entire polity.

Bearing that in mind, I just felt that what we need in Edo is someone who has an experience and understanding of the past but he is not an indebted part of that past.

So you can see things freshly and differently. And I have looked at all the other players that have indicated interest in the race from the other camp, and I thought that even beyond the credentials of managing the economy, it is just the understanding of the political process.

About the delegates, how did you connect with them?

The negative things said about my ambition in the beginning made me to sit back and reflect on how best to serve the people of this state. If you recall, I went round the 18 Local Governments Areas, meeting the town executives, and it was then I appreciated more that it’s beyond that. That if this is an election of party delegates who are known, then you should go and campaign to them.

So I just came up with a strategy where I had to meet every delegate. It was just not sufficient to sit down and say okay I have gone in, I have called a few leaders, I have spoken to them and I expect that they would send the word down. For the responsibility I am seeking to take on, I thought I needed to know a lot more, dig deeper. So I took the delegate election as if it was a full blown election. I went to every ward, the 192 wards, I wanted to understand the structure of the government in every ward so I did not go in and ask what is the leadership structure in this ward, who do you say the political leaders are. At the ward level not just at the local government but ward level. After the consultation with the leaders at the local

•Obaseki... I will work very closely with the party government level, what I found was quite revealing because no two wards even in the local government were the same. In terms of their governance arrangement, they had a lot of harmony. You go in they’ll say this is our leader, where should we meet? They would say let us meet in this person’s house. They will all assemble there and they would all come there and listen to you. There are situations where you go in to some wards and there would not be agreement so it started shedding light on the politics of each ward and the peculiarities of each ward.

What were those meetings like?

What I find even more interesting which played in my favor (and which is divine) was that in every meeting we went to, the people always turned up. And in going into someone’s house you could not find a warmer and cosier environment where you are able to have physical contact with each person, you took their hands, felt whether they were farmers depending on the feel of their hands.

You hugged people you broke kola, you pray, you danced so that interaction created that bond and the more I did it, the more I found that these people you call politicians are ordinary day to day people like me and you. I was interested in their communities and I found that quite striking and in most of them, almost all at the end of the day they told you what their problems are. And then I asked them, ' what do you think the solutions are'? In most cases they say the government has to do this or that so I asked them, what of you?

What is your own contribution to this process? And then I realized that even at the local levels they also have solutions for the issues.

The other thing that was revealing to me also, was levels of development of our state and also in terms of the comparisons because you can see certain trends in certain parts of the states. Edo North for example, you can see a trend in the level of development; in Edo

Okowa as a governor lives by example; Okowa does not preach something and do another thing.

Therefore, as a very strong follower, I cannot but learn from him central and in the south, you can also see the trends in terms of the development and levels of formation of infrastructure. So, for me, sitting back, I now realized all these.

Coming into that arena that day, it was like homecoming. Everywhere I went, every booth I went, I saw people I had been in touch with. People I had contacted. I recognized a lot of people and they recognized me too. Not knowing that the ballot papers they had printed would contain pictures. I have not seen the ballot papers but they told me they had pictures and therefore since most people had come in contact with me, it was easy to recognize me and thumbprint.

What effort are you making to reconcile with the other contestants?

Immediately after the election I didn’t go to bed. On Sunday evening, the first person I went to was Dr Pius Odubu. I went to his house with some party officials. I went to talk with him and to extend my hand of fellowship and it was warm, cordial. He expressed his mind, his views as to what he felt and he was very open to rec-

onciliation. He made a remark, he said people are calling him but he wanted to assure us that he was not going to leave the party, that he was going to work for the party. He admitted that he felt hurt and there were things that he felt should not have happened but he was prepared to work with the party and me. To seek full reconciliation, the following morning I went to see Engr. Chris Ogienwonyi, with whom I have a cordial and very warm relationship with, and we spoke. He, too, felt hurt.

He said he needed to exhaust the process to convince himself that the primaries were conducted properly, that it truly reflected the outcome and decisions of the delegates which I feel he is entitled to. Later that day I went to see Gen. Charles and we spoke, he opened his arms and said look, he is open to me and that he is willing to work with me. Some of the contestants I have called. I have not been able to see Imasuagbon, he sounds very angry with me and I have not been able to see him. I heard he travelled so he’s the only one person I have not been able to see but I guess with time when he calms down, we will have a meeting but otherwise I have spoken to everybody else and that evening Prof. Osunbor, shook my hands and embraced me. Peter Esele called and pledged his support, Benson Agbomere and Tina O. Yesterday we had another meeting with the comrade governor. In fact it was a success. I don’t know if you have seen some of the photographs. We all went on the inspection together and started the campaign. But in terms of reconciliation, we are working hard and I’m very optimistic that we will be able to get full reconciliation. I, as an individual, I am also doing my own part, I expect that at the end of the registration exercise, I am going to have a meeting and we are all going to sit down and see how we can combine forces and be able to put resources together so that we can have a very effective campaign ahead of September 10. I have reached out, I have stretched my hand to them, I am inviting all the contestants to come and help the organisation. I pray and hope that all of them accept, because each one of us had a plan, so you had to plan your manifesto which was to contribute to Edo State. Now they will all contribute what they have for the development of APC and the state.

How do you feel going to face Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP in the contest?

I don’t know if he’s going to be my opponent but I also sent him a note congratulating him on his victory and to welcome him and advice that we conduct ourselves in this elections in a very civil manner. I am going to be the governor of Edo State by the grace of God, therefore I’m going to govern every Edo person.

But how are you going to deal with leaders like Anenih, Igbinedion? Will you meet them to solicit for their support?

I cannot have any animosity towards anyone. But this is a contest and once you are going into a contest, you don’t go to your opponent and say let us talk. I do not expect them (Igbinedion and Anenih)to vote for me, they will have to vote for whoever is emerging from their party. That is not

my priority, my priority is to convince the other people, citizens of Edo State why I am the better candidate and the choice. And at the end of the day when I win why not talk, I mean I will embrace everybody.

There is this allegation that you have EFCC case, how true is that?

I don’t have a case with EFCC. I read the story as you know, I am on the board of several companies, this is one of the largest German companies in the world, it’s a German company that owns rigs in Nigeria and I am on their board. They had a partner that died many years ago and unfortunately his estates have not been properly managed. His other businesses have gone bankrupt and the company got a petition from the children in their estate claiming, alleging that the company was owing their father but you will see online that there is a full agreement which the company reached with the estate several years age.

If you have been reading the papers the family has been having quarrels and internal issues. So it’s one of those kind of problems, they wrote to EFCC and other bodies.

If somebody is owing you money, is there not a civil process to go through? Why should it be an EFCC matter? You are in this country, you know how citizens act but it has nothing to do with me, I do not own the company, I am just a shareholder on the board of the company so I don’t have anything to do with it. I did not take money from anybody.

What about the issue of your deputy, who are you picking as your running mate?

Though I am a party man, I believe it’s a party matter, and the party will look at the political configuration and how to zero in on the candidate. We will work together, I will work very closely with the party.

The opposition party is alleging that the state debt profile is very high, how true is that?

I think the press has a major role; how do you determine the debt of a state? There is a debt management office of the country. Google DMO, it will give you a profile of all the states and what they owe. Edo State owes about N41 billion. Edo earns about N24billion in taxes in a year, so in two years we can pay whatever we have outstanding, so I don’t know where this whole contraption of debts is from. We don’t owe a bank a dime because all the bank debts have been rescheduled and refinanced so all you need to do is go to the DMO website, and look at all the states and what they are owing and you will see what Edo State is owing there. It is not a secret or an issue for contemplation.

With two years of current tax revenues we can pay out the debt of Edo state. But some of the debts we have restructured are there ten, twenty years. The one we borrowed from the market, we will finish paying next year so what have we done wrong financially?

Unlike people who borrowed, you can see what we have used the money for, you can see the infrastructure we have built, you can see the schools we have refurbished. We met debts from PDP, we cannot see what the money was used for, even their phantom industries you can’t find them, so we have to be careful that we don’t get people who would misbehave, who have destroyed us and now come singing hosanna today. People who should be in jail, saying they want to come back and govern us. They come, fill up the

Continues on page 39

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 39

PDP needs to restructure — SALIS projects to Iyana Ipaja, Agege and the slums, it will help the people to have confidence.

BY ADEKUNLE ADEKOYA Barrister Mohammed Owolabi Salis, by now, is no longer a newcomer to Lagos politics, having battled to clinch the governorship ticket of his party, the PDP about three times in which the prize had eluded him.

In the run-up to the 2015 elections, Salis, a US-based accountant and lawyer did not even contest the primary elections as he had done previously; he opted to “siddon look,” like late Chief Bola Ige did. In the conversation below, Salis, who was home a few weeks ago bared his mind on prevailing issues. Excerpts: About his party, the PDP think the party needs to restruc ture. It is time for true restruc turing; They should change name and get natural and unblemished people to lead the party, like Professor Tunde Adeniran. They need to have people that have good names to lead the party.

The second one is maybe to metamorphose into another party. I know something is going to happen close to the next election; there will be realignment and people will show where they belong.

Be that as it may be, PDP is stronger than APC because APC is a fragile coalition, and the leaders are not helping matters. You will recall it is a coalition of about five groups — the ACN, the CPC, the newPDP, which I call PDP 2, the ANPP and of course, APGA. The CPC got the Presidency; the ACN has the Vice-President. The newPDP wanted the Senate President but they were trying to marginalize them by giving the Senate President to ANPP. And when you look at the strength of the APC itself, you will see that the new PDP are top because most of the governorship candidates of the APC were in PDP as well as the senators and members of the House of Reps- they were in PDP; the people that wanted to fight Jonathan. So in terms of strength, the new PDP is number one in that coalition.

It was when they moved to marginalize them that the Saraki issue came up, which led to the newPDP strategizing to produce the Senate President and the Speaker. In min-

I

If I am Buhari, I will do more to put people in jail. My advice to Pa Buhari is to extend the investigation into APC. There are corrupt peoples in APC; if they do that, people will appreciate the credibility of the anticorruption fight •Salis... A lot of politicians are selfish isterial appointments, the newPDP was marginalized. That crisis has gone so deep that I don’t think the newPDP group and the ACN group can work together. They are like an odd team; even ACN and CPC are at odds. In my own view, PDP can become stronger if they change name or have someone with a credible name to lead the party or they transform into another party.

On the anti-corruption war It looks one-sided. I do not support corruption but if what they have discovered so far is real or what they are telling us is true, it is unfortunate. There are good people in PDP but those bad ones have to face the law. I will not support corruption. If funds meant for fighting Boko Haram with people dying was turned into personal use, that is bad.

If I am Buhari, I will do more to put people in jail. My advice to Pa Buhari is to extend the investigation into APC. There are corrupt peoples in APC; if they do that, people will appreciate the credibility of the anticorruption fight.

Situation in Lagos PDP When I came back, I made some consultations and realized they have three chairmen- the Bode George group; another group that Bukola Balogun and some independent that came out to become the chairman.

Unless something happens in the future, this has been the same prob-

lem of the party in Lagos state. I don’t pray we take this to the last minute of the 2019 election but the PDP has problem and it is a problem that is not solvable.

Why is the problem insoluble?

I know these personalities and they are very selfish. You are talking about people using their personal interests to affect the interest of a group. The way it is going to be solvable is to have a caretaker committee, someone that can make things happen.

Are you are saying these peoples can’t subdue their egos for the interest of the party?

There is no way. I know them; a lot of politicians are selfish and run the country in a selfish way. That is why you see a government official living in a big mansion and all the roads in the neighbourhood are bad and no one is talking about giving to the community. It is a major problem in Nigeria. There is this selfish individualism; there is this class consciousness, even among those of us that live in the western world. You see someone just arrived and because he got a good job, he will move out of the neighbourhood, that he doesn’t want to live among the Nigerian community any more. People always talk about class.

The government is not helping matters; they concentrate development in a particular area. Imagine, if the government takes good, big

On Equitocracy It means equity based democracy. It is a type of democracy model defined to address the issue of ethnicity and religion in politics. We also seek to address the issue of corruption, unattainable promises, violence in politics, personality clashes and political domination. These are vices that are really militating against the development of politics in Nigeria.

Politics in Nigeria now, people go there to promote hate and the more you are able to promote and spread hate, the more political relevance you get. What we want is people distributing love, preaching one Nigeria, not that I am the leader of this ethnic group and start promoting ethnic issues to gain recognition. No, we should be talking about one Nigeria.

So, Equitocracy is designed to address all these problems. It is a diversity-based democracy model because our diversity in Nigeria is shaped by ethnicity and religion people of different culture and of two major religions. In a bid to manage this diversity, Nigeria created regions, then states, with the aim of bringing peoples of common characteristics together as much as possible.

In the past, we had three major groups- Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo, whereas, there are many minority groups among them. A lot of these minorities are not taken serious, for instances, if someone from a minority group wants to be president, the majority groups will say he is not serious. And if he is going to win, it is going to be at the mercy of the majority, like in the case of Jonathan but that should not be. We should have a system where every Nigerian has equal and proportional access to become president of this country as long as they are qualified- meet the conditions set by the constitution. The present system that we have does not guarantee that but this system called equitocracy does.

For instance if in a country, you have group A and B, while group A

has 80% of the population, group B has only 20%; in the present system of government that we have, Group A will always win because it is a majority system but equitocracry is different. For simplicity, if you have two candidates from Lagos, candidate A and B, they will be assess around the 36 states and whosoever emerge with the highest points is the winner, for instance, maybe Candidate A has 31 points and Candidate B has 5 points.

The same will be done for candidates from Rivers, Sokoto, Edo and others, so at the end, whosoever has the highest points will be the winner. This will ensure that they are assessed on national reach, not ethnicity, unlike now, that ethnic promoters have the upper hands. The chances of an Edo man, Benue, Taraba man leading the country will be there. Whosoever wins at the state level becomes the governor of that state, so all Nigerians are involved in selecting who the governor is because by the constitution, Nigerians can live in any part of the country.

So, every governor will have to do things that please everybody in their jurisdiction and the best of the governor will become the governor-general (president). It is a system that creates opportunities for everybody.

On his political future I am still a young man and I will try, maybe one or two more times, and maybe, God can say you are now Abraham Lincoln or Pa Buhari.

Pa Buhari is a very good example for me because he kept trying and if you don’t try, you will never win. But I have strong plans for the peoples of Lagos State, especially grassroots governance where you get the people involved in what is happening in their environment PDP as a platform It depends if I will continue using PDP as a platform. PDP is a credible opposition in Lagos State but the leadership crisis is the major problem militating against it. Another problem is the PDP primary, you spend a lot of money for the primary and a lot of resources are wasted.

It depends on the party and what we meet in the future. We don’t have to be under PDP but PDP is the best choice.

'Edo people will not forgive PDP for killing the civil service system' Continued from page 38 whole place with lies and we are consuming the lies like they are true.

So what are you bringing to Edo if you become governor?

I am new and I am bringing new things with me. I come from a background of working in institutions.

So for me I look back and look at institutions. When I first came into the race, people were laughing at me, saying all I know is computer and that do I think it is computer that is used in winning elections. But what we did was we got the names of delegates, their wards. We mapped that data, we tried to understand how these delegates evolved. During the last congress, these were the leaders who brought about the nomination of these delegates. These are their phone numbers and sometimes, these are their birthdays. So when I’m going there, I now know that rather than just barging in on these people, let me call. The key thing I want to do is to use technological information to run government. We have to run a very smart government because we don’t have the kind of money we used

to.

The first innovation I want to introduce as the governor is the use of ICT, to move it up much higher so that we can get a lot more efficiency from the little money we have. And the other thing I want to do is to focus mostly on what government should do which is to provide the enabling environment for the private sector to thrive because we will need a lot more private capital to move this economy forward. Look at two investments we have made in the state, those two projects alone are worth two billion dollars. If we can bring in a lot more of such types of investments then the whole issue of jobs would reduce. I will dedicate a lot more of my time to bring private investments into the state. We need to focus on the economy so that we can take advantage of the unique position of Edo State. The other difference I will make is in terms of governance - one reason why Lagos State is doing very well is because of the governance model incorporated, where the governor is not the party leader so the governor has time to govern while the party politicians can manage the party politics. So that is one thing I hope to

introduce to Edo State under my leadership.

There are key drivers for a state economy; for us agriculture is it.

Agriculture is part of us. In stock exchange today we are one of the two largest agricultural sectors. We have two large agricultural institutions in this state. What we now need to do is expand it and modernise it.

We already have a basis to start from.

We have a tradition of commercial farming in Nigeria, we just have to leverage on that significantly. There will be mass employment during our government.

The past PDP administration destroyed the civil service of Edo State, in their stupidity they took out a whole layer of people, who were trained, out of the civil service, believing naively that they were saving money, and forgetting that those people were going into the list of pensioners and they did not pay them what was due to them. If I forgive the PDP administration for what they did to this state, one thing I cannot forgive them at all, is what they did to the civil service of Edo state. The experienced civil servants were taken out, leaving the amateur ones to rise in rank without anyone

to train them. That is the surest way to destroy a system, not having succession. So the problem we have now is to get people into the civil service and to rapidly retrain them to cope with the challenges of modern governance. People will not just leave and say we want to go and see culture, most times you have something else taking you to a particular place and then in free time you can go to see the culture, so first you have to build infrastructure. Eight years ago the transportation in Edo State was bad but now you can drive from the beginning of airport road straight to Ugbowo, you can drive around the city. What we now need to do is to increase tourism and make it attractive and also make people driving through Edo State to want to stop, to create the environment for businesses to thrive here so that when people are driving through they will have reason to stop. What we need to do is to create businesses, we need to encourage people to invest in business facilities. When people come for business purposes, later on at night they would now want to go out to see the tourism spots in the state.

The fear some people have is that you may mortgage the state to your friends - like Alhaji Dangote and others?

I have spent most of my last thirtysomething years in investment banking, and the only people I deal with are people who have capital, so there is nobody in any big business today that I have not interacted with. Dangote is the most successful of them. The house I am using now was given to me freely for my campaign by Hakeem Bello Osagie. He is the chairman of Etisalat. I worked with him to divest from UBA. I have worked with almost everybody. Finally God has woken us from our slumber. How can a country that is endowed with people like you and I and all the resources we have, spend 30 billion dollars importing goods and services we can produce but because we had oil revenues, we just thought it was a normal. We have been talking about diversification but as time goes on we always stray from the plan. Out of the ashes, the phoenix will rise again. Nigeria will rise again and that is one of the reasons I am running for governorship of Edo State.

PAGE 40—SUNDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

STATE OF THE NATION: Nigerians, act before it is too late VIEWPOINT

By Samson R. AKINOLA VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A clarion call

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onsidering the current crises plaguing our country and my ‘silent’ contribution towards prevention of the crises, it is high time Nigerians are alerted on the mind of God for Nigeria (spiritual) and resolution of the crises through problem-solving entrepreneurship (intellectual).

I am sharing two visions from God on the state of Nigeria, which ventilate my three proposals on problemsolving entrepreneurship for Nigeria.

The first vision was received on May 19, 2015, while the second one was on February 23, 2016.

On spiritual platform, God showed me a vision on 19th May 2015 that Nigeria is a ‘still birth baby’. To revive the baby (Nigeria) there is need for divine intervention that requires intensive prayers. Since prayer/faith without work is dead, I felt the need to engage on what I know to be the possible prevention of crises for the country. This brings me to intellectual platform and consequently, I engaged in multidisciplinary approach by designing proposal for confronting our complex, complicated and hydra-

VIEWPOINT

By Frederick Funebi Ogu VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF VIEWPOINT Stemming a continent's biggest threat to development

‘Control of the seas means security. Control of the seas means peace. Control of the seas can mean victory. The United States must control the sea if it is to protect our security.—John F. Kennedy

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OWEVER, there is hope in the horizon as the AU has taken steps to craft a maritime strategy to enable Africa exploit its blue economy to its advantage. It is hoped that the strategy will be the much needed panacea to Africa’s sea blindness.

The AU’s Agenda 2063 sees the marine economy as a major contributor to growth, and Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy 2050 (AIMS 2050) recognizes the vast wealth creation potential of Africa’s oceans, lakes and rivers.

Adopted in 2014, AIMS 2050 covers fishing, oil & gas, security, piracy, pollution, biodiversity, transport and harbours; and calls for marine education and development of an African ship-building industry.

AIMS 2050 propose a combined African maritime zone, and prevention of pollution and piracy. It seeks capacity building in marine defence, scientific research, tourism, fisheries, maintenance and building of harbours, and a pan-African fleet.

However, it is one thing to craft a maritime strategy and another to implement it.

Given that maritime threats are transnational; collective action is essential because, no single country can secure its maritime domain on its own not even the US. Governments must show political will, identify priorities and start delivering on the maritime strategy through collaboration at local, regional and international levels.

Whether the AIMS 2050 is a sufficient instrument of policy to fast track African interest in its seas or spur its leaders to synergize and collaborate to secure and exploit its blue economy for its development are pertinent questions that will only be answered with time. However, it is my desire to give an insight to the AIMS 2050 document to enhance

headed challenges and problems that are bedevilling our country.

First, what I considered to be the prevention of the crises was located at the political realm, hence, I developed the first proposal titled, “Way Forward For Nigeria: Domesticate Democracy, Restructure the Public Sphere and Political Economy through Polycentric Planning” dated 10th June, 2015; sent it to the President and was acknowledged through a letter with reference number SH/COS/15/A/1212 dated 12th June, 2015 by Mr. Badamasi Adamu Gamawa, the Director (Office of the Chief of Staff to the President) on behalf of Permanent Secretary, State House, Abuja.

This proposal aims at using polycentric planning and community initiatives domesticate democracy to suit Nigerian realities by connecting the grassroots to the “summit”, the micro to the macro in multiple-centers and -layers of decision-making.

In the proposal, I recommended six (6) problem-solving models, namely; (i) African Polycentric Democracy Domestication Model (APDDM) for domesticating democracy in Nigeria by adapting features of federalism to Nigerian/African realities through appropriate institutional arrangements that are self-organising and self-governing within rule-rulerruled configuration. (ii) African Public Sphere Restructuring Model (APSRM) for

restructuring the public sphere in order to resolve political crisis, and then linking this to how people can work together, from community level, to address diverse challenges.

This proposal focuses on how to transform the so called nonviable states to viable states using polycentric privatization planning, which will help in reversing the present trends of independent accumulation of wealth by few people

Restructuring political economy and public sphere through polycentric planning and error correcting potentials and institutional mechanisms via the setting up of SelfGoverning Community Assembly

(SGCA) at all levels and layers community, ward, LG, state and federal.

If the restructuring can produce four fundamental imperatives of collective action - collegiality, mutual trust, reciprocity and shared community of understanding - then it is possible for leadership and the people at community, local, state, regional and federal levels to cooperate on electoral matters, especially when they (the people) perceive that the outcome of the interactions will be beneficial to them all. (iii) African Polycentric Information Networking (APIN) for creating networks between the leaders and the people for effective information sharing and communication. (iv) African Polycentric Constitutional Crafting Model (APCCM) for crafting constitution that emanates from synergy of both the elite and non-elite through formulation of microconstitutions by all the interest groups at the community level and thereby serves as a proxy for peopleoriented political economy, which reflects economic, social and cultural rights of the citizenry. (v) African Electoral Reform and Democratisation (AERD) for inclusive democratisation. (vi) African Politician Performance Assessment Model (APPAM) for assessing the performance of politicians at the constituency level through Politician

Score Card (PSC) and thus helping politicians to make adjustment in their conducts by ensuring effective utilization of local resources towards entrepreneurial development, technoeconomic opportunities and citizens’ empowerment.

Second, in June/July, 2015 when it came to the public that most states could not pay salaries of their workers, I located this problem at the economic realm, hence, I developed the second proposal titled, “Easing Nigeria’s Debt Burden through Polycentric Privatisation Planning” dated 7th July, 2015, sent it to the President and was acknowledged through SH/COS/OF/ A/9231 dated 24th July, 2015 by Mr. Badamasi Adamu Gamawa, the Director (Office of the Chief of Staff to the President) on behalf of Permanent Secretary, State House, Abuja.

This proposal focuses on how to transform the so called non-viable states to viable states using polycentric privatization planning, which will help in reversing the present trends of independent accumulation of wealth by few people that perpetuates mass poverty among the workers through equitable redistribution of wealth using polycentric privatization mechanism.

•Akinola, an associate professor, is of the Urban and Regional Planning Department of University of Osun, Osogbo.

Africa losing $1 trillion yearly to sea blindness (2) more awareness of it.

In the past, the African Maritime Domain did not feature prominently on the policy agenda of the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Neither the 1963 founding Charter of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), nor the 2002 Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU the successor of the OAU) contain any explicit reference to the sea or inland waterways and lakes.

However, the AU secretariat started to develop ideas for jointly addressing the threats, challenges and opportunities in the African Maritime Domain (AMD) from 2007. A revised version of the 1993 maritime transport charter, the so-called Durban Resolution, was adopted in 2009. In that year, African Heads of State and Governments called upon the AU Commission (AUC) to develop a comprehensive and coherent strategy – the 2050 AIM Strategy.

Gladly, on 31 January 2014, at the 22nd Summit of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, African Heads of States and Governments adopted the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM Strategy) and Plan of Action.

Outlining an overall strategy to address Africa’s maritime challenges for sustainable development and competitiveness, the strategy is in fact only the latest piece in a number of maritime security efforts on the continent and flag a recent pattern of African responses to maritime vulnerabilities that says something about a declaratory shift away from a period of self-imposed sea blindness.

Africa’s leaders also declared the 2015-2025 decade as the Decade of African Seas and Oceans, and the date of 25 July as the African Day of Seas and Oceans.

The 2050 AIM Strategy is an African-driven overarching multilayered long-term common vision focusing on wealth creation from sustainable governance of Africa’s seas and oceans. It aims to provide complete understanding of maritime security that encompasses the economic, social, environmental; and security dimensions.

Its vision, which it derives from the 2002 Constitutive Act, is to foster more wealth creation from Africa’s oceans,

seas and inland water ways by developing a thriving maritime economy and realizing the full potential of sea-based activities in an environmentally sustainable manner.

The AIMS 2050 prescribes a number of strategic objectives to address the threats and challenges in the AMD through a comprehensive policy framework for maritime collaboration to realize Africa’s seaborne development potential.

These include the establishment of a Combined Exclusive Maritime Zone of Africa (CEMZA), enhancement of awareness on maritime issues by engaging civil society and other stakeholders, strengthening maritime capacities and capabilities. Others include

To get Africa’s various regional security communities on board, AIMS has been conceptualized in an open and participatory way

ensuring maritime safety and security, minimizing environmental damages and preventing criminal and hostile acts at sea.

It also seeks to protect populations, maritime heritages (e.g. biodiversity) and critical infrastructures from pollution by toxic and nuclear waste dumping and to improve the management of Integrated Coastal Zones, as well as promoting the ratification, domestication and implementation of international legal instruments and creating synergies and coherence between different sectoral policies within and between the RECs/RMs. To implement the AIMS and to achieve its ambitious objectives, the establishment of a number of new

policies, strategies, agencies and coordination mechanisms are to be accomplished within specific time frames.

Besides the CEMZA (this is a representative continental working group of Chiefs of African Navies and/ or Coast Guards, others include standardized Regional Maritime Headquarters (MHQ) with Maritime Operational Coordination Centers (MOCC) in all RECs/RMs, a Common Fisheries Policy, a TransSaharan Crime Monitoring Network, a continental wide and multidisciplinary Oceans and Seas Research Institute of Africa (OSERIA); a cross-sectoral Strategic Foresight Marine Task Force (SFMTF), a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA), and an integrated multisectoral and multi-disciplinary Maritime Disaster Management Strategy for Africa.

The 2050 AIM Strategy describes an ambitious and coherent policy approach for sustainable maritime security and development in Africa.

It seeks to enshrine maritime security at the continental level, to strengthen collaboration between the AU, the RECs, member states and international partners, and to construct new fields for maritime policy and engagement at the continental level.

Presently, maritime security practices and initiatives in Africa are situated at the sub-regional level in so called maritime security communities.

A security community is characterized by a shared repertoire that includes a shared securitization, a joint enterprise to include shared projects of protection, and a high level of mutual engagement.

For instance, the 2009 Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCoC) in East Africa, the 2013 Yaoundé Declaration in West Africa and maritime security efforts under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

By shifting African maritime security policy to the continental level, it reasserts the strategic leadership role of the AUC and its agencies.

Africa, rather than international trade or a specific region, becomes the referent object that needs protection.

The strategy argues that AU Member States have common

maritime challenges and opportunities and outlines a strategy to address threats that could inflict catastrophic economic harm to African States.

Furthermore, to get Africa’s various regional security communities on board, AIMS has been conceptualized in an open and participatory way. This was to ensure that various actors and stakeholders were able to get involved and to contribute to the development of AIMS. Consequently, the 2050 AIM Strategy provides a coherent policy framework that actively incorporates regional and international maritime security mechanisms, such as the DCoC, the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia (CGPCS), the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code.

It also represents the continent’s political infrastructure, in particular AU institutions and documents, such as the Peace and Security Council and the AU Constitutive Act, as well as AU Member States, local communities, specialized regional institutions and associations, the African maritime private sector, strategic development partners and the international community as a whole.

The coordination of security actors to enhance mutual engagement and the development of common repertoires of practices and ideas is a key element of AIMS. Accordingly, in order to coordinate multiple maritime security actors and initiatives at the continental level, AIMS 2050 urges the creation of a common template for the AU, the RECs/RMs, and relevant Organizations, and calls on these actors to develop, coordinate and harmonize policies and strategies.

Proposed maritime governance projects, such as the Combined Exclusive Maritime Zone of Africa, a Common Fisheries Policy and a Strategic Foresight Marine Task Force (SFMTF) also provide space for mutual engagement between maritime security and governance practitioners on the continent.

To be continued •Ogu is a public affairs commentator.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016, PAGE 41

Buhari should dialogue with Niger Delta Avengers VIEWPOINT

By Olorogun O. Okwagbe VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The way forward on renewed N-Delta militancy

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buharri should toe the path of dialogue as the way out of the current face –off between the Nigerian Army and the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) in the troubled Niger Delta region. It is reasonable and pragmatic for the Federal Government to use feelers from our Internal Development Partners from both the “West and Eastern blocs” as a template to fashion and to phantom our policies and strategies in the

VIEWPOINT

By Rufus Ike VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Transformation strides of a governor

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HE fundamental pledge of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu during the electioneering period was that Abia State was poised to witness tremendous transformation if elected.

One year after his administration came on board, a thorough probe of the key sectors in the state, showed that the governor is keeping to his words.

This is indeed the feeling that resonates across different divides in the state.

Specifically, the areas of road construction, education, urban renewal, Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, and human capital development among others, are obviously attracting the government’s attention.

These, it was learnt are being cited

VIEWPOINT

By Ibrahim Aliu VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Who takes the blame for erratic electricity?

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N Kenya recently there was a blackout across the nation for four hours and people wondered what had happened, but not for long. The power generating company KenGen issued a statement that a monkey had accidentally tripped an equipment in an hydro power plant which triggered the nation wide black out. The GENCO said that the monkey survived the ordeal but that Kenya had lost 183 MW during the blackout and the company apologized to consumers and promised to

VIEWPOINT

By Lucky Chukwudeni VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The importance of computers to the growth of business ntrepreneurship is the catch phrase for success globally and certainly in Africa and Nigeria, generally.

Governments are setting aside grants and loans with the aim of encouraging individuals or a group of people come together to start a business for economic prosperity.

When starting a business, many are preoccupied with capital , employees, awareness, and sales , and only a few think about ‘technology’ and its impact to their business.

More often than not, great emphasis is placed on having the best employees and as the focus is

E

Military Campaign against the renewed militancy in our water ways; the International Community appears to be singing in discordance to the Federal Authority in terms of the best strategy to take in the current Imbroglio of the Niger Delta.

It is paramount that Nigeria should listen to the global community since Nigeria cannot act in isolation in the context of globalization. The recent call by Philip Hammond the British Minister in charge of African Affairs who strongly advised President Buhari to dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers in the last African Security Conference held in Abuja- Nigeria is a welcome development that will help the federal government to re-

solved the bombing of oil facilities, oil wells and pipelines in the region.

The British envoy in that conference said, “The best option for President Muhammadu Buhari is to negotiate with the Niger Delta Avengers or any group of Agitators that are responsible for the renewed hostilities’’ which is the best choice now than to lock up the Niger Delta.

To effectively counter terrorism and renewed militancy in the Niger Delta, the Nigerian government will need 80% politically based decision hinged on dialogue, negotiation and re-negotiation. only 20% military action will be okay to diffuse any pockets of tension that may be found.

The current pattern of fight to finish, is regrettably to the detriment

of our national economy, which ought to be of paramount interest to us as a nation.

The federal government should not use full and total military might because it might failed to achieve the purpose. Now, apart from the International Community calling for dialogue back home here in Nigeria, many people have also called for the dialogue option.

I am therefore constrained and moved to join the likes of the Elder state man PA .Chief Edwin Clark to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to dialogue with the Niger Delta Avengers in the interest of peace, our economy and critical national assets, the idea of dialogue as a wise counsel because at the end

IKPEAZU TO ABIANS: This is my story across the three senatorial districts of the state in line with the administration’s commitment to equity. Unlike the trend where most state governments hardly point at completed projects in its first 100 days, the story was different in Ikpeazu’s Abia.

In fact, there was much to showcase within that period given that the administration immediately commenced the duty of rebuilding Abia on May 29, 2015.

However, rather than celebrating what to him are modest interventions, the governor walked a different path by visiting the various project sites during that period.

From September 21, 2015 to Wednesday, September 23, 2015, he went from Nneato in Umunneochi Local Government Area,LGA, Abia North senatorial district to Ibeme in Obingwa LGA, Abia South, and Abia Central to see how funds appropriated to projects were being

spent.

The inspected projects in Abia North were the Imo Dimkpa Bridge, Nneato; the Obolo-EziamaOsisinkita road also in Nneato and an erosion site at Isuochi Model Secondary School, Isuochi, all in Umunneochi LGA. At Ohafia, he inspected the ongoing Abiriba Ring road and the Okon-Aku Bridge at Okon-Aku Ohafia. It was also the same at at Arochukwu where he inspected the Ndi-Oji, Ndi-Okereke-Ozu-Abam Road and the Bende-Idima Abam Road which are both alternative roads to Arochukwu to avoid the usually impassable Ohafia-Arochukwu Federal road.

The next day, in Abia South Senatorial District, Ikpeazu inaugurated the Ibeme Electricity project in what was the first time electricity would get to the community.

At old Umuahia-Aba road popularly known as Ururuka road, he

inspected failed portions of the road under reconstruction and later at Ukaegbu and Umuola roads, Kamalu road, Udeagbala road, ENUC road, Oomne Drive and Aba-Owerri road. He saw ongoing projects.

At the end of the tour which ended at Abia Central Senatorial District, Ikpeazu kicked off the Umuojima road in Osisioma LGA, inaugurated the Awom-Ukwu, Umusokoro Ikwuano Electricity Project, inspected roads within Umuahia metropolis and finally inaugurated the electricity project from Ohiya in Umuahia South LGA to Ntigha in Isialangwa North LGA. Further checks into the interventions in that regard, showed that the following road are either completed or ongoing; Ukaegbu, Umuocham, Mcc/Umuojima, Udeagbala, Ehere, Faulks by Samek, Umuola, Kamalu, Oomne, Umule, Ururuka, Ntigha-Mbawsi to Ururuka (Phase 2), Old Express, Echefu , Enuc, 6no

POWER SUPPLY: The blame game secure its facilities from such future lapse.

As a Nigerian, I can’t help admiring the way the power company handled the explanation of a fourhour blackout so quickly. Of course most Nigerians will argue that the situation of power supply in Kenya is not comparable with that of Nigeria because power supply in Nigeria is erratic and we have more blackouts on a regular basis than regular and continuous supply as in Kenya where people are bothered by a 4hour blackout . I will without wasting time agree with them on that score . This is because the Kenyan power company has been allowed to do its public

relations without any pressure and without any monkey tricks or interruption from any quarters on the source of power failure even though a monkey has been responsible.

In Nigeria however the way blackouts are explained is completely different. The regular culprit in the public mind are the DISCOs. This has been reinforced by the hostile attitude of the trade unions in the power sector in the way they mobilized consumers against the DISCOs when tariffs for electricity approved for them by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission were announced early this year. The unions went all

the way to instigate even the Senate to stop the tariffs increase and NERC went to court to accuse the parliament of usurping its legitimate function as the regulator of electricity in Nigeria. The unions did not stop there, they asked workers to go on strike on the new electricity tariffs.

This is despite the well known fact that DISCOs don’t generate or transmit electricity but only deliver to consumers as and when power is available and bill such consumers.

Stakeholders in the Nigerian electricity industry include the Nigerian Electricity Bulk Trading Company, GENCOs, DISCOs and transmission companies. How come then that the Nigerian union leaders

How computer tools impact business margins directed towards human resourcing, business owners forget that it is equally important to equip staff with technology that enables them to be efficient in their work.

The right technology will inject into a business important elements such as efficiency and efficacy, time saving applications that encourage employee collaboration, continual connectedness and ease of real-time reporting.

So what are the essential technology tools a successful business needs to adopt to have the best chances of growth? Before a business even thinks about wireless connectivity, cloud storage and smartphones, the most important is a device that will enable optimum productivity from employees; a laptop.

The right laptop is the difference

between seamless business systems and process that produce maximum output and slow and inefficient processes in your company that breed lethargy.

For instance, a laptop allows for creation of log sheets for your range of products and services while still communicating this online as you create reports.

It is portable and allows one to execute presentations in a range of environments and on the go.

Moreover, your financial systems are easily appraised enabling clarity when reporting and stock taking.

A laptop has become the standard of modern businesses and the question is always which brand, model and make to purchase. While brand affinity and awareness is key while choosing PCs for your

employees, the key thing to look out for is the experiences and output we desire our employees to have.

As such, the first step in determining the kind of PC’s your employees need for effective working is outlining their tasks.

The overall performance of PCs is determined by the speed of the processor often considered the brains of the machine.

The more applications your business uses, the more powerful the processor you need. It is therefore important to carefully consider the processor in the PCs you intend to purchase for you employees based on the type of work they do or how they intend to use the computers.

For example the processor type needed by an employee that only does web browsing, writing

it may turn out to be more cheaper and it is a win-win arrangement as all stakeholders will be heard and their request fathomed into the agreed solution.

As a matter of fact, I am against terrorism and all forms of militancy in the Niger Delta region, also I strongly believe that the people of Niger Delta are also against any form of militancy in the region.

Therefore, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) should immediate cease-fire and come to the roundtable with other people of good conscience both locally and internationally continues to appeal to the Presidency for dialogue in the interest of one Nigeria.

*Okwagbe, JP, is a frontline political stalwart and a sociologist in Delta State.

Roads, Jubilee, Ehi, Ube, Hospital, Adazi, Azikiwe from Asa to East, Owerri road, Mosque and Aba-Owerri Road.

Others include Agbama Housing Estate Ring road, five roads at low cost Housing Estate, asphalt overlay of Kaduna street, Abam street, Awolowo road, Niger road, Umuwaya road, 3 roads at Ogurube Layout, ICC road, JAAC road, Ring road and Dozie way.

There are also Abiriba ring road, Bende-Idima-Abam road, Eke-Eziama-Obuzo-Ngodo road, Imo Ndimkpa Bridge, Nneato, and Okon-Aku Bridge, Ohafia.

To ensure the availability of portable water in the state, the government revamped the Umuahia Regional Water works, which resulted in the availability of pipe-borne water now works in Umuahia.

The Education for Employment (E4E) scheme, which seeks to reactivate Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) is also functioning at the moment.

•Ike is resident in Umuahia.

are always pointing accusing fingers at the DISCOs when ever there is a power failure? As the Kenyan example has shown, it was a GENCO that explained what happened. It was not a DISCO. In Nigeria, it is a well known fact that pipeline vandalisation nation wide has drastically reduced the generation and transmission of electricity not to talk of distribution of electricity which is the responsibility of the DISCOs. But then can the DISCOs distribute what they don’t have? Similarly the GENCOs cannot generate when they don’t have the basic ingredients to generate power when sources of such generation have been rendered unproductive or inactive by vandals.

•Aliu, a public affairs analyst, lives in Kano

documents, emails and video streaming is not the same as what the web designer or developer running multiple applications requires.

Workplaces are becoming increasingly open and this comes with a lot of mobility and flexibility.

Laptops and 2in1 devices can increase productivity as they enable accessibility when your team is on the go.

The cloud is here with us enabling employees to work from various spaces that will encourage their creativity. The work space can be a coffee shop, at the beach or in a garden that has connectivity.

When the talent you have is availed the right technology, a recipe for improving business margins is created. It’s an investment that will pay itself back many times over. Your employees will thank you and the business results will be evident. After all, numbers don’t lie!

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

Enemies submitted at Lord Chosen’s crusade I

By Sam Eyoboka

T was another typical lengthy spiritual exercise penultimate weekend as the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries marked another two-day “…And the enemies submitted” crusade as numerous members from different parts of the country converged at the international headquarters of the church at Odofin Park Estate by Ijesha Bus Stop, along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos with several who had defied the early morning rain, taking turns to testify to the wonderworking powers of the ‘God of Chosen’.

Some of the testimonies at the twoday event were, to the uninitiated, bizarre and unimaginable but the church authorities insist that the God of Chosen has the capacity to do all things which may be unfathomable to the canal minded. One brother who testified that three armed robbers broke into his house, and ordered him to lie down in preparation to snuff life out of him and make away with his belongings. But remembering the instruction of his pastor, he declared: “I am a Chosen; Armed robber who are you?” Infuriated by the audacity, the armed robbers fired their gun three times but there was no effect.

On discovering the futility of their enterprise, the robbers made effort to run away, but the brother chased them and disarmed them and according to him, he took the arms to the nearest Police Station.

Explaining the reason for the programme, the General Overseer of the Lord Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Mouka, said humanity is suffering diverse challenges today because “some fallen angels working with the devil and the spirits enter human beings and they constitute enemies and in most cases the humanity has been suffering in the hands of these enemies.”

According to him, knowing “what God wants us to do, He has raised us up to help all the Christians and the suffering masses to liberate them from sufferings and bondages. The Lord gave us the message to tell the world that Christ has defeated devil at the Calvary and He has given us the grace to stand against the devil and liberate humanity that are suffering in the hand of the devil.”

In an interview with a select journalists, Pastor Muoka who was flanked by his wife and the church’s public relations officer, Pastor Louis Chidi said: “By God’s grace, when you listen to some of the testimonies of people who have been suffering for 20 to 40 years and were liberated you will appreciate that God is still willing to do more.”

He maintained that the theme was “given to us not just for these few people but for the whole world.

Nigerians will be liberated from all kinds of sufferings and people will jubilate. The topic of this crusade is for the liberation of humanity. By God’s grace, those watching through the cables will be liberated from devil and whatever has been holding them down.”

Mounting the pulpit on each of the two days, the General Overseer assured the mammoth crowd just before the two prayer sessions that he was set to meet the expectations of the people, commanding the deaf, dumb, the lame, hunchbacks, the insane, those on clutches or on wheelchairs, those with missing or damaged internal organs, to step out. According to him, he was equally set to restore life to anyone who might have

L-R: General Overseer, Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, his wife, Pastor Joy Muoka, head, Public Relations and Media, Brother Chidi Louis at the two-day crusade

*Mr Henry Vanman

Above & Right: Cross Section of the worshipers at the two day Crusade died, because death was not the will of God. Continuing, he issued the order repeatedly: “Anybody that was carried to this place, rise up and walk. If you came here clutches, drop them because you have received your healing. Those afflicted with insanity, the madness is cancelled in the name of Jesus. Any damaged organ should be recreated in Jesus name!

If you have hunchback, I command it to disappear, in Jesus name! I cancel diabetes and those of you with damaged wombs; I command you, receive your healing now!”

He then instructed his pastors to oversee them to confirm any miraculous occurrences and make the necessary announcements to the joy and glory of the congregation. A flood of testimonies started to reverberate across the healing ground with female ushers busy trying to cover those who were possessed by unclean spirits.

“Pastor, there is a woman here who has had been mad for 12 years. It has disappeared!” Several men and women lifted their clutches which had hitherto aided their motion from one place to another.

A man said that he was healed after 10 years with a broken limb.

Another one testified that his three years old stroke was gone for good as the pastor prayed; while yet another man said that he started walking after being bedridden for nine years due to stroke.

On the second day of the crusade, Brother Henry Vanman, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, from Bayelsa State gave a stunning testimony dressed in his ceremonial uniform. A staff of the Police Hospital, Falomo in Lagos where he is the O/C Laboratory Department, he said before he was elevated to that position to head the Lab Department, about five officers were ahead of him; yet he was told by one of the high ranked

officers in the hospital that he would be given the mantle of leadership. Probably due to the qualities he possessed.

As it was divinely planned and prepared for him, all the five officers ahead of him were retired shortly. Thereafter, he became incharge as an ASP. Fortunately, after being given the position, he became sick and required surgical operation. As a believer and member of Chosen, he reverted to prayer. Then, I was praying telling God to operate me spiritually. Then, anytime I went to the Military Hospital, Falomo for the operation, I was told that the doctor that will operate on me was not around. So, I depended on God for healing. I went to church and after prayer from the man of God, Pastor Muoka, the hyenia disappeared. And, thereafter, I went to laboratory test, I could not see it anymore.’

I was on the rank of an ASP position for 10 years. On April 20, 2016, I was officially decorated to the position of Deputy Superintendent of Police. All these while, I went through a lot of distresses. Could you imagine when someone that ordinary by the Police ranking and enlistment supposed to answer you, Sir is in high ranked than you.

I was not comfortable, yet believed that God will surely remember me at the appointed time. And truly, when the time came, there was no two ways about it as, I was promoted.

Though, I am supposed to be higher than this on the job, but still, I thank God for his intervention.

At a stage in the delay process, I began to wonder what my offence was, but could not remember any.

That was what really gave me the courage that I will get back what belongs to me at the appointed time.

Meanwhile, I was promoted to ASP on August 1, 2006. I do not

really know what stopped my promotion, but only God. I know that having received the promotion, I know that God will return the ones I have missed.

I told God that if I am promoted, I will come and testify in the presence of the Chosen members.

That is why I am here today. Meanwhile, I am supposed to be on the rank of Superintendent of Police.

My case has taught me that there is nothing God of Chosen cannot do. Since he remembered my case, there is no doubt He will remember others like me. That is why we all should seek the face of God, not only when we have problems, but always.

Another brother averred that God demonstrated His power in his life as He restored his sight and made him to see again. “Demonic blindness struck me five months ago. As this problem came, I found it difficult to see, later, it degenerated to total blindness. In my house, I no longer see the people entering into my house. I will use umbrella to cover myself.

Every activity in my life almost ceased, there was no more opportunity of going to farm or market or even cooking.

“It was someone that brought me to Mgbidi crusade. When we arrived at the crusade ground, I did not see anybody. However, I kept on calling on God of the Chosen to remember me. When the Pastor started praying during the second day, he mentioned my case and something started going out of my eyes. When the object finally left my body my eyes opened and I started seeing people. God has touched my life and healed me of five months blindness and I am grateful to him for the divine healing. Chosen praise the Lord!

Asked to speak on the state of the nation, Pastor Muoka said what we are witnessing today are signs

of the end time and there is no other place to have succor, help or protection but in God. “Nigerians at large should embrace Christ, return to God. It is only prayer that can solve Nigeria’s problems. Prayers are made everywhere but the prayers that are prayed here will solve their problems. I am sure about that.

We should trust God. Call upon Him and they should come to Chosen because the solution here cannot be found everywhere else.

“It is not just about running churches but for the church to be able to wipe away the tears of the people. Nigerians should all come to Chosen.

“If nations embrace Christ, things will turn around for good and God will give us a turn around in our economy and I believe that God is able to do this and He has remedy for Nigerians in this church. Either economy, security whatever problem God has the remedy. Problem of sin, corruption God has the remedy.

“Even though we are at the end time, God allows some problems so that we can run to Him and not go to hell fire. Nigerians should humble themselves, appreciate that God is alive and appreciate His grace. I want you to know that God has the solution to Nigeria challenges either now or before the coming of Christ in this church.

Apart from the issue of Boko Haram that we are facing in this country, there is also the Niger Delta Avengers, what is your advice to the avengers and the federal government?

Everyone should call upon God. It is only God that has all solution to all the problems in the region.

Is the church praying for the quick recovery of our President?

The Bible instructed us to pray for our leaders. It is the duty of the believers to pray for those in authority and our nation. There is no question about that.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016 --- PAGE 43

Corruption, Religion and Societal Values

By Emmanuel Jigbale

T

HIS paper is not to dwell on the purely academic, philosophical, sociological, economic, psychological aspects of the topic but it is an attempt to bring to the fore the fact that Corruption, loss of religious and societal values are symptomatic of a breakdown or putrefaction of spiritual, moral, social and religious values as directed by Jehovah, the Creator and designer of the human mind. It will also point out or proffer solutions based on the present circumstances of this evil world and her systems or measures and finally put it on record that the ‘desire of all nations’, the New Jerusalem, and God’s Kingdom, remain the perfect, ordained, determined, and divinely designed condition or state or place where all these will be confined to the dust bin of history.

Of all the words used to connote the debased, depraved, perverse, or immoral state of human societies, civilizations, generations, systems, governments, powers, personalities, values, collectively and individually, the word Corrupt and its various conjugations grammatically or etymologically, stands out clearly as that which concisely describes the sordid and sorry state of affairs of any person, people, or place, system, or thing that is disconnected from God and His values or religion in absolute and relative terms.

Corruption is actually a spiritual disease of the mind with many manifested syndromes. It is the corrupt mind that churns out corrupt devices which include, “all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful”.

Words synonymous with corrupt are rotten, unprincipled, unethical, immoral, defiled, impure, dishonest, fraudulent, crooked, obscene, bribable etc.

Global corruption was what led Jehovah in manifestation of His power and infinite justice to destroy the first world saving righteous Noah and his family of seven. This also serves as a pointer to how He will destroy corruption that has ravaged this evil world.

Religion permeates the life of every human being as well as every society throughout the world, and every religion has norms, values and acceptable standards contained in its doctrines. By inculcating in adherents these norms and values, religion is expected to promote social or societal control and acceptable standards in the society, thereby reducing vices such as corruption.

Thus religion and corruption are seen as having a symbiotic relationship. Focusing on the Christian religion, we argue in this paper that the prevalence of corruption in the Nigerian society today is an indication that Churchianity is apparently failing and is losing its potency to correct the vices in the society.

Nominal Christianity has been bastardized and commercialized to the extent that it is losing its appeal as a promoter of right values and spiritual standing as a result of factors such as quest for prosperity/materialism by adherents and religious leaders’ quest for power, victory over perceived enemies; selfish int-

erests, sycophancy and the like, all at the expense of the virtues and moral standards emphasized in the Bible.

Worldwide, religion does not only prepare adherents for life after the existence in this world, but also ensures that adherents live a holy and pure life. Adherents are expected to imbibe some values and virtues to promote peace within the society. This implies that religion serves as a means of social control. Unfortunately, religion as practiced by both religious leaders and followers in Nigeria today, has become commercialized to the extent that anything goes. From theft of church money to ritual killing in the name of money; from deceits by religious leaders to willingness of followers to engage in dastardly acts; from fornication and adultery by leaders to hero worship of criminals, fraudsters, election riggers and sycophants; acquisition of titles and self proclamations such as Bishop, Most Senior Apostle; His Holiness; Bishop of the whole world; Dr, Founder; Prophet; Pastor; Evangelist and so on. The only thing that is yet to be seen is the outright inclusion of ‘limited or PLC’ after the name of these churches, yet what they do therein is much more businesslike than the so called limited or public companies.

The prevalence of corruption in the society is an indication of the failure or failing role of religion to serve as a social control. Social or societal values, beliefs and religion are all interrelated concepts. According to Durkheim, ‘religion is a unified system of beliefs, doctrines, and practices related to sacred things.’ It unites all who adhere to those beliefs.

This means beliefs are part and parcel of religion. In societies in general religion is of core value.

It is a rich source of moral and social values. When Israel as a nation was in its infancy, the importance of building their society along the laws given by God was stressed. In social values and institutions religion is one of the five recognized institutions.

The five basic institutions in social values are, Family, Education, Economy, Politics and Religion.

These can however be compressed to three to agree with what the Holy Book reveals…..Politics, Religion, Economics or Commerce in Revelations 13.

Although, there is often difficulties in defining corruption, because it means not only different things to different people, and even to the same people different things at different times. Also sanctions which usually are attached to corrupt practices hide them and give them subtle or hidden forms.

Some people see “corruption” as a conscious and well planned act by a person or group of persons to appropriate by unlawful means the wealth of another person or group of persons. To others, it is the act of turning power and authority to ready cash. It affects the military as well as it soils the hands of the civilians.

The effects of corruption in Nigeria have been significant.

From multi-internal effects such as under development, lack of basic infrastructure like good road networks, misuse of natural resources, inadequate power and water supply, mediocrity in professional and leadership positions, defective leadership outputs, fuel scarcity in an oil producing nation, falling standards of education and work output, high unemployment rates, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor to mention just a

*Brother Emmanuel Bemigho Jigbale few, to the international effects such as the tarnished image of our country in the international circles and the caution exercised by foreign nationals in entering business transactions with Nigerians thereby weakening the economic sector. The multiplier effect has been the mass spread of poverty and our unenviable position in the list of poor and under-developed countries amidst rich natural resources.

In Nigeria, Religion features at the beginning of the nation’s constitution. Chapter 1, Part II (10) prohibits the adoption of any religion as state religion and Chapter IV (38) gives freedom to all citizens on the religion to practice and that no religion should be forced on any citizen against his will.

The question then is, what is the situation on ground in Nigeria?

As a matter of fact, most Nigerians are religious. Ever since the spread of the gospel to the country, Nigerians have embraced and adopted and practiced it with fervor and passion. In the

Unfortunately, in Nigeria religion has lost its potency to fight the virus of corruption and not just this, corruption has succeeded in infesting and taking over the brain box of religion

recent past, the spirit of ‘born againism’ has taken over. Churches are found in all nooks and crannies of the streets. There are churches in the forests, riversides, on hilltops and mountains.

Crusades are organized daily.

Worship sessions and vigils take place every minute of every day of the week. People go in large numbers on pilgrimage taking pride in being addressed as Alhajis or Jerusalem Pilgrims [JPs].

Sadly however, what many religious leaders are doing is all showmanship, eye service and vanity worship, religion without piety or depth. Most topics of crusades are coined in catching phrases such as ‘your miracle is today, overcoming the devil, victory at last, march into your wealth, claim your fortunes today, possess your possessions, my blood is bitter, altar vs altars, my bride has gone mad, roll the stone away, etc’. These phrases serve their desired purpose of attracting followers. They steal the words of the Holy Book and use them to lead people astray. They make salvation and entering God’s Kingdom look like a dreamer’s world or like Alice in wonderland.

The largest bill boards on the streets are those advertising one religious crusade/faith healing or the other. Religious phrases such as praise God, Halleluiah, Jesus is Lord and so on are commonly on the lips of people anywhere and anytime of the day. Some establish their churches and make themselves the General Overseer or Papa, their wives Deputy General Overseer or Mama or Treasurer, their son the Secretary and so on.

Thus from all indications and outward manifestations, Nigerians seem to be incurably religious and perhaps the most religious in the world. But in the face of this fervor and religiosity, should order, peace, love, selflessness, charity, humanity to man, and other fruits of the spirit listed in (Galatians 5:22-23) not be clearly visible and manifested in Nigeria? Put in another way, should there be corruption, rancor, poverty, inhumanity, poor governance and so on in the land especially in Christian dominated

areas? Is the Christian religion serving the desired purpose of increasing moral and spiritual values? The situation on ground in Nigeria does not appear to show that the Christian religion is serving these functions. From all indications, it could be seen that long before the global economic meltdown currently being experienced, Nigeria has been experiencing religious meltdown and not only has it failed to curb corruption, but it has in itself become a channel of corruption.

Religious leaders kowtow slavishly for any government in power.

What factors then encourage corruption in this country? First and foremost, Nigerian leaders over the last 40 years have created an environment that is conducive for corrupt practices with a disoriented and impoverished followership, and anybody else operating in this environment, quickly learns to tow the line and take full advantage. The system has been molded by a society where anything goes. The system has taken on a life of its own, feeding off itself. Society in turn is now a victim of that system.

Apart from the government, society itself has further encouraged corruption through excessive hero worship bordering on mass sycophancy. Akin to sycophancy is hero worship even when we know such heroes have committed atrocities. Once they come around and throw a few material things around or when they dash out money to traditional rulers, they easily become heroes to be worshipped and at times given chieftaincy titles as a mark of their recognition.

In the face of the contradiction and the embarrassment of a booming Christianity in the midst of an environment that stinks with corruption and indiscipline, the conclusion seems to be that what is spreading like wild fire in contemporary Nigeria is not genuine or true Christianity at all, but a mass movement of some sort with Christian elements of ritualism; one that is largely shallow, superficial, noisy and devoid of substance and depth.

They are spiritual frogs. Popular Christianity in Nigeria appears to be largely materialistic, unspiritual and with emphasis on prosperity, success, healing and with little attention on social morality and spirituality of the believers.

Religion has failed in its responsibility to mould the character of the adherents. Religion itself has been thoroughly exploited and manipulated in Nigeria by “smart” men for political and economic gains. Put in computer terminologies, religion could be seen as an antivirus. Unfortunately, in Nigeria religion has lost its potency to fight the virus of corruption and not just this, corruption has succeeded in infesting and taking over the brain box of religion.

What camouflages as popular Christianity in Nigeria and spreading like wild fire and winning thousands of souls may not really be Christianity at all, to the extent that it has thrived in the midst of corruption and social decay and has not been able to make a difference in the social morality and piety of the adherents. In fulfillment of Jesus’ declaration, these religious leaders and followers are being known through their fruits.

*Bro. Emmanuel Bemigho Jigbale is a Minister and Publicity Secretary of God’s Kingdom Mission, EnerhenWarri, Delta State.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016

C

HRISTIANS assume Paul preached the same gospel as Jesus. But close scrutiny reveals otherwise. Paul never heard Jesus preach; he simply fabricated his own gospel and attributed it to Jesus. As a result, there are many contradictions between the doctrine of Jesus and that of Paul.

Different gospel Jesus preaches the gospel of the kingdom of God: “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.” (Matthew 4:23).

But Paul preaches the gospel of the grace of God: “I count my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify fully the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24).

Jesus is the Saviour in the gospel of the kingdom: “She shall bear a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).

But Paul is the saviour in his gospel of grace. “Since I am the apostle of the nations, I glorify my ministry; if by any means I may provoke those who are my flesh to jealousy, and might save some of them.” (Romans 11:13-14).

Jesus says he will build his church himself: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18). But Paul says he is the wise “master builder” who lays the foundation of the church: “According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise

WHOSE REPORT DO YOU BELIEVE? (2) master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.” (I Corinthians 3:10).

Jesus says he gave his life as a ransom for only some people: “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28). But Paul says Jesus gave his life as a ransom for everybody: “There is one mediator of God and of men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all.” (I Timothy 2:5-6).

Different ministry The principles Paul presents in his letters to the churches are at variance with those that Jesus taught during his three-year ministry. Since Paul’s teachings contradict those of Jesus, those who follow Paul cannot be Jesus’ disciples at the same time.

Take note of the following divergences.

Jesus says he came to call sinners to repentance: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13). But Paul says Jesus came to save sinners: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,

Jesus delivered sinners from Satan: but Paul delivered sinners to Satan of whom I am chief.” (I Timothy 1:15).

Jesus kept company with sinners: “As Jesus reclined in the house, behold, many taxcollectors and sinners came and were reclining with him and his disciples.” (Matthew 9:10). But Paul says Christians should not keep company with sinners: “In my other letter I told you not to have anything to do with immoral people.” (I Corinthians 5:9). “We command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks disorderly, and not after the teaching which he received from us.” (II Thessalonians 3:6).

Jesus delivered sinners from Satan: “Jesus told the evil spirit, ‘Be quiet and come out of the man!’ The spirit shook him. Then it gave a loud shout and left.” (Mark 1:25). But Paul delivered sinners to Satan: “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you

are gathered together, with my spirit; also, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ; to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

(I Corinthians 5:4-5).

Different Perspective Jesus says his sheep will hear his voice and follow him.

They will not follow a stranger (John 10:27/5). The voice of Paul is the voice of a stranger.

That is what is responsible for the following discrepancies.

Jesus says only the word he speaks is the word of God: “He who has no love for me does not keep my words; and the word which you are hearing is not my word but the Father's who sent me.”

(John 14:24). But Paul says the word he speaks is the word of God: “For this cause we still give praise to God, that, when the word came to your ears through us, you took it, not as the word of man, but, as it

truly is, the word of God, which has living power in you who have faith.” (I Thessalonians 2:13).

Jesus says none of the Pharisees kept the law: “Did not Moses give you the law? Even so, not one of you keeps the law.” (John 7:19). But Paul says he kept all the laws of Moses as a Pharisee: “I kept all the righteousness of the law to the last detail.” (Philippians 3:6).

Jesus says the believer will be raised on the last day: “This is the will of the Father who sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes on him should have everlasting life.

And I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:39-40). But Paul says believers are already raised with Christ: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3: 1).

Dire Warnings It is imperative that, as followers of Jesus, we must

heed his warnings. A lot of the warnings of Jesus identify Paul as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Take another look at the following.

Jesus says we should determine a prophet by his fruits: “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-16).

But Paul says we should determine a prophet by whether he agrees with whatever he says: “If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are a commandment of the Lord.” (I Corinthians 14:37-38).

Jesus says we should beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees: “Be sure to guard against the dishonest teaching of the Pharisees! It is their way of fooling people.” (Luke 12:1). But Paul remained a Pharisee even after he became a Christian. When he observed that some of the council members were Sadducees and others Pharisees, he shouted: “I am a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. I am on trial simply because I believe that the dead will be raised to life." (Acts 23:6).

Jesus spoke of Pharisees who shut the kingdom of heaven against men: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men. For you neither go in, nor do you allow those entering to go in.” (Matthew 23: 13). Make sure Paul, the Pharisee, does not prevent you from entering the kingdom of heaven.

At 52nd Founder's Day, Motailatu Organisation shakes Ondo City

T

he 52nd Founder's Day Anniversary of Motailatu Organisation Worldwide has come and gone but activities marking the epochmaking event still reverberate in Ondo City, Ondo State where the headquarters of Motailatu Church of God is situated.

The three-day event was well attended by members and elders of the church from various parishes.

The organisation was founded by His Most Eminence, Archbishop Isaiah M. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu) on June 14, 1964.

He died on December 26, 2014.

The celebration of this year's anniversary, presided over by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the church, Senior Superintendent Gabriel F. Akinadewo (Omo Jesu II), was unique in many ways.

Many spiritual/historical sites were visited starting from Friday, June 10 when the event commenced.

A convoy of vehicles from Ondo City went to Bolorunduro town, a distance of 15 minutes, to worship in Oke Igbala Olu C&S Church founded in 1936 by the late Chairman, Spiritual Workers' Union in the defunct Western Region, Saint Benjamin A. Adekahunsi.

Archbishop Akinadewo was ordained in this church by his father, Saint Adekahunsi, as 'the Lion of

the tribe of Judah' in 1976.

The parishioners were happy that 80 years after the church was founded and 40 years after the ordination of Archbishop Akinadewo, they visited the premises.

From there, the close to 20 vehicles in the convoy moved to Mount Ararat in the same vicinity where Special Apostle David Akinadewo preached on the essence of 'the powerful effect of prayer on the mountain', as illustrated by the Biblical Prophet Elijah and Jesus Christ.

As he was preaching, heavens sent 'showers of blessing' on those in attendance.

The convoy immediately moved to the Cathedral of Oke Igbala Olu C&S Church in Sabo area of Ondo City, also founded by Saint Adekahunsi, for a revival and later prayed at the tombs of Adekahunsi and Holy Mother Emily O. Akinadewo.

After returning to the Mission House of Motailatu Church of God on Brigadier Ademulegun Road, special prayers were also held at the tombs of the Patriarch and Matriarch of the church, Archbishop Akinadewo and Superintendent General Apostolic Mother Mary A. Akinadewo.

After the prayers, series of bible lessons were conducted which dovetailed into vigil at St. Adekahunsi Motailatu Cathedral,

Oke Iwosan, Ondo.

The vigil, conducted by Special Apostle Babajide Akinadewo, started at 10 pm and lasted till 6:05 on Saturday morning.

At 2pm, a procession was held round the town and hundreds of residents joined the parishioners.

Shouts of 'Motailatu', 'Omo Jesu' and 'Baba Oluso' were heard from the joyous crowd as the convoy moved through popular streets, such as OkeIsegun, Lafenwa, Olorunsola, Yaba, Idi-Isin, Surulere, Ope Oluwa, Gani Fawehinmi and Mokola.

The choir, supported by trumpeters and drummers, rendered melodious songs.

Many old men and women, who could not join the convoy, prayed for the growth of the church and the Akinadewo children.

The thanksgiving service on Sunday was held with Special Recognition Awards given to 56 families in the city.

According to Senior Superintendent Akinadewo, the award was given to the families “to appreciate the support given to our father when he started the missionary work”.

Before the service started at 10am, the church was filled to the brim.

The Choristers, in their white garment and blue cape, rendered beautiful songs to mark the 52nd anniversary and annual conference.

•Snr. Superintendent Akinadewo (middle) with some elders cutting the anniversary cake In his sermon, Akinadewo, who quoted relevant verses in the Bible, said there was 'a big stone' hindering the progress of the country and 'only God can roll away the stone'.

He urged political and religious leaders to fear God because “according to Psalm 62:11, power belongeth unto God”.

Some of the families honoured were Adekolurejo (the late Osemawe of Ondoland); Osunwe (the late Akogbe of Ajueland); Akinjagunla (a high chief); Adetowubo and Oshodi (lawyers); Akinnuoye, Adegboyega, Adenekan, Akinwumiju, Akinfe, Aje-

tunmobi, Adeuga, Akinselure, Hamzat, Fasehun, Adegoke, Akinduro, Fadayomi, Olajide, Osunwe and Fawehinmi.

Superintendent James Akinadewo, Special Apostle Victor Adelalure and Special Apostle Abayomi Daramola supervised the award event.

The four Head Teachers of Motailatu Primary Schools in the city, founded by Archbishop Akinadewo in the early 80s, were also honoured.

After receiving their awards, representatives of the families thanked God for the life of the founder “and we also

want to appreciate the children for their efforts in projecting the image of their father and ensuring that the church continues to carry on the good works of Baba Omo Jesu”.

The 'seven prayers in seven minutes' session was spiritually magnifying and soul lifting as members prayed for the world, Africa, Nigeria, Ondo State, Ondo City, families and individuals.

The anniversary cake was later cut by some of the elders with prayers by ever ybody “for God to keep us alive” to attend the 53rd anniversary next year.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016 — 45

Nigerian athletics faces bleak future ...As AAC end in Durban

By Ben Efe

N

IGERIAN athletics enthu siasts can only hope for a miracle to happen for the country to produce podium performances at the 2016 Rio Olympics starting in August.

Team Nigeria’s showing at the African Athletics Championships, which comes to a close today in Durban South Africa has left much to be desired. It was even worse that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria cannot present athletes to run in the relays. Only the women 4x400m is in contention in the final to be decided today. They are tipped to win the gold.

With Nigerian teams’ inability to perform in the relays, their chances of making the Rio 2016 Games remains gloomy. It is only the women 4x400m that is assured of a place in the Olympics.

In today’s events Divine Oduduru will try to rescue a medal in the 200m, while Doreen Amata will vie for the gold in the women high jump.

As at yesterday Nigeria has

Visa denial: The Spanish Embassy/NAPTIP Conspiracy

T

Flight to Nowhere...Ese Brume jumped 6.57m to win gold, but this is like a pinch of salt at the Olympic Games. four gold medals behind South Africa and Kenya. The table is expected to remain the same at the end of the championships.

“What is happening in Durban

is something one can’t really explain. No relay teams ? So why are we there at all? No no no a lot is wrong,”a former vicepresident of the AFN lamented yesterday.

Messi set to win first silverware with Argentina A

RGENTINA’s Lionel Mes si is determined to “change history and become a champion” as his side face Chile in the Copa America final early Monday at the MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Messi spoke of his sadness at having missed out with Argentina in consecutive finals – at the 2014 World Cup and the Copa America last year – and is focused on putting that right.

“The final is important for me because I could win a Copa America,” Messi said at a press conference. “ It’s the third final I’ve got to play in with the national team and I hope to change history one day and become a champion” “Winning would certainly be the best gift we could give, not only for me [in reference to turning 29 on Friday] but the whole group.

We must seize this opportunity

and win the cup by any means.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal during the first half against the United States in the semi-finals of the 2016 Copa America “[On possibly losing a third straight final with Argentina], I don’t know if it’d be a failure. “ Still, this is my third consecutive final and not winning it would be a big disappointment.”

Gov. Ugwuanyi to overhaul Enugu Rangers … Gets kudos from NFF president

E

NUGU State governor, If eanyi Ugwuanyi has revealed his administration’s plan to send a bill to the state House of Assembly to liberalise the ownership of Enugu Rangers FC. This is to enable public and corporate organisations fund

and become co-owners of the Club for a more result-oriented output that will be the toast of sports lovers in the state and beyond.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who spoke during the first Enugu Sports Summit and unveiling of the 042 Sports Festival logo at De Dome

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on Financial Institutions, Hon. Ernest Nnaemeka Adinweruka yesterday donated sports equipment worth millions of naira to his alma-mater Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, Onitsha, Anambra. Photo saved as Donations

Events Centre, Enugu, noted that his administration’s commitment to sporting activities, especially the progress of Enugu Rangers FC was sacrosanct and a matter of priority.

This came as the chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF), Mr. Pinnick Amaju, who attended the event, commended the governor for the bold initiative to reposition the club for greatness through innovation, saying that it was was a digital thinking, which would yield the desired positive result.

“This bill will provide platform for all of us to own Rangers International Football Club.

Rangers belongs to us.”

According to the NFF chairman, “this is a digital thinking on the part of the governor of Enugu state to initiate this kind of bill for the funding of a football club.

“When passed into law, this will enhance sports development in the state and make Rangers Football Club the richest clubside in the country”, said the NFF chairman.

HE late Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti once sang a song “You be thief, I no bi thief, You be robber, I no bi armed robber ” to buttress the passing of buck between the government and some citizens who have been accused of corruption.

That scenario seem to be playing out today between the Spanish Embassy in Lagos and the National Agency For the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), as both bodies have been trading blames on who is actually responsible for the denial of visa to the country’s U-17 women’s basketball team schedule to participate at the ongoing FIBA U-17 World Championship in Zaragoza, Spain.

The team qualified for the competition a year ago from the African qualifiers. FIBA Africa commended the team for their gallantry, playing with only nine players out of the possible 12. This particular team were rewarded by President Muhammadu Buhari last February for this feat, qualifying for the World Championship.

So the team was not a ghost team by any standard. They were known to the Sports Ministry, the Federal Government of Nigeria, FIBA Africa and FIBA World, organisers of the Championship which Spain applied to host with the understanding that it will make easy passage for all qualified teams.

So to begin with, the owners of the team, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, started preparation for the team even without a dime from the supervising ministry, who were and are still waiting for the government to release funds to it.

What did NBBF do? It wrote to the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NAPTIP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, why? Each has a role to play. The Customs would need to clear the players who will carry a lot of luggage which will include their kits and training equipment. The Immigration will make their passage as Nigerian Ambassadors hitch free.

Knowing that the players were minors, the NBBF equipped itself with the players birth certificates and sworn affidavits provided by their parents as well as letters of consent that they approved their wards trip for the championship, all as demanded by the Spanish Embassy.

The NBBF did not end there, it took all these documents to the Foreign Affairs ministry which then endorsed them. With these in hand, the Secretary General of the NBBF then forwarded them to the Embassy and all the players and their officials also made physical appearance too. The Embassy started treating them, giving assurance that it will be done early enough for the team to travel.

Note that only NAPTIP did not reply the NBBF upon the receipt of a letter by the federation to intimate it on their proposed trip, fully aware of the agency’s duty to help stamp out child trafficking which was gaining notoriety in the country.

Shocking and to the disappointment of the NBBF, the young players and their officials, they were denied visas and their passports returned to them through the protocol officer of the sports ministry, without, I repeat, without any explanation to the NBBF. When the news of the visa denial broke out, Nigerian journalists took it up with the Embassy which then informed them they rejected the visa application because of a letter from NAPTIP alerting them they suspected child trafficking.

NAPTIP was then reached for their reaction and its Head, Press and Public Relations, Josiah Emerole denied the Spanish Embassy. He claimed the Embassy in Abuja, not the Lagos one which the Embassy applied through, told them a different reason. That the NBBF’s applications were full of irregularities, that they came late and that the application form was signed by someone who was dead.

The agency’s Ag. Director General, Alhaji Abdulrazak Dangiri, also came out to confirm this and stressed that they never wrote the Embassy concerning the basketball contingent and that the Embassy never wrote them to clarify anything about the team. According to him, they wrote the Embassy to clarify the allegations against the agency,after the news broke out, adding that the Embassy in response told NAPTIP that the visa application was full of irregularities.

From what I have narrated here, both NAPTIP and the Embassy are not telling Nigerians the truth. If NAPTIP didn’t write the Embassy concerning the basketball team, why is the Spanish Consular insisting they got a letter from NAPTIP. Mr. Emerole said the only time they wrote the Embassy was an alert letter written to all Embassies on the child trafficking syndicate, not only Spanish Embassy.

It then behoves on the Embassy to produce the letter they claimed was from NAPTIP alerting them about the U-17 team. On the side of NAPTIP, if they wrote to the Embassy to clarify the story linking the agency to the visa denial and the Embassy responded and told them it was because (1) the applications were full of irregularities, (2) that they came late and (3) that the officer who signed the form was a dead man, they should produce the letter from the Embassy as we cannot take it from them that the Embassy’s response was verbal. This matter must be investigated by the Federal Government through the Foreign Affairs ministry because the image of the country has been tarnished and the future of young players jeopardized by both NAPTIP and the Spanish Embassy. And the culprits must be punished. Unfortunately the sports ministry whose duty it is to find out what happened is the one already passing a blanket blame on sports federations for “fire brigade approach” without any investigation. So sad.

46—SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

CAF C/League: Enyimba happy with Setif disqualification

Continued from B/P kept on the bench for the second and made a full return for the third against Switzerland.

Deschamps said the Juventus midfielder, who has been linked to big money moves, is better when he is out of the headlines.

“Paul had a difficult first match, he came on in the second and had a very good first half against

Shaqiri Continued from B/P maker, who described his goal as beautiful, leapt into the air to meet the ball at about head height with his back to goal and sent his shot over his shoulder into the far corner, leaving the stadium stunned.

His 82nd minute goal, which cancelled out Jakub Blaszczykowski’s firsthalf goal and forced extra time, immediately started comparisons with others of a similar style.

It was reminiscent of a strike by Rivaldo for Barcelona against Valencia when the Brazilian controlled a pass on his chest with his back to goal and volleyed the ball over his head into the ne “It was a great goal but

N

IGERIA’S U-23 national team suffered a 4-3 defeat against their U-20 counterparts in yesterday ’s friendly match played at the National Stadium, Abuja.

Orji Okonkwo’s brace plus Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Oshimen strikes helped Emmanuel Amuneke’s lads overcome the Olympics team despite strikes from Godwin Saviour, Etebo Oghenekaro and Shehu Abdullahi.

Orji Okonkwo handed the Flying Eagles side the lead in the 10th minutes before Saviour leveled up in the 27th minute.

Okonkwo recovered the lead for the U-20 side nine minutes later and

T

HE hope of Nigeria champions Enyimba reaching the semi-final of the CAF Champions League has brightened following the disqualification of Algeria’s Entente Setif for crowd trouble.

Enyimba lost their opening Group B match at home 1-0 to Zamalek of Egypt, but now with the exit of Setif, it will be a three-horse race for the knockout stage of Africa’s most prestigious clubs competition.

South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns are the biggest losers on the back of the disqualification of the Algerian club after they posted a 2-0 away win at Setif. Wednesday’s clash between Sundowns and Enyimba in South Africa has therefore taken a greater significance as the result from that game will go a long way in determining one of the two semi-finalists in the group.

A result for the seventime Nigeria champions at Sundowns in midweek will get their Champions League dreams back on track.

Friendly: Flying Eagles pip Olympics Eagles

•Udoh

Coleman content with scrappy Wales progression C HRIS Coleman concedes that Wales were not at their best in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Northern Ireland, but was more than happy to take a scrappy route into the Euro 2016 quarter-finals. With

Pogba Switzerland,” Deschamps said.

“He is ready and needed calm to prepare well. There is a lot of talk about him but he is still quite young and needs to have tranquillity and concentration.”

Deschamps said West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet deserves the star status he has achieved with his sparkling performances for France. ultimately it didn’t prove much use. My goal pushed the team more, it was an important goal for me. It was a beautiful goal and I am always proud to score for my country, but we are out and I am disappointed,” said the Stoke City player.

Poland coach coach Adam Nawalka said his side may have put too much emphasis on their trademark defence but it was enough to see off Switzerland on Saturday and book a spot in their first ever European quarter-final.

After dominating the first half and going a goal ahead, Poland sat deep, allowing the Swiss to draw level and push the game into extra time. The Poles then triumphed after taking the penalty shoot-out 5-4.

the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Ledley at their disposal, Wales were the favourites heading into the last-16 tie at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

However, Northern Ireland were tactically shrewd and stifled Wales throughout the game, and it took a moment of misfortune from veteran

defender Gareth McAuley to settle the match, the centre-back turning in Bale’s teasing low centre in the 75th minute.

A gracious Coleman paid tribute to Wales’ opponents after the game and was relieved to come away with

the win that continues their dream tournament.

Asked by BBC Sport if the low-key performance put a dampener on the win, Coleman replied: “No, no.

I’d rather be standing here in the quarter-finals having not played at our best.”

Ighalo Continued from B/P media to expressed their desire to play in the world cup.

“Top football Nations but with hard work and fight, we can come out strong.”

Ogu tweeted.

Defender Balogun added: “Far from easy, but it’s the hard road that leads to success. Let’s take

Chukwueze made it 3-1 five minutes to half time break.

In the second half, Oghenekaro reduced the scoreline to 3-2 in the 56th minute, but Oshimen restored Flying Eagles two goals lead for 4-2 in the 72nd minute with Abdullahi getting the third goal for his team.

The Nigeria U-23 team had lost 2-1 to the same team in a friendly played in April.

World Cup: Omeruo hails Nigeria’s group

N

NFF Continued from B/P Morocco to earn the Camerooo qualification.

NFF vice president Shehu Dikko had indicated that a coach will be named for the national senior team within two weeks.

“The target (to hire a coach) of the technical committee and the NFF is two weeks so we can get down to preparations,” Shehu Dikko, second vice-president of the NFF said.

“It is better now that we know the draws and the countries we will play, so we can decide the kind of coach we need to get the right results,” Dikko added.

•Amuneke

•Unstoppable Bale!

Onigbinde Continued from B/P myself with the group or who are there in the group but I concentrate on getting my team prepared for the championship.

“I do not believe in the catchword or singsong ‘Group of Death or Life’ it this opportunity and earn our spot,” Ighalo urged the Nigeria football federation to make all the neccsaary preparations for the Super Eagles to excel in the qualification contest. He tweeted: “Impossible is nothing.”

More so, Echiejile posited that Nigeria would make it to the World Cup in Russia.

“Yes, we can.” he tweeted.

means absolutely nothing.

“France came to the World Cup in 2002 as champions but lost its first match to relatively unknown side, Senegal.

“Football is not mathematics and I do not believe in records or statistics as well as spying of opponents.

“My interest and concentration has always been to build a solid team for the championship.

“Our chances will squarely depend on how we prepare our team for the qualifying race and it rest on the technical men.

“Nigeria can win the World Cup if everything is properly done but sadly we are still joking with our football,” said the former CAFand FIFA instructor to supersport.com.

IGERIA defender Kenneth Omeruo has described the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw which sees Nigeria in Group B along with Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia as “interesting”.

The draw, which held in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, pitted three-time African champions Nigeria in the same group as Africa’s best ranked team Algeria and former African champions Cameroon and Zambia.

And reacting to the draw, Chelsea defender Omeruo said they must also prepare well for the qualifiers.

Cameroon Continued from B/P describing it as a difficult group.

“This is the group of death and it’s a very difficult group, especially with a team like Algeria, you also have Zambia and Nigeria, three very good teams. It will be very difficult for each team in the group. We will see what happens on the opening days in in October and November,”the Belgian coach told CAF.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 26, 2016 — PAGE 47

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 26, 2016

Preparation’ll be key — Onigbinde F

World Cup Qualifier:

ORMER Super Eagles coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has said preparation is quite key to Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Cameroon coach writes off Eagles

The three-time African champions were on Friday drawn in Group B together with neighbours, Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia in the African zone qualification race.

Onigbinde said records and statistics have not been good judgement of how countries fare in major championship but their respective preparations.

“I have never bothered Continues on page 46

Ighalo, others tweet optimism

C

OACH of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon, Hugo Bross has said that Algeria is the team he believes will give his side a tough time when the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup begins later in the year.

Answering questions shortly after the draws were made in Cairo, Egypt, Bross agreed on the ‘Group of Death’ tag given Group B which has Algeria, Cameroon, Nigeria and Zambia, •Bross

D

ESPITE facing a s e e m i n g l y daunting task to qualifify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Super Eagles players are optimistic they can make Nigeria proud in the group play offs.

Odion Ighalo, Leon Balogun, Elderson Echiejile and John Ogu in reacting to the draw that pitted them against Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia took to social

Continues on page 46

Euro 2016: My magical goal failed to save Switzerland —Shaqiri

S

WITZERLAND’S Xherdan Shaqiri finally made his mark at Euro 2016 with an astonishing goal but was unable to savour the moment as they were knocked out by Poland on penalties on Saturday.

The diminutive playContinues on page 46

•Onigbinde

Continues on page 46

CONTROL...Super Eagles forward, Simon Moses controls the ball ahead of Pharaohs of Egypt player during their failed AFCON qualifier at Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna. Eagles are on the match again against Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers

•Shaqiri

NFF contacts Le Guen for Eagles job N •Le Guen

IGERIA Football Federation is in contact with French born coach, Paul Le Guen with a view of taking over the Super Eagles ahead of the crucial 2018 World Cup in Russia.

A highly placed NFF

See solution on page 5

official disclosed yesterday that a window of discussion with the former Nantes and Paris St Germain defender is open and barring any u n f o r e s e e n circumstance, he will be

41. Damages (8) ACROSS 1. Governor of Sokoto DOWN 1. Sample (5) State (8) 2. Niger state town (4) 5. Assistant (4) 3. Observe (5) 7. Praise (5) 4. Lecture (6) 8. Upright (4) 5. Everyone (3) 9. Lantern (4) 6. Use (6) 11. Tradition (6) 10. Inquires (4) 13. Lagos 12. Carpet (3) masquerade (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) 25. Nigerian state (6) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 27. Boring tool (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric 27 . African country (6) (5) 28. Endure (4) 31. Perform (2) 29. Child (3) 32. Oshiomhole’s 30. Spoke (6) state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 39. Inclination (5) 37. Possessed (3) 40. Eager (4)

named chief coach of the Super Eagles.

Le Guen who made 17 appearances for France was relieved of his duty

by Oman in November 2015 and is available.

The 52-year-old rescued Cameroon's World Cup 2010 after the

Copa America: Messi set to win first silverware with Argentina —p.45

Indomitable Lions faced the danger of not appearing at South Africa 2010 tournament.

Le Guen took over from coach Otto Pfiser and led Cameroon to famous away wins in Gabon and Continues on page 46

•Ighalo

Concentrate, French coach tells clash with the Republic Pogba FRANCE coach Didier Deschamps has called on midfielder Paul Pogba to concentrate for his country ahead of their Euro 2016 second round

of Ireland on Sunday.

Pogba, 23, was lambasted after France’s first match against Romania, was Continues on page 46

EURO 2016 FIXTURES France Italy Germany Hungary

v v v v

N. Ireland Spain Slovakia Belgium

2 pm 5 pm 5 pm 8 pm

RESULTS Switerland Wales Portugal El Kanemi Heartland

1 1 1 1 2

Poland N/ Ireland Croatia Lobi Akwa Utd

1 0 0 0 0

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