Ebola: 39 Foreigners held in Lagos

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Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun,(right) presenting some items to some Baales during Mrs. Amosun's Community Empowerment Programme at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Ojowo in Ijebu East Local Government...recently

Former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar, (right) and Deputy Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje at the wedding fatiha of his son, Shehu Atiku Abubakar in Yola, Adamawa State, yesterday.

Abacha loot: Why FG settled with family — AGF, Adoke

....says $1 b request for terrorism fight borne out of genuine concern

By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

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HE Federal Government has defended its decision to discontinue with the trial of the son of a former head of state, General Sani Abacha, over the funds looted by the former military leader.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Mr. Mohammed Adoke, explained that the decision was borne out of national interest and not propelled by selfish motive as being insinuated by some Nigerians.

The minister ’s explanation is contained in his address to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference held in Owerri, Imo State, under the theme, ‘The Legal Profession in Nigeria’.

Adoke pointed out that apart from the Abacha loot, the administration had been very active in the tracing and recovery of stolen assets around the world.

He explained that the settlement the Federal Government reached with the Abacha family, which led to the significant recovery of assets in foreign jurisdictions, was a fitting testimony to the strenuous efforts being made to ensure the sufficient disgorgement of the proceeds of crime to serve as deterrence.

Adoke said: “I am aware of the negative commentaries that the settlement generated from those who were illinformed about the details of the settlement and the underlying imperatives in the national interest.

“I however wish to reassure the Bar that every aspect of the settlement was transparently conducted and the outcome was in the national interest.

“The settlement has received commendation across the globe and is being used as model for Case Studies on stolen assets recovery.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on our colleagues with the penchant for making unguarded and baseless

statements in the media to always seek information from appropriate quarters before commenting on issues”.

The Minister, who also shed light on the controversial Freedom of

Information Act, which appears to be observed more in the breach by government agencies in the country, said that his office had done the needful to ensure strict compliance with the law.

Aginighan, ex-NDDC boss, tasks Nigerians on voter’s card

*Counsels Deltans on Uduaghan’s successor

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former acting M a n a g i n g Director of the

Niger Delta Development

Commission, NDDC, Pastor Power Ziakede Aginighan, wants eligible voters to keep their voter ’s cards safely and vote for candidates of their choice in the 2015 general elections.

Aginighan also urged the people of Delta State to fervently pray for Godchosen successor to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

“They should not allow vote merchants to be in custody of their voter ’s cards. That is the only way we can enthrone leaders who will faithfully serve the higher and nobler interest of the generality of our people ‘’ he said in a statement after observing the conduct of the Continuous Voters Registration in his two communities – Ogodobri and Ezebri- in Bomadi LGA, Delta State. ’’I place on record my appreciation of the orderly manner the exercise was carried out by officials of the Independent National E l e c t o r a l

Commission(INEC). I commend INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Delta State, Mrs Gesila Okubama Khan and INEC National Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega for a job well done’’, the former NDDC boss said.

The statement continued: ‘’Our voter ’s card is our right to our well deserved enjoyment of the benefits of modern civilisationnamely, security, power, potable water, health care, education, good roads and so on. It is the bulwark against the looting of our common wealth by heartless politicians. ’’On the 2015 governorship election in Delta State, it is my position and indeed the position of many well meaning Deltans that those who see politics as a means of building vast economic empires for themselves should forget about the race. Those who rely on a non-existent and unconstitutional zoning formula and expect the governorship conceded to either their ethnic group or senatorial district on a platter of gold should have a rethink”.

RCCG Freedom Parish anniversary

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he grand-finale of the fifth anniversary of Reedemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Freedom Parish comes up today at the church auditoriumn on Esupofo Avenue, Off Alade, Gasline Ijoko Road, Ota,Ogun State.

According to the Pastor in – charge of the parish, Pastor Godwin Ehile, the event which kicked off on Tuesday with with Bible lecture and open crusade, will feature special ministration by guest minister, Pastor Iroha Kalu, while special prayer will be offered for individuals and the nation.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014 — PAGE 5

Ebola: 39 foreigners held in Lagos Continued from page 1 in West Africa, two Ebola victims have been recorded in Congo.

The four other suspects arrested in Lagos, according to police sources, hail from Sierra Leone, also battling Ebola cases.

The foreigners’ arrest came just as former President Olusegun Obasanjo criticised Liberian officials for allegedly conniving with the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who brought Ebola to Nigeria.

Also, yesterday, there was panic in Aba, Abia State commercial nerve centre, after a radio station aired a report that a relation of the Port-Harcourt victim of Ebola, Dr Iyke Enemuo, had sneaked into the town.

Lagos State government, in the meantime, warned residents against indulging in acts that could escalate Ebola in the state.

Hotel raid The Lagos arrest of the 39 foreigners, launched by police and immigration officials, was apparently carried out in a hotel and a guest house situated at Atere Street on Victoria Island.

Sunday Vanguard sources said the raid followed a tip-off by some residents to the Area A

Police Command, Lion Building, Lagos.

Consequently, the Area Commander, Imohimi Edgal, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), collaborated with immigration and health officials to storm the hotel where the foreigners were apprehended.

A police source said immigration officials will determine if the suspects were legally residing in the country while health officials will determine their health status to know if any of them had Ebola or not.

Following the arrest of the foreigners, hotels in the area, it was learnt, were placed under surveillance while residents were told to report any suspicious persons or activities to the police.

A resident of the area, Femi Ajasa, told Sunday Vanguard that they became suspicious and alerted the police following the mass movements of the foreigners into the hotels in the aftermath of the outbreak of the Ebola virus.While commending the police for their swift response which led to the arrest of the suspects, he said residents suspected that some persons were receiving treatment in the hotels rooms, hence the need to alert the authorities. “ We were particularly concerned about our safety following the revelation

THOUGHT FOR TODAY THE THREE ENEMIES OF MAN —2

By Richard Eromonsele

ANOTHER enemy we must avoid like a plague is anxiety over tomorrow’s problem. This is usually a product of the first one which is regretting over tomorrow’s mistakes. The thinking here is – yesterday was bad, so tomorrow will be bad. For example, can you say with utmost accuracy that it rained yesterday, so, tomorrow it will also rain?

Just as you cannot predict man’s condition tomorrow applying the same formula. So, rather than saying it was bad yesterday, so it will be bad tomorrow, why not say, it was bad yesterday, so it will be great tomorrow.

that it was a foreigner, Patrick Sawyerr, who imported Ebola to Nigeria. A vigilant resident alerted the community on Friday that he suspected some new faces entering the two hotels mostly patronised by foreigners, hence we alerted relevant authorities”, he said.

Obasanjo: My problem with Liberia Obasanjo, yesterday, took a swipe at Liberian officials who, according to him, connived with Sawyer, who brought Ebola Virus to Nigeria.

The former president spoke while answering questions from guests at an event organised by the publisher of Inside Watch Africa magazine, Oluwaseyi AdegokeAdeyemo, tagged, ‘An afternoon with Obasanjo’, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

According to him, this singular misadventure has started to take its toll on the manpower and the economy of not only Nigeria but the West Africa sub-region.

Obasanjo, however, disclosed that he had a meeting with the Ghanaian President, John Mahama, who’s also the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African Countries, some weeks ago, and discussed how to contain the spread of the deadly virus within the subregion.

He further said that, during the meeting, Mahama wanted a meeting of ministers of health, but he suggested that there was a limit the ministers could go and that a summit of the presidents in the subregion would be better.

He said, “It is devilish enough Patrick Sawyer had to spread this, and indeed spread it to Nigeria

From left, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Dr Pius Odubu, deputy governor of Edo State, at the wedding ceremony of Ehioze Erediauwa in Benin-City yesterday. in connivance with some authorities from his country, because they knew he had it before he came to Nigeria.

“The EVD has started to take its toll on the country and the West African sub region. The toll is not only on the number of those who are ill or dead but on the economy of communities, countries, region and subregion”.

The former president, while noting that EVD was not only a regional or subregional threat but a global one, called for a summit where a national policy on the disease would be formulated.

Obasanjo said, “Pharmaceutical companies in the country should be encouraged to carry out research on EVD and come up with vaccine to treat the deadly disease.

“Also, we have to be aggressive in taking precautionary measures.

When you see your neighbour or someone who has unique symptoms not just of ordinary cold or fever, take him to the doctor, whether it is symptomatic of Ebola or ordinary malaria.

“We should not wait till someone has got incubated in it, just like Patrick Sawyer, who knew he had it and he deliberately spread it.”

Pandemonium Timely intervention of Abia State government, yesterday, averted pandemonium in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state, following a report carried by a radio station that a relation of the Port Harcourt Ebola victim, Dr. Iyke Enemuo, had sneaked into the commercial city.

The news immediately triggered panic and residents retiring home abruptly.

But government quickly reacted to deny the report, saying no case of Ebola had been recorded in Abia and that nobody in contact with the Port Harcourt Ebola victim had entered the state.According to the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Eze Chikamnayo , no such person had come into Abia just as he restated the commitment of government to work in concert with the Federal Government to ensure that Ebola virus did not come to the state.He said that Government investigated the report by the radio station and found out that the late Enemuo had no relation residing in Aba.

Riot act in Lagos

Lagos State government,

yesterday, warned residents against indulging in unhealthy acts that could escalate Ebola in the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, gave the warning during the August sanitation monitoring exercise in Isolo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, with the council Chairman, Mr. Shamsideen Olaleye.

According to Bello, residents indulge in habits like open defecation and urination, which aid the spread of EVD, even as he said the acts, if continued, the state government “will have no option than to invoke public health law to prosecute offenders.”

On w hy this month’s sanitation was exclusively dedicated to advocacy campaign on preventive measures to curb the spread of EVD, the commissioner said that with the case in Port Harcourt, proactive measures must be taken to save the country from its spread.

He stated that the development necessitated the move to embark on aggressive campaign across Lagos to enlighten residents on how any unhealthy habits like open defecation could spread the virus.

2015: Oduah under pressure to contest senatorial election BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO Women in Anambra North senatorial zone, comprising Anambra East, Anambra West, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ayamelum, Oyi and Ogbaru Local Governments, yesterday, mounted pressure on the immediate past Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, to declare her interest in contesting the 2015 senatorial election in the zone.

In a communique issued in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the

state, shortly after the inaugural ceremony of their coordinators in support of the senatorial aspiration of Oduah, the women, numbering over 4,000 from the various local governments, adopted Oduah as their choice for the senatorial election in the zone.

They contended that Oduah deserved the position, based on her quality performance at the Aviation Ministry and as such should heed the voices of women from the zone to contest the 2015 senatorial election.

The women, who spoke through their Anambra East

and Ogbaru Local Governments coordinators of Stella Oduah Campaign Organization, Mrs. Uju Ezuike and Mrs. Njideka Ezeigwe respectively, insisted that the former Aviation Minister should contest.

They added that Oduah’s antecedents and achievements as a minister were living testimonies of positive things to come if she is given the mandate to represent the zone in the National Assembly.

Ikere Ekiti: One town, two regents

BY GBENGA ARIYIBI, Ado Ekiti resh crisis is brewing in F Ikere Ekiti after the passing on of the monarch of the town ,Oba Adegoke Adegboye, as two of her daughters are laying claims as the regent of the town.

The contenders for the regency are Mrs Adebisi Bello, the eldest daughter,

and Miss Ayooye Adegboye.

The two princesses are the biological daughters of the late Ogoga. The issue has polarized the late monarch’s children and the palace including the chiefs, as some of the princes and the chiefs are rooting for their preferred candidates for the regency and that is creating tension in the town

PAGE 6 —SUNDAY VANGUARD,AUGUST 31, 2014

Adamawa guber: PDP stops acting governor, Fintiri, from contesting ***Clears Ribadu, Marwa, Ardo, Tukur, Gulak, 8 others for primary election

By Henry Umoru

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HEAD of the September 6 primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party,

PDP, for the emergence of the party’s candidate for the October 11 gubernatorial election in Adamawa State, the party,

yesterday, disqualified the acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, from contesting.

Addressing journalists

after the nine hours screening exercise, Chairman of the PDP screening panel for Adamawa State and former Deputy Senate

President, Senator Ibrahim Nasir Mantu, said that the panel, while relying on Section 191(2) of 1999 Constitution, the acting governor could contest because he was a child of circumstance, a midwife and not the woman carrying the baby.

Of the 14 aspirants who appeared before the Mantu-led committee, only the acting governor was disqualified while the rest were cleared to participate in the PDP primary election.

The five- member panel was set up by the PDP National Working Committee, NWC, to screen the aspirants who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms. Besides Mantu, other members of the committee were former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; Amina Jambo; Mai Adamu Mustapha and Salisu Dabo, who was absent.

The screening started at 1.00 pm, an hour later than the 12 noon time earlier scheduled for its commencement, and closed at 8.30 pm.

Sensing what would happen, Fintiri stormed out of venue without taking questions from journalists like other aspirants.

Mantu, who noted that the Adamawa acting governor could not contest the election because it would go against the provision of Section 191,

Sub section 2 of the Constitution of the country, said: “He (Fintiri) was not cleared because, as far as far as we are concerned, Section 191, Sub section 2 of the Constitution does not permit him to transform from acting capacity to a substantive governor.”

Those cleared by Mantu committee to go for the primary election are Dr. Umar Ardo; former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senator Abubakar Girei; former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak; Erstwhile Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno States, Brig.

Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and former Minister of Statement Foreign Affairs, Dr. Aliyu Idi- Hong.

Others are the immediate past Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Dr. Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed; Son of former PDP National Chairman, Awwal Bamanga Tukur; Marcus Natina Gundiri; James Shuiabu Barka; Jerry Kundusi; Engr. Brig. Gen. Aliyu A.V. Kama and Prof.

Andrawus Sawa.

Present for the screening were the 14 aspirants who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms.

National Confab rekindled hope in Nigeria – TAN

By Bilesanmi Olalekan

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HE Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), a vocal Nigerian-based nong o v e r n m e n t a l organization,NGO, has joined eminent Nigerians to lend voice in commending the Federal Government and the delegates of the just concluded National Conference for being able to sit together and articulate issues of national interest without so much hitches.

The group noted that the report handed over to President Goodluck Jonathan has renewed hope for a better Nigeria among the citizens.

TAN, in a statement in Abuja by its Director of Operations, Mr Ben-Chuks Nwosu, expressed satisfaction that the delegates were able to reach agreement and consensus on contentious issues irrespective of tribe, religion, social class, ethnic and or geopolitical backgrounds; noting that they demonstrated rare deep sense of patriotism worthy of emulation by all.

The statement noted that the success of the conference didn’t just prove critics and enemies of the nation wrong but also depicts a strong indication that Nigerians are ever willing to live together, work together and fight their problems together as a people of one entity and one destiny. It added that the success has enhanced hope towards the realization of a greater Nigeria which Jonathan President is championing

through the Transformation Agenda.

TAN also expressed satisfaction with the content of the report, observing that it contains issues that will positively serve the interest of the people in general and in particular provide solution to the problems emanating from the various geopolitical zones of the country.

The statement cited the c o n f e r e n c e recommendation for the creation of one additional state out of the South-east to bring the number of states in the zone at par with other zones as a welcome development.

TFC boss loses father

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hief Solomon Adewunmi Alabi Adedayo, JP, the Odofin of Ila Orangun, Baba Ijo of St. Mathew ’s Anglican Church, Ila Orangun and Baale Onigbagbo of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ila Orangun, is dead. He passed on to eternal glory on Monday, August 18, aged 99, just one month ahead of the landmark age of 100 years.

Baba was the father of the Executive Chairman of the De Tastee Fried Chicken Limited, Mr. Adekunle Adedayo.

Late Chief Solomon Adedayo

SUNDAY VANGUARD,AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 7

2015: Buhari, Gov Kwankwaso’s supporters clash

BY ABDUSALAM MUHAMMAD, Kano he battle for the T presidential ticket of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is creating tension in Kano State where the supporters of Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and those of former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, have clashed.

The state House of Assembly, dominated by the APC, has broken into two camps, each supporting Kwankwaso and Buhari.

The governor and former Head of State are leading contenders for the APC presidential ticket.

Some members of the assembly, under the aegis of G34, had, late last week, endorsed Kwankwaso for the APC presidential ticket.

But signs that all was not well in the parliament emerged, yesterday, when a member of the group, Yusuf Abdullahi Atta, dissociated himself and some of his other colleagues from the endorsement, declaring support for Buhari.

Kano State Deputy Majority leader, Yusuf Suleiman Babangida, who disclosed the G 34 endorsement of the state governor, on Thursday, declared that the current security situation in the country requires a man with courageous

disposition of Kwankwaso to handle. ‘’The security of state and it’s citizens which is the first obligation that the law of the land places upon leadership is deteriorating at all levels due to the collapse of the centre”, the lawmaker said.

Babangida, who played a prominent role in the election that brought Kwankwaso to power in 2011, stated, “We the lawmakers in Kano House of Assembly, 34 of us precisely, hereby propose our leader, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

Babangida noted that his group’s conviction emanated from the fact that “Kwankwaso is eligible to occupy the office of the President,’’ saying, ‘’We therefore consider this aspiration as the taste of every progressive mind who has concerns over the state of the nation. “ In a sudden twist, yesterday, Atta, representing Fagge local government in the assembly, distanced himself and some of Buhari’s loyalists during a popular radio political programme “Kowane Gauta”.

The lawmaker, during the political programme aired by a private station declared that Babangida’s statement did not enjoy his

support and urged Buhari loyalists to remain calm. ‘’For now, Kano has no candidate other than Gen. Buhari for presidency by 2015; anything short of this popular arrangements remain a deceit”, he said.

Atta, during the pay per second radio political programme, whose listeners cut across seven states in the North-west, affirmed that Kano would only consider any other option outside Buhari except he stepped down his ambition.

Buhari and Kwankwaso have large but disciplined and fanatical supporters in the state who are emotional about the 2015 presidential dream of their principals.

ATIONAL Chairman N of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji

Adamu Muazu, has led some leaders of the party to former National Chairman, National Republican Convention, NRC, and immediate past Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Tom Ikimi, begging him to rejoin the party.

Muazu, who made the visit, Friday night, to the Abuja Maitama residence of Ikimi with the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih, and PDP deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Uches Secondus, stressed that the visit was among others designed to finalize arrangements for his formal return, adding that the PDP was happy that Ikimi had decided to return to its fold.

The PDP boss described Ikimi as a highly organized and patriotic Nigerian who has the interest of the nation at heart, saying such attribute made it hard for him to be in a party like the APC. He said that PDP will immensely benefit from Ikimi’s “ wealth of experience, strong political structure and massive followership across the country”.

Also speaking, Anenih

Boko Haram kills 14 in Borno villages

BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri No fewer than 14 people were killed in Jibwhiwhui village, Hawul local government area of Borno State and environs when gunmen, suspected to be members of Boko Haram insurgents, invaded the area.Hawul is about 220 kilometres south of Maiduguri, the state capital, suffering from deadly attacks by insurgents following non-deployment of military troops despite outcry by residents of the area.

A resident of the area, who did not want his name in print, told our correspondent on phone that the gunmen stormed the villages, on Thursday night, killing seven people before moving to the environs slaughtering seven people in an operation which lasted till 5:00am, on Friday. He said the gunmen arrived Jibwhiwhui at about 10:00 pm entering houses and picking residents and shooting them dead.

An indigene of the area resident in Maiduguri said he was told that the gunmen who came on motorcycles killed seven in Jibwhiwhui before moving to the nearby villages and killed another seven persons.

Hoteliers Task Lagos Govt on Multiple Taxation

BY EMMANUEL AJIBULU

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Member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Delta State, Chief Sunny Emeyese dancing with his wife, Hon Millicent Emeyese at the burial of the legislator's father in law, Chief Edward Elema at Oki, Agbor, Delta State at the weekend

Muazu, Anenih, others visit Ikimi, beg him to return to PDP

BY HENRY UMORU

BRIEFS

commended Ikimi for his decision to dump the APC and return to PDP, stressing that it was in the overall interest of the nation.

Responding, Ikimi told his visitors that he had concluded plans to return to PDP and promised to bring value to the party by serving at any level.

He vowed to use his position and political structures especially in the South-south to ensure that the PDP emerged victorious in the 2015 general elections. “I look forward to bringing value to the PDP. I believe that my contributions will again be noteworthy. By my joining PDP, we are assured of victory not only in Edo State but in

the entire South-south geopolitical zone”, Ikimi said, noting that he was ready to serve the party in any capacity deemed appropriate by the leaders.

Also at the meeting were Secretary of the PDP BoT, Senator Wali Jibril; a former FCT Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, as well as other political stakeholders from the South-south.

Lagos 2015: Solomon meets LG bosses, gets group’s backing

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frontline governorship aspirant in Lagos State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, popularly called GOS, has held discussions with top officials of local governments in all the 57 council areas of the state.

The meeting, held to seek the support of the council bosses for his gubernatorial aspiration was closely followed, weekend, by the declaration of total support for GOS by a socio-political organization, Patriots Face.

The group, parading thousands of members across the 57 council areas of the state, declared its

support for the senator ’s aspiration at a ceremony in Mushin.

A statement by Solomon’s campaign team, yesterday, said “the meeting midweek with vice chairmen and secretaries of all the local councils in Lagos was aimed at mobilizing them for the senator ’s governorship ambition which has been receiving widespread support across the state’’. The statement added: ‘’He urged the gathering to buy in and take ownership of the drive to put behind us the culture of imposition and enthrone internal democracy in our party, a move that will ultimately entrench participatory democracy in the state and our

nation at large. He also canvassed the support of the senior LG officials for his candidacy at the party’s primaries.”

At a well attended and colourful ceremony in Mushin, the leadership and members of Patriots Face from the 57 council areas in the state endorsed Solomon as the best candidate to fly APC’s flag in the February 2015 governorship election.

Reacting to the two developments, Solomon, the Senate Minority Whip, said he is taking his consultations and mobilization wide and deep to various stakeholders at the grassroots “because they matter and we recognize their importance to our aspiration.”

takeholders in the hospitality industry in Lagos State have admonished the state Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola to address the burden of multiple taxation which they claimed is having negative effects on the hotel business in the state.

President of Hoteliers Association, HAN, Lagos State, Aare Tola Odunuga dropped this appeal on behalf of hoteliers in Lagos State, pointing out that multiple taxation on hoteliers in the state was taking serious toll on their business.

“We want to appeal to Governor Fashola to save our business from collapsing. Multiple taxation being level on our members is having a crippling effect on our business.

While state governments imposed levies on us which we paid as at when due, local government officials and officials from Ministry of Health and Environment have also been making life difficult for us through various levies being imposed on our members.

Onuesoke faults Jega over new polling units

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI

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elta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the 2007 general elections, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has faulted the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Atahiru Jega, over the creation of new polling units, alleging it was skewed to favour the North.

Onuesoke, who made the allegation while speaking to newsmen after a meeting with directors of his Network for Good Governance (N4GG) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, said the imbalance in the creation of the new polling booths was against the South, and could be part of a plan to manipulate next year’s elections. He said the exercise could be a ploy for the North to continue to dominate the South in the post-Goodluck Jonathan era.

He queried the yardstick Jega used in creating the units as the INEC arrangement favoured the North with 22,000 polling units as against the South with 12,000 units.

“If 500 voters per unit is the yardstick, it would inadvertently tilt the balance of over 20 million voters for the North and only 4 million voters for the South. “This is a constitutionally institutionalize strategy to always produce the President from the North after the post-Jonathan era”, he said, adding, “This is not acceptable to southern stakeholders in the political turfs”. He called on Jega to cancel the idea.

Ogun empowers 500

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bout 500 less privileged people in Ijebu North and Ijebu East Local Government areas of Ogun State including traders, community leaders, artisans, religious bodies, farmers, widows and others have benefited from the second phase of the state Community Empowerment Programme 2014. This brings the total number of the beneficiaries to more than 1,000 in less than a week.

The programme, initiated by the wife of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Olufunso, was aimed at creating opportunities for the less privileged to participate in the economy and improve their earning potentials in order to assist their families fight their way out of poverty.

Speaking while distributing the small scale business items at the Local Government Secretariat, Oke Sopen, in Ijebu North Local Government, Mrs. Amosun explained that the programme was aimed at maximising growth opportunities among the less privileged in Ogun State and give them the enablements to reach their full potentials.

PAGE 8 —SUNDAY VANGUARD,AUGUST 31, 2014

2015 presidential race: I am still consulting with ‘senior leaders’ — Tambuwal

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja over security matters. Obasanjo stated this to newsmen shortly after he returned to Abeokuta, saying the visit was on the invitation of Mr. President. He said he insisted that the meeting hold at the Presidential Villa, as a mark of respect for the office of the president, adding that they discussed the security situation in the country.

It will be recalled that the ex-president, some days back, likened the present state of the nation’s economy to the dark days of the late General Sani Abacha, and commended the Federal Government on the fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He promised that he would continue to make himself available on any issue concerning the growth of the country.

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FG shuts schools till October 13

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•From left: Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Right Reverend Jude Arogundade; Emeritus Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Right Reverend Michael Fagunm; Dean of Maryland Deanery and Parish Parish Priest, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Very Reverend Father Anthony Taiye Fadairo, Emeritus Archbishop of Lagos ,Catholic Archdiocese, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie and Bishop of Bomadi Vicariate, His Lordship, Right Reverend Hycinth Egbebo; during the 50th birthday celebration of Very Reverend Father Fadairo, held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland , Lagos, yesterday.

Isaac Osahon (Ovia Federal Constituency) and members of the Edo State Executive Council.

Tambuwal, who was reacting to the speculation that he may dump the PDP for the APC with a view to vying for the presidency, said it was the reason he decided to consult with leaders across the

country in order not to make mistakes.

According to him, “When I went to collect my voter’s card, I said I was consulting and I am still consulting.

Nigeria is not a small country, we have very very senior leaders that one need to meet with before taking such decisions. As I said, I

am consulting and at the appropriate time, I will come out to say what I will be doing in 2015.’’ Reacting to the efforts being made by the Federal Government to curb insurgency in the North-east, he urged Nigerians to give support to the military to succeed.

Count me out of plot against Anyim – Ex-Gov Egwu

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

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former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr Sam Egwu, has denied reports that he is leading a lobby to unseat the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. In a statement, Egwu said the reports were brought to his attention around 10.30 am on Friday and that he was truly confounded at the carefully constructed falsehood.

He observed that the reports were the handiwork of ‘’wicked minded and politically desperate individuals who hope to achieve other aims by knocking heads together through insinuations and irresponsible innuendos’’.

The former governor added: ‘’I am, however, convinced that anyone with even a little knowledge of politics and personalities mentioned in the reports will immediately dismiss it without second thought.’’

Egwu said, in the statement, that he never had any discussions with exGovernor Peter Obi of

Anambra State, who he knew to be responsible and easy-going, regarding his future since he left office and that he did not see how Obi will be involved in such a plot. Egwu also said that he did not see how he came into the picture as the chief proponent of any position whatsoever for Obi in Abuja.

He gave several reasons why the idea of a lobby, by

P

OLICEMEN attached to the G.R.A Police Command, Bauchi State have arrested a reverend father and one other person for allegedly defrauding one Joel Sumi of #60,000.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday.

According Mohammed, the two suspects, who posed as fortune tellers, deceived

whatever means, to unseat the SGF could be easily seen to be untrue for several reasons. ‘’The first is that Anyim not only acquitted himself well as Senate President but is also performing exceptionally well in his current position as SGF. Anyim is said to have made the President and the nation proud through various far-seeing

national unity initiatives; such as the just concluded National Conference, the centenary celebrations and many others’’, he said. Egwu also believes that the former governor of Anambra State was likely to be more than shocked to hear that he was part of any plot to unseat the SGF a few months before an election he would like President Jonathan to win.

Rain,voter apathy mar Niger East senatorial election

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

E

ARLY morning rain fall in Niger State, yesterday, and apathy on the part of the electorate marred Niger East senatorial election especially in Minna, the state capital.

However, turnout was relative high in the other eight local government areas where the election held.

In Minna, INEC officials, including corps members, used as adhoc staff, were seen at their table with all the sensitive materials ready but with few voters coming out for accreditation.

In other local govern-

Fraud: Police arrest pastor, one other

BY SUZAN EDEH

Jonathan, Obasanjo meet in Aso Rock

F

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM HEAD of the 2015 general elections, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, said he was consulting with “senior” leaders across the country to determine his political direction in 2015.

He stressed the need for free and fair elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), just as he described as undemocratic the militarization of states during polls.

There is the speculation that the House Speaker may dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he is expected to vie for the presidential ticket. The Speaker spoke at the residence of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr Pius Odubu, before attending the wedding ceremony of the son of the Oba of Benin, Prince Ehioze Erediauwa, and his wife, Chioma.

The Speaker was flanked by the Minority Whip of the House and member representing Uhumwonde/Orhiomnwon Federal constituency, Samson Osagie; Rasaq Bello-Osagie (Oredo Federal Constituency); Jim Adun (Egor/Ikpoba Okhai);

LAST WEEK

BY OSENI ADEYEMISI & EMEM AKPAN

their victim, and defrauded him.

He said, “The victim decided to seek prayers from the reverend father and the other person in order to solve his problems, but fell into the wrong hands as he was asked by the suspects to bring N60,000 before conducting the prayers”.

The PPRO said that the victim, who suddenly discovered he was duped, reported the matter to the police and the suspects were arrested.

ments, voters defied the downpour to vote.

In Shiroro local government area, voters came out mostly in Kuta, headquarters of the local government, Gwada, and other villages.

Our correspondent gathered that many voters could not carry out their civic responsibility for lack of voter’s cards while others could not trace their names on the voters list displayed.

Delta 2015: Okubor accepts call to contest guber with conditions

T

HE mission of the Del ta Oshobe 2015 Group to the Boji-Boji Owa residence of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Dr. Festus Goziem Okubor, met with a huge success when their host acceded to their call on him to contest the 2015 governorship election but with conditions.

The group, in the forefront of the clamor for the Chief of Staff to contest the 2015 governorship election, finally made good its promise to submit a communiqué of its Agbarho resolution “to send a team of the group representing all local government areas in Delta to Okubor to demand of him to declare for the governorship race for Government House, Asaba in 2015 unfailingly”.

Led by Chief Olori Magege, Chairman of Delta state Waste Management Board, the group told Okubor that the 2015 guberna-

torial election is by the corner and that they wanted him to declare for the race.

Magege, in his speech, entitled, “Run, Okubor Run”, said: “Last Saturday, we met at Agbarho and resolved to send a delegation to you.

2015 guber is by the corner and we want you to declare for the race. Our decision is based on several sterling qualities God endowed you with and several you acquired in the course of your life sojourn’’.

In his response, Okubor spoke about the concept of Oshobe, which means that all hands must be on deck in the journey to collectively achieve ‘’the Delta State of our dream’’. He also spoke of his dream to see agriculture revolutionized, including education and other sectors of the economy, a state in which security of lives and property will not be a challenge.

HE Federal Government took far-reaching decisions to shorten the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease in the country, as it postponed the resumption of all primary and secondary schools in the country till October 13, even as government cleared the air on the health status of a sister to the late Dr. Stella Ameyo Adadevoh. Government confirmed that Dr. Adadevoh’s sister was Ebola free.

Announcing the shift in resumption date in Abuja, Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, said the decision became necessary in view of the risk posed by Ebola which could easily spread through schools.

He said it was also to enable the Federal Government, as well as school authorities put in place adequate preventive measures before pupils return to school. “All state commissioners for education are to immediately organize and ensure that at least two (2) staff in each school, both public and private, are trained by appropriate health workers on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola and also embark on immediate sensitization of all teaching and non-teaching staff in all schools on preventing measures. This training of staff must be concluded not later than September 15, 2014”, Shekarau said.

FG pays N25b gas debts to boost electricity supply

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said the Federal Government has paid off power generation companies, GENCOs, N25 billion debts owed gas companies for gas supplies in order to boost electricity generation and transmission nationwide. The Federal Government also pledged to reduce the cost of borrowing for manufacturers in the country.

According to him, manufacturing had become Nigeria’s biggest driver for growth. “The manufacturing sector reported 22 per cent growth in 2013, compared to 14 percent in 2012. Capacity utilization increased from 46.3 per cent at the start of 2013, to 52.7 per cent at the end of 2013, with further improvement continuing this year 2014”, he stated.

South-west monarchs warn over declaration of Gwoza ‘caliphate’, say it can lead to full scale war

R

OYAL fathers in the South-west warned that the declaration of Gwoza ‘caliphate’ in the North-east

by Boko Haram was meant to provoke the country to full scale war. Speaking through the chairman,Yoruba Obas Conflicts Resolution Committee, Oba Fredrick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, who is the Olugbo of Igboland, urged that it was impossible to declare a republic within a republic.

He hinted that the age long royal battle among Yoruba monarchs including Alafin-Ooni feud would soon be a thing of the past, saying “the committee is more determined to bring all the kings in the South-west together under the same roof and amicably resolve all grey issues that could fan embers of disunity”.

Doctors resume work after 55 days of strike

T

HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has suspended its strike action after 55 days. It therefore directed all medical and dental doctors to resume duties.

The doctors commenced their industrial action on July1, 2014 over a 24-point demand bordering on welfare, condition of service and poor facilities in government hospitals. Speaking after an emergency meeting of the association in Abuja, NMA President, Dr. Kayode Obembe, explained that the strike was suspended in the interest of urgent national emergency while negotiations with the Federal Government would continue.

The association however urged the Federal Government to reciprocate its goodwill by ensuring that resident doctors whose appointments were terminated are reinstated immediately.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE— 9

DORA AKUNYILI’S BURIAL

•From right: A former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekweme; a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and wife; Gov. of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano and wife (Ebele) and the National Chairman of APGA, Chief. Victor Umeh •The remains of the late Prof.Dora Akunyili departing after the church service for the grave side.

•From left: Gov. of Bauchi State, Isah Yagudu, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo and wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Elechi.

•From right: A former Minister of Information, John Nwodo; a former Gov. of Anambra, Peter Obi and wife, Margaret

‘Eulogies enough to curb corruption in Nigeria’ M

ANY Nigerians who followed events leading to the burial of the late Professor Dora Akunyili on Thursday at her home town, Agulu, Anambra State were unanimous in declaring that the tributes poured on her were enough to change corrupt Nigerians to become better citizens.

It all started in Abuja with a night of tributes and a Mass in which President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his cabinet were in attendance, before the events shifted to Enugu and later to Anambra State where her remains were interred.

Listening to such eulogies as ‘Akunyili had no match’ by the President, ‘Her death a national loss’ by Vice President Namadi Sambo, ‘She was a refor mer ’ by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and ‘Akunyili, was a game changer ’ by health minister, Onyebuchi Chukwu, among other tributes at various points, it was obvious

that Nigerians like to be associated with things that are good.

For instance, the man who drafted the late Akunyili from the lecture halls of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to politics in the 1980s, Chief Dan Ogbuefi from Agulu, Akunyili’s home town, was optimistic that with what were said about Dora from the day she died to the day she was buried, many Nigerians would surely begin to realize that good name is better than material acquisition.

According to him, Dora’s humility and sincerity were so infectious that after she handled an office, whoever was sent there would have to strive hard to meet her standard. Ogbuefi said it was for this reason that the first civilian governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife confessed to him that he would have made Dora a member of his cabinet if he knew she possessed so much quality.

He said: “When I met her through her husband Chike, I saw in her humility,

openness, service to humanity, and desire to serve others and I didn’t hesitate to push her into political appointment away from her lectureship at the University

,

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

operations without much delay.

“Having been satisfied with her community service, the then governor of Anambra State, Dr. Ezeife, made her a

Dora’s humility and sincerity were so infectious that after she handled an office, whoever was sent there would have to strive hard to meet her standard

of Nigeria Nsukka.

“She impressed me so much anytime we were holding Agulu Peoples Union, APU, action committee meetings or during functions as she humbled herself to serve people cheerfully. Before and after the commissioning of Agulu General Hospital built

by Agulu community, we engaged her to assist us equip the hospital and she made it possible for the hospital to resume full

,

member of Anambra State Health Management Board, a member of state advisory council of the state commission for women and a director of better life programme and she did not disappoint in all the appointments.

“In fact, when Dr. Ezeife left office due to military intervention, he confided in me that if he had known then that Dora had such much qualities, he would have made her a commissioner and

a member of the State Executive Council.

“When Col. Mike Attah became the Military Administrator of Anambra State, he wasted no time in appointing her a member of the Anaocha Local Government Caretaker Committee in charge of health, a post she accepted for the sake of serving humanity.

“From being the Anaocha supervisory councilor, she went to Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, as a Zonal Secretary and from PTF to NAFDAC as Director General. From NAFDAC, she became Minister of Information and Communications. All her activities led to numerous indelible achievements, numerous awards, commendations, and most importantly, saving the lives of Nigerians and the human race.”

A woman leader from Akunyili’s village, Mrs. Bridget Nnabugwu said that after listening to the story of how Dora returned a balance of foreign currency she was given to go for treatment abroad when she was working for PTF, she (Mrs. Nnabugwu) decided to soft pedal in the way she was pursuing material things. Nnabugwu added that if the common denominator in everybody ’s life is death by which all the things people struggle for would be left behind; there is

Continues on page 10

PAGE 10 — SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

DORA AKUNYILI’S BURIAL

•From left: Gov. of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Senator Josephine Anenih and Bauchi State Gov. Isah Yuguda

•From left: A former Gov. of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, and a former CBN Gov. Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.

•From left: The Minister of Health, Dr. Onyebuchi Chukwu, and Minister of Information, Labaran Maku.

•From left (front row): Cardinals Onaiyekan and Arinze.

Akunyili is a personal loss to Bayelsa — Gov Dickson T

HE death of Professor Dora Akunyili has been described as not only shocking and painful, but a personal loss to the government and people of Bayelsa State on account of her major contribution to the establishment of the Drug Mart in the state capital, Yenagoa.

In his tribute to Akunyili, Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, said the edifice housing the mart is a telling story of the essential Akunyili as a caring and visionary leader that was always poised to eradicate the prevalence of fake drugs in the state and the country as a whole.

According to Dickson, Dora’s activist leadership in public sphere caught both national and international recognition and imbued the confidence and hope in our countr y, clearing the negative perception that public servants are generally selfserving.

He described the deceased as an enigma that will continue to be remembered, because of her uncommon

legacy, adding that she came, saw and conquered by her exemplary conduct, which has thought us how we can overcome the malaise of integrity at whatever level of leadership we find ourselves.

“She was a rare public officer who was dedicated to duty and made indelible

contributions to national development, pointing out that she stood out in the crowd, etching her name in gold”, he stated.

The governor stated that Dora was a role model as well as an important legacy as a national figure, who craved transparency, commitment to duty and all the essentials of

decency in private and public life.

Dickson noted that, besides her family values which helped to shape her character, Akunyili’s attainment of western education saw her become a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Pharmacologist in the College of Medicine at the University of Nigeria, Enugu

Campus.

While praying for the peaceful repose of her soul, the governor urged members of her family to take solace in the fact that Dora personified all that was good and positive in a mortal and will remain a reference point to present and future generations of Nigerians.

‘Eulogies enough to curb corruption in Nigeria’ Continues from page 9 no justification for man to be engaged in devilish acquisition of wealth.

Another story was told of how on the Election Day when she contested for the senate for Anambra Central in 2011, some people approached her to allow them thumb print in her favour the over 10000 ballot papers that would have given her an advantage over her opponent, but she warned them not to such a thing because it was against her avowed principle of transparency in politics.

While her opponents were having a field day at the polling units in their areas, Akunyili discouraged her supporters from taking part in electoral malpractice.

Even her husband, Dr. Chike Akunyili told a story of how his late wife, Dora, sacked his younger brother who was working at NAFDAC at the period she was the director general. According to Chike, Dora had asked of the type of punishment provided in the establishment for an offence similar to the one committed by her brother in – law and when told that it was

outright sack, she did not hesitate to sack him and did not even feel any remorse about it. His late wife’s reason was that if she looked the other .way because the culprit was her relation, her conscience would continue to prick her.

A drug dealer at the Onitsha Head Bridge also told Sunday Vanguard how they contributed over N500 million to bribe Dora so that she could apply break in the way she was carrying out the battle against fake and adulterated drugs, adding that an intermediary the traders sent

to discuss the matter with her almost ended up in prison.

Like Reverend Father Damian Akpunonu who delivered the homily during Dora’s funeral Mass said, “ what matters in life is not how long one lived, but how well”. He also informed the congregation that the ceremony was not necessarily to bury Professor Akunyili since Jesus Christ had conquered death, but to give testimony to the legacies she left behind. The task before Nigerians, he pleaded, was to keep Dora’s legacies alive.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 11

Interestingly, the Governors on whose behalf the legislators act often have more questions to answer than the Deputy Governors being maligned. If Onyebuchi of Enugu allegedly ran a poultry farm with his personal money, is it true that there was a much larger farm behind the compound of his Governor, Sullivan Chime, that was run with public funds? Was it also Onyebuchi that earlier ran a mental hospital in the same premises? If Danladi of Taraba cornered goodies to himself and his community as alleged, is it true that the village of Governor Suntai, his boss was far more developed? Again, was it from his salary that Governor Suntai purchased the aircraft he flew as a hobby? Indeed, is there any Nigerian politician including legislators who fight for constituency projects, that is not guilty of inward looking, another name for nepotism/zoning?

As for Deputy Governor Agbaso of Imo, he was impeached because he allegedly collected bribe from a road contractor. But was it Agbaso that approved the bogus contract of N400million per kilometer for the contractor? What about the rumour that one aide of the over-all bosswas a member of the bribe giver’s company? However, a wrong cannot be right because other people and

not only the accused did it.

But to look at only one set of leaders and deliberately put a blind eye to bigger culprits suggests that those who can pay their way can never be tried let alone to be found guilty. Furthermore, the guilt of a smaller culprit is never proven not to talk of proving it beyond reasonable doubt. It is usually a fabricated story or flimsy excuse to deliver a paid work or to gain favours from the Oga at the top. The impeachment is usually rough or crude as the legislators are always too active to be rational whenever ample ‘stomach infrastructure’ takes place.

They even often forget to follow the legal guidelines.

For example, Deputy Governor Gadi of Bauchi was impeached while on annual vacation leave; meaning that his hair was shaved in his absence.

The implications of the fake impeachments in Nigeria are rather too severe for the survival of our democracy. The first is that they often rubbish the rule of law and make Nigeria a laughing stock to the rest of the world. In Adamawa State for instance, the State Chief Judge set up a panel to try former Governor Nyako after the same Chief Judge had declared the procedure followed as illegal. In 2010, there were two Governors each in Bayelsa and Bauchi States due to the fake impeachment of the original Deputy Governors, the over-turning of the ver-

dict by the Judiciary and the refusal of the respective Governors to obey court orders. Public funds that would have been used for development were squandered first on stomach infrastructure to induce lawmakers and then to pay damages as in the case of Bauchi State where the Judiciary ordered that impeached Deputy Governor Garba Gadi should be paid N 215million.

tor, no Vanquished," meaning that it was time to forget old animosities and rebuild Nigeria. However, it turned out that the declaration was a shibboleth: his administration began a systematic political and economic marginalisation of Igboland.

It is ironic that Gowon now presents himself as a patriot who did his best to preserve national unity. His "Nigeria Prays" is a programme set up ostensibly to seek peaceful solutions, including divine intervention, to the myriads of problems facing the country. On the surface, "Nigeria Prays" is a laudable project. Yet, when one remembers some of the inhuman tactics he used against Biafra, most especially his choice of starvation as a weapon of war, economic strangulation and lack of commitment to

existential retardation for Igbo people in general.

Aside from having little resources to overcome the devastation caused by military bombardment and starvation, Ndigbo, as we noted earlier, were marginalised; they were excluded from topmost positions in the military, police, and strategic appointments in the federal civil service. Additionally, from 1970 to 1999, Northern heads of state religiously implemented a deliberate policy of denying Igboland federal investments in infrastructure, heavy industries and other developmental projects. Thus, although Olusegun Obasanjo's military administration did not improve federal presence in Igboland significantly, there is no doubt in my mind that Gowon and others really intended to pun-

critical mass of Ndigbo, particularly members of the political and business elite, to abandon time-tested Igbo ideology of ezigbo aha ka ego (good name is more precious than riches) and embrace unbridled quest for wealth. There is widespread belief that a typical Igbo political leader or businessperson would willingly compromise the collective interest of his people as long as he is compensated financially or with lucrative government appointment and contracts.

Now, although this attitude is not restricted to Ndigbo alone, its domination of the mindset of certain prominent sons and daughters of Igboland has had more serious negative repercussions in Southeastern Nigeria than similar situation in other parts of the country. This is because Igboland suffered most from the war, necessitating extraordinarily efforts from her leaders to rebuild the place. Unfortunately, with the exception of Alex Ekwueme, Sam Mbakwe, Chris Ngige, and a handful of selfless Igbo politicians, key players in the political arena seem completely unconcerned with the plight of Igboland.

Corruption has been a leitmotiv in Nigeria since independence. Yet, it must be stated that, given the devastating effects of the civil war and deliberate marginalisation of Igboland by successive administrations at the centre, Igbo political leaders should have avoided it the way people avoid Ebola virus, and utilised every kobo accruing to their states for developmental projects and human capital development. After all, onye ulo ya na agba oku anaghi achu oke (a person whose house is burning does not pursue rats). To be continued.

he sat at the venue was inappropriate!

EFCC should probe Enugu House of Assembly becomes innocent of an allegation? In earnest, the basis of each impeachment is usually hard to buy. Once allegations are made, the weighty defences of the accused are usually ignored so as to arrive at guilt.

Hence, whereas Taraba legislators claimed that Deputy Governor Danladi’s assets were more than his income, they refused to consider evidence of a loan obtained to prosecute some

The implications of the fake impeachments in Nigeria are rather too severe for the survival of our democracy. The first is that they often rubbish the rule of law and make Nigeria a laughing stock to the rest of the world

against Deputy Governor Bala Ngali were dropped as soon as he resigned to pave the way for the speaker to become acting Governor.

Does it mean that a man who resigns from an office

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of the so called inexplicable projects. After Onyebuchi of Enugu produced a video showing that, he was present at an event he was accused of not attending, it was then decided that where

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

Truth, reason and nation building (4)

B

UT Ojukwu, over whelmed by person al ambition and popular support, decided that "an early practicable date" meant "four days later," without detailed preparation for the worst case scenario - war. In the early hours of May 30 1967, he declared the transformation of Eastern region into The Republic of Biafra.

Looking at the issue dispassionately, although Ojukwu was under tremendous pressure to pull Eastern region out of Nigeria, he lacked the necessary political experience and sagacity to neutralise the understandable anger of his people and explore less extreme or disruptive approach for resolving the conflict between Eastern region and the federal government.

Now, a lot has been written on the civil war, which actually began on July 6 1967 when a contingent of the Nigerian army unleashed an artillery barrage on Ogoja on the northernmost border of Biafra.

Sometime ago, I discussed some of the issues concerning the war when some Yoruba ethnic irredentists attacked Chinua Achebe for labelling Awolowo's advocacy of starvation-as-alegitimate-weapon-of-war strategy an act of genocide.

The basic points we need to reiterate now are these.

First, based on the extraordinarily difficult situation of Easterners before actual hostilities began, Gowon's provocative lack of sincerity in implementing the Aburi Accord and burning desire for freedom from Northern belligerence were very compelling for majority of Easterners, especially Ndigbo. But that does not mean that the war was inevitable: major decision makers on both sides could have chosen to make more far-reaching concessions if they had considered carefully the fact that every war, irrespective of its origin and justification, entails suffering, death and destruction without necessarily guaranteeing satisfactory solution to the problem that led to it in the first place. Second, Gowon and Ojukwu were blinded by strong petty egoistic impulses that prevented them from making compromises to avert armed confrontation. Pathological self-serving obsession of Gowon, some of his top sycophantic advisers such as Alison Ayida and Anthony Enahoro, and key leaders of the Northern establishment for "One Nigeria" made them harden their hearts against Biafrans. As a corollary, serious underestimation of the depth of resentment in the East towards federal government's sloppy handling of the pogroms and Gow-

on's overconfident belief that "a short, surgical police action" would crush the secessionists made him rashly declare war on Biafra. Third, Ojukwu, from all accounts, was an ambitious young man whose knowledge of modern history fed into his idealistic dream of leading a sovereign nation with potentials to become the greatest black nation in the world.

With that kind of mindset, it was virtually impossible for the Biafran leader to listen to unpopular but wise counsel, which might dissuade him from secession.

The East, particularly Igboland, was horribly devastated by the war. Nothing epitomises the egregious loss suffered by Biafrans more than Ojukwu's comment, in an interview with Karl Maier, that the war was "a monumental waste." It must be noted in passing that despite his shortcomings, in choosing the life of public service instead of living a private life of opulence made possible by his father's incredible wealth, Ojukwu manifested a high degree of selflessness that is hard to find among Nigerian leaders since the war ended in 1970.

In terms of socio-economic development and political status, the civil war pushed Eastern Nigeria backwards at least two decades. After the war, Ndigbo lost the preeminent position they occupied in various aspects of our national life before the war.

Gowon declared "No Vic-

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legislators were contracted to do the dirty job for a handsome fee. No one is quite sure what they were paid but a common belief in Jalingo was that the Taraba legislators got as much as N60million each. If so, Imo legislators may have, on the basis of their business environment, gotten far more. Sometimes it may be more than cash as in Adamawa. Here, grave allegations of a criminal nature

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S

ection 188 of the Ni gerian Constitution 1999 empowers a State legislature to remove from office a Governor or his deputy who is found guilty of gross misconduct.

The Enugu State House of Assembly relied on the Section a few days back, to impeach the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, for the “gross misconduct” of running a poultry farm in his compound. The Enugu legislators didn’t do anything new.

It will be recalled that on Thursday, October 04, 2012, the then Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Sani Abubakar Danladi was impeached by the State House of Assembly for allegedly using his office to attract development to his community. This was followed by the removal of Sir Jude Agbaso, the then Deputy Governor of Imo some, six months later for ‘receiving’ bribe from a contractor The processes of the impeachments made some analysts to imagine that the

There is widespread belief that a typical Igbo political leader or businessperson would willingly compromise the collective interest of his people as long as he is compensated financially

the reconstruction of battered Eastern region, the hollowness of Gowon's efforts at restitution and reconciliation leaps into bold relief. Clearly, the civil war was very stressful for everyone. All the same, if Gowon was keen about reconstruction of the East, why did his government fail to provide adequate funds for it? Why did he approve the crippling economic measures taken against the Igbo after the war? Was he sincere in dealing with the abandoned property problem?

The immediate post war years ushered in a period of

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ish the Igbo for daring to challenge internal colonisation. Northern military dictators were so obsessed with revenge that in state creation and delineation of local government areas which partly determine the quantum of federal revenue that accrues to each geopolitical zone, they manipulated the system so that South East would have the least.

This is not to exculpate prominent Igbo leaders from the shoddy treatment of Igbo people by Northern heads of state. In fact, exaggerated survivalist instincts after the civil war made a

We do not think the nation can afford to fold its hands and watch our so called leaders continue to experiment with our democracy through political rascality.

One way out is for our anti-corruption bodies to always probe our legislators to get to the root of what motivates them to now and again function as tools of fake impeachments.

Luckily, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had found that allegations leading to the impeachment of Agbaso former Imo Deputy Governor were incorrect. The legislators behind it and other fake impeachments should have been investigated and penalized while the findings are used to prosecute the offending Governors as soon as their immunity end.

Otherwise, those victimized through fake impeachments may soon find extra judicial ways of ventilating their grievances at the expense of public peace and harmony

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

National Identification and the Master Card

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AST Tuesday, Presi dent Goodluck Ebe le Jonathan launched the Nigerian National Identity card to great expectations. The National Identity Card project has been long in the making.

The first proposal for the National ID project was mooted in 1976, but various interests, including cultural and religious concerns, pressured the administration into abandoning the idea.

Dr. Alex Ekwueme has himself revealed how he spearheaded the idea to create a National Population database which would provide consistent demographic information in Nigeria, but which was scuttled by pressures even within the administration in which he served. Clearly, there are those for whom accurate national population statistics serves very little interest. Indeed, for this group, it is not in their interest for Nigeria to have a clear population index and a national means of citizenship identification.

But a national identity card, which will capture Nigeria’s national population data is both desirable and welcome. The Jonathan administration may however have undermined the possible goodwill this project may enjoy by contracting

Nigeria’s National Identity Card Project, to MasterCard, the Worldwide Financial Services Company, with its headquarters in Purchase, New York. The first reactions began to emerge soon after Nigerians saw the MasterCard logo besides their names on a National Identity Card, whose basic aim is to provide Nigerians with their sovereign status and legal identification.

There is a third platform: the National ID offers the ability to make financial transactions. As President Jonathan opined in the launch of the NIMC Identity Card, “The card is not only a means of certifying your identity, but also a personal database repository and payment card, all in your pocket.” It sounds all swell. But according to newspaper reports, Nigerians who witnessed the unveiling of the National Identity Card by President on Thursday were not taken by the talk.

They were rather taken aback, and there was widespread outrage in reaction to the embossing of the MasterCard logo on the National Identification Card to be issued to Nigerians. One report of the event in the media is so poignant that it merits a reproduction here on the Or-

bit, just to situate the context of its umbrage: “Nigerians” the Premium Times reported, “expressed shock and fury, Thursday, at how the Nigerian Government, through the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, would surrender a symbol of national sovereignty and pride to a foreign commercial organ-

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tional security breach. Nigerians are first, loath to cede their National population database to a foreign commercial concern, particularly in this era of global surveillance, and second as Shehu Sani, Human Rights advocate and Executive Director of the Civil Rights Congress said, “The new ID card with a MasterCard logo does not represent an identity of a Nigerian.

It simply represents a stamped ownership of a Nigerian by an American company… it is reminiscent of the logo pasted on the bodies of African salves transported across the Atlantic.” This is very serious, perhaps even exaggerated, but it ought to give us all pause.

It is this which makes it impossible for even the president of Nigeria not to see the folly of ceding Nigeria’s strategic national data to a foreign profit-driven commercial entity in spite of its national security implications. As the Igbo say, “o di kwa egwu!”

isation by not only sharing the biometrics of 170 million Nigerians to the firm but by also allowing the firm to boldly engrave its insignia on the IDs. Many Nigerians raised the alarm over the implications of the agreement in an age that has seen intense data surveillance by the National Security Agency of the United States of America, MasterCard’s home country.” Critics of the project and of MasterCard’s involvement in it point very clearly to a na-

,

The allusion to the middle passage – that deadly trade across the Atlantic – and its historical implications for Africans, the African economy, and the African humanity continues to ramify in the contemporary African’s attitude to issues of contemporary trans-Atlantic security as it affects their lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. Perhaps Nigerian critics of these forms of contact and its implication of the overwhelming dependency of African systems on external systems of control

are too naïve to expect any different, given the reality of globalization and the dominance of the global system by powerful and more sovereign entities, yet we must note that such naiveté does not foreclose expectations. What the Jonathan administration had done, according to his critics, is to cede the capacity to protect Nigeria’s strategic national demographic data – the strategic access for which nations make war and peace – to a foreign multinational commercial entity.

MasterCard basically acquired a strategic portion of Nigeria’s national economic intelligence, on a platter of gold; without firing a shot, says a retired former Senior Economist in the Economic Intelligence Team of the Central Bank of Nigeria. He opined that some of the good things the present administration does, it does very shoddily.

The question most Nigerians now need to ask is whether the president sought and received parliamentary clearance to embark on this contract with MasterCard on a project as sensitive as the Nigerian National Population Database, for indeed, that is what this is all about; and capturing that data, presents a clearly powerful leverage, and ought to be protected under a National Identity Protection legislation.

The federal government must as a matter of urgency review this contract with MasterCard. Nigeria’s population and National Identity must remain a sovereign concern. No other nation in the world gives access and authority to an

external system that could mine its strategic national population data. This contract leaves Nigerians vulnerable. This is the concern of Nigerians. Secondly, it is crucial in this moment to review the Act of the National Assembly that established the NIMC. Part of the great tragedy of Nigeria is in the often needless duplication of functions by the creation of extra-ministerial commissions and Agencies to do the basic work already established in the Public Service system.

What the NIMC does now is the work for which we have the Federal Bureau of Statistics which ought to be properly housed in the Ministry of Labour and Establishment, liaising with Health, Home Affairs, Education, and the AttorneyGeneral’s office as the data-gathering nodes of the republic. That the Federal Bureau of Statistics has been unable to do its work has much to do with the Nigerian government’s deliberate destruction of the public system; its failure to recruit, train, re-orient, and reposition its public service with a new generation of highly trained civil servants to do the work of the 21st century with 21st century skills under 21 st century conditions. It is this failure that is at the heart of Nigeria’s development crisis and its inability to deliver value.

It is this which makes it impossible for even the president of Nigeria not to see the folly of ceding Nigeria’s strategic national data to a foreign profit-driven commercial entity in spite of its national security implications. As the Igbo say, “o di kwa egwu!”

TAN South-South Zonal Rally The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria's South-South zonal rally was held at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, yesterday .Photos: Nwankpa Chijioke

L-R : Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, SSG, Akwa-Ibom State and Rear Admiral John Jonah, Bayelsa State Deputy Governor during the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigerian's South-South Zonal Rally L-R Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education and Sen Pius Ayim, Secretary to Government of the Federation at the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigerian's South-South Zonal Rally held at the Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt. Photo: Nwankpa Chijioke

R-L: Dr Patrick Uba, Dr Fred Kpakol, co-ordinator, TAN, Rivers State and Mr Emeka Woke.

L-R: Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo; Chief Gordon Bozimo, Chairman, NYSC/member, PDP BOT and Chief Edem Duke, Minister of Tourism .

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 13

N

ever in the history of Nigeria has a non-governmental organization, under the aegis of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria(TAN), moved with passion for the unrivaled good leadership precepts and love for the masses already evidenced by the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan taken up the initiative to guide the citizens ahead the coming 2015 general elections.

Apparently feeling what many Nigerians have noticed-that the numerous life-enhancing/transforming achievements of the president have remained unnoticed, unreported or intentionally disregarded, the international Nigeriabased NGO few months ago decided to take up the challenge.

So far, two out of its scheduled seven national rallies planned to hold at each of the nation’s geopolitical zones, with a grand finale scheduled for Abuja, have proved that the dogged determination of the group to showcase Jonathan and the gains of his transformation project is working.

The sleepy cities of Awka and Ibadan stood still when they played host to visitors from other South-eastern and South Western states namely Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo for Awka, and Oyo, Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Ekiti and Ondo for the Ibadan rally. The august visitors had one vision, mission and purpose— to ask President Goodluck Jonathan to seek a renewal of his mandate, having been adjudged excellent in his performance so far.

Just like in Awka, the people started trooping into the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan as early 7.00 in the morning which to certain extent demonstrated the importance of the business at hand. And by 10am the venue of the rally was already filled to capacity.

Understandably, because of the eminent personalities that graced the occasions, it was easily misunderstood in some quarters, especially the opponents of Jonathan, as political campaign rally. But the question that readily comes to mind is how could such gatherings be tagged campaign outing when even the principal actor was conspicuously never in attendance.

Because TAN has repeatedly stressed it is not a political group, and is not limited by any party, group or individual, and that the rallies were not planned as political outings took that message further. As a result, it could be seen that the gatherings were usually of mixed political, gender and ages colorations. Leaders of C M Y K

2015: Jonathan in the people’s court

•President Goodluck Jonathan virtually all political parties in the country either attended or sent representatives. Little wonder members of the different political parties-the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA), All Peoples Congress(APC), Labour Party(LP) the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and others were seen trying to outdo one another to make a speech at both rallies.

Millions who watched the event live on television admitted that even avid

,

BY LEKAN BILESANMI

Iwuanyawu, said pointedly that Ndigbo neither lost in the war nor surrendered.

According to him, the warlord and the natural leader of Ndigbo did not write any letter of surrender and that the acclaimed letter of surrender was written Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe for political expediency.

Iwuanyawu recalled that at the end of the no victor, no vanquished civil war, the government, decided to embark on the 3Rs approach to developing the nation.

He added that the power sector has also been touched by the president’s transformation agenda which has led to improvement in the power made available to the people

opponents of Jonathan attested to the fact that the nation’s democratic development has really come of age, now that politicians campaign for their perceived opponents. That by putting up appearance at all, the rallies were symbolic and pointer to the fact that the transformation agenda of the Jonathan administration has positively impacted on all and sundry of all political divide.

In Awka, the rally was used to correct certain long-held fallacies particularly concerning the 1967 civil war in which the Igbo were erroneously perceived as losers or defeated. Speaking on behalf of the people of Imo State, Chief Emmanuel

,

This, according to him, remained in the pipeline all through successive administrations until the administration of Jonathan came on board with his transformation agenda which has indeed given hope to the so much neglected Igbo people not minding their industrial and business acumen which has indeed put the nation on the world map for good.

The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, who spoke on behalf of the people of Enugu State, noted that apart from the fact that Jonathan has generally done so well for the country and that Ndigbo have never had it so good under any dispensation in

terms of appointments and infrastructural development, cited the second NIger Bridge that was hitherto overpoliticized and had repeatedly became issue for political campaigns for any elective office-seeker in the country but was quietly and promptly settled by the president who believe that the bridge would not only be useful and helpful to the Igbo but the entire nation.

Nebo also recalled that the nation’s railway system was non existent when Jonathan took over the leadership of the country but today all eyes could see, all hands can touch the beauty that has emanated from the old ruins. The railway breakthrough, according to Nebo, was in addition to the milestone recorded, in the nation’s airports which has moved them away from notorious death traps to those with international safety standard.

The minister also observed that there is aggressive road reconstruction and rehabilitation.

He added that the power sector has also been touched by the president’s transformation agenda which has led to improvement in the power made available to the people.

The former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josphine Anenih, who spoke on behalf of Igbo women, handed an ultimatum to the president to declare his interest to run for second tenure. Anenih reminded the president that in the 2011 general elections, the Igbo women gave him bloc vote which was second to none in the country. She

said the South-east women are ready to re-enact the feat once Jonathan heeds their clarion call to seek renewal of his mandate.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, in a motion he moved during the rally, galvanized the mammoth crowd into rising in unison to call on Jonathan to run again which according to him was not only fair but also just. The business class was also not left out of action at the rally, Prince Arthur Eze, who was full of praises for the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) for blazing the trail in fair political advocacy, expressed the preparedness of the business class to partner with the group based on what he described as objectivity and forthrightness of the advocacy group.

As if to ensure that the gods of the land are adequately represented at the occasion, the royal fathers from across the length and breadth of Igboland were led to the rally by host paramount ruler, HRM, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze-uzu of Awka.

The Church, under the aegis of the Christian Association Of Nigeria (CAN), prayed fervently for Jonathan, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and TAN. Musicians, actors and actresses across the country took time to be the in the Awka rally with one song in their mouth- all we are saying is give us goodluck which is inherent in Goodluck Jonathan.

The Awka gathering climaxed when a register containing over 1.6 million signatures of the Nigerian people from all walks of life who passionately pleaded with the president to seek a renewal of his mandate was handed over to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, for onward delivery to Jonathan.

The register speaks volumes of what the people want and since democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people, it is obvious that the Ndigbo have taken their destiny in their hands and are not ready to be distracted by the opposition and are asking the government to continue and consolidate his transformation program for the nation.

The Igbo through TAN have therefore said loud and clear that there is no VACANCY in Aso Rock Villa until 2019 when Jonathan must have laid a sustainable foundation for the transformation of the nation which of course would be beneficial to his successor.

It is obvious by the statement made in Awka by Ndigbo and the similar one at Ibadan by the Yoruba that no one has stake in the nation’s number one position now until 2019 was clear enough to all political hawks and professional aspirants in Nigeria.

PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

Abia 2015: How Orji’s successor will emerge —Emuchay

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI

A

mbassador Okey Emuchay hails from Azumini in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State. He just voluntarily retired after 31 years of meritorious service in the foreign service including his last post as Nigeria’s Consular General to South Africa. He recently declared his intention to contest for governorship. Emuchay speaks on his plan for Abia in this interview.

We heard that you recently declared your intention to run for the governorship of Abia State. Can you confirm this?

Yes, I can confirm that I am desirous of presenting myself for further service to my motherland, but let me quickly add that the decision has been more of the Abia people than mine. What I did was to consult with the broad spectrum of Abians both at home and in the diaspora and I will pursue the interest through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Having served the country meritoriously in the past 31 years, and your party (PDP) has zoned the governorship position to Abia South, should the party offer you this opportunity, what do you hope to do for your people?

What I would do is what I have also done, service, more so with my background as a scion of a foremost surgeon and administrator who dedicated all his life to the service of his people. My primary, secondary and tertiary focus would be qualitative service, production and output based service. As governance is a continuum , I will build upon the credible and

•Okey Emuchay commendable platforms and programs of Governor T A Orji. I will build on the existing programs on security, education, entrepreneurship, oil and gas, with the overall focus of making the best use of the strategic position of Aba as the cultural and economic nerve center of eastern region. The essence will be to create the opportunity and environment for the private sector to thrive and by the private sector thriving we would solve the problem of unemployment and governance to provide other services.

Since the PDP has zoned the governorship slot to Abia South and you are from Ukwa which has only two local government areas out of the six in the zone, how do you actualize your ambition considering the population of your area?

Politics is about people, leadership in politics or political acceptance is a mixture of credibility, acceptability and capacity. Without sounding

immodest, I have these qualities; so, against population, these qualities can suffice. However, I believe that the first thing is to give honour to whom is deserving and to this end I express my gratitude to Chief T.A. Orji for this historic decision to zone the governorship to Abia South. The zoning exercises justice, fairness and equity. I come from Ukwa but what we are talking about is for the people of Abia South to produce the best for Abia State.

The governorship of Abia involves the three senatorial zones and the first step has to do with the primaries, you have to win the primaries to be a candidate of the party. Politics is about negotiation, politics is about strategy, politics is about give and take and we are going to take a message from across Abia South to Abia Central and to Abia North. The primaries would involve delegates from the 17 local government areas of the state. And again, the people of Ukwa are demanding justice, equity and fairness in this endeavour to produce the next governor of Abia. We are going to do it and with God on our side, we are going to succeed.

Still on the issue of population, many people see desperation from your Ngwa brothers to take the first slot. Do you think your ambition will materialize?

I disagree with the word desperation. Abia South is made up of Ukwa and Ngwa. We do not have Ukwa in Abia Central, and I say again, it is all about give and take, about engagement and the governorship of Abia involves the entire state, it has to do with primaries, to get the ticket of the party, that is that delegates would participate in the primaries and

we have a message, we are asking for equity, justice and fairness; it is because of Ukwa that Abia State is in the NDDC and since the creation of Abia State, no Ukwa person has been deputy governor. Our brothers from Ngwa know this fact and, I can assure you, they have no reason not to support an Ukwa person for the governorship ticket. We are also talking to our brothers from old Bende, the Isikwuator people and their responses are amazing.

However, we are conscious of the fact that governorship race entails negotiations and concessions. We will continue to engage the people of Abia across all the divide.

You want to succeed a governor who would be exiting by 2015. What is your impression of his performance and if, by God’s grace, you succeed him, where do you intend to commence your programme?

Ochendo has done exceedingly well. Chief of his administration’s numerous achievements is security. I am sure the odious security situation that hitherto existed in the state is still very fresh in most people’s memories. This interview wouldn’t have been possible today in this area without what the governor has done to change the security situation. The situation was so bad that criminal elements almost overran the state and of course few people could dare to venture home except on very unavoidable circumstances and with very heavy security. People are now coming home, fresh investments are pouring into the state, infrastructural development can be seen all

over the state, but like I said, governance is a continuum, nobody , no one administration, no one governor can solve all the problems. Ochendo has done well to take Abia to the next level. We would continue from where he will stop and engage in programmes that would create more jobs and revenue, other social projects that are exclusive.

But we have to improve on what Ochendo has done in the last couple of years, that is what governance is all about.

Having served most of your days outside the country, only few people knew you impact.

Can you speak on the roles you have played over the years?

I served outside but I am a home boy. I am constantly at home and, coming from the family of the late Dr. D .W. Emuchay, I was groomed from childhood into community service. My father though a highly placed city based government functionary who could have built his hospital in the city established a 120-bed hospital in Azumini that was commissioned in 1961; this was against the choice of building his hospital in Aba, Enugu or Port-Harcourt, in what was Eastern Region, but he brought this hospital back to the rural people to serve today’s people of Akwa Ibom State, Rivers State and Abia State. I also served for 31 years and have just retired from the foreign service. I served in several countries. And with the 31 years of unbroken service to Nigeria, I feel I am eminently qualified to offer myself to run for this office, and to contribute my utmost to the development of my state, Abia, that is the passion, that is what is driving me and nothing else.

Mr. President’ll give positive answer for 2015 — Ogidi

BY TONY NWANKWO & GABRIEL EWEPU

H

onourable Ogidi Ben Bara is the Director-General, House2House for Democracy. In this interview, he bares his mind on the call for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, and what his organisation wants to do to achieve this. Excerpts: What necessitated the conception of House2House for Democracy?

The aim of this organisation, House2House for Democracy, is to reach out to all Nigerians and those in Diaspora. We are preaching the gospel of democracy, teaching the electorate and the citizens of this country on democratic principles, and what democracy is all about. In any administration or government there must be a leader and here, we have His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. We are humbled to work with him. We have seen him as a true democrat and we support his transformation agenda. There has been transformation in every sector of the economy. So we felt it was necessary for this organisation to work for Mr. President, seeking a second term come 2015.

Now you are canvassing for the re-election of Mr. President, do you have a solid structure to mobilise Nigerians to vote massively for him?

We have a solid structure in all C M Y K

the 36 states of the country, the FCT, the local government and ward structures. We have set up polling unit agents of House2House at the ward level. So we have the full support to bring back President Goodluck Jonathan.

What is the numerical strength of House2House members in Nigeria?

We have millions of our members across the country. We have 10 million members in each of the geopolitical zone, and the Federal Capital Territory. We have over 3 million registered members in each of the geopolitical zones who are eligible to vote in 2015.

Is President Jonathan the only candidate you are supporting for 2015?

Mr. President is the only candidate we are canvassing for, because we have seen him as a leader who has what it takes, who is serious to transform Nigeria. He has been in office for four years and we want him to complete his tenure in accordance with his constitutional rights as a Nigerian.

Entitled to two terms of four years each. We know that in the next four years he will do more than what he has achieved, and that is why we want him to do another four years.

He cannot go back home with only four years of his transformation agenda, because we have seen what he has done, and we need him for a second term.The benefits of his transformation agenda has shown in every sector of the

•Ogidi Ben Bara economy. In agriculture, power, railways, in the massive rehabilitation of the nation’s airports, construction of roads, women and youths empowerment.

You are also aware that under his guide, the Nigerian economy, for the first time in our history, has been rated the largest in Africa.

So, Mr. President has done exceedingly well to have a second term in office.

On security, Nigerians are divided on Mr. President’s achievement, as some people say he has not done well. As an organisation, what are you doing to disabuse the minds of such Nigerians?

There is patriotism in the country and no true and patriot in Nigeria can say Mr. President has not done well on security. Security challenges is a global phenomenon. Of course, there are

selfish, self-acclaimed and selfpromoting politicians, there are also power-mongers in this country, who are agitating to be president, governors. Some, have been presidents and governors before and did not perform even in their own states or in the country, but are now clamouring that Mr. President has not done anything.

Nigerians know them. Mr. President has done much in the area of security and 90 per cent of Nigerians acknowledge that. It is the minute 10 per cent that are criticising him, and they are doing so for their own selfish interest. We will not allow them to take over Nigeria. We have seen with our eyes the transformation of Mr. President and we know he deserves a second term in office.

After 2015 what will become of House2House?

House2House will not collapse after Jonathan had done his job, because it is an organisation that has come to stay for democracy.

As far as democracy continues to exist in Nigeria, House2House will be there. We are talking and preaching democracy. We are working for Mr. President because we see him as a true democrat.

After the regime of Mr. President whosoever follows the footsteps of Mr. President as a true democrat will get our support.

There are over 3, 000 groups calling for the re-election of President Jonathan, and you have been in politics for some

time now, do you think most of them are genuine and really wants him back in 2015, and are you comfortable with the number so far?

Let me start by appreciating all the support groups for what they have been doing for the fact that Mr. President is not funding them, and they are doing it from their individual pockets. To me this 3, 000 support groups is not even enough. In 2011, when Mr. President was the Acting President, such groups came up and were calling on him to contest, and it is not a new thing to see such groups of over 3,000 calling on him to contest in 2015. It is a good thing to see Nigerians in their numbers calling on him to declare, and that shows that Nigerians are with him and are ready to work with him.

With the rallies you have held so far, especially that of Abuja, what has been the result?

We had the mini-rally that was organised by our women wing, and as an organisation, we went out publicly to tell Nigerians the reasons why Mr. President should be returned in 2015 and as you could see the crowd that gathered for Mr. President. We are just calling on Mr. President to declare, we are not campaigning for him.

After Mr. President has declared, then you will see the credibility of our organisation, as we are going house to house, up to the least community in Nigeria to teach the principles of democracy and preach the gospel of democracy.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 15

Delta at 23: Reflections on Ibori ‘He that is without sin among you, let him cast a stone at her. ……………Holy Bible ( KJV) John 8:7b

BY OBARO OBRU EGBORO

H

urray! Delta State is 23.

There have been a flurry of fire-works, interdenomination religious services, and such other events to herald the coming of age of one of the frontline states in the country because of her enormous contributions in terms of petroNaira and other such varied contributions. There is no doubt that we have a lot to celebrate as a mark of statehood especially with the vast network of infrastructural developments traversing Delta since it was severed from Bendel State, in 1991. The th story of Delta started on the 27 August, 1991 when it was created by the Ibrahim Babangida administration. The high stock of developments in the state were made possible by the doggedness of persons who have sat at the helm of affairs at one time or the other. Some of these persons were so domineering that Delta is still missing them with nostalgia, hence the need to pay tribute to a personality that created so much impact in the sociopolitical terrain of the state. The state had no impact so elaborate and wide spread till he ventured into the Delta project with all the braggadocio that characterised his electioneering activities.

Everywhere you turn in the state his achievements stand out like Egyptian pyramids.

From the inception of the state to date, a total of six governors, military and civilian, have ruled

Chief James Ibori the state. Of the lot, the echo of the regime of one keeps reverberating because of the foundation he laid and his fundamental style of governance that was an empowerment whirlwind. That governor is Chief James Onanefe Ibori. The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond possibility into the impossible, and nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance. This was the mien of Ibori, the fifth governor of Delta whose regime covered the period 1999-2007. Retrospectively, he laid the foundations of the Uduaghan-led administration.

This reflection or tribute as the case may is not meant to vouch or hold

brief for Ibori in respect of what did or did not do, but meant for us to put on our thinking caps in Delta and allocate to him all the honour due to him as we celebrate or buffet today for the ‘little’ role he played in our collective match towards the Delta of our dreams.

The Odidigboigbo, as he was fondly called, dominated the social, political, and economical landscape of Delta from 1999— 2007 with giant strides, building monuments which traversed the state irrespective of senatorial districts. He was a detribalised Deltan and made a lot of land mark developmental statements in the geography of Delta. The monumental Bomadi bridge which has changed the history of the Ijaw from that axis is a testament to behold, and the Ijaw are very grateful to him for that unique insight of giving Bomadi and environs vehicular civilisation.

He began the spade work for the Asaba airport, choosing the present location. He embarked on the construction of the numerous road networks in Warri metropolis, in an effort to bring back the glory of Warri as we used to know it as an oil city. In Asaba, we remember him for the Nnebisi, Okpanam, Summit-Illah roads, engineering of the Core Area Layout (G.R.A), Commissioners’ Quarters, Ibori Golf Course and a comprehensive networks of roads in Delta North amongst other growth catalysts.

Space will not permit us to elaborate on others such as bridges, schools, hospitals, housing

complexes, empowerments and scholarship schemes. Yes, there were wide scale employment/ empowerment of youths in the state and businesses grew monumentally. His regime was a programme/project carnival with developmental monuments or testaments to behold.

This vociferous, sagacious, effulgent personality of the central senatorial geopolitical zone is a rugged player that should be remembered in the Delta project as we celebrate statehood. This apostle of resource control has had a distinguished work career with Mobil Nigeria and with political beacons of achievements which stand out as an impressive profile.

He represented the voice and determination in a country in search of courageous, fearless leaders who have enough political will to navigate the murky polarized political landscape of Nigeria. He is an advocate of true federalism and this exemplary display of guts on this issue was always echoed by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the then Vice President.

The man, James Ibori represents the face of certainty, the shape of things to come and how they ought to be. He is a man with uncommon footprints, a voice that cannot be gagged even by presidential bravado, because the young man has an image that is larger than his geographical domain.

Cognitively, Ibori‘s footprints are so large that they have become stone cast imprints in the history of the state. No governor before him affected the people as much as he did. A man of history so vilified because of human errors that are common in our clime where we all

pretend to be more Catholic than the Pope. Give some of us shouting ole today similar opportunities they will beat the record of Anini or Oyenusi. It is an incontrovertible fact most of those in authority today are not better than Ibori, if exposed. All said and done the man is languishing in jail today and so much as some of us will shout crucify him we should also give him a place in our hearts for the much he did and also shout hosanna. According to Jesus no man is good or perfect except our Heavenly Father, so is James Onanefe Ibori our one time governor. He fleeced our treasury according to his traducers, if given the same circumstances some of us will not only take from the till, they will carry away the whole till. Let us give Ibori a break and pray for him as we celebrate Delta at 23 for the unprecedented impacts he created and the personalities he made including our present chief executives within and outside the state. He is our friend, brother and political leader par excellence.

Some of the present administration activities in the state have their umbilical cord connected to the Ibori regime, hence as we click glasses to wine and dine we should give a moment of reflection to Ibori for all that he inspired in our lives as Deltans.

There is no doubt he had a fervid passion for Delta and her people and he meant well but human judgements and errors frizzled him off track. *Egboro is President, Down2 Earth network (a nongovernmental initiative) earthdownto126@yahoo.com

2015: Why Mr. President must run and win

T

he political march towards 2015, despite the avalanche of uncertainties deliberately engineered by unfriendly friends, hell bent on bringing the heavens down, has once again placed our continued unity on the Road To Golgotha. Golgotha, the final place of crucifixion also known as the Place of Skull represents two variables. These are absolute destruction as typified by the skull and absolute redemption as believed by the Christians in the crucifixion of Christ.

The year 2015 in projection has created another Tower of Babel with discordant voices and varying opinion each deploying every means to silence the other in the battle to win or redesign the psyche of the electorate to achieve one goal…..Jonathan must run or must not run.

The intent of this literary exercise is not to discourage or encourage any of the schools of thought or the ideas being sold by them but to put forward in very clear language the untainted truth which if allowed to prevail will tally with the adage…A stitch in time saves nine. It the opinion of this writer that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan should not only run for a second term in 2015, but that all men and women of goodwill, who sincerely treasure our continued unity as a nation must rise above petty tribal politics to ensure that President Jonathan is re-elected for a second term. In this shade, I salute the courage and nationalism in Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who has seen the need to

sail on the same boat with President Jonathan to foster good governance. His present posture now poses a major challenge to our brothers, Governors Amaechi, Oshiomhole and their cotravellers.

In a country where every political speech or statement is often punctuated by the proverbial unity and indivisibility of our great nation, it beats ones imagination that a particular section of the country or the political class do not still comprehend the untainted truth that the power to rule this country do not and cannot be confined to any particular section of this country. All Nigerians are equal. This is the modern day gospel and it should be preached with such vigour to awaken some of our Northern brothers from their wishful thinking that they have suddenly become our new colonial masters.

In the political history of this country, the Hausa/Fulani in all sincerity cannot claim not to have had a fair share in the administration of this country, be it military dictatorship or civilian democracy. Under their administration, Nigeria designed and built a brand new capital called Abuja, now the most beautiful and expensive city in black Africa. It is of note, that this project was financed from the scratch with the resources extracted from the communities of those being paraded today as unfit to rule, Jonathan inclusive.

I cannot stop praying for Jonathan, but for him, am sure by now the country called Nigeria would have relocated all of us from

the Niger Delta to a barren land, somewhere up in the north, quarter us in some hurriedly built 2bedroom flats, rename the colony of flats after their heroes and compel us to spend the rest of our lives there because crude oil must be drilled even from our bedrooms in the Niger Delta. It looks like a dream but it would have become a reality going by the way the country was drifting and the attendant arrogance from some our brothers up North.

Many years back, you would never contemplate a business trip

,

BY TIM OWHEFERE

If a section of this country is not fit to govern like the other sections that have done so, that unfit section is also not fit to remain with the superior section lest it infest it with her ignorance

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to Abuja without ensuring that you have a well starched Hausa/Fulani clothing in your travelling bag.

Matched with an Hausa cap, it was perceived as the Master key to open all doors for success. Your academic attainment was of no relevance. Even having dressed the way, they wanted all of us to dress then, your inability to speak their “national” language immediately

reveal your fakeness. All that is now history, demolished by Obasanjo and being smoothened

by Jonathan. I can now dress the way of my fathers, a wrapper, top and even carry a walking stick in pursuit of government contracts in Abuja. I wish I was a woman, I would have dated Jonathan for free, no cash demands because he has restored the dignity of a people….the mocked people of Niger Delta.

Still on political governance, the Yoruba from the South West are a people of very high intellectual standing. They come first in this country when it comes to education but it took the life and death of people like Chief MKO Abiola for them to be considered good enough to govern this country. First, it was a makebelieve arrangement headed by Chief Shonekan, but when it became obvious that the arrangement would never pacify the Yoruba with all their might, they chose a Youba man General Obasanjo whom in their reckoning will be a stooge and do their bidding. How wrong they were, some are still licking their wounds, but it availed the Yoruba a chance to rewrite their history and place themselves on the same pedestal with the North…..those qualified to govern Nigeria.

The emergence of Jonathan in governance was also supposed to rewrite the history of the Niger Delta, to enable us move up to that same pedestal and preach further the unity of this country but some people think otherwise. Such persons must be made to understand that there can never be

unity in the absence Justice and equity. Let it known also that this unity will remain a mirage until the south east move up to that same pedestal. No one is a fool again in Nigeria, those years of slavery and foolishness are gone forever.

If a section of this country is not fit to govern like the other sections that have done so, that unfit section is also not fit to remain with the superior section lest it infest it with her ignorance. In clearer language, the unfit section should not also be a part of Nigeria. Herein lies our predicament of Jonathan running for a second term. He must run and he must win in line with the unity we preach. If he runs and loses by any margin, those of us from the Niger Delta will interpret it to mean our collective rejection by the Nigerian state. Let no one be deceived by the few from the region fighting this concept, they are on their own. They are traitors of our cause and will reap the fruit of their greed in no distant time.

However, to those our brothers from the South West and up North who genuinely see us as brothers and partners, who consistently believe in Jonathan and to a larger extent the whole region, be assured of our continued respect and love. Nigeria is a country of one people, one destiny in obedience to God. *Owhefere is a serving two-term member of the Delta State House of Assembly where he represents Isoko North Constituency.)

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PAGE 16— SUNDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, AUGUST 31, 2014 japhdave@yahoo.com

National eID card scheme to address identity theft, criminal vices

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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ITH the launch of the new National electronic identity card scheme , there may not be a hiding place again for unscrupulous Nigerians engaging in identity theft and other criminal vices that have been threatening Nigeria’s national interests and growth For one thing, the scheme which is expected to signal the start of Africa’s largest financial inclusion, according to keen observers, would end the regime of duplication of biometric data bases in the country.

Interestingly, by using the card as a payment tool, Nigerians can deposit funds, receive social benefits, save, or engage in many other financial transactions that are facilitated by electronic payments with the extra security assurance that biometric verification provides.

However, upon completion of the pilot program, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC), it was learnt was planning to introduce more than 100 million cards to Nigeria’s 167 million citizens.

In the pilot phase, however, the Nigerian Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will issue MasterCard-branded identity cards with electronic payments functionality to 13 million Nigerians.

This initiative is the largest rollout of a biometricbased verification card with an electronic payment solution in the country and by extension, the broadest

President Goodluck Jonathan holding a replica of his electronic ID card with chairman of the board of NIMC, Uche Secoundus during the e-cards’ launch in Abuja at the weekend. AFP financial inclusion pro- window to a social security gram in Africa. benefit system, adding that Accordingly, the eID card it is a card every Nigerian forms a key component of should get. the Nigerian Identity ManAlready, President agement System, deployed Jonathan had received his

by NIMC as part of its man- National eID card, heralddate to create, maintain and ing the official launch of operate the country’s first the eID pilot program. central National Identity “The regime of duplicaDatabase and provide proof tion of Biometric data bases of identity to Nigerians 16 must now have to give way years and older. to harmonization and uniWith 13 applications, in- fication with the e-ID cluding MasterCard’s pre- scheme, which shall be the paid payment technology primary data base. and Cryptovision’s biomet“Proliferation and dupliric identification technol- cation of efforts is neither ogy, the eID card is expected cost effective, nor securityto provide millions of Ni- smart. It is important to regerians with the security, move obstacles that may convenience and reliability impede the NIMC from the of electronic payments. discharge of its constituSpeaking at the formal tional functions and statuLaunch of the Issuance Pro- tory obligations. cess for the National Elec“The combination of intronic Identity Card (E-Id tricate security features and Card) in Abuja, President other multiple functions in Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the e-ID Card, improving its with optimism said that the functionality and versatility new e-card era would ad- is also significant. dress identity related theft “Such high standard will and other criminal activi- help create economic and ties affecting socio-eco- employment opportunities, nomic development of the consistent with our commitcountry. According to him, ment to National the scheme would build a Transformation," he explained

CWG extends MTN XaaS to power Diamond Y’elloAccount

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S part of the Cashless Initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Computer Warehouse Group Plc has extended the MTN XaaS platform to power the Diamond Y’elloAccount in collaboration with Diamond Bank and MTN Nigeria.

MTN XaaS runs on indigenous software from Computer Warehouse Group Plc designed to provide efficient cloud based banking services.

Diamond Y’elloAccount is a mobile banking product built on MTNXaas platform to enable MTN subscribers, including the unbanked and underbanked populace in Nigeria enjoy the banking services from Diamond Bank. The Diamond Y’elloAccount allows automatic account opening just at the dial of *710# by all MTN subscribers, presently put at 58.4 million.

At the launch of this innovative service, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti, said the move was aimed at deepening the

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cash-less initiative, considering that only about 40 million out of the estimated over 150 million Nigerians have been banked.

According to him, the development would afford millions of Nigerians who have mobile phones but are alienated from banking activities due to procedures to seamlessly key into the formal banking system.

Also speaking, the Chief Technology Officer of Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. James Agada, while noting that Diamond Y’ello Account is riding on indigenous technology provided by the Computer Warehouse Group Plc also stated that

“ this technology and many others in the pipeline which include our SMERP platfor m, our PosApp solution and our teleport services all form part of the CWG 2.0 initiative where CWG is working with several partners to deploy solutions and services to the wider MSME and consumer markets.

"The teleport services have been announced with SES and will democratize digital broadcasting in Nigeria. Partners like MTN and Diamond bank are making these initiatives real. We expect CWG 2.0 to be a transformative program for not just CWG Plc but also the entire Nigerian economy”

Surfline brings 1st 4G LTE service to Ghana

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N line with its commitment to bring latest cutting edge technologies to Ghana, Surfline has raised the bar with the introduction of 1st 4G LTE service to Ghanian ICT market.

With nearly 300 cell sites, both existing and new operators in the country are expected to benefit from

Surfline’s service offerings.

Being the largest single LTE deployment in Africa to date with sophisticated experiential stores and 24/ 7-call centre to their impressive technology partners and plans for nationwide expansion, Surfline is taking the Ghanian ICT market the next level.

The realism of Karan Lakhiani leveraging on automobile and aircraft technology

BY OSA AMADI

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F accurate render ing of visual ap pearances in painting is the definition of realism, then Karan Lakhiani is a realist. A former student of British International School, Victoria Island, versatile Karan became a prodigy at age 3 when he picked up a racket, entered a court and played lawn tennis manifesting traits of a pro. In 2002, he won the Parents Who Love the Game trophy in a competition organised

by Ikoyi residents. He repeated the feat in 2005 by winning the 3rd Millennium Smash Shell Tennis Clinic for 10 -15 years old category, organised by Shell Petroleum Development Company. Now Karan is set to replicate those feats in painting. In this interview with Vanguard, he lets us into the world of brush, paint, and canvas: Let’s go back in time. When and how did you begin to paint?

I was inspired by my art teacher in school, at the British International School, Lekki. That was in my year 8 in 2010. I saw a painting done by my art teacher, Rotimi Ajiboye, in school, and that very week I went to the Artworld and bought painting materials and started painting.

What was your first work?

I used to draw and throw away because I was not really satisfied with the works. When I compared them with professional works I became discouraged and cast them away. If I remember, it was a parrot, two parrots, and I started with the legs. Could you imagine that? Eventually I painted a portrait of myself of which I got a measure of satisfaction.

So my real first work was a painting of my portrait.

From what do you draw your inspirations?

I draw my inspirations from real life scenes.

Do these real life scenes inform your choice of subjects?

No I pick my subjects at random. They come with time, they just flow.

What steps are involved in painting a picture like these ones?

First of all you conceptualise what you want to paint. Then you decide the medium – oil, colour pencil, watercolour, etc.

Next, you decide the size of the painting.

What you want to paint determines the size of the canvas. But for me, my medium is always oil on canvas. After that,

you do your sketching, then your precise drawing. After precision drawing, you start applying colours layer by layer. Finally you do the finishing.

Is there any philosophy behind your paintings, something – a human problem you are trying to address or find solution to; a beauty you are trying to capture, or a deep feeling you are trying to express through the strokes of your brush?

I have always been fascinated by automobile and aircraft technologies, and these are the major subjects of my works – a Porsche car, an exterior view of the Dubai Airport Terminal 3, another aircraft capturing a nose view of it at night. Technology is a myster y, and automobile and aircraft technologies have greatly advanced human comfort. It’s great, and I try to capture this mystery and comfort in my works.

Are you interested in automobile design?

No. That is sort of engineering. Although I

did all the sciences – physics, chemistry and biology – I prefer to stick to the arts.

We hear you are also a musician. What instruments do you plays?

I play the piano, the guitar, and the recorder, Just a little of each of these.

Now let’s talk about the commercial side of your works.

Has anyone made you an offer for any of your works?

No, and it’s because I have not really been participating in art exhibitions.

How much would you sell each of these pieces?

It varies. The car has a value of N500, 000 because oil is expensive but it’s durable. Oil is life-lasting. I know the creativity I have invested into those works and you can see that quality when you look at them.

Would you accept a commission by individual, government, or organisation, to painting?

I will, if the price is right.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 17

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My heart led me to my hubby — Judith Audu

My internet semi-nude pictures’ story, by actress Kisa’ Stories by BENJAMIN NJOKU

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ontroversial Ghanaian actress cum rising singer, Kisa Gbekle who derives joy in exposing her body at random, like her Nigerian counterpart, Maheeda, has vowed to dump the dirty habit.

The actress made the promise on her facebook page, apologising, however, for posting her semi-nude and sexually suggestive photos on some social media platforms, after months of being attacked by her fans.

“Never again will I be a bad girl. I promise on my honor to be faithful and loyal to my people. No more bad pics ..lol but check Instagram now “kisagbekle,” she wrote on facebook.

The actress-turnedmusician who is in her twenties, recently made headlines with her seminude photos in public domain. She attempted to offer explanations to justify the photos by comparing them to the ones posted by

world acclaimed star, Rihanna.

Kisa had argued by then that if the Ghanaian entertainment media had no problems with semi-nude photos of American singer, Rihanna, then she had every right to take same photos and publish them without offending the media.

Ironically, Kisa made a U-turn, a few days ago, as she took to social media to apologise for publishing her halfnaked photos and promised she would henceforth “be of a good behaviour.”

Meanwhile the actress, almost immediately after the post, reportedly uploaded another ‘wild’ photo of herself on Instagram.

Kisa has starred in a couple of Ghanaian movies including the TV series, The Miser.

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Kisa

ultry actress-turnedblogger, Judith Audu has revealed that her heart led her to her Denmark based hubby, Mr Morten Foght, who, she has vowed to love till eternity.

Asked by Potpourri, on why she chose to marry an Oyibo, the Edo State-born actress said, “It doesn’t make any difference to me, adding “ I didn’t choose or decide to marry him, it was as my heart led.”

Recall that few weeks ago, Judith took to her facebook page to profess her love for her husband.

“I look at you everyday and smile because you are my pillar, you push me and encourage me even when the odds were against me. In your eyes I find strength, in your actions I learn wisdom.

“I’ve never seen a man face so much and remains tall. In that I learnt a lesson in life. We are a team and together, we will keep waxing stronger and stronger…I love you so much that sometimes it makes me scared of the unknown…

“Happy anniversary to my one and only soulmate, my amorous, my addiction, my irreplaceable treasure.

“In another life, I will pick you again and again…We will turn our double celebration up!

My love, my sweetheart, the only man that understands me, my precious treasure, my best friend and my husband…” she wrote on facebook.

GAGA: Y D A L S T S A L MADONNA B

’ t a c y p o c a e r ’ u o ‘Y Gaga exy singer, Ladyited has always cred her e of Madonna as on ns, but it tio ira sp in al music n isn’t seems the imitatioest form always the sincer

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Lady Gaga C M Y K

of flattery. rtedly Madge has repo ker face Po e th at m ai taken track from singer in a leaked o Steps her new album Tw hich the 56Behind Me, in wdescribes her year-old singer as a ‘copycat’. t, Where is ‘You’re a copyca a pretty re u’ Yo my royalty? that. But girl, I’ll give youpe, it’s an ci re stealing my onna sings ugly look,’ Mad g song. in itt -h in the hard rsh lyrics ‘They’re very ha ly wants to al re na but Madon again. express herself be to g Gaga’s goin port said. mortified,”the re t the only n’ is a Lady Gag s hit out at one, Madonna hag as she’s in rit w in her song r exalso slammed he tchie whom Ri uy husband, G 00 and she married in 20, cursing the 08 20 divorced in . She sings day she met him the song in or ct of the dire

Madonna the :” “Cut me down “Heartbreak Citye up a little. You said middle, f***ed mn. I tried to give you I was your quee now you want your everything. And bit freedom. t you came for, a er ng “You got just wha lo no I’m d ne, an of fame and fortu me into pieces, you re to u Yo . ed you need mn reason. I let didn’t have no dayou helped yourself in my kingdom, . with everything y we met. This “I curse the da g me. I wish I could tin memory is haun .” et forg

Judith Audu

PAGE 18 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

o w o n i s O a l o l i t i T ? n o i t c a n i g missin A ctress Titilola Osinowo Annabel who came into limelight in 2006, after she played a minor role in a Yoruba movie, “Ese Aimodi” produced by Toyin Aimakhu has been missing in action in recent times.

Like other Nollywood actresses who have disappeared into thin air, since two years now, nothing has been heard of the sexy actress. Currently, her fans are showing concern over her disappearance on screen, asking questions about her whereabouts.

Titilola is known to be one of the sexiest actresses in Nollywood, with her stunning height and ever charming look.

She’s described as the true wish of every man.

The last time she was in the news was in 2012, when she was accused of dating one Tunde Akinyera, an aide to Globacom boss, Mike Adenuga Jr. The English graduate of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu, has featured in many flicks including “Valley

Between”, “Family Ties”, “Papa Ajasco”, “Crack in the Wall”, and also Yoruba films like “Ese Aimodi”, “Eja Tutu”, “Igboro ti Daru”, “Awokose”, “Motaka osi Danu” among others.

She has this striking innocent look but it would shock you when you realize she actually loves to play crazy and act packed roles. While she was active on screen, Titilola claimed her personality made her stand out among her colleagues.

Oluchi steps out, hosts fashion show to-nite S upermodel, Oluchi Orlandi is host of the first edition of African Designers, holding this evening, at the L’Espace HQ, Lagos. The fashion show will have heavyweights from Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria and South Africa in attendance.

“I am excited to be a part of this homegrown fashion platform that has helped many brands soar,” Oluchi says. “Platforms of connectivity online and offline are very key to fashion as distribution and retail networks can be a headache,” adds Wadami Amolegbe, founder of HauteAfrica.com.

“LPM and Le’espace have been pioneers in solving that problem in Nigeria over the last five years and its indeed time to go Africa”.

The event will feature the latest, exclusive designs from some of Africa’s avant-garde clothiers: Osei Duro (Ghana), Sophie Zinga (Senegal), JLabel (Nigeria) & Thula Sindi (South Africa).

Yemi Alade bags endorsement with Bland2Glam

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ulti-talented singer, Yemi Alade, best known for her show-stopping performances and international hit song ‘Johnny’ has been announced as the new face of Bland2Glam, Nigeria’s premier online fashion jewellery and accessory store.

Still beaming from the international acceptance of her hit-song, Yemi Alade also referred to as “Miss Johnny” revealed another alluring angle for her teeming fans in the new Bland2Glam promotional video.

Hosted on popular video blogging site Youtube and announced by various bloggers, the video “Yemi Alade’s Date with Johnny” is presently trending on youtube with thousands of pleasurable views garnered in just one week of release.

The minds behind Bland2Glam believe that Yemi’s personality and creativity perfectly complement the brand’s passion for helping women C M Y K

A night of International express their inner divas through stunning accessories and styling.

On her ambassador role, Yemi believes that partnering with the Bland2Glam brand to inspire and enable women of all ages bring their style and elegance to life on every occasion is great reward in itself.

“I loveBland2Glam, the online store is like that best friend you know you can always run to when you need to look your best” she says.

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his particular evening is one we all would not forget in a hurry as it featured an exceptional blend of emotions. The evening started on a very happy note with the contestants’ group performance of Pharell Williams’ ‘Happy’. The audience was also especially thrilled to hear that Banky W, one of the A-list Nigerian artistes was in the house as a guest judge and would also be performing.

The contestants performed some songs that made it to the much acclaimed International Billboard. One thing was evident in the performances, the contestants have realized that the competition has become survival of the fittest and they did bring on the fighting spirit to bear as they battle for survival.

One of the most touching

performances ever witnessed on Project Fame that left majority of the ladies with tears in their eyes and made the gentlemen ‘swallow hard’ came from Clement. The depth of emotion he brought into his performance of ‘When Am Back on My Feet Again’ was truly stirring; especially with the fact that he has been struggling with temporary walking disability in the past weeks, his performance carried everyone on the wings of emotions to his battlefield.

Banky W’s performance did a terrific job of dispelling the heavy atmosphere; the audience could not remain in their seats as he effortlessly did what he knows how to do best; singing his YES/ NO and Lagos Party.

Before Mr Capable’s spectacular performance, the judges announced Ruky, Daniella, Flourish, Emeka, Clement and Geoffrey as the top best

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 19

Osita Osadebe’s son crowned King of Igbo highlife

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he son of the late Chief Osita Osadebe, Onyinye, has been crowned the Igbo Highlife King.

The coronation was carried out by the Governor of PMAN, Dr. Prince Emeka Morocco Maduka (Eze Egwu Ekpili), who believes that Onyinye Osita Osadebe will replace his late father as a King of Highlife.

Onyinye beat another promising Igbo highlife musician, Onyenze Amobi to clinch the crown.

“Onyinye is a very good artiste that he will be greater than his late father, Osita Osadebe for Nigerians”. Dr

Maduka declared.

The Igbo music veteran, the late Dr .Ozoemena Nsugbe, before his death, also predicted that a new king of highlife will soon emerge and it would be Onyinye Osita Osadebe.

Onyinye Osita Osadebe was born in 1990 and graduated from Enugu State University of Science and Technology with a degree in MicroBiology and Brewing. He will be dropping a new album titled “Ndubuisi’ soon, under his new Record Label Morgan Entertainment. It would be a modern reincarnation of Osita Osadebe.

Olamide, Phyno and Eva thrill fans at MadeOf Black unveiling It was a show of class and distinct performances at Bheer Hug, Ikeja City Mall last Tuesday when rap and hip hop sensation Olamide, Phyno and Eva thrilled guests at the launch of the made of black campaign. Guests who could not their excitement all took to the dancing floor to outdo each other digging the steps to the rhythm of the beats.

On Wednesday, August 27, 2014, it was a total take over on popular TV station, MTV Base when celebrities signed up by Guinness stormed the studios on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 to show they were made of black. The music icons were all also part of the new the dramatic new 45 seconds for the campaign. The new commercial also featured ace American music star Kanye West.

According to GUINNESS, the madeofblack campaign celebrates Nigerians who are not afraid to express themselves progressively. #madeofblack provides a stage for these individuals to showcase their flair and imagination and share their own

Billboards performers for the night.

While we hope the contestants will put to good use Banky W’s wise words; ‘hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’; so as they work hard to impress you, keep voting for your favourite contestant till he/she is crowned winner.

For the contestants, it was another week full of various activities like morning drills, lectures, rehearsals and it can also be tagged the most emotional week as it featured several emotion-laden moments.

But in it all, after earnestly seeking votes on air during their meet and greet session and of course from their online fan base, the weekend came and it was time for another set of contestants to leave the Academy.

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#madeofblack attitude.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Seni Adetu, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Guinness Nigeria Plc explained the idea behind the made of black campaign.”Madeofblack is part of the global Guinness Made of More campaign. Guinness embodies the mindset of Nigerians who are not afraid to express themselves and who are carving their own path in life. It is an iconic beer that has the darkest liquid, but the brightest flavours.”

The show kicked off on a good note with the parade of all the contestants in their ‘Lagbaja’ costume. They came all out dazzling the audience with their Afro-pop performance of Lagbaja’s alltime best hits and this of course got the excited audience grooving along.

Roy (Season 4 runner-up) is another proof that Project Fame does not only support the winners but serves as a good platform for all who pass through it. He stepped on stage again to entertain everyone with one of his new singles -’Omalicha’ which is currently enjoying massive airplay.

It was then time for the contestants with the least number of votes; Taiwo, Oge, Christian, and Debby to contend earnestly for their

stay in the competition.

Christian again wooed everyone including the Judges and they got to save him for the second time in a row. Faculty on the other hand saved Debbie and Taiwo who hasn’t been on probation before he got a second chance into the Academy via the contestants’ votes.

This sadly brought tenacious Laami who was the first Academy captain and pretty Oge’s quest in the competition to an end.

Although, saying goodbye hurts badly, they couldn’t help but appreciate with smiles and a strange sense of contentment the enormous input of the faculty and judges in their lives and promised to put all they have learnt to work.

GUS 11: Mother of three scales through regional selection As Gulder Lager Beer pruned several thousands of GUS 11 hopefuls for the character traits needed for survival in this year ’s contest, Mrs Loretta Erhijakpor’s story of courage, determination and resilience stood out.

The mother of three gave younger contestants that thronged the Ogbe Stadium, Benin City, for the Gulder Ultimate Search 11 regional auditions, a run for their money. Although she tripped over an obstacle at the beginning of the rigorous exercises, she dug deep to scale through to the end of the task. Mrs. Erhijakpor also replicated this feat during the swimming regimen. She decided to enter the contest because it was her last chance. By 2015, she would be 31, a year older than the GUS age limit of 30 years.

Loretta had not been able to register before now because of marriage and having to take care of her sick mother. She added that her husband has opted to play the role of house husband and take care of their three children, in the event that she emerges as one of the contestants to go into the jungle.

According to her, Mr. Erhijakpor, her husband, urged her to bring home the ultimate prize, or at least emerge the Last Female Contestant Standing. She has no qualms leaving her children aged seven, three and one respectively in search of the treasure in the jungle. She said, she possesses what it takes to survive in the jungle.

Nollywood stars endorse GIFT talent hunt show

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opular Nollywood actors such as Ejike Asiegbu, Emeka Rollas, Bishop Ime Umoh aka Okon, Amb. Millicent Jack of E-Woman network, Steve Eboh Ajebo and Chinyere Wilfred have given their blessings and support to a frontline pro-Jonathan organisation and strong grassroots mobiliser for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, Goodluck Initiative For Transformation (GIFT) 2015.

Geared towards harnessing young Nigerian youths with talents in music, dance and drama, GIFT has launched a special reality TV show tagged GIFT Talent Hunt Show- a programme that promises to showcase them to the world, challenge them on issues regarding good governance and leadership, and empower them to excel internationally Speaking while unveiling the programme in Abuja, the Director of Planning and Strategy, Barr.

Emmanuel Omeje said, the reality show promises to be like none ever seen by Nigerian audiences, and believes it will create a platform where young Nigerian youths can be appreciated and respected more globally because of their unique talents.

The reality show which kicks-off in September with zonal auditions from which 30 finalists will be selected and housed in a yet to be disclosed facility known as the GIFT Villa, is expected to produce winners by the end of the show in October who will cart away a whooping N100 million worth of prizes and benefits. Registration for the show has already begun online for the programme, to end 20th September, while auditions will start in the same month.

PAGE 20 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

BON awards still remain a Nollywood affair — Seun Oloketuyi transparency associated with the process of picking the winners has made the awards to enjoy sustainable acceptance by the industry operators.

Were you ever tempted to abandon the idea because of the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the organisation of the awards?

When I set up BON, I knew there were going to be challenges. Its always the case when a new idea is born. People always have their reservations, but if you believe in your dreams, you will get to your destination.

I’m hoping and praying that in the next two years, we will be able to take the event to where we really want it to be.

Seun Oloketuyi

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est of Nollywood(BON) awards is in its sixth year. The CEO of the awards body, Seun Oloketuyi, speaks on the prospects, future and challenges of sustaining the dream.

The awards hold on the 4th of October 2014, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

BENJAMIN NJOKU This is another year for BON, how has the preparation been so far?

It has been tough. But what keeps us going is the fact that we have a vision of where we are going to, and we are doing everything possible to achieve our dreams. In terms of the level of preparation for this year ’s awards, we have been able to secure two venues for the event. The awards ceremony will be holding in PortHarcourt, Rivers State, while the government of Kwara State has agreed to host the dinner. At the moment, we are busy planning to put together a hitch-free event.

BON is in its sixth year, what has been the prospects and challenges of sustaining the dream?

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In six years, we have learnt a lot.But the major challenge we had when we started was making people to understand that we are not just any ordinary award body. We have kept our dreams alive. We have never felt intimidated by other similar awards bodies.

Rather, in the past five years, we have been able to position ourselves as we understand our niche market which is Nollywood and have continued to hold on to the market. We have not tried to go beyond the industry. And secondly, we have tried to create a good working relationship with other awards bodies.

Currently, we are trying to open talks with the organisers of OSCAR, with a view to sending one or two of our screeners there for a refresher training come next year. Apart from that, we have so much confidence in what we are doing. In the past five editions of the awards, nobody can claim that he or she won the award because of his closeness to me or to any member of the screeners.

Anybody that wins the award, won it because of his or her hard work. So, the

There are so many awards recognising performances in Nollywood. What makes BON different?

Sometimes, people would say, that lady is a good actress and she is the hottest now. But we don’t consider all that. If her performance in the movie that was submitted is not up to the expectations of the screeners, then they score her accordingly.

She may perform better in another movie, but we judge what we see. You find some actors who are average actors, but they excel in a particular movie and they get the award.

That is what sets us apart. We do not recognise actors based on overall performance, but in a specific performance.

Do you have any plan to give monetary reward to the winners in future?

That has always been our plan. We are hoping that before we mark our tenth anniversary, we will be able to get solid sponsorship to build on our plan. If you look at it, the award gets bigger and bigger every year, and once it gets bigger, our budget increases per year. As far back as 2010, we were one of the first set of award bodies that gave out money to the winners. We gave out USD10,000 to Omoni Oboli, courtesy of Unilever Plc. Also, we gave out N1

million to the Best Comedian category. We have equally given out return ticket to a winner before now. Our dream is to have the best actor or the best actress drive home a brand new car. But the dream has to be matched with the kind of sponsorship that we are getting.

Currently, we are trying to open talks with the organisers of OSCAR, with a view of sending one or two of our screeners there for a refresher training come next year

Seun Oloketuyi

Are you thinking of expanding your scope?

Not at all. We want it to continue to be the Best of Nollywood. But we have seen the need to introduce more categories come next year. For instance, there are a lot of Nigerian filmmakers in diaspora who want to

submit their movies. We intend to introduce new categories for these set of filmmakers. Also,we discovered that there are more filmmakers now who are submitting their movies and the movies are getting better. Right now, the screeners are having problems because they don’t know where to categorise some of the movies submitted, resulting from the fact that they are produced in indigenous langauges. However, we have no plan to make BON a continental event.

For the five years you have organised the awards, what’s your assessment of Nollywood movies?

The movies are getting better. I think people are not giving Nollywood producers the accolades they deserve for what they are doing.

Nollywood is one of the few industries in Nigeria where there is no structure in place. If you watch the movies that were produced about fives years ago, you cannot compare them to today’s movies. There has been a lot of improvement on the part of the film makers. There are good films as well as there are bad films.

What is the expectation of this year’s BON? The expectation is huge. Firstly, we intend to organise an award where anybody who attends it will not feel that he has wasted his or her own time.

What I mean is that we are packaging a world class event this year. Since January, our team has been working extremely hard as if the award will be holding tomorrow; ensuring that we get the kind of host that will tally with the kind of event that we want to do. Our jury is ensuring that we get the best set of winners out of those who submitted their movies this year.

The Potpourri team Ayo Onikoyi, Editor Florence Amagiya Damilola Sholola Aderonke Adeyeri

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014,PAGE 21

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

Appeal for creation of Toru-Ebe State Dear Sir,

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E the Niger Delta ex-agitators want to appeal to President Goodluck Jonathan to come to our aid and revisit the unattended critical issue of creation of Toru-ebe State in the Niger Delta, which the just concluded National Conference failed to address in their deliberations.

We want to categorically state that the Niger Delta struggle was aimed at bringing overall development to the oilrich region, emancipation of the people and the area from oppression, as well as addressing the issue of illegal allotment of oil licenses, where almost all licenses are given to non Niger Deltans.

We also want President Jonathan to address the long-standing issue of Toruebe State, which unites the balkanized Ijaws in Delta, Edo and Ondo States. It was noted that ethnic crises emanating from these states were as a result of oppression and cheating, politically and economically, where the balkanized Ijaws find themselves as minorities.

We the ex-agitators urged the Presidency and the National Assembly to pay attention to the issue in the submitted Confab report before ratification. And we appeal to President Jonathan to revoke

all oil licences allotted illegally and reissue them according to due process. The Amnesty programme had brought reorientation to Niger Delta youths in seeking justice, so we urge the presidency to implement it to the fullest for optimal benefit to the government and Nigerians at large.

All we are saying is that Toru-ebe State creation is one thing we agitators have been fighting for in order to unite our balkanized people. It is our home and we are calling on President Jonathan to look at this issue critically in the Confab report.

He should not ignore it if they are creating additional states in the federation.

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O say that no nation is not without its challenging moments is contestable.

Devising means to marshal out trivial issues affecting a nation at any particular moment should not be treated with hands in pocket. In the past, some strategies adopted either at the State or Federal level to nip some negative issues in the bud have rather turned out to add more injury than cure.

This calls to mind the publication on page 6 of Punch Newspaper, Friday 11 July,2014 where a security expert, Dr Ona Ekhome, in his opinion urged the Federal Government to establish

Gen. Kingsley Muturu Delta State Chairman, Amnesty Phase 2

Uduaghan, leadership and Okobia Road Dear Sir,

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HE people of Okobia in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State have been crying for over 53years to successive Governments for construction of the road leading to their town to no avail.

This writer has written over seven articles published in (The Guardian, Vanguard, National Mirror, Tribune, Urhobo Voice, Urhobo Vanguard, Urhobo Times Newspapers etc to draw successive Governments’ attention to the state of disrepair of the road to Okobia Town in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State to no avail. As usual, our Okpe politicians have made Barmecidal-dish, placebo and half- hearted efforts yielding no results. But with a promise that the

Okobia Road Project will be included in the 2014 budget. What an Alice in Wonderland promise!

During the Ibori administration we published three articles and now in the tenureship of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, we have so far published four articles with no response to our plight.

The access roads from Okuabude through Okuetolor, Okuegume to Okobia are horrendously hellish and a troglodyte Siberia. The other link roads from Aghalokpe through Arhagba to Okobia are exemplifications of lugubrious furibund and furuncle-stimulating contraptions.

It is clear that the cardinal objective of governments, governance, leaders and shrewd leadership is the pursuit of the

Re: Reward information on terrorist activities Dear Sir,

The President should revoke all oil licences because they were allotted by people for themselves without following due process. He should revoke and reallot them according to due process with Niger Deltans at heart, because we suffer all the degradations and pollution in the area”.

an incentive system to reward people who provide valuable information on the activities of Boko Haram.

To buttress this point, Nigeria as a nation is for all, and we are obliged to leave a legacy for the people that we are handing over tomorrow as future leaders. A patriot (one who loves his country, and zealously supports and defends it and its interests) should not consider any incentive whatsoever to unravel any hidden fact that will positively impact on good governance of the nation.

Notwithstanding who raised the fund or where the fund was raised, some miscreants will abuse the opportunity and perpetuate more harm than good intended for the good people of

Nigeria.

Establishing a unit that will propel citizens to unravel hidden truth with a token of cash gift is tantamount to frustrating truth endlessly. Moreso,it will lead to victimization of innocent people.

The best that any well-thinking Nigerian could do is first, be committed to prayers for her peace.

Second, declare the truth at any given time, and not sell it.

A biblical injunction asserts, “ you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. But I say that the truth which you know and declare will set you and the state at liberty.

Ndaji Chinyere N. writes in from Lagos.

greatest good for the largest number. But this is not the case in Delta State as far as the people of Okobia are concerned. It looks like we shall have to create leaders who embody virtues we can respect, who have altruistic moral and ethical principles we can applaud with an enthusiasm that enables us to rally support for them based on confidence and trust. We will have to demand high standards and give consistent loyal support to those who merit it.

Leadership is leaders acting - as well as caring, inspiring and persuading others to act for certain shared goals that represent the values- the wants and needs, the aspirations and expectations of themselves and the people they represent.

And the genius of leadership lies in the manner in which leaders care about, visualize and act on their own and their followers values and motivations.

To the people of Okobia, we remind them of the eternal refrain of Martin Luther Jr. that, “these are revolutionary times: all over the globe, men are revolting against old systems of exploitation and oppression. The shirtless and barefoot people of the world are rising up as never before. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…..” we must move past indecision to action … if we do act, we shall surely be dragged down the long, dark, and shameful corridors of time reserved for those who possess power without compassion, might without morality, and strength , without right.”

Finally, we believe that our amiable Governor will heed our passionate plea to construct the road to Okobia.” LET UDUAGHAN GIVE OKOBIANS CAUSE TO THANK HIM”.

Chief Bobson: Gbinije Mandate Against Poverty (M.A.P) WARRI - 08023250378

PAGE 22 —SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014 PRESIDENT’ MACHO MAN SURRENDERS DELE SOBOWALE “ I have no apologies to offer to anyone”.

Femi Fani-Kayode, Special Adviser to President Obasanjo after a vicious attack on Wole Soyinka and others.

A tale of two defectors: Fani-Kayode and Ribadu(2)

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pointed the Media Director for the Obasanjo/Atiku reelection campaign for 2003. Osuntokun went out to recruit a lot of erudite people – almost all were previously known to have been highly critical of Obasanjo. Femi was one of them. His reward, after the election was the Appointment as Special Adviser – a position he held with the vehemence expected of someone with that brand name. Later, he got another plum job as Minister of Aviation. Then the nation saw the real Femi in action.

Among the attributes his son, Femi Fani-Kayode had inherited, is talking tough when he thinks he is wellprotected and then pleading for understanding and mercy when cornered by superior forces. Most Nigerians cannot remember what happened in 2006 – when Femi Fani-Kayode was nominated by Obasanjo for Ministerial appointment.

Prior to that selection, the fellow, as Presidential Adviser, had insulted virtually all the members of the National Assembly, as well as others, too numerous to mention - who dared to criticize President Obasanjo.

Fearing that he might be

rejected by the Senate, Fani-Kayode, who called himself “the President’s armor bearer”, literally went on his knees to beg the lawmakers for forgiveness. The shameless episode was captured in my Sunday article in June 2006, titled PRESIDENT’S MACHO MAN SURRENDERS. Below is a short excerpt from the 2006

,

“Politicians are their own grave diggers”, Will Rogers, 1879-1935.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p191).

HEN Femi FaniKayode took to politics, he embarked on a treacherous journey which had caused his father ruination because he could have been Nigeria’s most celebrated lawyer – if he had kept to his learned profession. Chief Remi Fani-Kayode, was the country’s youngest Queen’s Counsel, QC – the equivalent of today’s Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN. But, sadly, neither his proficiency in law nor his unfortunate foray into politics is remembered by most people. Pity. Among other things he talked tough and was widely known as Fani Power.

Prior to his appointment as Special Adviser to Obasanjo, Femi, like others whose names don’t deserve to soil this page, had been critical of Obasanjo in the articles they sent to the media. Nobody would have imagined that he would walk the same side of the road with Obasanjo.

Everything changed when Akin Osuntokun was ap-

The President could no longer provide the protection that an armourer needed to perform his duties. Femi was left totally defenceless. That forced him to reach for the only sure protection on earth

,

article published on this page. Cowardice must have been one of the things Femi inherited – obviously. Read it now and enjoy yourself.

It will come out fully in a book of my columns, written in the last twenty years, which I am now compiling, because it reveals Femi Fani-Kayode in his true colours.

There is permanent interest but no permanent friends

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Lord saved the Ogbeni from assassination.

Of course, Oyinlola eventually lost at the tribunal and the rest is now history.

Can you believe the prince and commoner are now best pals? Now the grapes are sour and the prince of Okuku is now in the same party with APC. You have to see Oyinlola on the hustling. He speaks impeccable Yoruba punctuated with proverbs. In company of his sworn enemies were Akande, Tinubu, Oyegun and many others. Would you believe it? Obasanjo was in Oshogbo at the election? He did not offer a word against Aregbesola.

As the Yoruba say: A gbehin ma fo ohun, amo ti eni to nse (A man who would not say a word, you would not know who he supports.)

Well, there are speculations but the big man would not be drawn on that. He remains tight-lipped.

Political boomerang

Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. ~Albert Einstein On the case of Omisore, I went through my father's book, the VOICE OF REASON, volume 2.( It is as relevant then as it is now ).It was first published on Sun-

,

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy.

Then he becomes your partner. -Nelson Mandela ho would have thought that the West is considering working with Syria to get rid of Isis? They say, my friend's enemy is my enemy.

So when does your enemy become your friend? It is all about interest and changes in perspectives. So you see, there is a permanent interest but no permanent friends. At the moment, Oyinlola is very pally pally with Aregbesola. Aregbesola on the election trail goes as far as describing Oyinlola as his brother. Just in case you have forgotten the former was a sworn enemy of the latter. The former Governor stole the mandate of Aregbesola and even swore to run the Ogbeni out of town. You probably remember the Osun/Oshogbo episode where the Good

It was like the fight of the century to be staged by the World Wrestling Federation, WWF, between Macho Man, the man who would do anything to win a fight and a newly invigorated challenger now called the Indestructible Man represented by the Senate of Nigeria. Everyone expected a “knock him down and drag him out” battle. There would be no quarter asked and none given “and the devil take the hindmost” as my friend, Joe Kowalski, in Boston used to call those brawls he was always get-

ting into in the Combat Zone. Joe Kowalski was the sort of guy Femi Fani-Kayode would have liked before he suddenly became a “born again”. Kowalski was also the fellow who left the world with the everlasting words: “There is no dispute that a punch in the nose cannot fix”. Femi FaniKayode, the Obasanjo government’s ultimate Macho I have in turn been amazed at the people. They hold their belief that Iyiola should not have been fielded not to talk of winning an election at all. Simply, because the former Osun State Deputy Governor was facing a case of murder. Iyiola is just an accused. In the face of the law, he is just a suspect. He remains innocent until the contrary is proved. He, therefore, reserves the right to stand for election, to vote and be voted for. As to audacity, the case of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana should satisfy the curious. Dr. Nkrumah was in prison when his party nominated him for election in the old Gold Coast. He went from prison to become his country's prime minister in 1957.

From the Omisore perspective, the man will soon be sprung from Agodi prison where he is currently cooling his heels. I may be a lay man but I see the way

Omisore has promised to have their legal team "reveal shocking graphic details of pre-election rigging led by the leadership of the APC who had directed that all its officers relocate to Osun State before the election

day, 18thMay, 2008,I found this gem titled “the law and Omisore:” "People have expressed surprise at the audacity of PDP and, by extension, of Iyiola Omisore, to propose and win a senatorial election in Osun State.

,

is being cleared for his going back to normal life and to the senate.

From the evidence I read from the court as reported by the newspapers, the assassinations charge cannot hold, a case of armed robbery seems to have been es-

Man – he called himself “the President’s armour bearer ” – was going to meet a feisty Senate for confirmation of his nomination by the President as Minister. The man who rushed in where both angels and fools fear to thread was going into the ring against people who had several reasons for wanting to split his blood.

Last week, I had pleaded with the Senators to be very lenient with Macho Man. And when a Senator friend first called me it was to confirm that the hearings would proceed on schedule, I asked how it would go. His answer was unambiguous: “If Femi comes out smoking he would be carried out on a stretcher; otherwise we no longer have any interest in him”. Good enough. But, would Macho Man live up to his billings and come out fighting?

Well, for those who were expecting an epic battle, it was a great disappointment. Macho Man threw in the towel even before the first punch was landed. My friend had called me the day before the confrontation that this was what would happen. But, I didn’t believe him. It was unlike Femi Fani-Kayode to surrender without a fight. As it turned out, the Senator was right.

The President’s armour bearer had thrown away shield, spear, sword and everything days before and had been waving the white flag of surrender even before he entered the Senate chambers. The man who punctuated every insult he dished out at the height of the President’s powers with “I have no apologies” could read the hand writing on the wall. Suddenly he was apologising to anyone and everyone, including those who

did not request for it. The President could no longer provide the protection that an armourer needed to perform his duties. Femi was left totally defenceless. That forced him to reach for the only sure protection on earth – God’s help.

Last week I ended the column with the hope that he had learnt his lessons. This week, I will close with two observations from Yoruba proverbs translated as best as I can into English. The first says: “B’aja ba nsinwin a m’oju ina” meaning “Even a mad dog avoids fire”. The second is related in some way. That says: “T’omode ba de ibi eru, eru a ba” meaning that “Fear grips any kid who confronts possible destruction”. Now Femi knows what Gustave Flaubert, 1812-1880, was driving at when he said: “ A man in a suit of armour [ when others are defenceless ] does not need to be brave”.

When the chips are down most men are cowards. He needs not be ashamed that he surrendered.

I wish Femi all the best as a Minister even if he deprived me of a chance to watch the drama from a ring side seat.

ELDERLY PEOPLES DAY: CLEBRATE THE AGED The Elderly Peoples Day declared by the United Nations falls on October 1 every year. That is Nigeria’s Independence Day. To avoid a clash, the organizers of this year’s day have shifted the event to Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Sponsors, speakers and well-wishers are needed.

Remember the aged. They brought us into the world.

V i s i t : www.delesobowale.com or Visit: www.facebook.com/biolasobowale

tablished but that leaves it wide open. If the one who sang loftily about his prowess was at the Bar Beach when the murder was being committed now says his lawyer put him to implicate Omisore, the prosecution is holding the end of the stick.

Now, the court says Omisore can make a bail bid.

Of course, a senator of the Federal Republic has automatic self-recognition.

There has been a number of robbery cases unsolved and it will be no surprise if this joins the number.

If, however, a man of the stature and achievements of James Ajibola Ige, SAN. Minister of Justice, can be so cut down and he joined the queue of the unsolved murders, is a warning that no-one is safe here".

It is so prophetic. You wonder why people lose faith in Nigeria when it comes to justice and politics.

So fast forward a mere three weeks after the 9th August, 2014 governorship election in Osun State.

Senator Iyiola Omisore lost the election and he has filed a petition before the state elections tribunal in Oshogbo.

He has rejected the August 9th election results and he alleged that there were massive irregularities and massive fraud perpetrated

by All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

In a signed statement, Omisore wrote: that the election results were littered with monumental irregularities. And that according to him; "We have decided to challenge this

brazen attempt to subvert the wishes of the electorate who came out to support our Rescue Mission Campaign, and gubernatorial candidate of the Osun State People's Democratic Party (PDP) at the tribunal as provided for by the constitution and electoral laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Not sure who the "we" refers to; is it his party or we as the people of Osun?

Furthermore, he went on to explain that; "In our effort, we are mindful of the massive investment in deceit-driven propaganda unleashed on the citizens of Osun State by the APC. And that the opposition deployed O-YES cadets as election officers in order to compromise the valid votes of the people of the state."

Omisore has promised to have their legal team "reveal shocking graphic details of pre-election rigging led by the leadership of the APC who had directed that all its officers relocate to Osun State before the election in addition to the subversive roles these ubiquitous officials played in the election as they compromised some of the INEC officials," Omisore has got form and while everyone has packed up and gone on with life he is determined to get the results reviewed and of course, favour him.

This is despite his party leader and his party accepting that the right man won on the day. For Omisore it is not over by a long short, well, not until he is given what he believes belongs to him.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 23

08112662589

Why settle for Mr. Right when you can have Mr. Rich?

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HERE comes a time in a woman’s life when she has to decide who to settle with and make a go for him. Laila had once briefly engaged to her childhood sweetheart who took off with one of her close friends. Now approaching 30, she’s been involved with Joseph, a photographer who runs his own studio. “He specialises in society events and sells photographs to most of these society magazines”, explained Laila. “She’d taken so much time and money setting up his business that he didn’t give marriage a thought until he was convinced he could look after a prospective family.

“Thanks to his job, he took me on a few society events that gave me a peep into the world of the other half – and how they live. It was at one of these events, a society wedding, that I meet Taofik.

A strictly-by-invitation event, Joseph had wangled a card from one of the organisers, and that was how I found myself sitting at this table with beautifully dressed guests. I wasn’t bad looking myself. Thanks to the lady I worked with who recently passed me a few of her clothes, I matched what most of the women were wearing and my freshly fixed hair attachment shone.

“The wedding reception was straight out of the pages of a magazine. The bride wore an obviously ex-

pensive gown and the wedding train was not disappointing. `I could get used to this’, I thought, sipping a glass of cold wine. By the time the meals arrived, I was already charged up and chatting with a couple of men on my table. At first I didn’t notice Taofik who was seated at the table next to mine but as the evening wore on, we ended up sitting next to each other. `Are you related to any of the celebrants?’, he asked seriously. I shook my head and took a closer look at him.

He was smart and courteous – and handsome to boot. `The groom and I work in a big legal firm.

I’m a solicitor’, he offered.

“I nodded calmly as if it was nothing to me that he was a high-flying lawyer.

He went on to tell me he was working hard towards being made a partner of the firm and my heart started thumping. I might be onto something good here, I thought to myself. I could tell he liked what he saw too as he couldn’t take his eyes off me and kept filling my glass. But would his interest last when he discovered what I did for a living? That I was a sales assistant to a boss who ran her shop from home? So when he asked what I did, I blurted out I worked for a businesswoman as her PA. That she has an office in her house. There was no need to let on my job entails, no typing or telephoning – just

persuading grumpy customers to buy enough stuffs so I could get paid at the end of the month.

“I’d arranged to go home with one of my friends as Joseph would have to take some photographs to clients’ offices that very day.

When Taofik asked if I had my own transport, I shook my head and he offered to give me a lift. But I told him I’d already arranged for transport. If he took me home, he would realise I was obviously beneath him.

I was already regretting the half truth about what I did.

After all I worked very hard and was earning an honest

living.

“As we left the venue, he asked me out and I agreed.

One date led to another and each time I saw him, I fell for him a bit more. And that was even before I saw his flash jeep and ultramodern flat. If I’d owned up straightaway about deceiving him, I could have made a joke of it. But every time I was about to tell him, I thought about how successful he was and the words stuck firmly in my throat. I lived in fear of him phoning to say he’d meet me from work, so I kept a smart skirt, top and pair of heels there, just in case. I even

added to my lies that I lived in a flat when all I had was a one-room apartment.

“Then out of the blues, he wanted to know what I thought of marriage. Both of us weren’t getting younger, he said, and the earlier we set plans for a wedding rolling, the easier it would be for us to save for it. Part of me was walking on air, glad he thought we had a future together. But part of me panicked. From where would I get money for a fancy wedding? A few months later, he wanted to know how much rent I paid.

By this time, he’d assumed I lived in one of my boss’s flats

where he’d picked me up from work a few times. If he could arrange for us to buy a government flat, the rent on my flat combined with our salaries and the rent from his fancy pad, should be enough for us to afford the mortgage.

“That brought me down to earth. I don’t have a fancy `salary’ – just cash payments that barely covered my rent and food.

There was no way I could take on any mortgage! I blustered some excuse about how we shouldn’t rush things, but a few months later, Taofik is now suggesting we go and check out some estate agents his office uses from time to time. If I refuse, he’ll wonder why. But if I go, my secret will be revealed as soon as we meet his lawyer friends.

“I really love Taofik, but our whole relationship is built on sand. I can’t keep up this pretence any longer. At first I was ashamed to admit what I did for a living. But now, I really have something to cringe about – all the cowardly lies I’ve told. I’m scared stiff they’re going to cost me the man of my dreams. All those posh lifestyles, fancy parties and generous cash gifts will end. And as for Joseph, the way I treated him when I landed Taofik, he would be a price fool if he as much as looked at me.

08052201867(Text Only)

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C M Y K

C M Y K

IME and again, s t o r i e s crop up everywhere as to how the deep breathing and gentle exercises of yoga have helped individuals who’d almost lost hope of recovery to regain health.

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

It’s about time everybody was made to realise that irrespective of one\s condition - sick or well the body can be given tremendous help in restoring health, and in safeguarding it. I like to tell people that I have the singular distinction of never having walked into any clinic for even Panadol.

And I put it down to my practice of yoga.

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

The extra oxygen you get into the system, the small rise in heart rate by working the muscles improves the body, the im-

Daily exercise keeps you healthy mune system gets a boost and the body ’s healing system can be easily shifted to over-drive.

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

It may sound too simple by suggest to someone that their redemption could depend on learning to breathe deeper.

But that could be the gospel truth.

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

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

Now, bring the hands also backwards to hold the feet with the chin, pressing on the throat.

Stiffen the leg muscles

and stay in the position for about 30 seconds. To come out of the posture, release the hold on the feet, bend the knees, return the hands to the sides and gently lower the trunk and straighten the legs.

Benefits: This posture increases the blood supply to the spinal region,

nourishing the internal organs. It helps to release tension in the upper back and shoulders.

Massaging the internal organs, it gives relief to indigestion, constipation and can lead to complete elimination of them.

To maintain a youthful body, the key is a flexible spine. And the plough

promotes both flexibility and strength in the back and neck.

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

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

The Bridge next Technique: Lie flat on your back with the arms by your sides then bend the knees with the feet flat down near to the buttocks. Raising the hips bring the hands to support the back. And then if you can, straighten the knees.

Stay at the pose between 15 to 30 seconds.

The mountain pose Sit on your heels or cross-legged. Raise the

The plough

hand over head and interlacing the fingers turn the palms up hold the trunk very erect with elbows straight and do deep breathing.

First, distend the lower abdomen then expanding the ribs without missing the shoulders all that with the inhalation. Then breathe out slowly but thoroughly.

First squashing the abdominal region then contract the ribs expelling as much stale breath as you can.

A more difficult vitiation is to assume the lotus posture and get up on the knee with the hands stretched above the head without interlocking the fingers otherwise with palms joined.

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

P AGE 24—SUND AY Vanguard , A UGUST 31 , 2014 SUNDA AUGUST

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

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Warning: An interfering granny can wreck your marriage!

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HREE days after she had her first child, Halimat’s husband, Doja, brought mother and child home – with Doja’s mother happily ensconce in the family home. “Shortly after we arrived, I put my son in the Moses’ basket we already had ready for him”, Halimat said. “All of a sudden, the sound of my newborn son’s cries filtered through to the living room, stinging my ears and piercing my heart. I rushed to where he was but I was too late. He was already in the possessive grasp of my mother-in-law who’d placed an exclusion zone of fierce grand-motherly love around him, barring all from going near.

“Grandma is here” she cooed as she gripped Jare to her chest and peered at me, her wrinkly face filled with a direct challenge. `Mine’ she seemed to say as she sang to him. So began one of the most painful weeks of my life, one which still smarts now when I think about it, and which pushed my relationship with my husband to the brink. To this day, I still feel hurt and resentful when I recall how my first weeks of motherhood were tainted by the interference of my mother-in-law – a typical village woman she made me feel superfluous, useless and inferior – that I was nothing more than a uterus that had delivered her first born grandson!

“Maybe it was partly down to the clash of cultures, `Grandma’ is from my husband’s very remote village and speaks barely a word of English, and I couldn’t understand her native tongue that well.

Maybe it was also because she’d been widowed at 29: Doja, her youngest was just two years old when his father was killed in a road accident, leaving her to raise three children singlehandedly. It has left her fiercely proud of her family, as well as being very critical of their partners.

“From the self-consciousness of my post-baby body

to the way I held my son, I felt short in every department. And Doja, the devoted mama’s boy, seemed to accept her word on everything, excluding me as they gabbled in their own language. Whenever I heard friends complain about how little help they get from their in-laws, I want to shout how lucky they are. After the hospital staff fussing over my son, I’d arrived home to find her waiting at the door and literally wrenching Jare from my arms. Taken aback by her forthrightness, I tried to put it down to excitement.

He was, after all, her first grandchild. Yet as she clutched him to her chest, ignoring me, my heart pounded in panic. Although logically I knew he was safe, a new mother’;s protective hormones turn her into a lioness.

“I would have fought and killed for my son. The trouble was, so would Grandma But instead of standing up to my mother-in-law, I went to our room and cried.

Looking back, I can’t believe I was so weak, so unassertive. I can only put it down to the shock I felt at having a domineering stranger barge into my life.

This was her first visit to our home. Although I’d met her a few times, when we met for family functions in her village, we’d never got beyond small talk due to the language barrier. Although she’d never said it, I wondered if she blamed me for luring her son to marry outside his clan.

“Doja and I had met at the university. He was one of our lecturers and we quickly recognised that we had a lot in common. He transferred to another university close to my family’s home when I graduated. He later set up his consultancy business. But it wasn’t until I gave birth that I realised the true character of my mother-in-law. From the outset of her visit, she made it clear that `Grandma knows best’. And Doja did nothing to correct her. She was constantly barking

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"

You remain the best

I am emotionally captured, affectionally loved, pas-

families are much stronger, there’s none of this `not interfering’ business. I felt like a hostage in my own home, stuck in a field between two raging bulls! It didn’t help that mum and Halimat didn’t speak the same language. Not only was I torn between two different cultures, I was constantly having to translate for them too. I love Halimat – and my mother. I just hope that, over time, they will learn to love each other”.

Greater love has no man than this (Humour)

`advice’ on everything from feeding to sleeping. Everything she did contradicted modern parenting advice.

She put Jare on his tummy to sleep and swaddled him in layers of blankets. I put my foot down when she wanted to feed him herbal concoctions. Since when did a newborn baby need that? `It’s just how they did things in her days’, Doja said as his mother went off in a huff. Of course my husband ran after her to console her, rather than me.

“Breast-feeding became my only solace, the only time my son was all mine.

Even then, she’d stand so close that I felt inhibited and self-conscious. Once, she unexpectedly yanked up my top, revealing my postnatal belly. `What a stomach’, she remarked in her native tongue. I was utterly humiliating. In our bedroom, Doja and I hissed at each other. I was sick of being undermined and humiliated. In my worst moments, I wanted to run away with my baby.

“Her month-long visit, eventually ended, but the effect on Doja’s and my relationship reverberated for long after. Despite the tension, she would arrive3 at our door every six months without fail and stay for two weeks. `You can’t stop me seeing my mother!’

Doja would fume. `She can’t stop me from being a mother!’ I would retort, I

loved my husband, but there were times when I wondered if I’d be better off alone. But after I’d given birth to two girls, I felt stronger and more in control. Yet Grandma still came down to undermine me. I had to justify everything I did, from not putting salt in my children’s food, to not letting them `sweat out’ a fever to letting them run around barefoot – as she believed colds are caused by floors, not viruses.

“On one of her visits, I left her to give the girls their breakfast while I took Jare to school. I got back to find both children triumphantly sucking chocolate coated digestive biscuits, having clearly ignored the cereal, toast and eggs on offer. She knew my views on this. Biscuits were a treat, not breakfast. `No biscuits!’ I protested at which she and the children smirked conspiratorially. It was only when my youngest was two years old, the same age Doja had been when his father died – that relations between us started to thaw.

“One day, exhausted and stressed, trying to juggle work, money and the family, I tried to imagine being responsible for these three little ones all on my own.

How did Grandma manage it, producing such loving,loyal and well-adjusted son as Doja? Suddenly, the thought of my mother-in-law’s next visit

sionately drived, in your hands the comfort seems like forever and I never want to let go the love, will I have gotten more if not you my dearest?

You remain the best out of them all. I do love you dear...

James N Okonkwo (Freesoul) ngesinaj@gmail.com +2348066043380

I'm happy having you around I feel the morning that you are around I embraced you in my imagination and my heart says, 'Oh how I love you so'

didn’t feel quite so much as an invasion, but a welcome extra pair of hands. The children clearly adore their Grandma, and love chatting in her native language which she’d tried to teach them. I’m now determined to grit my teeth and meet her half way. Who knows, maybe we can start again!”

Doja still couldn’t get his head around how things could be so thorny between the two women he loved. “I have no recollection of my father”, he said. “He died far too soon and my mother sacrificed everything to give me, my brother and sister a good upbringing. It’s no surprise then, that I will always love and admire her. After our son was born, I couldn’t wait to share the experience with my mother. So, I couldn’t understand why Halimat felt so threatened.

The first visit was a nightmare. Mum just wanted to get to know her grandson, but Halimat couldn’t bear to share him. Somehow she thought mum was trying to steal him. She couldn’t see how ridiculous that was, or disrespectful to my mother’s feelings. After all, she was just visiting for a few weeks.

“I couldn’t help but feel that all this highlighted the massive cultural gaps between the ethnic groups in the country. In my village,

A young man was keen to buy his girlfriend a very special present but, unsure of what to get, he took her sister along to help him chose.

A little later, they decided to buy her some gloves – something not too personal but at the same time something that she would wear often and think of him. As he gave the gloves to the assistant to be wrapped, the sister had also been buying for herself and handed in a pair of knickers. However, unknown to the two buyers, the assistant muddled up the package before sending it off. He simply wrote the following note to go with it: My darling, I hope you like the enclosed gift. I bought them because |I notice yo never wear any when we go out together and your sister thought the short ones were better than the longer ones because they’re easier to remove. I hope you like the colour. I know they’re a little light but the lady in the shop showed me the ones she’s been wearing for the past month and there was hardly a mark on them. She also tried them on for me so that I could see what they’d look like. It’s such a shame I won’t be there to help you cut them on for the first time. Others will see them before I do. Just one little tip. When you take them off, blow in them as they will be slightly damp from wearing. Looking forward to seeing you wear them on Saturday night. Much love -Ken xxxx.

Every day is like opening a gift when knowing that there is someone who gives you a special feeling that no word can explain..

My dear, I'm so happy having you in my life now and wish to be with you till my time on EARTH is through..

Innocent Oluku profprof2010@yahoo.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 25

08116759757

ONE DEAD, FOUR RESCUED

How I saved distressed quintuplets,

by Onwugbenu

By LEKAN BILESANMI

B

C M Y K

Above: Chief Onwugbenu; below: The children in hospital Bridge. As a result he was christened ‘Carter Bridge’, a name he earned as a result of his routine weekly business trips to Lagos. His watchword had remained honesty, diligence and hard work, inculcated in him by his parents and the Catholic priests.

Rev Fr Louis Kettels, the famous Irish missionary who was in Nnewi at the time, had foretold a future full of hopes for the child, Louis.

Kettels baptized him with the name of Louis on September 13, 1953 and left a legacy of service in Nnewi, mentoring many sons of the community who later in life became prominent and very successful in their chosen endeavours.

Today, after years of dogged business experience that is already very well favoured by the Almighty God, Onwugbenu, who turned 61 on August 15, has become the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of a

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irthday celebrations, especially for most special children worldwide, are usually made memorable in different ways. And for Chief Louis Izuchukwu Carter Onwugbenu, a household name in international business circles, born 61 years ago to the Catholic family of Augustine and Cecilia(aka Omakaa) Onwugbenu of Ndiojukwu village, Uruagu Nnewi, it was a day for sober reflection he usually spent amidst children and the physically and mentally challenged at the RECDOTS Centre, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo council area of Anambra State.

Nurtured early in life in the precepts of Christianity, the young Louis imbibed solid abiding and deeprooted faith in God which has remained his lifestyle.

He was also made to stay with and serve priests, the early missionaries, when they arrived Nnewi in those days.

As a young boy, it was a rare privilege to come close to priests or teachers, let alone dwelling with them.

Louis lived with them and that contributed to shaping his life of service to humanity and God. He became a constant face at the local block rosary prayer group. All these contributed in attracting divine favours in life, he acknowledged.

Born into an environment of biting challenges, the intellectually promising Louis had to forgo his education midway due to the Nigeria-Biafra civil war of 1967. But in what looked like a divine providence, he was now well rewarded in business enterprise later in life. The period of 1972 to 1977 marked major turning point in his life. That was when he commenced his regular weekly shuttle to the Lagos motor and motor cycle spare parts markets at Idumota under the Carter

Ndiojukwu unit. Flanked by family members, children, friends, the clergy, business associates and parishioners at the premises of St Louis Catholic Church, Uruagu which he donated to the diocese alongside a nursery, primary and secondary school complex, Onwugbenu danced, rejoiced and made merry.

In a remark, Onwugbenu, the Okpata Ozuo-Ora of Nnewi’s life of abundant successes, achievements and accomplishments disclosed: “My mother had always celebrated my birthday for the block rosary members by cooking foods and providing drinks for them whether I was around or not, on every August 15.” This, according to him, began

One of the quintuplets died, leaving the family with four new little mouths to feed- two males, two females

business empire. His firm is into manufacturing, agroallied industries, agriculture/ mechanized farming, real estate, oil/gas and food processing amongst others.

Onwugbenu, at his birthday party, took out time to reminisce on his life of growing up amidst lack, struggles through early days, and then now that favour has clearly smiled on him. He brought some significance in the celebration when he took it to the location where he began his life of service to God and man from- the local block rosary prayer group of

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in 1961 and Mama continued until she passed on a few years ago. He has now resuscitated the idea.

The birthday uniquely coincided with the Assumption day of August 15-a sacred day among Catholics, a day when the body of blessed Holy Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, assumed into heaven. He urged the children to remain steadfast in their chores and religious activities, stressing that God never fails, because he is an example of what God can do to a committed person.

While he was still

speaking, words came that a poor woman, Mrs Chiamaka Ezeudenyi, from Nnobi, a nearby community, in Idemili South Local Government Area, had just put to bed a set of quintuplets at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and were facing challenges of funds. It was her maiden delivery, having lost an earlier pregnancy. One of the quintuplets died, leaving the family with four new little mouths to feed- two males, two females. Unfortunately what the family had prayed and anticipated for to celebrate quickly turned to sadness as the reality of the new heavy responsibility of feeding four extra mouths dawned on them. It was at this point of depression and nagging confusion that Onwugbenu came to the scene and restored hope to the disconsolate mother of the quintuplets. He had to abandon the birthday party to attend to the poor woman and her new babies. He instantly picked their hospital bills, provided for some immediate needs and offered scholarships to all the four surviving babies up to the university level.

He extended his birthday benevolence to three other patients earlier discharged but held against their will by the hospital for failure to raise N400,000 being their bills. He described his gesture as a way to glorify God’s abundant blessings on him, saying, “I was nothing when this hospital was commissioned in 1991. I therefore have every reason to thank God for being exceptionally kind to me.

August 15 is my birthday and I want to celebrate with these new children who share the same date of birth with me since God has endowed me with the resources. I have awarded scholarships to the children as the spirit directed me to touch the lives of the less privileged” His sojourn into the business sector took off in 1972 with the selling of bolts and nuts, oil filters and plugs at Nnewi, with the capital from his parents. Remarkably, he kept diversifying into areas he saw as moving well, including motor parts at one point or another, till he was able to establish a foothold. It was only sheer determination and resilience that propped him on and on till he much later graduated into the importation of auto spare parts. It blossomed and from then there was no looking back. He became a name in the sector and began to expand and diversify into other lines of trade including manufacturing and estate management.

PAGE 26 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

Ebola hits the economy T

here is no doubt that the outbreak of the Ebola disease, which started in Guinea , as a major health hazard, now has serious economic implications in the entire West African subregion. The sectors most affected include aviation, export sub-sector, industries dominated by large scale buying and selling of goods, open markets for secondhand clothes and other places within the affected countries.

Experts are of the opinion that the epidemic has already slashed economic growth in the sub-region by over 4 per cent and may result to increase in the prices of commodities and food shortages in some affected countries, if not quickly addressed.

Visit to open markets in Lagos:

When Sunday Vanguard visited Katangua, one of the largest markets for secondhand clothes business at Abule-Egba, area of Lagos, some dealers were seen in small groups lamenting about slow pace of business in the market due to the disease.

C M Y K

Mrs. Hellen Idiong, fondly called Madam cash, a dealer who spoke with our correspondent said, “You can see that everywhere is scanty.

Our customers are not coming out like before. Most people are still afraid of buying second-hand clothes because of this Ebola virus.”

Another dealer, who gave his name as Mr. Samuel Junior, seen with hand-glove while arranging clothes in the market said, “This Ebola is a serious problem and the outbreak is very dangerous not only for people coming to buy but for some of us selling the clothes, because there is no way the materials will not touch our skin. That is why I am trying to protect myself with hand-glove. I will also advise people to wash these clothes with soup and disinfectants before wearing them. Initially, I used to open a whole bale of clothes almost at every market day, but now I cannot even finish selling one bale in a week.

Since I started business in Katangua in 2008, when a bale of second-hand clothes was sold for between N19,000 and N20,000, up till now that a bale goes for almost N40.000 and above depending on individual

bargaining power, I have never experienced this kind of thing.”

He went on, “To me, Katangua is the biggest market in Lagos. People from different parts of Lagos come here to shop for used clothes,

,

By UDEME CLEMENT

clothes, which are categorised under contra-band items in government’s import prohibition list, he said, well, you can call it contra-band or prohibited goods, but this is a big business here. If not for this Ebola virus that is scaring people, we would not even have time to talk because of human traffic in the market.

Goods coming into Katangua are imported from China, Dubai, Europe as well as other Asian countries, and are brought in through Republic of Benin. We have over 10,000 dealers in this market

Low turn out of passengers as well as flights cancellation is the major effect on the sector, which is why I believe that aviation is the worst hit since the outbreak of this disease

shoes, bags and even curtains. This is because second-hand materials are durable. Some people even come here to buy in bulk and for retail in other smaller markets. I have customers who sell in their shops at Yaba, Oshodi and Orile. They usually come here to buy in large quantity to resell.”

On the implication of doing business with second-hand

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and different unions regulating the activities of traders under Hausa, Igbo and other associations. You can see that everyone is affected by this epidemic. So, our appeal is for government to prevent the spread of this Ebola virus, because it is affecting our business negatively aside from the effect on health”.

Aviation During a visit to the local and international airports in Lagos, it was observed that screening and surveillance for comprehensive health checks were carried out by health experts for air travellers.

The aviation sector is experiencing revenue losses, Mohammed Tukur, Aviation expert in Nigeria.

He said, “Low turn out of passengers as well as flights cancellation is the major effect on the sector, which is why I believe that aviation is the worst hit since the outbreak of this disease. Apart from loss of revenue arising from slow pace of business activities by different airlines, passengers are also suffering. For instance, we are experiencing frequent cancellation of flights to different countries in the region. The situation is so frustrating because sometimes you see passengers who have made necessary arrangements to travel being turned back at the airport because of flights cancellation. “The Ebola outbreak took everyone unaware that is why there is panic everywhere in the country. Since Ebola virus was discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River, which is where we know today as the Democratic Republic of Congo, this is the first time we are experiencing a major outbreak in the sub-region, but government is doing it best to tackle the epidemic.”

Responding to question on

Continues on page 28

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 27

MAN’S Man’sWICKEDNESS Wickedness

Ebola: From Lagos to Rivers W

hen HIV/AIDS was discovered in the US in the early 1980s, nobody believed it would reach a point that Africa would become the epicentre .The whites that were infected accepted their fate and ensured that they lived positively,informing anybody they were to have sexual contacts with about their health status, and ensuring that condoms were used correctly. The religious leaders over there never intervened on the advice given by doctors and no religious leader,no matter how spiritually connected, claimed to have the cure for the HIVAIDS. Today, the percentage of people living with HIV in UK and US is less than what obtains in Africa.

If an African tests positive to HIV today,that person will assure himself/herself that nothing is wrong in transmitting it to another person, after all how did he/ she get it in the first place?

Within one week, many innocent people will have been infected and this ‘distributor ’ will be ashamed to start treating himself/herself on time. When he/she reaches the final stage complicated with the opportunistic infections,he/she will be rushed to hospital where the doctors will be expected to do abracadabra. This is usually after many months of managing the person for an ‘attack” in the church while C M Y K

the free government antiretroviral drugs are wasting in our hospitals.When the person eventually dies,people will say,’God gave and God has taken.’

WRONG EXERCISE OF POWER When the Catholic hospital in Liberia treating Patrick Sawyer ’s sister made the diagnosis of Ebola, Sawyer was aware of the diagnosis

,

By PAUL JOHN

one can be sure that our government will not do anything to reward this hospital or immortalize the health practitioners who lost their lives. Imagine what would have happened if Sawyer succeeded in the wrong use of his power and connections and was discharged from First Consultants Hospital to travel down to Calabar?

A nurse that was involved in

Some dubious religious leaders on their own part are busy preaching to their gullible congregation that the said virus is from God

and the implications and he was restricted from attending to his sister. But he exercised his political power and violated the hospital’s instructions. It was reported that he was found many times with blood stains on his shirts while attending to his late sister.

Even while in Nigeria,he repeated similar thing when he was restricted. The management of First Consultants Hospital reported that they were under pressure to release him since he was a diplomat but the management refused considering the effects of such unpatriotic act on the Nigerian public. Sadly, in our usual way of doing things,

,

the treatment of Sawyer wickedly(or do I say ignorantly) travelled to Enugu possibly to ‘distribute’ the deadly virus to others including his family members.

Remember that the said nurse was aware that other members of the hospital staff were quarantined along with other contacts of Sawyer but she decided to run to Enugu without considering the passengers in the vehicle she travelled in could be exposed to the Ebola virus. Also, Sawyer as a true African, stubbornly left Liberia against medical advice to attend the ECOWAS convention in Calabar. It was reported that

this Sawyer having discovered that he tested positive to Ebola, he started urinating on the hospital staff of First Consultants Hospital hence the need for the late consultant, Dr Stella Adadevoh, to personally restrict his movements.

Some dubious religious leaders on their own part are busy preaching to their gullible congregation that the said virus is from God hence it requires God’s intervention to cure. I don’t want to talk about the ‘saltwater ’ treatment which expectedly killed more people. What these religious leaders never knew was that Ebola had been in existence since 1976.

Expectedly, the man that took Ebola to Rivers State might not tell the doctor that he was among the primary contacts of Sawyer hence the doctor falling prey to his antics.

In Liberia recently,we heard that some idiots called gunmen went to Ebola isolation centre and freed the quarantined patients and stole the materials brought to the patients believing that the materials were money. They even went ahead to claim that Ebola did not exist the same way that some foolish people believed that the true meaning of AIDS is,’American Idea for Dodging Sex,’ and today they are either living with the virus or have died of the deadly virus disease.

THE GOVERNMENT THAT CANNOT BE TRUSTED

A national emergency was declared for Ebola virus disease by our government and about N1.9billion was released and expectedly as a Nigerian thing the few that are favoured in power will benefit from the money ‘allegedly ’ released after all it is said that one man’s food is another man’s poison,whether the poor man out there is taken care of or not that does not concern them. If you ever accuse any of the officials of embezzling the funds released,he/she will smartly rush down to court where he/ she will get perpetual injunction restricting EFCC,ICPC and other law enforcement agents from investigating him and will still come out and ask you to tender an apology for even thinking of arresting him in the first place,the same way that the House Of Representatives asked NMA to apologise to Nigerians for fighting for their rights. Remember that the vital aim of the said strike is to compel the government to revamp the moribund state of our health sector. Don’t be surprised when the salaries of health workers would be subtracted ,reason being the purchase of personal protective equipment by the hospital management for the health workers.

Was it not this same government through their health experts that told us that nano-silver was potential cure for Ebola? Having confirmed the news from our supposed health experts,our national dailies carried headlines such as: Ebola: Hope rises for local treatments;Govt to introduce Nano Silver,drug developed

by Nigerian scientist etc. This was happening at a time that a fledgling internet surfer knew that the said nano silver was a pesticide.

A woman recently lost her life after she was reported to have been rejected by many hospitals. The said hospitals suspected that the woman had Ebola virus disease and rejected her. After the woman died it was discovered that she had no Ebola. Do we now blame the hospitals for rejecting the woman? In my own opinion, I don’t think that I will blame the hospitals because there is no way endangering the life of other patients and staff of the hospitals when it was clear that government had not provided the required equipment to the hospitals.

Another point there is: rejecting the suspected patients and allowing the patients have access to the Nigerian public ,is it not an act of un-patriotism on the part of the hospitals? The answer to Continues on page 28

PAGE 28— SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014,

Continued frompage 27

THE WAY FORWARD (1)If the government is really serious in containing this Ebola virus disease, which I doubt,they should restrict movements in and out of Lagos and Rivers States for

Ebola: From Lagos to Rivers now, because the arrest of Boston bombers in USA was possible because movements were restricted.

(2)The supposed government health experts should always tell the masses the truth at all times and verify all statements before granting press briefings. The hospital owned by the late doctor is a busy hospital located at the heart of Port Harcourt,Rumuokoro axis of the Garden City. All his contacts should be traced immediately. I heard he just operated on a patient a day before he died,all these facts should be objectively investigated .

(3)All hospitals,private hospitals inclusive,should be provided with large number of Personal Protective Equipment.

(4)When a patient in a quarantined center is discharged, before another patient is admitted, that place must be fully sterilized in accordance with WHO standards and the gloves used in touching/treating one Ebola suspected patient should not be used on another patient. The mortuary the late doctor was initially taken to, before being brought to UPTH should be decontaminated according to international best practices and all the workers

at the morgue quarantined.

(5) Private hospitals that alert the government about a possible case of Ebola should be financially compensated because as First Consultant Hospital is currently locked up,the management is still counting their losses and it will take many years before the average Nigerian will start patronizing the hospital. By

passengers per seat and two passengers in front. This will help minimize the body contacts which is another means of contracting this virus disease. Believe me,our law enforcement agents once they collect their ‘ roger ’ (bribe) they will look the other way while the commercial drivers will pack their passengers like sardine .

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that question will be, what has the government done for the management of the First Consultants Hospital Lagos,for sacrificing four of their staff,one of which was a consultant, to encourage other hospitals to be patriotic?

It was announced, last week, that about 70 people were quarantined in Rivers State. Somebody should help ask our government officials the exact location where the suspected patients are currently quarantined? I am still in Rivers State and when I read the news, I called the people I was supposed to call to know the exact location of the quarantine centre, they were as confused as I was (or do I say I am since I am yet to know the exact location). We are no more kids,we have our communication gadgets,they should not deceive us at this age. If the patients are not at UPTH(University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital) and not at BMSH(Braithwait Memorial Specialist Hospital), worse still, the Emohua quarantine centre is yet to be fully completed as at the time of writing this report,where then exactly are the patients quarantined and where was the wife of the late doctor treated?

It was announced, last week, that about 70 people were quarantined in Rivers State. Somebody should help ask our government officials the exact location where the suspected patients are quarantined ?

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compensating the management of First Consultants Hospital and immortalising the health workers that died in the process,it will encourage many private hospitals and other health practitioners to be more patriotic (6)Commercial bus drivers and taxi drivers should start carrying three passengers per seat and one passenger in the front seat as against the current practice of four

(7)Any religious leader or house that claims having any cure for the deadly Ebola virus disease should be arrested and prosecuted since when Jesus and Mohammed were on this earth,they never advertised their healing powers. Also,these religious leaders should be warned not to organise any gathering at this critical period.

(8)Our legislators should immediately enact laws so that any Ebola suspect who runs

Ebola hits the economy Continued frompage 26

Effect on aviation sector/ food shortages: Another aviation expert, who spoke with Sunday Vanguard, at the international airport under anonymity, said, “The situation is more

worrisome in the Aviation sector and if not well addressed, may pave the way for food shortages in some affected countries within the region. At present, some airlines are still cancelling flights to countries within the sub-region for fear of Ebola, not withstanding the control measures put in place to prevent the spread. For instance, about 216 out of 590 monthly flights scheduled for Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea had been cancelled.

Look at what is happening in Kenya. Though Ebola virus has not even been detected in Kenya, Korean Airlines early August suspended flights to and from Kenya, saying the decision was to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The management of Air France has not out-rightly suspended flights to the subregion, but they saying passengers from Guinea, Freetown in Sierra Leone and Nigeria must have their temperature taken before boarding the aircraft

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recent complaints from local airline operators about loss of revenue to foreign airlines, He said, ‘We are advising local operators to go into partnership with foreign airlines that have the financial capacity to operate within and outside Nigeria. For instance, currently only ARIK is flying to New York and other countries while other local airlines are operating only within Nigeria. So, we have to support ARIK.”

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He went on, “The management of Air France has not out-rightly suspended flights to the sub-region, but they saying passengers from Guinea, Freetown in Sierra Leone and Nigeria must have their temperature taken before

boarding the aircraft. This is not only limited to Air France, other airlines are also doing the same thing. For example, recently, the crew of Air France refused to board flights scheduled for some countries affected within the

away will be prosecuted after being arrested and treated.

This law will ensure that all Ebola suspects will surrender themselves to the appropriate authorities and any health practitioner that treats any suspected Ebola patient without calling on the appropriate authority will be dealt with. This is exactly the case in Port Harcourt where the primary contact of the index case ran away from Lagos to Port Harcourt to be treated by the late doctor. I am sure that our legislators will not enact any law because there is no financial inducement to set them into action . The Nigerian masses should hold their leaders accountable because as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said in her book,The Purple Hibiscus,’the educated ones leave,the ones with the potential to right the wrong, they leave the weak behind.

The tyrants continue to reign because the weak cannot resist. Do you not see that it is a cycle?’, I call on the human rights lawyers to rise up to this challenge as any problem created in Nigeria by our leaders will be suffered by the masses because our leaders having ‘graciously ’ supervised our health sector to its present deplorable state will always travel to Germany for private visits even when a foetus that is conceived today knows that Germany is known for medical tourism. *JOHN is a medical doctor based in Port Harcourt

region. So, with the current trend, food shortages may occur due to low economic activities in such countries.”

Banking industry/ corporate organisations: Also, during a visit to some commercial banks in Lagos, liquid hand sanitisers were seen positioned in the open, at the entrances for customers to sanitise their hands before carrying out transactions in the banks. Similar thing was observed in some corporate organisations in Lagos. While some companies positioned hand sanitisers by the security post for visitors to use before having access to their offices, others put their in the reception with a bold inscription by the bottle, ‘sanitise your hands, Ebola is real’.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 29

RAGE OF KADUNA BUSH MEAT SELLERS

By LUKA BINNIYAT

he once very busy bush meat stalls at Doka village, Kaduna were empty last Tuesday. The only persons present were the bush meat sellers, about 12 of them, sitting with long faces, under a tent watching the mounts of smoked carcasses of all kinds of animals that had attracted the culinary desire of thousands, mostly travellers, each week. But all that seemed to have changed with the emergence of the Ebola virus in some parts of Nigeria.

The Doka bush meat market is the most popular in southern Kaduna, supplying families, hotels, restaurants and bars in adjoining towns and as far as Plateau and Nasarawa states as well as Abuja with smoked antelopes, primates, pythons, crocodiles, hares, porcupines, wild guinea fowls and even foxes among other animals.

The Ebola scare has since rattled Kaduna State residents to do away with meat from the animals, and the major victims are those involved in the business.

“I did not know the seriousness of the problem until I took my senior brother’s favourite meat to his home at GRA Unguwan Rimi sometimes last month”, said Dauda.

“His best bush meat is wild boa, roasted with salt and garlic. As usual, I rode on my motor bike for about one hour with the dried boa.”

C M Y K

‘Why has Ebola not killed us?’

“When the security guard saw me, he said he was going to inform my brother’s wife first if she would allow me to come in with the meat. That was very strange, because the house was as good as mine.

The security guard came back and told me that madam said they had stopped eating bush meat and that my brother left instruction before he travelled out that no bush meat should be allowed into the house.

“The woman did not even have the respect of coming out to greet me, talk less of allowing me to have a cup of water and a meal.

“I left humiliated and sad.

Since then, things have been very bad.”

All the sellers, many who were also hunters, were eager to tell their stories and denied that their meat had any virus.

“The five of us who attend ECWA Church here suffer in the hands of our people. Some of them said that we could bring in a disease that would

,

T

All their wholesale buyers, according to the bush meat sellers, have canceled their orders, citing nonpatronage of the meat in restaurants and bars

kill everyone in the village.

That we should be stopped from hunting, or forced to stop coming to church and mix with people,” complained Emmanuel Bako, 45.

“Some are just jealous of our progress and are using this Ebola matter to destroy us.”

,

“Look at us, why has none of us died?”, interrupted Andara Gom, 39.

“We kill these animals ourselves and prepare them.

“The countries where you have Ebola, maybe it is white men that catch the animals and feed them. You know the white

man like giving all kinds of injection and feelings to wild animals.”

According to their estimates, on weekends, they make an average of N300,000 while on week days, sales averaged N60,000.

But with the Ebola scare, they barely make N15,000 on weekends and N5,000 on week days.

All their wholesale buyers, according to the bush meat sellers, have canceled their orders, citing non-patronage of the meat in restaurants and bars.

That means hard times for hunters.

The Doka bushmeat market actually gets its supply from forest reserves of over 500,000 hectares that stretch from Kachia Local Government Area, LGA, in Kaduna state, to the borders with Plateau and Bauchi. It also includes an additional 30,000 grazing reserve in Kachia LGA, all restricted from hunting and logging.

“We have been unable to stop hunters and loggers in those reserves”, said a source at the Kaduna Ministry of Agriculture who asked not to be identified.

“The hunters had simply overpowered our poorly paid and equipped forest guards.

The truth is that some of the guards were also involved in the illegal business.

“Maybe God is indirectly helping the depleting animal population to multiply,” he said.

PAGE 30—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

.....CRIME AND NATIONAL SECURITY

ABUBAKAR SHEKAU’S ‘ISLAMIC CALIPHATE?’

Why Gwoza is easy target for Boko Haram – Investigation MAIDUGURI

W

hen last weekend the leader of the Islamist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, said Gwoza in Borno State had been declared an ‘Islamic Caliphate’, following its alleged capture, the military was quick to deny the claim.

Yet the question on the lips of may concerned Nigerians is why the town has become so vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks, having been invaded severally in the past.

Gwoza is a Local Government Area of Borno State. Its headquarters is Gwoza, a border town about 135 kilometres south-east of Maiduguri.

It has an area of 2,883 km² and a population of 276,312, going by the 2006 census.

The terrain, rocky and hilly, with the height of about 1300m above sea level, provides scenery and is made up of ranges of mountains known as the Mandara Mountains. These mountains form a natural barrier between Nigeria and Cameroon, starting from Pulka. They overlook the Sambisa game reserves by meandering towards Mubi and beyond in Adamawa State.

Gwoza LGA has been C M Y K

called “a notorious hide out for the Boko Haram insurgents,” who arrived in the area in 2009 from Maiduguri. The area has suffered considerable violence as a result of the Islamist insurgency, and, in 2014, saw an influx of Boko Haram fighters fleeing Sambisa forest.

In June 2014, reports indicated that Gwoza was under attack. The reports could not be substantiated because most telephone masts in the town and surrounding villages had been vandalized by insurgents. Security operatives and residents reported that “roads out of the region are extremely dangerous and phone connections are poor to nonexistent”.

Following the efforts displayed by the military to take over Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State from Boko Haram, sources said the insurgents ran away and wreaked havoc on neighbouring Gwoza in August, a situation that led to the taking over of the town and surrounding villages of Pulka, Ashigashiya, Limankara and the National Police Mobile training camp by the insurgents.

Infact, what took place in Damboa between the military

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By NDAHI MARAMA,

lack of zeal by government and the security forces to end the insurgency as both benefit from the crisis politically, economically socially

and the insurgents before the former reclaimed the town could be described as “a farmer, who instead of killing pests in his farmland, only drives the pests into another person’s farmland”.

There are many reasons insurgents find it easy to operate without confrontation in Gwoza and other communities in Borno. While some of the reasons may be natural, others could be human -made or artificial.

The natural scenery and surrounding Mandara Mountains as well as the porous borders with Cameroon Republic make it easy for proliferation of arms and ammunitions into Nigeria. The physical features of the area is another reason because of the long mountain range which provides an escape route for Boko Haram.

Likewise, the hilly environment with vegetations serves as hideouts and caves to insurgents that take the

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advantage of using ‘hide, hit or run’ into their caves making it difficult for ground troops and the air force to locate and bombard them whenever they strike on military formations or residents.

Another natural factor, according to investigation, has to do with the terrain itself that the military finds difficult to penetrate with their vehicles, while the terrorists, conversant with the area, use bicycles, motorcycles and sometimes operate on foot to perpetrate their evil and run away.

A man- made or artificial factor, which sources described as the major headache of the military in curtailing the insurgents, has to do with “lack of zeal by government and the security forces to end the insurgency as both benefit from the crisis politically, economically socially.”

According to sources, apart

from the fear of being attacked or killed for giving intelligence reports to security agents on the hideouts and modus operandi of the sect by residents, one other factor is the sympathy by some Gwoza indigenes for Boko Haram. Right from the time the group came into being, many of them, due to poverty and fanatism in the land, were recruited and played major roles in unleashing terror on the rest of the society.

It is natural therefore that when Boko Haram was chased out of town and its members fled to Sambisa forest, which borders Gwoza and Damboa, some indigenes of Gwoza in particular were in no position to give intelligence on their area to the military which made the town an easy target.

Another reason is lack of motivation and proper or adequate life insurance scheme for security operatives in the battle field.

Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State was recently quoted to have said that “ lack of motivation for troops by the Federal Government was the reason Boko Haram remained undefeated”.

Shettima added: “Boko Haram are better armed and are better motivated than our own troops, and, given the present state of affairs, it is absolutely impossible for us to defeat Boko Haram”.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 31

Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

Nigerian women should know their rights — Gloria Egbuji

By ANINO AGANBI

G

loria Egbuji, legal prac titioner and activist has been involved in social works and researches for over a decade. She is currently the executive director of Crime victim’s foundation, with focus on support for victims of crime and abuse of power.Her interaction with victims of crime, practitioners around the globe, law enforcement officials, sociologists and criminologist has added to her vast experience.

In this chat with Esther Onyegbula she talks about factors affecting law enforcement officials, the unethical manner in which they handle issues bordering on rape, challenges and the way forward Genesis Thefoundation was set up in 1996 to give support to crime victims. The Law enforcement agencies cannot be isolated when issues of crime victims crop up. Over time, we discovered that victims of crime complain about law enforcement officials and the abuse of their rights . A field research was carried out on police officers and we discovered these officers didn’t know much on human rights.

That was how we started training the police officers in human right. We felt that police officers would be willing to protect victims if they became trained knowing their rights and that of the victims.

Training main target Trainings of this magnitude cuts across various departments, like: Mopol, SCID, Monitoring, Traffic and general duty. Officers are trained on human rights awareness, international human rights C M Y K

standard for law enforcement, how to deal with victims, suspects and witnesses of human rights abuse, investigative interviewing, exhibit handling, humanitarian laws, interpersonal skills, and report writing. The training is to equip the officers to man human right desks and dispose their duties professionally without violating the human rights of victims, suspects and witnesses. The human right officers’ report directly to the commissioner of police through the human right resource center located at the CP’s office. This process reduces bottlenecks and ensures that cases are treated with dispatch.

What are the roles of these human right officers?

The human rights officers have ensured that victims, suspects and witnesses are well treated with empathy.

They ensure the cell are kept clean, cases that should go to court are sent to court within the time limits, bail is granted for bailable offences free.

Generally, the violation of human rights by the police is now reduced. However the public must demand for their rights and report violation to human rights officers in their jurisdictions. The public should desist from payment for bail and report such monetary demands to the human right officers.

With your experience with crime victims, do you think our law enforcement are well sensitized to handle rape cases?

Police officers who handle rape cases are not sensitized enough to know the impact rape has on victims, there was an instance where a woman brought a seven year old child that was raped by an old man and the blood was still

and lesson.

The public should desist from payment for bail and report such monetary demands to human right officers

there, instead of the police taking the case up, they blamed the mother of the rape victim.

Blames should not be apportioned to individuals. A crime that has been committed should be dealt with. When the police fiddle with issues, more damage is being caused and somebody’s dignity violated. Right tohuman dignity is number two in the whole list of human right as provided in our constitution How would you rate Nigerians in terms of human right issues?

We are not doing well. In a democratic dispensation human right should be at its best.

Situations where a person’s right are respected at all spheres. But for now it is not attainable because some people don’t even know what their human rights are, some don’t even know they have right.

People just do what they like; the police are like mini-gods they don’t know where their power begins or ends.

Way out The way out is through education and public enlightenment awareness creation about rights using the mass media and government outfits. The police need a whole lot of re-orientation, they need to be trained on the impact of crime on the victim, if they don’t know the impact of crime on a victim they will not be able to understand what a victim goes through. The way our police officers attend to rape issues is not helping issues.

Police should recreate a different unit on sexual offenses and do a thorough training for officers that will be in charge of the unit. I can help them apply to the USAID, UNISEF and some other foreign organization. They can train them and create a unit for them and then give them that knowledge

Does the law allow the use of torture?

The human right of individuals determines how the police do their arrest, defines how the suspects are treated in the station, the laws detest. Paying for bail is not unconstitutional, likewise torture. In our law torture is prohibited, not even a state of war, state of emergency or disorder allows the torture of suspects. Torture is not only physical it can be emotional or psychological; because it is a violation to dignity of human person. There are laid down procedures for law enforcement officers, the fact that you committed a crime does not make you a criminal yet, until a judge says so. This breach is because the police officers don’t know where their power stops. There are so many ways to combat crime. Intelligence can be used to get information out of suspects instead of torture.

Challenges of the project?

The challenges range from inadequate funding to support the program, to resistance to change from some Divisional Police Officers who do not want to conform to the observance of human rights in their jurisdiction. There is also the challenge of the violations from some officers as the teeth and tools of human rights seem sharpest after the event when violations have already occurred. Working with police has a lot of challenges.

PAGE 32 — SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014,

Why I won’t fight Osoba,

by Gov Amosun *Says Gbenga Daniel set booby trap all over Ogun *’The challenge of running Onabanjo Varsity’ *Speaks on the alternative to the ‘politics of rice’

G

overnor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State says it is an insult to the people to reduce governance to the distribution of kerosene and rice.

He speaks, in this interview, in reference to the Ekiti State election in which ‘politics of stomach infrastructure’ was said to have played a role in determining the winner.

Amosun also sheds light on the alleged feud between him and a top leader of his party – All Progressive Congress (APC) – in Ogun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, saying he won’t fight the APC leader. According to him, his predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, set booby traps for his government.

The governor also comments on the challenge of running Olabisi Onabanjo University whose students have been locked in battle with his government over school fees.

How well are you combining all the various infrastructure development projects embarked C M Y K

upon by your administration with what is now known in the South-west geo- political zone as politics of stomach infrastructure?

I will continue to maintain my position that it will be an insult on our people to reduce governance to the distribution of kerosene and rice. It is an insult that will undermine the memory of the great leaders that our state has produced. While I agree that governance is about the people, it cannot be reduced to that level.

The problem is that over the years, governments have failed and poverty has escalated.

Successive governments have not applied any holistic approach to providing succour to the people. Certain solutions that are needed to address the issue of unemployment have been neglected or ignored. One of such solutions is provision of electricity. The issue of unemployment is widespread and that makes poverty to escalate in the land. The unemployed in Ogun State will be close to 500,000 because of

,

By Jide ajani

I will continue to maintain my position that it will be an insult on our people to reduce governance to the distribution of kerosene and rice

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the presence of many higher institutions in the state and that is very bad for us.

We have to go back to the basics and address those issues that brought us to this sorry pass. We should start creating wealth for the people. It is not about giving them fish but teaching them how to fish and create the enabling environment for them to be productive. The poverty level is too high and it won’t be tackled by distributing rice. I give rice too. Yes, I give rice to people during festive periods and I have been doing that long before I started playing partisan politics. It is

not to be giving rice to secure votes during elections. That is bad. That is fraudulent. That is an insult to our people.

But the fact remains that the unemployment rate is too high.

That is what we need to address as government. Unfortunately, many of these issues rest with the Federal Government.

When we came in, we said we wanted to employ 10,000 people for civil service jobs but close to 70,000 people applied. In fact, at a point we had to stop allowing people to apply because it was simply overwhelming. Recently, we announced that we would recruit

2000 environmental marshals and over 50,000 people including doctorate degree holders applied. That is dangerous for us as a nation. We are giving too much stress to our youths. The government must put in place a holistic approach to addressing the issue of poverty.

What lessons did you learn from the Ekiti elections?

I disagree that the good people of Ekiti voted the way they did because some people gave them rice. The people of Ekiti are very educated. There must be some other things that happened that people are yet to know and appreciate. We have some lessons we have picked from Ekiti episode which we have reflected here.

What are you then doing to address the issue of poverty and unemployment?

In Ogun State, what I am doing is to provide the enabling environment through solid infrastructure for industrialists to come to the state. We are doing this by working on our financial base. I inherited an IGR of N730m in 2011, but with the help of God, we are now on

Continues on page 33

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PPA AGE 33

Continued from page 32

What is the contribution of the Agriculture sector to the efforts to rebuild the economy of Ogun State?

Our agriculture policy is maturing now. I can say that we have some 3000 youths who are in the agriculture sector. We have a partner in the Bank of Industries which is providing the finance. We have graduate agricultural scheme in all the three senatorial districts. We give you land and money and implements and you are encouraged to employ some people to assist you too. We have 16, 409.26 square kilometers of land, 80 percent of which is arable. So, we know that if we strategise properly we can have comparative advantage in agricultural production.

Lagos even came to request for one thousand hectares of our land to cultivate rice in Eggua and we too have 10,000 hectares to cultivate rice in the same area. It is a healthy competition going on in Eggua now. Our people there are being employed and the local economy of that area is being positively affected. We also have cassava farm in Ibiade and we are about to start planting on a 20 hectares cashew farm in Afon. Our Green House technology farm in Kotopo is already producing pepper and tomato that are already being sold in the market.

Our intervention in the areas of poultry, fishery and piggery are also yielding fruits.

We have rice mills ready and I must mention too that the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina is assisting us too in all these measures.

Today in cassava production we are number one in Nigeria.

Cassava is one reason why some companies are coming into Ogun State. Our goal is to feed Lagos, House Lagos and cloth Lagos.

We are working on housing too.

Already, we have four housing estates that are about 80 percent completed. They include the Orange Valley, Plainfields, both in Oke Mosan in Abeokuta, AAK Degun MITROS Estate, Laderin and OPIC Estate, Agbara. There are two others in Makun and Isheri that are about to begin. In Nigeria, everybody struggles to buy land, build houses and get Certificate of Occupancy but do

‘Gbenga Daniel set booby trap all over Ogun’

they do that in UK or USA? No, it is not like that. There are houses for whatever category of income one belongs to, once you are in that society. Our own situation is because government has failed in the area of housing and there cannot be a vacuum. People can’t stay under the sun; they must get land and build for themselves.

Government seems to have surrendered. And it is a shame.

People now build anything even without planning.

The on-going Sango-Ojodu Road is causing inconveniences to the residents. When do you hope to complete the construction?

We have to make the SangoOjodu-Abiodun Road a six-lane road because we plan for a light rail system that will pass through that area. Initially it was to be a four-lane road but we have to replan and re-design it. It was to cost N40bn then and now it is to cost N70bn. We do not have the money. So, we are constructing it in phases but we will construct it over a period of three and a half years. It is a huge investment but we will install toll gates on it to recoup the investment.

The demolition of structures for road construction work is a bold effort. How have you handled the fallout and payment of compensation?

There have been failure of governments over the years but the role of a governor is to be fair and just. In our urban renewal drive, we have reasons to demolish some structures to give way for the roads we are to build. In the first of such roads that we completed, the Ibara - Sokori-Totoro road, five structures that have to do with members of my family were affected. Three belonging to former President Olusegun Obasanjo were initially affected.

When we moved to the fourth building owned by the former President, Baba called me to ask if I was planning to run him out of town and I said no we were trying to reorder things. But today Baba prays for me because we didn’t demolish the structures and leave the work undone. Several kilometres of road and bridges are being built across the state to raise

Amosun...still reflecting on the lessons of Ekiti election the infrastructure profile of our state and attract investors.

When we started, a lot of people were unhappy with us calling us several names. Even some party people said it will sink the party.

But today, they have seen the reason why those structures must give way to the roads. They have seen the work that is going on and people appreciate it.

We give compensation to home owners whose properties were affected irrespective of whether you have the necessary documents.

This is Ogun State and we recognise that we cannot subject our people to the conditions attached to such exercise in other places. So, we have to pay compensation. What we do in some instance is to build completely new houses for some

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average of N5.2bn per month. We attained this level without inconveniencing our people. We have to think out of the box to generate money and, with the aid of God, we have been successful so far. This is why we have been able to do so many things to improve the welfare of our people. We realise we need to attract investors to Ogun. I am happy to say there are 58 new companies now in the state and more are still coming.

We go out of our way to invite the companies to come to Ogun. The state is now an industrial hub. We are the largest industrial base in Nigeria presently. Interestingly, as those companies come in, they employ our people and we try to reduce unemployment.

Again, we have many youth empowerment programmes aimed at creating entrepreneurs out of our youths. Our Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Women Affairs and Social Development, Community Development and Co-operatives, Agriculture, Vocational Education Board as well as The Uplift Foundation run by the wife of the governor have many entrepreneurial development programmes aimed at making youths self-employed and becoming employers of labour.

are of world standard and the cost is the lowest in Nigeria. I challenge anyone to investigate this claim and prove me wrong and see. We deliver high quality at low cost to the people of Ogun State. Our Ogun Standard roads come with six lane minimum, there are eight to ten lane boulevard. There are drains on both sides, walkways, median, street lights, green areas and bus stops. Those who cannot comprehend the financial management strategy that is helping us to handle all these completed and on-going gigantic projects are the ones shouting about phantom N300 billion loans. Our debt profile hovers between N37bn and N40bn because we pay back regularly and I want to challenge those who

I disagree that the good people of Ekiti voted the way they did because some people gave them rice. The people of Ekiti are very educated

very old very vulnerable people whose homes were demolished.

The abuse by some people over these tough decisions doesn’t have impact on me. I usually plead with our people that you cannot make an omelette without breaking the egg. I take inspiration from the fact that Pa Obafemi Awolowo was thoroughly abused when he commenced the construction of the 25-storey Cocoa House building in Ibadan. Women took to the streets to protest. Today, that building defines the landscape of the whole of Ibadan and the whole of Yorubaland. One should not be deterred by criticism if you are sure of what you are doing and you have your eyes on history.

There are accusations by the opposition that the cost of your road construction is too high and that you are borrowing heavily to fund the construction work.

All the roads we are constructing

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cry about N300bn loan to provide the names of the banks where they have helped us to secure such loans.

Tell us more about your Home Ownership Charter Programme We put in place Home Owners Charter because we realised that a lot of people have built homes without relevant approval and papers. It wasn’t to demolish any structure. It is a scheme aimed at empowering our people, putting higher values on their property and helping to generate enumeration statistics.

In areas like Magboro, Aseese and many of our border areas that are unplanned in that axis, we appreciate that past governments have abdicated their responsibility and that is why people built in the manner they did. We plan to do something called ‘envelope development system’. That means development that will take the peculiarity of that particular area

into cognisance and try to fashion out some order in the prevailing disorderliness.

There was a master plan for Ogun state. Even my predecessor reviewed it but didn’t use it. The largest limestone belt in West Africa is along the SagamuPapalanto belt. It is in the Masterplan and yet what do you have over the limestone deposit now?

This housing estate, that housing estate. I cannot understand why people will see the right thing and decide to do the wrong thing.

But my own plan is to deliver quality houses for our people to the extent that becoming a house owner won’t be a problem. Some people told me that the houses in the estates we are building in Abeokuta would be taken over by Lagos people. I said it would never happen. Nobody will buy the houses and lock it up. It must be occupied. They will have to come and be living in them. But we have to be ready to change the way we live in the past.

As a result of her multi-border nature, Ogun State is prone to security challenge. What have you done to address the problem ?

Only two states are investing in security more than Ogun State in Nigeria today. These are Lagos and Rivers States. We met 19 rickety Hilux vans provided for the use of the police when we came in 2011. Today, we have over 300 brand new Hilux vans equipped with communication facilities. We have 13 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) in place today. No state in Nigeria has the type of APC we have. It is a 2011 technology, the very latest technology from the USA. Some people wrote a petition to EFCC saying that we have approval for eight APCs and ended up buying 13. They said we had the intention of stealing that was why approved only eight at the State Executive Council in the first instance. I said this is ridiculous. It is when i collected money for 13 and bought eight that I think I have committed an offence. A local supplier brought eight APCs for us and I took the

Continues on page 34

PAGE 34 — SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014,

Continued from page 33

Why did your administration abandon the Cargo Airport Project?

When the project was conceptualised in 2004, the Expected Date of Delivery was to be December 6, 2006. People of Ogun state were happy that we are about to get to Eldorado. But by the time the former governor left office in 2011 nothing was done and billions of naira had been supposedly committed to the project. I want to revisit the project and continue with it but we can’t even see the plan they have for it.

We can’t see anything on the ground and they even left debt on it. Ituah Ighodalo is one of those we are still owing some money over the project. Some people have even dragged us to court over the debt arising from the project.

They obtained injunctions that nothing must be done until the case is dispensed with.

But the good news is we have a plan for a cargo airport in the state. In the 1940s, there was the Second World War and there was an airstrip in Alamala Army barrack which was used by our colonial masters. The place is already revived and fenced with some preliminary work already done by the Federal Government on it. My predecessor knows of this airstrip but looked the other

‘The challenge of running Onabanjo Varsity’

Amosun....Daniel needlessly created 10 additional institutions way. The beauty is that the Cargo airport will still go ahead. But you cannot say you are doing an airport when there is no road. The road that leads to the airport is one of the roads Papa Obafemi Awolowo constructed. It’s in very bad state. The Federal Government is actually working on one cargo airport in Wasinmi and they should have completed it really but I don’t know why they have not because money was voted for it yearly.

Why is it difficult to resolve the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) crisis before you ordered the closure of the school?

In a more decent environment, my predecessor would not be in a state to be walking around freely, grandstanding and spreading false information to cover up the obvious lack of planning manifest in the administration he headed. In one fell swoop, he created four tertiary institutions and raised the number of tertiary institutions owned by Ogun State government to 10. Even Lagos with all the money has just five. He then funded them for two months and stopped and then accumulated debts of unpaid salary and subventions. We came in and inherited all manners of debt. In Olabisi Onabanjo University alone, he left a debt of N1.8bn. For eight years, the OOU couldn’t hold any convocation because they couldn’t process results of students. We have to clear all the backlog of unpaid salary and allowances. We held convocation for over 40,000 graduates in one fell swoop.

Every government around us has three, four or five but Ogun state

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entire Executive Council to inspect them. Then, one police officer called our attention to the failings of the APC’s that were brought to us. We quickly sent them back to the suppliers and proceeded to import our own APCs from the USA. We were advised that if we were buying 10, the manufacturers will reduce the the price and so instead of the eight that we approved, the money was enough to buy 10. And due to the exigencies of the time when banks could not open in the whole of Ogun East Senatorial District, we had to fly the APCs into the country. Even at that, we were able to bring them into the country at a very low cost. We were initially about to charter a plane to fly seven of them simultaneously into the country immediately but someone advised me that it will be cheaper to bring them into the country in piecemeal. That advice again saved money for us to be able to buy more APCs. Happily, when i was asking for waiver from the President, I asked for 13 not eight.

The cost of our own APCs compared to the one anyone has is far cheaper. I am not a thief. I have my family name to protect.

We have 56 Divisional Police Officers. We fund the operations of those Hilux vehicles and those APCs. We give allowances to policemen and soldiers in our security outfits.

When we came, banks were all closed but due to the measures we put in place, all banks are today working in Ogun State. Some people try to sabotage the APCs but we always get around it. They planned to mess us up but God is in control. My own goal is to provide security for the people of Ogun State. Before we came, nightlife was almost zero, now people can move around even at night and nightlife is back in the state. Properties of our people are now well secured. We have not got there yet but we are on the correct route and we are not stopping.

Secretaries. I got to office and that was what I was paying. I have to be paying the N400,000. He was paying N40,000 and increased it to N400,000 and I have been paying that.

He stopped paying gratuities to retired workers since 2007. Recently I realised that we still have some people who haven’t collected gratuity despite the N26bn we have spent on that sector. So, we investigated the situation. We discovered that he stopped paying in December 2007. We were made to clear 2008,2009,2010,2011 and 2012 arrears. It means that if

All the roads we are constructing are of world standard and the cost is the lowest in Nigeria. I challenge anyone to investigate this claim and prove me wrong and see

must fund all its 10 institutions.

He himself funded the schools for just two months and stopped and allowed debts to pile up.

The students of OOU are being used and can sometimes be very mischievous. I know what I said during my campaigns in 2011 because I have all my campaigns tape recorded. When I was campaigning, I promised to reduce the tuition fee by sixty percent. The following day after I publicly made the promise, he reduced the tuition fee by fifty percent to take the wind off our sail. I then promised to reduce the tuition fee by 10 percent and I did that immediately I assumed office.

We give over N600m to each of the schools every month, multiply that by 12 that is N7.2billion. That is what we spend yearly on tertiary institutions alone. What is the subvention payable by Lagos every month?

He really caused havoc in this state. He set up booby-trap all over the state. For instance, he increased the pension of the retired Permanent Secretaries in the state civil service from N40,000 to N400,000 after his party lost the election and refused to pay the retired Permanent

,

he hadn’t owed those years, Ogun State Government won’t be owing any gratuity to its retires. It’s unfair that some people will work and not be paid their entitlement when they retire. We still have some N7bn to be up to date in gratuity payment but that is where we found ourselves. He left debt everywhere and I have been clearing debts all these years.

To return to the OOU issue, the government reduced tuition fees in all its tertiary institutions, even up to 61 percent in some cases, depending on which school they are studying. Students from nine institutions came and thanked me, but their colleagues in OOU said they want further reductions and that the new school fees regime must commence immediately.

Against all advice from the security agents, I went to address them. I saw some of them in hood like those SSS operatives used during the recent Osun State election. I wonder why a student will be in hood. When it became obvious that all our explanations and efforts to make the students see reason fell on deaf ears and that they are bent on fomenting crisis like they did on August 15 when they destroyed property and

attacked innocent people in Abeokuta, we ordered the closure of the university to maintain peace and order.

There is the accusation that the party members who worked for your election are not being taken care of?

I don’t really know the genesis of this claim but I believe some people see us as miracle workers.

In their minds ‘They say there is no money and everything is going on smoothly. Roads are being constructed and bridges are being constructed’. They now say ‘the money is there, bring it’.

Well, the money is not there to be shared. The money is there to the extent that those for capital projects will go for capital projects, those for recurrent will go for recurrent. We are struggling to cope because the allocations from Abuja keep declining. I don’t know what people are thinking really.

What is the relationship between you and Chief Olusegun Osoba like?

Chief Osoba is my leader and whatever happens, he remains my leader. There is no contest about that. I do not want to say more than that.

Why is it difficult for you to carry him along?

I don’t know what you mean by carrying him along. The ACN executive in the state in 2011 had 52 members. Today, 47 of them are with us in APC. So if I do not carry people along, how will they be with me? These are people who have been with Chief Osoba since he joined politics in the late 80s. So, why is the allegation of not carrying people along? The Osoba people dominate the current APC executive in Ogun State. They constitute 71 percent of our executive committee. I will appeal to you journalists to assist in preaching the gospel that one percent of something is better than 100 percent of nothing. It is in the overall interest of all of us to continue to work together as a team. Our tendency is the only one that can bring development to our state and country. We should not allow any reverse to the ongoing development in our state.

I am a peace lover and will continue to reach out to all those who feel aggrieved and all the good people of Ogun State.

Indeed, it is a good credit for Chief Osoba to continue to be in a position to say that it was while our government is in power that we recorded these so many feats we are seeing in Ogun State.

Are you not afraid that these crises could derail your reelection?

Our re-election will be achieved, by God’s grace and with the support of the people.

Go and write it down. But I must say it is in the interest of everybody that we are united. So I will want to appeal again that we should come together to make history for our state. I will relentlessly push for us to have a united, stronger and focused APC in Ogun State.

It must be stated clearly, at this point, that I am not in competition with Chief Osoba.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 35

Orgasm: why she has to fake it

By Yetunde Arebi

I

t is an established fact that most women hardly reach orgasm during sex. It often takes special skill and patience and likely combination of other factors for the average woman to get to the peak of her sexual pleasure. However, the story is not so in reality. Most women have perfected the art of faking it, such that, for some, it is difficult to tell when it is real. There are many ways women fake orgasm which an experienced and attentive lover can easily detect simply because it is mechanical. For instance, a moaning that is not in accordance with what is going on or a lack of involuntary movement of the pelvic muscles, no beads of sweat or dampness of the skin and dilated pupils. There are several reasons why women put up this grand shows for their men; from playing selfless heroes to ignorance. However, knowing and understanding why she does it, might help a good partner restrategize and plan his sex life better, if he is really into his woman.

The war between men and women Always remember that men and women are wired differently when it comes to sex. Almost all the time, sex is typically great for the man but hardly so for the woman. Even women’s sexuality differ from woman to woman. Women are slower to get to the peak of their pleasure. Most women find it difficult to orgasm with just coital stimulation or vaginal intercourse.

Most women orgasm quicker with clitoral stimulation. Some women need a combination of clitoral and vaginal stimulation to get to the peak. A good lover must have these facts jammed to the

back of his head and be ready to put in the work required. Until you discover what she needs and are prepared to give it to her, she will continue to fake her orgasm.

Another difference is that most women will reach orgasm more easily with partners they feel a connection with. When a certain level of trust has been established, a woman will feel more relaxed in the arms of her partner. She is therefore able to enjoy a satisfying sex.

Start learning from the very scratch We have been taught that

follow cues. If you give her what she wants in bed, then she will be happy and crave more intimacy with you. Then she won’t have to fake an orgasm.

Oh selfless woman!

The American Psychological Association website in an article written by Sadie F. Dingfelder said one of the conscious reasons women in heterosexual relationships (man and woman) fake orgasm is “altruistic deceit”.

This simply means, avoiding hurting the guy’s feelings. It is an attempt by the woman to protect the man’s ego by making him

The success of most relationships, especially in our society depends on more on how much a man is willing to sacrifice for the relationship communication is the key to success in a relationship.

Communication during sex is therefore very important. Sex is important to a relationship as oil is important to an auto engine. It is therefore important that you pay attention to your woman’s sexual pleasures especially at the early days of your intimacy. This is the time you are just getting to know each other’s body, pleasures, likes and dislikes and even sexual orientation. Remember that your woman is no fool, piece of toy or tool to be tossed around as you please. She owns her body, so she ought to know her body and how it works better than you. Pay attention to what she tells you and do what she says she wants. These include things like sex position, motion, intensity or speed of how she wants to be touched and how you ought to move. Take hints and

feel that he is doing a good job at pleasuring her while in reality he is not. According to the survey, the bomb here is that she is indirectly using it as a “ relationship maintenance strategy” a means of ensuring that the relationship is sustained. Somehow, we have managed to get it into our heads and psyche that a man derives pleasure and satisfaction from knowing that he is able to give his partner sexual satisfaction in bed. This, we think, will make him happy and want to be with the woman. We are also stuck with the idea that sex is made for the pleasure of the man and it is our duty to provide these pleasures for our men. So, rather than allowing our guys to sweat it out by striving to discover how to perform his duty successfully, we resort to helping them cut corners. Faking

•Patience, 30, plumpy, chocolate

orgasms for the woman therefore, is a double edge sword. First, she plays up to the guy’s ego and also keep him in the relationship. The snag here for me is that this is a no win situation for such a woman since she has to endure unpleasant sex which does not guarantee the success of the relationship in most cases. Poor women!

Sheath the swords Going to bed feeling angry and sore with your partner is never a good recipe to a good night sleep, more also a good relationship.

Couples who fight, nag or are angry at each other all day are not likely to have a very pleasant and pleasurable sex life. Oftentimes, these disagreements means no intimacy. However, intimacy does happen regardless of how the partners feel about each other since sex is often a need rather than an expression of love and care. Men are usually the culprits here and some even use it as a weapon to make their women even angrier.

Some men believe sex is a right that comes with the package in a relationship and must therefore not be denied on demand. thus when sex is demanded in this scenario, most women simply swallow their disappointment and give in, pretending to enjoy it, some with the hope that it will make things better.

One would hardly expect such an act will bring pleasure, more so, optimum satisfaction.

The sooner the better Although pain during sex can be pleasurable for some people, generally, pain is not a good thing.

If a woman experiences pain while having sex, it is only natural that she will want things to be over as quickly as possible. Pain or discomfort during sex is an indication that something is wrong and needs medical attention. Some women also get sore really fast most times due to lack of adequate lubrication or an imbalanced vagina PH. So, rather than spoil your pleasure moment, she might just fake it to get it over with as quick

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Artistic performance Believe it or not, there are some women who know next to nothing about their own body and sexuality, let alone, sex. Some women don’t know what an orgasm is or feels like. So once they start to feel a little tickle or tingling down there, they believe that’s it! And since many of us learnt our few first cues on sex from movies and romantic stories, we just go on to perform like we are competing for the AMMA awards, acting out these scenes in our heads.

Fear of exposure For some women, faking orgasm is a way of protecting themselves and salvaging their sexual ego. Many women would not readily admit their awkwardness, discomfort with their own body or a lack of knowledge of what can even give them pleasure during sex. Some believe that showing they enjoy sex portray a bad picture about them, while some others just feel very insecure especially if they have had difficulty in a past relationship. Fear of feeling vulnerable and exposed during sex may also force some women to pretend to enjoy sex.

The problem with faking sexual pleasure is that sex may never get better and the woman remains unsatisfied. With time, bitterness and hurt creeps in and there is a disconnect between the partners.

Some go on to continue enduring it while some others just simply drift apart. The success of most relationships, especially in our society depends on more on how much a man is willing to sacrifice for the relationship. Most women are mouldable and easily committed to their relationships.

The importance of communication cannot be overemphasised in a relationship and if you have not been doing it, it is never too late to start. Do have a love filled Sunday!

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PAGE 36 — SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

APC: Finally, the implosion? * The

prodigals return

By CHIOMA GABRIEL

B

Y now, the All Progressives Congress, APC, would have been rattled to the reality of the fact that all is indeed not well with the party especially with the recent decampment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. This defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, despite being the 2011 presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN ,was upon his conviction that the 2015 presidential ticket of the APC was out of his reach.

It was reported that Ribadu was few weeks ago told to forget about running for the 2015 presidency and concentrate on running for Adamawa governorship.

Ribadu had obviously taken his lesson home and slept over it before deciding to go indeed for the Adamawa guber but on another platform. And to get back at the party that diminished him, Ribadu decided for the ruling party, the PDP. This was just the beginning as many returns to the PDP are expected before the 2015 elections. Only last week, Chief Tom Ikimi, a top chieftain of the APC in Edo State, also announced his defection from the party, citing irreconciliable differences with the leadership.

Towards the end of last year, the APC was having an owambe party all over Nigeria; from the North to the South and was getting all the media attention required; openly mocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and celebrating the implosion in the ruling party; then rubbing it in by taking away their best governors and politicians. It was the dark days of PDP and the party had just split with many decamping to the APC. But even as the PDP mourned at that time, there was always the nagging feeling that just like the PDP, the APC was also an accident waiting to happen. The APC is a marriage of strange bedfellows and appears vengeful and full of propaganda in ways that elicited more questions than answers.

The truth has always been that if PDP is such a bad party, APC does not have the right answers. A pot calling the kettle black has never brought solutions to the system. So, why won’t it leave PDP alone and do it’s own thing? When leaders of APC went to PDP to start collecting new

•Buhari

•Tinubu

But even as the PDP mourned at that time, there was always the nagging feeling that just like the PDP, the APC was also an accident waiting to happen. The APC is a marriage of strange bed-fellows and appears vengeful and full of propaganda in ways that elicited more questions than answers members, one knew for sure it would explode and implode on their faces. Why did APC go looking for the ‘living’ in the land of the ‘dead’? Why did it make such frantic efforts to lure PDP members into APC? Was APC thinking that the best people to run for elections still belonged to the corrupt and ‘dead’ PDP? Would champions of corruption rebuild Nigeria?

A dog should not go back to it’s own vomit. So why did opposition look for ‘corrupt and incredible’ PDP members to fill up its numbers?!

APC leaders cornered Gov Rotimi Amaechi to join their party. This was not a surprise as Amaechi inadvertently became a leader of opposition in the South-South against his will even before he was lured.

Would anyone be surprised if tomorrow, Amaechi returns to

PDP? We have all read and heard about the return of the prodigal, how Nuhu Ribadu returned to PDP. Many more stories abound.

In Ogun state, there is fire on the mountain and if something is not done, APC will lose not only Ogun state but others. If care is not taken, Osun will end up as the only APC state.

Between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the South West Obas is a different story. APC needs to go on a serious campaign to dis-abuse the minds of the people that no serious harm was intended by whatever statement Tinubu made that drew the ire of the traditional institution.

Between Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar is another story.

Who could imagine Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar

seeing eyeball to eyeball after what they subjected Nigerians to in their hey days? If the dead could see, those who indirectly lost their lives because of the war between the then president and his VP would die again when they see the two holding hands and laughing together.

Would former Gov Nyako of Adamawa have joined the APC if he knew it was going to cause him his governorship position? And who knows if Gov Al-Makura of Nasarawa state is not regretting being in APC by now?

What is really baffling is why the leaders of a party claiming commitment to save the masses from PDP’s bondage would now be perpetrating injustice amongst themselves.

Going back to history, Nigerians were once upon a time swayed by the politicking going on in Adamawa between Murtala Nyako and Muhammed Buba Marwa, a top notcher of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, and now merged into APC.Before joining the APC bandwagon and his later impeachment, Murtala Nyako had brushes with some top politicians within the Adamawa political landscape.

A question was once asked if Nyako who was into rivalry with General Buba Marwa would really want to belong in the same party with

Marwa? Many had wondered outright how the APC leaders would reconcile the interests of this former governorship candidate of the defunct CPC, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) with Nyako’s political interests.

It was once predicted that the succession game in Adamawa in the forthcoming elections was the root of the face-off between Nyako and the PDP. It was also the faceoff that eventually led to his impeachment.

Today, Nuhu Ribadu whose hands were raised by none other than Asiwaju Tinubu as the main man of the then Action Congress now APC, has returned ‘home’ as a true prodigal. When Bola Tinubu was raising his hand as the presidential candidate of the AC then, many Nigerians had wondered how someone once declared wanted by Ribadu’s EFCC would be working in tandem with the perceived ‘thief ’.

At the national assembly level, APC it is believed, has been working on the possibility of drafting the Speaker of the House of Representatives into the party with a view to presenting him as the party ’s presidential candidate in 2015.

APC leaders are said to be working on Tambuwal because of his age and perceived acceptability across party lines and the fact that he hails from the North-West with the highest voting population in Nigeria. The Speaker however is still playing his game of being neither here nor there but the people know that even though he carries the PDP membership card, he is at the other side. There have also been reports that some decamped members of PDP to APC in the Senate and the House of Representatives are preparing to reintegrate themselves into the mainstream PDP because their 2015 can only be achieved if they remain with the .PDP. The way things are going, the desperate move made by APC that lured the aggrieved PDP top notchers into its fold is beginning to spell doom for the opposition party.

With 2015 around the corner,the party is battling to navigate and enshrine internal democracy in their selection process of

•Continues on page 37

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 37

APC: Finally, the implosion?

•Bafarawa

•Continued from page 36 candidates in the forthcoming elections. In many states across Nigeria, there is war in APC. How would it be by the time they begin to elect candidates for 2015 election?

There would be nothing short of fire of the mountain.

The party leader has been knocked for not demonstrating anything different from the godfatherism we see in the PDP. He has also been knocked for turning political positions in Lagos State and other states to a family affair where key positions are held by himself, the wife, the daughter and son-in law.

Unfortunately, many APC members have not seen anything wrong with this.

Many had jeered at PDP when it’s house was divided. Now that implosion and explosion have commenced in the APC, it is happening sooner than envisaged .

Flash points

When the APC was duly registered as a full-fledged political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerians thought the All Progressives Congress (APC) would give the country the platform to strengthen the nation’s political system. The progressives’ camp saw the development as a positive one that would assist in deepening democracy and democratic culture. But as feared in many quarters, hardly had the party established in some of the states than leadership crisis crept into its fold and at the moment threatening to destroy its foundation.

From the North to East and South to West, the story of the C M Y K

•Ribadu APC leadership crisis is rife.

Currently, the party is operating two secretariats in some of the states, raising question as to whether it can be a credible alternative.

In Bayelsa state for instance, two foot aides to the former governor of the state,Chief Timpre Sylva, were at loggerheads over who should control the party in the state.

Richard Kpodor, former aide of Sylva claims he is the chairman of the party in the state while Tiwe Orumunigbe, says he is the rightful person to lead the state to the forthcoming 2015 general elections.

In Ogun State, the situation is most fearful considering the dimension it has taken. The crisis which started as a minor disagreement has graduated to a dangerous level. The state governor and the party ’s leader and former governor of the state, Olusegun Osoba are at logger head.

In Ekiti State, the story is not different. Before the Ekiti elections, Opeyemi Bamidele resigned as leader of the APC caucus in the House of Representatives and joined the Labour party in order to pursue a governorship ambition.

In Kano State, there is no love lost between principal APC members. There, the battle line was drawn between the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) led by a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Shekarau, and the state governor, Musa Kwankwaso, who is the acclaimed leader of the APC in the state.

Kwankwaso defected from the PDP to APC alongside four other governors including Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state last year. But Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau would not recognise

•Ikimi Kwankwaso’s leadership of the party leading to a breakaway which is an evidence of the impending implo-

•Shekarau police command in that state.

Besides, many have attributed whatever crises in Rivers state to be the hand of Esau

Many critics think the APC merger was hurriedly done and in the process, critical details to the merger were overlooked. The various political camps could not mold into one so as to peacefully agree on a presidential candidate against the 2015 elections that will match and defeat President Jonathan sion that awaits the party. The party leader, Asiwaju Tinubu had allegedly told Mallam Shekarau to take a backseat to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso – that “it takes money to run the party, you don’t’ have the money, Kwankwaso does”.

Shekarau and some of his supports were not happy to hear this and so they defected from APC to PDP. In Sokoto State, the crisis is between the state governor, Aliyu Wamakko, and his predecessor, Attahiru Bafarawa. Wamakko, the assumed leader of the APC in the state who had gone all out to announce his membership of the party ’s Sokoto State interim executive committee.

But Bafarawa’s faction met and presented its own interim executive committee.

Rivers State APC is not left out of the crises. At the point he decamped to APC, Gov Amaechi was at war with the

and the voice of Jacob.

Soon after Amaechi joined APC with his supporters, internal squabbles crept into the party. The disaffection following the conduct of it’s congresses nationwide continued to degenerate with over hundred members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) that formed APC in Rivers State defecting from the party and declaring their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Most recently, the allegation has been that all is well within the party to the point that one of the founders, Muhammadu Buhari is allegedly threatening to join the Labour Party.

Many critics think the APC merger was hurriedly done and in the process, critical details to the merger were overlooked. The various polit-

ical camps could not mold into one so as to peacefully agree on a presidential candidate against the 2015 elections that will match and defeat President Jonathan.

Going by what is on the table, it is possible that the situation of the APC would be worse in the coming months when General Muhammadu Buhari finally announces his intention to contest the presidential election in 2015.

Buhari appears defiant in manning the office of the presidency through the APC and would not trade it for any reason.

In Benue, splinter groups have emerged in the APC. Oyo State is not left out in the crises. Cracks emerged early this year in the crisis rocking the Oyo State chapter, leading to the entire structure of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) dumping the party for the Labour Party (LP), in May. In Lagos State,the story is the same. The Lagos Chapter splited into factions last April over alleged marginalisation by members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change.

While a faction was led by the Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Otunba Oladele Ajomale, the other faction has Chairman of the defunct CPC, Ajibade Emiabata, as its leader.

In every state, there is a story to tell.

Some analysts have predicted that APC crises would be worse than that of the PDP with the passage of time but there are others who believe that what is happening is in line with the natural pattern of party and democratic development.

Only time will tell .

PAGE 38 —SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

The revolution to put food on Nigerians tables

— Agric Minister Adesina

T

o him, inclusive growth in the economy is not complete without the rural dwellers whose life depends on agriculture, so he sees himself as being on a mission to integrate the rural dwellers through transformation of agriculture.

Today, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, sees his journey in the corridor of power as an opportunity of being an instrument in transforming the country’s agriculture.

In this chat with Editors in Lagos, he talks about the Agriculture Transformation Agenda of the government and what they have been able to do with fertilizer, various crops and the investments they have attracted to agriculture which have helped in bringing down the food import bill of the country in the past three years.

ON INVESTMENT IN AGRIC What we are building right now in agriculture is a very effective value chain that goes from the farm to the table and this involves smallholder farmers and the big off takers like flour mill of Nigeria, Nestle , Honey well and all of that.

We are very excited about the new energy the private sector is bringing into agriculture. We are working in the ministry in Kogi state with one of the world largest food manufacturing companies that will be investing 250m US dollars into a cassava to starch plant and we are advising that this particular C M Y K

plant is about 63000 metric ton starch plant.

I just used that as a leeway to make a point that investment in Nigeria agriculture today is raising very well. We have in the space of just three years being able to concretise on the ground investment of well over $5 billion into the agriculture sector.

The most recent of them is the one by Aliko Dangote who has offered investment spanning over $1b into commercial rice production, which is the largest single investment into food production in Africa.

By the way when we were in Washington for the US African summit, Dangote’s investment was the buzz that people were talking about that Nigeria is now driving towards self sufficiency in rice.

This means that the President’s policies are working and it means that the government position that we would give incentives to private sector to drive agriculture is working.

I am even more excited that most of the private sectors coming into the space are Nigerians private sector, not just global companies. I think that is the way it should be, if you go to other part of the world, it is the local companies that take the agriculture spaces.

In terms of overall food production, when we started we set a target for ourselves that we will produce 20million metric tons of food by 2015. I think if you don’t set target, you can’t measure anything, I am please to tell you that by the end of this wet season we would have produce 21m metric tons of food.

Total between 2012 and 2014,

this is well ahead of 20m metric tons we promised for 2015. I am confident by 2015 we far exceed the target that we have set.

The reason this is so is that the policies on fertilisers and seeds distributions continue to grow, that particular policy was where

Indorama among others.

This just tells you that the combination of very smart fertilizer policy of E-wallet, private sector driven approach and very positive incentives by the petrochemical policy has actually combined together to

,

BY JIMOH BABATUNDE

In terms of overall food production, when we started we set a target for ourselves that we will produce 20million metric tons of food by 2015

we ended 40years of corruption in fertilisers distribution in this country within 90days.

We used the mobile phone system, the E-wallet system to get fertilizers to farmers. That is getting global and regional attention, but for us we have been able to reach 14million farmers by this wet season, that is between 2012 and now.

In addition to that we have a situation where the number of seed companies in the country is just growing because the farmers are demanding for seeds. The number of seed companies increased from five when we started in 2011 to 80 seed companies today.

As for the fertilizer companies since the farmers are demanding for seeds, the investment in the fertilizers manufacturing sector has also gone up. In fact the total investment just for the fertilizer manufacturing has been $5b coming from Dangote group with 2.5b$, Notore $ 1.3and

,

give this boost.

So we expect that maybe in three to four years, Nigeria will be direct exporter of fertilizers, we will stop flaring gas into the air and we start using that gas for producing urea.

You can see that once we got the input sector work, the private sector responded and that is why I have always said that the trigger by the public sector led to the private sector response.

Look at it today, for the electronic wallet system that we are talking about, the benefit of that is enormous because the farmers have been empowered.

We essentially restored dignity back to the Nigerian farmers.

The farmer does not have to pay anybody, it does not have to be grateful to anybody, and we cut off all the middle men that are in the system. I think that is very important.

For other countries that I have mentioned, you look at today,

India, Brazil, china have actually been to Nigeria to learn about what we are doing. Today, almost all Africa countries are moving towards E-wallet system of Nigeria.

Just this week, the government of Kenya announced it was going to be on E-wallet system, they have been to Nigeria and they want to introduce it. Tanzania has begun, Rwanda has started and Ethiopia among others, you can see that a country those three years ago was paraded as having a corrupt fertilizer system is now exporting transparency.

The African Union now says the Nigeria model for electronic wallet for fertilizer is what should be used along all African countries. And I think that is what all of us can take pride in for that to happen at the continental level as a decision.

So, I am very excited about that, and we have a lot of interest in investment in our country by foreign seed companies. For example, Sygenta which is the world number two seed company is already in Nigeria.

They have their company here in Lagos; they have hired about 38 staff that is working here to develop new technologies. We also have others. I think the demand for seeds is rising so fast that we need the small medium sizes companies and the large seed companies.

I expect Nigeria to be the focus of attention for seed in Africa, no doubt about that, because of the way we are going.

ON FARMERS’

Continues on page 39

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 39

Continued from page 38 REGISTRATION You know in any business if you don’t know your customers, you are doing the wrong business or you are trying to cheat customers, so I took the decision that we need to know the farmers we are actually supporting.

So we started the country’s first ever national registration for identification of farmers. As for this year we have 15million farmers that are genuinely registered and they have cards, so we know who they are, we know where they are and we know what they grow.

So , we have now developed a new technology which is called TAP technology , this allowed us to overcome a challenge we had in rolling out the e-wallet in some areas that didn’t have good GSM network, so we decided to introduce this technology.

What it does is that a farmer gets a card which is called a mere field technology card , so that card has all their biometric information, so the government is loading into that particular card all the allocation for seed, fertilizers and inputs.

So all the farm inputs retailers in the country have been given four tablets , the beauty of this technology is that to redeem your inputs, the farmer brings the card, he comes to the input retailers and tap it on the iPod and all the biometric of the farmers show .

How revolutionary is that? Let me tell you. In terms of time to register the farmers we have cut it down , so with 250 staff or enumerators we can register per yielding varieties. day 10,000 farmers . You can see We are also providing our farmers with the speed of registering farmers. the insecticides and lot of polythene sacks The second is the speed of that they need for proper bagging of their redeeming seeds and fertilizers cocoa and it is working so well. by farmers has been cut down to The amount of seedlings that we have a minute sixty seconds. So given is enough to plant 40,000 of hectares instead of waiting on a queue of new plantation. We are expanding our and all that because of people cocoa plantations by additional 40,000. going through records, we have So I expect that our cocoa production will got rid of it. rise from about 350,000 mt to anything This means farmers don’t have to wait long, you have saved their between 78,000-800,000 mt in the next two years. time. Identity management is I think the value of cocoa we better. The speed of export is rising. In 2013 we did reconciliation of transaction is roughly $900 million of export of immediate and all that cocoa beans, in 2014 that went to information shows off at the $1.2b and we expect that by banks and the Central Bank.

2015 it rises to about $1.5.

I want you to know that with So, I am excited by what is the TAP technology we are the first in the world to develop it. So going on, but I want us to process more of our cocoa in Nigeria as we are not just first in the world supposed to exporting them to do E-wallet system of getting abroad, because the size of the seeds and fertilizers to farmers, chocolate market globally is we are also the first to do this $80b a year of which farmers TAP technology. producing cocoa beans make The British government only 3-5% of the margin. actually supported us in the Manufacturers of chocolates development of this technology. I amount of yield we are getting is am very happy to tell you that we and confessionary make over very small.

67% of the margin, so you can have piloted this in FCT and So, we are distributing see that monkey dey work Sokoto, with close to about 9million sprouted nurse of Baboon dey chop. So, we are 500,000 farmers. And the seedlings, again the President determined to revise that trend redemption rate is close to 80% said we should give that free of and we have started working compared to 11% that we were charge . This is a president that with Ondo state government getting before. believes strongly in Nigeria’s that has already set up a The point I am making is that agriculture and support for chocolate academy where the we are modernising agriculture farmers. first chocolate manufacturing is using new tools, ICT and the We are giving it free of charge actually being produced by a world is recognising that . to farmers, small-scale company called Spagvola. It is plantation operators to medium fantastic, 70% dark chocolate ON COCOA PRODUCTION operators and large scale coming out of Nigeria.

I can accept if Nigeria loses to operators free of charge . We are I just had discussion with Ivory Coast or Ghana in football also distributing quite a lot of Nestle that I want us to use more matches but I will not accept if mechanized harvesters so that of our cocoa beans in making we lose cocoa to them . We have they can harvest the fresh fruit not just chocolates but cocoa more potential, we have more bunch that they have at a lower drinks so that we can increase lands than they do. cost. our consumption of cocoa, So the President directed that I was quite excited working because money is made up the we should revitalize our cocoa with the likes of Presco, Okomu chain not down. plantations, what we have done and the others which are good is that we have redistributed a for us.

ON PALM OIL total of one million hybrid pods PRODUCTION of cocoa. It is a high yielding ON MAIZE Nigeria as you know was a cocoa varieties that give yield of The other crops I want to talk almost of about 2.5 times of what dominant player in crude palm about is maize. It is a very oil production and we lost that farmers are currently getting. important crop not only for food space to Malaysia and others .

The President directed that we consumption but for livestock We are working very hard to get give 39 million seedlings to feed production, particular back on track, to do that we are cocoa farmers in the south west , poultry feeds. south east and south south free of replacing what we call semi wide We have been doing quite a lot. growth, they are very tall plants . charge. So, we are re planting I think this year we produce It is like tall for nothing , the our cocoa plantation with high 7million metric tons of maize

‘Nigeria is a model for Africa in electronic wallet’

Adesina...we started first national registration of farmers

,

I think the value of cocoa we export is rising. In 2013 we did roughly $900 million of export of cocoa beans, in 2014 that went to $1.2b and we expect that by 2015 it rises to about $1.5b

C M Y K

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compared to 4.5million metric tons. The important thing with the maize is that we are also working to reduce Aflatoxin in maize which destroys maize.

We are working with IITA and others on new technology that reduces contamination for maize.

Take Sorghum for example, it is grown in the North East and North West of Nigeria. We are doing quite enough, this year we have reached over 35000 farmers in the NE and NW growing Sorghum with improved varieties and farm inputs to produce a lot.

So, the point I am trying to make is that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda goes beyond rice and cassava; it goes into several other things. We are doing a lot in fishing; we are doing lots in other sectors not just rice and cassava alone. We are doing quite lots in livestock, dairy production as well.

ON AGRICULTURE FINANCING The facility that we have with the Central Bank of Nigeria which is NIRSAL facility is working well. I am very

delighted that the new Central Bank governor is very passionate about agriculture .

In fact when he was sworn in the first place he came to was my office and we agreed that we work very closely together.

Basically, what he said was that he wants to see the banks’ lending more to the value chains.

But a lot has happened with bank lending to agriculture. If you look at seed companies for instance, when we started nobody was lending to seed companies, but in 2012 we were able to get the banks to lend to the seed companies $10million , but by 2013 the bank lend to the seed companies $53million .

If you look at the fertilizers retailers and the agro dealers together, the bank lend them $100million in 2012, but by last year $500million, you can see how the banks are lending more to agriculture.

What does that tell us? It tells us that the banks are seeing the money trails and they are following it. They now understand that agriculture as a business is a very viable one.

The most interesting thing for me is the rate of default, till date the default is zero percent and level of nonperforming loans is the best of any sector and that is why you find the banks putting more money into agriculture.

This was the sector they will not even consider before now.

We have launched a new fund from the ministry called FAFIN , which is fund for agricultural financing in Nigeria. It is a fund that is jointly between the ministry of agriculture and the

Continues on page 40

PAGE 40 —SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

ON RICE I have said that if you are not ashamed of something, you will never change it, the very fact that Nigeria import rice is a shameful thing to me , because we should not be importing but exporting.

Mr. President Transformation agenda on rice is working very well. We started in 2012 and from then till date, we have been able to expand our rice paddy production by 7million metric tons . if you look at the number of farmers that have moved to rice production when started in 2012, we had 406,000 farmers doing rice, by 2013 we grew that to 2.6million tons and by 2014 we grew that by additional 3million tons.

If you look at the cultivated areas in rice we have put in an additional 2million hectares under rice production. Why is this important, it is important because the area is being planted with new rice varieties than what we had before.

These new rice varieties are high yielding varieties , they give our farmers five tons per hectares compared to 1.5-2 tons per hectares we were getting and they are not GMOs. They are conventionally bred varieties.

So look at the impact, the best decision taken by Mr. President was to launch dry season farming where we will produce food in the rain season and then in the dry season, this is the first time ever that it is happening in this country and it is working effectively.

The number of states in Nigeria that are into rice in the dry season has increased from 10 in 2012 when we started to 23 states . The number of states that are growing rice in the wet season has grown from 29 states in 2012 to all states and the FCT. In other words, area is expanding, yield is expanding , number of farmers is expanding and number of states growing rice is expanding. Without any question at all, we have turned the economy in terms of rice in Nigeria.

It is not just producing the rice, it is also about the growth in the C M Y K

Adesina: Food import is declining

become like Thailand of rice in Africa, because we will be selling that rice and dominate Africa .

I believe with Dangote’s investment and several others that is exactly what we are going to do. So the President’s rice policy to me is confidence boosting for us .

Adesina...transformation agenda on course

mills that we have in the country.

When we started in 2012 there was only one integrated rice mill in Nigeria. What I mean by integrated mill is one that can buy our own local rice paddy and processed it into finished rice.

The mills we had in Nigeria were polishers , just polished imported rice like shoe shiners.

We did not have that, but today we have 18 integrated rice mills, these are large mills in the country.

The investment by Olam in Nassarawa state is incredible, it is 6000 hectares producing a lot of their own rice. They invested in a mill which was commissioned by President Jonathan. The size of that mill is 210,000 metric tons, which was the largest in Africa by the time it was commissioned.

Aliko Dangote is going to invest $1b into commercial rice production and modern rice mill in Nigeria, so all of that tells me that we are about being self sufficient in paddy rice production because of the ways our paddy is growing.

Where we are putting attention today is the milling to make sure that our rice meets import quality, but I am excited with the kind of rice we have now.

You have ebony world, a mill by the Eboyin state government and the governor sent me a lot of bags of rice and that rice is fantastic. You have rice produced there by one Chris Okeke, you go to Labana in Kebbi, you go to Anambra state or the small mill in Jigawa by Damondi. It is just a small 10,000 tons but their rice is

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Continued from page 39 KFW, the world largest development bank and the ministry of finance in Nigeria.

This fund is privately managed, equity and quasi-equity and it is to support agro businesses with long term money and not short term. This is very unique as the size of the fund so far is over $20 million from us and the German government. That fund is going to grow in size to $1b.

The Sovereign Wealth Fund of Nigeria has invested in that fund and that is to tell you the credibility of that fund. We started that fund from our ministry, that is how creative we are in trying to take advantage of the private sector money to work for agriculture and it is privately managed by a competitively recruited company as 15 companies bided for it globally, but we selected a company in Nigeria called Sahel capital as the fund manager.

It has also a technical assistance facility which is being supported by the ministry of agriculture and the Ford Foundation.

I think what you are seeing in Nigeria today is that we are polishing the agricultural sector to shine like gold and people are now beginning to realize that this is where we need to be

,

fantastic. There are many other small size companies, medium size companies and large size companies that have gone into rice milling and they are doing fine.

What I want to say is the growth of the small-scale mills, as they are growing the fastest at about 40% annual growth rate.

They don’t have more of the over head costs, so they are more efficient.

So ,We now produce Nigerian rice that has international quality that is tastier than any imported rice, that is proudly Nigerian rice and you find them really rushing to the market.

What people used to think of

ON STAPLE CROP PROCESSING ZONES We are producing quite a lot but we are losing a significant share because of poor farm level storage .

We are addressing that in the following ways . First is that we are establishing Staple Crops Processing Zones. These are zones we are attracting private sector food manufacturers to come to so that they can process and add values to our cassava, our rice , our soybeans and our maize instead of taking the products out of our rural areas.

They will create jobs in the rural areas, they will create access to farmers, and they will revive our rural economies.

We have fourteen of such zones already designed and we will be rolling them out with core investors, the private sectors who are going to be the ones driving the zones.

In Kogi state , the core investors is working on cassava to starch, in Kano, the core group is Dansa food in the Kadawa value for tomatoes. For rice we also have Dangote in Badegi in Niger as well as Edo, and Jigawa states.

Nestle will also be buying some of the produce from some of these zones, Olam will be doing same from the zones too. So we are now working as a government to provide power, water and roads to those areas so that we can reduce the cost of doing business by the private sector in these areas.

I am also happy to say that the World Bank and the African Development Bank and the UK government as well as IFA D collectively put a little bit above a billion dollars to support infrastructure in the areas . What they say is that they like the model and will want other Africa countries to adopt it.

It is a good way of building local rice with stones, black , infrastructure in rural areas, so smell and some type of contractions that we used to have that is very important. are no longer the same.

REDUCTION IN FOOD But when people go to the IMPORT BILL market now they don’t realize it The last thing I will say is that is Nigerian rice. I need to give our food import bill has you the name of a woman who continued to decline . If you look has been in the business of rice at our food import bill in 2009, it for the last 40years and she is was N1.1 trillion , the food the largest seller of rice in import bill for last year dropped Cappa,Lagos. to N684billion.I think I read She has been selling imported rice, the producer of Umza rice recently from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics the third in Kano, a whole Nigeria rice and fourth quarter food import owner went to this woman to bill for this year has continued tell her he wanted to supply her to decline. That is the way it Nigerian rice, and she said no should be. that she needed to eat it first.

It is the mark of success of the She was given sample and after eating, she called the owner policy that our food import bill of Umza rice saying she has been has continued to decline. So all in all , I think that the policy in the business for over 40 years of the President on Agriculture and has never seen any better is working and I want to rice than the rice he brought to particularly show appreciation her. Umza came to my office to to state governments, because tell me , I asked that the woman the state governments have should be put on phone and she been very supportive of the said she has asked that she be Agricultural Transformation supplied 50 trailer loads of the Agenda. rice because it is better than any I think the private sector has of the rice she has stocked. woken up to realize that the The point I am trying to make new game in town is is that Nigerians need to agriculture and those that did understand that the game has not wake up before when they changed . Nigerian high quality saw Aliko Dangote moving per boiled rice is entering the into it with billion dollars, you market that can confidently don’t need to study economics compete with any rice there. or investment to follow him as They are coming from small he would have done his home millers, medium millers and work very well. large millers.

We are excited by private sector When somebody like the investment coming in and we are woman in Cappa, Lagos can tell also much interested that the you the quality of Nigerian rice farmers are now getting market is good, I know that in another for their produce. three to four years, Nigeria will

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PPA AGE 41

Prologue

2015: JEGA GIVES NORTH EDGE (2)

INEC’s Dangerous Game

*Commission insists on lopsided PUs allocation *Rigging from source set to be order of the day

• Voters on queue ....INEC in gambit Last Sunday, this paper published the first part of the gambit the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, led by Professor Attahiru Jega, got itself into. And whereas the Commission would have been expected to attempt to address the concerns raised by the report, it chose to embark on a voyage of half-truths and deception in an advertorial explaining, rather vainly, ‘Why INEC is creating new Polling Units, PUs”.

In this second part, Sunday Vanguard raises more posers for the Commission regarding the inappropriateness of allocating more PUs to the North, an area where it has weeded Ghost Voters in their millions. This exclusive report digs deeper into the dangerous game of political conspiracy that has been on at INEC and which we have carefully followed in the last two years. The findings are mind-boggling, as there are cogent and verifiable reasons to suggest that the ever acrimonious North/South dichotomy may have become a guiding principle of administrative philosophy at INEC, a philosophy that is now threatening to affect the hard-earned integrity of Jega. Therefore, how this academic of international repute would get himself out of this bind should be of concern to the public, especially members of the National Assembly, who have the responsibility to oversee activities at INEC – a form of oversight.

Last week:

T

HE first part of this report exposed the lopsidedness in the allocation of PUs, 30,000 in all, across the nation. Yet, in a curious twist of logic, the cleaning of the Voter Register, VR, which has seen many states in the northern part of Nigeria lose ‘GHOST VOTERS’ in their millions, was allocated a whopping 21,615 (twenty one thousand, six hundred and fifteen) PUs, as against a meagerly 8,412 (eight thousand, four

,

BY JIDE AJANI

With the allocation of its 150,000 Polling Units, PUs, across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may have wittingly or unwittingly set the stage for a paradigm of rigging from source because its latest addition of 30,000 PUs, preponderantly shared in favour of the North, has the potential to corrupt the process

,

hundred and twelve) for the South. This is a second part which further exposes the under-belly of the Commission in this dangerous

game.

FEBRUARY, 2015

Rigging from source: That is the only thing the Commission

would likely encourage. With the allocation of its 150,000 Polling Units, PUs, across the country, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, may have wittingly or unwittingly set the stage for a paradigm of rigging from source because its latest addition of 30,000 PUs, preponderantly shared in favour of the North, has the potential to corrupt the process.

The simple reason is that by one strange logic, INEC, which has employed the Authentic Automated Finger Identification System, AAFIS,

to weed off Ghost Voters (which largely affected the North much more than the South), has gone ahead to allocate more PUs to the selfsame North than the South. In practice, what this means is that there are far less prospective voters in the North than the South Therefore, when you allocate election materials to areas with less number of people but with more PUs, a likely collusion between electoral officers and politicians would, no doubt, return the votes in favour of Continues on page 42

PAGE 42—SUND AY 42—SUNDA

Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

INEC’s Dangerous Game expected huge investment in smart card readers, should it decide to adopt voting points rather than additional polling units, may turn out to be a tragedy for some very important reasons: INEC’s position is that there are about 250,000 voting points in multiples of 300 voters and this will require about the same 250,000 smart card readers. But if it creates 150,000 PUs in multiples of 500, it will require only 150,000 smart card readers.

However, the downside to this is that INEC is deliberately using the 73 million figures of the 2011 register that it said had reduced after it conducted AAFIS. The logical question is why use this figure again?

whoever is being worked for.

INEC may argue and attempt to pour cold water on this assertion, but the facts on ground would on their own pooh-pooh whatever defence INEC attempts to put up for the justification of what it is insisting on foisting on Nigerians.

For the general elections of 2015, the dangerous game INEC is determined to play, would be much more manifest in the light of some salient issues that the Commission appears to be tongue-tied to answer.

INEC’s UNHELPFUL EXPLANATION FOR CREATING PUs

And whereas INEC’s response to an issue raised about the allocation of PUs merely addressed the need to relocate wrongly located PUs, it only succeeded in further exposing its illogical engagement. But INEC’s reasoning falls flat on the face of logic. The question should be asked: Which procedural sequence is logical in this scenario: Relocation of the wrongly located PUs before registration or registration at wrongly located centers before relocation? INEC chose the latter sequence as logical, a logic that is on its head.

Although INEC rightly pointed out that there have been population growth and demographic shift in Nigeria since 1996, it must be categorically stated that the nature, structure and composition of population growth and the degree and

direction of demographic shifts globally are data that the population commission is statutorily established to compile and definitely not an electoral body. INEC’s duty is that of compiling only persons who are of 18 years who are eligible registrable voters according to Section 12 of the Electoral Act and not all segments of the population.

Therefore, it is only on this basis that PUs are created to serve a population of eligible voters who have registered, not the entire population and definitely not even the population of registrable. The latter point is because not all eligible citizens would register since it is not compulsory. INEC is, therefore, wrong for talking of total population instead of eligible citizens.

This is more so because INEC cannot predict voter distribution in any population circle or in any demographic pattern because voter population pattern is usually compiled and verified data devoid of any subjective prediction.

INEC is maintaining that the valid baseline for the creation of PUs is the postAdvance Automatic Finger Identification System, AAFIS, insisting that those who were not registered would represent themselves. But stemming from the above, it is, therefore, egregious and grossly misleading for INEC to use what it calls “PostAFIS population of registered voters as a valid baseline for the creation of Polling Units” simply on the assumption that those who failed the Business-Rule will re-present themselves for

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Continued from page 41

A MEETING AND FINGER-POINTING

•Professor Attahiru Jega

•President Goodluck Jonathan

INEC’s argument of an expected huge investment in smart card readers, should it decide to adopt voting points rather than additional polling units, may turn out to be a tragedy for some very important reasons

registration. But these beggar some questions, questions which INEC must answer before taking Nigerians on this ride: *What is the total number of those who failed the “postbusiness rule”? *Have they all been reregistered? *How many are they? *What is the total number of those who have re-presented themselves for re-registration in the 10 states of the first phase of the AAFIS who have been presented with Permanent Voter Card, PVC, and who should be catered for in creating these PUs? *What is the total number of those who re-presented themselves for the just concluded 20th-25th second phase of registration in the 12 states where many were not registered and called for extension that was not granted?

That is not all.

There are many more issues viz: *What would be the yardstick to determine the number of those who will represent themselves in the 12

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other states including Lagos and even Kano that are yet to undergo this exercise yet PUs have been proposed to be created when there are no data ? *Has INEC carried out the running of AFIS in the just concluded 12 states and the earlier 10 states? *Would it not have been better and the current controversies of genuine fear of manipulation and the resurgence of North/South syndrome avoided completely if INEC waited for the completion of the entire exercise and the true eligible voters that scaled through the “post-business rule” and thus valid voter population before the creation of PUs? *Until the above questions and valid observations are addressed, what INEC says of the “Post-Business rule figures” should remain the only verified voter population on the basis of which creation of PUs should be done – and that is if necessary.

CARD READER CONUNDRUM INEC’s argument of an

Again, the meeting was stormy.

Unlike the earlier meeting of Tuesday, August 12, 2014, where the creation of additional 30,000 new PUs was tabled, the meeting of last Wednesday, August 27, 2014, dwelt more on damage limitation. The similarity in both meetings can be located in the seemingly stormy nature of the discussions.

Sunday Vanguard was told that though INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, was not in town, the commissioners still went ahead with the meeting.

Firstly, discussions centered on the veracity of the claims made by this paper.

It then veered into the arena of the motif.

It was learnt that some of the commissioners were particularly disturbed at the insinuation that a tar of Northern agenda was being splashed on the Commission.

Yet, a few others, in a manner suggestive of a disclaimer, pointed accusing fingers.

It was learnt that another meeting would be held once Jega returns.

ZONAL ALLOCATION OF PUs

North West -7, 906 North East - 5, 291 North Central - 6,318 FCT 1,120 South West 4,160 South South - 3,087 South East - 1,167 Approximately, with a margin of error of not more than 1000, INEC would still need to explain why the North West has an allocation of close to 8,000 PUs, which is almost the entire number of PUs allocated to the entire South.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014—PAGE 43 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

NAC emphasises creativity rather than end product T

he annual National Art Competition (NAC), which aims to promote the development of contemporary African art and raise awareness of social issues through the use of creative artistic expression, places emphasis on the processes of artistic creation rather than solely the end product." Those were the words of Emete Tonukari, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager/ Sustainability Manager, Nigerian Breweries on the importance of NAC to the development of art in Nigeria.

This year’s competition, proudly sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc and coordinated by African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) Tonukari noted, affords the competitors the opportunity to “Explore how contemporary art serves as a catalyst for positive social change, engaging artists to think about their relationship to the social, political, and cultural framework of the society that they live in.”

Tonukari spoke last week during the unveiling of the 12 finalists for the 7th edition of the visual art competition at the Nigerian Breweries Bar, Iganmu, Lagos.

The competition, places emphasis on the processes of artistic creation rather than solely

the end product where artists develop ideas and the message of their work. This she noted, reflects the National Art Competition’s reward focus on artistic processes, an agenda which will be rigorously pursued in coming years with the theme, “Process to Product”.

Tagged “Interventions”, this year’s event, will see Ada Umeofia, Emmanuel Dudu, Ike Francis, Paul Mbah, Nkechi Ebubedike, Erasmus Onyishi and Pwavidon Mathias, Tyna Adebowale, Modupeola Fadugba, Okafor Amarachi, Priscilla Awanah, and JacquelineSuowari, battling to emerge millonaires in November.

The finalists were drawn from over a hundred entries received from all over Nigeria, by a selection committee led by Prof. El Anatsui.

As contemporary art is inherently an avenue for audiences to analyse and begin a dialogue about issues relevant to their present day, the selected artists are mandated to create works that will spark public discourse and make a difference in their local communities.

Past winner of the Prize and former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ondo State, Tola Wewe who congratulated the 12 finalists for their success, challenged them to produce works that will

A painting by Bimbo Adenuga

positively tell the Nigerian story. He commended Nigerian Breweries for instituting the Prize and for supporting emerging artists in Nigeria. Being a Past winner Wewe pointed out, "Has impacted so much in my life. It has given me immediate fame and influenced the way people receive

my works." He advocated that the competition be made bigger because "I see it catapulting into an international event to promote Arts/Culture Tourism in Nigeria. Tourists will surely want to come and see what the artists have in store for

Repositioning the Photography Industry

BY CHRIS ONUOHA

P

ractitioners in the Photography industry have called on the stakeholders to reposition and enhance the sector to key into the national development and transformation agenda of the current dispensation. This was the collective voice of the practitioners in the Photography industry when they joined their colleagues all over the world to celebrate the annual August 19 “World Photography Day ” at Freedom Park, Lagos, with a sightseeing photo walk to the palace of Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu.

Oba Rilwan Akiolu while receiving the group in his palace, showered praises to the organisers of the event and admonished them to be worthy citizens while carrying on their job.

The celebration saw a great number of professionals & young photographers come together to mark the second edition in Nigeria in a symposia-like style with a theme: ‘The Role of Photography in National Development’. Notable personalities in the industry like Sola Akeredolu, a lecturer at Yabatech Graphics Department, Ola Adeboye of the Nigerian istitute of journalism Ikeja, Don Barber, a veteran photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, a painter turn photograher, Amaeze Ojeikere, BodyLawson and

C M Y K

Oba Rilwan Akiolu with the photographers

representatives from Alliance Francaise, amongst others, spoke on various issues that concern the development of the industry.

In his presentation, Ola Adeboye enumerated the immense contribution of Photography to the world from time of invention and the role Photography has played as an agent of change in the society. According to him, “Photography, being a powerful means of visual communication, has impacted the society in the area of Politics, Health, Economy, Sports, Leisure etc. It must be taken

serious and should not be seen as a profession for dropouts. He stressed further that there should be a concerted efforts by stakeholders to repostion the industry and intervene, especially for the welfare of the practitioners in the media industry whose life is at risk while carrying on their legitimate duties.

Sola Akeredolu is his own presentation educated the participants on the importance of Photography Education and Mentorship which, according to him, is as

important as the camera - a sophisticated gadget that requires basic knowledge of its functionality and application to achieve required result. To him, Camera’s importance is beyond the portable gadget itself.

It is a visual power house that communicates faster than written words. Without pictures, facts can be hidden in either spoken or writen words. practitioners should come out of the box and explore the benefits.

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BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

NAC affords competitors the opportunity to “Explore how contemporary art serves as a catalyst for positive social change

,

them. The artists used 4 months to explore possibilities and showcase their culture as well as the period we are in, in Nigeria and there's hope that we will see something refreshing from them."

Olayinka Olatoye, a past winner, said "Winning the Prize was the most treasurable thing in my life." He added that the competition "Got me when I was young. After my degree, I was afraid of what awaited me in the labour market. I entered the competition and luckily, my best became the best. It provided me a platform in the public and international art market."

The winner takes home N2,000,000, enjoys a solo show at AAF headquater and a trip to Dubai while Winner Outstanding Concept and Winner Outstanding Production receive N1,000,000 each.

Workshop facilitators and mentors this year include Oliver Enweonwu, Medina Dugger, Tola Wewe, Osai Ojigbo, Segun Adefila, Emeka Okocha, David Messan, Aina Okundaya and Yegwa Ukpo. While the artists get busy, the NAC team will conduct studio visits with finalists to monitor their progress. The grand finale and judging ceremony will take place in November at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

Kudos, as 2014 Creative Writers workshop ends in grand style I

t was indeed another wonderful night of literature, poetry, music and conversation as book lovers gathered at the Oriental Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos for the 2014 Creative Writers Workshop organised by Farafina Trust and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries came to a dramatic close in what was tagged literary evening. The event which was attended by the literati, scholars, diplomats, workshop participants, facilitators and others brings to an end of the 6th edition of a ten day workshop to sharpen the creative writing skills of the participants.

It kicked off with a poetry performance by renowned poet, Efe , that was given a theatrical interpretation of the lines by his team. Thereafter, the creative director of Farafina Trust and one of the leading African writer of her generation, Chimamanda Adichie who described the workshop as the highlight of her year took over. She stated that the workshop was established to create a safe space for talented Nigerians and Africans who care to write to come together share and care about the safe space where they can move ahead.

She said that many entries were received for this year’s workshop, but the most outstanding writers were selected.

The writers were taken through a ten day workshop where they were groomed on

how to be good writers and she attested that this year ’s participants were good.

Chimamanda Adichie commended the facilitators for the opportunity to relate, teach and inspire the workshop participants and thanked Nigerian Breweries for the annual sponsorship, especially to their director Mr. Nicholas Vervelde for been a good reader. According to her, “I wish that many Nigerian directors read books, Vervelde read books and they understand that telling stories is good. ” Over 25 writers from different parts of Nigeria and Kenya participated and they were presented with certificates of participation at the event by NBL director Nicholas V e r v e l d e .

The night also featured a poetry performance by ten year old Chukwuemeka Obi Obasi, who mounted the stage with

,

By JAPHET ALAKAM LITERATURE

•Chimamanda Adichie , Director of Farafana Trust with Binyanvang Wainaina, one of the facilitators and others at a previous event Soyinka.

Earlier in his address, the Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr.

The Creative Writers Workshop was founded on Nigerian Breweries’ desire to encourage the development of creative writers skills in Nigeria

boldness and exhibited his talents as future poetry king. He thrilled the audience with his wonderful rendition of two poems, a tribute to late Chinua Achibe and Telephone conversation by Prof. Wole

,

Nicholas Vervelde who stated that the creative writing workshop has become a major chapter in their corporate social responsibility said it was a great pleasure for him to be a part of this gathering of distinguished

men and women of letters. According to him, the partnership with Farafina Trust to sponsor the Creative Writers Workshop which started six years ago was founded on Nigerian Breweries’ desire to encourage the development of creative writing skills in Nigeria, as part of the company’s strategic corporate initiatives towards talent development and youth empowerment. ” The night also featured a conversation with Chimamanda Adichie and the other facilitators- Eghosa Imasuen, author of Fine Boys and Binyavanga Wainaina, world renowned Kenyan writer and winner of the Caines prize where the audience asked

some questions which was answered by them. Aslak Sira Myhre, Norwegian politician and former party leader of the Red Electoral Alliance was not present. Miriam who spoke un behalf of the participants said that it was a wonderful time working together in a lovely way. She commended the organisers and sponsors for the given them the opportunity.

The event was graced by Chimamanda’s parents, Prof James Adichie and Dr Ifeoma Adichie, Peter Obi, former Anambra state governor, Odien Ajumogobia, former foreign affairs minister, Reginald Ihejiahi, former MD Fidelity bank, Mr Brown of British council and others.

Balancing culture with ancient proverbs

BY VERA SAMUEL ANYAGAFU

P

ROVERBS are widely rec ognized in Africa as short sayings that spice speeches, just as they are embodied with general truth of the foundation of humans in dealing with many life issues, for fact that they contain vital ingredients needed in formation of speeches with deeper meanings.

Little wonder much value is placed on its use to addressing and or breaking strongholds in order to achieve a healthy community.

While many tribes in Nigeria are lagging in understanding the fact that a proverb is the bedrock to successful human co-existence, some others, have simply embraced its use to expressing deeper meanings to situations, expectations, feelings, thoughts, ideas and opinions. These have enabled communities remain in one accord, while appreciating the one thing that makes possible a clear, open, honest, proper and effective relationship.

In a 159 pages book titled, ‘UKWANI Proverbs as Treasures’, lawyer and development professional, with two decades of

both local and international experience, Ozah, Michael Ozah, takes us through the many values embedded in using proverbs to appreciating and balancing Africa’s cultural heritage.

Designed into chapters, each creating proverbs lines in the magnitude to evoke thoughts, makes the book more an interesting read, as it relinquishes the hidden facts of proverbs as a treasure.

The book opens up with the author recounting his growing up days and the many attractions that proverbs added to speeches.

While maintaining that the creativity of proverbs lies in the power to stimulate thoughts and reasons, each of the chapters, highlights reasons it is imperative for man to abide by his cultural adornment, through which his level of wisdom is envisaged.

The author also explains that the level of man’s wisdom is reflected in the quality of proverbs with which he laces his speeches, in other words, noting that the use of proverbs promote the very essence of man’s existence and origination.

Ukwuani Proverbs As Treasures,

by Ozah Michael Ozah, Canal Paper converters, Lagos. pgs 159, 2014.

As an Ukwani indigene, Ozah, while relating that proverbs utility lie in the economy of words to express an established, and or axiomatic truth, stressed the urgent

need to preserve and promote Ukwani proverbs in a more permanent form, hence the book.

He maintains that, “Proverbs play a crucial role in the expression of Ukwani philosophical tradition, because they hold the access to understanding the speech culture of Ukwani language and world view.”

Citing proverbs such as ‘Nwata ogom ni egwu yi’, which also has a biblical version in prov. 28:19 “, meaning, ‘He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread, but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough”, further explains the utility of proverbs in communicating effectively in a very short speech.

Ozah, was also expressive in buttressing the above citation when he let us into another verse in the bible, Prov. 6:6-11, which says, ‘ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little

folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that trvelleth, and thy want as an armed man.’

Here, the author takes time to explain the culture and farming attributes of core Ukwani indigenes and the very crucial point of tilling the soil.

Above every opinion, the book would not have been complete without a little explanation of the Ukwani language, which was anglicized as Kwale, following the inability of the British colonial to properly pronounce African names.

Readers would find the book, which in so many ways, explains how we can maintain our values and respect to ancient use of words of wisdom.

From the beginning of the book to the last page, the author demonstrates his love for his indigenous language and the beauty of using short, witty proverbs to spice speeches.

The ‘UKWANI Proverbs as Treasures’ is a must have book for every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe, as it is more a powerful reference material, even for generations yet unborn.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 45

By FAVOUR NNABUGWU

T

he excitement that comes from watching a football match when one is an avid supporter of a team coupled with poor health and overcrowding among other factors seem to have caused the death of a 60-year-old man in Byazhin, Abuja.

Mr Johnson Ayodeji died at a viewing centre behind his building where he had gone to watch Arsenal versus Liverpool in late 2013. Arsenal won the match 2-0.

Ayodeji, who hailed from Okuku village in Odo-Otin local government area of Osun State, had left his house to watch the football match without symptoms of ill health on that day. He left his phone behind to avoid distraction from callers, got to the viewing centre and sat on a chair like every other person there. Halfway into the match, Ayodeji pleaded with a young man by his side to adjust his seat so he could relax properly, perhaps the seats where too close for comfort. The young man in obedience to the plea of the old man stood up and continued watching the game standing. And the game went on.

After the match ended, almost everybody at the viewing centre left but Ayodeji remained on his chair. The owner of the centre, who thought the man had dosed off, went to tap him only to discover that Ayodeji was lifeless.

He raised the alarm and people rushed to the centre.

Nobody could identify him.

The police, who were immediately contacted, took the body to their station hoping that someone would come around to identify the lifeless body of Ayodeji before midnight but nobody came; so the body was taken to the mortuary.

Recounting what happened, Mrs. Rachael Ayodeji, wife of Ayodeji, aged 55, mother of two girls and a boy, said she and her children had struggled to survive since the demise of her husband.

“My husband was an easy going and quiet man. My husband was a fun, happy guy; he hardly fell sick. The last thing that he would ever want for me would be for my life to stop or be miserable. I’m not talking about my grief here, that is necessary, but all of the

DEATH IN ABUJA VIEWING CENTRE My husband died mysteriously watching Arsenal vs Liverpool match — Agonising widow my children about their father’s whereabouts and they said he was yet to return. Then l asked my son to put on the generator while we wait for his return. I became worried when it was 11pm and he was still to return home which was very unusual of him. We started praying because we couldn’t sleep, after which l called his brother at Suleja. When I called my husband’s brother, he was also surprised

*Mr Johnson Ayodeji...traced by family to the mortuary consequences his death has brought me. I am talking about this unexpected life I have now. The plight of a widow’s children as sole supporter of her offsprings is that she is forced to withdraw her children from school and to rely on their

came back from the church, my husband ate because we were fasting that day. After eating, he said he wanted to

*Mrs. Rachael Ayodeji...didn’t believe hubby was dead

The owner of the centre, who thought the man had dosed off, went to tap him only to discover that Ayodeji was lifeless labour. The daughters of a widow suffer multiple deprivations, increasing their vulnerability to abuse. The only son of the family, who is the second born, sacrificed his education for an apprenticeship considering his mother’s situation.

*How it happened

“On November 2, 2013, a Saturday, we went to church, Mountain of Fire. When we

sleep. l left him and went to Byazhin market where l sell potato. On that day, there was no light and my son was not around to put on the generator for him, so he said he would go to the viewing centre to watch the Premier League by 5pm. The viewing centre is just behind our house. When the match started, I was still at the market. When I got back home around 7pm. I asked

because he hardly kept late nights. So my husband’s brother and I continued calling his number not knowing his phone had been in the house all the while. It was when we switched off the generator that we realized his phone was all the while ringing in the house where he left it. I then called my pastor who came and went with us to incident the development at Byazhin Police Station. While we were at the station, someone told us that a man had died while watching a match. l ignored that person because I ruled out the possibility of his death for a man who left home hale and hearty. Then on Sunday, we went to Kubwa General Hospital to check just to satisfy my curiosity. While in the

hospital premises, a nurse told us that a man was brought dead the previous night. I told her the dead man couldn’t have been my husband hence l refused to go into the mortuary to check who the person was. So we left the hospital and went home that Sunday. The search entered Monday. I got even more worried.

“People kept persuading me to check the mortuary. I was still not convinced that my husband could be in the mortuary; so some people went to the mortuary and saw my husband dead cold there. And they were asking me if my husband was sick before. I told them that my husband hardly fell sick for the 24years we were married. I hurriedly went to confirm if he was indeed the one they saw lying dead.

“He was into building of houses and had some people working with him. On Friday, November 1, 2013, he told the boys that he needed to rest hence they should suspend all work till Monday, November 4 only to die on Saturday”.

The widow continued: “I have three children. The first is 22 years old, the second, 18, and the last, 14.

My first child is in the University of Abuja, Gwagalada, the second, the only boy, was seeking admission before the death of his father but now he is an apprentice trying to learn a skill as l cannot finance his university education and my third child is in S.S 2.

“Extended family members made promises after the death of my husband but since then we haven’t heard from them. My church tried a lot for us. My second child, the only boy, said he will forget about admission for now due to the death of his father to learn how to trade so that he can help us and his own family in the future”.

PAGE 46 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

EMMA UJAH

T

he most crucial period in the life of a Nigerian graduate begins with the completion of national service. The dreams of endless possibilities, either come true or pop like balloons. A few graduates secure lucrative jobs, others start small businesses, while the bulk remain disconnected and roam the streets in search of direction for years unend.

This often leads disillusionment, anger, and in extreme cases, negative payback.

Over the years, Nigeria, like many other developing economies have had to grapple with a high level of youth unemployment.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan appreciates the enormity of this challenge which was why his administration has come up with several initiatives towards providing Nigerian youths the much needed opportunities to earn income through legitimate means.

The Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) stands out as one of the most effective initiatives of the present administration.

It is one of the social safety net components of Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).

With Mr. Peter Papka, as Director, the GIS is domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Finance, where the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has shown an uncommon passion on how to utilize various windows to address the problem of unemployment in the nation. The scheme has provided the bridge for graduates to more seamlessly secure paid jobs or go into their own businesses and become employers of labour rather than employees. This is easily achieved as interns under the scheme are sharpened, garnished and motivated to make them more appealing to employers in addition to having the requisite acumen to start their person businesses.

Several thousands of graduates have benefitted from the GIS for over a year and every one of them has a moving story to tell- putting the lie to the assertion that Nigerian graduates are not employable.

GIS can stand by this claim based on the number of graduates that got full employment within a few months of their internship, others get retained at the end, or get employed by other firms that find them skillful and experienced – a demonstration of the valueadded nature of the internship.

Many states governments have over time, abandoned agriculture and now desire to get back to it and make it

How GIS gave us jobs — Graduates attractive, especially to young people. They desire to contract out the services of agricultural scientists, agricultural economists, agricultural engineers, veterinarians, extension workers and many more professionals in that sector.

Problem is they do not want to employ workers, especially those that are not hands-on.

In Zamfara state, a conglomerate of four firms in the agriculture sector, Hoe Farmers, Food, Afrimea enlisted 250. The interns were primarily trained to provide extension services to farmers in their Local Governments Areas of residence. This, according to the coordinator of the conglomerate, Hon. Abdulkadir Nasir, has become necessary as farmers are now on their own.

“The public extension workers are getting old, few and are retiring, while the service is still in demand, as farmers need to have climate information, improved seedlings, options in procuring fertilizer and information on programmes and schemes of government they can benefit from.”

He said GIS has provided a convenient window to get graduates that can be

trained and motivated to take over the extension subsector and build a career along the agriculture value chain.

According to him, “we have trained and deployed the graduates and they are now in the field in their

Success stories of interns Hassan Bangaje studied Cooperative Economics.

According to him, he encourage his colleagues on how to maximize the benefits of the cooperative

The scheme has provided the bridge for graduates to more seamlessly secure paid jobs or go into their own businesses and become employers of labour rather than employees various locations to provide extension services; we will continue to update them to be able to do their jobs well.

We have asked interns in each Local Government to register a cooperative association with a view to providing them a basis to continue as a business after the expiration of the 12 months of internship. Each intern contributes N5000 monthly, out of their N30,000 stipend, to their cooperative account, so that they can use the funds to secure facilities from lending institutions”.

associations they have set up. He participates fully in the primary assignment of providing extension services to farmers. As a secondary posting, he works in the fisheries unit of the state Agricultural Service Centre where he is learning how to raise catfish. He is already saving money to start his own fish farm to sustain himself.

Another intern, Mahe Bala, studied botany, and works in the same unit but he has already set up his own catfish farm, which he did with savings from his stipend. He plans to

sustain himself after internship. The same goes for Ibrahim Hassan Magazu, who studied Agricultural Engineering and plans to set up his own farm after exit.

Other interns have branched out and taken advantage of the financial inclusion policy of government, which has birthed mobile money and agent banking businesses.

All interns have received training in this area and they are encouraging their farmers and community members to subscribe and make and receive payments through them. Francesca Nnaji and Amina Suleiman Mohammed are examples of interns that are taking this business seriously as it is expanding very fast and will eventually obviate the need for them to seek salaried jobs as they now make between 12,000 and 20,000 monthly. Abdurrahman Salihi has invested in agrochemical business, for which he makes supplies to government and private agencies and believes he has no need for a paid job anymore. Hamisu Hamidu who works in the poultry unit claims to have saved N40,000 and set up a poultry business, which is doing very well.

Hon. Nasir said they have introduced all interns to irrigation farming, which is good business in the state, as well as, cooperative housing. According to the coordinator, The interns can use their cooperative

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 47

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

F

EW weeks after resolving its differences with teachers after the closure of primary schools for eight months, Benue State is in trouble again.

The state government and the organized labour are in embroiled a dispute over the decision of the Governor Gabriel Suswam-led administration to harmonize the salaries of its workforce in order to ensure some equity in the system.

The decision draw the ire of labour who saw no sense in the policy intended to ensure that workers in the state were on uniform scale, unlike what obtained in the past where there was over 100 percent disparity between a teacher ’s pay and that of a core civil servant.

That discrepancy actually sparked the dispute between teachers and government which led to the shutdown of public primary schools in the state; hence the decision of the state government to address the anomaly so as to augment the salaries of teachers.

Irked by the new policy, labour decided to down tools and shudown the government.

L abour ’s decision was reached at the end of an emergency meeting where the state government was given a 24-hour ultimatum to reverse the policy among others.

That policy entailed that the take home pay of political office holders would be slashed by 25 percent while civil

The Benue lockdown over pay cut servants from grade levels seven and above are to forfeit between five and seven percent of their salaries.

Before the commencement of the new salary regime, Governor Gabriel Suswam had indicated at the last May Day rally that the state government would take the decision to enable the administration augment it’s finances in order to pay the then striking primary school teachers.

The governor also noted that he had an option of downsizing the workforce, “but after weighing the implication of that decision, the best option left to the government and the people is to harmonize salaries in the interest of the generality of our people.”

A salary schedule made available Sunday Vanguard by the state ministry of finance showed that between 2006 and 2011, workers enjoyed three upward review of salaries.

The reviews led to between 240 and 710 percent payrise with the least paid civil servant going home with N18,000 from N5,000 before the advent of the Suswam administration.

Same is the situation with the permanent secretaries who, as highest paid civil servants, took home N73,458 monthly before the advent of the present

the part of the workers to allow a minimal slash in their pay to accommodate t h e harmonization policy.

The plea of t h e government h a s ostensively fallen on deaf ears as labour has remained unwavering in its rejection of the new policy.

In fact, at the end of a j o i n t meeting of the Nigeria L a b o u r Congress,

*Suswam administration, but now earn N436, 784, which amounted to over 585 percent increment.

It was on the basis of this unsolicited increases in salaries that the state government is pleading for understanding on

NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, held in Makurdi, the organized labour insisted that should government abolish the policy and refund deductions from workers’ salaries.

The 24-hour ultimatum,

which the state government could not meet, prompted a shutdown of government activities and the picketing of commercial banks and major business outlets in Benue by the leadership of labour.

Relieve came after five days of the shutdown following the decision of labour to suspend the action for one month to allow for negotiation, with a caveat to resume its action in full swing if government failed to yield to its demands.

The state government, on its part, has continued to lament that if the harmonization policy failed to scale through, there would be a total shutdown of government, because the administration would not be able to pay workers let alone carry on it’s activities.

Reacting to the development, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Godwin Anya, described the action of labour as unfortunate.

On his part, the state chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Mr. Baba Agan, urged government to revert the policy, stressing, “Thought the policy could be in the best interest of the people, the present economic realities do not warrant any form of salary cut. “

PEACE ON THE PLATEAU

We are reconciling the FFulani ulani with Ber om — Josephine Piyo Berom

By MARIE-THERESE NANLONG, Jos Mrs. Josephine Piyo is the only female among the 17 local government chairmen in Plateau State and the second female head of the attack-prone Riyom local government area. In this interview, she expresses, among other things, her desire to take her local government area out of the woods.

Excerpts. s the first female chairperson of Riyom local government area, what motivated you to vie for the position and how did men view your ambition?

There was one female before me. I am not the first chairperson, Mrs. Mary Dang was the first; she served from 2003 to 2007. Riyom is a gender sensitive and gender friendly local government area. I have a burning desire to serve my people, to see how I can contribute to the development of the local government and this led me to vie for the office of the chairman of Riyom local government. The men did not find it funny.

Your local government area has been a flash point. How have you tackled the problems since your assumption of office?

Well, you said it all that Riyom local government is one of the flash points. It has not been easy; we were sworn-in on the 3rd of

A

March, 2014; on the 4th, there was an attack at Gwawereng village of Rim District of Riyom local government area. The attacks have persisted but, by the grace of God, we have tried to restore peace to the local government.

We have had dialogue with the Fulani, the Berom and others. We have organised talks among various groups, sometimes the youths, sometimes the Ardos, the Imams and the chiefs, sometimes we bring everyone together and we have always encouraged the people to live harmoniously with one another.

We have emphasized the need for us to live peacefully because without peace, no meaningful development will come to the local government. By the grace of God, we will overcome, at least, we have been able to heave a sigh of relief because, for sometime now, there has not been any attack. That is not to say that everything has died down because there is still ambush here and there, leading to people being killed, but we are trying to talk people out of this ambush and kill syndrome.

Some politicians in Riyom have received threat letters in the past. Have you received any of such letters?

No, I trust God will not allow that, He has been there for me. I have not received any threat and I know God will see me through.

As a leader of the local government and a woman, what have you done to address the plight of women knowing that many of them are still not economically and politically empowered?

Nothing yet. We are just about six months in office, we have not started any deliberate programme for women and youths in terms of empowerment, but we have the blueprint, there are programmes in the pipeline.

We are waiting, by the time we pass the budget for next year, we will include empowerment programmes for women and youths. They consist the largest population of the electorate and cannot be ignored.

What is your vision for Riyom local government area as a whole?

My vision is to ensure that permanent peace is restored to Riyom local government area and development is experienced in terms of infrastructure and empowerment of the people.

Almost all local government chairmen in the state lament dwindling economic fortunes.

How is it in Riyom and what steps are you taking to address the situation?

Well, there are no dwindling resources as such, but there are commitments in terms of income and expenditure. There is so much demand on what comes in

as statutory allocation.

There are also challenges from the electorate, we are trying though the internally generated revenue is nothing to write home about. We are trying to see if we can reposition ourselves t o w a r d s generating *Governor Jonah Jang more revenue for the local government.

I heard that the recently understand.

What is your assessment of the sworn-in councillors in the 17 local government areas of the representation of lawmakers State have not been paid their from your local government Assembly salaries. How true is this and both at the National*Jonah how are the councillors in your and State Assembly?

These people have been so local government taking it?

Yes, it is true that they have not wonderful. We have been united, been paid, but it is not a deliberate working together for the action. It is because of this bio- common good of the local metric capturing exercise that is government. These people have going on in the state. The local never left me alone to handle the government areas are going challenges in the local through this screening and once government. Anytime I have any it is completed, everybody will be problem and I call on them, they paid. In Riyom, we have come around and we sit down advanced salaries to the together to discuss the issues and councillors, we have given them challenges facing the local something that at least should government and we proffer keep them going and they solutions together.

PAGE 48— SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014 sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

Martins, Ositelu canvas action against Boko Haram

Archbishop charges civil servants to leave good legacies

By SAM EYOBOKA & OLAYINKA LATONA

By NWABUEZE OKONKWO

INSECURITY:

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ATHOLIC Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins and Primate of Church of The Lord (Aladura) World wide, Most Rev. Rufus Okikiola Ositelu have urged the Federal Government to take urgent drastic measures to combat the activities of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram as its members continue to constitute a major threat to the nation’s unity and corporate existence.

Reacting to the recent attack by the sect members on three mobile police units in Abuja and Nasarawa State, leading to the seizure of over 150 guns, the Catholic archbishop, in a statement signed by the Director, Social Communications, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, described the activities of the sect as a major national threat that needs to be confronted decisively.

While condemning, in strong terms, the continuous bloodletting that has constituted the hallmark of their activities in parts of the North East,

Let God’s word be your shield, Cleric urges Ngerians

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LAGOS-BASED cleric, Rev Abraham Oyebanji has called on all Nigerians not to consider themselves wise in any matter, but take everything to God for guidance. In these days of war and pestilence, only those who have the grace of God will survive.

Rev. Oyebanji, Shepherd-in-Charge of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Idunnu Joshua Parish, in Egbeda area of Lagos, made this call in a message released in Lagos.

His words: “Brethren, you need God’s wisdom to navigate or paddle your life to safety. James tells us in James 1:5 about seeking wisdom: If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

“Kneel down every morning before God and ask for forgiveness, mercy and strength to persevere and withstand the evil one; ask for wisdom for solution to problems confronting your life.

Rev. Oyebanji noted that the nation is currently faced with war as a result of insurgent activities in some parts of the country, while a foreigner brought in a dreaded pestilence into the country.

“These are part of the end-time signs, and the only solution for the average Nigerian is to turn to his Creator for solutions.

“God created this world as part of His kingdom, and made man His ambassador to oversee the government of the earth (to rule and govern it); but what happened? Man rebelled against his Maker and turned himself into ridicule," he stated, noting that in the long run, while man may try, and governments make the necessary efforts, it is only God’s will that will prevail.

“Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain that build it. Brethren, put God first in your life, home, business, career, academics and in all things you do. Your success does not depend on your strategy, degree, diplomacy or connection but on your relationship with Christ.

"The word of God is the permanent cure for life’s ailments, afflictions, bitterness, unsuccessful marriage, business failure, barrenness and every negative thought that is bothering us as Nigerians,” he maintined.

Martins described as even more alarming the current trend whereby the sect members attack police stations and other security apparatus in the country in order to cart away their arms and ammunition.

“By the recent attack on one of the nation’s Police academies, and the sacking of a Gwoza community, the Boko Haram sect has shown once again that they have little or no regard for human lives.

Their mission is to violate the territorial integrity of Nigeria. It therefore behoves the government to do all that need be done to bring them to order,” he stated.

While urging the Federal Government not to rule out the possible

involvement of foreign forces to destabilize the country through their terrorist activities, Archbishop Martins advised them to thoroughly investigate the group's activities to unravel their sponsors and bring them to book, no matter who they are.

In a similar development, Ositelu, speaking at the grand finale of 2014 annual convention of the church at Mount Tabiorah, Ogere Remo, Ogun State, advised the Federal Government to negotiate with Boko Haram to ensure the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. “The Federal Government should negotiate with Boko Haram to bring back the innocent girls alive.

The security and welfare of Nigerians are the primary purpose of government,” the cleric noted, calling on politicians to play politics with caution and not to see the 2015 general elections as a do-or-die affair. He also enjoined Nigerians not to mort-gage the nation's future for a mere token.

He urged the Federal Government to ensure that all electoral laws were enforced to ensure a hitch-free election next year, warning politicians to shun all anti-democratic attitudes such as political thuggery, rigging, violence, politics of bitterness and acrimony leading to politically motivated assassinations that still characterize our political landscape.

L-R: Ven. Adetubo Adesoji Aderemi; President, TAC, Pastor Gabriel Olutola, General Evangelist, Motailatu Church Cherubin and Seraphim, Prof. Joseph Otubu; General Overseer, Christ Healing Church, Elder Victor Ade Iyamu; General Secretary, Motailatu Church, Dr. Israel Akinadewo during the golden jubilee anniversary.

Stop portraying Aladura churches in bad light, Otubu begs Nollywood

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ENERAL Evangelist of Motailatu Church Cherubim and Seraphim Worldwide (MCCSW), Prof. Joseph Otubu, has appealed to Nigerian film producers and script writers to stop portraying Aladura churches as occultic, wicked and criminallyminded, reports Sam Eyoboka.

Noting that some clerics may have misrepresented the movement, Otubu

said their practices are not limited to the Aladura Movement, stressing that every denomination has its share of bad eggs.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary/thanksgiving service of the church at its sub-headquarters in Lekki, Lagos, the gynaecologist wondered: “Are the Aladura church members the worst of all persons in Nigeria? Are the Aladura the only people committing crimes?”

“In every denomination, there are bad eggs but unfortunately our own bad eggs have been overemphasised and Nollywood should talk about sin and its repercussions in every assembly, denomination, association or religious associations, not just in Aladura,” he said.

Continuing, Otubu hailed Aladura churches for their prevailing intercessory prayers, noting Continued on Page 49

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NITSHA--C AT H O L I C Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke has charged Christians to leave positive legacies in workplaces for their good testimonies to remain years after retirement.

Okeke who gave the charge during his homily at a thanksgiving mass at Mater Misericordiea Chaplaincy of the Federal Government Girls’ College, FGGC, Onitsha, for the out-going principal of the college, Dr Chinyere Nzerem and out-going SSS 3 students of the school, said Christians should be role models whose character should help to bring unity and progress in various spheres of life especially in workplaces.

He, however, commended Nzerem, who marked her 60th birthday anniversary, for allowing God to use her in the area of character moulding for thousands of students, who have passed through her.

The archbishop also urged Nigerians to always show gratitude to God for their attainment and blessings in life; adding that appreciation and thanksgiving were veritable tools to receive more blessings from God. "We may not have the ability to pay back the favour we receive from God or even our fellow human beings but our feeling of appreciation must be expressed since withholding or concealing of our feeling of appreciation is another form of ingratitude," he stated.

Thanksgiving, he continued, "is our duty and obligation. If you want to experience great miracles in your life always give thanks to God".

On the part of the outgoing SSS 3 students, the prelate urged them to be good ambassador of their school and homes.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 49

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Kingdom keys Jesus says to Peter: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19).

What are the keys of the kingdom and what doors are they for? Are they used to lock up Satan and his demons as most Christians presume? Are they used to engage in “spiritual warfare;” a Christian dictum for violent and aggressive prayers?

Don’t be deceived. Jesus’ keys of the kingdom are used to open the gates of heaven through the forgiveness of sins.

Jesus says: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’

And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Assuredly, I say to you, WHATEVER YOU BIND ON

THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN EARTH WILL BE BOUND IN HEAVEN, AND WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH WILL BE LOOSED IN HEAVEN.” (Matthew 18:1518).

If we forgive someone who offends us his sins here on earth, those sins are automatically forgiven in heaven.

This gives the person open access to God and his kingdom, for it is through forgiveness that men are reconciled back to God. But if the offender refuses to repent, his sins remain. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is shut against him.

Healing the paralytic Jesus demonstrated dramatically that forgiveness is not a big deal to God by telling a paralytic his sins are forgiven.

This outraged his Jewish opponents who reasoned: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21). That was precisely the misunderstanding Jesus was determined to correct. He wanted us to know that even men have the divine power to forgive men their sins.

Therefore, Jesus asked his opponents: Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?

(Matthew 9:5). Then he decided to do the more difficult task of healing the man as proof that he has the power to do the easier one of forgiving him his sins. He said to the paralytic: “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” (Matthew 9:6).

Tehillah Company launches album at The Citadel & Towers

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HE Citadel and Towers, a new centre for national transformation in the nation’s capital, Abuja, will host the launch of Tehillah Company’s third album this September.

The rare live recording will form part of events marking the 15th anniversary of House on the Rock, the Refuge,

Abuja and the dedication and formal commissioning of the Citadel and Towers.

Tehillah Company, one of Nigeria’s foremost music groups, will feature international hit stars, Micah Stampley and Angella Christie from the USA, as well as Frank Edwards and Kingsley Ike of Nigeria.

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OD, our Father, is merciful. Once we repent, he immediately forgives us; provided we also forgive others. Jesus says: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15).

Jesus does not say we shall be forgiven because he will die for our sins and wash us in his blood. He says we shall be forgiven if we forgive others. It is all that simple.

When we truly forgive, men are freed from the bondage of their sins.

Immediately he said this, the man was healed instantly. He got up, carried his bed and went home; confirming thereby that Jesus has the power to forgive sins. (Please note that Jesus did not have to wait until Calvary to forgive sins).

Moreover, Jesus did not limit this divine power to himself.

Instead, he generalised it by maintaining that: “the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins.” (Matthew 9:6).

Those who heard him understood exactly what he meant.

Matthew says: “they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.”

(Matthew 9:8).

Has the mighty power to forgive men their sins really been given to mere mortals?

Yes, says our Lord Jesus: “If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:23). This is not the word of someone who has to die in order to take away our sins. It is the word of Jesus who gives to men the power to forgive sins; power presumed to belong exclusively to God.

Healing forgiveness Tehillah is backed by House on the Rock, the Refuge, Abuja, which had provided a platform for the expression of established and aspiring musical talents in Nigeria and from all over the world.

On Saturday, at 10.00 a.m., dignitaries are expected at the official inauguration of the Citadel and Towers.

The events will wind up on Sunday at 9.00 am with a celebration service and dedication ceremony.

Cleric tasks parents, guardians on youths’ upbringing

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BUJA - SENIOR pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo has charged parents and guardians to bring up their children in a godly way for them to fulfill their dreams on earth unhindered, reports CALEB AYANSINA. Fatoyinbo gave the charge in an interview with newsmen during a music concert organized by the church in Abuja.

The concert which featured American gospel singer, Tye Tribbett and other local gospel artistes was organized, according to Fatoyinbo, to appreciate God Almighty for His works in the lives of men.

The cleric said youths have potentials to develop any nation, therefore, they must be properly brought up to avoid putting their future in jeopardy.

According to him; “the family has a lot to do make the

youth behave, because they say charity begins at home.”

While advising youths to remain focused and avoid acts capable of jeopardizing their future, Fatoyinbo said COZA was assisting to reshape the future of Nigerian youths.

The American gospel artiste, Tye Tribbett, who was so excited to be in Nigeria, said it was so beautiful to appreciate God for His great love for mankind.

Which is easier, to say “your sins are forgiven” or to say “rise up and walk?” Which is easier, to say we forgive someone, or to actualise our forgiveness?

Jesus demonstrates that anyone can easily say: “you are forgiven;” but to say it and mean it is harder. To say it and put it into action by decreeing “stand up and walk!” is far more difficult. We must not just say we forgive; we must actually forgive.

With heartfelt forgiveness comes liberation. With it, prison doors are opened and men are set at liberty. When we truly forgive others; the powers of the kingdom of heaven come down. As a result, the paralytic walk; the dumb talk and the blind see. When we truly forgive, men are freed from the bondage of their sins. That is the effect of true forgiveness.

Every time we sincerely forgive someone, we are saying to him or her: “stand up and walk!” If the person is still paralyzed, we have not truly forgiven him. True forgiveness of sins results in spiritual freedom. It ushers in the abundant life of unhindered fellowship with God. That is why Jesus calls forgiveness the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Power to forgive This demonstrates that the forgiveness of sins is not contingent upon the death of Jesus, or on our being washed in his blood. We receive forgiveness by repenting of sin.

We can also proclaim forgiveness of sins on those who offend us; provided they agree to repent. When we do so, God backs us up by ratifying it in heaven.

Men have always found it difficult to forgive. Alexander Pope says: “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” Jesus makes the divine human by giving believers the power to forgive sins. He gives us this enablement to forgive by the most amazingly simple process. He does it by revealing to us that God forgives us our debts only as we forgive our debtors.

Jesus says: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7). Thereby, the power to forgive lies in our love for God. The true believer becomes inclined to forgive others because he recognises that the man who forgives receives divine forgiveness and safeguards his forgiveness. If we don’t forgive, we jeopardise our fellowship with God. Jesus gave further clarification on this: “Peter came to him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.’” (Matthew 18:21-22).

Jesus could not be any clearer about this. Our imperative is not merely to forgive grudgingly, but readily and repeatedly.

(Matthew 18:22).

Indeed, the extent of our love for God is determined by how appreciative we are of his forgiveness. Accordingly, Jesus forgave a woman her sins before Calvary; thereby negating once again the sacrificial blood-washing fallacy. He said: “Her many sins have been forgiven---for she loved much.

But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47).

'Stop painting Aladura church black' Continued from Page 48 that it is a remarkable legacy that must be sustained till the end.

“Aladura churches have earned themselves the name because the founding fathers of the Cherubim and Seraphim churches believed in the efficacy of prayers. God will always answer our prayers in his way, wisdom and in love.

“I can tell you that the Aladura Church established by Orimolade is an excellent church built absolutely on the efficacy of prayer,” he stressed.

According to him: “If you are committing sin and fail to repent as to receive God’s pardon, there is little or no hope of prayer being answered.

“Certain elements are required in prayer as exemplified in the classic prayer taught to the disciples in the Lord’s Prayer,” he emphasised.

Otubu urged churches to

unite as one big family to stem the tide of sin, unrighteousness in the society.

The national president of The Apostolic Church and chairman of LAWNA (TAC), Pastor Gabriel Oladele Olutola, also charged Nigerians to remain committed to prayers to fix the challenges facing the nation.

“There is no hope aside from prayer and we must continue to pray. Our God will answer our prayers and will take all the problems that we have from Nigeria, including the recent upsurge of insurgency,” Olutola assured.

Dignitaries at the anniversary with the theme; "Prayer is the key", included former Lagos Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; the president of Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, represented by Rev. Femi Asiwaju; the head of TEKAN/ ECWA bloc, Rev. Emmanuel Gigawu, among others.

Page 50— SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A lawmaker’s mega empowerment

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GAIN, the constituents of Ondo East/West Federal Constituency in Ondo State have widely benefited from a mega empowerment programme sponsored by Hon. Joseph Iranola Akinlaja. In his usual practice, Akinlaja ensured that the far reaching initiative indiscriminately touched every part of the communities within his constituency.

Among the projects are construction of motorized borehole, provision of hand pump borehole, distribution of wheel chairs to Mother and Child hospital in Ondo, study, design and development of both feasibility and environmental impact assessment for an earth dam in Laje Ward 2 of Ondo West LGA, supply of 300KVA and 500KVA high-tech transformers to many rural communities, rural electrification, installation of func-

Between Akinlaja and his Ondo constituents tional solar street lights, disbursement of financial aids to artisans and farmers, scholarships to brilliant but indigent students, among others.

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VIEWPOINT

BY EMMANUEL AJIBULU

In his personal contributions on health matters, apart from the wheel chairs he bought for the hospital, Akinlaja also paid for eye surgery for over 40 patients

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Hon Akinlaja said the gesture is a timely and intermittent intervention aimed at reducing the socioeconomic burden on the shoulders

of the people, particularly the downtrodden, adding: “Before now, we have done a general empowerment programme throughout the length and breadth of my constituency. We have initiated an empowerment programme since our inception into office, where men, women, senior citizens, students, youths and various associations received business tools and equipment, plus other far reaching initiative that can make life more abundant and meaningful.”

He added: “I usually interact with our people; we harmonize ideas and look out for the projects that can best suit their interest before implementation of such projects commence. The records are straight, for example in Ondo West, communities like, Ayeyemi, Lekere, Oka, Sabo, Okerowo, Okebola, Surulere, Oluwabamigbe, Saka Famuditimi, Adebanjo Camp, Agbogbo Oke, Odo Ayo, Ajilo/PasoCrae, Lotogbe, Odowo, Ogho, Laje, Fambegbe, Aratuloju,

all benefited from our projects and empowerment schemes. Similarly, in Ondo East, residents of Igba, Katojo, Bolorunduro, Oniluri, Oluwaranmilowo village, Olomitoto, Urege, Elemosho, Alapa, Obadore, Awoduyilemi, Katojo, Tekunle, Owena, Sasere, Lipepeye, Lafiaji, Iluyomade Labosipo, Sokoto Ward, Oboto, Fagbo, and so on, have a feel and touch of our human friendly impacts” Besides, the federal lawmaker has renovated six blocks of classrooms and headmaster’s office in Igunshi community; he financed free summer lessons for St. Ambrose grammar school Akinjagunla, Ondo and paid for WAEC/ NECO fees for the best three students. He organized free summer lessons for students of Ondo Boys High School and paid for WAEC/ NECO fees for the best three students. Construction of 3 blocks of classrooms at Oniluri was also credited to him, plus free summer lessons for students in Ekinmogun

grammar school Bolorunduro, with payments of WAEC/NECO fees for three best students. Over 20,000 free exercise books were equally distributed to school children and he as well donated thousands of free WAEC and JAMB past questions for students preparing for JAMB and ordinary level exams. Akinlaja has also completed the abandoned health centre at Haluroho, In his personal contributions on health matters, apart from the wheel chairs he bought for the hospital, Akinlaja also paid for eye surgery for over 40 patients who suffered cataract in Ondo East and West LGAs. Apart from that, 20 sewing machines as well as 20 block molding machines were given out to the youths for economic empowerment. He also donated computer, printer and other IT gadgets to Yaba Police Station, and made provision for gari processing plant for farmers in Ward 4 of Ondo East LGA and many more.

Impeachment: How Ekweremadu failed to save Enugu dep gov

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witty political godfather exerts immeasurable influences and compels irresistible obedience from his helpless beneficiaries. Such unbending manipulation played out during the events that led to the impeachment of Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, the erstwhile deputy governor of Enugu State.

Mouths are still aghast as to how Onyebuchi ignored wise counsel and chose the inglorious path charted by people who wanted to use him to test the viability of their political strength. As it has now turned out, it was a worthless gamble.

Now stripped bare of the power and protection that his former office guaranteed, the impeached deputy governor now faces the cruel realities of life

VIEWPOINT

BY KOLA AJIBADE VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The gains of a critical sector

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N a Lagos-bound plane late last year from Abuja, I sat with a farmer from Birnin-Kebbi Kebbi State. Tired, I buried myself in a book I was reading but he desperately wanted to talk with me and engage me in further discussion. Due to his age and the polite manner he spoke, I obliged him and we started talking about why Africa remains underdeveloped and what can be done about it.

I casually mentioned that agriculture holds great potential for our country if only our government can get it right and put in place mechanism that will bring greater yields and make it more attractive for young graduates. Suddenly, his face beamed with smiles and he said, “Look I’m a farmer and I’ve been in farming all my life but this government is getting it right in agriculture especially with the way it is distributing fertilizer.” I thought I didn’t hear him very well.

So, I asked him again, “Are you saying that the Jonathan government is doing something right with

It was Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s legal team that defended the ousted deputy governor. It is also common knowledge in Enugu that the deputy president of the Senate also tried to pull weak strings that ended woefully

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rightly put it, asking his legal team and other professional associates to defend the then deputy governor. The federal legislator deluded the naïve Onyebuchi into believing that he would get the House members to leave him unscathed.

At the Enugu State House of Assembly, it was only Mathias Ekweremadu, a brother to the deputy president of the Senate who, out of the 24-member legislature, did not sign the impeachment letter.

But as Frank McKinney Hubbard, an American humorist put it, “the safest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket.” That was the cunning game played by Ekweremadu and his associates because even though the expected result was predictable, the impeached deputy governor’s sponsors created the tragic illusion that beclouded his sense of reality.

It continues to surprise many observers why Onyebuchi ignored the common advice of notable politicians from Enugu who asked him to resign rather than wait to be impeached. This was at the meeting of the state caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which met on July 26.

Those who offered such advice included Nnamani, Fide Okoro, Ben-Collins Ndu and Dubem Onyia.

Aware of the agenda of the caucus meeting , held in Enugu, it was quite instructive that Ekweremadu was the only National Assembly member from the state

FG’s giant strides in agriculture the way they are running agriculture?” He answered again in the affirmative, “yes, they are getting it right.”

He subsequently told me how for the first time in several years as a farmer, he never had problem with fertilizer supply for his farms and how even thought he’s a privileged farmer, he did not get any preferential treatment but was attended to the same way other farmers in his state were taken care of in ensuring that they get the much needed material. “The arrangement was superb, my brother. I’ve never seen anything like it before. The thing worked better with sms and phone calls to alert you that the fertilizer was ready after which you then go and pay into the government account in specified banks.

It could not have been easier than that and no godfather, no middlemen, no fraud and a very easy system.”

This got me interested as I did not know this man before nor did anybody purchased my ticket for me for the flight as I booked it by my self so no one planted him by my side to drum up support for Pres-

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VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Impeached deputy governor ought to have resigned

outside. And no one captured what happened in graphic details than Senator Ken Nnamani, a former president of the Senate.

In an interview he granted a a Newspaper, Nnamani said: “Those who advised him to fight on are the ones he should hold responsible for his impeachment because he had the opportunity of resigning… but some people encouraged him to go on and gave him lawyers. If he has now been impeached, it is unfortunate, that is what he brought on himself.”

It was Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s legal team that defended the ousted deputy governor. It is also common knowledge in Enugu that the deputy president of the Senate also tried to pull weak strings that ended woefully.

From the onset of the crisis that led to the tragic end of Onyebuchi’s days as the number two citizen, Ekweremadu made no secret of his active involvement including, as Senator Nnamani

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VIEWPOINT

BY LIVINUS NWEKE

So, I asked him again, “Are you saying that the Jonathan government is doing something right with the way they are running agriculture?” He answered again in the affirmative, “yes, they are getting it right.”

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ident Goodluck Jonathan. I mean this was a testimony of someone who I’m meeting out of the blue.

Suddenly I wished the flight were longer than the normal 55 minutes for an Abuja to Lagos flight.

With our refreshment untouched, I asked him to tell me more about himself and the kind of crops he plant. “You know the agriculture

minister, AkinwumiAdesina, was in Kebbi to inaugurate the fertilizer distribution exercise and I never believed him then that it would be as smooth as it has been. After all I would always get my fertilizer as I know my way round the system but this time I did not speak with anybody nor left my house before I got what I needed.”

For me, the other interesting thing he told me was that peasant farmers did not struggle before getting what they needed just as the middlemen involved in previous exercises have been eliminated thereby removing graft and corruption from that critical sector of our lives. I kept on asking within me why some Nigerians still do not appreciate the Jonathan government if these giant strides are being recorded in an important area in the life of this administration.

My new friend was not done yet, as we disembarked and before giving me his call card, he told me he wa son his way to Oyo and Kwara States to buy shea butter for export which he added has been receiving a boost under this present government also.

who did not attend. And rather than lead Onyebuchi to the escape route that had been flung open, his sponsor’s messiah complex drove him to urge the former to press the self-destruct button, all to massage his giant-size ego.

The last, certainly, has not been heard of the intrigues that played out during the impeachment of Onyebuchi by the state House of Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct.

But it was wicked to have encouraged him not to embrace the advice of more experienced power players just because someone wanted to use his case to trumpet his self-imposed importance that lacks substance and followership. Perhaps, if Ekweremadu wanted to use the Onyebuchi impeachment saga as a dress rehearsal for his own opposition against his party’s decision that frowns on perpetuation in office, then the imminence of his own fate is quite visible.

•Nweke is resident in Enugu.

But that was before massive investment in rice production still under the Jonathan government watch which have shot up our annual domestic processed rice production to over four million metric tonnes of processed rice with a value of N800 billion from the 2.9 metric tonnes valued at N580 billion in the last two years which represents about 80 per cent of the five million metric tonnes of processed rice consumed annually in Nigeria. Just imagine, we are close to self-sufficiency in rice production, a major staple in most homes in the country and with the attendant reduction in the foreign exchange spending on importation of rice.

Coupled with this is the commissioning of a 210-metric tonne capacity rice mill, the largest in Africa by President Goodluck Jonathan in Nasarawa State.

True, other challenges remain in our country but these strides in a critical sector like agriculture under the watch of President Jonathan show him as one who could be trusted to pilot our affairs for another four years. These achievements must be consolidated and built upon for the next four years.

•Ajibade lives in Lagos.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014,

Re: North, Central may rock zoning in Abia

BY IKE JONES NNANNA

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The battle for senatorial, gubernatorial slots

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Y reaction to an article by Kalu Uduma in Vanguard of August 20, 2014, that the Abia governorship primary ticket of the PDP zoned to Abia South by the party caucus has been receiving knocks; that incumbent Senator Nkechi Nwogu is presently locked in a battle with incumbent Gov. T.A. Orji for the Abia central senatorial ticket of the PDP; that a perceived zonal arrangement for the Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency which favours the incumbent Hon. Arua Anrusi is causing ripples in the zone; that a group, “Friends of Uko Nkole Ndukwe”, had embarked on the repair of Mnuri bridge because of the failure of the representatives and state government to do so; the group “Friends of Uko Nkole” total condemnation of what they referred to as the “failure of Arochukwu/Oha-

On the contrary, the decision is quite popular with broad sections of the Abia populace.

This fact could be attested to by the wide support it is receiving by local chapters of the party and individuals

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VIEWPOINT

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fia representatives to attract development to the area”; and the groups claim of philanthropy on the part of Mr Uko Nkole, including the phantom claim of building houses for widows on the basis of which they are urging him to run for the Arochukwu/ Ohafia federal constituency seat.

On the contrary, the decision is quite popular with broad sections of the Abia populace. This fact could be attested to by the wide support it is receiving by local chapters of the party and individuals.

Nwogu is locked in a battle for the ticket of Abia central, nothing could

be further from the truth. The reality is that he is seriously engaged in the struggle for the gubernatorial ticket of PDP. The media are awash with her pronouncements and interviews indicating this intention. As regards the senatorial ticket of the Abia central, it is a fact that no other PDPmember has indicated interest to run against the Abia governor. In fact this false presentation of the Abia political environment attests to the lack of knowledge of its current dynamics by the writer.

The write-up was more manifest when in the writers bid to favour his friend, he created an imaginary Abam unit as one of the “three zones” in the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal constituency. In order to put the record in its proper perspective, it is proper to understand that the constituency in question is made up of Arochukwu and Ohafia local government areas respectively. It is also appropriate to state that leaders of the federal constituency have never at any point in their history sat down to decide on a zoning arrangement for the area. This point was made clear at the last stake holders meet-

ing held at the residence of Chief K.K. Owen, the former chairman of Ohafia local government council. It is however a known fact that Hon. Arunsi believes in the principle of zoning and will quit the stage when he concludes the minimum of two terms of eight years like most other legislators. His case is made easier because most people in the constituency are quite aware that he was only able to retrieve his mandate after a protracted and expensive legal tussle that lasted three and a half years, which made him spend barely six months at the National Assembly. It is such overwhelming support that has led to the frustration of some of the aspirants hence the resort to the sponsorship of jaundiced write-up and mudslinging such as the one under reference. The falsehood exhibited by the writer was equally manifest in the spurious claim of repairing the strategic Mnuri bridge that links Arochukwu and Ohafia LGA’s which he ascribed to Mr. Uko Nkole and his group of friends. The fact is that the bridge was repaired by the state government under Orji. Arunsi played an active role in the effort to

Page 51

repair the bridge as he is also doing in bringing the NDDC to repair the collapsed Ndi Ebe Abam bridge .The same can be said of his efforts in bringing NEMA to provide relief materials to flood victims of the collapsed bridge at Ndi Ebe Abam.

The accusation of non performance on Anrusi cannot stand. The reality on ground is the effective representation he symbolises. Such effectiveness has led to the award and execution of federal projects estimated at over N8 billion in the constituency.

Aside physical projects, Arunsi as a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, a former commissioner in the state executive council, remains a very active member of the National Assembly where he has continually made robust contributions at both the plenary and committee meetings.

At the last count, he had sponsored four bills that are at the last stage of passing into Acts. He also remains very accessible to members of his constituency as he attends to their pressing problems. Arunsi is also a team player, a loyal member of the PDP who remains very committed to the pursuit of the party ideals.

•Nnanna is a former Chairman, Arochukwu Local Government Council, Abia State.

Mimiko’s defection as game changer in South-West politics

T

HE polity was thrown into frenzy last week when news filtered through that the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, may dump the Labour Party (LP) for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). To all intents and purposes, Mimiko’s latest move can be situated in the pragmatics of 2015 politicking, particularly in relation to the South-West where the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently struggling to maintain its fading hold. Should Mimiko defect, the political situation in the zone would become more sharply defined. Interestingly, Mimiko’s planned defection received the endorsement of political stakeholders in the state, including members

VIEWPOINT

BY SUFUYAN OJEIFO

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Issues in the race for the presidency

T

HE race for Aso Rock Villa is expected to peak on February 14, 2015, with the presidential election in which a winner will emerge, preparatory to a new four-year term, with effect from May 29, 2015.

The incumbent president, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, is poised to exercise his constitutional right to a second term in office in spite of political shenanigans by forces that are opposed to him.

Even though he has not formally declared that he would run in the presidential race, his body language, nuanced and veiled remarks, which perceptive minds easily discern, point to his readiness to take a shot at the nation’s topmost job for another term. This has been the expectation — reasonable as it is — of many Nigerians who are rallying behind him and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.

For some privileged Nigerian politicians who are close to Jonathan and enjoy his mutual respect, he will seek re-election. One of them,

Since then, he has made Ondo the reference point in progressive governance and quality leadership, and has been recognized by, among others, the United Nations and the World Bank

,

of Housing by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo. However, Mimiko and Obasanjo parted ways over his governorship ambition, as Agagu decided to break his gentleman’s agreement with Mimiko and seek another term of office in the 2007 general election. Mimiko then built the Labour Party (LP) from

scratch in Ondo State and went on to upset Agagu and his federal might in the 2007 election. Since then, he has made Ondo the reference point in progressive governance and quality leadership, and has been recognized by, among others, the United Nations and the World Bank for his landmark achievements in urban renewal, health and education. Mimiko, acknowledged worldwide as a great leader, thus brings into a resurgent PDP his sterling political profile, credibility and charisma.

In retrospect, if Nigerian workers had taken the LP as their own movement, it would by now have been controlling a sizable number of states if not all the 36 states.

Mimiko, in spite of his monumental achievements, was a lone ranger, and was bitterly opposed by the defunct ACN, now APC. Beyond this point, however, how practicable would it be for Mimiko to simultaneously campaign for Jonathan for President and for the various LP candidates in the 2015 general elec-

Jonathan and the 2015 presidential stake Chief Tony Anenih, who is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, was categorical on the issue in his extempore address to South-south leaders in Calabar during the recent tour of the zone by the National Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

Anenih delivered his message in a way that left no one in doubt at all about its real intendment: he told the gathering that he is a father who knows what his son wants; that his (political) son (Jonathan) will contest the 2015 presidential election. He then urged Mu’azu to take the message back home to the northern part of the country. Gbam! The Oracle of Uromi, Nigeria’s political Nostradamus, has spoken.

Truth is, Anenih is not loquacious and his declaration in Calabar, at a time Party leaders were dancing round the issue by merely calling on the President to contest, was one of his rare interventions that have, over the years, seen him provide answers to political jigsaw puzzles.

He rarely comments publicly on political issues.

He would rather respond to them silently and build bridges of understanding, by reaching out to groups and individuals to achieve desired results.

But when he chooses to speak up, as he did in Calabar, he cannot be ig-

nored. Like a crystal ball watcher, he had once declared that there was no vacancy in Aso Rock, meaning that then incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo would be re-elected.

He walked his talk by collaborating with other members of the PDP apparatchik to realize victory for Obasanjo and the Party.

The issue today in the unfolding 2015 presidential politics is Jonathan, on whom Anenih has greatly raised the stake: that he will contest (and, I daresay, WIN!) and why not?

Here is an incumbent President whose performance in office has given him a huge head start over any likely challenger in the PDP for the party ticket. Therefore, with an amazing record of achievements to flaunt, the argument that is being strongly canvassed in some circles in the Party is that the President should be given the right of first refusal, something akin or tantamount to an automatic ticket.

For me, that is not a bad idea. It will, however, be appropriate if individuals who desire the Party’s presidential ticket are allowed to contest for it in the primary in order to strengthen internal party democracy. I can place a bet that whatever scenario plays out, Jonathan will be

,

BY DONALD EBIMOMI

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The Ondo gov’s strategic alliance

of the state House of Assembly, members of the state Executive Council, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, labour union leaders, students, artisans and market women, as the governor deliberated with these groups over the likely move. The consensus was that the move would be in the best interest of Ondo State, ahead of the 2015 general election where President Goodluck Jonathan, a key ally of the Ondo governor, is the leading candidate.

All along, Mimiko had been an advocate of Jonathan based on his personal merits and his defection will provide a credible, alternative leadership for the South-West PDP. A grass-roots politician with fanatical following, Mimiko built the LP structure in Ondo State in just four months and unseated the then Governor Olusegun Agagu in the 2003 election. Mimiko, who had teamed up with Agagu to defeat the late Adebayo Adefarati in the 2003 general election, served as Secretary to the State Government under Agagu, before being appointed as Minister

,

VIEWPOINT

Here is an incumbent President whose performance in office has given him a huge head start over any likely challenger in the PDP for the party ticket.

Therefore, with an amazing record of achievements to flaunt, the argument that is being strongly canvassed in some circles in the Party is that the President should be given the right of first refusal

,

incredibly comfortable. This is because he enjoys the confidence and support of the Party, which he leads.

He is thus the man to beat in the Party. He is also the man to beat in the presidential election.

Jonathan said that much in his last media chat when he declared, in an answer to a question on when he would formally declare his intention to seek re-election, that he remains the defending champion and he is

tion when the presidential and National Assembly elections will take place on the same day? In the 2003 general elections when the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) was faced with a similar scenario, it was roundly defeated by the PDP. The AD governors, who were seeking reelection, had adopted Obasanjo for the presidency. But the people having voted PDP in the presidential election, the AD governors were routed in the 2003 election. The fact simply is that the illiteracy factor among the voting population must always be taken into account. Given the outing of the LP in recent elections in Ekiti and Osun, it must be sufficiently clear that defeating the Janjaweed ideology in 2015 would require the fusion of the LP, Accord and PDP, or at least a strategic alliance. This is why, since Mimiko’s planned move came to the fore, there has been excitement in Ondo.

•Ebimomi is based in Akure.

therefore not under pressure to announce whether or not he would participate in the 2015 presidential race. I completely agree with him. Implicit in that rationalization is that he would contest.

The pressure is actually on the opposition parties, especially the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They should be worried that they have not been able to produce their candidates. Not only have they not been able to produce their candidates, they have also not been able to package and sell them, as a number of groups have done for Jonathan by running television jingles dwelling on the achievements of his government.

Besides, the time-table released by the electoral body has circumscribed the opposition parties. The same time-table has egregiously given Jonathan and the PDP a clear edge.

By the time the opposition parties accept the Jonathan challenge to come up with their candidates, it will be some four months to the election.

The opposition will certainly struggle to sell their candidates in four months against the run of an incumbent PDP president whose achievements since stepping in the saddle, particularly from 2011 till date, are remarkable.

•Mr Ojeifo, magazine publisher, sent this piece from Abuja.

PAGE 52 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

Costa causes Everton pain in nine-goal thriller C

HELSEA came out on top in a nine-goal thriller against Everton encapsulated in two frantic goalscoring spells in either half at Goodison Park as Jose Mourinho’s side won 6-3.

The visitors began with two goals in the first three minutes, but things unthinkably became even more chaotic after the break with five inside 11 minutes as both defences appeared to fall apart in the maelstrom.

Bizarrely it could have been even worse for Everton, as goalkeeper Tim Howard could easily have been sent off for handling outside his area after just eight minutes.

Conceding an early deficit ultimately cost the hosts, as Mourinho’s side went top of the Premier League, somewhat ironically after conceding three, on goal difference.

It had looked plain sailing after Diego Costa made it three goals in three matches since his B£32million move from Atletico Madrid and Branislav Ivanovic’s disputed second.

Kevin Mirallas’ brilliant header on the stroke of half-time gave the hosts hope, only for Seamus Coleman’s own goal to hand the initiative back to Chelsea as the madness began.

Steven Naismith and Nemanja Matic traded goals before substitute Samuel Eto’o made it 4-3 against the club he left in the summer, only for Ramires to give Chelsea breathing space again and Costa to add a late second.

Up until Naismith’s strike Chelsea appeared to have everything under control, with Costa showing the new attacking edge which was lacking from Mourinho’s side last season.

It took just 35 seconds to dismiss fears over a suggested hamstring injury by scoring before Everton had even touched the ball from kick-off.

There has been plenty of debate about some of the sums being spent by English clubs in the current window, but Costa is already looking value for money after scoring with his third shot on target this season.

The Brazilian-born Spain international was a constant menace, lurking with intent on the shoulder of the last defender and regularly capitalising on Everton’s inability to bafflingly play an offside trap which cost them two goals inside 170 seconds.

But for all the 25-year-old’s threat, he still needs someone to provide the ammunition and that person is currently Cesc Fabregas, who more often than not found his compatriot with unerring accuracy.

The first goal game from exactly that source, as the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder threaded through a pass, catching the defence on

Danger Man... Diego Costa (R) scores his team’s sixth goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park in Liverpool, northwest England yesterday. Chelsea won 6-3. their heels, for Costa to stride on to and dispatch past Howard.

In doing so he became only the second Chelsea player to score in his first three Premier League appearances for the club after Adrian Mutu.

“The way we kept responding was excellent and something we did not have last year so that delights me more than anything,” Terry told Sky Sports.

“At times we have dropped

US Open: Its over for Kvitova

W

IMBLEDON champion Petra Kvitova was stunned in the third round of

the US Open by a scrambling, moon-balling qualifier ranked No 145.

Aleksandra Krunic, a 21-

points against the lesser sides and we have not done well here the last few years so to come here and get the win and the manner of the performance is great for the team.

“The belief has been there since day one. We have started

very well and it is important because the boys go away in the international break and it was important we got the win today and we got it brilliantly.

“Defensively we might get a bit of a telling off from the manager!”

year-old Serb who until this week had not taken even a set from a player in the top 30, crumpled to the court in celebration and shock on Saturday (local time) when she pulled off the 6-4 6-4 upset of the third-seeded Czech.

“Of course, I didn’t expect to win,” said Krunic, the second qualifier to pull off such a shocker after 121st-ranked Mirjana Lucic-Baroni beat No 2-seeded Simona Halep on Friday.

After a week of upsets on the women’s side, only three of the top eight seeds remain, No 1 Serena Williams, No. 5 Maria Sharapova and No 7 Eugenie Bouchard.

Kvitova, who would have ascended to the No 1 ranking if she won the US Open and Williams had lost before the quarterfinal, committed 34 unforced errors against the fastmoving Krunic, who slid and sometimes went into a gymnastics split to chase down every ball and make her opponent hit one more shot.

Kvitova too often failed to do so, including what should have been an easy putaway of a drop shot. But that went in the net and gave Krunic a point to win the first set. Kvitova

sprayed a backhand long on the next point to lose it.

Those problems continued in the second set, when Kvitova bashed a backhand long to give Krunic the break to go up 3-2. Kvitova then sailed a lob long to go down 4-2.

In an epic 27-stroke rally on match point, Krunic looped several towering shots before Kvitova sailed yet another forehand out to end it. Krunic faces the winner of the match between 16th-seeded Victoria Azarenka and Elena Vesnina.

There was no upset for 11thseeded Flavia Pennetta, who downed American wild-card Nicole Gibbs, 6-4 6-0.

The men’s side, meanwhile, remained largely true to form.

None of the top 10 and only two of the top 20 seeded men had lost entering Saturday.

Tenth-seeded Kei Nishikori continued that trend, advancing in straight sets against No. 23 Leonardo Mayer.

In other key matches Saturday, top-seeded Novak Djokovic faced American Sam Querrey, and fellow American John Isner, seeded 13th, sought to defeat No 22 Philipp Kohlschreiber, the man who has beaten him in the third round the last two years.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014, PAGE 53

Mourinho: I wanted Torres to stay C

HELSEA have confirmed that Spain international, Fernando Torres will join Milan on a two-season loan deal, which would take him to the end of the five-and-a-half year contract he signed with Chelsea in January 2011. This is just as coach Jose Mourinho declared that he wanted Torres to stay.

Torres, 30, has endured a rough time at Stamford Bridge since leaving Liverpool for £50m three-and-a-half years ago, scoring just 20 Premier League goals in 110 appearances.

And the signing of Diego Costa left the former Atletico Madrid striker third choice for Mourinho, with most feeling his time was up when Didier Drogba returned to the club at the age of 36.

Milan Channel claimed earlier on Friday that Torres had been granted permission by Chelsea to have a medical with the Rossoneri.

He will then be assessed by medics, before completing what is likely to be a two-year deal, with the option of a third.

The 30-year-old will be charged with leading the Milan forward line in place of Mario Balotelli,

X

•Torres and Willian who made a switch to Liverpool earlier this week. “Fernando didn’t speak with me,” Mourinho told a news conference at Chelsea’s Cobham

training ground south of London on Friday. “What we have clear, as a club, is that we need three strikers to face the season. He is one of them. I like him as a

Man United's poor run bother van Gaal

D

ESPITE the odd flash of invention from Di Maria, United looked flat against the Premier League newcomers, whose wealth and trophy collection are far inferior to the 20-time English champions.

“When you have two points (out of) nine that is not good enough and that is disappointing,” said Van Gaal, who also saw his team lose 4-0 to MK Dons on Tuesday in the Capital One Cup. “The progress is there, but you have to win, a club like Manchester United have to win.”

Robin van Persie had a shot cleared off the line in the second half, but David de Gea was by far the busiest of the two goalkeepers at Turf Moor.

The United goalkeeper was

called into action on two occasions after woeful errors from Jonny Evans and Antonio Valencia and David Jones also rattled the crossbar for the hosts in the third minute.

Coming four days after the humiliating result at League One opposition, Van Gaal was in a glum mood post-match at Turf Moor.

“At the moment it’s certainly not a world-class team, but we have to wait, and have belief that it will come,” Van Gaal added.

Much has been made of United’s defensive deficiencies over the past three weeks, but Van Gaal was unhappy with his strikers on Saturday.

“I think that in the first half we did the same thing as Burnley, we fought,” he said.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal has vowed to win the English Premier League next season, and then lift the UEFA Champions League as part of an ambitious three-year plan at Manchester United.

United suffered one of their most humiliating results in recent memory on Tuesday when they were thrashed 4-0 by MK Dons in the League Cup. For the supporters who made the long trip down to Buckinghamshire, the idea of soon participating in a Champions League final will probably seem like nothing but a pipe dream.

•Hard road to follow.. Van Gaal and Wayne Rooney.

person,” the Portuguese added.

“I like him as a player. So if he wants to leave, it’s something that he didn’t say to me until this moment.

“If he wants to leave, in case if he wants, it’s because he tries and wants to try a new life. A new club. Probably a new league.

“So if he wants to leave, which until this moment I have not one single word about it, I believe that it’s to try to be happier than he was in the last couple of years.

“This is a very human club in the way the club approaches this kind of situation. If he comes to us in these last couple of days, any possibility would be analysed by us as a club and the best decision for him.”

Mourinho will be forced to drop one foreign player from his squad after the deadline to meet Premier League regulations.

But a move for Torres will force Chelsea to respond in order to satisfy Mourinho’s desire to have three strikers at his disposal.

Its not all about Balotelli, Liverpool boss declares IVERPOOL boss Brendan L Rodgers has been impressed by the impact Mario Balotelli has

C M Y K

Real exit hard for Alonso

made in training with the Reds but is keen to stress that no individual is a bigger star than the team.

Maverick striker Balotelli is in contention to make his debut for the Merseyside outfit in today’s Barclays Premier League game at Tottenham following his move from AC Milan earlier last week.

Asked about the 24-year-old at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rodgers said: “He is fine. He has settled in very well and has looked fantastic in training. “He is a good lad. The focus is very much on his football

and he has done very well. He is moving to Merseyside. He is engrossing himself into the club and the people, but more importantly into his football. I look forward to seeing that development over the coming years.”

When Rodgers was then asked about the excitement among Liverpool fans at the Italy international’s arrival, the manager said: “This is not the Mario Balotelli show.

“He is a good player, a talented player. But he has got a lot of work to do here. We have a number of top-class players and the star of this team will always be the team.”

ABI Alonso said choosing to leave Real Madrid for Bayern Munich was the toughest decision of his life. The former Spain midfielder, who announced his international retirement earlier this week, has also now called time on his five years at the Bernabeu to join German giants Bayern.

Alonso underwent his medical with Bayern on Thursday and agreed a two-year contract at the Allianz Arena, with the deal being completed on Friday morning. The 32-year-old then held a farewell press conference at the Bernabeu where he admitted it was not an easy decision to leave the European champions. The former Liverpool player, who has seen competition for a midfield berth at Madrid this summer increase with the signings of Toni Kroos - from Bayern - and James Rodriguez, said: “It’s a sad day on one hand because I’m ending a marvellous spell which I’ve enjoyed a lot. It’s been five great years. Now a new cycle is starting and it’s been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ve thought long and hard about it.

“I wanted to be honest with myself and Real Madrid. You need to know when to say goodbye and this was the best time. I will always be part of the Madrid family.”

This decision has been well thought out and evaluated.

After winning ‘la decima’ I felt that I needed to make a fresh start. As well as giving his thanks to the Spanish giants, Alonso explained why his next step is going to be with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern. Alonso also insisted the arrival of fellow holding midfielder Kroos at the Bernabeu had no impact on his decision-making.

“It’s not because he (Kroos) arrived,”the2010FIFAWorldCup winner said. “Madrid have made a great signing. The two of us would have played a lot. This is not a tantrum. This decision has been well thought out and evaluated. It was quite a recent interest (from Bayern), in the last two weeks. After winning ‘la decima’ (Real’s tenth European Cup) I felt that I needed to make a fresh start.

•Xabi

PAGE 54—SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014

Our athletes have done well—Nesiama

Breasting the Tape... Jamaica’s Veronica Campbell-Brown (C), Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare (L) and Kerron Stewart crosses the finish line to win the women’s 100m final at the Diamond League Athletics meeting Weltklasse on August 28. CampbellBrown won the race in 11.04 seconds. AFP.

BY BEN EFE

A

THLETICS Federation of Nigeria technical director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama in reviewing the performances of Nigerian athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, the African Championships in Marrakesh, Morocco and the World Junior Championships in Eugene Oregon, USA declared that the country’s runners did well in face of the prevailing circumstances.

At the Commonwealth Games, Blessing Okagbare, Ese Brume, the women 4x400m relay quartet were gold medal winners, while in Morocco, Nigeria surrendered its number one position to South Africa. He stated that the technical committee intends to review the performances of all the athletes with a view of taking appropriate measures to improve on their showings.

“We intend to review the performances of each of the athletes. And these include the foreign and home-based and thereafter decide on the next course of action and future strategy to adopt.

“We are expected to work together as a team which is what we are determined to encourage.

It is by so doing that we can assure performance as desired.

“Everyone should therefore give these athletes sometime and make them comfortable to perform. They are not super humans; every athlete requires some form of support and encouragement to perform. So many criticisms will not help them and the situation.

Commenting on the insinuations in some quarters that most of the American athletes recruited by the AFN, was done with the sole purpose of making them run for Delta State, Commodore Nesiama said:

“I don’t see how Chief Solomon Ogba would have recruited these athletes for Delta State for the Festival. These new athletes were not reflected under any states during the trials.

“Besides, it is not the AFN’s responsibility to recruit athletes for states.” He argued however, that

the opening of theNational Sports Festival will speed up development of talents.

“It is my personal opinion that the opening of the festival would assist the development of the sport as the area of talent identification and support of performing athletes would now be a healthy

collaboration between the AFN and the states. Thus reasonable pressure could be taken off the AFN in this area. Every state is therefore free and encouraged to identify and develop athletes as deemed necessary. We in AFN will continue to remain as objective as required to move the sport forward.”

AWC can derail Women league, Tahir warns NFF

BY EDDIE AKALONU

T

ARABA Queens chairman, Mustafa Tahir has warned the Nigeria Football Federation and the women league board not to allow the forth coming African Women Championship to derail the national League.

This is just as he lauded the national U-20 women team for making Nigeria proud at the FIFA World Cup in Canada, saying, “Falconets impressed me with their outstanding performance. Despite losing the cup to Germany, the girls were marvelous and they gave their best.”

While he welcomed the Super Falcons list issued by Edwin Okon for the up-coming AWC in Namibia, the club chairman enjoined the Women Football League board and the NFF not to allow the female league dip with the series of postpone d matches.

Already, the league is five games behind due to postponements at the instance of one of the teams.

“We are not against players going to honor national assignments.

“They must note that the league is five games behind as the U-20 team was on in Canada. Clubs signed players to play competitions but when the league is put on hold because of one club, it really does not show we are moving forward.”

Asked if he has a preview of the list issued by NFF for the AWC,

Tahir said no! “Though I have not seen the team list, I hope there is a balance of players invited to camp and that it is not tilted towards one club such that we are not going to deep into more postponement of matches. I would like the authorities to keep this in mind to avoid clubs incurring costs for not playing the league as scheduled. It is my hope they are mindful of how it would impact on clubs if more players are again picked from one particular club again for the Super Falcons.

Since we are running behind the schedule of matches, the authorities

must also map out a plan that ensures that we play our games with a view to ending the league on time,” Tahir stated.

Players such as striker, , Adisat Oshoala, who won MVP award in Canada, Uchechi Sunday, Ugo Njoku Loveth Ayila., Mariam Ibrahim, Uchechi Sunday, who featured prominently for the U20 team in Canada all wear the Rivers Angels colour to which Mustafa Tahir refers to. Incidentally these set of players have been again called up to the Super Falcons camp by coach Okon.

Total Contest... African women championship action between Nigeria’s Ebere Orji and South Africa’s Simphiwe Dludlu.

Stoke shock Man City Continued from back page move and, finding himself free on goal, slotted past the unfortunate Joe Hart to give the Potters a shock 1-0 lead.

Visiting teams don’t win at the Etihad. Especially not visiting teams like Stoke City. But Manchester City’s first loss of the season does indeed come at home, and it does indeed come at the hands of former boss Mark Hughes and his rather industrious side. It’s a shock result for the defending champions, who only lost one Premier League match on home turf last season, and it means a very early shakeup in the title race.

Stoke, as expected, put up fairly stiff resistance in the first half, flying into tackles and looking to pick off their hosts on the counterattack. And the Potters might have considered themselves unlucky not to go into halftime with the lead — they were denied what looked like a clear-cut penalty after Aleksandar Kolarov felled Diouf.

And Diouf might have doubled their advantage just seconds later — halftime substitute Osaze’s cross barely escaped the striker in the six-yard box after Martín Demichelis lost his run. But Osaze was stretchered off after that move.

Referee Lee Mason, who booked Touré for getting kicked

by Marc Muniesa in the 87th minute when a penalty looked more likely.

Sports-city Boxers’ Hostel: Okonta hails Gen. Minima

F

ORMER chairman of the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Federation, NABA, Chief Frank Okonta, has commended the leadership style of current president of the federation, General Ken Minima who has ensured that the abandoned boxing hostel block in the National Stadium, Lagos is completed. The project, comprising a gym,a hostel and an office block was abandoned following the death of the initiator of the complex, Group Captain Brai Ayonote in 1991.

Okonta said, “This is good news and it is my hope too that the National Sports Commission adds to this laudable gesture by equipping the gym with standard training equipment. It is my hope that the facilities would help restore boxing to its old glory. I like to commend General Minima for what he has done to that facility because boxing now has it’s own home.

Let me however, task him to ensure that boxers have competitions, good training and good coaching which must be supported by a functional technical committee. Remember that in those days boxing drew more crowd than football. So, if the General can pay attention to developing the sport and not concentrate on competitions alone, we will be there in no distant future,” he said.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, AUGUST 31, 2014 —PAGE 55

Uche itching to score against Barca B

ARCELONA are hoping to consolidate on their fine start to the Spanish League when they visit Villarreal today. But Villarreal hit man Uche Ikechukwu is optimistic of scoring his first goal against Barcelona and also take all three points at Estadio Madrigal.

Uche who scored in their first league match against Levante, stated that it was important Villarreal maintain their winning streak.

“We started off with a win away to Levante but against Barcelona at home we know we have to work twice as much as we did against Levante if we are to earn a result,” he told Inside La Liga.

Uche is chasing a personal record of scoring in four consecutive games and his last week goal against Levante was the first time he scored in an opening La Liga game.

Uche was last season’s top Firing Range... Osasuna’s Cristian Lobato Villegas and Villarreal’s Ikechukwu Uche in acscorer for Villarreal with 14 tion during their La Liga match on February 3, 2014. Uche wants to lift Villarreal against Barcelona. goals.

Meanwhile Barcelona midof Napoli and Galatasaray. fielder Andres Iniesta, nursThe Cameroon international, ing a knee injury, will miss who can also play at centrethe clash.

EST Ham have loaned matches and winning the title back, is delighted to be “Iniesta will miss tomorrow’s returning to London with the former Arsenal in 2012/13. game against Villarreal with Clubs throughout Europe Hammers and cannot wait to midfielder Alex Song from an injury to his left knee,” Barcelona on a season-long were put on alert when it face the challenge of Premier Barcelona said in a state- loan. emerged Song would be League football again. ment.

Song said: “I’m very happy Song, 26, has spent the last allowed to leave Barcelona Neymar, who missed the two seasons at the Nou Camp with West Ham having won the to be here and very happy to opening day victory at home following his £15million move race to take him to Upton Park see the guys and the fans to Elchethrough an ankle in- from Arsenal in the summer of on a temporary basis despite today and to start to do my job 2012, playing 39 La Liga reported interest from the likes for West Ham United. jury, has been passed fit.

“I am hoping that the team begins to settle which is something that will happen with games,” Luis Enrique, who is starting his first season as Barca coach, told a news conORMER Nigerian internaference on Saturday.

“He just told me to give my best West Brom have struggled for tional, Nwankwo Kanu has in every game and try to get my fluency this season as they “We are looking sharp after a week where we have trained been giving up and coming head down and listen to what the embark on a new era under Irvine, well. We know our rival (Vil- striker, Brown Ideye tips on how manager has to say and what my the manager who replaced the to succeed at West Brom. fellow players are telling me, so I short-lived Pepe Mel. larreal) well and they are a Kanu made a tremendous pray for the best.”

They drew their first game 2-2 strong team in the league. impact with the club and Ideye Ideye almost opened his account with Sunderland before last They had a good preseason in who signed on from Dynamo Kiev, for his new club at St Mary’s last week’s draw with the Saints. terms of performance and re- is wishing to following in the week, only to be denied by Fraser And they only scraped past sults. footsteps of the former Super Forster’s excellent save. He said: League Two side Oxford United “The game will not be easy Eagles captain.

“It would have been good for me in the Capital One Cup in “I spoke with Kanu once or to score because I have always midweek, eventually winning for us but we are prepared and scored on my debut at each club.” through 7-6 on penalties. at the moment each match is twice,” said Ideye.

“He just told me to be myself and a test for us. All teams with a new coach need time to adapt try to do my best on the pitch and he told me to score goals, so but that is something that I am hopefully the fans and the club not asking for.” would be behind me.

Hammers sign on Song

W

Kanu lectures Ideye on Brom survival F

Nations Cup: Cote ‘d Ivoire risk disqualification

T

HE Elephants of Cote ‘d Ivoire will be disqualified from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations if they forfeit their qualifier against Sierra Leone because of fears over Ebola.

The Ivorian government will not allow the match, which is scheduled for 6 September in Abidjan, to go ahead.

Ivory Coast said their options are “to relocate the game or forfeit”.

But a Confederation of African Football spokesman told BBC Sport: “If a country forfeits one qualifier, they will

be disqualified from the championship.”

Sierra Leone is one of six nations with cases of Ebola and the Ivorian government is concerned the deadly virus could be brought into the country.

In an attempt to minimise any risk, Sierra Leone have named a squad of players based outside the country.

Caf had said on Thursday that as far it is was concerned the game would be played in Abidjan as scheduled.

•Fighting for Survival... Brown Ideye working to make a strong impact at West Brom

AWC: Mabo challenges Falcons coach to get team ready

BY EDDIE AKALONU

F

ORMER Super Falcons handler, Ismaila Mabo, has tasked Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon to get his team well prepared for the African Women Championship holding in Namibia in October. He said that having a good team will be the best instrument to reclaiming the title last won

by Equatorial Guinea in 2012.

Coach Okon last week released his list of players for the AWC. Speaking with Sports Vanguard, Mabo, who handled the Falcons to the Women World Cup in USA’99 and two women Olympic tournaments- Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 enjoined Okon never to take things for granted. Mabo argued that: “Nigeria’s failure to build on gains made by women football, had allowed other African nations to draw level.

In the past, we ruled Africa.

We knew ahead of time that we would defeat fellow African countries. It is no longer the same now because while we failed to lay a good foundation for developing women football, other African countries who had problems in the male category swiftly turned attention to women football.

Nigeria, winners in six editions is in group- A with the Ivory Coast which eliminated current holders Equatorial Guinea during the qualifiers, Zambia and hosts, Namibia, while group- B consists of South Africa, Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana. Both South Africa and Ghana displayed earlier signs they had caught up with Nigerian with Ghana Black Queens inflicting the first defeat 2-0 on the Super Falcons in 2002 in Nigeria.

Mabo congratulated the Falconets for the second place finish in the under-20 World Cup in Canada, saying “I am not looking at the the defeat by Germany in the final but the competition campaign as a whole. It is a mark of progress for the country because the team exhibited very high standards, skills and the knowledge that a coach with focus had handled them . To me, this performance should be an inspiration to the Falcons to go to Namibia and reclaim the crown.

SUNDAY Vanguard, AUGUST 31, 2014

path of Yaya Toure, but Stoke keeper, Asmir Begovic made a flying save and the resultant corner earned Stoke a fast counterattack. The ball popped out to Mame Biram Diouf and he sprinted up the pitch, outdid Fernandinho with a clever Continues on page 54

Stoke shock Man City •Moses, Osaze shine

N

IGERIAN duo Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Victor Moses played a major role in Stoke City’s 1-0 defeat

of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium yesterday.

Moses troubled City’s defence even as the hosts piled pressure on their visitors. A clearance by Moses land in the

NFF CRISIS: Danagogo denies fueling fued

•’I’m not involved in Maigari’s arrest’

BY BEN EFE

A

S the threat by FIFA to ban Nigeria by Monday September 1, hit hard on Nigerian sports officials, the Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo has denied any involvement in the Nigeria Football Federation flutter, which has thrown up two factions.

Mr. Chris Giwa emerged as president of the NFF last Thursday, but another group largely consisting of stakeholders sympathetic to former president Aminu Maigari distanced themselves from that election. The world soccer governing body on Friday, threw the spanner in the works for Giwa. Dr. Danagogo, had endorsed his election.

However, a statement released yesterday by the National Sports Commission absolved the Minister of any blame in the unfolding fiasco. “ The NSC wants to state that it is not unaware of the crisis bedeviling football administration in Nigeria and is assuring all football stakeholders that the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr. Tammy Danagogo is doing everything to ensure that peace returns to the NFF. According the to the statement, The NSC is still studying the situation and “at the appropriate time we will say something about it in order for our football to move forward.”

“Already the Minister has started calling the parties involved in

CRACKER... Stoke City’s Nigerian forward Victor Moses (C) vies with Manchester City’s Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (R) and Manchester City’s French midfielder Samir Nasri (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Stoke City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. the dispute to know their grievances and find a way out of the crisis because it is not healthy for the development of our football.”

The NSC also denied that it orchestrated the arrest of Maigari.

“The National Sports Commission wishes to put the record straight

Ebola causes sporting chaos

T

HE widening Ebola virus crisis has caused sporting chaos with Sierra Leone having to field all players from outside the country in the African Cup of Nations to avoid a growing quarantine.

Many African governments have sought a shield aound Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia which have been the worst hit countries, accounting for nearly all the 1,552 reported dead so far.

And as the UN’s World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that up to 20,000 cases of the uncurable virus could be reported, more restrictions are expected ahead of the Nations Cup finals in Morocco

from January 17.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered Sierra Leone and Guinea to play their Nations Cup qualifying games on neutral territory.

CAF experts and the WHO warned “to avoid huge gatherings of people that could facilitate the spread of the Ebola virus,” CAF media director Junior Binyam told AFP. Binyam insisted that no qualifying game was under threat. The games are becoming increasingly difficult to organise however.

Sierra Leone has a doubt over their first Group D game against Ivory Coast scheduled for September 6.

TODAY’S MATCHES Aston Villa Tottenham Leicester

v v v

Hull Liverpool Arsenal

1:30 pm 1:30 pm 4:00 pm

on the reason for the arrest of former president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari last Tuesday in Abuja by men of the Directorate of State Security Services, DSS. “Maigari,, was picked up by men of the DSS in Abuja shortly before the Congress of the NFF and some Nigerians insinuated that he was arrested to prevent him from presiding over the Congress.

“It is however, on record that the former Acting President of the NFF, Mike Umeh had, immediately after the fire outbreak which razed part of the NFF secretariat in Abuja, said he suspected sab-

tigate the fire incident and interrogate some suspects based on the report of officials of the NFF and therefore had nothing to do with the NSC as is being erroneously insinuated.”

otage by “some people who are desperate to perpetuate themselves in power and called on the police to investigate the incident.”

The arrest of Maigari and some other officials of the NFF by the DSS is part of its routine to inves-

RESULTS Burnley Man City Newcastle QPR Sweansea West Ham Everton

0 0 3 2 3 1 3

Man Utd Stoke C/Palace Sunderland West Brom Southampton Chelsea

0 1 3 0 0 3 6

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS DOWN 1.Taraba capital (7) 1. Incarcerates (5) 4.Exchanges (5) 2. Nothing (3) 6.Crest (5) 3. Command (5) 7.Speared (7) 4. Cue (5) 9.Fashion (5) 5. Vapour (5) 10.Weird (5) 8. Dog (3) 11.Donor (5) 12. Nigerian state (6) 13.Domain (5) 14. Ovum (3) 17.Crestfallen (3) 15. Connected (6) 19.Face (8) 16. Cooked (6) 20.Pianos (6) 17. Glare (5) 21.Much (6) 18. Ill-fated (6) 23.Stayed (8) 22. Maiden name (3) 24.Frozen water (3) 25. Revise accounts 25.Snake (5) (5) 27.Own up (5) 26. Staggers (5) 30. Arise (5) 27. Old fable writer (5) 31. Evade (5) 28. Child (3) 32. Dotted (7) 29. Gave in (5) 34. Lariat (5) 33. Benin chieftain (3) 35. Moves like a horse (5) 36.Sowed (7)

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