AfricaWorld Newspaper 16 - 31 August 2015

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NNAMDI AZIKIWE: YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW 2015 AfricaWorld Pan - African Lecture loading ...

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Lecturer will be - Vincent Arisukwu

Opinion

02 |August 16-31- 2015

THE STORY OF SOTONYE: A TRUE STORY. Caveat: This is more like a compendium, although lengthy but worth reading if you have the luxury of time. This is a true story, no fiction, not a figment of my imagination.

bari-Ijaws. Although, some Bayelsans also go with the name ’Sotonye’, however a good percentage of Sotonyes’ are Rivers-Ijaws. Therefore, the “Sotonye” in this text is a Homo sapient, not an ungulate When i contemplated or an orangutan; just the need to ejacufor the record. Solate this thought, one tonye is a Nigerian thing that comes to and on a normal day, mind, is the heading. Sotonye can be a He The heading of this or a She. narrative speaks volume simply because; I still vividly can rei just love the name member my first ‘Epof my character (So- idemiology” lecture in tonye), one of my my Postgraduate days kids (when they arhere in the UK. As rive GOD willing) will common with the lecbe named “Sotonye” turers, every first lectoo. This is how much ture/class would start i like the name. Plus, with everyone intromy little princess and ducing themselves. niece (‘Popi-bae-bae’ The introduction al(Soty Bae-Bae) as i ways takes the fashcall her often) also ion of; telling us what currently bears the you studied in your name “Sotonye”. So, first Degree, where those who know me you’ve worked, what may be quick to con- you were doing before clude that i am refer- coming here, why you ring to my little Niece. chose to pursue a caNope, in this context, reer in Public Health, i am not. The “Sotwhat you intend to onye” i am referring achieve at the end of to is a ‘Britico-Nigeri- this course etc. But, an here in the United the most important Kingdom. Meanwhile, item on the introduc“Britico” in local par- tion list is: “Where lance connotes “Brits, you come from” British or a Briton”.

(Country of Origin).

But before this time, GOD’s decision, i had earlier spotted GOD’s desire, GOD’s and even exchanged wish, GOD’s statebanters with some ment, GOD’s fi‘core’ Nigerian villagnal-word, etc. These ers like me. Notwithare few of the many standing, i was able meanings of “SOTO- to mix-freely amongst NYE” in the Ijo (Ijaw) them simply because i tribe. For those who have been around this may not know, ‘Sot- city and i am someonye’ is a Rivers-Ijaw how familiar with this name, predominantly University environment amongst the Okribefore we commenced ka-Ijaws, Opobo-Ijaws, our course. So, whilst some of them were Bonny-Ijaws, Abualike “JJC’s” (newcomIjaws, Engenni-Ijaws, Andoni-Ijaws, Nkoro- ers), to them i am a ‘landlord’… smiles.

Ijaws and the Kala-

As the introduction commenced. Some intimidating personalities reeled out their dossiers of degrees, work experience and the number of years put in. My class (mostly a class of MD’s (Medical Doctors)), is made up of some who have put in 18years in the medical practice as G.P’s, some (as Young as i am or even Younger) have put in as much as 8-10years as G.P’s, as Nurses, as Midwifes etc. 95% of the White-Briticos, white-Americanos and other white-westerners in my class never mentioned their Countries, rather they said; I am from California, i am from Chicago, i am from London, i am from Derby, i am from Kent, i am from Newcastle, i am from Lolworth etc. This went on until it got to the turn of the ‘local-village-Nigerians’ like me. Suddenly 99% of my ‘Naija’ classmates and course-mates introduced themselves as; my name is this this this, that that that, i am from London. The other followed i am from Canada, the next said she’s from Sunderland etc. Oops! Immediately, i felt a whoosh of adrenalin and my heart quickly jumped into my throat. The hairs on the back of my neck bristled, my body tensed. I was so disgusted and dumbfounded. I lost grip of my vocal cords, so i did not know when i screamed “Tamuno eeeh” (meaning ‘oh my GOD’ in Kalabari-Ijo language), then i ran into a qua-

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si-coma phase.

Whilst i was still in the quasi-coma state of bewilderment, behold it got to my turn to introduce myself.

Before then, i had asked myself in pidgin as thus: “Guy, this one wey you no be lawyer, you no be ‘likita’ (Hausa way of saying Doctor), you no be Engineer, you no be tailor, you no be politrician or politician etc, na weytin you wan tell them say you be sef? Though i was still in shock but i managed to quickly remember the words of Late Obafemi Awolowo’s saying that; “He is first a Yoruba man before being a Nigerian”.

In like manner, i just told them, “I am from KRAKRAMA”. Guess what the reaction was? Everyone busted into laughter and the Nigerian emergency-Londoners felt i should have followed their lead by lying about my identity like them. Well, I did not lie, i am a KRAKRAMARIAN. Now the discussion continued and our lecturer (DR.Leon) was so interested in knowing what part of the world KRAKRAMA is on the world map, she’d also asked what language (my dialect) Krakramarians speak etc.

Then i seized the opportunity to educate them. I told them KRAKRAMA is a forgotten and betrayed town in Rivers State of Nigeria and that we speak the Kalabari-Ijo language. This served as a pacifier and gave respite to my Nigerian paddyman (Moh’d) who was sitting right next to me. Moh’d is from Kogi State of Nigeria and he followed

my pattern of saying he is from Lokoja Town. Then Dr.Leon asked Moh’d again, please where is Lokoja Town? His explanation shocked everyone and i felt elated once again as a Village-Nigerian in the United Kingdom after he further educated Dr.Leon. Here are few of his reply: “I am a European-trained Medical Doctor, i am from Lokoja town. Lokoja town is the capital city of Kogi State of Nigeria just like London is the capital of England”. This opened another round of debate and made the class so exciting that day. Funny enough, we couldn’t continue the Epidemiology class because of time. To the average Briton or American, his or her place of birth is where he or she comes from unlike what we have in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, whilst the camaraderie was going on in the class, my hippocampus and the broadman areas of thought in my brain raced to my Akwa-Ibom friend who lives in Maiduguri. My friend whose name is pronounced in Ibibio as “Uruak’ but in written form, it is “Uduak”. Uruak (Uduak) was born and bred in Maiduguri the capital of Borno State but she’s not from Maiduguri or Borno State. She is way above thirty (30years), but whenever she’s filling out forms and the ‘nonsense’ State of Origin line comes up, she’d quickly put ‘Akwa-Ibom State” on there. Truth is, Uruak (Uduak) knows nothing about Akwa-Ibom State compared to the way she’s conver-

Opinion

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sant with Borno State.

She has only been in Akwa-Ibom just three times last time i checked, she has lived all her life in Maiduguri. She speaks Hausa more than fluently, she writes Hausa without making mistakes, she speaks Kanuri, Bura, Barbur, Marghi, and almost all the local languages in Borno State and nearby Adamawa State, yet she’s not from Borno State. Now, should i blame Uruak (Uduak) for not claiming Borno as her State of origin?

My friend, Abdullahi Lawan was one of the Prefects in our Secondary School days in Port Harcourt.

Abdul as we fondly call him was born at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt town area those years. Abdul’s Dad and his wives all happily lived on Victoria Street of Port Harcourt. I have been friends with Abdul from Childhood, we were at I.B Johnson Street (a stone-throw from Victoria Street).

Though we did not attend the same Primary School, but fortunate for us, we found ourselves in the same Secondary School around the Borikiri axis of Port Harcourt town. In spite of the fact Abdul is a Port Harcourt boy, he has never claimed to come from Rivers State. Though Abdul knows everything in Rivers State (even more than some of us), he will always tell us he is from “Bauchi State”. Mind you, Abdul speaks and understands Kalabari and Okrika. I guess his Dad, Alhaji Lawan must have sold this reality to his dear Son

that he is not a Rivers man. As we speak, today Abdul (well over 30years of age) is happily married to Amina with two lovely kids and still lives in Port Harcourt but he is not a Rivers man.

Would you blame Abdul for not claiming Rivers State?

Three to four years ago, i met a Young chap (Okorie) on a bus in London. For some reason, we exchanged banters and started a chit-chat, we exchanged numbers before i alighted at Stratford. As luck would have it, this Young man lives in the same city i live in, so it made life a lot easier for us to hook-up at intervals.

I was shocked when he told me where he was delivered. This paddy man of mine speaks Ikwerre like crazy, in fact, he has infected me with one of the Ikwerre exclamations “Chineke le”.

Today, i unconsciously exclaim “Chineke le” when in shock. Okorie was put to bed at ‘Ogbunu-Abali’ a small Ikwerre-dominated town in Port Harcourt. Yet Okorie would always tell you he is from Umuahia, the capital of Abia State. Okorie’s parents were also born in Rivers State, today they have contributed largely to the economy of Rivers State based on their line of business, but they still say they’re not from Rivers State. Okorie who is also married today and moved down here just few years ago would tell everyone he is from Umuahia, the capital city of Abia State, not Ogbunu-Abali in the Port Harcourt City Local Government

Area of Rivers State.

Do you think Okorie is unwise not to have claimed Rivers State as his State of origin?

Now this quickly brings me to yet another nonsensical issue bedeviling this Country’s growth and unity; “Catchment area and Quota system”. Few years ago i met with some corpers who were serving in Oyo State. After their service year, they decided to apply for a job in one Federal Government Research Institute in Ibadan. I met these gentlemen on the bus when i visited Ogbomosho, they had come to Ogbomosho for a programme. The corpers (Ugochukwu, Olakunle, Belema, Shugaba, Garba) all served in Oyo State.

Amongst them, only Garba whose degree is not relevant to the Research Institute was given the job simply because; he is from the catchment area and the earmarked Quota for his State of Origin (Gombe State) is yet to be filled-up.

Garba, though very smart and articulate but he read ‘Library Science’ unlike the rest of his colleagues who all had Science Research-based degrees. Although they are all happy for him, but it beats me that one can gain employment simply because of his catchment area over others even when there is enough room to employ all of them? Who should be blamed for this, please?

Still moving on. Need i say more about the relationship of Bayelsa State and Rivers State. Bayelsa State was carved out from

August 16-31- 2015| 03

Rivers State, today Bayelsans contribute 50-60% of the economy of Rivers State.

(Emphasis mine). The best indigenous lecturers in the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) that i know were Bayelsans. The University (RSUST) was established by a Bayelsan (HRM King Alfred Diete-Spiff), the funds came from Bayelsa and Rivers. So I was overly discomfited, shocked and disgusted when a former Governor of Rivers State said Bayelsans in the RSUST should pay ‘non-indigene’ fees different from what Rivers Students pay. That was the most repulsive and pungent news i still haven’t been able to comprehend till date.

To my mind, if there’s any State that should benefit more from the University (RSUST), it should be Bayelsa State, although their Government too should also contribute to the funding of the institution. As if this is not enough, few years ago i met with some insecure Bayelsa Young men who had cerebral malaise (that is, they were intellectually lazy and ignorant), as a result, they were quick to feel uncomfortable with non-Bayelsans in their midst. In fact, one of them openly said to me; “Nengi (though mine is Nangi), concentrate on your Rivers politics and leave our Bayelsa alone”. Funny enough this Young chap is from Delta State unlike me that still has my Nembe route, so i laughed at him. Notwithstanding, i would not blame that Young man for his cerebral laziness (my coinage

of cerebral malaise) because this has been the trend right from time immemorial in this Country.

Before i get to my major character (Sotonye), too often i have heard most Nigerians in the diaspora expressing their fear of relocating back to Nigeria. Their fear is mainly on the seeming bleak and blank future of the Country giving our current attitude to development.

Some of them who are world-class professionals fear that they may not secure their dream job in Nigeria because they’re not connected politically and they may not fall within the catchment area for their dream job. I have heard of cases where Nigerian Scientists in the diaspora offered to lend their expertise back home and gets frustrated in the end. Indeed this is the quagmire most Nigerians in the diaspora face, but i call it “the fear of the unknown”.

This brings me to a Young man who according to my Ghanaian friend (Charlie), is ‘ebony black’ fine boy. Meanwhile, i work in a firm in the UK where i had to sit on a wooden chair in front of an old computer to sort out some challenges for clients who may need help. Better put, i do some part-time job here. So i have been noticing this newbie Youngster full of life, according to ‘Charle’ my Ghanaian friend, “Ebony black fine boy”. My first guess was, he is either Ghanaian or a Jamo (a Jamaican), but i was so wrong. I cannot but notice this Young

Opinion / News

04 |August 16-31- 2015

should start by telling him about the Lagos he so love and revers or that there is xenophobia attacks in Lagos and across the Country. I was confused whether to remind him that even the Oba of Lagos do not see non-Yorubas like his parents as Lagosians even though they had lived there all their lives. I do not know whether to educate him that in Nigeria, where you were born and bred is not necessarily where you are from and that you do not have any right whatsoever to benefit anything from the Government of the place of your birth. Like Abdullahi, like Okorie, like Uruak (Uduak), like any other Nigerian? I do not know how to break the news to Sotonye As fate would have that he is not from it, one day this ‘ebLagos State, but ony black’ Young Rivers State and that chap walked up to Sotonye is a 24yearthe Government of my table for help. He old Young research Lagos State of Nigeria gave me his details Student (a PhD Doclike every other State in his British accent, toral Researcher) in Government in Nigebut before then he one of those wowing ria would alienate him had said ‘hello mate”. fields. He has only and his good ideas.

At this point, i beObviously i know he been to Lagos six I am in a fix on how came confused and is not my mate, but times since he was to tell Sotonye that was lost for words. this is the British born, he had travhe should not think style of establishelled three times this My mouth was wide what happens in his open whilst i keening friendliness when year to Lagos and saner clime (the Unitexchanging pleasonce every year since ly listened to him.

As he was explaining ed Kingdom) is same anteries. In Britain, he turned 20. My his passion for Nige- with all other climes your grandfather is aproko nature (my (like Nigeria), sincereyour ‘mate’ in terms curious nature) would ria, especially Lagos of greeting. So, i did not let me keep qui- State, internally i was ly, i am confused. battling with my emo- How do i tell Sotonye not pick offence at et so i asked him that he would be frustion, i didn’t know his ‘hello mate” even again “are you sure trated out of Lagos how to break the though we are not you are ‘originally’ State in the end? news to him about mates. So, on seeing from Lagos” of Nihis particulars i was geria? Guess what he Nigeria. Whether i chap because he is always using the library, half the time i have seen him, he is in the library studying. I knew he was a ‘Britico’, but i kept wondering why he will be studying that hard. Ehen! (meaning wait a minute), there is this phrase in the UK i have noticed to be frequent amongst non-white Britons whenever they try to introduce themselves to you. That word is “Originally i am from”. For instance, if you meet a Ghanaian-Briton, he or she would say thus; I am from Manchester, but ‘originally i am from Ghana’. This ‘originally’ is almost becoming a hackneyed phrase amongst the nonwhite Brits here.

dazed, petrified, disorganised and in disbelief but i still struggled to ask him to pronounce his name if perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on my mind. Then again In his British accent, he said my name is “Sotonye” something something “J”. I knew all his names (including his last name) were Ijo (Ijaw) names, i am 99.99% sure he is from Rivers State.

So i went on to ask him where he is from?

As usual he said, he is from London but he further broke my heart by saying he is ‘originally from Lagos-Nigeria’. At this time my neck could not carry my head again, i started developing pink disease, i was in shock. My bulky eyes turned red, i was ready to break the sky.

did? He laughed and brought out his Nigerian passport and showed me, behold his State of Origin is Lagos State. OMG! i screamed uncontrollably, i melted that moment and i became furious and agitated.

Now i felt like strangulating Sotonye for being ‘brainwashed and not being a ‘true Nigerian’ but deluding himself. Sotonye’s parents were both born in Lagos, they both did Queens College and Kings College in Lagos together before jetting out to far away England where they got married and brought forth Sotonye and his siblings, but ‘originally’ (as the Briticos would say), they are both fullfledged Rivers people.

As we continued our conversation, Sotonye killed me by exposing why he had to visit Lagos three times this year and what he intends to use his Research to do in Lagos State.

HOW IVORY COAST, NIGERIA EMBARRASSED MUGABE ZIMBABWE President Robert Mugabe tenure as Southern African Development Community (Sadc) rotating chair comes to an end on Monday, but his

leadership has hardly been plain sailing, let alone remarkable.

Hopes by his inner circle and admirers that he would have a

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Do not get me twisted, i know Sotonye’s mindset should be the mindset of every well-meaning Nigerian.

But would you blame me when the system itself is conscious of “Catchment area, State of Origin, Tribe, Religion, political party affiliation” etc before gaining admission into the University, before getting a job or even being allowed to have a word with anyone in power? Would you say i am wrong? Should i choose to educate Sotonye on the realities on ground in Nigeria? Would you call me an unpatriotic Nigerian if i choose to arm Sotonye with the ‘hard truth’ so that he does not fall prey and get frustrated in the end? Also, would i not be causing more harm than good to Sotonye if i choose not to educate him on the reality about Nigeria? Please advise me, i am in dire straits and i feel terribly bad whenever i see this Young man dedicating his life to what he is researching on, only to be disappointed tomorrow because he is an alien in his chosen State of origin in Nigeria. Your advice will do. …To be Continued.

I am,

and the younger crop denied entry into the Ivory Coast where of African leaders. he was supposed to officiate at an African The most striking rebuff of Mugabe (91) Development Bank dramatic tenure and occurred when he (AfDB) meeting’s leave a lasting legacy went to West Africlosing ceremony. on the continent were ca in May to attend largely dashed beMugabe left Nigeria a Nigerian President cause of the age gap Muhammadu Buhari’s bitter man, after he and contrasting view- inauguration in Abuwas not only stripped points between him of his security proja, only to be later

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tection leaving him vulnerable to pressure and harassment by the country’s journalists, but was also denied salutation as an elderly African statesman and current African Union (AU) chairperson.

Despite being harassed by journalists, government officials say Mugabe was particularly angered by what he perceived as political and diplomatic hostility towards him

by Nigerians. He believed the hosts were “ignoring, overlooking or deliberately refusing” to recognise him as the AU chairperson.

Taking matters up with Buhari He was so angry that he stormed out of Nigeria to nearby Equatorial Guinea, where he was accommodated by his good friend Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

dress the meeting during the official opening ceremony, but failed to do so because he was attending Buhari’s inauguration. While in Nigeria officials from the bank asked him to make a statement at the closing ceremony instead.

BACK TO BASICS

have any influence in conflict zones such as South Sudan, the Central Africa Republic and Nigeria where Boko Haram insurgents continue carrying out bloody attacks.

His reign started on a bad note with South African President JaMugabe said Ivory cob Zuma and then Coast officials commu- Al-Bashir has been Namibian President nicated that President a polarising figure Hifikepunye Pohamba Alassane Ouattara in Africa. In 2012, refusing to sign the was ill and in bed and then Malawi president Protocol on Trade in could therefore not Joyce Banda barred Service despite Mughost him or allow his al-Bashir from attend- abe putting pressure aircraft to land. Mug- ing the AU summit in on them during a abe however believes her country resulting closed door meeting Ouattara was influin the summit being of a summit in Victoenced by France. moved to Ethiopia. ria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Mugabe failed in his bid to influence African countries to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), moreso after attempts by South African civil society organisations to have Sudan President Omar al-Bashir arrested and handed over to the ICC while he was attending an AU summit in South Africa in June.

Mugabe engaged Buhari over the matter when they met at the AU summit in South Africa in June in an Mugabe helps Bashir effort to resolve the ‘escape’ fallout.

The AU chairman played a role in ensurBut the most embar- ing that al-Bashir flew rassing episode for out of South Africa, Mugabe was the de- in defiance of the cision by Ivory Coast country’s High Court authorities to deny order which banned him permission to land him from leaving the in the country where country until an applihe was due to give cation calling for his a speech at an AfDB arrest had been heard, meeting attended by resulting in questions finance ministers from being asked about the the continent. continent and South Africa’s commitment Mugabe was invited to the rule of law. by the bank to ad-

Editorial

Mugabe however got much support from a number of African leaders who believe the ICC has been pursuing African leaders while ignoring “war crimes” by Western countries such as the US and Britain. Some African leaders also believe the AU should have its own court.

August 16-31- 2015| 05

championing regional economic growth at a time his country is going through massive de-industrialisation which has resulted in company closures and massive retrenchments.

As Sadc and AU chair, he was ambiguous on xenophobia which rocked South Africa.

He will be remembered for apologising to Zuma for Zimbabweans flooding his country and disrupting the country’s social structure.

Although he tried to tackle Zuma on xenophobia during a Sadc Mugabe, who is in his An angry Mugabe industrialisation meetseventh term despite then blasted Zuma ing in Harare, he was Zimbabwe’s economic at a press confercrushed by the South collapse, failed to deal ence saying he should African president and with third-termism in co-operate with other Khama, who insisted Africa and shocked regional leaders inthat regional governdelegates during the stead of seeking to ments were also to AU summit when turn the region into blame for failing to he suggested there a market for South provide opportunities should not be term African products. for their people. limits arguing two terms could feel as Khama’s snub Mugabe subsequentshort as two weeks. During the summit, ly blasted Zuma at a Botswana President press conference in “It is a democracy, if Ian Khama skipped his absence. people want a leader the official opening to continue, let him ceremony where Mug- True to form, Mugabe continue,” he said. abe took over the was very involved in Sadc chairship. events in the region Mugabe was, however, where he also attendvery vocal on African Khama, diplomats ed presidential inauissues particularly in said, felt Mugabe guration ceremonies relation to resource was not an exemin Namibia, Zambia ownership and explary leader and was and Mozambique. He ploitation for the against the regiontoured the Sadc headbenefit of indigenous al body appointing quarters in Botswana nationals. someone who had and showed interest given the region in solving the crisis in He also tried to atheadaches over many Lesotho, although in tend as many AU years, the most rethe end South Africa meetings as possible, cent being elections played a pivotal role at the expense of won in July 2013 as chair of the Sadc Zimbabwe’s collapsing amid systematic rig- Organ on Politics, economy, many feel. ging claims.

Defence and Security Co-operation.

Mugabe has failed to Ironically, Mugabe was

GREETINGS! I am happy to announce to you that preparation for the 2015 pan-African Lecture and Community Service Awards is in top gear. As convention demands, we will be talking about one of the greatest political icons and African nationalist - Nnamdi Azikiwe. The great ‘Zik of Africa’ inspired many around the world with his eclectic works, particularly on social justice, decolonisation and political development of Africa.

Titled ‘Nnamdi Azikiwe: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’, the lecture hopefully will follow tradition to unearthing the salient ingredients necessary for Africa’s progress in this new age. Stay tuned to AfricaWorld social media platforms for details of the Lecture and Community Service Awards. As part of our re-branding program, AfricaWorld logo will change in a couple of weeks to address the concern of our growing followers worldwide. More so, our website is now www.africaworldnews.net Follow us on twitter @AfricaWorldNews Come in. Uka

Opinion

06 |August 16-31- 2015

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“THE IRAN DEAL” Obama lives in the real world & Republicans live in the world of fantasy.

Dr. Wumi Akintide.

I have just finished watching a serious interview between two Harvard graduates on the Iran Deal and how the approval or the rejection of it by the US Congress could negatively or positively impact the possibility of Iran getting the nuclear bomb.

The guest was Barack Hussein Obama the first black President of the United States who collaborated and led the Leaders of the five most powerful nations in the world who put aside their internal squabbles, rivalries and shifting strategic interest to unanimously to produce the monumental deal in the interest of world peace. The interviewer was Fareed Zakaria, the brilliant and powerful moderator of the Global Public Square, a CNN talk show that is watched all over the world every Sunday.

Obama is an American with his roots traced back to Africa and Fareed Zakaria is another American with his roots traced to India. They both qualify to be called the best in what they do in the melting pot that America has become.

The majority of Democrats have always demonstrated a better appreciation of the melting- pot transformation of America, They do so more than the Republicans who still act and behave as if nothing has changed in America. The Democrats and the Republicans both agree that America remains the greatest military power on Earth but they

both have a profound disagreement on how that power should be projected or deployed around the world. The Republicans dominate the military industrial complex of America and they love and appreciate war more than they treasure and seek peace.

Republicans want America to remain a bully and to use her superpower status to intimidate and to force the other world powers to go along with whatever America decides even if it is against their best interest. They forget that to subdue Adolf Hitler in the Second World War, the Americans have to team up with Russia and European nations and their satellite colonies around the world to get the job done.

There is a limit to how much America alone can do to guarantee the peace of the world. She is going to need all the help and collaboration she can get from the rest of the world.

The Republicans believe that America and the tiny state of Israel as allies are powerful enough to force the rest of the world to do their biddings even in the age of globalization when the whole world has become one global village where no nation however powerful can continue to bully the rest of the world without paying a heavy price. Natanyahu is wrong to cast aspersions on a deal signed by the whole world and to pretend that that having Israel

as an ally is far more important than America doing business and having credibility with the rest of the world.

If America loses her capacity to influence the rest of the world, it loses everything.

Israel is only safe as long as America maintains her leadership of the world.

No American President however powerful is allowed to micro-manage the Israeli Prime Minister the way Natanyahu wants to macro-manage the current American President. What is so offensive about it is that Barack Obama matches Natanyahu pound for pound in intellect, maturity and the gift of the garb...

Yes. Natanyahu is a product of MIT. Barack Obama is a product of Columbia and Harvard and is married to a product of Princeton and Harvard. It doesn’t get any better than that for any American President with the possible exception of Bill Clinton. Natanyahu is laying a bad precedent that future American Presidents cannot and should never tolerate or condone.

To stop Iran from ever building a nuclear bomb which is the ultimate goal of the deal, America would forever need the cooperation and collaboration of the other world powers who are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council like Great Britain, France, Russia, and China. If the push comes to shove it is one or two or more of those countries that have the capacity to

help Iran to neutralize or minimize the impact of any sanctions that America may want to impose on Iran. Republicans forget that America cannot sanction Iran to submission if there are other powers ready and willing to help Iran neutralize the sanctions like they have managed to do for years. Iran came to the negotiating table in large part because they could no longer count on those countries to help them endure the pains of the sanctions once they became partners to the peace initiative of Barack Obama.

Those other world powers involved in crafting the Deal that the Congress is threatening to reject would be less inclined to side with America if America declares war on Iran. If Iran fails to keep her own side of the bargain in the deal they have signed at any time, Iran would have to answer not just to America, but to the 4 world powers in the United Nations Security Council. That was the crux of the interview Fareed Zakaria had with Barack Obama last Sunday.

It was a great interview any way you slice it because Fareed brought out the best in Obama who showed he was on top of his game answering all the questions put to him with confidence and clarity.

Obama’s side of the debate had the greatest credibility compared to the position taken by the Republicans who may well

use their majority in both Houses of Congress to reject the Deal but would not be able to muster sufficient support from the Democrats in both Houses of Congress to override a presidential veto.

The debate is not whether or not the Republicans would support the deal. It is crystal clear they have been opposed to the deal ever before it was concluded and before most of them have even had a chance to read the fine prints.

They are opposed to the deal because they are always opposed to any initiative from the first black President of America because they don’t want Obama to succeed or take credit as the author of such a monumental deal that could go down in history as one the greatest achievements of any American President...

Obama Care is one such monumental achievement pretty much like Social Security which was signed into Law by another democrat, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Medicare Bill signed into law by Lyndon Baines Johnson, another democrat. Republicans do not want to hear that a black President ever left his foot prints on the sand of American history like few of his white counterparts.

They want to belittle everything Obama has ever done. They hardly ever give him credit for being the conqueror of Osama Bin Laden or for ending the two

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costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They could not understand how the man manage to beat them in two consecutive elections and could predictably add a third because a rainbow coalition of Americans appreciate his legacies and they want those legacies to endure beyond his tenure in office.

Obama’s position is that peace is far better than war and that if America must ever go to war she must do so as a last resort and after all diplomatic channels have been exhausted. America must first of all make effort to build world consensus against the war of the future because no nation however powerful can go it alone. Obama argued that American allies have their own strategic interest that may be quite different from that of America. He argued that America must not go to war just because it can but because it is totally unavoidable and that the decision must be predicated on her moral principles and strategic interest as Leader of the Free World.

He argued that America has more to lose if the whole world goes

into a war. He argued that America is better positioned to guarantee the peace and security of the state of Israel only when America leads by a set of values that the rest of the world can respect and appreciate. It is fine to have a power like a lion but using that power like a lion is a different ballgame.

Obama argued that if the Deal is rejected the alternative is War with Iran and that a war with Iran may have its appeal to the Republicans but once it starts, there is no telling where such a war could lead America. The war with Iraq was sold to America as something that would be very easy to prosecute and to win.

It took more than 10 years and it has created serious instability in the most volatile region of the world.

He urged the Republicans to learn some useful lessons from American experience in both wars and all the collateral damages the wars have caused to America and her allies and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan...

He made it clear that his first duty as President is to guarantee the peace and security and prosperity of

Americans. He can only do that by maintaining peace and be prepared for war only as a last resort. He maintained that America under his presidency is irrevocably committed to the peace and security of Israel and his ultimate goal is to see the state of Israel live in peace and security with her neighbors in the region and that the younger generation in Israelis need peace more than they need war.

Going to war with Iran cannot bring that peace, it can only escalate it. He argued that Natanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister is wrong to claim that more sanctions against Iran or war is the only way to go. The deal signed by America and the 4 members of the Security Council with Iran is designed to assure peace both for Iran and the rest of the world. He believed that the youths of Iran want peace as much as the youths in the State of Israel.

To delay the chances of Iran having the nuclear weapon for another 25 years under the strict supervision of the whole world and the IAEA is a better option than going to war. The hardliners in

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Iran want a war just like the Republicans are clamoring for war but he was convinced and persuaded the deal on the table has enough provisions within it to stop Iran from making that bomb and that is why he is determined to veto the Bill if for any reason the Congress did not pass it. He assured Fareed that the Republicans were yet to provide with an alternative solution to the one he has offered. He remained an optimist and he still hoped the Republicans would allow wiser counsel to prevail and vote their hopes and not their fears when the chips are down.

Obama is putting all his emphasis on getting enough democrats to stand with him. The Deal goes through if the Republicans cannot muster enough votes to override his presidential veto. He is fully aware of the Jewish lobby on members of the US Congress on both sides of the isle but he is also aware of the wisdom and maturity of members to put the national interest over and above their own personal interest when they cast their votes.

The Deal offers the

world its best chance other than war to stop Iran from acquiring the nuclear bomb.

It was one of the most productive interviews I have ever watched on television.

The President answered all the questions put to him without referring to any notes meaning that the man clearly knows what he is talking about.

Republicans must now appreciate that Obama did not just become President by sheer accident. He was the anointed of the Lord.

God has destined him to be President and that Republicans are wasting their time to continue to put every possible obstacle on his way. They cannot succeed because when God says yes who can say no?

“Obama ti g’oke odo k’afara to ja” simply means in Yoruba that Obama has crossed the river before the bridge gave way.

The Deal is going to pass if not by a narrow margin at the Congress, but thru a presidential veto that cannot be overridden.

God Almighty Himself and most Americans are all for it. It is the right thing to do.

I rest my case.

Communiqué on the 2nd World-Wide Igbo Festival of the Arts and Language and Culture with pictures BRIEF TALK ABOUT “ PROMOTING AND SUSTAINING THE IGBO CULTURE USING THE LOCAL MOVIES” BY HIGH CHIEF ALEXANDER NWOKEABIA ( EJIAMATU ) Igbo kwenu! Enugu state kwenu! Anambra State kwenu! Imo state kwenu! Abia state kwenu! Ebonyi

state kwenu! America kwenu! virginia kwenu!

Nigeria kwezuonu oooo!!!!!!

I want to speak in Igbo language but I might be combining English for the interest of our brothers that don’t understand igbo.

My names are high chief Alexander Chuk-

mote and sustain the rich culture and values of the blessed people of Igboland using the media. Igbo language is predominantly spoken in five (5) states in the eastern part of Nigeria and by extenPlease let this talk be tion spoken in virtuas interactive as ever. ally all the southern I want us to talk about states. Igbo people how best we can pro- are good people warm, wudimma Nwokeabia.

I am a bona fide Igbo man. In a nutshell, I speak igbo, sleep Igbo, eat Igbo, breath Igbo even my company name EJIAMATU GROUP is in igbo too.

rich culture, respectful, welcoming , friendly, resilient, diplomatic, tolerant, accomodating, industrious, well travelled; and as a matter of fact, anywhere you did not see an igbo man, just know that that place is inhabitable. Shall we allow all these strong Continue on page 10

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Continue from page 6; virtues to diminish gradually in our generation? The answer is capital NOO. Posterity will judge us if we don’t do what we are supposed to do and at the right time.

I thank God for this wonderful festival of Igbo culture which CISA has started and i pray it continues to flourish in leaps and bounds. The continuous hosting of this festival will definitely reduce the “ YO MEEN AND AMA WHOOP YA ASS” we normally hear from you people here after 20 years of not visiting home. Please I encourage parents to teach their children igbo language and culture it pays. If not for anything let them have a second language so that we know our brothers even If we meet anywhere in the world. After all no knowledge is a waste.

It’s so disheartening to hear that for long African Magic ( a channel in the DSTV Nigeria) doesn’t not have an igbo station in their network when they had Yoruba and hausa almost from the inception of the pay TV. It was just about two (2) or three (3) months ago that they included an igbo channel. When I asked, I was made to understand that we didnt have content. We have so many movies in the market being acted, produced and directed by Igbo men and women all in English language; but very few in igbo language that could sustain and run comfortably in a channel. I accepted but when It was added it wasn’t included in the normal family bouquet rather it is in the higher bouquet while Yoruba and Hausa are

aired in the family bouquet. This im still investigating why it should be so. Higher bouquet I meant is paying more money to watch an igbo channel.

After seeing all these, I said to myself, I’m going to fill in this gap. How do I do that? We are going to achieve this by: 1) Producing quality Epic, Glamour, Comedy etc movies and flooding same to the market.

2) Supporting any Actor, Actress, Producer etc that might want to do any work in igbo 3) Creating Animations, cartoons in igbo Language for our children in the diaspora as our parents might be too busy to teach them igbo. I believe this will go a long way in embibing the culture in our children.

4) Enriching CISA with Enough content as it regards Igbo Culture. It is so unfortunate that my good friend Mr. Kenneth Ugochukwu (Bucknor) could not make it to this event with his Rich Igbo movies that should have been premiered here, but I promise you by God’s grace that in subsequent editions of CISA the organisers will be the ones telling us to chose the ones that are best for the event.

BENEFITS The best way to drive an information directly into people’s sitting room is through the media of which I have chosen the movies to propagate the rich culture of our great land.

When this is done we all will stand a greater benefit of fraternising more, loving one another more and enjoying ourselves more, creating emlployment and bringing greater development to Igbo-

land.

CONCLUSION The best stars in the movies, music and all entertainment industries are from Igbo extraction. Igbos are too talented, “IGBO NWERE MMADU” What else can I say. I don’t want to mention names you all know them. Finally, plans have reached advanced stage to bring down film / Nollywood village to igboland Ugwuoba in Enugu state to be precised. It is now time we work together to make all these dreams a reality.

LONGLIVE CISA! LONG LIVE IGBO! LONG LIVE AMERICA! LONG LIVE NIGERIA! High Chief Prince Alexander Chukwudinm Nwokeabia.

EJIAMATU GROUP OF COMPANY LTD. On Aug 9, 2015 7:36 AM, “Council of IgboStates North America” <presidentofcisa@ gmail.com> wrote: Communique on the 2nd World-Wide Igbo Festival of the Arts and Language and Culture 09-08-15 The logistics on the 2nd World-Wide Igbo Festival of the Arts and Language and Culture held on the 23 through the 25th of July 2015 at the Frontier Igbo Village Museum in Staunton, Virginia, USA has just concluded and on behalf of Council of Igbo States in Americas representing all the Igbo States from Nigeria in Americas (CISA) constituting of Abia, Anambra, Anioma-Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers States, I am pleased to declare the 2015 2nd Worldwide Igbo Festival of the Arts and Culture a success and an expe-

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rience for the ages”.

To use baseball analogy; the organizers and the participants“hit the ball out of the park”; meaning striking a ball “well” and delivering it successfully on target.

found on the review of the recently concluded 2nd Igbo World Festival of the Arts and Culture was the need to set standards in the ways we operate and as we up the “antes” on our efforts at being on the spotlight in our collaboration with the United States government, sponsors, funders, world-wide audience, especially, given that we now operate under a 501c (3) designate, the need to set priorities and to heighten our standards has become more apparent in keeping with accountability and transparency required of organization that operates under the 501c (3) scheme. Standards after all, are proven driver of growth and development.

However, every activity require a “post mortem” an investigation of the facts of a situation, particularly one that had an undesired outcome generally referred to as lesson learned and a look at better ways of utilizing resources moving forward. It includes future collaboration, recommendations and actions plans that may mean review of our current approaches to business, our relationship with the Museum and the corresponding viabilities for “Sustaining” future CISA community development The review of 2nd initiatives.

World-Wide Igbo Festival of the Arts and One clear positive out Language and Culture of the “post mortem” also, recognized that was the reaffirmation building CISA of toof the increasing im- morrow will require portance of CISA in new priorities and coarticulating the frame- ordinated efforts that work for “Igbo Agen- are based on streamda” and the needs lining and twitching for investing in Igbo certain portfolios and language, culture and aligning and realigning traditions as a way of the respective roles achieving and or ento work much more hancing regional eco- effectively together nomic equilibrium. and in concert with the Executive Council Another thing to keep of CISA who in turn in mind as we collec- is accountable to the tively work towards President Council (the leaving our imprints on state representatives) the landscape is that, who invariably reports irrespective of the cor- to the respective responding “ups and States that they repdown” along the way, resent at Council of history would always Igbo States in Americas (CISA). remind us that “the measure of the size of Recommendations for one’s accomplishment review of our standard operating methods is by the obstacles should include: he/she had to overcome to reach his or A look at principles on her goal”- Booker T. why and what types of standards are needWashington. ed moving forward identification of the What was also, pro-

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different types of activities that are needed to present full cultural activities at our annual Igbo WorldWide Festival of the Arts, Language and Culture roles and capabilities of the DSGs, Committees and Chairs in relation to project implementation, adjustments and improvements It is my hope that a developed comprehensive framework for the necessary standards on our method of operation moving forward, can contribute to a needed improvement and sustainable development of CISA. I look forward to a General Council meeting that will unveil in greater detail, some of the positive discussions and areas of improvement that will include action plans for future growth and development of CISA and a “Synergic Relationship” with the Frontier Igbo Village.

I will be remiss in my duty if I do not acknowledge our gains over the years. To be clear, our gains at this year’s Festival was not an “overnight sensation”, but rather a compendium of exhaustive efforts from all members, well wishers, our partners in services organizations and reviews of the lesson learned from our 2014 1st Igbo Festival of the Arts and Culture. We will continue to streamline our structure for our professional growth and sustainability of CISA. Our destiny demands it, our children require us, and our future mandates us. After all, a hundred years from now, it will not matter what our bank accounts was, the sort

of houses we lived in, or the kind of cars we drove, but the world may be different because we were important in the lives of our children – Forest E. Witcraft (paraphrased).

In other words, today’s “World-Wide Igbo Festival of the Arts and Language and Culture” may be tomorrows Annual Pilgrimage” to the Frontier Village on a historical inquires on how the 16st century Ndi-Igbo of Nigeria lived.

A heartfelt gratitude goes to the Planning Committee of the 2015 2nd Igbo Worldwide Festival of the Arts and Culture under the leadership of Dr. Paul Okechukwu Oranika, CISA Executive Council, membership, Volunteers organizations below must be recognized for their contributions in making this grandeurs occasion a success on all accounts. Thanks you all for your “virulent show of support” in our community development initiatives.

Special gratitude goes to our South African connection under the leadership of Amadi O. Amadi and Chief Okorie Mba from Timbuktu, Mali, Mr. Joseph Eze, our Igbo Union from Toronto and Chief Okwuchi Nnani President Igbo Cultural Association of Edmonton Canada respectively and their respective members for coming out in number to grace the event and to make it a true worldwide event. Special shout out to Chief Chris Nwakoby, President of the Anambra State Progressive Association in Toronto, Canada for his masterful job at moderating the Symposium /Panel Discussion.

In a vintage cultural

gathering, the event was with the presence of our royalties that reads like the who is who: His Royal Highness; Eze Obidiegwu Onyeso , Eze Nri Eze Uzu, Gibson Nwosu, Eze Awka Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman, Council of Igbo rulers Eze Daniel Emereonye Igwe Ejiamatu Nwokeabia Igwe JN Gguye, Oranyelugo11, Odenigbo 1, Okpuno Agude of Ugwu Oba Igwe Cyril Anochili Anayo and; Chief Gary Igariway, the overall Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo Also notable at the event were Chief Ugezu O Ugezu and many Nollywood actors. Our gratitude to you all for making time out of your busy schedule to grace us with your presence. A heartfelt gratitude also goes to the incomparable Governor Peter Obi, Former Governor of Anambra State , Chairman designate of the 2015 2nd Festival of the Arts and Culture, who although was not able to attend the event due to unforeseen circumstance, endeavored to send his Senior Special Assistant, Chief Val Obienyem in his place, with a message.

Other notables that added real cultural value to our community development initiatives, visible at the event were representatives from the Nigeria Consulate General, Consul.

Kate Igbodike, Consul Culture and Consul Ifeoma Dibia, Consul, Immigration. Dr Ignatus Ukbabia the unsung hero behind CISA success at the 2014 and our 2015 gains deserves an honourable

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mention in this communique.

CISA (Council of Igbo States in Americas) without any doubt owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze the lone Igbo man that represents the interest of Ndi-Igbo at the Commonwealth of Virginia Frontier Museum Igbo Village, the Chairman of the Board of President at CISA, former President of CISA, the unabashed, unapologetic Igbocentic, “okala madu, okola muo and the unsung hero of NdiIgbo. You brought a financial , morale and cultural height to what we do.

Thank you!

Our unabashed gratitude goes to the names and groups below for their contributions: Group Role 1. Chief Ononaka Brought all the artifacts that beautified the scene and all the masquerades; in fact more than we could use.

2. Anambra State Association, Women’s Wing Ten women in uniform led by their President, madam Vicky Agba and Dr. (Mrs.) Ujunne Akpuaka. Danced Egedege music.

3. Enugu State Association, Women’s Wing Led by Odibeze 4. PILA Performance Umu Oma Igbo Nile led

by Oriaku Kanayoifunanya Ntukogu.

One of the greatest performers of the weekend. The children/ Youth sang the national anthems; the adults and youth performed the African Line dance.

5. Boston Igbo School led by Dr. Ben Aduba Another wonderful performance

6. Nkwa umu Agbogho or Maiden Dance of Afikpo led Ms. Uchechukwu Ogbuagu A thrilling and gyrating great dance filled with fun – a reminiscence of the old Afikpo women’s dance.

7. Egwu umu Agbogho of the Youth Wing of Nwannedinamba led by Ms. Nneka Ikpeama A wonderful performance 8. War Dance led by Jerry Uka and Chief Okorie Mbah of Mali A real War Dance 9. Ms Igbo Queen and children Ms. Erica Akpuaka 10. Ms Africa Queen and children Ms. Frances Udukwu 11. Emeka Nwosu Transportation – did a Herculean job of picking guests from the entire airports - near and far. Deserves a golden Award!

12. Dr. Edward Nwachi --- (Ebonyi) Co-MC during naming ceremony Of course, Dr. Stephen Uche (Aririeri) Vice-Chair, Planning Committee DSG Culture Organized all the festival performing groups Organized all the hotel reservations Coordinated the Ohanaeze S/A, Cameroon, and Mali.

Part MC Chudi Asidianya, BA, MA, LSC, IEO President, Council of Igbo States in Americas Useful Links below to see highlight events at the festival: www. cisandiigbo.org/2015_ igbo_world_festival/ cultural-performances-at-the-2015-cisa-event.html

Xray with Fr. Vin

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MARRIED FOR THIRTY FOUR YEARS, RETIRED AS CATHOLIC PRIEST

By Father Vincent Ezeo- He described himself ma Arisukwu as very fortunate to

Below is a recap of a two hour interview with Reverend Father John McHale, a retired priest of the diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States of America, who was married for thirty four years before joining the catholic priesthood. The question which prospective readers of this interview would ask can be predicted; “Is that real/possible?” That was same curiosity I had, and which prompted me to requesting him to share his story witha the larger society. The issue here is, “Who determines one’s vocation?”

BACKGROUND: Fr. John McHale and I concelebrated the holy Eucharist at the chapel of Saint Agnes hospital, Caton Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland. I was filled with admiration at the sanctimonious manner in which he approached the sacrament. When the mass was over, I cornered this retired but active priest for a few questions about his priesthood. Fr.McHale was born in Melrose Boston in Massachusetts, USA. He attended Boston College and graduated in physics. He worked in the public health service, joined International Business Machines (IBM Cooporation) as a computer specialist where he met his wife in Buffalo, New York.

The couple wedded in church in 1965 and was happily married for thirty four years before the wife died.

have married a woman from a very strong catholic culture. Their marriage was blessed with four children; three boys and one girl, the oldest son is 49 while the last daughter is 43. His career was around computers.

MARRIAGE: John McHale was happily married with his wife from 1965 to 1999. The wife took ill and eventually died in 1999, precisely the twenty fifth year of their marriage. He described his wife as a blessing to their family as she was the caretaker and spiritual beacon for him and the children.

He stated that while his career took him to places, his wife kept the home. He felt that his wife’s sickness brought him close to his family. He was the wife’s primary care-giver throughout the period of illness.

As the wife’s condition grew worse, Fr. John recalled a question she asked him, “What would you do if I passed away?” He said the question took him by surprise, but that the wife’s sickness didn’t allow him to pay close attention to the answer he gave. He told the wife that he would join religious vocation if she passed away, a response which baffled her too. The wife was glad at such answer.

She tweaked him and said that meant he was going for another degree against their decision that he would not acquire any more Degrees on top of

the two already in his academic kit. He acknowledged that his wife’s reaction to his answer was a tonic to his desire to be priest.

BECOMING PRIEST: Few weeks after having lost his wife, Fr. McHale made contact with a friend, Fr. Charles McCarthy of the Melkite rite. According to him, Fr. McCarthy was also married and had thirteen children with his wife. The couple had been on retreat when their youngest daughter Teresa Benedicta swallowed excess pills of Tylenol in the guise of candy. That had a devastating effect on her liver. The couple received this message which was distracting.

But while Fr. McCarthy prayed, he heard the voice of St. Teresa mandating him to concentrate on the retreat and allow God to take care of his family needs. At the end of their retreat in Dakota, the daughter received a miraculous healing which became one of the miracles needed to confirm the canonization of Edith Stein. This story linked Fr. McHale and Fr. McCarthy up when he was taking care of his sick wife.

He became a devotee of Saint Teresa Benedicta and Saint Teresa Lisieux (of the Little Flower) in praying for divine healing for his wife.

POINT OF DECISION: Fr. McHale described the discussion with her wife as a very important point in his life and vocation. He said that the question, “What will you

do if I died?” was a strong vocational call for him. He stated clearly that he would not have been priest if he hadn’t married his wife. As a teenager though, he pointed out that he was involved in church activities and became an altar server. His mother also incited him to be priest, a push he completely dismissed till he married his wife.

MAJOR CHALLENGE: Fr. McHale described his greatest challenge to be priest as his age. At fifty eight years of age, most of those he consulted regarding his ambition thought it was impossible. He said he was discouraged by lots of decision makers.

He gave instance with vocations directors of archdioceses of Baltimore and Cincinnati who told him then that he was too old to join their dioceses.

However, it was his oldest son that linked him up with bishop Timlin who was then bishop of Scranton diocese in Pennsylvania.

He was accepted by the diocese in 1999, the same year of his wife’s death. He was absorbed by Saint John xxiii seminary in Massachusetts in September 2000. He did his summer session in Omaha, Nebraska.

Having completed his seminary training in May, 2004, he was ordained priest in June by bishop Joseph Martins for the diocese of Scranton in Pennsylvania, USA at the age of sixty three.

MOTIVATIONS: According to the

retired priest, the seminary program in Saint John xxiii was designed exclusively for mature adults. He said they had other seminarians of the same age bracket with him, some of whom were married too. The youngest in their group, according to him, was about fifty two years of age.

That motivated him a lot.

RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS CHILDREN: For Fr. McHale, his children were supportive of his decision to be priest. He noted that his first son provided him with the link to the diocese of Scranton which is the hometown of Fr. McHale’s daughter in-law. His last son, he said, was a bit reluctant and wondered why he should become priest the same year that their mother died. But he maintains a wonderful relationship with them till date. In terms of what they call him, Fr. McHale said his daughter would call him “Father Father” while others called him dad.

He described his posture before them as that of both pastor and dad. Interestingly, he does a lot of spiritual programs with his first son. Together, they are able to package retreats in Pennsylvania using information system to support retreat groups. According to him, as a computer specialist, the son explores information from data base to support retreat with his priest-father. He said he has been privileged to baptize some of his grandchildren and as well confirmed one of his granddaughters.

Xray with Fr. Vin

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ORDINATION PROCESS: Fr. McHale said he received some concession in his training since he already had some background in philosophy. Having attended Boston College, he was trained by the Jesuits which gave him some advantage in his formation.

He admitted that he didn’t go through any special canonical process other than the four years of training in theology in St. John xxiii. Although they were about twenty three in class, he was particular about one of his fellow seminarians that was ordained priest at the age of seventy.

The said priest worked as a physician- anesthesiologist and had ten children already.

His wife passed away before his entry into the seminary too. He wanted to be priest in the diocese of Harrisburg in Pennsylvania but the bishop wouldn’t accept him initially because of his age. So he applied in Birmingham Alabama where he was accepted with delight, but the physicians in Harrisburg went after the bishop of Harrisburg and he changed his mind. But the old man had already committed to Alabama and

was ordained for Alabama diocese.

BETWEEN MARRIAGE AND PRIESTHOOD: Fr. McHale reiterated that marriage was a good preparation for his ordination.

He referred to Pope Benedict xvi (then Cardinal Ratzinger) who stated in an interview that there are as many ways to salvation as there are people. He maintained that there could be different ways to the priesthood, whereas it depends on the individual. He said he wouldn’t restrict any person to any particular way. Regarding age of ordination, he remarked that whereas some diocese may prefer young people to be ordained to the priesthood, others may accept older candidates for varied reasons including financial support for the person’s training.

In his opinion, how and when a person answers the call depends on how and when he feels the call.

It is for the individual to discern.

CHALLENGES AS A PRIEST: Fr. McHale singled loneliness out as his primary challenge in the parish. Having not come from Pennsylvania originally, he

narrated how he felt isolated from other priests of the diocese.

The priests of Scranton diocese didn’t know him before his ordination and that made the process of integration a major challenge for him.

ON CELIBACY: Fr. McHale explained that prior to marriage celibacy didn’t mean much to him. He said his major concern then was to find the right marriage partner.

Celibacy didn’t make much sense to him still as a married man.

As a priest however, he noted that he had more challenges with obedience than he did with celibacy. The septuagenarian admitted that his fidelity and commitment to his wife in their marriage prepared him for the celibate life. Obedience on the other hand, bothered him because he felt he was single-minded and self-willed. He maintained that one of his prayers was not to enter into argument about serious matters with his bishop as that would constitute real struggle for him.

ON MARRIAGE: Fr. McHale values the church’s traditional teaching on marriage seriously. He described the words,

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“For better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health” as words of commitment which couples make to each other. He likened that to the commitment which priests make on the altar. He regretted the dysfunction which marriage suffers in today’s society.

He stressed that the high level of divorce has devastated families and the society at large. He attributed incessant divorce to lack of commitments from couples. He advised couples not to be quick in seeking divorce and not to see it as solution to marriage problems.

He suggested couples to adopt what he called the FOCUS process which enables intending couples to stay focused and committed; to realize that they cannot go into the sacrament of marriage with reservations. He advised couples to stay engaged with each other and eschew the mentality of “If it doesn’t work, I quit” which has given negative connotation to marriage in modern society.

DID HE ENJOY HIS PRIESTHOOD? Fr. McHale described his priesthood as blessing especially for

his family. He stated that priesthood has helped him to provide enough spiritual foundation for his family.

He noted that in the absence of his wife who was the spiritual pillar of their home, his priesthood drew him close to his children. In response to whether he was ordained priest for his family, Fr. McHale explained that he was ordained for the people of God in general.

Meanwhile, he recalled that one of the teachings he received during formation was that as a father of children, his first commitment was to his immediate family.

He narrated how his family had visited him in his parish a few times. He said it was excitement for both himself and his parishioners to meet and interact with his children. Such visits added great boost to his ministry to the parishioners. He maintained that the challenge could be in drawing a line between the parish and the family as a married person. Fr. McHale concluded that his priesthood has been an interesting and inspiring journey.

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HOW YORUBA FOREMOST MONACH WAS BURIED The palace used by the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse is shut and will not be opened until a replacement has been named and decorated,

corpse before interment. If they did, such children and wives may die prematurely.According to the leader of the priests, Chief Apena Ogboni, Iledi Ooni, “As the corpse will kingmakers to list be brought, it must the possible succes- be brought straight to sors to Oba Sijuwade us. Not all people can Olubuse proved fusee it. As we are, we tile as they said they are not the ones to could not reveal such bury the remains , but information. they must bring the Below is the picture corpse to us so that of ‘Ile Oodua’ the pal- all necessary rites ace of the next Ooni would be done. Even, of Ife no child or wife of the monarch must see First-class monarch the corpse. Any child Ooni of Ife, His Imthat sets his eyes on perial Majesty Oba the remains could die Okunade Sijuwade suddenly. Only Lokore was interred in Ile-Ife can see the corpse. It on Friday, 14th Auis not their property, gust 2015. Eminent it is the property of personalities stormed Ife people. If they do Ile-Ife for the burial. not bring the corpse Below is a blow-byto us, the corpse will blow account of how not be buried.” the highly-revered king was buried: MILD DRAMA BETWEEN VICE PRESIWIVES & CHILDREN DENT & AREGBESONOT TO ENTER LA’S AIDES OONI’S ROOM/SEE HIS The intervention CORPSE of some Ife elders As his the tradition stopped what could in Ile-Ife, once the have been a big draOoni dies his wives ma when the aides and children are not of Nigeria’s VP, Prof. allowed into his room. Yemi Osinbajo and Also they must not those of the Osun set their eyes on his governor(who was

represented by the Secretary to the State Government). What caused friction was the seating arrangement. The VP’s aides insisted that there was no way their principal would have sat at the back of the governor. The issue was later settled and expectedly the VP sat in front.

3-FAITH SERMONS Sermons were delivered by heads of 3 religions. First was the Bishop of Ife Diocese(Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Ranti Odubogun whose sermon was titled, “How are the mighty fallen. Odubogun took the Bible reading from II Sam. 1:19 and said the late Ooni brought fame and popularity during his days. In the Islamic exaltation, Alhaji Mufutau Yussuf, Mufashir of Ibadanland, highlighted the immeasurable contributions of the monarch to Islam and Ife, Yorubaland, and Nigeria as a whole. Before, Ifaloba, the representative of traditionalists spoke, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who came with a retinue of his aides at exactly

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11:12am, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, all Christian and Islamic clerics all left leaving families and friends behind.

Nigeria’s VP Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo in his tribute said, “Ooni as a title does not die.

We are celebrating a happy end. Our Papa lived a wealthy life. If our father could steer the ship of Yoruba race successfully, he did well.” Governor Aregbesola who was represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, described the monarch as a man who “excelled in social life, commerce, royalty and industry. He was a successful businessman. His life is worthy of celebration for the service to his community, the state and the nation at large in the last three decades ROLL CALL Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; former Military Governor of the defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo (rtd); former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Alani Akinrinade (ertd); Rear

Admiral Akin Aduwo (rtd); former Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Bashir Awotorebo; President, IDB, Prof. Muheeb Opeloye; Senator Baju Bamgbetan; Prince Rasaki Adele Adewole; Prince Adegoke Sijuwade; Prince Adebayo Sijuwade; Prince Adedamola Aderemi; Revd.

Mrs Omotola Oyediran; Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu; former Deputy Governor of the state Senator Iyiola Omisore: Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi; Chief Dele Momodu; Mr. Yemi Omisore; and Prof.

Tale Omole.

OONI’S RESTING PLACE Oba Okunade Sijuwade would be buried beside the immediate past Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.This is because the cemetery inside the palace where other Oonis were buried, was full, and this informed the decision to build a mausoleum inside the palace for Oba Aderemi. The mausoleum is said to be located at the rear end of the palace, and it is expected to be the final resting place of Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

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Culture

Late Ooni of ife Oba Okunade Sijuade

August 16-31- 2015| 15

16 |August 16-31- 2015

News

PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA IN UGANDA President Uhuru met with Kenyans living in Uganda during the Diaspora meeting in Kampala, Uganda

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Seniorita

Michelle T Hlongwane

Pride of Africa

August 16-31- 2015| 17

Interview

18 |August 16-31- 2015

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INTERVIEW: My disagreement with Tony Anenih, and why I have no regard for Reuben Abati — Obasanjo In this concluding part of the interview with Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president speaks about the Boko Haram insurgency, his relationship with Tony Anenih, and his grouse with the Nigerian media, and people like Reuben Abati.

PT: You may not know about it, you may not have a hand in it, but it does appear, especially from reports from US investigators that some officials of your administration perhaps took bribe from Halliburton.

Obasanjo: No no no. I don’t deny that. But not me. I don’t deny their reports about Halliburton but not me. I don’t even know what Halliburton was doing here. So what’s your problem? And EFCC looked into it, you read the report of EFCC bordering on Halliburton.

PT: The only gap is that people are wondering why you didn’t take steps to bring those officials of your regime to book.

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) There’s no gap. You can make any allegation. Now EFCC you can count number of people who are taken to court. I don’t take anybody to court, Mojeed. And don’t annoy me. Now you have the system that takes them to court.

I don’t take anybody to court. Because if I have to be the one to say ‘take this one to court,’ that will be witch hunting. That’s not my job. My job is, set up the system and if anybody in that system is not per-

forming, then look for somebody to perform.

So it doesn’t matter what allegation, if you read that report of EFCC, one man was hired, and he went out with all sorts of spurious allegations and EFCC took it one by one.Even Ribadu told me that when he gave that report, because he didn’t give the report to me…I said, look, carry out a critical investigation.

I thought that was good. Then when he wrote his report, he gave it to Yar’Adua.

And he said Yar’Adua asked him, ‘You can’t find anything at all?’

He brought Metropolitan Police here and he said whenever they are doing investigation in the past, when they get somewhere they will say ‘oh, yes, some people are interested.’ But this is the first time they had free hand to carry out investigation. So what more do you want?

And what I put there is what I believe in.

Has anybody working under me said to you that ‘oh, he asked me to take bribe’ PT: I don’t know if you saw the reports of the investigation that said Halliburton passed a lot of money to your party, the PDP, during that time….

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) Well, I don’t know about that.

PT: …Including using even bullion van to deliver money to the party through Gaius Obaseki.

Obasanjo: I won’t know about that. I don’t deal with the money in the party. I don’t deal with that.

PT: Sir, let’s talk about your relationship with Tony Anenih, who is known as one of your closest political allies. In fact, he was said to be fixing a lot of things for you. We don’t know what he was fixing and they kept calling him Mr. Fix-it.

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) Fix for whom?

PT: Well, we don’t know. They call him Mr. Fix-it, and you know you seemed to have underlined the perception that he was fixing things for you when you asked him to step down from his post as Minister of Works to go anchor your campaign for second term. It was as if he was the only one who could fix that election for you.

Obasanjo: No no no.

I took (Ahmadu) Ali as Chairman (of the PDP). Who is more important as far as the party is concerned?

PT: And most of the money you gave him to build roads, people say he didn’t build the roads. And you didn’t get him to render account.

Obasanjo: No, no. If he didn’t build roads and there is evidence that he didn’t build roads, I will deal with him. You see, you people you just start your imagination to run riot. You make up your mind. I don’t say Tony Anenih is the best human being on earth. I will also not say he’s the worst. He’s probably in between, like most of us. But I will not chastise anybody or condemn anybody

unless I have evidence. People make allegation. Anybody can call you and say ‘hey, Mojeed, you are a rogue’. But for what reason should I join him to call you a rogue if he doesn’t show me evidence.

PT: But how did you two fall apart? To the extent, you narrated in your book, he teamed up with Yar’Adua and Ibori to plot your downfall.

Obasanjo: I wouldn’t have put it that way.

Because my memory is not that short, I wouldn’t have put it that way.

PT: When Yar’Adua wanted to move against you. That’s what the book says.

Obasanjo: No. Show me where the book said that.

PT: (Reaches for the book) I’m going to read the full paragraph: “There was also an attack on me from the party front.

The amendment to the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s Constitution which put a former president who is is a product of PDP as the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees was spearheaded by then Governor James Ibori, Makarfi, and Chief Tony Anenih.

Whatever their reason for that constitutional amendment, I was the one available to occupy the post.

But when Umaru and members of his cabal, along with their associates, set about pulling down Obasanjo, they pursued it to the Board of Trustees.

Chief Tony Anenih and James Ibori were fellow travellers.”

That’s the point I was trying to make.

Obasanjo: Yes. That’s true. They actually spearheaded the…

PT: So how did it get to that?

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) Well, you should ask them.

PT: That’s what I’m asking you.

Obasanjo: I don’t know. What I saw is what I’ve told you.

But why they did it, I don’t know.

PT: Because you were pretty close. You gave him one of the biggest cabinet positions.

Obasanjo: Come off it.

You are behaving like a child and a broken bottle. You have friends today. You may not be friends tomorrow. I believe there are things that probably Tony Anenih wanted which he didn’t get. What it is, I don’t know.

PT: I remember that meeting in 2007 when Tony Anenih and you were to meet at Transcorp Hotel in Abuja, shortly before you took over as Board of Trustees chairman, after you stepped down as President. I was there when Tony Anenih, stormed out. Is it in protest against you becoming Board of Trustees chairman and him stepping down or something?

Obasanjo: Not at all.

Because the Constitution of the party is clear. I didn’t make the Constitution.

PT: So why has it been difficult to make up with him since then?

Obasanjo: Well, he comes here…. You see… Look, I will

Interview

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walk out on you‎. You see, these are not issues. You are making issues out of nothing.

I go on principle, I don’t go on persons.

And I will walk out on you. Look, Tony Anenih, whatever he has done he has done that. That’s not an issue to me. It’s not a personal issue…

PT: (Cuts in) It’s just the way…

a wife or I will give him a wife? Making up for what? It’s not a personal issue. So you are not getting it right and that’s part of the problem of Nigeria. Look, I stood for what I believe is in the best interest of Nigeria. So whether you agree with me on that or not is your own issue. What is personal? What is

(Laughter).‎

can fish it out. I ‎ wrote… The man ‎PT: But you said the wrote interview… media found you too Look, you see what cold‎, too unappetisI hate about the meing, and not enamdia? Look, you don’t oured with dramatic ‎want any criticism and sensational news. about you. You are You were very critical. not perfect. No. And, you said some- PT: As far as I’m contimes they printed cerned, the criticisms interviews they never you offered are my had with you. own criticisms of the Obasanjo: That was media. true. And I sent it to Obasanjo: Ok. So

(Muhammadu) Uwais, Uwais said he would look into it. Look, we are not going to make progress unless we admit and accept what we are doing wrong, either individually or collectively.

PT: I think your criticism of the media is something we should print and distribute to all…

Obasanjo: (Cuts in)

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) No no no. Yes. You can see the way I put it. It’s not a personal issue. Tony Anenih has come here. And if he comes here tomorrow…. Jonathan has sent message to me and if he comes here tomorrow I will receive him. It’s not anything personal. In the interest of Nigeria, and that’s all. So what is making up? Making up to do what? Because he will give me

making up about?

PT: You wrote a full chapter about the media in your book…

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) Yes. That’s part of you now.

PT: You wrote extensively about bad journalism, although you also agreed that there are a few good journalists…

Obasanjo: (Cuts in) And I mentioned some of them. I don’t know whether you will fall into that group.

the (Nigerian Press Council).

PT: Do you want to give us examples of those interviews?

Obasanjo: That’s what I’m telling you now.

I even reported it to the Nigerian Press Council. Now what is your problem with that? But that’s true.

PT: This is a critical assessment, which is good. We all need to read it and learn.

Obasanjo: You ask Taye (his aide), Taye

You saw what I wrote about…no, not Tola Adeniyi. I think I wrote about Tola Adeniyi in my book. But in this one, it’s Segun Adeniyi. And he told somebody that what I wrote is true. Or Reuben Abati, the one who said “ehhnn‎, he too wants to build a house”. Can anybody say that to me and you then think I will have regard for him?

Or for the profession he claims he belongs?

what is your problem?

Now if a media… and I have a case against one. You can ask Tunji Abayomi. A paper wrote (a libel against me) since 1983. I criticise the judiciary as well. And that case has been there since 1983. Since that time I have gone to prison and back. I’ve been president and out.

Tunji Abayomi is the one who’s handling it, since 1983. When I mentioned it to

Interview

20 |August 16-31- 2015

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And you know it. You know it. That you can write anything in any paper and if the price is right, it will be published. Do you know that?

(CONTEXT: Mr. Obasanjo had, without mentioning name, written on Page 107, Volume 2 of his book: “A close young col-

uprightness and integrity. When I received definite information of his falling prey to a governor who allocated to him a plot of land and who regularly fuelled him with cash, I asked his friend to find out the reason for the sudden change in his disposition. I was told his reply

house in Ibadan, in ‎ Bodija, while attending a course. But a paper wrote that I dislodged a family from their apartment, leaving them stranded. It was front page, with a photograph of the purportedly stranded family. My cousin, who was catering for me was shocked by the

said.” I said what did Badeh say? So he sent it to me‎. I said Badeh is looking for excuses. Badeh must be looking for excuses. Anybody who is a trained officer knows that the military is trained to fight a war, not insurgency. You may have a course of training on insurgency

insurgents. That’s why it’s not a set war.

Because in a set war, you know where the enemy is, you know how to approach it.

This one, it might even be someone on a motorcycle who has a gun in his pocket.

That’s a different thing. And they say there’s no motivation.

league of mine within the civil society had a friend in the media who rose to become media adviser to a Nigerian President. In the early days of this media man, who, by virtue of his friendship with my colleague became close to me as well, he was, or so I assumed by his utterances, a paragon of

was, ‘I want to build a house and live well.’

What a pity! All his integrity, morality and ethics were sacrificed.

It got me thinking not only about media practitioners and the media, but also about humanity in general.”)

And let me give you an example. When I left government in 1979, I lived in my

falsehood. That was when my cousin said “Nigeria media, never again.”

PT: These issues you raised are part of the reforms‎ we seek.

Obasanjo: The point is you should accept these things. I won’t say the military is perfect. And today somebody told me “oh, what Badeh

or counter-insurgency and all of that. But when you have to deal with insurgency, that’s a different ball game altogether. You have to be trained for it, you have to be equipped for it. And then to say you don’t have… Look, the people you are dealing are among the people, that’s why they are

How can there be motivation? When the upper echelon of the military was riddled with corruption. The political leadership, riddled with corruption. The soldiers are no fool.

PT: Reading about internal conflict in the book, I think that’s in the Volume 2, you listed cases that were

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brought to your attention and efforts made by the federal government to resolve them. From the Ife-Modakeke crisis to the Sharia riot in Kaduna to Osama bin Laden protest in Kano, Miss World protest, Jos crisis, to Borno riots. But strikingly there is no mention, even in the index, of the budding activities of Boko Haram…

done at that time, do you think ‎we’ll still be where we are today? ‎Obasanjo: They were turning Boko Haram to a religious issue, it is not a religious issue. He was seeing it as a northern plan, it wasn’t. It was a menace waiting to happen, and he didn’t see it that way, which was unfortunate…

PT: You even pointed out that if Gowon were allowed to head ‎ the group, it would Obasanjo: Because assuage the feelings there was no Boko of Christians‎ who Haram then‎. Oh! Come believed that Boko off it. You are mad!. Haram was a religious There was no Boko issue…

Haram then. No! ‎ PT‎: Just let me finish. Obasanjo: I did everyObasanjo: Ok. Finish. thing I could to help There was no Boko him.‎ Look, mine is to Haram then. There give what I believe is was no Boko Haram genuine advice from when I was in office. the position that I see PT: (Cuts in) The things and I underreason I’m asking you stand. Now any leader this is because there can then decide what are suggestions that to do. You see, the the sect started build- thing is that no leader ing up even before can say he is short of you left office. advice in Nigeria. UnObasanjo: No. What less he doesn’t want happened was this, to listen. But then, they were part of… when you get the adYou know (Ahmad) vice, you do whatever Yerima went and you like with it. started this thing.

PT: Do you think that That was when they can still be done? also became their own Obasanjo: You know, thing‎. I went to them. there is always time You heard the other for a thing. The time day, they said they that I went to Maiduwould have killed me guri, and it was after but when I was there that time. Actually, they were doing their my advice to JonaSharia and I was doing than, if he had acted my own thing. then, I don’t believe PT: They said they that Boko Haram had no problem with would have gone you? against him. Jonathan Obasanjo: They had had a problem. He no problem with me. believed that Boko And they said that af- Haram was a device ter I left, they started of the north to prekilling their people and vent him from having hunting them. a second term. That’s PT: You wrote a letter all. That is what… to Mr. Jonathan adany other thing, forvising him to form a get it. How is it that committee of former Jonathan was told by Heads of State, to be 8 o’clock in the morncoordinated by Gener- ing after the night al Gowon. If that were that Chibok girls were

Interview

abducted, and there was no reaction. As I said in my book, I called one Philip Madu to come and brief me on what happened.

And if there had been reaction within 72 hours, they would have got, if not all, most of those girls.

At what stage did Jonathan and the Governor of Borno speak about Chibok?

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, playing Ayo with friendFormer president, Olusegun Obasanjo, playing Ayo with friend Let me tell you something that happened during my time. I heard on a Friday‎, I think we were to have an election on the Saturday. I can’t remember which election, and in Kano, one man was leading his sect in the mosque, 5:30 a.m., he was shot dead.

IGP (Inspector General of Police) told me. I phoned the governor immediately, and said ‘what are you doing?

Have you heard this?’

He said ‘yes, when the day breaks.’ I said ‘when day breaks?

You? Out now.’

Now, on a Friday, a Muslim cleric leading his own flock being shot? It’s incendiary for anything in Kano.

And you know, they would have gone into Sabon Gari. That is the way reactions to incidents should take place. And because of that reaction, we didn’t have any incident.

There wasn’t Boko Haram as Boko Haram. It was after I left‎ that Muhammadu Yusuf actually called… and that’s how they got the name Boko Haram. He called some of his followers.

Because he had fol-

August 16-31- 2015| 21

lowing. Some of them graduates. And then he said, ‘Look, bring your certificates.

When did you leave university?’ He himself he’s not an illiterate.

He had college education. ‘When did you finish university?

‘Three years ago.’

‘What are you doing?’ ‘Nothing.’ ‘Your education is useless, tear your certificate.’

Some of them did, some didn’t. That’s how the name Boko Haram came, they don’t call themselves Boko Haram.

PT: Is that not gullibility on the part of those he invited to tear their certificates?

Obasanjo: Gullibility?

Is it true that you left university for years?

Is it true that you don’t have a job? Is it true that you went to university so that you could have education, and have a job? And if that is what to‎ok you to university and four years after you have left university you haven’t got a job, what is gullibility?

PT: Sir, it came out in your book that your leaked December 2013 letter was not your first letter to Jonathan. You wrote like three or four. You published the letters here…

Obasanjo: (Cuts in)‎ They are more.

PT: How many letters did you write to President Jonathan?

Obasanjo: I don’t know. I don’t count.

PT: You published a few. So is that the way you write to Nigerian leaders before and after you?

Obasanjo: If I think there is something I should point out to them, yes I do. I do.

PT: Maybe your letters can even form a book at a point.

Obasanjo: That’s

entirely up to you.

(Laughter). But did you read the letter I wrote to Margaret Thatcher?

PT: No, I haven’t read that.

PT: Months back, you said bye bye to politics. Are you still maintaining that stance?

Obasanjo: Partisan politics. Now if politics is welfare of the people, in a way, then you cannot say politics no way until you die. But partisan politics? No. PT: So no more partisan politics for you?

Obasanjo: Oh yes. I won’t belong to any political party. ‎I won’t.

PT: Even if they decide to woo you?

Obasanjo: What nonsense? Any fool that comes here… behaves like a fool, I ‎will walk him out.

PT: As one of the fathers of our nation, what do you think of the direction our country is heading now?

Obasanjo: Well, we are better than where we were. We are not where we should be, but we are better than where we were.

PT: Thank you so much, Baba.

Obasanjo: Thank you

22 |August 16-31- 2015

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