Binder1 friday march @23

Sunday Edition

Sanctity of Truth Sunday, March 23, 2014

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Vol. 1 No. 33

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

News

business

21 banks in alleged N150bn tax remittance fraud } 2

Sanctity of Truth

ON SUNDAY

APC behind Boko Haram insurgency, PDP insists

Page 15, MARCH 23, 2014

Detoxify your body with fasting

}3

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT www.newtelegraphonline.com/body&soul

} 15

Crush on cobalt blue this season

Obasanjo wasted four years fighting me –Atiku It takes more than beauty to win pageants – Matilda Kerry, MGBN 2000

lWhy Ribadu, el-Rufai betrayed our friendship

} 2, 26 & 27

Pope Francis to visit Nigeria Anule Emmanuel

C

L-R: Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; President Goodluck Jonathan; Pope Francis; wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio, during Jonathan’s visit to the Catholic Pontiff at the Vatican... yesterday

‘Our expectations from national conference’

Clark

Akinjide

Gana

Odumakin

Esele

Okoh

Ezeife

} 6, 28, 56 & 58

Galadima

atholic Pontiff, Pope Francis, has accepted an invitation to visit Nigeria very soon, New Telegraph on Sunday has learnt.

Pope Francis made the promise at a closed door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday at the Vatican City.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, President Jonathan explained that discussions between him and the Pontiff centred on the promotion of interfaith dialogue in Nigeria and other parts of the world to foster greater global peace and security.

Jonathan noted that the promotion of inter-faith dialogue was C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 6

Christians may boycott 2016 census, says CAN }6 Fayose emerges Ekiti PDP gov candidate }2

2

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News

Obasanjo wasted four years fighting me –Atiku Ike Abonyi and Suleiman Bisalla Abuja

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) abandoned governance when former President Olusegun Obasano and his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar, took different positions and began a fight that lasted beyond their second term, the former Vice President has said.

Speaking to select journalists in Abuja mid last week, Atiku said the PDP lost focus and track from 2003, when it deviated from the basic principles that the founding fathers of the party came together to form the party for.

“And it continued till today; it is no longer what we formed at the inception...I have never been so disturbed in all my life about Nigeria as I am now,” Atiku said.

“Nothing seems to be going right for us. Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Whether it is politics; whether it is governance; whether it is business...Forget

about all these growth numbers they give: we are growing by 7.6, 7.5 percent, this and that.

Where is the growth? As far as the ordinary man is concerned there is no growth. It means the growth is just concentrated in a few hands,” he added.

When asked whether he could sincerely isolate himself from the problems given that it began in 2003 when he was still a factor, the former Vice President said, “I cannot isolate myself because from 2003 when the president and I took different positions, there was no more governance. In his second term, we were still busy fighting. So, the entire focus of governance that we set up during our first tenure; the economic reforms, this and that, everything was abandoned and we continued fighting till the end,” he said.

Atiku said he was able to survive the fight against his boss because he was right.

On how he felt when former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu and former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai, abandoned him during his ordeal

Benue killings: Indigenes tackle Mark, others Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

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enue indigenes, under the auspices of the Benue Liberation Alliance yesterday expressed disappointment over the silence of the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and other senators from Benue State on the incessant attacks in the state by Fulani herdsmen.

The Alliance, briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, expressed concern over the continuous killing of the state’s indigenes by Fulani herdsmen with an indigene of Benue state sitting as number three person in the hierarchy of leadership in the country.

The press briefing which was led by Prof. Tor Iorapuu, patron of Benue of Liberation Alliance expressed disappointment at other national leaders from Benue State.

According to the group, these leaders who include, Deputy Senate Minor-

ity Leader, Senator George Akume; and former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Barnabs Gemade, have not been able to attract the necessary attention to curb these attacks.

They argued that what is happening in Benue State was enough for President Goodluck Jonathan to have visited the state.

They said, “Indeed the response by Benue sons and daughters to this crisis is to say the least, appalling.

Benue currently has the Senate President, Senator David Mark and the Senate Minority leader, Senator George Akume. These high profile senators have indeed not paid the desired attention to this crisis. Until recently, they were all sitting ducks until they began to respond lately. Senator Gemade too only began to respond lately.

“Also, the federal Representatives of the local governments that have been ravage by the crisis haven’t done much either.”

in the hands of Obasanjo, he said, “When I spoke to one of them, he said it was a power game and that they wanted power too.”

The former Vice President who was said to have brought Rbiadu and el-Rufai into the government failed to mention who among the two he spoke with.

Atiku, Ribadu and el-Rufai are currently chieftains of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

When asked the state of his current relation with the duo

especially that they meet at the highest level of the party, he said, “As a politician and as a democrat, if you cannot manage differences, then you should not be there. I think it is part of leadership. You should be able to manage others.”

The former Vice President who abandoned the PDP, for the second time recently said he did so because he found that he was not relevant in the party. He said efforts to refocus the PDP were being blocked by those who did not know how the party was formed in

the first place.

“A party is not a religion.

Even religion, people change.

I mean, you see some people changing from Islam to Christianity Muslims and vice versa. That is religion. I mean, worshipping God, not to talk of party. By the way, how many of us founding fathers are today left in the PDP? Tell me how many. Almost all of them are gone. Those who cannot afford to remain in politics have retired simply because the party has been taken over by people who

should not in the first place be there,” he said.

Atiku said he believed that people who don’t want to conform, or who want to have their way by any means, where among those, who appear to be jittery about his politics.

“And as far as I am concerned, I won’t take it. I must insist on what I believe in democracy, good governance, rule of law and so on and so forth,” he said.

•See full interview on pages 26 & 27

L-R: Olori Omooba Akile, Ijebu and Chairman, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Olasunbomi Balogun; Awujale of Ijebuland and Chairman, Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona; and Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, during the governor’s re-union visit to the Fidipote ruling House in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State...yesterday PHOTO: KUNLE OLAYENI

21 banks in alleged N150bn tax remittance fraud Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

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onsultants hired by the Federal Government to scrutinise the books of agent banks collecting taxes and customs duties on behalf of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have uncovered N150 billion unremitted taxes and customs duties by agent banks from N5 billion detected in January.

The new figure represents aggregate discovery by 22 consultants that had so far submitted their findings to the lead consultant- JK Consultants. The remaining 21 consultants still at collating stage may submit their report to the lead consultant any moment from now.

The hired consultants are 43 in number while JK Consultants was appointed by the government as the lead consultant.

New Telegraph on Sunday had exclusively reported that

N5 billion had been discovered by two consultants in the course of auditing the books of banks assigned to them by the lead consultant.

Updating New Telegraph on Sunday, one of the consultants who spoke in confidence described their findings in the course of scrutinising the books of the banks as mind boggling.

He said, “The liability we have pushed to one of the banks we handled is about N5.4 billion, which is a fraction of just customs collection not remitted by the bank. About N150 billion has so far been established by 22 consultants that have submitted their reports to the lead consultant.”

He said that no less than 22 consultants had submitted their reports to the lead consultant, adding, “Thereafter, we will still forward to the banks to do their own check within a grace period of seven days, failure which we will take the assessment as final and conclusive. The seven

days grace given to banks is to enable them to point out any area of disagreement.”

Another consultant within the group who asked for identity protection as he was not permitted to speak on issue, said the N150 billion established by 22 consultants covers both the actual amount the banks collected and withheld and accruing interest. He said that a particular nationalised bank, (name withheld) could be asked to refund as much as N5.4 billion detected in its book as unremitted taxes and customs duties.

When our correspondent put a call to Mr Kayode Nayieju, Principal Consultant in JK Consulting firm a lady who identified herself as Miss.

Hope , Personal Assistant to Nayieju, said all enquiries be channelled to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. The Chairman of RMAFC, Engr.

Elias Mbam did not respond to his calls.

Nayieju, a former Accoun-

tant General of the Federation and one time Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, is the lead consultant hired by the Federal Government last year to verify the books all the 21 banks engaged

by FIRS and NCS as collecting agents for tax collection and excise duty payment.

His appointment stems from complaints over dwindling non-oil revenue accruals from FIRS and the Customs to the Federation Account. The complaint by Federation Account and Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the RMAFC led to the inauguration of 43 consultants under a lead consultant.

Last May, RMAFC mandated the lead consultancy firm to verify the books of all the 21 banks in the country engaged by FIRS and Customs as collecting vehicles for tax collection and exercise duty payment. The auditing coverage had a four-year span from 2008 to 2012 remitted taxes withheld by collecting banks.

6

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News

Christians may boycott 2016 census, says CAN Onwuka Nzeshi Abuja

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he Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday threatened to ask Christian to boycott the 2016 national population census if there would be no provision for religion in the bio data of Nigerian citizens during the exercise.

The threat came as CAN faulted the claim by an Islamic organisation, Jama’atu Nasril Islam(JNI), that the composition of delegates to the National Conference was skewed in favour of Christians and unfair to Muslims “who are in the majority”.

JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, had stated that the process of selecting the delegates was deliberately skewed against Muslims whom, he claimed were in the majority in Nigeria. According to Abubakar, the process was designed to produce some pre- determined outcomes at the conference being attended by 492 delegates.

“Christians, who by all acceptable records are not more than 40 per cent of the country’s population ironically constitute 62 per cent of the total delegates, “ the JNI scribe said.

However, the General Secretary of CAN, Dr. Musa Asake yesterday described the position of JNI as provocative and an attempt by the Islamic group to cast aspersions at Christians and discredit the national conference even before it takes off.

Asake, who spoke at a press conference in Abuja said that the issue of numerical strength of adherents of different faiths in the country would have been settled if Muslims had allowed the Na-

tional Population Commission include religion in their data during the 2006 head count.

Asake described the president of JNI as disappointing, particularly when there are no verifiable records to show that Muslims were more in population than Christians in the country.

“CAN may need to remind JNI of the argument and refusal of Muslims to include religion during the last census in Nigeria. We appeal to JNI not to use religion as a basis for their reservations about the National Conference. We believe the conference will do Nigeria a lot of good.

“The JNI should come out with the figures that make the Muslim population to be more than that of Christians as we in CAN will boycott future census in Nigeria beginning with the 2016 exercise if they do not include religion. Enough is enough!

“When and how are these figures by the international agencies arrived at? Which of the international agencies have census figures that Nigerians do not have? Has there been any census by international agencies in Nigeria? To put forward a suggestion or theories like this one by Khalid, for others to consider should have been well thought out.

In this case, the JNI secretary general goofed, having put out insensible arguments and thoughts.

We are therefore challenging the secretary-general of the JNI to make it public the source of his population figures which shows that Christians in this country are 40 per cent,” Asake said.

He warned that if JNI did not respond to the population issue, and produce verifiable evidence of Muslim population

in Nigeria, CAN would use alternative means to ascertain the fact of their publication.

“We cannot continue to allow people like the JNI to be making reckless and false statements, bringing division

among Christians and Muslims, when we are busy working hard to see that we live together in peace and harmony.

“The body of rules, ideas, principles and techniques that applies to subjects like census

figures must be those matched by empirical evidence. Khalid’s ideas, thoughts and beliefs about the 40 per cent Christian population and 62 per cent of delegates being Christians are therefore mere speculation

and conjectures to buy in the idea of a region’s reluctance to attend the conference. It is another way of using religion to shoot down the conference,” CAN said.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (3rd right), celebrant and former Minister of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola (3rd left), National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu (2nd left), Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi (2nd right), wife of the celebrant, Alhaja Hamotulai Ajibola (left), Pro-chancellor, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu (right) at the 80th birthday celebration of Ajibola in Abeokuta yesterday.

Pope Francis to visit Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a cause to which the Pontiff was very committed.

According to the President, his administration was already working in close collaboration with Cardinal John Onaiyekan who was “the team leader” for the effort to strengthen interfaith dialogue in Nigeria.

He assured the Pope of his administration’s continued commitment to the promotion of religious harmony and the peaceful co-existence of people of all faiths.

Jonathan said he assured the pope that his administration would continue to work diligently to alleviate poverty in Nigeria through more in-

clusive economic growth and development.

A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said, “President Jonathan who noted that Pope Francis has always taken a keen interest in Nigeria, said that the Pope promised to visit the country.”

Pope Francis during the meeting assured that he would continue to pray for God Almighty to bless Nigeria and its people.

“My coming to see the Pope was to discuss issues, especially that of inter-faith dialogue which the Vatican has been promoting..

“Also the Pope has been ad-

vocating that the world should do more to eradicate poverty and make sure that the ordinary people of this world are in a position to live more decent lives. The Pope is very dedicated to poverty alleviation and I also interfaced with him on how we can collaborate more with the Vatican on what we are already doing in this regard back home,” it noted.

After his private meeting with Jonathan, Pope Francis received the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri; Governor Godswill Akpabio and his spouse, Ekerette; Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam; former Anam-

bra State Governor Peter Obi and his spouse, Margaret; the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Helen Mark; and other members of the President’s entourage.

Others present at the enlarged audience with the Pope included Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Dr. Francis C. Okeke; the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba; and Chief Mike Oghiadomhe.

Before leaving the Vatican, Jonathan also conferred with the Secretary of State, Monsignor Pietro Parolin.

He had received Nigeria’s Vatican-based Cardinal Francis Arinze earlier in the day at the St. Regis Hotel in Rome.

Our expectations from Confab –Ezeife, Izuogu *Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife -Leader of Anambra State delegation

The South-East delegation is bringing peace, economic development and robust stability to all Nigerians.

I do not buy the idea of ‘no go areas’ imposed on the conference. They were looking for trouble by imposing that so-called restriction. Nobody is going there anyway.

But by saying don’t go there,

it means you are attracting people to go there. We know who we are as Nigerians. We know that some people will make shakara for sometime and after the shakara they will come back to business.

Who would like to leave?

Our people have voted with their feet for one Nigeria. We are not leaving to go anywhere, unless we are pushed out. Efforts have been made to push us out in the past and we left. But they dragged us back

and here we are. I don’t know where the Hausa/Fulani want to go. Is it into the desert?

Where would the Yoruba go?

Big people, small people, they are better here in Nigeria. So if we have disagreements, we must settle them.

*Chief Ezekiel Izuogu - Inventor of Z600, first Made in Nigeria car

I am worried about the attempt to restrict our discourse at this conference. I

don’t know why they should impose no-go areas. If I have a relationship with you, I should be able to discuss anything in that relationship.

If you begin to impose nogo areas it seems you have a hidden agenda. That’s my thinking. Coming from the South-East, most of us seem to have various ideas which we think may be the best, but having a consensus position appears difficult. But as much as possible we shall

try to gravitate towards a consensus position.

We believe in equality; we believe that the system should be so structured that every Nigerian, irrespective of his age or tribe or religion can have a space where he can operate and be rated on the strength of his achievement not because of where he comes from. We also believe in revenue allocation that recognises that something comes from a particular place.

I have high hopes about this conference. Every inventor always has high hopes.

He believes that what he is working on will bring solutions to society. So in spite of the negative feelings about the conference in some quarters, I have high hopes that this conference can bring a wonderful movement for Nigeria; that Nigeria’s problems can be solved through this conference if the people are genuine and sincere.

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MARCH 16, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

News

Hitches mar Nasarawa LG poll Muhammad Ahmad Lafia

T

he Nasarawa State local government elections which began on Saturday was characterized with the delay in the distribution of materials to mostly ward and polling units.

Our correspondent who monitored the exercise reports that election materials were yet to be delivered to virtually all the polling units from across the state as of 11.am.

In Lafia the state capital, presiding officers for various wards were waiting anxiously for their supervisory officers whom they alleged are still at the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) collecting centre for the election materials.

Although election materials arrived each local government on Friday night and were kept at various local government police divisional headquarters, there were slow distribution of materials to respective wards

Outrage in Imo over attack on Mark’s convoy Steve Uzoechi OWERRI

M

ore residents of Owerri, the Imo state capital, have continued to condemn Friday’s attack on the convoy of the Senate President, David Mark by yet to be identified gunmen in the Orlu area of the state.

A group, South-East Progressive Assembly (SEPA) in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Hon. Ebere Uzoukwa described the attack as “unfortunate, strange and inconsistent with the culture of hospitality of the average Igbo man.”

Describing David Mark as a model legislator and a stabilizing factor in the National Assembly, Uzoukwa maintained that the attack was needless and primitive.

“Having attended the burial

of late Richard Anyaehie, the Senate President had been on a condolence visit to Nkwerre devoid of any political colouration and Orlu people was under obligation to receive him as a friend. Hence it is not difficult to guess that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were derived from outside Imo state. Be that as it may, this also calls for absolute vigilance on the security chiefs in Imo state to forestall future occurrence,” Uzoukwa said.

Similarly, the traditional Prime Minister of Nkwere, Chief Rex Anunobi, in an emotion-laden voice condemned the attack describing it as “one of those unjust realities of our time; that a man came to mourn his friend and had to contend with blood-thirsty gunmen. It is an assault not on David Mark alone, but on the people of Orlu, Imo state and Nigeria at large.

Low turn out trails Edo assessment test Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

D

efiant as ever, Edo state government yesterday made good its resolve to organize the planned teachers’ assessment test in parts of the three senatorial districts of the state.

The exercise however was trailed by low turnout following directives by the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state to its members to shun the proposed exercise.

This is in spite of the restraining order of the Court of Arbitration sitting in Akure Ondo state capital on the state government not to organize

the test.

There was also a mild drama at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) venue of the exercise for teachers in Edo South, as the Counsel to the teachers, Barrister Olayiwola Afolabi displayed a court injunction which restrained the state government from the conduct of the exercise.

The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr Washington Osifo in reaction yesterday said the state government was not aware of any court injunction restraining the test from going on.

He said all preparations were put in place to ensure a successful exercise.

and polling units.

Reports from Keffi, Nasarawa, Toto, and Karu local government areas were also similar. In Toto, there was a mild drama as political parties rejected the change of adhoc officers which contributed to the delay.

In Obi Local Government Area in the southern part of the state, witnesses say three trucks of mobile police officers with registration number 10B 47 GM, 10B23GM, and 10B 51 GM arrived (from Gombe) to re-enforce security in the area.

Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi, Presiding officer of Sunmaya Polling unit in Ciroma ward, Lafia local government area of the state said since 6am this morning (yesterday), I came to the ward headquarters and up till now we are here at the

ward headquarters waiting for election materials.

The minister of Information Labaran Maku who cast his around 1.20pm in Wakama clinic polling unit of Nasarawa Eggon said that the administration in the state should be blamed for any hitch arising from the conduct of the exercise.

Maku said the legal from work for the exercise passed by the state assembly which is in conformity with the federal electoral act is the best and urged the electoral body to avoid been cajoled.

“I want to commend the Nasarawa state house of Assembly because for the first time they are given Nasarawa State an electoral act that is in conformity with the federal electoral act which results will

be announced at every polling unit, ward, and local government headquarters”.

Maku explained that if the process is followed they would be know problem arising from the conduct of the elections.

“So if anything fails here it will simply means the administration not the law because the law has guaranteed a free and fair election what is remaining for the Nasarawa state Electoral Commission is to now perform and conform with the law” However, the state governor Umaru Tanko Almakura who casted his vote around 2.pm in lungun Wambai polling unit in Gayam ward of Lafia,urged other states to emulate the exercise.

Although the elections

commenced hours behind schedule their was adequate security arrangements Muhammad Ahmad Lafia.

The board secretary of People Democratic Party ( PDP ) Senator Wali Jibrin has alleged a hidden agenda

by All progressive Congress ( APC ) to disrupt the smooth conduct of local government elections in the state.

Senator Jibrin who spoke to New Telegraph on phone from Laminga primary school, Nasarawa local government area, said that the security arrangements has helped in no small measure in curtailing the excesses.

“They had a plan to disrupt the exercise but the security arrangements nas disappointed them”

L-R:Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant, Senator Iyiola Omisore; Archbishop of Ibadan Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin and Senator Olu Alabi during the public presentation of Aqua/Alba water factory in Osogbo …yesterday

Developmental projects in Ogun multi-pronged, says Tinubu Abiodun Durojaiye

N

ational Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu has described the various on-going developmental projects in Ogun State as multi-pronged, noting that the Ibikunle Amosun administration is focused.

Tinubu made this submission in Abeokuta after visiting some project which

included roads, flyovers and modern shopping malls across the state.

He also described the Amosun-led government as visionary and peopleoriented and noted that it has impacted positively on the lives of the people in the state in no small measure.

The APC leader said he was more delighted with the fact that the developments have brought smiles on the faces of the Ogun State

people, adding that he had no doubt that the this would earn the confidence of the people whose hopes for democratic dividends had been shattered in the past.

“The infrastructural projects going on in Ogun State is multi-pronged which in effect has brought smiles on the faces of the people and that is what I see everywhere I have visited in the state.”

Responding to the ques-

tion of what would be the fate of his party at the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Ekiti State, Tinubu expressed optimism that the spate of developments in Ogun, Ekiti and other APC sates would suffice to win the votes of the electorate.

He noted that the party had already written its name in gold in the hearts of the people and would only need to protect its votes at the polls.

9

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 9, 2014

advertising sector across the country.

Speaking on this development, the Managing Director of LASAA, Mr George Noah, noted that ‘‘Outdoor Advertising regulatory bodies in Nigeria are faced with several and similar challenges including the decline of out of home advertising spend due to competition from internet, radio and T.V. It is important to have a platform that allows for idea sharing, protection of industry interest and a general collaboration for sustainability in the emerging world’.

Noah listed other challenges as varied standards, rates, human resource capacity and outdoor sites

LASAA mulls formation of outdoor regulatory body Azubike Nnadozie Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) is spearheading the formation of an association to protect the interest of outdoor advertising regulatory agencies in Nigeria. Sources at LASAA said the proposed regulatory body may be known as Outdoor Advertising Regulatory Association of Nigeria (OARAN). LASAA, the first structured outdoor regulatory agency in Nigeria says the proposed association would help promote sustainable economic growth in a vibrant outdoor

News in military and police formations.

LASAA was established in 2006 to regulate and Control the display of signs and outdoor advertisement in Lagos State. Following its successful operation, it has become a model for other states.

Some of its key initiatives include the signage and outdoor advertising master plan to improve the visual communication environment in the state. It is expected that this collaborative effort of pioneering the first outdoor advertising regulatory association in Nigeria will bring about the much anticipated change and growth within the outdoor advertising landscape across the country.

NIS recruitment: National Hospital releases five more bodies The Management of National Hospital, Abuja, has released five more bodies of those who died during Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment to their family members.

News Agency of Nigeria recalls that only one out of the seven bodies deposited at the National Hospital mortuary on March 14 was earlier claimed after proper identification.

The hospital’s spokesman, Dr Tayo Haastrup, said on Saturday that: “We had earlier released only one body but in the last two days, we

have released five more bodies to family members of the deceased.

We are left with one body and it will be released to the family members after proper identification,” Haastrup said.

He said two women were still on admission in the hospital and hoped that they would be discharged soon.

An eyewitness in the hospital told NAN that shortly after a directive

by President Goodluck Jonathan to compensate the families of the deceased and the injured, more people had visited the hospital claiming to be injured.

Haastrup, however, said the hospital management had directed such people to the Nigerian Immigration Service office to state their claims.

“The management has a list of people who were treated and admitted at the hospital as a result of the stampede. We cannot be fraudulent and begin to include names of people we did not treat; so we have asked them to go to the appropriate office”, he said.

He said that the management would release the list of the victims to the appropriate authorities when it is needed.

Why Governor Shettima should not reply Mshelia -Group Ndubuisi Ugah

Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Ayo Fayose (right) being congratulated by the Chairman of the Special Congress Committee, Dr Peter Odili after his election in Ado Ekiti yesterday.

Segun was one of the nicest persons you can meet, says Okoroji Tony Okuyeme, Ebere Ameh and Bayo Adeoye

T

ributes have continued to flow for the late popular broadcaster, Femi Segun who died on Friday at a Lagos hospital due to complications from multiple injuries he sustained from an accident he had with his power bike a week ago. The former diplomat, public relations practitioner, master compere and son of renowned novelist, Mrs Mabel Segun, died in his 50s.

Former president of Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Tony Okoroji, described the late Femi Segun as a brilliant detribalised person, stressing that he was devastated by the news of his death.

“I am completely devastated; I am shocked beyond

words. He was my friend in every sense of the word. He was anchor of PMAN Music Award held at the National Theatre, and he has been my friend all these years.

“We were on the same flight recently from London to Nigeria and we talked. I am totally shocked to hear that he had to leave so soon. Femi Segun was one of the nicest persons you can meet. He is a brilliant, detribalized and warm person. He likes to explore new ideas. May his soul rest in peace,” Okoroji said.

Yeni Kuti described the death of her ex -husband as devastating and shocking.

The daughter of late music legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, while speaking with New Telegraph on Sunday described the compere extraordinary as a perfect gentleman.

“Olufemi was a perfect gentleman, he was the only

gentleman I know in this continent, so gentle, detailed and intelligent. I will miss him so much.”

Segun’s long-time friend and fellow Igbobi College Alumnus, Bola-Wola Makinde wrote a short condolence on his (Makinde) Facebook page with the words, ‘Who can question the Lord?…Requiescat in pace, Femi Segun!’

Also reacting to Segun’s death the chief executive Officer of Evergreen Music, Mr. Femi Esho, described Segun’s demise as very unfortunate.

“It is very sad that we have lost such a person.”

Bright Chimezie in a telephone interview said “It’s shocking; very sad.”

While expressing shock, Mr. Patrick Osubo, Mike Okri’s manager, said Segun’s death is a great loss, adding that “he was a great person”.”

Also reacting to the news,

General Secretary of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr. Mature T Okoduwa, said: “It is really sad to hear of Femi Segun’s death.

He was a fine gentleman, a highly versatile person who contributed immensely to the development of our nation, socially, economically and politically. He will be greatly missed by all.”

Segun’s facebook page is full of tributes from friends and colleagues as they mourn his demise. While many have resigned to the will of God, others blame his obsession for the power bike which eventually took his life.

“Rest in perfect peace, I still am finding it hard to believe that you are gone. A gentleman in a million, may the Lord give your loved ones the grace and wisdom to handle your sudden death. Sun re,” Beam Akinwumi wrote.

A Group, Biu League of Professionals, has called on Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State never to respond to a critic, Tukur Mshelia who has waged media war against the state government.

Coordinator of the Group, Engineer Bitrus Mshelia Dogo, who was reacting to a paid advertorial on last Friday’s edition of a national newspaper said replying his kinsman,Tukur Mshelia, would amount to “packaging faeces in a beautiful travelling bag”.

“Our kinsman, Tukur Mshelia, claiming to be leader of Concerned Borno Citizens had signed two advertorials in Leadership, including the latest on Friday, raining insults and accusations against our God-given Governor, Kashim Shettima. First, we distance ourselves from the actions of our cursed son. The Tukur we

all know is so broke that he cannot afford to part with one thousand naira let alone to sponsor an advertisement that costs much on a national daily.

It is clear that Tukur is fighting somebody’s war that we can all guess who the person is.

For a long time Tukur Mshelia had no job. He tried everything to get rich quick and everything failed him. We know him very well. He is a desperate young man that wants to be Dangote overnight; he can do anything and everything to make money. He wants to contest elections in 2015 after failing in previous attempts to win at the primaries. Tukur simply wants Governor Kashim to call him and settle him with cash or to help him win elections in 2015 now that it is public knowledge that it is the Governor and his associates that will call the shots”, Dogo said in a statement issued on Saturday.

Kidnappers’ den found in Ibadan Sola Adeyemo Three was a stunning revelation in Ibadan on Saturday as a den of kidnappers was uncovered with hundreds of human skulls discovered in an underground dungeon in Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to the people around the area, hundreds of people had been butchered in the dungeon as revealed by the police discovery at the scene.

It was a forest of death as there were also open graves where bodies were dumped.

It was gathered that the bush was where human parts were freely sold to people who often come to the area at night.

A source informed that some cattle rearers were usually seen in the bush grazing their cattle.

In the bush were bodies dumped in some open contain-

ers and some in deep dried wells. In one of the buildings, an abandoned factory was where the captives were slaughtered and sold in parts to their clients.

There were clots of blood on the floor of the room and a platform built by wooden plank to which some mechanics around the area confirmed that many high profile people usually visit especially in the night to patronise their clients.

One Akeem Isiaka (38) was arrested at the scene and taken away by security agents to Sanyo Police station When contacted, the Oyo State Police Command spokesperson, Mrs Olabisi Ilobanafor, said some arrests were made yesterday, but the prime suspect was at large.

She said some security personnel had been detailed to the scene to secure the area.

Setting the standards in emergency and disaster management p.12&13 NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

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MARCH 23, 2014

Life 10

Baby factories: New face of human trafficking

Pregnant teenagers apprehended in a baby factory.

Ahaoma Kanu

L

ast week, some suspects paraded by officers of the Nigeria Police in Akwa Ibom and Ogun states had something in common; they were young pregnant girls rescued from baby factories in the respective states.

While the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Gwadabe, said they busted a baby havesting factory along NEPA line at Ikot Ekpene LGA of the state and rescued seven pregnant teenagers, his Ogun state comterpart, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, said they rescued eight pregnant women from another baby factory located at Akute-Ajuwon, Ifo LGA of the state.

Among the girls arrested was a 16-year old teenager who was promised some money to abandon her baby after delivery. Her baby was meant to be sold for N300,000.

Some of the suspects apprehended in Akwa Ibom said they were driven into the illicit business due to poverty.

The increasing incidences of young pregnant girls being lured into giving away their babies to be sold have presented Nigeria as a country with another level of human trafficking. According to a report, entitled, The Phenomenon of Baby Factories in Nigeria, authored by Svetlana Huntley and published in the International Crime Database in October last year, since 2006, baby harvesting in Nigeria has taken a more dan-

gerous and complex form involving human trafficking alongside other illegal activities.

It has become a new trend in human trafficking in country. Unlike human trafficking where some of the victims assent to the illegal practice, the victims in this scenario are traded from conception and a price paid for them in their first few days on earth.

Putting Nigeria in a negative spotlight In a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) 2006 policy paper on human trafficking in Nigeria, the first reported cases of babies harvested occurred in Abia, Lagos and Ebonyi states. The report, which investigations covered 11 states in Nigeria, discovered that many of the cases were reported in clinics and orphanages with doctors, nurses and orphanages operators being involved. They helped to get teenagers and other women with unplanned pregnancies to keep their babies after birth. The women are usually provided with accommodation and taken care of during the period of the pregnancy, but after delivery, are paid to leave their babies who are then sold to couples desiring children. The price of a baby depends on the sex; male babies are sold for higher amounts.

Since this report, so many cases of baby factories have been recorded. In 2008, a network of baby factories claiming to be orphanages were revealed in Enugu State.

Dele George, founder, Little Saints Orphanage

Three years later, officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Enugu State, arrested one Dr. Ben Agbo, for operating an illegal baby home, Moonlight Maternity home, for alleged sale of babies. The suspect confessed to have been engaged in the crime for 10 years and charged as much as N500, 000 from some prospective clients. Some documents found in his possession showed records of transactions where some of his clients deposited up to N200, 000, premised to pay the agreed balance when the baby is ready for them. In May of that same year, 32 pregnant girls, whose babies were on the sales list, ranging between N25 000 and N30

00, depending on sex, were rescued from an illegal facility in Abia state, called the Cross Foundation. Also, in October 2011 in Anambra State, another 17 pregnant teenagers were reported to have been freed from a sachet water production factory which was being used as an illegal baby harvesting facility. In May 2013, the Imo State Police Command rescued 17 pregnant teenagers from a syndicate in Umuaka, Njaba Local Government Area of the state. The police saved 11 babies waiting to be sold at the Ahamefula Motherless Babies Home. Also arrested in the raid was a young man who confessed to being the person responsible for impregnating the girls. The proprietor of the home, known as Madam One Thousand evaded arrest. Two other suspects were later arrested in Ebonyi State for specialising in conveying pregnant young girls to the home. In January this year, men of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, in Ondo State uncovered a baby factory syndicate in Ilu Tuntun in Okitipupa Local Government area of the state, arresting no fewer than 24 suspects during the invasion. The illegal facility operated by one 45-year-old Happiness Ogundeji, a.ka Mama Phorta, had five young pregnant women, between the ages of 20 and 25, five babies and eight men who were said to have impregnated them. The Campaign for Democracy, CD, a civil society organisation, put the number CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

11

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Life

Pregnant teenagers rescued by the police

South-Eastern states have the hightest cases so far

Baby factories: New face of human trafficking CONTINUED FR O M PAGE 10

of rescued cases at 2500 with Imo and Abia states topping the list.

Factors causing the upsurge.

The major cause of the increase in the crime is poverty, corruption and failure of government to affect the people.

According to South-East Chairman of CD, Mr. Uzor Uzor, governments at the state and local governments in the region have failed to put adequate measures in place to empower the youths by creating meaningful employment.

“The rising cases of baby factories in the South-East are as a result of the failure of the state governments in the South-East to create jobs for the teeming youths, especially the helpless girls who are easily lured into the trade,” he said.

The International Crime Database report describes the new baby factory phenomenon as a widespread crime which is systematic in nature, since some of the operators are allegedly to be part of human trafficking networks. The UNESCO policy paper identified poverty, perversion of cultural traditions, manipulation of religious rituals, harmful cultural and social realities as some of the root causes of the crime while Huntley listed low levels of education, illiteracy and lack of information on human trafficking as some factors. But founder of Little Saints orphanage and the President of the Association of Homes and Orphanages in Lagos, Mrs. Dele George, throws new light into what may be the reason for the high incidence of baby factories. She said that the desire of Nigerians to adopt babies apear to be a factor in the increasing rate of crime.

“The awareness for adoption has been growing and as a result, a lot of people who are desiring children are now going the way of adoption. But because the process of adoption in many states across the country is very tedious and sometimes, very long, they become impatient and as a result, they would rather go behind the door to obtain a child,” she pointed out.

Process of adoption The process of adoption in Nigeria comes

in two stages, first of which is the formal application to the relevant authority which may be the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development or Ministry of Youth and Social Development. It varies across states.

Also required is an application to a court, usually a magistrate court. The applicant is expected to fill and submit copies of birth certificate of the child, medical certificate of fitness of the child and the adopting paper obtained from a recognised government hospital or orphanage. Also required are the photograph of the child, passport photographs of the adopting parents, employment letter from applicant’s employers, affidavit of means deposed to by the applicant, consent letter from the biological parents (where applicable), power of attorney (where adopting parents are represented by a lawyer). At the point of submission of the application, the applicant is required to make statutory payment which varies from state to state.

When the application with the accompanying documents has been properly presented to the satisfaction of the child welfare officer, a formal application is then made to the court. The hearing of the application may be in open court or in chambers and where, if the court is satisfied, custody is granted to the applicant as prayed. For some states like Lagos, the process includes an interview with the Director Social Welfare, administrative processing or screening sessioned and a mandatory counselling session. The process may take at least three months.

Another factor George pointed out is that the supply of babies for adoption no longer meets the demand due to the proliferation of non-governmental agencies and services rendered by social welfare departments which has drastically brought down the rate of abandonment of unwanted babies.

“The major challenge is the scarcity of babies in orphanages. You see, a lot of NGOs have risen up to assist some of these women

and girls with unwanted pregnancies which have also reduced the rate of abandonment.

In 1994 when I founded the Little Saints Orphanage, there were not so many NGOs but with the return to democracy, so many of these organisations have been registered and they help in coming to the aid of some of these women with unplanned pregnancies.

I am not saying that there is no abandonment but it has drastically reduced,” she said.

Arresting the situation With the increased appearances of this crime, the need to arrest the growing number of baby factories springing up is immediate. One of the major hurdles affecting the increasing rate is the fact that there is limited legal frame work for the crime. Although Nigeria has ratified or acceded to most of the important international instruments fighting human trafficking and protecting women and children, it has neither signed nor ratified the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption, which aims to prevent the abduction, sale of children and child trafficking and to establish transparent mechanisms for interstate adoptions.

Some of the international laws Nigeria is signatory to are the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the International Labour Organisation Convention on Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Locally, the only law enacted which may be connected with the crime is the Trafficking in Persons Act 2003. According to the ICD report, the Criminal and Penal Code of Nigeria were adopted before the Trafficking Act 2003. The Law does not define the crime of human trafficking. However, it criminalises offences related to it, such as: slave dealing,

“The rising cases of baby factories in the South-East are as a result of the failure of the state governments in the SouthEast to create jobs for the teeming youths, especially the helpless girls who are easily lured into the trade”

forced labour and sexual offences, but fails to address the issue of human trafficking comprehensively. But the Association of Homes and Orphanages in Lagos called on both the federal and state governments to step up on their supervisory roles in checking the ugly trend. Speaking to New Telegraph on Sunday, the Secretary of the association and founder of Compassionate Orphanage, Mr. Gabriel Oyedeji, said that their association had been trying to help identify illegal homes and orphanages but needs the cooperation of government to be able to consolidate on their efforts.

“We have been trying to fight this issue but the law does not empower us to go and supervise some of these homes. The government needs to synergise with us like the Lagos State Government is doing. They interact with us and we are very conscious of the severity of the issue,” he said. The association has about 30 members across Lagos State and has written to the Ministry of Women Affairs offering to proffer solutions to the menace.

“We have written to the Ministry of Women Affairs and would want to meet with them and show them the model we developed to tackle this crime. We have been working relatively well with the Lagos State Government and have also written to all the states across the country. I am happy to announce that Plateau, Edo and Oyo states saw what we are doing and have inaugurated same associations in their respective states,” Oyedeji said.

George urged the government to step up on the supervisory role and also set some examples with suspects those apprehended.

“Government should step up and identify the illegal homes and close them. If any is found wanting, they should withdraw their licence and prosecute those involved. Once a few are prosecuted, the rest will stop. They have to set an example with some of the offenders so the rest will take cue.”

Some of the ways government can fight this new crime is by addressing the issue in anti-trafficking legislation, create awareness on the dangers involved with the practise and also develop programs breaking social stigmas and taboos that encourage operation of baby factories.

12

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23 2014

Special Report

NEMA: Setting standards in emergency and disaster management

NEMA officials ferrying relief materials to a community affected by flood

Ahaoma Kanu

T

he management of emergencies in any country is an essential department of governance in the providing security, rescue operations and tackle natural disasters that may occur. The need for such department cannot be over emphasised.

Such was the objective when the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, was established by Act 12 as amended by Act 50 of the 1999 Constitution. The agency was established to formulate policies on all activities relating to disaster management in Nigeria and co-ordinate plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters at national level; It is also responsible for co-ordinating and promoting research activities relating to disaster management at the national level and monitors the state of preparedness of all organizations or agencies which may contribute to disaster management in Nigeria.

NEMA is also in charge of collating data from relevant agencies so as to enhance forecasting, planning and field operations in disaster management; educating and informing the public on disaster prevention and control measures as well as receiving financial and technical aid from international organisations and non-governmental agencies for the purpose of disaster management in Nigeria. It also co-ordinates and facilitates the provision of necessary resources for search and rescue and other types of disaster curtailment activities in response to distress calls, among other duties.

In order to achieve these daunting tasks, the agency incorporated seven departments with a strategic structure to meet its goals.

These departments are divided into plan-

ning, research and forecasting; search and rescue; relief and rehabilitation and administration and supplies. Others are the department of finance and accounts, department of training and also, disaster risk reduction department.

Since it’s establishment, the agency has had a leadership that has taken the organisation through a pattern of consolidating on the challenges of providing essential services to Nigeria. The current Director-General of NEMA, Mr. Muhammad Sani Sidi, has since his appointment on September 21, 2010, taken the agency through a metamorphosis of efficiency in service delivery by inculcating and introducing policies, plans and using new technology in driving the workings of NEMA. Having acquired a wealth of knowledge through a rewarding career in the civil service, where he served as commissioner for environment and natural resources, commissioner for works and transport and lately as the commissioner for culture and tourism

DG NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi

in his home state of Kaduna, he repackaged NEMA by investing in human resources training, refocusing the agency’s commitment on delivering world class emergency operations. So far, the rewards are evident in the way recent cases of natural disasters, accidents and conflicts have been handled.

Some of the areas in which these innovations were achieved are as follows: Developing national plans and policies Within a three-year period, NEMA developed some policies, plans and guidelines in coordinating their activities. One of such necessary policies was the development of the National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF) in 2010-2011 in collaboration with stakeholders in disaster management to serve as a foundation upon which all plans, policies, programmes and procedures for disaster management can be created, developed and sustained. NEMA with the technical support of UNICEF and in collaboration with other stakeholders in disaster

management concluded the development of a National Contingency Plan (NCP) for the country in 2011. The NCP addresses the readiness of disaster management stakeholders in the country and defines the mode of operations for engaging international assistance when required. In view of the importance of the military in disaster management and the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) as a critical response arm of NEMA, the agency in collaboration with the Defence Headquarters developed the Draft Guidelines for the use of military personnel and assets during emergencies with the number of DRU formations in the country increased from 57 to 64. NEMA also drafted the National Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Plan in 2010 to conform to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s standard requirement. This was done with the intention of addressing possible humanitarian challenges that may arise as a result of the use of nuclear and radioactive material.

In 2012, one of the worst natural disasters in Nigeria occurred when several states were affected by floods emanating from heavy rainfall, which led to the flushing of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroun. When the flood which did colossal damages to lives and properties in Nigeria happened, NEMA was not only on ground to render efficient help to the victims across the affected states, it went a step further to develop a response manual to forestall future occurrences. This initiative produced the Lake Nyos Disaster Response Manual, which provides an understanding of these threats of such natural disasters and their implications and also, the roles of stakeholders and communities. The manual was tested in an exercise at the Armed Forces Simulation CON TINU ED ON PAG E 13

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Special Report

‘Setting standards in emergency and disaster management’

Various activities of NEMA CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 12

Centre, in Jaji.

In 2013, NEMA entered an agreement with relevant agencies in sensitising Nigerians on environmental and other hazards. A Memorandum of Understanding was therefore signed with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in this regard. Also, there was an amendment to the Search and Rescue and Epidemic Evacuation Plan (SAREEP) for efficiency. The agency did not stop at that, several other plans and policies are still undergoing processing like the Joint Humanitarian Action Plan for Nigeria being developed to address national humanitarian response challenges that may arise in emergencies and disasters; the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for response to vulnerable groups in emergency/disaster among others.

Upgrading research and development In order to remain ahead on new methods, NEMA empowered its research and development department. The agency, in collaboration with other stakeholders, sustained and strengthened Postgraduate and Diploma programmes in Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies in the six geo-political zones of the country.

Establishing an early warning system and risk assessment In the area of forecasting and giving out early warning, NEMA consolidated the activities in this sector by the development of early warning messages based on NIMET Seasonal Rainfall Prediction which is disseminated to the 36 states of the federation; and introduced the development of web-based surveillance system (NEMA Disaster Surveillance Map) to facilitate sharing, access and usage of spatial data in disaster management real-time in a web-based database system that helps in collecting, viewing and retrieval of spatially based disaster data. The information can be accessed on the website http://www.gis.nema.gov.ng. Also, flood risk assessment and critical infrastructure mapping were carried out at Kashimbila District, Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State. This was done in preparation for possible flood risk. Through its GIS unit, NEMA was able to visit some flood prone areas in Lagos and Ogun states for analysis.

Creating sensitisation and public awareness through campaigns A number of activities were initiated by NEMA to create awareness and sensitise the public on disaster management.

This includes providing a comprehensive coverage of the agency’s activities in both local and international media using various media platforms and the social media; giving timely and effective media information management during disasters and disseminating disaster management activities via annual reports and public service announcements.

Equipment acquisition Various state of the art equipment were procured for effective monitoring and supervising operations. The GIS equipment procured include scanners, LaserJet Plotter, computers, LED TV for display of map products or satellite imagery, UPS, Network server and licensed GIS software. Heavy duty equip-

Sani Sidi on a hospital visit

ment were also procured for Search and Rescue operations and these include excavators, water tankers, RIVs, air ambulances and a Bell 425 helicopter.

Involvement in national and international relief interventions The interventions of NEMA do not only cut across the country but have gone beyond borders to take care of Nigerians wherever they might be. Since 2010, the agency carried out series of assessments resulting from various disasters and subsequently provided relief interventions to the effected population across the country. This resolve led to the successful evacuation of distressed Nigerians from foreign countries, including Egypt, Libya, Cote d’ Ivoire and Tunisia.

Similarly, series of foreign interventions have been carried out by the agency among which were missions to Kenya, the Republic of Mali, Republic of Niger, the Republic of Gambia, Congo Brazzaville and Darfur. NEMA successfully provided assistance to first line responders in the areas of logistics and manpower. They also assisted in the coordination and responses to road accidents, petrol tanker fires, bomb blasts, collapsed buildings, post-election crises and victims of kerosene explosions. Some of the intervention services which NEMA offered are in assisting in the coordination and recovery of victims of a helicopter crash at Olaoluwa, Osun State, Dana and Associated air crashes in Lagos State. When MT Khalifa, a vessel with 28 men on board, caught fire at Escavos, NEMA came to their rescue following a distress call from the Nigeria Mission Control Centre (NIMCC). Also rescued from such sea disaster were four sailors on board MV UTAI-6 in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

Projects and Programmes Some projects and programmes have been initiated and some of the outcomes implemented. One of such projects is the Peace Building Meeting on Conflict Resolution for sustainable development held in Lafia, Nasarawa State and Kaduna State respectively. The objective of the meeting is to create

greater synergy to prevent, minimise and mitigate the impacts of conflicts and disasters across the region. Also, in conjunction with the Mobile Radiation Monitoring Laboratory of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA), NEMA carried out a radiological assessment of gold mine processing sites that led to lead poisoning and death of 400 and hospitalisation of 500 persons in two local government areas of Yar Garma and Bukuyum in Zamfara State. In order to achieve effective operation, NEMA decentralised its operations by establishing two operational offices in Gombe and Minna, which have since commenced operations. Another four of such offices are to be established.

Manpower development In the area of manpower development, NEMA has demonstrated its belief and preparedness to sustain its activities and consolidate on its achievements. In 2010, 10 project managers were trained on the use and activation of international charter for disaster management. The charter was activated for Sokoto in 2010. As a follow-up on the visit of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs in 2011, 16 project managers from NEMA GIS, OSGOF, NARSDA and RECTAS were trained by UNSPIDER sponsored by NEMA on the use of United Nations International Charter for Disaster Management in 2013. There were also training of Search and Rescue officers (SAROs), nurses, volunteers and drivers on Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) vehicles organised by Lifeskills Medical, UK in collaboration with Longivity Services Ltd. The agency also extended its training initiative on the armed forces. Officers of the Quick Response Force of the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), were trained on the use of extrication equipment in Minna, Niger State, as well as the training of some Air Wing pilots and Engineers on operation and maintenance of Bell 429 and Sovereign Citation Air ambulance.

Aspirations Despite being faced with challenges such as several court cases, the inability of the some state governments to establish functional and well-funded emergency management agencies and shortage of manpower among others, NEMA is poised to move ahead and give efficient service to Nigeria, according to its DG in a recent interview.

“The aspiration of NEMA is to become a world-class disaster management agency and a leading disaster management organisation in Africa and also to establish functional and well-funded SEMAs and LEMCs in all states of the federation by their respective governments. The agency is working hard to create a National Beacon Registration Database and awareness on the use of beacons through the collaboration with NCAA and NIMASA,” he said.

With enhanced funding, the agency will be enabled to carry out its coordinating role in disaster management as well as realise the need to establish a standard civil simulation centre that will train stakeholders in the areas of command control and multi-agency operations. The agency also plans to develop a National Incident Management System derived from the operational procedures of all the stakeholders to achieve the required synergy in disaster management so as to ensure that all staff has comprehensive issuance cover.

Kiddies Teens

14

with Kate Robin Adanihuwan

08066519657 (sms only)

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY 23 MARCH 2014

Hello Kids, Easter is fast approaching and I can think of a thousand things we can do together to make the season fun for us. Oyindamola Aladejuyigbe a Basic 5 pupil from Floral International School, Ogba, Lagos, will be teaching us how to make antiseptic liquid. Have fun solving the puzzle by ‘Beeing’ what God wants you to be. Till next week, stay blessed.

Bee-ing what God wants me to Bee Read the words in the list below, then find and circle them in the puzzle.

My teacher

T

he name of my teacher is Miss Mary Ogunfunwa, she is in her early 20s, she is fair in complexion but is not really tall. Her favourite food is jollof rice, and she speaks with an American accent.she teaches us so well, and always ask us if we understand what she is teaching us, but when we are naughty, she beats us, but loves playing with us a lot when we are good in class. i really love my teacher because she is fun to be with.

Temiloluwa Aladejuyigbe Basic 2 FLORAL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OGBA

How to make Antiseptic Texapol 1/4 IPA 2litres cholrenzol 1/8 water 2 litres dettol colourant (optional) dettol boosters (optional) PROCESS OF PRODUCTION Divide your texapol with a scale and get 1/4, add your IPA, add your water, then add water. After a few minutes add chlorenzol and your antiseptic booster. dissolve the colourant with water and stir your mixture. Your antiseptic is ready for use Oyindamola Aladejuyigbe Basic 5 , FLORAL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, Ogba, Lagos.

10 differences to be found in the Bee pictures

CONTENT COURAGEOUS COURTEOUS DILIGENT DOERS FAITHFUL GLAD

R J F

U U E V C O N T E P Z U O V C D I L I G M E R C I F R S T R O N G Z T H A N K F G D O E R S C C O U R T E O X V F A I T H C O U R A G E H M D Z E X X C R H P V K W E H O L Y X L H N E W I X E V G L A D F S J

O N R E U H U M U F O A I V W Z H

T H N L K L B S U U K N L R H

T V G E P X L S Z D H

Z U A W J H U

HOLY KIND MERCIFUL STRONG THANKFUL WISE

RIDDLES Q. When is a house not on land and not on water?

A. When it’s on fire! ................................................

Q. Two outlaws robbed a bank.

They decided to bury the money they stole. If it took two outlaws five days to dig a hole, how many days would it take them to dig half a hole?

A. None. You can’t dig half a hole. ..................................................

Q. What would you call a short, sunburned outlaw riding a horse?

A. Little Red Riding Hood. ...................................................

Q. Why wasn’t the outlaw buried in the town cemetery?

A. Because he wasn’t dead?

...................................................

Q. If you have an empty glass bottle and you drop a dime into it, then cork the top, how can you get the dime back out, without damaging the cork or bottle in anyway?

A. You push the cork down into the bottle. ..................................................

Q. When is a gun unemployed?

A. When it’s fired.

Sanctity of Truth

ON SUNDAY

Page 15, MARCH 23, 2014

Detoxify your body with fasting

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT www.newtelegraphonline.com/body&soul

Crush on cobalt blue this season

It takes more than beauty to win pageants – Matilda Kerry, MGBN 2000

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Body&Soul

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

e t o N r’s o t i d E

Pg. 50

MARCH 23, 2014

50

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-t pp e lif ha e in m al ch m akes m m on go e al l have a co , I se ek th at whi w so ly, e, al tim Re e y. th n? pp l io ol at m ha ppy al happ in es s in is whi ch m akes hi I wan t to be ha m an se ek s th at th at st ate of tr ue e ch ev ea hi e, ac or to ef er an or y of 50 pe op le tim e. Th ib le fo r m al l. It was th e st w in es s. Is it po ss pp ok ha bo ce ue tr Fa e ’s ev ac hi a fr ie nd th at qu es tio n on th at an swer ed y or st a ss ro ac I ca m e en in st ru cted rt ic ip an ts . He th a se m in ar. pa e in th ed pt of at ip ch ic ea rt who pa ba llo on s an d ke ba llo on to ci lit ator gave a e co lle ct ed th e fa H e r. th ke t, ar in m po a a w ith th at at th ei r ba llo on s Th e stor y ha d it ec tive na m es on sp re r ei th te ri sp ec tive na m es th em to w ch ha d th ei r re hi w . g on om llo ro ba a e th em in e ba llo on be ar in an d pi ck th fran tic al ly fo r th en te r th e ro om to ed ts ch ar an ip se ic ey rt Pg. 49 al l th e pa ea ch as th He th en aske d d co lli de d w ith an ed sh pu ey utes . Th w ith in five m in . es r ow n ba llo on . m th ei r na d fin d hi s or he ul co ri tte n e on no , utes se na m e was w ch ao tic five m in th e pe rs on who to ve gi d an At th e en d of a on ck a ba llo to ra ndom ly pi th en aske d th em or at . lit on es s of pe op le ci fa llo e Th s in th e happ in ha d hi s/ he r ba lie s ch es ea in , pp es ut ha in y te ll m e th at m on it. With in m e fa ci lit ator to ppy.

I di dn’t ne ed th ppy, I w ill be ha ha M os es - I if I m ake th em at th e; m ac an d Nn ek a sa nd -I ca ar ou ri Af ge te rs of Go at th ey pa ss ed st or y of pr es en Th e re su lt is th r. ve he lo ot e g. th ch ea ad to re give joy W he n I ei r joy br im m in re kn ows how to in love w ith th su er le ng up ro co st t is ou Th sm ile d. ss an d ca m e s of ch ild le ss ne th ro ug h 12 ye ar in th is ed iti on . en ce an d m or e ri pe ex r ei th t Re ad ab ou an d al ways.

Sp re ad joy now . ay nd Su d se It’s an ot he r bl es

SUNDAY

ur body Fasting to detoxify yo

these two days. gym has become ately, I noticed the it Initially I thought ➢ The Fast Proper unusually quiet. at least eight do with the ‘fuel As you fast, consume natural fruit had somethin g to rs of the instructo water along with scarcity’ until one most glasses of and carrot. If you are in Lent and juices like apple, orange pointed out, ‘we these a break from the fast, incorporate take usually people too are on a complete you break. Dilute the Christian and I fast diet when gym’. Well, am a end to into your about one an put adding water, should it fruit juices with but I don’t think Avoid While avoiding any to three parts of juice. . ones’ fitness regime. still part of water sweeteners or additives s exercise , you juices made with strenuou s/vigorou your workout routine continue to have suit your lower energy ➢ Breaking the Fast moderating it to of food at the Avoid large portions While fasting, levels. reasons, you the fast.

Aside religious/spiritual on a fast for point of breaking of amount and g s the stomach contract so, might consider embarkin loss and detoxijuices decrease s secreted digestive the purpose of weight be in smaller portions accumulates toxins your meal should fication. The body air, chemicals in sion. Promote cleansovertime from polluted chemicals ab- to prevent re-expan fibre and by including extra the food and drinks; from cosmetics/ ing of the colon and oats skin Brown rice, wheat sorbed through the body in your diet. foods.

During a fast, the are examples of fibre-rich beauty products. harmful and these loses excess weight flushed out of the Gum’ Danger are ➢ The ‘Chewing substances (toxins) while on a fast. The g/ diseased cells Do not chew gum system. Also, dead/dyin the body; the spleen, digestive process starts with chewing enare removed from ; and the body to secrete colon are cleansed liver, kidney and tion which prompts estinal tract. If Intense rejuvena zymes into the gastrointstomach for the blood is purified. that is usually used no food in the is there occurs as the energy other did to cell healdigest, ulcers and for digestion is redirecte the enzymes to can occur. and rebuildin g of disorders eration ing/regen to ac- gestive The body is able immune system. fast the when more ➢ For The Elderly complish these and can , or need a daiBelow are tips that If you are over sixty-five is done properly. and make your body ly supplement for other reasons, continue help you fast better and mineral suppleit. with your vitamin get the best out of need fast. Older people ments during the if minerals daily. But Fit To Fast certain vitamins and ➢ Ensure You Are the if you are pregnant fresh juices, reduce you are drinking You should not fast conshould ents you take.

Also, you dosage of supplem or breastfee ding. if are diabetic, sult with your physician from any seations suffering ➢ Expecte d Manifest released from hypoglyc aemic, or are before embarking toxins fast, condition As you rious health cause you to experithe body which may on a fast. odour, dry/scaly skin, ence fatigue, body a, dark urine, coughing, diarrhoe ➢ Plan Your Fast infit to fast, you nausea, stools, body ache, When you are certified of fast you dark/foul smelling or the kind discharge and visual have to decide on to somnia, mucus symptoms are on, when you want problems. These want to embark are differ- hearing quickly pass. Also, There will long. not serious and start and for how tongue You can fast partially you might experien ce a coated ent types of fast. mouth. your complete ce) or nt taste in (drinking only water/jui all foods and and an unpleasa your ce from problem, try rinsing this abstinen relieve To (total ly lemon juice. mouth with fresh drinks).

L

ess T r u e h ap p i n

NEW TELEGRAPH ON

NEW TELEGRAPH ON

➢ Prepare Your Body 48 and vegetabl es Eat more fruits cing your fast. hours before commen less of a shock fast This will make the meat out caffeine, red to the system. Cut for and alcohol entirely processe d foods

Your Workouts ➢ Continuing With intensity of your You can reduce the ue completely discontin exercises but not all your hard earned in order not to undo workout s. Light/ gains from previous will also help tone moderate exercises weight during lose you up your body as the fast.

to undermine Not in any way trying fasting, these ce of the spiritual significan into its physical you tap tips are to enable it as well. However and health benefits find be a torture, if you is not suppose to end continue, simply yourself unable to another day. And the fast and try again a litremember to say while you are at it, fit.

Till next week, stay tle prayer for me.

49

Body&Soul SUNDAY MARCH

23, 2014

ear Look good in night w huwan Kate Robin Adani day’s work. It’s needs after a hard is what everyone at school, good night’s sleep filled, or busy day , who after a fun the same for children into. able bed to snuggle at a friend’s wish for a comfort fun. Turning up in can be so much make a good tumble Sleepovers also help will cute looking pyjamas into the night more doorstep, wearing and playing catchup the trick. fights, pillow do ar may just the sack, exciting able and cute nightwe fun. These comfort

A

Contents 23.03.14 COVER

T h e Te a m

OUR LOVE STORY

My smiles and ability to answer questions intelligently gave me an edge

He actually proposed to me when we were in an action that did not give me the opportunity to say ‘No’. In that situation, I just said yes

-Matilda Kerry, MBGN 2000

-Nneka Moses

} 18-19

} 17

l Juliet Bumah l Bayo Adeoye l Vanessa Okwara l Biwom Iklaki +234 (0) 811 675 9770, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 chibumah@yahoo.com julietbumah@newtelegraphonline.com

Associates

ACCESSORIES

FASHION

Paired with good shoes and dress, a clutch makes an impressive statement at an evening party or special event

The cobalt blue is a choice colour in the fashion world this season } 22&43

} 45

GLAM DUDES

You must have at least a good leather belt for your formal suits or more dressy outfits and another for casual outfits

} 44

H.E. Toyin Ojora Saraki

Omu Obilor

Funmi Azike

Stanlee Ohikhuare

BED, WORK & LIFE

“I think women do ‘come’, but the quantity of fluid released is not

much. We think women don’t ejaculate because we regard every fluid released during adult games as the man’s. I’ve experienced it a number of times.

} 47

17

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

You were married for 12 years before you had your first child. What kept your relationship going despite this?

Nneka: Love, and again I think it is trust. He has proven to me over time that I can trust him and once you can trust someone, you can do anything for that person. He makes me feel confident, like I am the best woman in the world. I have nothing to worry about. I sleep with my two eyes closed Isaac: I will also say love. She is my best friend, sister and a great confidant.

Body&Soul

We are very romantic -Isaac and Nneka Moses

Isaac and Nneka Moses’ love story can be documented in a movie or love book. The presenters of Goge Africa got married in 1997 and waited for 12 years for the fruit of womb and were not deterred. They are now proud parents of a two-year old boy. Their story is indeed an inspiration to others who are in similar situation. They spoke with BAYO ADEOYE on the secret of their successful marriage

That period must have been the greatest challenge of your marriage.

Isaac: Yes indeed! It was a challenge. But many people were not aware that we had one in the first year of our marriage but it was a stillbirth. I think that was the most challenging period of my marriage. It made me more sober and more mature.

Nneka: It was. But my husband was there for me and kept motivating me.

Did it affect your faith?

Isaac: No, it did not. My faith never shook because marriage isn’t just about having children. Children are not the primary reason in marriage, they are additional blessings. It is first about companionship, where you have a real relationship, the rapport. If you aren’t in love first or the companionship isn’t there, then if the children aren’t coming after three or four years of marriage, it will definitely pack up. When I began getting close to God, I was made to understand that God loves everyone equally and will always answer us. It may only take time, but He will.

Nneka: Seriously I never bothered about it, thanks to Goge Africa because it has kept me very busy, leaving me with no time to brood over pregnancy.

Was there any time it crossed your mind to try another woman for a child?

Isaac: Never, such nonsense never crossed my mind one day. I was just busy doing my show, travelling round the world.

I was just having fun, sincerely.

This is Africa where family members derive pleasure in pestering couples over having children. Did you encounter this?

Isaac: Definitely, they showed their concern and love for us but all the same my family understood that we aren’t God and that we can’t create children on our own. They also understood that got the best medical attention possible and left the rest to God. Nneka: My people were questioning because they love my husband . They thought it was deliberate because I didn’t want to lose my shape as a television presenter. But they didn’t understand. I have the most wonderful mother in– law in world: Isaac’s mother advised us not to bother about fasting, that she would do all the fasting on our behalf. She kept on fasting for all those years and for that, she lost an appreciable amount of weight. Now she is the happiest woman in the world.

Apart from prayers did you seek other means?

Isaac: Oh yes, by some relatives. They would tell me about someone who knew how to mix herbs to wash the stomach clean and prepare it for pregnancy and all sorts of things. The truth is that, you should reject anyone when they come to you with such suggestions or advice. You listen to them politely and tell them you will look into it.

Nneka: Friends tried to take me to certain woman whom they said could mix herbs. But since my husband wasn’t that desperate, I didn’t see the need to also be desperate. I was only desperate about my health. I made sure we ate healthily. As long as we were certified healthy by doctors, all we did was to wait.

How did you meet?

Isaac: This has been said over and over again. Well for the benefit of those reading for the first time, we met on a movie location where we were caste together as husband and wife

and I knew instantly she was my ideal woman.

Nneka: He came along when I wasn’t looking to get married to him. He cut across as a very playful person who was not ready to settle down. So I went out with him because I just wanted to have fun for about a year and settle down with a more serious minded person.

How did he propose?

It was an unconventional way of proposing. He didn’t kneel down to ask me. He actually proposed to me when we were in an action that did not give me the opportunity to say ‘No’. In that situation, I just said yes. (Laughs) Isaac: I chose that time because she didn’t believe I was ready to marry her. And I had to show her I really meant it.

And we got married in October 1997.

Who apologises first if there is a misunderstanding?

Nneka: If I’m wrong I apologise first and if he is wrong, he does; vice-versa. For him, it is not a big deal to do because my husband is a very humble person, easy going and down to earth.

Isaac: We don’t wait for anyone to apologise first. We apologise to each other whenever there is any misunderstanding.

My wife is also not a proud woman.

Is he romantic?

Nneka: Yes, very romantic. My husband is a man that tells you he loves you constantly. He doesn’t wait for that time when he wants to get very intimate.

Isaac: Yes she is and she shows that anywhere or everywhere.

18

Body&Soul

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

It takes more than beauty Many were surprised when a medical student, Matilda Kerry, became the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria in 2000 and went on to represent Nigeria in both the Miss Universe and Miss World beauty pageants. Today, the Public Health physician with special interest in women’s health, runs a cervical cancer control campaign under the umbrella of the George Kerry Life Foundation. She spoke about her job, why she kept a low profile after her reign and her recent marriage in this interview with BAYO ADEOYE You were a medical student at the University of Lagos when you won The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. As a medical student, one would have expected you to be a serious minded person. What informed your decision to go for this contest in the first place?

I was a first year medical student at the time I contested and won. In fact I was in my first semester; my study was not that tedious then so it was a bit easier for me to cope.

Again, at such a young age, I had an idea of what I wanted to become. It was a lot of fun for me.

I performed my duties as the MBGN and I was schooling at the same time. It was tough, but I was focused. Most of my functions as a queen were in the evening. So, that made me a student in the day and a beauty queen at night. I graduated in 2006.

Was it easy convincing your parents of your decision to enter the contest?

When I was going to compete for MBGN, my parents gave me immeasurable support.

We used to sit together and watch past editions of the MBGN and my dad would go on about how the contestants were not as pretty as his daughters. He was so happy when I won the crown.

How did you feel winning the crown?

Winning the MBGN 2000 was life changing. It’s a huge achievement because the pageant is very tough and usually the winner deserves the crown. It rewards not just external beauty, but inner beauty and strength.

I got a lot of exposure and learnt a lot of lessons in relationship building, leadership and ambition. My life developed a purpose along the way as I met a lot of other queens from around the world doing so many useful things for their countries, and I wanted to do the same back here rather than be just a symbol of beauty. I am glad I was able to achieve that even till date.

What do you think gave you an edge over other contestants?

I think it was my smiles and my ability to answer questions intelligently. Remember the pageant is not all about physical beauty but inner beauty and intelligence. These were those things that gave me an edge. The contest was not all on the stage; our performances at the camp were also added to our scores. This, many people don’t understand.

19

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Body&Soul

to win pageants -Matilda Kerry, MBGN 2000 During your tenure as a beauty queen, your Pet Project was Leprosy Awareness. One would have expected you to continue with that, but you dumped it for your new love, a Cervical Cancer programme?

I didn’t dump it. As a beautiful queen, you are expected to pick a pet project but you are not mandated to continue with it. I was only trying to create awareness, it was more of an awareness campaign, on the plight of lepers. We didn’t actually do any fund raising, we didn’t have any direct contact with Leprosy victims. It was just raising awareness; we travelled to Delta State, Benin, to increase their awareness among philanthropic individuals, and to do something about it. It was kind of preparing me for something I was going to do later in life.

But now, you seem to do a lot on cervical cancer, what informed that?

It was after the National Youth Service Corps. I went to work for a programme, they called it National Cervical Prevention Programme, that was what they were called at the time. I went to work with them, I was the Director of Communication for the programme. So that really informed me on the problem of cervical cancer in Nigeria. A lot of women weren’t screening, of course, I knew that already, but I wasn’t aware of the statistics and ways you could reach these women. So that gave me all the training I needed, to go on and do something else. So when I left the company, I continued with the Cervical Cancer Awareness. It is so easy for me to relate with women, and when they realise that I’m a former beauty queen, their ears are wide open and everything I say they hang on to it. And it’s really working for cervical cancer awareness. George Kerry Life Foundation was named in honour and memory of my father who was a humanitarian and natural giver. He had a huge heart for charity. He died in 2006. The foundation has screened over 10,000 women for cervical and breast cancer. We also conduct training for nurses so they learn how to conduct cervical cancer screening in their communities. I am a woman and physician so I feel a responsibility in bringing this awareness and service to women, especially Nigerian women. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease that kills over 8,000 Nigerian women annually in a humiliating and agonising way. With mass awareness and screening, many countries have reversed the incidence of this disease in their nation.

We can win the battle against this dreaded disease. Kerry’s foundation has given various trainings to health care professionals.

Our training programmes are conducted for community nurses to spread the knowledge of preventing this disease and expand screening services. We have trained nurses under the anspices of the Lagos State Government, doctors and health workers in private health institutions. We, however, need more funding from international bodies and government here in Nigeria to expand our impact.

There is a lot more to be done.

sages, but in the northern part of Nigeria and in villages, the awareness is very poor. Outreach to villages requires major funding and we do not have a permanent sponsor or a grant for our campaign.

Not until now, you have kept a low profile since after your reign, unlike other beauty queens. Is this deliberate?

Very deliberate, because the media, in as much as they help you get your message across, they can also be harmful in a lot of ways if you open up your personal life to them. I am sure it’s not something they do deliberately; no one goes out and says I’m going to destroy this person’s life, they are just reporting the news and they are just doing their job. But, you as an individual, as a celebrity, as whoever you are, that people are interested in, you have to know how to get this information out, you have to know what to protect. It was deliberate too. I have to protect myself from the harsh media; I have seen what the media has done with other beauty queens. And personally, I’m a private person. Some of my friends would say I am really secretive, some of my friends would say if you give me your worst secret, you will never hear it anywhere. So I am really secretive and so is my private life. I love my life this way.

This must be the reason you opted for a secret wedding?

It wasn’t a secret wedding. I invited everybody that is import ant to me and those

important to him too. In my own opinion, weddings shouldn’t be a kind of fanfare where you invite all the people in the world to come and wine and dine with you; and all the paparazzi of this world. It should be done moderately and that was exactly what I did.

Tell us about your husband?

He is into Estate Management and he is from Edo State.

That is all I am going to tell you about him.

There have been alleged sex scandals as we hear that contestants are being harassed sexually; did you experience this during your time?

It did not happen during my reign. And I don’t believe it happens. After my tenure, I have been a judge in MBGN and nothing of such occurred.

Gone are the days when beauty queens were looked down on, especially since Agbani Darego won the coveted Miss World crown. It became an eye opener to Nigerians and the reality has dawned on them that beauty pageantry is not all about putting ladies on stage, having fun, and some silly rumours about immoral and indecent acts. With Agbani’s success, people started to realise it was a serious project to put a beauty queen on stage, get her to represent the country nationally and then go further to win the Miss World. So, Agbani really did a lot to take a step further from the way beauty pageants are perceived in Nigeria. Kudos to Silverbird, organisers of the Most Beautiful Girl contest, that has made the contest a national issue.

If you are blessed with female children will you allow anyone of them to go for it?

(Smiles) Yes, if it is still as original and consistent as it is now, I will allow it.

So how has life been as an ex-beauty queen?

It’s been nice really, but you know, much of the impact was that year I won, when you get personal attention, you have the management team behind you; you get invited to all the big occasions. But immediately after that, I went back to medical school; I wasn’t really in the picture as an ex-beauty queen. I really didn’t let that modify what I could do as a person. Some people get distorted after reigning as a beauty queen. They will be like ‘I can’t do this like everyone, I can’t be caught in these kinds of places’. I didn’t let any of that change anything that I was doing. And because I wasn’t so much in the media, I could get away with pretty much whatever my peers were doing, whatever my fellow doctors were doing. So it’s been normal for me; occasionally, I do get, ‘oh, she is the former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria’. You get the doors opening, you get people wanting you to do a lot of stuff, but occasionally, not an everyday paparazzi craziness.

You are so natural and you are not wearing too much make-up…?

Yes that’s the way I am. I don’t wear too much make up unless the occasion calls for it. I love it simple.

How fashionable are you?

What are your other achievements?

We also assisted in initiating and building relationships with government and privately-owned institutions and also with media houses. In a year of very fulfilling work, we organised the biggest cervical cancer seminar/ workshop that invited women of influence from across the nation and increased awareness significantly since 2010. More working class women are aware of the disease because they have access to social media, TV and radio mes-

I am not a fashion freak. As you can see, I am more comfortable in my jeans, especially the skinny ones.

You were a tomboy while in school…

(General Laughter) Oh my God! You remind me of those days. I was a tomboy, I went to Federal Government Girls College, Benin. Being a girls’ school, I always played boyish roles. I had my punk hair, jeans and tee shirt. Oh! I love those days, it was fun.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Capturing The Moment with Stanlee Ohikuare stanlee@stanleeohikhuare.com

The subject as component of a picture A

nother secret about photographic art is that it is never entirely about the subject.

Even in God’s creation, He first created the universe then the garden, before placing man in it. Just imagine man – alone in existence without nature - animals, air, sky, sea and landscape! What a boring sight!

The beauty in any photograph lies in the underlying compositional structure. Subjects are chosen because they support or create a structure, not the other way.

What a human subject, for instance, does in real life is irrelevant. In a good photo, subjects are chosen to provide the much needed shapes and colours that form the basic design of an image.

A window to an ordinary eye is a rectangle, or two squares to a photographer. If we shoot it at an angle, it becomes more of a truncated triangle to the photographer.

Your photograph must have a strong enough structure that is obvious to the viewer’s subconscious. That’s what gets attention!

The subject actually does matter in certain scenarios, but not so much in purely expressive photography. Your choice of a subject should be made to give a strong underlying design to the image. As far as photographers are concerned, subjects in pictures are simply colours and shapes used for blocking; in order to add aesthetic structural value to a given composition.

In the pictures we see on this page, the human subject only has a strong identity in pix oneww and this is simply because of the tone and composition of the shot.

In the following weeks, we shall be scrutinising each of the shots for better understanding of the concept.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Make everyday your ‘great hair’ day!

Biwom Iklaki

A

s often as we indulge in a lil’ sugary or salty treat, something has got to give. Though it’s easiest to notice it in the zits on our faces or the bulge over our belts, even our hair suffers. Same thing applies when we subject our hair to beauty vigours like heat styling, chemical products, dyeing/bleaching too often and something as innocent as a weekly swim or just being out in the sun unprotected.

So while we indulge in those things that make us happy, we should try to protect our hair.

Try the following tips for great hair everyday: • Treat your hair to a professional treatment once a month at your salon. It repairs your hair and leaves you relaxed after a nice head massage!

• After a wash, alternate blasting your hair with cold, then warm and cold water again. The cold water after the warm will make your hair look shinier! Avoid brushing wet hair. This will cause the hair to stretch and finally break. Finger-dry, or use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to gently re-

move the knots.

• Make a habit of getting a hot oil moisturising treatment with coconut oil once a week.

• Use a leave in conditioner before taking to the pool or sea to stop it from going frizzy. Then do a weekly intense condition treatment (go natural with honey, shea butter, avocado, and eggs) with a shower cap. Let your hair dry naturally after washing it without any product, this does less damage. Never rub hair dry after a wash - always pat and squeeze between a towel.

• Give your hair a treat with a tablespoon of olive oil/coconut oil mixed with one beaten egg. Apply on hair and leave for 30 minutes and voila! you get the shinniest hair.

• About twice a month, rinse hair with one part vinegar and two parts water for extra shine. This also breaks down product build up… add a few drops of lavender oil too if the vinegar smell irritates you.

• Sleeping on a satin pillow case helps reduce knots and frizz.

• Wear a hat on hot days to prevent your hair from drying out.

22

Body&Soul

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Crush on cobalt Vanessa Okwara

T

he cobalt blue is one colour that dazzles on the red carpet. This shade of blue has the magic of drawing attention to anyone wearing it.

A touch of this luminous colour on your overall ensemble has a way of making you stand out wherever you are.

The cobalt blue is a safe and classy way to inject colour into your ward-

EDITORIAL

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Our VISION

To build a newspaper organisation anchored on the sanctity of truth.

Our MISSION

Sanctity Truth Sanctity of ofTruth

To publish a newspaper of superior value, upholding the fundamental ethics of journalism: balanced reporting, fairness, accuracy and objectivity.

www.newt e le g r aphonline .com

23

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

SUNDAY, March 23, 2014

Rising debt profile an unhealthy reminder

T

he Debt Management Office’s

60 per cent of GDP, according to reports at-

just 11.8 per cent of GDP by 2006 after the

known to all. The harrowing effects of debt

(DMO’s) website shows that Nigeria’s

tributed to the Asset Management Company

successful debt relief initiative. But only five

servicing on the country’s annual budget in

public debt reached the N10 trillion

of Nigeria (AMCON), whose chief executive

years after, the debt profile has ballooned to

those days of heavy indebtedness are better

($64.509.95 billion) mark at the end

officer advocates massive borrowing for

$42.23 billion, with the external extraction

imagined than experienced a second time.

capital projects and development.

at $5.67 billion. The two add up to a princely

The burden borne by the country and all the

of December, 2013. Of this figure, the external debt component made up of multilateral, bi-

Caution must be the watchword, even if

$47.9 billion or 21 per cent of GDP, even

rigours she went through from 2003 to 2005

lateral , and commercial creditors stood at N1.7

the country and the states are permitted to

though the national income of the country

to secure a relief from the Paris and London

trillion ($8, 821.90 million), while the domestic

borrow in multiples of their GDP, consider-

also grew to keep the debt-GDP ratio within

Club of creditors are not what anyone, not

stock comprising Federal Government Bonds,

ing the preponderance of corruption and

manageable range.

even the finance minister who championed

Nigerian Treasury Bills and Treasury Bonds

accretion to massive misapplication of funds

was N7.119 trillion. The states are not spared

meant for public good in the country. Prior to

the Federal Ministry of Finance had taken

We also insist that great caution be

from the rising indebtedness. For instance,

the Paris Club debt relief in 2004, Nigeria’s

commendable steps to reduce the stock

applied in ensuring that state governments

Lagos State leads with the figure of N150 bil-

overall debt stock was very high as external

of domestic debt from N577 billion in 2011

stay within manageable levels, however

lion ($938.1 million) at the end of 2013 from

debt stood at $35.9 billion while the stock of

to N744 billion in 2012 and further to N577

much they justify the borrowing spree that

$326.8 million in 2012, while Kaduna State’s

the domestic debt amounted to $10.3 billion

billion in 2013, with additional objective of

most of them would ordinarily embark upon

figure rose from $215.6 million to $241 million

resulting in a total of $46.2 billion or 64.3 per

keeping government’s domestic borrow-

based on impulse and peer pull and push

over the period.

cent of GDP. This figure excluded contractor

ing below N500 billion in the 2014 budget.

factors. While banks and other institutional

and pension arrears.

Even with this, we demand that every one

lenders are encouraged to adopt prudence

Naira of borrowed money both at the state

and make certain that they lend within

While some commentators have expressed concern about the steady growth of

Interestingly, the country’s external debt

We are aware that government, through

the initiative, wishes to experience again.

the country’s public debt again, policy makers

stock reduced dramatically to $3.5 billion

and federal levels be meticulously applied

established rules, regulations and guidelines,

and managers at the federal and state levels,

while domestic debt amounted to $13.8

to projects and programmes with high value

governments, on their parts, must ensure

who should know, still argue stoutly that the

billion resulting in a total of $17.3 billion or

generating propensity for the benefit of the

that more meaningful and long-assuring

majority. Such projects should focus on

policy measures are put in place for repay-

elaborate provision and development of so-

ment of debts that fall due. when domestic

cial, economic and interpersonal infrastruc-

debts are paid when due, it does not only

ture. Seeing the country’s debt status claw

reverse the constriction in private sector

back gradually to the days of ignominy must

credit but also makes more credit facilities

now be averted in its entirety as we believe

available to the private sector for higher level

that the argument that the current figures

of productivity and economic expansion.

still remain low is lame and not sustainable

This in turn, engenders sustainable growth

in the long term.

and citizens’ welfare improves in measur-

figures and overall profile of public debt in the country remain within safe and manageable threshold. It is argued at the states levels, for instance, that even the highest debtor state, at the rate of less than 20 per cent, still has borrowing capacity of more than 50 per cent, given that a debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 40 per cent is approved. On its part, the Federal Government asserts that at only 12 per cent of the GDP, it still has a huge untapped borrowing capacity of N42 trillion since the international standard is about

Seeing the country’s debt status claw back gradually to the days of ignominy must now be averted in its entirety as we believe that the argument that the current figures still remain low is lame and not sustainable in the long term

Debts, in whatever form or appellation

able ways. Monetary and fiscal policies must

they occur, have hidden and shoe-leather

be tightly and carefully knitted to achieve

costs asides implications that may be

growth with stability.

BOLAJI TUNJI Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief IKE ABONYI Deputy Managing Director FELIX ABUGU Managing Editor, South SULEIMAN BISALA Managing Editor, North GABRIEL AKINADEWO Editor, Daily LAURENCE ANI Editor, Saturday EMEKA MADUNAGU Editor, Sunday LEO CENDROWICZ Bureau Chief, Brussels MARSHALL COMINS Bureau Chief, Washington DC SAM AMSTERDAM Editorial Coordinator, Europe EMMAN SHEHU (PhD) Chairman, Editorial Board JOSEPH ONYEKWERE News Editor (Sunday) PADE OLAPOJU Production Editor TIMOTHY AKINLEYE Head, Graphics ROBINSON EZEH Head, Admin.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

OPINION ‘The Nigerian revolution will not be televised’

Folabi Ogunleye

W

hen the cookie finally crumbles in the nearly 200 millionstrong Nigeria, the reverberations will be felt across the world. For many, the event will come in the form of ‘breaking news’ in the media, surprising those who didn’t expect it.

But for those who anticipated the event, it will only be an eventual unraveling of an overdue implosion - unless something is done to address this impending day of reckoning.

This day will come in the form a reaction to an event like that of Saturday, March 15, 2014, where applicants desperate for employment trooped en masse to a stadia and other public locations across Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital City of Abuja. These young jobseekers, each with his application fee of a thousand naira in his purse, bombarded these locations in numbers unseen at any public event in the country - numbers not ever recorded even at soccer events in soccer-crazy Nigeria.

The turnout itself makes for a good barometer of the state of employment among the young people in the land, along with the desperation of Nigerian youths to earn a secure living. It shows that these young people are not lazy or

merely desperate for shortcuts to comforts. It shows that they merely want to work and work hard.

But the benevolent orientation of the people in charge of the affairs of this highly energetic, highly enterprising society of massive human resource continues to be the Achilles that undermines every good opportunity in the country.

Whenever it is time for these ‘geniuses’ to do what is right by the people, they adopt postures similar to the benevolent western Santa, traveling around to dole out gifts to grateful children. But the ‘African Santa’ operates a little differently by instructing that the children come with a fee to specific locations in the scorching African heat, without which they would not benefit of achance at his goodies.

Yes, a chance. That is all it is. A chance at employment, not a guaranteed employment, is all that these young people were required to pay for, in order to be part of the process. For this they have been asked to come to locations across the country to apply to a very limited number of positions with a federal agency, the Nigeria Immigration Service. And from all over the country these young people came, from cities and from villages, for a chance at employment with the agency.

Of course it was a daft idea, a fool-

ish idea. But that is what happens when self glorification inspires an idea rather than a genuine purpose of service delivery; that is what happens when you are indifferent to the purpose than to be motivated by a desire to serve and uphold. You throw out the crumbs to the mother hen and its chicks, and let the chicks squawk and fight as they peck at these very few grains.

That is what happened on Saturday, as young Nigerians besieged the locations across the country for an opportunity to peck at the crumbs thrown at them. The struggle by the chicks for a chance at a peck at the crumbs thrown them has left many dead.

It is another waste of precious young lives, completely avoidable, under the current political dispensation in Nigeria. The last major loss of lives in the country involved young children who were murdered and incinerated while they slept at their boarding school in Yobe State. The world went on with its business on the aftermath of the latter, just like most Nigerians expressed brief shock at the horror, before going on with their private affairs.

This, too, will not be an exception.

But, a time will come when the Nigerian chickens will come home to roost.

For a country that has endured a bruis-

ing civil war in the late 60s, it is unlikely to survive a second wave of unrest of similar proportion – especially when the most potent ingredient for such implosion is in many cases left unattended or, to put it another way, this potent ingredient is in fact being fattened by those who don’t know better.

There is a massive population of unemployed youth left to their devices out there across the country. While many of them still struggle to make ends meet through honest means, quite a number will do anything to survive, from advanced-fee fraud to brazen armed robbery. This body of idle hands may one day congeal to explode when it can’t take any more of today’s kind of occurrence.

When that time comes, nobody will be spared – everyone will feel the impact, at home and abroad.

Unless something is done, unless something drastic happens between now and that moment, that implosion will be of a variety unseen – one that may yet make the world’s largest theater of war in Democratic Republic of Congo look like what Wole Soyinka called ‘child’s play.’

When it happens in Nigeria, “the revolution will not be televised.”

•Folabi Ogunleye can be reached through his twitter account @afolabi24

Wanted: A compassionate nation Natasha Akpoti

T

wenty killed at a stampede; petitions calling for the sack of the Comptroller General of Nigerian Immigration Services, others tweet on the exploitation of desperate Nigerian youths.

I sit and ponder, fully aware of the power of vulnerability and with a well formed habit of empathy, I share the pain and suffering of those who have lost their children, brothers, sisters, parents and friends yesterday.

Life has taught me the basic concept of standing in someone else’s shoes and looking at life through their eyes.

I understand why, in Abuja alone, over 80,000 youths turned out in application for only 3000 nation- wide vacant positions into the Nigerian Immigration Service. I understand because I, like most people who tasted poverty, have that fear and fragility that still lurk inside, call it the ghosts of times past. I understand their hunger!!! I understand

their need!!!

Some of us read the news, shake our heads in pity and moments later carrying along our paused daily routine. A few would sit in their quiet - thinking which way Nigeria? Where do we start healing from?

I have thought and share thus: Our educational system is one which breeds employees and not employers of labour. A system where graduates, like robots, in thousands are ushered into the ill prepared labour market becoming temporary inhabitants of a passionless world. One they barely understand but dwell in “just to make ends meet” while occasionally being restored to the mediocrity of their everyday lives.

If this makes any sense to you, then its time we require a fundamental rethinking of a strategic educational system. We must ask - How can we encourage entrepreneurial abilities of students through education? How can a perfect synergy of creative education stir up

individuality and freedom in learning through the application of contemporary technologies, usher innovations and birth entrepreneurship development?

When answered, we would have youths looking less up to the government for survival but rather, utilise their found level of individual independence and the freedom of exploring original thoughts to do more for themselves bringing glory to their country - Nigeria.

Furthermore, I implore that we all awaken our spirit of social consciousness because it is that which joins men together. When we begin to recognise ourselves in each other, we begin to feel our neighbours’ pains, hunger, helplessness... Those who died could have been me years back!!!

I call onto our beloved philanthropists whose hearts are filled with love of humanity to take upon individual and organisational transformational philanthropic initiatives in order to build a more sustainable, just and compas-

sionate future. To be more daring and holistic in their framework. To aim to provide mentorship support and connections for people pursuing genuine and pioneering visions and actions. To consider buying into viable inventions as stakeholders as against being donors thereby securing financial returns for reinvestment.

As Norman Cousins said “ All things are possible once enough human beings realize that everything is at stake”, I adapt it to say, that we owe it to ourselves, to our children and their children; to those who died, to those who wished they died so their pains could linger not one moment more - to let hope once more ignite fate and courage so we could have and work towards a large vision, one that will create a new paradigm - a paradigm shift that would exponentially reduce all our suffering.

God bless us all.

•Natasha Akpoti writes via natasha. akpoti@legendarkgroup.com

Hardball Obasanjo wasted four years fighting me, says Atiku p.26

biyi adegoroye, ASSISTANT Editor, Politics biyi.fire@yahoo.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MARCH 23, 2014

Interview Odom: Jonathan didn’t need Doctrine of Necessity to succeed Yar’Adua p.29

25

Politics

Nigeria’s future in the hands of 492 confab delegates

P

rior to the event, a water tight security cordon was thrown around Abuja as hundreds of delegates arrived at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) for the inauguration of the much awaited National Conference. Apart from the anti- riot police squad and patrol vans stationed at the gates, some fierce looking soldiers in battle gears took positions at strategic points within the expansive premises.

Besides Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo and some members of the Federal Executive Council, the occasion was witnessed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukthar and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Amyim.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were six state governors namely, Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Liyel Imokhe (Cross River), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi) and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.

Jonathan said that contrary to the speculations in some circles that he had a hidden agenda, the desire to give Nigerians the opportunity to discuss the numerous challenges facing the nation and proffer solutions was the sole reason behind the conference.

According to him, the report of the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on the National Conference which was submitted last December also established that there was indeed, a national consensus for the conference to be convened to give the people the opportunity to discuss their common problems.

He gave indications that the outcome of the conference would be subjected to a referendum and tasked the National Assembly to expedite action on the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution particularly, the clauses that have to do with the making of a new constitution and the subjection of such a constitution to a referendum.

Jonathan said that the conference could not have come at a better time than now when Nigeria is celebrating its one hundred years of existence as a nation and there was the need to chart a new course to lay a much stronger foundation for faster development in the future.

He said that the most compelling task before Nigerians in this centenary year was for the people to contemplate what the country would be at the end of its second centenary.

The National Conference, he said, was being convened to engage Nigerians in intense intro-

Against all odds, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the national conference last week, to discuss everything about Nigeria except its unity. In this report Onwuka Nzeshi chronicles the inaugural ceremony and the day after

Kutigi

spection about political and socio-economic challenges confronting the country and to chart the most acceptable way for the resolution of such challenges in the collective interest of all the constituent parts of the federation.

Jonathan urged all delegates to avoid suspicion and antagonism but to put the national interest above personal, ethnic or political interests and avoid suspicion and antagonism in the course of their deliberations.

“This coming together under one roof to confer and build a fresh national consensus for the amicable resolution of issues that still cause friction amongst our people must be seen as an essential part of the process of building a more united, stronger and progressive nation.

We cannot continue to fold our arms and assume that things will straighten themselves out in due course, instead of taking practical steps

Azinge

to overcome impediments on our path to true nationhood, rapid development and national prosperity.

“It is our expectation that participants at this conference will patriotically articulate and synthesize our people’s thoughts, views and recommendations for a stronger, more united, peaceful and politically stable Nigeria; forge the broadest possible national consensus in support of these recommendations and strive to ensure that they are given the legal and constitutional backing to shape the present and future of our country,” he said.

THE AGENDA Intermittently, the obviously elated delegates applauded the President’s speech and nodded their heads to show they were in tune with him.

As if to state clearly the rules of engagement, Jonathan listed a number of issues which the

delegates were expected to discuss over the next three months.

“This conference is open for us to table our thoughts and positions on issues and make recommendations that will advance our togetherness. The issues range from form of government, structure of government, devolution of powers, revenue sharing, resource control, state creation, state police and fiscal federalism to indigeneship, gender equality and children’s rights amongst others.

“We must not approach issues with suspicion and antagonism. Rather we should be open minded and work to achieve what is best for Nigeria. Even though you come to the Conference as nominees and representatives of different interest groups, I urge you all to make a more united, stronger, indivisible and prosCONTINUED ON PAGE28

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Hardball

Obasanjo wasted four years

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar does not agree with those who have reservations about his recent decision to dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). According to him PDP has lost direction and therefore has little to offer members. He also spoke with Deputy Managing Director, IKE ABONYI, and Managing Editor, SULEIMAN BISALLA, on a number of other touchy issues.

F

rom 1993 when you first showed face, you have been around on the Nigerian political terrain. What makes you tick?

I have been a factor in Nigeria’s politics because I stick to what I believe in, whether it suits my personal ambition or not for instance, I cannot compromise on democracy, I cannot compromise on rule of law, I cannot compromise on the unity of this country and at the same time, I also cannot compromise the fact that this country is composed of diverse nationalities. And we should each be allowed to grow at our own pace. There is too much power at the centre. Too much! Too much!

Contrary to the reason you adduced, some people are of the opinion that you have remained a factor in the nation’s politics because of your stupendous wealth. Isn’t that correct?

I don’t consider myself as somebody who is fabulously rich. I am just comfortable and that is all, what I believe every Nigerian wants to be, to be comfortable to afford what you can eat…You can buy akpu, you can buy tuwo and you can buy eba. That is it!

You were forced again within the period of this democracy

to leave the party you founded. How do you feel?

hungry. How did you feel?

A party is not a religion. Even religion, people change. I mean, you see some people changing from Islam to Christianity and vice versa. That is religion. I mean, worshipping God, not to talk of party. By the way, how many of us founding fathers are today left in the PDP? Tell me how many. Almost all of them are gone.

Those who cannot afford to remain in politics have retired simply because the party has been taken over by people who should not in the first place be there.

What I have observed in our universities is that they are overcrowded. In other words, we built a university for a population of 10,000 students but now they have about 30,000 there. Obviously the capacity of the university has been exceeded and I think it is wrong. Instead of exceeding your capacity, you could build more universities that can provide the necessary capacity to educate and train these kids. I have been in education for almost 20 years now and I started from kindergarten. From the day I started that kindergarten, I said there is no way you can have more than 25 kids in a class. And it is so till today, up to the secondary school. When I started a university, I said there is no way you can have more than 17 students per lecturer. And it is so. So, if they try to admit more than that, I say no, I cannot compromise on the quality. But I went to the University of Lagos when I was Vice President and I was scared because the students’ hostels were like jail houses. They were sleeping on top of each other and the place was so dirty. No maintenance, windows are broken; it is incredible! You can’t believe that these are children of human beings staying there. I went to the University of Ibadan, the same thing. And last week, I was at

When you were in the PDP, there was the fear of Atiku in some quarters, and when you crossed over to the APC, we hear that there is the fear of Atiku. How do you feel about the seeming fear that your name causes in some politicians?

Maybe they are people who don’t want to conform; people who want to have their way by any means. And as far as I am concerned, I won’t take it. I must insist on what I believe- democracy, good governance, rule of law and so on and so forth.

When you went to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, some students reportedly shouted out to you that they were

27

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

fighting me, says Atiku said to hell, but I have children, I have young people, I want to bequeath a better country for them.

After almost 16 years of governance, do you think your former party, the PDP, is fair in terms of internal democracy?

I think PDP lost focus and track from 2003. It deviated from the basic principles that we came together to form the party for. And it continues on that. It is no longer what we formed at the beginning Can you sincerely isolate yourself from PDP problems given the fact that you just said that it started in 2003 when you were still a factor?

I cannot isolate myself because from 2003 when the president and myself took different positions, there was no more governance. In his second term, we were still busy fighting. So, the entire focus of governance that we set up during our first tenure; the economic reforms, this and that, everything was abandoned and we continued fighting till the end.

How were you able to survive that fight?

Because I was right.

Even your boys, Nuhu Ribadu and Nasir el-Rfuai, abandoned you. How did you feel at that time?

Back to politics. Your political associates in the PDM are not happy that you defected from PDP to APC instead of PDM whose registration is linked to you. How do you feel about this?

What if it had survived?

I don’t know how the PDM was registered. I don’t know. But I agree that I have many political associates in PDM and there are some who are not. PDM has people who were not in politics before and they felt that PDM is the right place for them.

How do you react to this feeling that PDM is a platform you have kept in waiting?

No. Certainly not. I have political associates in PDP, PDM, in APC and even in APGA and other political parties.

Some people consider you , like the late MKO Abiola, to have friends across the nation . How were you able to achieve this?

The reason is that in my public service days, I worked in all parts of the country. I worked in the West, in the East, and in the North. And I cultivated a lot of bridges and friendship among the people and I continue to do that. Basically, there is no part of this country where I consider

Third term would never have survived.

It would never have survived (general laughter). We worked together. You and I worked together to abort it and we worked together, not only you and I, from all parts of this country. So, how could it have survived?

Are you in cordial relationship with your former boss, Obasanjo especially as he is believed to be romancing with your party, APC?

We have maintained a cordial relationship.

Many believe that you are relating warmly with the ex-President so as to get his endorsement for the ticket of APC?

I don’t know about that. I have not even yet declared whether I am running or not running. Not until that is done, I cannot say anything on that.

But the impression is that you moved to APC because of your presidential ambition...

No. That is not the reason. I moved to APC because I was not relevant in PDP. I said it. And I am a politician; I desire to make input to the growth of the country. I still want to leave a better country for my children. For me, I would have

I am not a security expert. But I know I will tend to agree with the Governor of Borno State who said our security services are badly motivated; are badly equipped and not enough of intelligence is being used and the support of the local people and inhabitants is also absent. If you can even compare with what happened (in Maiduguri), but for the support of the local people, it would have been almost impossible for the military to subdue those (Boko Haram) boys.

So, I will agree with the Governor of Borno State.

What have you been doing with your private life since you left office as vice president?

I think this has been the best part of my life.

Sometimes, it is good to be out of public office really because when you are in public office, you don’t seem to have time for your family, friends and other social activities. But once you are out of it, you have a more relaxed atmosphere.

At the moment, when you sit at the table of the APC, el-Rufai will be there, Ribadu will be there, Buhari will be there. How do you feel?

Now I take all my three meals: I take my breakfast, I take my lunch, I take my dinner. But, mostly, the diet is either fish and vegetables, or chicken and vegetables that is all that I take.

As a politician and as a democrat, if you cannot manage differences, then you should not be there. You shouldn’t be there. I think it is part of leadership. You should be able to manage others.

No pounded yam?

The presidency has been shut against me?

If third term had survived, what would you have done?

We have heard you express concern about the insecurity in this country and the situation is not getting better. Do you have a strategy they can use to solve this problem?

When I spoke to one of them, he said it was a power game and that they wanted power too.

Yes. That the door has been shut against Atiku…

myself a stranger. Absolutely not. Absolutely not.

of it.

Most top public officers hardly eat because of their busy schedule; this might have been the case with you. Could you lead us into your eating habit now?

There was a report suggesting that the presidency has been shut against Atiku in the APC…

the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the same thing.

These are first generation universities. There is something fundamentally wrong in governance in this country.

Politics / Hardball

No. APC has not shut their door against anyone. Not with the caliber of politicians that are in APC now. I mean, if you look at the APC now, it is not a place where you can go and joke.

Is your desire to rule Nigeria out of a wish to serve or ego to be president of Nigeria?

The question of ego is not there because I am not a man of ego. And then, the question of rulership is not there. Maybe you need to rephrase your question. Maybe governance, to serve. And as long as I am alive and strong, I would want to contribute. I told you I have children. I want to leave a better country for them and so, it is a desire to serve in whatever capacity. I don’t need to be a president.

What are you expecting from the ongoing confab?

I have already made a statement about the confab. I said it is an afterthought. I do not see anything that is going to come out of it. It is an afterthought. It is not in the programme of this president, so it is an afterthought.

APC’s decision to participate in the conference is also an afterthought?

No. It is not an afterthought. How is it an afterthought?

Initially, they said they were not going to be part of it.

I am not even aware that they are now part

No, no, no. No pounded yam, no rice.

You appear to be growing younger, what is the secret?

It is because of the way I live. I mean, honestly, I am enjoying my life out of office. I have more time for my family, my kids and my businesses. Of course, I don’t run my businesses.

They are all being run by associates or family members. So, I am relaxing.

How else do you live?

I sleep when I like, I wake up when I like. It is not like when you are in public office, whether you like it or not, you have to get up as early as six. When I was a vice president, after my early morning prayers, I don’t go back to sleep until I attend to all my memos and my files because I was one kind of person who did not leave any one file or memo unattended to for more than a day. It was not easy but I ensured I did that.

Nothing disturbs me now.

Even as you relax, there is something that should be disturbing you –the situation in Nigeria…

You are quite right.

What area?

I have never been so disturbed in all my life about Nigeria as I am now.

Why?

Nothing seems to be going right for us.

Nothing! Absolutely nothing! So, whether it is politics; whether it is governance; whether it is business... Forget about all these growth numbers they give: we are growing by 7.6, 7.5 per cent, this and that. Where is the growth?

As far as the ordinary man is concerned there is no growth. Once the ordinary man’s life is not better, there is no growth. It means the growth is just concentrated in a few hands.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Politics / Cover

‘Our expectations from National Confab’ Louis ACHI and Onwuka NZESHI capture the expectations of some of the prominent delegates on key national questions of structure, devolution of powers, resource control and corruption.

This conference is an opportunity for us to have a fresh start. It is a historic occasion. I think it is a make or mar conference for Nigeria.

My advice to all delegates is that we should understand the urgency of the moment because our country is falling apart and we need to put things right. Nobody should come with any sense of arrogance and we should not negotiate out of fear.

Let us come as equal partners in the Nigerian Project and let us shed all our prejudices to build a country that works; a country that is really united and a country where human lives count.

In Nigeria presently, we are not in a state of war, we are at war. When you look at the body bags that we are packing every day, it is worrisome.

Even in Iraq and Afghanistan, you don’t hear of hundreds deaths in a day. We must find a lasting solution to the current insecurity in the land and we must be ready to give and take. It should not be a case of my way, their way. Let us come to the table of brotherhood; give and take and think about the interest of our country. We must find the ways and means of building a stronger and more united country.

CONTINUED ON PAGE32

CONTINUED ON PAGE32

Esele

Akinjide

Odumakin

True federalism

Labour has contributed a lot to the development of this country. You can even see it in terms of the fact that nothing works without labour.

But again, we also feel that we have been shortchanged in the scheme of things. Most times, they only remember labour as a last resort. They see labour leaders like irritants; but if you look back at the history of this country you will remember that many labour leaders like Pa Michael Imoudu was a labour leader who fought hard for the survival of this country. We have issues that we will be bringing to the table. I want a country where we can all dream and have the environment to make our dreams come true.

I want to be in a country where the law is law and not a country of entitlements. If the only way that I can become the President of Nigeria is to come from a particular region, then we are not going to make any headway. In any sane society, what qualifies one to hold the highest office in the land are your character, intelligence and competence. What are you bringing to the table? I don’t want to be in a country where we continue to pursue goals that breed mediocrity.

We always blame the leadership but we the followers have lost our values as a people.

The quality of the citizenry equals the quality of the leadership that they will get. If the citizenry are mediocre people, they will get a mediocre leadership. It is what you so that you will reap. I don’t want my children to live in a society where everything is all about regions, ethnic groups and religion. So there are a whole lot of issues to look at but it has to start from you and me. If you and I decide that this is where we want our country to go, the consciousness in all of us will make us succeed.

great development in the history of our country.

We are going to produce one of the best reports you have ever seen. It is going to be extremely successful because we are determined to succeed.

There is no worry about the proposal to submit the report of this conference to the National Assembly. There is no problem at all. The National Assembly is the ultimate legislative body and they have to see it. You cannot get something out of nothing, that is why it has to go them and they are very responsible people.

I trust them and I’m sure they will get it right.

I have heard people talking about going back to the parliamentary system. Many of the people talking about that don’t know what they are talking about. I was involved in the parliamentary system and I also played some roles during the military system and I was involved when we made the system tighter and made the centre stronger. We had reasons to do those things.

Unnecessarily, we had military intervention and we did not want military intervention again. Secondly, in this system of government, the centre is very critical because we produce oil which brings about 80 per cent of our revenue; and that oil is controlled by the centre alone. If the centre gets that type of money, then the control of it is critical. The centre, states and also the local governments should also have something and that is exactly what we are doing now.

I don’t believe in transferring anything to the states again at all. If we are not careful and you make the states too strong, we are going to have instability.

I was involved when we had a system of states having a lot of powers and there was instability. They had their own police and the federal also had their own police at that time and we had no peace.

So we looked at what was happening in Canada, Australia and the United States. We had people with a lot of experience such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Samuel Akintola, Chief Dennis Osadebe and all others and we all said we must have a very strong

centre and weak states. It was deliberate. If we reverse that it and make the states stronger now we are going to have instability.

I am not advocating any unitary system. I want the federal system but you cannot make the centre weak and the states strong. We have to be very careful. We are talking about dichotomy and distribution of powers. We must know what we are talking about. I have been to Australia, Canada, India and United States to look at the way their systems work.

It was the kind of experiences that we had that gave rise to the system we have today. People should not just tamper with it. I am saying this with all sense of responsibility and I am prepared to defend it anywhere in the world. I want the best for this country.

-Elder statesman and and former Minister of Information

T

his is a great country. We want a United States of Nigeria based on true federalism. The resources in each region would be spread out to the states and local governments. They would work harder because by that time they would have realised that they would no longer be going to the Federal Government to take money while remaining lazy and idle in their homes. If each region knows that it has to find and exploit its own resources for its upkeep, they will sit up.

We should go back to the 1963 Republican Constitution. The reason is that it provided for true federalism. It provided for a fiscal federation. One of the things I like in that constitution is that you don’t just become a minister, you must be an elected representative of your people in the parliament. In our present system, a minister is appointed, he does not know his people, he doesn’t know where he comes from and he is not accountable to his people. But where you have been elected as a member of parliament and you are appointed a minister, you are accountable to the parliament, to the government and to your people who voted for you to go to the parliament.

Rule of Law

*Peter Esele

former National Chairman of PENGASSAN and Ex-President of TUC

As far as I am concerned, Nigeria itself is a paradise and I don’t want it to be a Paradise Lost. So, we all need to come here not to pursue sectional or sectional goals but to look at ourselves, tell ourselves the truth and decide where we want our country to go. First of all, how did we get here?

How do we make things better? If it is good for one, it should be good for the others. If we are able to arrive at a consensus on the way forward at the end of the conference, I think that it would be worth the while. My wish is that it should not go the way of previous conferences.

It’ll be successful

*Chief Richard Akinjide

-Elder statesman and former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice

I have been involved in conferences like this before independence, at the time of independence and after independence. I enjoy it and I find it very rewarding. This conference is a

C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 5

perous Nigeria your preoccupation and reference point at this national gathering. Whatever the pressures on you may be, I call upon you to put the best interest of Nigeria before all other sectorial or group interests,” he said.

Jonathan expressed concern about the tendency of delegates to use the conference to promote and defend ethnic or clannish agenda.

He said that should the conference take such a dimension, it would only mean that Nigerians cannot undertake any collective task without the hindrance of ethnic rivalry even after one hundred years of living together.

“As we start a new century of nationhood, we have an obligation to reshape and redirect our country for the benefit of our children.

There should be no room for divisive cleavages and ethnic jingoism. There should be no room for selfish considerations that defeat the purpose of national progress.

There should be room only for the national interest.

“While we recognise that groups and communities are the building blocks of our nation, we must also emphasise that we need one another to build the solid prosperous country of our dreams,” he said.

Indeed, Jonathan addressed the inaugural session with a heavy dose of patriotic flavours and tried to implant on the minds of the delegates, a new spirit of oneness and national unity. The presidential sermon dwelt heavily on how the average Nigerian could shed the toga of ethnicity and put on a national outlook devoid of yesterday’s unhealthy rivalry, poisonous mind- sets prejudices and mutual mistrust.

WARNING SHOTS However, it does not seem as if the seeds he sowed fell on very fertile grounds. Apart from the ethnic and religious fault lines, Nigeria has other issues impeding her development as a country. Sadly, some of them are embedded in some of the cultures and attitudes of our people.

On its first day of sitting, the conference started fifty minutes behind schedule. This was probably due to that intangible element called the Nigerian factor that makes people not to take certain things like punctuality seriously.

Nigerians are used to big conferences and often see them as jamborees where the privileged and the highly connected get to relax in luxury hotels and receive fat allowances from the government at the end of the day.

Chairman of the National Con-

Clark

*Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark

Nigeria’s fate in the hands of 492 delegates

Make or mar opportunity

*Yinka Odumakin

-Activist and South-West delegate

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Politics / Interview

Odom: Jonathan didn’t need Doctrine of Necessity to succeed Yar’Adua Chief Chuka Odom was at different times a Minister of State for Environment, Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Capital Territory under the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Odom speaks on his ambition to govern his home state, Imo, in 2015 and recalls the circumstances that led to his exit from government after Yar’Adua’s death in this interview with JOHNCHUCKS ONUANYINM and AMADI NNAMDI.

A

s a lawyer and major player in national politics, what is your view on the ongoing National Conference?

First of all I congratulate you on your new publication and I wish you a successful outing.

I have been a strong and consistent advocate of some form of dialogue at every stage in our national development. Communication should be part and parcel of our national polity. Nigeria is a diverse country, made up of various ethnic groups vying for some form of accommodation within a complex federation. If you foreclose the avenue for constant dialogue among these interests and ethnic nationalities you will unnecessarily heat up the system. It is unfortunate that most times, we do not see dialogue as a process; rather we see it as an event. It cannot be an event, because every country that is making progress today in the world - both developed and emerging economies - all have some form of mechanisms or platform for continuous engagement beyond the traditional institution of government. The reason even becomes more compelling in developing countries where government is viewed with so much suspicion and distrust that you can almost predict what will come out of government in every event or circumstance. So, it now behoves us to allow government to continue to engage the general populace in some form of dialogue and this is the basis and reason why I have always advocated for this conference. Unfortunately, some sections of the country who fortunately also have decided to join this conference had initially interpreted, viewed or seen it as a distraction, a means of diverting attention, with intentions that are not nationalistic or altruistic. So, with what we are seeing today and the various challenges Nigeria is facing as a country, the need for dialogue becomes very critical. You can see what is happening today in the North-East: the number of Nigerians that have lost their lives, in the past one month through various acts of violence, mis-governance and any other label you can give to what

is happening around us today. So, how do you engage the populace or incorporate the voice of the man on the street if you do not create an avenue for interaction and exchange? Yes, you will say we have the National Assembly, our representatives, Federal Executive Council, the local government administration, etc.

How much do these people have access to the people they represent? What percentage of their constituency do they interact with? How much of their interaction is viewed from the perspective of honesty? So, it is in this entire context that I still believe that this conference is very critical at this point. However, we may waste this opportunity if we come with a predetermined position from the ethnic groups, geo-political zones, or whatever label you give to the conclaves that are coming for this confab. So, I think that what would have been better was for us to come with a national agenda because the issues that are confronting us today are more of issues of national relevance than ethnic importance. Now that the whole thing from start has generated some kind of ethnic interest l do not see how delegates are going to divorce that ethnic orientation from the pressing national issues that should form the main agenda of the confab. I still hope that given what has been released by the government as the “Go Areas” and the “No Go Areas,” this would be a sort of guideline to enable delegates to focus on the issues that would impact on governance and challenges that Nigeria is facing today and leave the issue of ethnicity and separatist agenda at the door

step. Otherwise, this would be a waste of tax payers money.

You were the Minister of State for FCT under late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

What led to your removal from office after his death?

No, I was not removed. The entire cabinet was dissolved. The President was brought back from Saudi Arabia and he died in the Villa. Shortly after, the then Acting President (Dr. Goodluck Jonathan) decided to dissolve the cabinet, I think on the 17th of March 2010.

So, the cabinet, in parliamentary term, was dissolved. So everybody left. It was the prerogative of the President to recall those he wanted to call back and I think he did return some people that he found suitable for his purpose at that point. So, that is the way it is.

During the illness of late President Yar’Adua, there was so much drama at the Presidential Villa, especially during his return. What was your stand then?

A whole lot of information is already in the public domain and a couple of publications have appeared since the death of late President Yar’Adua. Mostly, the account of what happened during the dying days of that administration has been captured by some authors, specifically Segun Adeniyi’s book which of course is a fair representation of issues from his own perceptive. What happened at that time was very interesting, both from a constitutional and political point of view. Nigeria came very close to a constitutional crisis, in spite of what anybody would want to say or

Nigeria came very close to a constitutional crisis, in spite of what anybody would want to say or claim as to what happened and what position the person took. The situation was so charged that things were happening in hours, not even in days. People were taking and changing positions in a matter of minutes, depending on how they perceived the whole thing was going to play out.

claim as to what happened and what position the person took. The situation was so charged that things were happening in hours, not even in days. People were taking and changing positions in a matter of minutes, depending on how they perceived the whole thing was going to play out. I remember one of my colleagues who made a passionate speech in one of the council meetings when he heard that Yar’Adua was coming back. He thought he had recovered so when he was told that the man had arrived but he arrived on a stretcher, the next morning he did a 360 degree turn and made another speech on the reason why we must apply caution. I think it shows the fledging economic and political challenges facing an emerging economy. We didn’t have strong structures that took cognisance of such a situation that a President could become incapacitated and the issue of who takes over in such circumstances should not arise. It should flow naturally from the constitution. So, if there is any one lesson Nigerians would have learnt from it is the fact that the so-called Doctrine of Necessity was actually a contraption because the constitution made ample provision on succession and what would happen. Those were things from my own perspective as a lawyer that we created the problem just in order to provide a solution - a self-serving solution.

There was really nothing of necessity in that circumstance. The issue was that the President was no more in a position to administer the country and this information should have been in the public domain. His state of health should have been in the public domain; the report of what was happening to him as the President of Nigeria should have been open.

If the people who were in a position to make this information available to the public had done what was right and proper, the issue of Doctrine of Necessity wouldn’t have arisen.

We would have known the health condition of the President and that would have automatically vested the power on the Vice President to take over.

CONTINUED ON PAGE30

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Politics / Interview

Odom: Imo is ripe for honest, intelligent leadership C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 9

So, it really was a self-inflicted crisis. Of course we all now know that if you go behind this broad declaration of facts of what happened you will now have a thousand and one variations of stories as to who did what he did and why he did what he did. But we all know that none of those things were done in the interest of the country. They were done for self-serving purposes. Today, l just hope that with that kind of experience if we ever come into that kind of situation again we will not go through that tribal dance anymore to be able to put a country of more than 180 million people on an uncertain course because some people felt that dead or alive somebody has to be in power somehow. I have the greatest respect for President Yar’Adua, not just because l served under him. I had the privilege of interacting with him on a very close personal level and I saw him as a true Nigerian, a truly honest and sincere Nigerian who meant well for the country but was betrayed by ill-health. At a certain point in the course of his administration, there were people who took advantage of that sickness and his condition to give his administration a bad name. l have forgiven all of them and l think Nigerians have forgiven all of them too because that was not the Yar’Adua that some of us knew. The Yar’Adua that we knew was a nationalist who wanted the best and who went overboard at each point in time to seek for the truth as way of moving this country forward. So, it is neither here nor there. It is more water under the bridge, but at a certain point we will come up with our own version of what happened and put it in proper context and perspective.

How far have we learnt? The same situation is in Taraba State today. Somebody who is not in good health to perform, people are still pushing for him to stay in office instead of them to look at the provisions of the constitution.

The same issue that I’m telling you. Changes come slowly. Changing or reforming institutions is not as romantic as it sounds. It is a gradual process that moves slowly because it moves from all fronts. You are not just changing government elite that is determined to cling unto power forever. You are also dealing with a mass of people that are queuing into that thinking that it is their government, let them do it the way they want to do it. So, it is a whole gamut of change that we are talking about here, not just change on the side of the ruling elite but change in the attitude and orientation of the masses, So, when you talk of institutional reform or change, we are talking as if it is an academic exercise, but it is not. It involves every facet of our national life - how we perceive governance and how we understand our civic responsibilities as individuals. Can government actually function without pressure from the masses? Can government officials truly perform to its optimum capacity if they are not constantly watched and monitored by the people? The answer is No. It points to the fact that for every good government there is pressure from the people. We have never heard where government does their job without pressure. Human nature is such that they would never do the right thing except they are under pain or punishment or something. That is the reason

but our experience is that any governor that emerges becomes essentially a governor of his zone while treating the other areas as an outpost of his government which he visits from time to time to make empty promises and then goes back to his zone. This kind of attitude and orientation must be stopped. If somebody who has a pan-Imo vision handles that state for four years, nobody will worry about where that governor is coming from.

What difference will you make?

Odom

why countries where there are very robust laws for punishing graft, misdemeanours and punishing them fast have better governance than those where you can stand trials for as long as you want. So, there is a nexus between good governance and citizenship awareness, as well as bad and corrupt governance and citizenship indolence.

es have a different agenda and that is where people like us who believe that governance is a service industry and not a coronation will triumph. We are going to give our people that opportunity and platform to weigh the difference between Panadol and APC.

2015 is very close. What are your projections for yourself and your party?

There is this clamour in Imo state for zoning of the governorship position to Owerri Senatorial District What is your take on this zoning issue?

I have already declared that l’m running on the platform of the PDP for the governorship position in Imo State. That is no more a matter for conjecture. I am coming out because I believe that Nigeria is ripe for intelligent, sincere and honest leadership. You see, one of the problems we have in this country is that people see power as vestments. You know these priests that celebrate mass on the altar, before they come out they wear all levels of vestments and cap it with the chasuble - the big one. That is how our politicians see power. They see it as robe wearing. But I see power as an instrument of social change.

There is too much celebration of offices, too much celebration of the external manifestation of power, for example siren, cars, parties, private jets, etc. Now these things are not important in a developing economy. Why is Mr. Peter Obi leaving government now in a blaze of glory? It is because of one thing - prudence - which is lacking at all levels of leadership in Nigeria. What Nigerians are asking for is not too much. They want their leaders to be close to them; they want their leaders to live like them. They don’t want their leaders to be emperors on their own resources. Let me tell you something, some of these changes will shock a lot of people in 2015. It will not be business as usual. Nigerians have their eyes wide open. In my state today, the level of political awareness is frightening and it is going to disappoint the so called big wigs or big shots who think that they have got it all figured out. They will find out that the mass-

Well, less than one year to the elections, if you see the serious candidates that have emerged for the governorship of my state, you will notice that none is from Orlu zone.

The reason is very simple. Orlu has a kind of dominated the governance of that state against all logic and reasoning. Now when you talk about zoning as a policy, it is not really much of a policy as far as am concerned, it is a matter of social justice and fairness and people must bow to it. Otherwise, in a free and fair contest people will speak their mind. People appear to have got away with these kind of things because of the imperfections in our electoral process that have made it possible for people to win elections while the majority of the masses outside are saying he didn’t win and we know how these things happen. But I can assure you that the clamour for Owerri Zone today is because among the three senatorial zones of Imo state there is no zone that has not tasted power in the last 30 years, except Owerri zone. Even when they did, for a brief period of few months, it was taken away. So, we are now saying that if you people believe in honesty, fairness and justice, then no other zone should produce a candidate for the governorship of Imo State except Owerri Zone; and that is the popular feeling on the street. Even our brothers in Orlu and Okigwe zones share the same view that it is time this thing goes back to Owerri zone. Now it wouldn’t have been an issue if governance was a platform for delivering services to all the components of the states

The reason why we have not been able to get quality leadership is because we bring a snake into the room and we say by the time we finish with it, it will become a dove

You said earlier in the introduction of this interview that I have been in the public eye for some time and that l have been at the federal level. The media has followed my career. The Bible says: “By their fruits you shall know them.” My answer to that question will be from the Bible. There was a time John the Baptist heard that Jesus had arrived. He sent his disciples to go and ask Jesus: “Are you the messiah or are we still expecting another?”

Jesus asked them to go and tell John that the blind were seeing, the lame were walking and the poor had heard the good news. So, it is not for me to tell you what I will be. My antecedents, my upbringing, education and orientation should be a pointer to all of that.

The reason why we have not been able to get quality leadership is because we bring a snake into the room and we say by the time we finish with it, it will become a dove. Things don’t work like that. Leopards do not change their spots; so a thief is a thief; he is only a bigger thief when he is in government. A God-fearing man is a God-fearing man. An honest social conscious individual will not change because he found himself in a position to administer more responsibilities.

This is your second shot at the Imo State Government House and bearing in mind that the state is currently under the control of an APC government, what are the chances of PDP against APC and how do you people intend to wrest power from them?

It is like asking a war general to discuss his strategy on the pages of a newspaper. I will not do that. They have their strategy and we have ours. We shall meet at the appropriate junction.

After your exit from government few years ago, you seemed to have gone into hibernation. What have you been doing?

Thank you. As you can see, I have been running my businesses, I have been running my law firm. I have used the opportunity to do a whole lot of reflection and reading. I have also used it to get closer to my family - my children - who have been denied of my presence and closeness for more than 14 years. I am a family man. It has also been a spiritually rewarding time for me. I have been able to really think and reflect on what our people want in leadership. So, I am fresh and rejuvenated. I am ready for Phase Two. What is your relationship with the socalled big wigs in Imo politics?

I happen to be one of the few politicians who can walk into the house of the so-called big wigs in Imo State without the person wondering what I’m doing in his house. I do not carry any baggage of political animosity and as far as I am concerned all these people are our people. They are partners in our desire to create better governance in Imo State for the benefit of our people.

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Politics

Before conference delegates get jumbo package

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he Nigerian legislature at various times has been criticised for being one of the world’s most expensive parliament when measured against the standard of living of an average citizen in the country. For high cost of running the National Assembly, there are arguments on whether there is still any justification for the lawmakers to function on full time basis.

In fact, reports indicate that in the last six years alone, not less than N1.2trillion has been expended by government in funding the lawmakers, representing an annual spending of N150billion to service the entire national legislative body since 2011.

The believe is that last year, this amount represented not less than three percent of the Federal budget. What has remained of great worry to pundits is the fact that despite this huge expenditure on the lawmakers, majority of Nigerians whom they represent still wallow in abject poverty.

Confirming this unfortunate poverty index, World Bank report in 2013, said the number of Nigerians living in poverty is increasing significantly, revealing a perplexing contrast between the country’s economic statistics on rapid growth and minimal welfare improvements for much of the population.

Specifically, the Bank noted that “while the officially reported growth rates of GDP well exceed population growth in the country, the pace of poverty reduction does not, this implies that the number of poor Nigerians living below poverty line has grown measurably”. This report which did not go well with officials of govern-

Anule Emmanuel ment has already been criticised as an unfair assessment.

But those who are familiar with the true economic situation in most rural areas of the country, know the fact that waving the World Bank’s report simply with the back of the hand would be unfair to citizens whose dream of meeting their daily living targets remains a hurdle. Many see the wide disparity between the pay of members of parliament and the N18, 000 (monthly) minimum national wages which some states government are yet to implement as extremely incredible.

Juxtaposing the role which the National Assembly has continued to play since the return of democracy in 1999 side by side with the assignment of delegates to the National Conference which opened in Abuja last week, many wonder if there is really any difference or similarity that warrants a slim or jumbo pay for participants.

President Goodluck Jonathan amidst stiff opposition convened the dialogue to examine and find solutions to the thorny issues that have impaired national cohesion. The event kicks off with the inauguration of officials by

Where the problem lies presently is in the colossal amounts being touted as allowances for the delegates. the President at the National Judicial Institute in the nation’s capital.

The specific assignment handed over to the conference ordinarily can be handled by the lawmakers if there is commitment of purpose through private member bills for instance.

Notwithstanding however, the convening of the conference as long as it would help to ensure a united Nigeria is not out of place.

Where the problem lies currently is in the colossal amounts being touted as allowances for the delegates. Reports indicate that within the three months which the conference will last, each of the delegates is expected to receive N4 million per month for accommodation and other logistics. At the end, every participant will take home a total of N12 million.

While the hue and cry over the bogous pay

of the legislators lingers, citizens today yet are faced with another splash of the national cake, about N7 billion voted to discuss Nigeria in three months. Out of the total budget, about N5.97 billion is being set aside to take care of the 492 delegates.

Indications emerged last week that most of the delegates argue to have their monies paid them cash in lieu of accommodation as opposed to government’s plan to spend a large chunk of the funds for accommodation in choice hotels. The truth must be told that beyond monetary gains, the purpose of serving their father land should be the ultimate goal of the participants.

Compared to the amount of N8 billion provided by the executive in the 2014 Appropriation Bill currently before the National Assembly for national job creation, N7 billion for a conference to discuss the nation’s future with over 80 per cent of such funds devoted to logistics makes the event expensive. After all, the key challenges facing Nigeria is how to promote sustained inclusive growth, reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment.

If in three months, it would cost government N7 billion for selected Nigerians to deliberate issues of nation building, then, the National Assembly members of course would be vindicated for unnecessarily being abused of collecting large allowances.

Nigerians wait patiently to see how this conference will make a difference in bringing on board ideas of stronger, united and economic progress to the country. Only then will the huge budgetary allocation become justifiable.

Strengthening NASS bureaucracy

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he passage of the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2004 (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2013 by the Senate on Wednesday was a laudable move to take the nation’s uppermost legislative body to a progressive height.

Currently, the defective structural setting of the establishment, and the failure of the National Assembly Service Commission Act 2004 to address the structural loopholes in the system allow for dangerous competition and unnecessary struggle among the staff to rise to the peak of their professional career within the legislative institution.

But the senators in their wisdom and determination to eliminate all structural and administrative impediments to capacity building and professional development in the organisation, decided to amend the Act in order to provide conducive environments for effective operations of the body.

Consequently, the Red Chamber on Wednesday, considered clause by clause the report of the Amendment Bill, earlier submitted by the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service. It was also passed to Third Reading the same day.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the passage of the Bill, the Chairman of the Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Senator Aloysius Etok, explained that the fundamental objective of the amendment was to create capacity and enhance professionalism in the National Assembly as an arm of govern-

From the Chukwu David ment.

He observed that the Act establishing the commission concentrated on the body alone, without giving serious attention to the development and professionalisation of National Assembly staff, which form the fulcrum upon which the legislative institution operates.

The lawmaker also pointed out that the Amendment Bill further departmentalised the National Assembly bureaucracy into professional or career directorates to facilitate easy movement of the staff from bottom to top, without struggling to get promoted to the pinnacle of their directorates by hook or crook.

In Etok’s view, the new Act has created departments to open up … so as to lessen the rate of friction, attrition within the service’s operation. In the amendment, the Senate has provided about six departments, “whereby if you are in the medical line, you will no more seek and fight to become the Clerk of the National Assembly. You now know that you can become the Chief Medical Director of the National Assembly Medical Services.”

The post of the Clark of the National Assembly is equivalent to the post of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

By the same token, those who are in the legislative cadre will produce the clerk of the national assembly because that is his own professional line, just like those who joined the service of the National Assembly as an engineer, should be looking forward to becoming the director of engineering or director of works. At that level, they can get to the level of making sure that they will become permanent secretaries through the rank. The bill did not capture the nomenclature used in the executive.

“The same thing applies to the directorates of legal services, personnel management and human services, and finance. So, that is the purpose of the amendment, to avoid the friction we

are having now. In the past, every staff of the National Assembly had an eye on the post of the Clark of the National Assembly, leading to a lot of struggle, distraction, blackmailing and so on; just to come to the top,” Etok said.

In Etok opinion: “When we are talking about National Assembly, we are talking about an arm of government. The post of the Clark of the National Assembly is equivalent to the post of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation. It is equivalent to the post of the Registrar-General of the Judiciary. It is an error that the CNA is regarded as one of the Permanent Secretaries. It is wrong. He is higher than the Permanent Secretary. He is the head of the legislative arm, which is an arm of government; with different personnel, people of different formation. And that is why we amended the Act to capture the entire operations of the National Assembly Service Commission, which is made up of the National Assembly itself and the Commission.”

He regretted that under the extant Act, the Clerk of the National Assembly was rated below the rank of a permanent secretary, whereas he is higher than a permanent secretary as the administrative head of the National Assembly, which is an arm of government.

Etok expressed optimism that the President would not hesitate to assent to the Bill, after the conference of Committees of the House and the Senate would have met to harmonise areas of differences, before transmitting it to Mr. President for assent.

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‘Our expectations from National Confab’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 8

New states

*Prof. Jerry Gana

-Former Minister of Information

This is a very good start in the sense that the discussions so far have been peaceful, orderly and people have been tolerant of one another. The proposals that have been made and adopted across board show that people are here not here to renegotiate Nigeria but to discuss how to move the country forward.

The issues of poverty and unemployment are major challenges facing Nigeria. How can we make the Nigerian economy more vibrant?

We are well endowed and we should be able to proffer solutions to these problems. There is also the governance issue. How can we reduce this terrible rate if corruption? How can we be more efficient in service delivery and the distribution of our resources? How can the structure be reviewed so that people can have a sense of belonging? Some Nigerians, including my people, the Nupe, want new states. Why not if that is what would give us all a sense of belonging? This thing that happened on Saturday where young people were fighting to get jobs and died in the process was a major message. It is a major issue because it has to do with poverty, unemployment and creation of wealth.

The difference between this conference and the 2005 National Political Reforms Conference would be that the implementation strategy for the recommendations of this conference is already pre-determined. In the previous one in 2005, we made recommendations and at the last stage somebody added an agenda that was not part of our recommendations and that derailed the whole thing.

Gana

Resource control

*Chief Nosakhare Isekhure Chief Priest of Benin Kingdom

We are a country positioned by God to lift the dignity of the back race. In terms of our population, technology, manpower and resource endowments, I don’t know of any other country on earth that has been so blessed. But our problem is ethnicity. Everybody seeks leadership on the basis of where he comes from rather than finding out if he or she has the capacity to deliver.

In this conference, we must address the issue of resource control because that is where the greatest problem of our nation lies. Everybody just wants to come to Abuja anticipating to get money. That is not the way it should be, rather every state should be a baker of the national cake. Let everyone bake and let us see what everyone is baking so that by the time

we bring them together, we can then share it in a manner that we compensate those who are doing well. We should not punish somebody for being energetic. What we have been doing is that those who have been baking the cake have been the ones suffering.

We are trying to copy the American system of government but we don’t copy the systems and strategies the Americans use in their democracy. In America, wherever resources are found, the people on whose land the resources are found are given a free hand to exploit these resources and pay appropriate taxes to the federal government. That tax is used to develop areas that may not have resources. In any case, there is no part of our country that does not have resources.

This is a conference where we are supposed to articulate our ideas that Nigerians should not only be looking unto the Federal Government for everything because that is the root of our under-development.

Right now, nobody is thinking of how to bake the cake; we are thinking of how to share and the national cake is limited in size and not even enough to go round.

So this conference should be able to sensitise our people not to concentrate on sharing of power alone. Let us not concentrate on where the President comes from but on how to get the best for our country.

The President can come from anywhere provided he has what it takes to lead the country.

Let us discuss and agree that the current selfishness that pervades our political culture must be swept aside. Let us address issues in a very sincere and pragmatic way so that we can solve our problems.

The sum total is that Nigeria should remain an indissoluble country. We should remain united and see ourselves as our brother’s keeper.

The world is moving very fast and the resources that we may see as very relevant today and indispensable may turn out to be dispensable tomorrow and other resources that we may not have thought of may emerge from those areas that may not have resources today.

We should not be using 16th Century logic to judge issues of the 21st Century. The world is changing and we should not be habouring primordial sentiments about issues. For us, we are hoping that in 2014, we shall have a successful conference. We want to build a Nigeria where everybody will feel a sense of belonging. Once we are able to do that we would have succeeded in building the society of our dream.

Security of lives and property

*Alhaji Buba Galadima

Former CPC National Secretary

You know I come from the North-East and the top priority issue there is the security of lives and property, without which nothing tangible can take place. It is a big priority. Also naturally, one would expect that one man one vote would be entrenched in the constitution.

We expect an Electoral Act that would lead to credible elections without which we cannot have competent leadership.

There is no contradiction in my being a member of the All Progressives Congress and being here. The APC as a political party said it would not participate but I am coming on a different platform, representing my state (Yobe).

I believe that every Nigerian should attend this conference because every Nigerian has a problem. Since there are problems, we have to sit down and look at all the issues, discuss them patriotically and arrive at solutions.

Nigeria’s fate in the hands of 492 delegates C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 8

ference, Justice Legbo Kutigi, his deputy, Prof.

Bolaji Akinyemi and Secretary, Dr. Valerie Azinge took turns to explain the late start. The delay was to allow delegates coming from far and near get to the conference venue, complete their registration formalities and take their seats at the auditorium where the deliberations would take place.

Although, the principal officers were not late, they apologised profusely on behalf of the delegates, blaming it on, as we normally say, circumstances beyond their control.

In the course of the day’s proceedings, signs began to emerge that Jonathan’s warning against the pursuit of divisive agenda at the National Conference may be difficult to heed. A warning shot was fired that ethnic, regional and religious cleavages may become stumbling blocks to smooth proceedings at the conference.

In a briefing from the secretariat, Azinge told the delegates that the sitting arrangement based on alphabetical order would soon be put in place and each delegate would have a designated seat.

But this arrangement did not go down well with some delegates. Chief Sargent Abuse, a delegate of the South geo-political zone raised an objection and proposed an arrangement where delegates would sit according to their

states and geo-political zones. Awuse argued that every region or state had its peculiar agenda it had brought to the conference and it would only be proper for them to sit close together to enable them jointly articulate and present their position on issues at the conference.

This proposal was however countered by Chief Olusegun Osoba, a delegate representing former State Governors. Osoba argued that since it was a national conference, the alphabetical order sitting arrangement was preferable as it would afford each delegate the opportunity of sitting among delegates from other regions and sharing nationalistic rather than sectional ideas.

This counter opinion drew a loud applause from the delegates, an indication that they had unanimously accepted to be Nigerian delegates and not ethnic champions at the conference.

But the conference soon ran into the sensitive issue of religion when the Assistant Secretary, Finance and Administration, Professor Mahmood Yakubu briefed the delegates on the arrangements being made for Muslims among them to have a place where they could observe their daily prayers. He said that since the mosque in the premises if the National Judicial Institute was still under construction, an arrangement was being made to secure an alternative place for them. Yakubu was however silent on where adherents of other faiths may also meet to pray and offer supplications.

In the course of the proceedings, prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome informed the gathering that adherents of the Christian faith were observing their Lenten season, a period of forty days during which they were expected to fast and pray at intervals. Ozekhome asked if there was any arrangement by the secretariat of the conference to take care of the needs of Christians during the period. This drew some laughter and murmuring across the hall, an indication that the message of religious equity had been understood.

However, it took the intervention of radical Lagos cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare to open upon on the issue. Bakare who addressed the issue squarely called for restraint on the issue of religion. He expressed discomfort at the penchant of the Chairman of the Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi to begin proceedings with some incantations peculiar to the Islamic faith when he was supposed to be presiding over a multi-ethnic and multi- religious gathering.

“Mr. Chairman, you began your speech yesterday with some words I did not understand.

Today again you have also said something I do not understand. We should adopt a standard language. We should not allow religion to divide us. If I stand up to speak and I begin by saying: Praise God somebody... We may end up having a church service instead of a national conference,” Bakare said.

Apparently not getting the message correctly, Kutigi observed that there were no prayers at the beginning of the session and said it would be wise to do so at the end. However, his call for one Christian and one Muslim prayer to close the session did not go down well with delegates.

When Kutigi got the message, he retreated and announced that a national prayer would be adopted at a later date. The conference has been adjourned till Monday, March 24.

ISSUES AHEAD When it resumes, it is expected to sit for four days(Monday - Thursday) every week.

Each day, plenary sitting will begin at 10am and delegates will break for lunch at 2pm. The conference will resume at 4pm and adjourn at 6pm.

As at last Tuesday, delegates have been given the conference documents to study and digest. They have also received copies of the Rules of Proceedings and are expected to study it in preparation for a debate on it. Delegates are to resume fully prepared to discuss Nigeria and the future of the country. Obviously, Kutigi and his co-pilots have an onerous task of conveying 492 passengers on board an aircraft to a dream land- New Nigeria. The fate of the country is in their hands and what they do or fail to do will determine the future of Nigeria. It is hoped that this flight will experience good weather, get to its destination, hit the ground running and not over shoot the runway.

Markets & Malls African Tyre Village opens at Trade Fair p.42

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/politics

News NSE to grow market capitalisation to N167trn by 2016 p.34

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MARCH 23, 2014

ICT World Cell phones and genes p.41

33

Business AZUBIKE NNADOZIE, ASSISTANT Editor, SUNDAY

azubike.nnadozie@newtelegraphonline.com

ON SUNDAY

Nigeria overtakes UK in Internet access -Report Azubike Nnadozie

N

igeria has scored a big one above United Kingdom in the latest ranking of global information technology access.

According to statistics released by market research and statistics specialists, digitXplus, the digital Unit of mediaReachOMD, Nigeria, the

country has recorded a 200 per cent growth in internet users between 2009 and 2013. The figures also indicated that Nigeria, which tied at 55 million internet users with United Kingdom in 2012, took 14 per cent leap garnering about 62.4 million internet users above UK with an increase of just two million (57 million) users in 2013.

The report released exclusively in Lagos last week quoted Euromonitor as its primary source and analysed digital growth across the world from 2009 - 2013 as follows: Digital users grew across the globe from 1.748 billion to 2.677 billion showing a growth rate of 53 per cent 2009/13.

Of these figures, emerging and developing countries took the lead

in the digital users over developed countries growing from 1.011 billion users in 2009 to 1.834 billion users in 2013 as against developed countries growth rate of 737 million users in 2009 to just 843 million users in 2013. That is a growth of 81 per cent to 14 per cent (2009/13) in favour of emerging and developing countries.

The report further breaks the

digital users by region. While it recorded 721 million users to 1.214 billion 68 per cent user growth rate 2009/13 for Asia Pacific region; it shows steady growth in the Americas with the following figures: 426 million users in 2009 to 573 million users by 2013 representing 34 per cent growth rate in 2009/13.

The report has it that the whole of Europe managed 28 per cent growth in 2009/13 covered by the report. This represents an increase in number of users in Europe from 436 million in 2009 to 559 million in 2013.

The Middle East and Africa leads the other regions of the world in digital users growth with an encouraging 112% growth rate in 2009/13.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Inside

Nwankanma

L-R: Managing Partner, EquiTrust Advocates and Solicitors, Kayode Aderemi; President, Chrisgate International, Christopher Alabi; and Managing Director, Drug Consult Pharmacy, Charles Oyeniyi, at Chrisgate Motivational Network Success Summit and Book Launch in Lagos on friday.

Brand Nigeria needs clear definition

pg 35

FRC tasks ministers on proper accounting Azubike Nnadozie

M

inisters supervising government business entities have been told to ensure proper monitoring of accounts of entities in their ministries.

This charge was given by the Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), Mr Jim Obazee, during a parley with business editors and financial correspondents

on compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in Lagos.

“Government Business Entities’ financial reports are poorly monitored. This is what is giving room for poor financial reporting amongst a large number of them” he said while lamenting the fact that only few of them submitted their financial statements in response the FRC’s IFRS

Readiness test.

According to Obazee, only three government business entities submitted their financial reports in the first phase, while only ten submitted in the second phase.

Bank of Industry, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc and Nigerian Police Force (NPF) Microfinance Bank Plc submitted in Phase 1 and CAC, NDIC, AMCON, NAICOM,

NLNG, NLNG Manning Ltd, Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Ltd, Niger Delta Properties Ltd, Niger Delta Gas Ltd and Niger Delta Exploration and Production Plc submitted in Phase 2.

He therefore charged supervising ministers of defaulting government business entities to request the agencies under them to submit their 3-year financial documents and CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Hammayo

Mortgage loans can provide cheap houses

pg 36

34

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Business / News

Nigeria overtakes UK in Internet access -Report C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

L - R: Chief Keith Richards, MD/CEO Promasidor Nigeria welcoming Vice President Namadi Sambo to Promasidor stand at the on-going 20th Nigerian Economic Summit at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja recently.

NSE to grow market capitalisation to N167trn by 2016 •Non-oil revenue projections impressive

Chijioke Iremeka

N

igerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has put in place reforms aimed at increasing the market capitalisation to N167trn ($1trn) by 2016. This will include new and structured documents to list, while it tries to work with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to simplify rules and widen the pool of potential listings.

According to an Oxford Business Group report, a structured alternative market board launched in April 2013 shows that the exchange is expanding advisory services available to prospective issuers. It added that the launch of new overthe-counter (OTC) market for unlisted stocks would enhance price discovery for unlisted firms and create a pipeline for public listing over the next three years.

In a sectoral report titled: The Report Nigeria 2013, it posited that though the migration to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for all listed companies by 2012 and for other firms in 2014 may stagger the pace of initial Public Offering (IPOs) over the next three years, NSE expects to diversify share offering over time.

According to NSE, the conduit of the new issues has slowed down since 2008, without new IPOs from 2011 to 2013, except for a handful of rights issues and public offerings.

Also, from a peak of 79 new issues

in 2006, including a recorded 62 IPOs, 10 public offers and seven rights issues, the rate of recurrence was sustained in 2007 with 47 new listing - five IPOs and 30 listings in 2008.

As at the end of 2010, there were a total of 180 offers, including 88 IPOs, 54 public offers and 38 rights issues. While IPOs largely dried up after 2008, the market hosted 14 public offers and two rights issues in 2009. The value of equity raised to N86bn ($541.8m) compared to a peak of N1.3trn ($8.2bn) in 2007.

Interestingly, stocks activity continued to decline despite a market uptick in 2010, a year that saw only four rights issues and four public offerings as core investors sought to recapitalise their companies.

Meanwhile, the non-oil revenue projections of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) for 2015 (N3, 488.651bn) and 2016 (N3, 743.284bn) respectively are said to be more impressive than the projection for 2014, which expects a revenue fall from N3,

307.46bn in 2013 to N3, 288.584bn in 2014 fiscal year.

However, non-oil revenue comprises VAT, Customs/Excise Duty, Special Levies, Corporate Tax and FGN Independent Revenue.

Eze Onyekpere of Centre for Social Justice said though there are plausible reasons for the contraction of non-oil revenue in 2014, it is a contradiction in terms that while the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is growing at 6.75 percent, the tax bases are assumed to be contracting.

NB Plc rewards top distributors

N

igerian Breweries Plc has restated its commitment to continuously reward productivity and business partnership as was recently demonstrated at the distributors’ award night where the company rewarded outstanding distributors and transporters that excelled in 2013.

Ifeoma Chukwuka Nigeria Limited emerged the best distributor for 2013, having sold the required cases of Nigerian Breweries products.

The company grabbed the coveted award and a brand new Man Diesel truck to further enhance their business. The company won the award at an elaborate ceremony held at the Intercontinental Hotel Lagos.

Ken Maduako Nigeria Limited

and CN Anyoha and Sons Limited went home with 2nd and 3rd place prizes respectively.

The brewing giant gave out total of 180 award in various categories which include: National Volume Champion and Region Volume Champions, Regional Volume Champions who attained minimum of 2 million cases, Regional Volume Champion who attained less than 2 million cases, District Champions who achieved minimum of 2 million cases, District Champions who achieved 1 Million - 2 Million cases, District Champions who achieved 1 Million cases, Millionaire Club (SKDs who achieved above 1 million cases) among others.

The prizes won include Man Diesel truck, Mitsubishi Canter

trucks; Mitsubishi L300 double cabin; Forklifts; Sound proof generating Sets; cash rewards and several free cartons of Nigerian Breweries Products.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, extolled the invaluable contributions of the distributors and partners to the overall success of the company. His words, “it was a year ago that we predicted a fierce competition in the beer market. However, our company won more market share in 2013.

This night, market growth shows that distribution has been crucial to Nigerian Breweries’ success in the beer market. We are committed to spend more money on our brands than the previous year.”

In just five years, the region more than double its number of internet users. The digital users of the region grew from 145 million users in 2009 to 308 million users representing 112% growth rate as against the rest of the world. More importantly, the sub-Saharan Africa sub-region where Nigeria belongs experienced an astronomical 143% growth moving from a paltry 61 million users in 2009 to 148 million users by 2013.

Between the years covered by the review/report, Nigeria maintained its lead in the growth number of internet users in Africa. The country moved from 30.9 million users in 2009 to a whopping 62.4 million users in 2013 representing 102% growth rate in 2009/13. Egypt is second behind Nigeria with 39.7 million users in 2013 moving from its 19.5 million users recorded in 2009. This represents 103% growth rate in 2009/13 for the politically troubled country.

However, Nigeria’s lead in terms of volume can be said to be due to the country’s increasing awareness and adoption in Digital and not as a result of swelling population. Whereas, Nigeria experienced just 14% growth margin in the five years under scrutiny, Ethiopia grossed 23%, Mozambique and Congo 22% each, while Zambia and Kenya experienced 20% and 18% growth margin respectively.

Sahara pearl, Morocco experienced the lowest internet usage growth rate in the continent with just 4% in five years.

FRC tasks ministers on proper accounting C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

participate in the readiness test in order to uncover financial frauds.

He however praised the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr, Olusegun Aganga for requesting financial statement of the entities under his supervision and requesting the FRC to report on the level of compliance with the FRC directive and FRC Act by these establishments.

Obazee also disclosed that the FRC has already written to the Boards of the defaulting private business entities to query the managements on why they did not take part in the Readiness Test and giving them up to the end of March to submit their reports. Failure to do this, he said, would lead to FRC publishing the names of the entities with the disclaimer that their financial statements should not be relied on for investment decisions.

35

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Business / Media

Brand Nigeria needs clear definition - Nwakanma

Chief Executive of Blueflower Limited, a strategic communication management firm and President of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN, Mr Chido Benedict Nwakanma, recently spoke with AZUBIKE NNADOZIE on the nation’s PR industry, his career and sundry other issues. Excerpt

A

fter 27-plus years in communication management, spanning roles in media, industry and consulting, what are your regrets?

Regrets? I don’t dwell on regrets. I have had a rich and variegated career in the field for which I received training and preparation. I have worked in journalism, in corporate communication and public relations on both client and agency side, in marketing and in sales. I have been in consulting for more than 15 years now.

They are all inter-related. It has been exciting.

Of course, some things have not gone well, but what lies ahead is far more than what is behind.

What is your impression about the marketing communication industry in Nigeria as presently constituted? Are we in the ideal market yet?

A main positive development of the last decade is growing diversification and specialisation in marcomms in Nigeria. Media buying has become a specialty, but it used to reside in advertising agencies. Content Generation is growing out of public relations, as is custom publishing.

Media monitoring, often offered as part of a bouquet in a typical public relations retainership, now comes as a stand-alone service. The events industry is growing, though events used to be a forte of public relations. Then you have activations agencies offering as stand-alone a service that advertising agencies offered.

There is a growing understanding, usually by firms, of the need to engage those services separately. Even with the specialisation, the industry has also realised the need to come together to tackle obnoxious developments hampering growth and full contribution to the economy and society.

One of these is the fact that government has declined in its engagement of professional communication agencies, whether they be advertising, public relations or otherwise. When they do, they often go abroad, and usually not for any professional reasons. This is against the history of engagement. Government and the big firms of the day, UACN and the Railways in particular, previously gave the fillip to marcoms in Nigeria.

We hail the few state governments that have engaged professional communication agencies for their communication needs.

Where do you draw a line between a marketing communication outfit and a purely public relations agency?

There is no such animal as a marketing communication outfit strictly speaking. Marcomms has been a convenient term for the industry to describe the convergence of the various disci-

There is no such animal as a marketing communication outfit strictly speaking.

Marcomms has been a convenient term for the industry to describe the convergence of the various disciplines. plines. It also derived from the history of the evolution of the disciplines where marketing held pre-eminence for a long time. The scope of marketing is much narrower though than public relations. Marketing deals with the relationship between a company and its customers while public relations manages the relationship between that company and all its stakeholders, including customers. Typical stakeholder publics for public relations for each firm would include customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers and business partners, the government (in Nigeria at three levels of federal, state and local), the media, regulators, the community and various interest groups. Public relations manages the relationship between the company and the various publics upon which its success depends, and they go beyond customers some times.

The big advertising agencies try to operate a one-stop-shop for advertising, marketing communication and public relations. Does this always have a positive impact on the bottom line?

There is a terminological inexactitude in describing this field and it is time to do away with it. As I noted, growing specialisation would help to clear the fog. Marketing communications is an umbrella term used to describe the entire field. Marketing communications is the means by which organisation or institutions attempt to inform, persuade, and remind publics about their services or products. It is not a specific

discipline. Many firms claimed to be a one-stop shop. That is ancient now. Industry lore says it helped some firms corner a lot of business.

Recently, PRCAN raised issues over the contracting of a foreign PR company by the All Progressives Congress. What has been the outcome of your negotiations with the party? Are there laws restricting Nigerian professionals from practising abroad?

We raised the alert concerning APC to draw attention to a trend that we must curtail quickly.

We are glad AAAN has joined in also critiquing that move. Note, however, that APC is not alone in this regard. It is an unwelcome development and a negation of the history of communication practice in Nigeria where Nigerian agencies have always managed communication for our parties to great effect.

There is on this matter also mischief and misunderstanding. Your question as to whether we cannot practise abroad falls into the category of both mischief and ignorance. We can practise abroad, and several of our colleagues including myself have worked for clients outside of Nigeria as part of a team. At least three things matter here. Champions and experts in all disciplines develop through practice. The foreign firm APC engaged worked on at least 12 local efforts before Barack Obama that gave it global prominence.

Two, to practise in any other country, you would be required to register, probably take qualifying exams and all that. You do not just walk in. Nigerian law also specifies who should offer public relations counsel in Nigeria. For individuals, the requirement is qualification and registration with NIPR and for companies it is certification with PRCAN. Our objection therefore rests on legality, the macro economic impact of the action and the need to do right by Nigerian professionals.

How much is Blueflower worth and who are your key clients?

We are a growing firm. Our clients are Airtel Networks Limited, Nutricima Limited, Inkastrans Limited, the Society for Family Health, Bio Organics Nutrient Systems and two educational

institutions. We also offer service to the Federal Ministry of Information and the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund. At Blueflower Limited, we subscribe to Proverbs 22:29. New King James Version captures it thus, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men”.

In an age where social media is fast taking many jobs and rendering many professionals redundant, what future do you see for the global/Nigerian media industry?

The Nigerian media as with the global media will evolve along with media users and buyers. Social media means that media outfits must reposition themselves as Content Providers and deploy to the channels that the audience prefers. The anthem of my secondary school (United Christian College, Apapa) memorably stated, “The subjects you shall master here are but the tools of future life.” What we learnt in typewriting became the basis for the modern day keyboard while the lessons in News Writing and Grammar for Journalists in mass communication class are captured in the spell checker in your Microsoft Word. Similarly, social media requires the skills and discipline of journalism. People still seek information, education and entertainment. They seek credible news that is properly packaged and delivered by knowledgeable writers. Winners would be those who understand the business holistically and apply that knowledge to this new channel of choice for audiences.

Is Nigeria a brand? What are the problems of marketing Brand Nigeria?

Experts say a brand is a symbol, sign etc that differentiates one product or service (country) from another and one that adds dimensions that differentiate its offering from others. Nigeria qualifies therefore as a brand with our flag, our territory, our cultures and lived experiences, our places, our history etc.

Brands excel foremost at rendering service.

The primary challenge is that Brand Nigeria fails to deliver service to its citizens.

36

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Business / Interview

Mortgage loans can provide cheap houses –Bauchi commissioner Alhaji Aminu Hammayo is the Bauchi State Commissioner for Lands and Housing and also oversees the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. In this interview with our Bauchi Correspondent, SANI MOH’D SANI, the commissioner explains the state government’s commitment towards halting the activities of illegal land speculators in the state and other issues.

A

rbitrary creation of layouts by land speculators

Nobody has the right to create a layout except the Ministry of Lands and Housing. The responsibility of town planning is vested on us; that is why even where you own customary land and you want to create a layout you are expected to apply to the ministry.

Professionals are supposed to go to that land and do their work professionally and draw up a layout before you can begin to dispose your layout to people. Anybody who creates a layout on his own is doing that illegally and I know that in collaboration with the Bauchi State Development Board which has the responsibility for development control, we have had cause to take certain actions in some areas. I know that we have gone to a land after the Gubi housing estate where we discovered that a layout had been created. These are tiny layouts without proper planning and of course certainly that is going to create problems. We collaborated with the state development board and bulldozers were rolled out. All the signs and pegs that they put there were cleared. So anywhere you see a layout being created, it has been created illegally unless it was done with the prior approval of the Ministry of Lands and Housing. Its professionals are expected to go and draw up these layouts. Let me also say that the responsibility for development control is the responsibility of the state development board. There is an extent to which we can act on such but we work very closely with them. Where such instances are noticed we work with them and we take necessary action. This includes in some instances picking up whatever is on the land. On the issue of infrastructure, the creation of infrastructure is a very expensive business. We have done the Tambari Housing Estate. What we have still not been able to do is the part of the Bauchi State Investment where we have to provide the layouts and the infrastructure and cost are very high. Before the second phase of the release of the funds by the Federal Mortgage Bank, which will be used to build additional houses, we must build the infrastructure. What we are trying to do in this particular instance is to try to see how we can use the resources that we have inwardly, from the state water board, the state development board, Ministry of Rural Development and so on at a minimal cost. How do we provide this infrastructure?

In creating layouts, we’ll try a public private partnership arrangement where we will get an investor and the infrastructure will be provided.

Since we are creating multiple plots, economies of scale will come in. By the time you spread the cost of the infrastructure to the individual plots it becomes quite easier for whoever is taking it. It also becomes easier because what is needed in the layout has already been provided.

It is now left for people to come in there and begin to develop their houses. In the next few weeks, we should be able to implement these

One thing that is normal with mortgages everywhere is that people buy houses and it takes a lifetime to pay for these houses. Mortgages are given for 20, 25 to 30 years. The essence of mortgage is not to try and push you to stop your life. You need to take care of your family. You need to do all those things that are vital in your life, so there is no way you can acquire a house and be told to pay for the house in one week.

You cannot do that, but at least it will continue to be based on the terms of the arrangements and so on. There are so many arrangements on how you acquire houses, but we in the Bauchi State Ministry for Lands and Housing ensure that you qualify for a title when you finish making payment.

Confiscation of land at Gubi Housing Estate

Hammayo

arrangements.

Registration of land speculators

We are working quite closely with them. We have had cause to hold meetings with them.

We met with the Emir of Bauchi through the district head. We are in close contact with them and the essence of our coming together with them is to try and help them legalise some of their activities. Most of the problems we have are associated with their activities. Unless we bring them and we are able to control what they do the problems will escalate and resurface every now and then. We know them, we know their leaders. As time goes on, we are going to develop a clear frame work for us to able to work with them.

Naming and numbering of streets

Though it’s not our responsibility but we are also interested in that. This is based on what we are drawing up with the Bauchi Geographic Information System. It is necessary that we have the street names and we should be able to determine where each house is. With the computerisation of the Bauchi Geographic Information System, I don’t need to get out of my office to know where the house of Alhaji Ashiru. This is because I will use satellite images. I should be able to know from my office which and which streets I have drive past before arriving at my house. It is really very important and we are working closely with the state development board. It’s their responsibility to ensure that that is done. I am also aware that the state development board has commenced action on the numbering of streets.

Obtaining Certificate of Occupancy

It takes three weeks. I believe when the Bauchi Geographic Information System is fully commissioned, there is no reason why I won’t be able to give you a Certificate of Occupancy within one week.

Green areas

Green areas are basically the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment. It is very important. We try as much as possible to ensure that the green areas are not tampered with. I believe the Ministry of Environment will roll out a plan for the green areas.

Mass housing

Are you talking of how cheap the houses will be? It depends on the cost of production.

If you are constructing a house for N2 million, you cannot sell at N1m. The problem of housing is a serious problem, not only in Bauchi but in the whole of the country. We have a housing deficit of over 25 million in the country and that is what is needed to cover the housing gap that we have. I know the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and in collaboration with all the states’ ministries of land and housing is promoting an arrangement with the World Bank for a mortgage and financing system. I’m sure very soon mortgage financiers are going to be supported by this funding so that mortgages can be created. We believe in this measure of trying to create functional mortgage institutions and supporting those that are in the mortgage business to be able to provide houses. I believe the more houses you have, the cheaper the cost of these houses would be.

I’m not aware that there is any land that has been confiscated. The state government acquired Gubi Housing Estate and paid compensation. It was paid based on what the law says. If government has paid for compensation on a piece of land but has not utilised it and then somebody takes temporary possession of the land, that does not make the land his own. Some of those that are complaining must have probably bought the land from speculators who don’t own that land. That is why we are emphasising that if you are going into any transaction that involves land it takes nothing away from you to walk into the ministry to conduct a search.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but we are saying that we are also compassionate. If they bought these land wrongly we will look at how we can come in and assist them. That is why we are saying that for those who are involved, we’ll try and provide them with an alternative so that we can minimise their loss.

I don’t think there is anything wrong for a government to compensate somebody for doing something wrong.

Complaints

People come in to the ministry every day with different complaints. It is our responsibility to see how we can come in and investigate and redress that. If somebody has a complaint of multiple ownership of land, they should come to us so that we can investigate and see how we can help them.

Rochas Okorocha’s proposed school

(Imo State Governor) Rochas Okorocha was here sometime in 2011. He came on an official visit to the state and indicated interest in building a school at Rochas Okorocha Crescent. He has built schools in so many states across the country. He indicated interest in doing same in Bauchi. He wants to build a school for the less privileged. It was on the basis of that that the Ministry of Lands and Housing acquired land for him to come and commence the construction of the school. The title documents of the school were delivered to him not long ago. I’m sure he is making arrangements to come in and launch the school.

37

SundayTransport

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNRDAY

23 MARCH 2014

FRSC chief decries assault on officers

Paul Ogbuokiri

T

he Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Chidi Nkwonta, has decried

Truck parking facility to open at Trade Fair

the spate of attacks on officers of the agency.

He told New Telegraph on Sunday on Wednesday in Lagos that in the month February alone, there were no fewer than 14 reported cases of assault on officers of the commission.

He said sequel to assault by alleged touts on officers of the commission last Saturday, February

15, 2014, the Corps Marshal/CEO of FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka had warned that any further attacks on FRSC officers will attract sanctions.

“It is the last warning we are issuing. Any such incidents will no longer be condoned by the commission and we have directed our officers to defend themselves whenever they are attacked because they have the right to self defence,” he said.

He stated that attack by hoodlums on FRSC officers has become too incessant to be treated be levity.

According to him, the commission chose not to carry arms because it wanted to be community friendly.

“The FRSC Act 2007 permits us to carry arms but because we are executing the mandate given to us by the community, we want them

to see us as their own. It is against this backdrop that we want all Nigerians to condemn the attack on our officers who are on their legitimate duties,” he said.

He said that the officers who were allegedly attacked at Kara area on Lagos-Ibadan expressway on March 15 were attached to the Special Intervention Patrol team of RS2.15, led by DRC S. Bolorundunro.

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o ease the traffic gridlock on the Apapa – Oshodi Expressway the Association of Maritime Trucks Owners (AMATO), National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) would soon move to a new truck parking facility at the Lagos Trade fair complex.

The project which is the brainchild of Multi-Aulic Limited is to ensure that no truck driver is allowed to leave the terminal unless such a driver is called to the port for cargo evacuation.

According to the Managing Director of Multi-Aulic Limited Alhaji Alhassan Dantata has the capacity to accommodate 5,000 trucks. He added that the holding bay has four truck terminals with equipped recreational centres , eateries, toilets and other facilities when fully in operation.

Dantata said that the proximity of the complex to the port and completion of the ten lane LagosBadagry road will further complement movement of cargo in and out of the ports.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that during a recent tour of the facility by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Maritime Matters, Mr. Leke Oyewole, he commended the promoters of the project, saying the initiative will provide logistics to ports operations, reduce corruption and enhance security in the maritime industry as the human element in transactions at the ports will be eliminated.

Oyewole was also quoted as saying that the scheme is in tandem with President Jonathan’s Transformation agenda, which will reduce congestion at the nation’s seaports thereby enhancing trade facilitation in Nigeria.

He urged owners of the facility to develop a synergy with the Nigerian Ports Authority and other stakeholders in order to achieve the objectives of the scheme.

R-L –Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mallam Habib Abdullahi; Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral S.I.Alade; a Navy officer on the entourage of FOC Western Naval Command watchs on; at the handover of the keys to three new patrol boats donated by NPA to the Nigerian Navy….

Tuesday

Stakeholders decry delay on transport reform bills P

resident Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, has said that the delay in the passage of the transport reform bills will hamper development in the sector.

He spoke to New Telegraph on Sunday on the recent announcement by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labran Maku that the Federal Executive Council has commenced discussion on the bills.

The bills include: the National Transport Commission Bill (2014); Nigeria Railway Bill (2014); Nigerian Ports and Harbour Authority Bill (2014); and the National Inland Waterways Authority Bill (2014).

He said some of the bills, especially the National Transport Commission Bill and the Ports and Harbour Bill have been on the government’s shelves for over seven years.

The Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners, Chief Remi Ogungbemile, said if FEC is just about to commence full deliberation on the bills, it means that they will not be passed into law soonest.

“The bills have been there for over seven years. At the pace it is going, we will not expect the passage of the bills into law before the end of this administration,” he said.

Ogungbemile said that if government genuinely wants to

transform the transport sector of the economy, then the bills must be given accelerated action.

President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Chief Eugen Nweke, said that the bills had stayed too long in the government shelves and needed to be passed into law urgently for the nation’s transport industry to develop at a faster pace like in other countries.

He said the passage of the bills into law would boost the economy, especially with regard to the freight forwarding business.

Maku had on Wednesday told State House Correspondents that FEC, after debating the provisions of the bills, set up a council

committee chaired by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN), to consider the various contributions made and re-present the bills in a week or two.

He said, the bills would be fine-tuned and be sent to the National Assembly for consideration.

He said in considering the bill, the council took into consideration that for long, the transport sector had not benefited from the private sector participation efforts of the government.

He said the reality was that countries could no longer depend on government annual budget to build roads, ports, railway and airport as well as fund them.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

SundayTransport

Opportunities abound for shipowners in Nigeria’s oil & gas industry -Abboud Managing Director, Slok Nigeria Limited, the Shipping arm of the Slok Group, Mr. Firas Abboud, spoke with PAUL OGBUOKIRI on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the annual Nigerian maritime expo

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our company had a very visible stand at this year’s edition of the Nigerian maritime expo. It also took part in the conference, does that means an endorsement of the expo?

The event has turned out to be the most important event in the Nigerian maritime calendar.

The world is taking note of it and it is good even for showcasing the potentials of the sector which are yet to be tapped. NIMAREX is capable of opening up the Nigerian maritime industry to both local and international investors.

Also, it is at this event where you would learn of the moderate improvements the industry has recorded since the last edition, last year. It is also from this event that we can assess and reassess the landmark achievements made so far in the industry and know the grounds that need to be covered. It is a good thing for the industry. The expo getting better every year, it will soon compare with other maritime expos in the world.

What does the expo mean to Slok?

It is an opportunity for us to showcase the moderate achievements our company has made in this sector as well as learn current developments recorded in the sector that could help us in our growth plans.

How will you rate Slok’s market share in the Nigerian upstream oil and gas marine operations?

We are a wholly indigenous shipping company that operates mainly new ships for provision of service to the Nigerian oil and gas industry. We operate highly sophisticated ships that meet the needs of the international oil companies that dominate the Nigeria’s offshore oil and gas industry.

We are the leading indigenous player in the upstream sector of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. We operate in marine transport service involving offshore support and deep sea transportation within the Nigerian coastal

and inland waterways.

We are also the largest indigenous company in the country, which owns, operates, and manages its own fleet. We are compliant with the Nigerian Cabotage Law and we are duly registered with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.

ourselves as the leader in the oil and gas industry in the country. We have achieved outstanding results and impressive expansions, positioning ourselves a truly extraordinary Nigerian company, visioning to extend our target market to the whole of the African continent.

In what areas had the company carved a niche for itself in the industry?

Members of Nigerian Indigenous Shipowners Association have been complaining of lack of jobs, is Slok facing a similar problem?

We have a proven track record in the off shore vessel market.

Because we are fully aware that the conditions at sea can present unusual demands, we are strongly committed to operating technologically advanced vessels perfectly designed to execute safe and high standards of performance to withstand even the hardest weather conditions of the deep water terrains.

The average age of the vessels in our fleet is less than five years. They are among the youngest operating within the Nigerian waters. Our vessels also provide the latest requirements in engine capacity, fuel efficiency, tank capacity, manoevring capabilities and other specified demands in the industry.

Coupled with greater operational efficiency, this helps to cut overall cost.

How has the cutting edge technology Slok came into the industry with, impacted on the Nigerian maritime industry?

From outset, the company’s main focus has been to pioneer in marine utilities transport with focus on vessel supply services within the West African region. Our entry into the market has given the country a position in the industry. We have established

We operate mainly new ships which have advanced technologies required by the IOCs. When you meet those high standards they are looking for you will get the jobs. All our ships, nine of them are fully engaged. We have clientele base largely centered on leading international oil companies.

We believe sustainable success is the result of having satisfied clients. With this in mind, the company has grown to market leading position with pioneering client names in the oil and gas industry.

Current contracts include Exxon Mobil, NAOC, TOTAL, and others.

What is your advice to other operators in the industry who have not been able to secure contracts in the sector?

It is an open system. Nobody can lock you out, if you have what is required to operate in the sector. It is a technology-driven sector and you must meet up with set standards, once you meet the standards, you are a player. It is a sector that is beckoning on Nigerian entrepreneurs to invest more, especially with the competitive edge the Local Content Act and the Cabotage Law has given to us. The opportunity for domestic investors

It is an open system. Nobody can lock you out, if you have what is required to operate in the sector. It is a technology-driven sector and you must meet up with set standards,. Once you meet the standards, you are a player

is currently limitless.

What is your assessment of the Nigerian shipping industry?

It is hugely untapped by the indigenous operators and it has a very huge potential for massive investment.

The industry will require not less than 150 new ships in the next five years. That makes its potential for investment very very high.

Also, as the Nigerian oil and gas industry becomes more and more maritime based, the need for newly built technologically advanced ships remain very high. It is a big opportunity waiting for Nigerian entrepreneurs to take advantage of.

Are you saying local investment in the sector is low?

Yes. It is very low. That is why the sector is mainly occupied by foreign shipowners. Offshore oil and gas service is highly technologically driven industry and needs serious investors whose eye is trained on giving cutting edge service in line with international best standards. One of the benefits of NIMAREX is that it is laying the industry bare for investors to bring the seriously need investment.

Human capacity, especially seafarers’ has in recent times been a major challenge in the industry. Is Slok insulated from this?

It is a pan-industry challenge. Slok is not insulated from it.

But being a company with a focus on giving cutting edge service to our clients, we resorted to poaching seasoned seamen and onshore mangers from established firms and then continue to train and retrain them.

Today we can boast of one of the best reservoirs of world class manpower, especially the upper cadre of our over 350 workforce.

Slok is also a leader in human capacity because of the training programme which we have put in place for our staff in the best institutions in the world.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

SundayTransport Paul Ogbuokiri

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he Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has said that the rehabilitated Onitsha River Port provides the expected succour to the Nigerian shippers, particularly those in the SouthEast.

The NSC Executive Secretary, Mr. Hassan Bello said this in a recent interview with New Telegraph on Sunday.

He said that the river port would also assist in reducing the cost of cargo clearing in the area.

“As this port takes off and people clear their goods there, it would automatically translate into a significant reduction of ports system’s clearing process”, he said.

According to him, the facility would ensure that most traders in the South-East, especially those

We’ll ensure Onitsha River Port works, says NSC without the capacity to go to Lagos, Port Harcourt or Warri could henceforth operate from Onitsha, even at less cost.

“The market is there. The Government of Anambra State has also reminded us of what we know, that the port of Onitsha is at the commercial hub of the sub region of West Africa.

“In fact, this also brings in the issue of Inland Container Depots to focus. Because from here, they will now transport hundreds of containers to the ICDs and it is

just adding value to the transport industry, if you ask me,” he said.

He added that with all hands on deck and full dedication, the river port would effectively consummate the dreams of the Federal Government to create a platform for boosting the economy and employment of the people in the area.

He also said that what was needed to consummate the dream was for barges to be provided.

He said, “It is the commercial

L-R: Director of Air Transport Regulation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Justus Wariya , Managing Director Bytol Travel and Tours, Mrs Biyi Tunji Olugbodi and Commercial Manager, Gambia Bird West Africa, Sodieri Osei - Bonsu at unveiling of Gambia Bird Airline in Lagos recently.

Rivers Ports woos importers

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he management of Rivers Ports, Port Harcourt has called on Nigerian importers to change their attitude of keeping solely to the Lagos ports, even though it is cheaper to import through Port Harcourt and the East.

The Rivers Ports manager, Mr. Oladele Alabi, made the call in Port Harcourt recently while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport, who were on tour of the port facilities as part of the lawmakers’ oversight functions.

Enumerating challenges of the port, Alabi lamented importers’ anxiety over the Rivers Ports and preference for Lagos ports even though the Rivers Ports were

closest to them. He also said the ports access road was a major concern.

He noted that while the ports vessel traffic for wet cargo has increased, it was equally important that container cargo improved.

“It has been impossible to make the people do a rethink on their thought that doing business at the Rivers Ports is expensive.

This zone is not necessarily more expensive,” he said.

He said also that it is not true that the ports were underutilised.

“From nothing, our cargo throughput was four million metric tons four years ago. Last year we had 7MMT. The challenge is that we handle more of wet cargo. We will be happier if

we handle more of containerised cargoes.

“Even the terminals here can do better. They are all ready for business. I am aware that one terminal operator has acquired equipment which has not been put to use since last year,” he said.

Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in a remark after touring the port’s facilities with other members of the committee, advised the management of Rivers Port to put its programmes and plans in concrete terms towards attracting appropriate fund allocations in the 2014 budget.

He tasked the management to ensure that they make the port internationally competitive.

users that will have to provide barges, because barges must be provided for transportation of hundreds of containers of goods to the bonded terminals. People

must see the value of providing barges. And when you do that, you are creating jobs. You are creating jobs because people must man these barges.”

Nigeria’ll take over coastal trade in 10 years –Akpobolokemi

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he focus on human capacity development by the incumbent administration in Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency will place the country in a strategic position to effectively take control of its coastal trade within the next decade.

Director General of NIMASA, Ziakede Akpobolokemi made the remark at an event in Lagos on Wednesday.

He said that the agency had already sent out over 25000 cadets abroad for training in the seafaring profession even as efforts are being made to develop indigenous capacity for the training of seafarers.

Akpobolokemi urged beneficiaries to treat the opportunity given to them by the agency as a rare one by dedicating themselves fully to their studies and be guided by the rules and regulations of the institutions in addition to the laws of the host country.

He said that the Presidency was interested in the seafarers development programme and admonished the cadets to be good ambassadors of Nigeria while studying abroad.

He said: “in years to come, as the Philippines are exporting seafarers all over the world, Nigeria will replicate same in the next 10 years, and also become a hub of maritime activities in Africa as far as human capacity is concerned.”

Professor Pat Utomi of the Lagos Business School in his contribution at the event stated that the country will progress further if the government continues to place priority on human capacity development as it was the catalyst for the sustainable growth of the economy.

The cadets will after completing their pre-sea schooling, undergoing sea time training as arranged

by NIMASA with foreign shipping companies.

Nigeria to benefit from amendment of MLC Azubike Nnadozie he Tripartite Technical Experts of the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) has considered the proposed amendments to the code of Maritime Labour Convention 2006, aimed at bringing up to date the ever increasing needs in the maritime sector.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Clement Illoh, made this known at the end of the Technical Tripartite meeting of NLAC on the amendment of the MLC 2006.

Illoh stated that the meeting, which was attended by stakeholders in the maritime sector including the social partners, was preparatory to the Special Tripartite Committee meeting of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in April, 2014.

To comply with the requirements of the ILO, the proposed

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amendment must be subjected to individual member country’s procedure for tripartite consultation mechanism.

In the case of Nigeria, the relevant stakeholders in the maritime sector had met and a special technical meeting of NLAC was convened to consider and approve the outcome of the stakeholders meeting before transmission to ILO, Geneva this week.

Illoh said: “Having considered the provisions of the proposed amendments, it would further strengthen the objective and goals of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006”.

He added that the amendments would provide effective mechanism to ensure commitment and compliance to the provisions of the MLC 2006 towards the sustenance of quality shipping and universal standards.

40

I

n 2012, the Nigerian Equities market returned 35.45% and in that same period foreign participation in the bourse rose to 61% from 36% in 2010. As at 2013, domestic participation in the market grew by 21%, a situation which may have been driven by the bullish mood in the market due to the activities of foreign investors.

Consequent on the reduction in QE (leading to funds repatriation), monetary policy shocks and negative market sentiments, the equities market so far in the year has shed 8.56%.

Considering the sustained bearish mood in the equities market, it is evident that despite the attractiveness of the market relative to peers’, local investors seem to be apathetic about the market on account of foreign investors’ lead. We analyze in this report the state of the market from a sector perspective and give guidance on plausible opportunities in the near term.

The week that was: A Recap The Nigerian equities market persisted in its bearish mood as the NSEASI dipped further by 1% to peg YtD return at -8.56%.

Subsequent to the US fed’s decision to further decrease its monthly bond purchase from USD65bn to USD55bn, the market gained 46bps on Thursday contrary to expectations. While the banking stocks remain unpopular among investors, the anticipated decision of the MPC on Credit Reserve Ratio (CRR) at the upcoming MPC meeting will be a major determinant of the direction of the market in the coming weeks.

Industrial Goods Remain Resilient despite Market Mood The industrial goods sector remained resilient to the negative mood that dominated stock trades so far in 2014, posting over 3% gain YtD. The apparent defensiveness of the sector is largely driven by DANGCEM, which accounts for c.30% of market capitalisation with 4.11% returns to date.

The stock, which has maintained a price band of NGN225 to NGN243, enjoyed steady buy patronage partly owing to news flow on progressing African operations and expected entry into Asia and Latin America.

While BERGER also appreciated by 7% YtD, all other stocks in the sector have posted losses.

WAPCO released its full year numbers

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Value forsaken …a market in need of guidance in the week recording impressive earnings growth of 92%; the company also declared NGN3.30/share implying a yield of 3%. We expect more companies to roll in their 2013FY results from next week. In our view, corporate benefits declarations and positive news flow remain the major catalyst for upward price movements.

Consumer Goods thumped majorly by Market Mood The consumer goods sector has not been exempted from the recent market sentiments. Whilst the market has lost 8.56% YtD, the consumer goods sector index has shed 15.21% despite having a lower beta (0.74) relative to the market. Analyzing constituent stocks’ performance show that, of the 21 actively traded stocks, 17 counters have lost >5% YtD while 4 stocks have gained >25.

In periods of market uncertainty such as this, taking position in stocks whose underlying companies do not move with market and economic cycles make good investment case. Hence, in spite of the current market mood, we propose taking advantage of the current market valuation while considering low beta stocks within the sector.

Regulatory Decisions Hit Banking Sector Hard The banking sector has been the worst hit with all the tickers in the sector posting losses save for UNITYBNK and UBN which have returned 0% and 3.84% YtD. The sector has been affected by such factors as lower interest income (due to the hike in CRR on public deposits) lower noninterest income (owing to gradual phasing out of COT and removal of ATM charges), higher cost of funds (the setting of a minimum interest rate on savings deposit to 30% of MPR - 12%), rising operating costs (increase in contribution to Resolution Trust Fund i.e. the AMCON levy) as well as transition to Basel II and III requirements.

These factors coupled with the suspension of the CBN governor fuelled negative sentiments on the local bourse.

So far, only ZENITHBANK and GTBank have released 2013FY results, which the market did not react to due to the regu-

latory headwinds surrounding the sector.

The two companies declared dividends of NGN1.75 and NGN1.45 respectively implying dividend yields of 7.96% and 6.12% (as at the time of release).We expect other major players to follow suit with such attractive yields.

We expect the sector to be largely influenced by monetary policy decisions going forward. Our expectations are tempered given the likely loss of income as a result of regulatory restrictions though we think the banks are prepared for further policy tweaking in 2014 (i.e. a possible increase to 100% CRR and reduced COT).

Oil and Gas Downward Trend Driven by Oando The oil and gas sector was not spared from the downturn witnessed in the Nigerian equities market this year. Our MERI Oil and gas index returned-8.05% YtD. This is largely due to OANDO, which lost 33.86% YtD on the back of speculations that the ConocoPhillips acquisition is yet to be completed. CONOIL and ETERNA also returned - 23.60% and -15.08% this year respectively, only MOBIL, with 5.28% YtD, has recorded gains in 2014.

FO released its 2013FY result in February and declared dividend of NGN4/share for the first time in four years. We expect other major players in the industry to follow suit save for Oando whose recent capital investment might translate to focus on growth rather than dividend payment. We expect the corporate actions to be the major driver of returns in the coming weeks.

Lackluster Equities Perception Depress Insurance Returns The insurance sector has lost 7.9% YtD compared with the 38% gain in the same period in 2013. Three stocks have recorded YtD gains, while 8 have lost and 16 stocks have traded flat. This can be largely explained by the overall negative sentiments in the market as well as the pre-existing low demand for insurance stocks owing to delayed reporting of results, lackluster performance by some companies and general negative perception of insurance by Nigerians.

We expect investors’ patronage for the stocks to improve given NAICOM’s enforcement of IFRS standards, companies’ innovative reforms to attain profitability and leverage on micro-insurance to improve awareness. As companies prepare to release their 2013 results, we are upbeat on their revenues and profits. We expect companies in the sector with history of dividend payments to sustain the culture and this will probably drive sector return.

Heath Care Sector Had Fair Performance In anticipation of year end results and corporate actions, investors’ reaction to health care stocks save for NEIMETH has been mixed. We attribute this trend to the general mood in the market. NEMEITH’s value appreciated the most by 26.98% following the release of 2013FY coupled with an attractive bonus of 1 for 5 to peg the company’s dividend yield at 20%.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

FIDSON which has returned 0.72% so far remains our top pick with 12 months target price of NGN3.55 compared to its current price of NGN2.85. Although the stock portends opportunity for investors, the current price movement can be attributed to speculators’ activities on the stock to take advantage of its low price.

Agric: Near Term Expectation Suggests Further Downward Trend The Agricultural sector has returned -1.87% YtD according to our MERI-AGRI Index.

Responsible for this performance is LIVESTOCK & OKOMUOIL which have lost 24.88% and 4.55% in that order. PRESCO has managed to return 0.78% YtD. Whilst the general bearish trend might be responsible for the decline in the prices of most stocks, on a fundamental basis OKOMUOIL and PRESCO currently trades at a premium to their fair values of NGN33.33 and NGN37.33 respectively by our valuation model.

2013FY earnings expectations for OKOMUOIL and PRESCO are not that fantastic and we have dividend expectations of NGN2.62 and NGN1.00 for both companies which translate to 6.24% and 2.58% respectively.

Market Report Technical Indicators on Sector Stocks - As the market expects 2013FY result which is not likely to be ‘fantastic’ and given the 14D RSI which suggests that the stock is fairly bought, the most probable direction for the stock in the near term is downwards. This is further reinforced by the fact that the stock is currently overpriced by our estimates as our fair value suggests.

- Technically, the stock is currently in the oversold region. However, after posting returns of 198.61% in 2013 on the back of the announcement of acquisition of 51% stake in the company

by UACN and without a marked commensurate improvement in returns, the stock may be headed for a correction soon.

- The stock has corrected to nearly the price it began the year with and RSI Indicators show that the stock is currently oversold. This suggests that the stock price may pick up soon. However, as 2013FY result is expected anytime soon (estimate suggests that it may not be fantastic) and based on a dividend yield expectation of 2.58%, the stock might correct itself soon.

ICTWorld

with

Kingsley Roberts kingndcha@yahoo.co.uk

Cell phones and genes

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ince wireless technologies of mobile phones and other communication networks have become big business, we also find conflicting tendencies side by side. Our living environment is being swamped with electromagnetic fields that raise intensity levels and show a wide range of novel characteristics.

Independent research provides more and more consistent evidence for serious consequences. Yet the responsible authorities of all stakeholder groups constantly assure the public that such effects are unknown to them. Contrary to the currently available data, representatives responsible for public health and environmental policy whole-heartedly promote messages of safety as happened when the results of the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme were presented in June 2008.

In this document, ‘How susceptible are genes to mobile phone radiation? State of the Research - Endorsements of Safety and Controversies--Self-Help Recommendations,’ Franz Adlkofer considers the endorsement of safety by the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme the result of wishful thinking, which ignores the scientific facts. Experts in biomedicine and biosciences, Prof. F. Adlkofer, Prof. I. Y. Belyaev and V. M. Shiroff, share in their respective articles what is known about biological effects in the

international literature. Furthermore, they also explain what may make UMTS radiation especially dangerous. And all of them are in agreement that the issue is about long-term and non-thermal effects. Both of these parameters, however, were not considered in the setting of the current exposure guidelines.

The articles also show how many parameters of possible effects must be considered in order to gain a realistic understanding of the biological effects, which makes further research indispensable. Consequently, Prof. Franz Adlkofer submitted a new project proposal to the European Union, in which he suggests building upon the REFLEX project. Different research approaches should be integrated into this new project, and a broad international framework shall provide the foundation for a reliable clarification of the potential risks.

Children and youth, who seem to be especially susceptible, shall receive priority consideration.

The chances, however, that such an important and well founded project, which has been classified as an outstanding project by even biased members of the EU commission, can actually be carried out is more than doubtful. Since the prospect of a realistic fact-finding mission into the risks makes such a project inconvenient, indeed Threatening to the industry, but also any government involved with its schemes, it provokes all kinds of resis-

t ance including controversies and affairs. In such situations, the simplest mode of gaining control is naturally the influence on the decision, which project is financed and which is not. At the moment, projects and contractors who do not question the current exposure limits and claims of harmlessness seem to have the best chances of winning financial support.

Together the German government and industry spent 17 million euros on the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme in such a way that the endorsement of safety was preprogrammed and the delicate questions of long-term effects or the special vulnerability of children were not even touched. The collaboration between political power, industrial power, and exploited ‘experts’ has given rise to dealing with the truth,

the citizens, and the protective laws of a democracy in such a way that the commercial interests are accommodated whenever possible, yet our health, environment, and future are carelessly neglected.

It now has become the norm that new wireless technologies are introduced prior to conducting research on their health effects.

Only that information, which does not interfere with their commercial interests, is selected from the international knowledge base. The government’s approach to safety is based on exposure guidelines, which do not acknowledge non-thermal effects, exposure duration, or the existence of special groups at risk. Each single act of ignorance adds up to a system of pretend safety, which gives the industry almost carte blanche, but at the same time disempowers and disfranchises affected citizens, leaving them without protection.

Summary The reliability of any assessment concerning a mobile phone radiation health risk based on epidemiological data is strongly dependent on whether there are biological concepts to explain it plausibly. Latest research results from studies of isolated cell systems and from animal experiments show that mobile phone radiation can trigger irreversible damage in genomes and reversible one in epigenomes. Biologically

speaking, UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System; 3G or third generation) appears to be more active than GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications; 2G or second generation).

These findings support the suspicion that there is a causal link between the increase in brain tumor risk as already observed in a number of epidemiological studies on the long-term use of mobile phones. For the increased tumor risk, it is a prerequisite that the duration of mobile phone use reaches a minimum of 10 years, which coincides with the minimum latency period necessary before a malignant process manifests itself.

Consequently, this observation could be an early clue, indicating that mobile phone radiation encourages the development of brain tumors.

The overall body of evidence, resulting from the available research, gives every indication that the quick clarification of possible health risks in the form of focused research efforts must be given high priority and that for the protection of public health the precautionary principle should be urgently recognised by the decisionmakers in industry and government, until verified evidence for a final decision becomes available. The endorsement of safety by the German Mobile Telecommunication Research Programme (DMF), which has no basis in scientific fact, clashes with the interests of the citizens of Europe.

MARKETS&MALLS

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

MARCH 23, 2014

Tel: 08027790557

African Tyre Village opens at Trade Fair Paul Ogbuokiri

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he first phase of an ultramodern tyres market in Nigeria, African Tyre Village has opened for business at the International Trade Fair Complex, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Lagos.

President of Association of Nigerian Tyres Marketers, Alhaji Issa Akanbi, who stated this in Lagos told New Telegraph on Sunday that the certificate of allocation (C of A) for the first phase of the project which comprises 1,000 shops and 10 individual plazas had been handed out to members of the association.

According to him, the benefiting members and investors met all requirements and paid up prescribed fees for the shops.

“I wish to assure members that we have finally left Idumota.

We are carrying all our members along on this project. Development of the second phase of the project is in progress, and would soon be completed,” Akanbi said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of the association, Okechukwu Ezeifeoma has explained that the group plans to assist members who have not completed payment for their shops.

He said, “We are pairing them up in groups, and they would be provided with free shops for a six-month period. During the period, they would be expected to pay up and equally be allocated with their own shops in the phase two of the project.”

He also called on investors to hurry and take part in the second phase of the project.

Also, Secretary of the as-

sociation, Alhaji Sefiu Olaiya, commended members of the association for executing the

mega project through self help, saying, “as we speak we have not borrowed a kobo from anywhere

to erect this structure. We don’t owe anybody either.”

According to the president

of the association, the second phase of the project will be completed in June next year.

Chairman of the Governing Board of NLRC (rIght), Mr. Damian Dodo (SAN) after handing over the certificates to the representatives of two new lottery operators in Abuja... recently.

Ojo International Trade Centre is growing rapidly - Ibe

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he Executive Chairman, Ojo International Trade Centre, Mr. Godwin Ibe, has said that the centre, which is a section of the Alaba International Market is growing rapidly.

He stated this in Lagos during an interview with the New Telegraph on Sunday.

He said that the section started in 2005 due to the expansion of the market.

According to him, the section is now attracting traders in the other sections of the market because of its moderate growth.

He said that the section trade in electronics, electrical appliances, kitchen utensils, furniture and building materials Ibe also said that Alaba International Market is the largest electronics market in Africa where all major international brands of electronics and allied products are offered for sale.

He said that the market occupies a land area approximately 2km by 1km on the Ojo Igbede Road.

New Telegraph on Sunday learnt that the on-going recon-

struction work on Lagos-Badagry Expressway will make a drive to Alaba International Market easy.

The market can be accessed from Badagry on the Badagry-Oshodi-Apapa Expressway through Iyana Iba or Volks; and can also be reached from any part of Lagos via Mile 2/Festac Town to Volks.

Ibe said, “All electronics products, from communications, broadcasting, computers, televisions, videos, home appliances, refrigerators, musicals, video games to generators, satellite systems, general goods etc are available in this

market.”

He added that buyers throng the market from as far as Ghana, Niger, Chad, Togo, Benin Republic, East Africa etc. to make their purchases.

He further stated that one of the things that make the market lucrative was that manufacturers from around the world jostle to ensure that their brands are represented there.

“In Nigeria, resellers from almost all major cities come to Alaba International Market for their supply of electronics and allied products,” he said.

APT jewellery market worth over N18bn – Okeke

A

ssociation of Progressive Traders of Nigeria has said that the market value of their jewellery business is now worth over N18 billion, adding that membership of the association is over 10,000 traders.

President of the association, Chief Jude Okeke, said recently in Lagos that the APT Plaza at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex is a wholesale market where the best and finest grades of jewellery and accessories at cheapest prices can be found on the continent.

“So far the market is worth more than N18 billion in terms of buildings and infrastructure, and we are still expanding. Work will soon begin at our new office complex and everything here is world standard.

“Our members have grown above 10,000 and we still have enough space for showcasing our goods, warehousing, parking lots, shopping and vehicular movement etc,” he said.

Secretary-General of the association, Mr. Obiora Chijioke, however, said that the concession of

Trade Fair Complex to Aulic Nigeria Limited remains a major challenge facing the traders at the moment.

He said they have not given up on justice being done; saying traders and the association in the market have made multi-billion naira investment in the market to develop it to international standard.

He listed the consortium of traders operating in the complex as; Balogun Business Association, Auto Spare Parts and Machineries Dealers Association, Association of Progressive Traders and Call Park

Ventures.

“The aim of the concession is to enslave over 60,000 Nigerian traders and their huge investments at the complex, which is worth more than N85 billion. We are calling on the Federal Government to please protect our rights as responsible and law abiding citizens of the country,” he added.

The APT image maker, Uche Chinweze, listed bad access roads, illegal check points by the police and customs, as well as dilapidated infrastructure within the Trade Fair

Complex among the current challenges of the market.

“The Association of Progressive Traders was formed in 1998 in order to free ourselves from the menace of shylock landlords, area boys and insecurity of goods and customers. This led to the search for a new site under the leadership of our pioneer president, Chief Ifeanyi Anekwe, who acquired, developed and moved the market to this place.” said the association’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief John Arinze.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

blue this season robe. Pair that shade of blue with the right accessories because it attracts attention.

No doubt, the cobalt blue is a choice colour in the fashion world this season. Get a touch of the cobalt blue in your wardrobe. Get clothes, shoes, bags, necklaces or just a cocktail ring in cobalt blue. The right colour speaks volumes in style!

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Body&Soul

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Body&Soul

MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Express style with classy belts Vanessa Okwara

A

ccessories are as important for men as they are for women, but most men are not aware of this fact.

The belt is a functional fashion accessory for men and fashionable men make statement with it. So, if you are one of those men who really want a complete look at every point in time, pay attention to your belt. It is important you match your belt with the right outfit.

Have at least two belts in your closet. You must have at least a good leather belt for your formal suits or more dressy outfits and one for casual outfits. Remember, the rule says that if you are wearing a suit, your belt needs to match your shoes.

Casual belts come in bright colours like green, blue or stripes. They are regarded as an accessory and therefore, do not necessarily have to match anything. The casual belt is worn with jeans and a casual shirt.

Pay attention to the buckle when choosing a belt for a particular outfit.

Remember, both silver and gold are neutrals, so they go with anything. Belts for formal outfits typically have very small, flat buckles. The bigger your belt buckles, the less formal it is. Larger buckles with rounded shapes are best for more casual styles. A bold trend doesn’t mean that you should buy a belt with the head of a lion on the buckle. Keep it as simple as possible.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Body&Soul

Accessories

Flaunt sophisticated clutch purses Vanessa Okwara

T

he sophisticated clutch purse is a lasting style that offers great versatility.

Paired with good shoes and a stylish dress, a clutch makes an impressive statement at an evening party or special event.

Clutches have gained popularity because they combine the modern and old-fashioned appeal. The small size and

strapless simplicity is quite appealing. Like all fabulous bags, clutches take an outfit to the next level.

They are an ideal match for formal wear, but work well with smart casuals too. Clutches come in different colours and sizes. You can also find them in great shapes with attractive designs to match your dresses and taste.

These clutch bags are of-

ten made with chain so that you can also carry one like a shoulder bag.

Clutch bags look modern and minimal; they are just big enough to hold your phone, lipstick, gloss, cash and your keys.

Once you’ve decided which style works for you, choose a versatile colour or pattern and flaunt your clutch bag!

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Body&Soul

Bola Shagaya battles Ajibola Femi Hamzat, Steve for Kwara PDP with

Bayo Adeoye 08014867475

bayoolunla@yahoo.com

Omamuli win award

C

ommissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos State, Femi Hamzat, and Steve Omamuli of Class Hospitality and Management Consultant were the cynosure of all eyes as they carted laurels last Sunday at the Excellence Recognition Award held in Lagos.

While Femi Hamzat, one of the touted governorship aspirants in Lagos State and a strong force in Governor Babatunde Fashola’s cabinet, got the Commissioner of The Year award, Steve Omamuli, a trained lawyer whose outfit is regarded as one of the best hospitality consultants in Nigeria today, won a ‘Special Recognition in Hotel management and Consultancy’ award.

The yearly event is organised by Global Excellence Magazine to honour distinguished personalities in various fields. This year’s event had notable Nigerians including Godwin Emefiele of Zenith Bank, • Femi Osun State Governor, Rauf Hamzat Aregbesola, Musiliu Obanikoro, Michael Onolememen and others among the awardees.

I

nfluential and stylish businesswoman, Bola Shagaya, is seriously angling to take over the soul of PDP in Kwara State, especially given her closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.

The wealthy woman, according to a source, has been engaged in a battle of wits with Senator Simeon Ajibola and other party elders for the soul of the ruling party since immediate governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, quit the party for APC. The society big lady recently deployed her strong influence in the organisation of President Jonathan’s visit to the state penultimate weekend. She followed it up last week when she led a delegation of Kwara indigenes on a visit to the Presidential Villa. However, some leaders of the party in the state are already kicking against her growing influence and are angling for a showdown to checkmate her.

They argue that since Saraki left the party, Ajibola should be the party’s next leader, since he is the only senator left in the party and has been faithful to its tenets all along.

Lagos big boy Rotimi Ajanaku’s biggest ambition

Late MIC boss’ daughter cries out S ince the demise of their bread winner, Tunji Okusanya, his immediate family had been going through a difficult time despite the promises of support they got from their father’s friends as well as his associates.

Damilola Okusanya, daughter of the late MIC boss, who spoke with Celeb Lounge, lamented that since the burial of their father, none of those who promised them ‘heaven on earth’ had fulfilled their

promises. This, according to her, is telling heavily on the family. She confirmed that the management of the ill-fated airlines, Associated Airlines, had not helped matters at all as it had yet to come out with its compensation.

Tunji Okusanya and his son died last year in an Associated Airlines plane crash while flying from Lagos to Akure for the burial of former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu.

W

• Rotimi Ajanaku

ealthy businessman, Otunba Rotimi Solomon Ajanaku, wants to rule his home state, Oyo. The urbane business man wanted to vie for a seat at the House of Representatives at the last general elections but was asked to step down by his party leaders.

The youngman who is positioning himself for the same position come 2015, confirmed to Celeb Lounge that his main ambition is actually to become the governor of the state so as to assist the downtrodden and create employment in the state.

The man-about-town is a darling of top Fuji and Juju musicians as well as actors and they have all benefited from his benevolence.

Gbenga Ex-Airtel Media Manager, Akinbobola joins Obiano’s cabinet expansion any were surprised that James Eze left his job as

Tman, Gbenga Akinbobola, op hotelier and business-

• Late Okusanya

• Bola Shagya

is expanding the hospitality business in Nigeria.

A source told Celeb Lounge that the socialite and Islanders Hotels’ boss has started work on a three-star hotel, an addition to the one in Opebi.

Akinbobola began his hotel business on Lagos Island before coming to Ikeja, where he is now one of the few hoteliers to reckon with.

Mmedia relations manager of telecommunications

company, Airtel.

But right now, Celeb Lounge can informed you that the young man has joined the cabinet of the newly sworn-in Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, as Special Adviser on Media.

James Eze, a former journalist, joined the corporate world some years back. He worked with Fidelity Bank before moving to the telecommunication company from where he join Obiano’s campaign organisation.

• James Eze

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

Make everyday your ‘great hair’ day!

Biwom Iklaki

A

s often as we indulge in a lil’ sugary or salty treat, something has got to give. Though it’s easiest to notice it in the zits on our faces or the bulge over our belts, even our hair suffers. Same thing applies when we subject our hair to beauty vigours like heat styling, chemical products, dyeing/bleaching too often and something as innocent as a weekly swim or just being out in the sun unprotected.

So while we indulge in those things that make us happy, we should try to protect our hair.

Try the following tips for great hair everyday: • Treat your hair to a professional treatment once a month at your salon. It repairs your hair and leaves you relaxed after a nice head massage!

• After a wash, alternate blasting your hair with cold, then warm and cold water again. The cold water after the warm will make your hair look shinier! Avoid brushing wet hair. This will cause the hair to stretch and finally break. Finger-dry, or use a wide-toothed comb instead of a brush to gently re-

move the knots.

• Make a habit of getting a hot oil moisturising treatment with coconut oil once a week.

• Use a leave in conditioner before taking to the pool or sea to stop it from going frizzy. Then do a weekly intense condition treatment (go natural with honey, shea butter, avocado, and eggs) with a shower cap. Let your hair dry naturally after washing it without any product, this does less damage. Never rub hair dry after a wash - always pat and squeeze between a towel.

• Give your hair a treat with a tablespoon of olive oil/coconut oil mixed with one beaten egg. Apply on hair and leave for 30 minutes and voila! you get the shinniest hair.

• About twice a month, rinse hair with one part vinegar and two parts water for extra shine. This also breaks down product build up… add a few drops of lavender oil too if the vinegar smell irritates you.

• Sleeping on a satin pillow case helps reduce knots and frizz.

• Wear a hat on hot days to prevent your hair from drying out.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

GLOBAL fashion

$70,000

Embrace the Birkin Biwom Iklaki

M

ost of us who long for a great leather bag often have a Hermès Birkin at the back of our minds. That tall order of utmost chicness on your arm or shoulder is a statement as no other. No wonder the company reported its best ever operating margin - 32.4 per cent - and saw net in-

come rise by 6.8 per cent on March 18, 2014.

Did you know?

In 1981, Hermès Chief Executive, Jean-Louis Dumas was seated next to Jane Birkin on a flight from Paris to London. She had just placed her straw bag in the overhead compartment of her seat, but the contents fell to the deck, leaving her to scramble to replace them.

Birkin explained to Dumas that it had been difficult to find a leather weekend bag she liked. In 1984, he created a black supple leather bag for her based on an 1892 design. (wikipedia.com).

The Birkin bag ‘waiting list’ is a myth by Hermès to maintain exclusivity, according to Michael Tonello.

Now you know…you are welcome!

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Body&Soul

Look good in night wear Kate Robin Adanihuwan

A

good night’s sleep is what everyone needs after a hard day’s work. It’s the same for children, who after a fun filled, or busy day at school, wish for a comfortable bed to snuggle into.

Sleepovers also can be so much fun. Turning up at a friend’s doorstep, wearing cute looking pyjamas will help make a good tumble in the sack, exciting pillow fights, and playing catchup into the night more fun. These comfortable and cute nightwear may just do the trick.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Body&Soul

&

Fitness WELLNESS Funmi Azike With

Fasting to detoxify your body L

ately, I noticed the gym has become unusually quiet. Initially I thought it had something to do with the ‘fuel scarcity’ until one of the instructors pointed out, ‘we are in Lent and most people usually take a break from the gym’. Well, am a Christian and I fast too but I don’t think it should put an end to ones’ fitness regime. While avoiding any strenuous/vigorous exercise, you still have to continue your workout routine moderating it to suit your lower energy levels.

Aside religious/spiritual reasons, you might consider embarking on a fast for the purpose of weight loss and detoxification. The body accumulates toxins overtime from polluted air, chemicals in the food and drinks; and chemicals absorbed through the skin from cosmetics/ beauty products. During a fast, the body loses excess weight and these harmful substances (toxins) are flushed out of the system. Also, dead/dying/ diseased cells are removed from the body; the spleen, liver, kidney and colon are cleansed; and blood is purified. Intense rejuvenation occurs as the energy that is usually used for digestion is redirected to cell healing/regeneration and rebuilding of the immune system. The body is able to accomplish these and more when the fast is done properly. Below are tips that can help you fast better and make your body get the best out of it. ➢ Ensure You Are Fit To Fast You should not fast if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, you should consult with your physician if are diabetic, hypoglycaemic, or suffering from any serious health condition before embarking on a fast. ➢ Plan Your Fast When you are certified fit to fast, you have to decide on the kind of fast you want to embark on, when you want to start and for how long. There are different types of fast. You can fast partially (drinking only water/juice) or completely (total abstinence from all foods and drinks).

➢ Prepare Your Body Eat more fruits and vegetables 48 hours before commencing your fast.

This will make the fast less of a shock to the system. Cut out caffeine, red meat processed foods and alcohol entirely for

these two days. ➢ The Fast Proper As you fast, consume at least eight glasses of water along with natural fruit juices like apple, orange and carrot. If you are on a complete fast, incorporate these into your diet when you break. Dilute the fruit juices with water, adding about one part of water to three parts of juice. Avoid juices made with sweeteners or additives. ➢ Breaking the Fast Avoid large portions of food at the point of breaking the fast. While fasting, the stomach contracts and amount of secreted digestive juices decreases so, your meal should be in smaller portions to prevent re-expansion. Promote cleansing of the colon by including extra fibre in your diet. Brown rice, wheat and oats are examples of fibre-rich foods. ➢ The ‘Chewing Gum’ Danger Do not chew gum while on a fast. The digestive process starts with chewing which prompts the body to secrete enzymes into the gastrointestinal tract. If there is no food in the stomach for the enzymes to digest, ulcers and other digestive disorders can occur. ➢ For The Elderly If you are over sixty-five, or need a daily supplement for other reasons, continue with your vitamin and mineral supplements during the fast. Older people need certain vitamins and minerals daily. But if you are drinking fresh juices, reduce the dosage of supplements you take. ➢ Expected Manifestations As you fast, toxins are released from the body which may cause you to experience fatigue, body odour, dry/scaly skin, nausea, coughing, diarrhoea, dark urine, dark/foul smelling stools, body ache, insomnia, mucus discharge and visual or hearing problems. These symptoms are not serious and will quickly pass. Also, you might experience a coated tongue and an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

To relieve this problem, try rinsing your mouth with fresh lemon juice. ➢ Continuing With Your Workouts You can reduce the intensity of your exercises but not completely discontinue in order not to undo all your hard earned gains from previous workouts. Light/ moderate exercises will also help tone up your body as you lose weight during the fast.

Not in any way trying to undermine the spiritual significance of fasting, these tips are to enable you tap into its physical and health benefits as well. However it is not suppose to be a torture, if you find yourself unable to continue, simply end the fast and try again another day. And while you are at it, remember to say a little prayer for me. Till next week, stay fit.

Brazil Football Ogunsanya: I would’ve Onazi: Eagles can do magic in Brazil been killed with Igeniwari p.52 p.53

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/sport

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

23 MARCH, 2014

Dapo Sotuminu, Deputy Sports Editor dapo.sotuminu@newtelegraphonline.com 08099400190, 08038154192

Football Okpala’s CAS action in order, says Erico p.55

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Sp rt

Igali: Nigeria won’t win wrestling medals until 2020 Olympics Dapo Sotuminu

F

Daniel Igali

Did you know?

That Roger Miller is the oldest player to score in the FIFA World Cup history? He scored in Cameroon’s 6-1 defeat to Russia in USA 1994 at the age of 42.

ormer world and Olympic wrestling champion, Daniel Igali, yesterday threw a bomb shell on Nigeria’s fortunes in the sport at the Olympics.

Igali, who is the president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, told New Telegraph on Sunday that the country would only be ripe to win medals at the Olympics in the 2020 edition of the Games which would be hosted in Tokyo, Japan.

The former world class athlete, who represented Canada in his active days, said that, with proper funding network, Nigerian wrestlers should be competing very favourably for medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but won’t win at that point.

He noted that, “but definitely by 2020 Olympic Games, if the

National Sports Commission gets its acts right accomplishing all the necessary things like other serious sports-loving countries across the world, we should be winning not just one medal but a couple of medals at the Olympics and that is our ultimate aim.”

Igali, who was the Technical Director of the Wrestling Federation to the last edition of the Olympic Games, London 2012, said the stage is set for Nigeria to rise to the pinnacle of the sport in the world in the next six years.

“Winning medals at the Olympics is not by accident but by massive planning and constant improvement of the athletes. In wrestling we have a robust plan to have three to four local championships every year, ensure our athletes travel for international tournaments every year.

We also have plans to get wrestling into the Nigeria University Games in the next four years. This is essential and very critical for us. We want to give youth development a huge prominence. We also want to involve more women in wrestling based on the fact that at the moment our women’s team perform better for Nigeria than the men in international

championships. We have neglected them to a certain level.”

Igali, who is also the Chairman Technical Commission of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, was one of those five persons in the world chosen to defend the continued reign of the sport of wrestling in the Olympic Games at St Petersburg. He was also in Buenos Aires, Argentina last September to convince the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee to have wrestling as a core sport in the Olympics.

He spoke on Nigeria’s readiness for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. On this; he said it may appear that nothing is happening as regards the country’s preparations for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, but at the federation’s level, competitions are going on and those sports that are supposed to be a part of the Games are using these to prepare their athletes.

“With the form of the country’s athletes in major competitions across the world this year, there are indications that Nigeria will put up an improved performance at this edition of the Commonwealth Games,” Igali said.

U-17 World Cup: Nigeria, Mexico fight for Group D top spot Mercy Jacob

N

igeria’s national Under-17 women’s team, the Flamingoes, will today aim to climb to the top of Group D table as they confront Mexico in their last group match in the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica.

Both teams have qualified for the quarter-finals, but they would play for pride and consciously too.

Mexico would be comfortable playing for a draw since they currently top the group by goal’s difference of +6, while Nigeria would be going

for an outright win if they hope to top the group.

The Bala Nkiyu-tutored girls started the quest for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy in Costa Rica with two wins against China PR and Colombia respectively.

The Flamingoes in the last edition of the World Cup hosted in Azerbaijan got to the quarter-final stage before they were beaten on penalties by France, who went on to lift the trophy.

It would be recalled that Nigeria qualified for the World Cup from Africa without kicking a ball, after their opponents pulled-out of the

qualifiers.

However, the girls since the beginning of the World Cup in Costa Rica have shown lots of zeal and determination, and readiness to shine like stars.

Apart from Nigeria, Ghana has equally qualified for the quarterfinal stage beating North Korea, and Germany, and would play Canada in their last Group B match. While the Shepolopolo of Zambia, are yet to book a quarters’ ticket.

The Nigerian team is made up of seven players from the last edition of the World Cup and 14 debutants.

Flamingoes

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Sport / Stars of Yesteryears

Ogunsanya: I would’ve been killed with Igeniwari

SEYI OGUNSANYA PROFILE

Dapo Sotuminu

F

ormer Super Eagles defender, Seyi Ogunsaya, has disclosed that if not for providence he would have been killed the same day junior international star, Igeniwari George, was accidentally killed by a police stray bullet shot to disperse irate fans in Ibadan after an FA Cup quarterfinal match between Stationery Stores of Lagos and Enugu Rangers which had ended abruptly in 1995.

The former Stationery Stores dependable player, told New Telegraph on Sunday in an exclusive interview from his base in the United States that, if those who had planned to kill him had their way it would have been double tragedy for Nigerian football that year.

“The plot to get me killed was a reprisal attack from supporters of Enugu Rangers who were angered by the news of Igeni wari’s death.

“After we learnt that Igeniwari had been shot and his situation was critical at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, I sneaked out of our hotel with my team jersey to see what was happening to the wounded player.

“I was unlucky to get to the UCH at the time Igeniwari was confirmed dead. At this point, some angry Rangers supporters who spotted me at the hospital took up arms against me and made a move to mob me with the intention to revenge Igeniwari’s death.

“But my life was saved by some Stores supporters who were also at the UCH. It was a big fight to save my life. A lot of people were badly injured while trying to rescue me from the Rangers supporters who swore that I must die with Igeniwari. “I was rescued out of UCH in a borrowed agbada (a Yoruba traditional robe for men) to cover me. Uptil today whenever I remember this day, I always give thanks to God for preserving my life. If not for those Stores supporters who rescued me, I would have died same day with Igeniwari.”

Ogunsanya disclosed that, the dynamics of football transfer as a professional player saw him moved to Enugu Rangers the following season,

a move which got Stationery Stores supporters angry. And they kept saying I moved to a club whose supporters were close to taking me my life.

“I apologised to the supporters with the excuse that football is not about bitterness. Funny enough, Stationery Stores chairperson, Princess Gloria Adebajo, refused to sign my transfer papers to Rangers much that I didn’t play for a whole season before my release papers were signed by the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, before I started playing.”

Seyi Ogunsanya said playing for Stationery Stores was a good thing in his life.

“I am happy to have been associated with the club. I enjoyed myself around the supporters as you know that I was the team captain at that time.

In 1995, I led the team to win the Lagos State Challenge Cup that year after defeating NEPA FC of Lagos our tough opponent.

He revealed that the white handkerchiefs usually used by Stationery Stores players during games were for nothing too special, but a kind of style and nothing suspicious. If it has anything significant I would have told you but, there is absolutely nothing. It was just to scare our opponents.

He also stated that playing for Rangers of Enugu was another great moment in his life. “I joined them from Stationery Stores after Dotun Alatise left the club. I became the biggest star in Rangers in 1996. It was a very strong squad but I played myself into the team. I enjoyed playing

Ogunsanya, left, with one of the trophies he won as a club player

for them. The supporters loved me so much.

They did not want me to leave. I was happy playing for Rangers that time when Christian

Seyi Ogunsanya

Chukwu was our coach. That was 1996/97.

“After that I joined Shooting Stars in 1998. We won the Pespi National Professional League title that year, and the West Africa Football Union Cup, that is WAFU Cup. The following year 3SC represented Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, which was then called the CAF Cup. That was in 1999, we did not do well at all in that edition of the competition.”

The former national team player who just completed his coaching course in the United States said he would be most delighted to come back to Nigeria to pick up a coaching job in any of the national youth teams.

Ogunsanya who started playing serious club football at Nigerite FC of Lagos in the 1990/91 season, joined First Bank FC of Lagos in 1992 and played there until 1994.

“I was invited to the Flying Eagles in 1993/94 when Coach Fanny Amun was the handler of the team. I was dropped at the last minute from the African Junior Championship Under-20 competition hosted in Nigeria. That same year, one of my brothers who loved Stationery Stores told me that if I was a player of the Flaming Flamingos, coach Amun would not have dropped me from the Under-20 team. This prompted me that same year to join Stationery Stores after the African Youth Championship in 1995.

“I was in Rangers from 1996 to 97. I later moved to Ibadan to join Shooting Stars Sports Club in the 1998/1999 season. From here, I headed to Katsina United in 2000. After that I now signed a deal with Enyimba International FC of Aba in the 2001/2002 season where I played for three years and I won so many trophies there.

When I was in Enyimba, I was sent on a loan

Clubs: Nigerite FC 1990-91, First Bank FC 1992-94, Stationery Stores 1995-96, Enugu Rangers 1996-97, Shooting Stars 1998-99, Katsina United 2000, Enyimba FC 2001-2004, Sparta Moskva FC of Russia 2004-2005, Shooting Stars 2005.

National Team: Flying Eagles 199395. Super Eagles 2001-2003.

National Team Caps: 12 Honours: FA Cup title 1995, Nigeria League title (Enyimba), WAFU Cup, CAF Cup. Most Valuable Player, Defence Marshall Award. CAF Champions League 2003, LG Cup 2004 title, MVP LG Cup 2004

to a Russian club, Sparrow Moscow FC, for five months. After the loan, I came back to join Enyimba.

“In 2005, I returned to Shooting Stars.”

He said despite playing in the national team, he regrets not playing in the African Nations Cup and the FIFA World Cup in the colours of Nigeria. “I was in tune for the Mali 2002 Nations Cup as the best defender in the national team, but was stoped by injury. The same injury stooped me from making the team to the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup. The injuries were bad, yet I played 12 games for Nigeria.”

The former soccer star said he does not believe juju works in football. “For me I don’t believe juju has any potency in soccer. When I was having injury problems in the national team, some people told me that some suspicious players are the ones using voodoo on me, so that I won’t take their place in the Super Eagles. I responded saying that God was in control of everything. God knows why I had those injuries and I thank Him for my life today.”

Seyi Ogunsaya close marking Rashidi Yekini in a league game

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Countdown to Fifa World Cup

53

Onazi: Eagles can do magic in Brazil

Super Eagles of Nigeria sensational midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, has said that the team must go to the World Cup armed with an unshaken self-belief if they are to shine in Brazil. The Lazio star player picked two-time champions Argentina as Group F favourites, but he has insisted the Eagles will take the group games one at a time.

Ogenyi Onazi

Brazil 2014 is drawing close, what are your targets with the Super Eagles?

No matter how small, we have to accept the fact that all the countries which have qualified to play at the World Cup do have a chance. Football is an interesting

and dicey game. We have to go out with the belief that we can do it.

Eagles are in same first round group with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina, do you see Eagles going through?

We are going to take it one game at a time. For now, we have some preparatory matches to look forward to before the World Cup. When we get to Brazil, we will worry about Iran, Bosnia and Argentina in that order.

Nigeria and Argentina have met at the World Cup three times and lost all three matches. Do you see the Eagles ending that losing streak in Brazil?

Like I said, we won’t play Argentina until we are done with both Iran and Bosnia. We have to avoid concentrating on one team alone and forget others that we will even face before Argentina. No doubt, Argentina is a big team and they are favourites, but that is where it ends.

What message do you have for your fans and those of the Eagles?

I just have to thank them for their prayers and support. They should keep it all up and I will keep doing my best in order not to let them down.

Onazi in action

How will you rate your performance so

far this season with Lazio?

I give glory to God. I am growing and getting matured game after game. I can only get better.

People are always scared of the Italian Serie A, saying that it is too physical, how are you coping?

Scared? That is probably an exaggeration. Although, I understand the perception behind such believe. There is a lot more emphasis on tactics and discipline in the league. But then, I have only played here, so the basis for my comparison may be flawed. As per how I cope, it’s all thanks to God and my lovely fans that have been supportive.

What are your targets with Lazio this season?

We have had some difficult run of games. We hope to end the season as high up the table as possible.

Do you dream of playing in English Premier League at some point in your career?

I dreamt about becoming a professional footballer, and here I am. I have learnt to appreciate today. Dreams are important but one has to keep his feet on the ground and worry about now.

Psychiatrist hired to help England get out of Group D I

n the past, he has received credit for helping English sports teams win in cycling, snooker and soccer and now he’s being brought by Roy Hodgson’s 2014 World Cup staff to help Three Lions reach their peak.

He’s a psychiatrist and his name Dr. Steve Peters, and his skills aren’t going to tackle Mario Balotelli, Luis Suarez and Bryan Ruiz, but Steven Gerrard is a believer in the good doctor.

“He has helped me a lot from a personal point of view,” said Gerrard. “He helped me with a groin problem in 2010, when I feared for my career.

“I saw him in a one-on-one situation and I liked his work and continued to see him. I feel he can help the players if the players buy into what he is trying to do.”

Peters holds degrees in mathematics, medicine and medical education (Masters

level). He also holds postgraduate qualifications in Sports medicine, education and psychiatry.

His book, ‘The Chimp Paradox’, explains how the human mind operates and how any individual can learn skills to manage their mind.

Sports stars he has worked with include Ronnie O’Sullivan, Craig Bellamy, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton.

Teams he has assisted include the Great Britain Olympic cycling team, Team Sky, England’s rugby union side and Liverpool FC. Hoy said that “without Steve I don’t think I could have brought home triple gold from Beijing” while Pendleton said he was “the most important person” in her career.

Well, he wrote “The Chimp Paradox,” so it’s obviously a one-way ticket to Gold Trophy

City for England.

Jokes aside, sports psychologists are nothing new in helping athletes achieve their best.

I can remember from my work covering the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League that star goaltender Ryan Miller credited one for taking his game to the next level.

There’s no harm in bringing in a brilliant man who knows the human brain to aid in a team’s growth ahead of a major event, but you have to laugh when you realize the world of sports we live dictates a headline such as the one on this post.

Wayne Rooney

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WITH IFEANYI IBEH

23 MARCH, 2014

HOLE IN ONE

Odoh plans return to South Africa, targets MENA Tour O

ne of Nigeria’s foremost golfers, Oche Odoh, has set his sights on returning to South Africa where he hopes to garner enough points from playing in tournaments and also secure a spot in the lucrative Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Tour. He was in South Africa in February for one of the country’s Sunshine Tour’s flagship event, the Dimension Data Pro-Am Championship, but failed to make the cut for the final round of the tournament won

by Argentine golfer, Estanislao Goya, who went home with the star prize of 594,375 South African rand (about N8.9 million).

Odoh, a former Nigeria Open winner, was way down in the 138th place in the final standings, but he is determined to put the disappointment behind him and take another shot at the Sunshine Tour.

“I am planning to return to South Africa,” said Odoh, in an interview with New Telegraph on Sunday. “The challenge was very good for my game. The Sunshine Tour is one of the best in the world and I can only get better by playing there.

“But I also intend to play regularly on the Nigerian Tour where I hope to sharpen my game and keep my ranking points, just as I also hope to feature in some events in Central Africa, Gabon, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.”

He added that his goal for going outside the country is to compete where he can get world ranking

points. That way he believes he can also get on the MENA Tour.”

He is one of the few Nigerian golfers who have taken their game as far as the MENA Tour. Others include Gift Willy, Kingsley Oparaku and Michael Ubi. Odoh is looking at making a return to the tour before the end of the year.

“The MENA Tour is quite interesting, and has its own peculiar challenges,” he continued, “but I hope to do better in South Africa when I return there and later travel to the Middle East before the end of the year.”

The players said he was not at his best in his last trip to South Africa because he put himself under intense pressure. “Don’t forget that I made it to the event from the qualifiers, which made it a lot tougher for me and some of the other qualifiers.

“My opening round wasn’t bad as it put me in a comfortable place on the rung. But the pressure got to me during the second round when the weather condition changed. And as someone coming from this part of the world, I struggled through it. The cold weather in South Africa was very unfriendly.

“But in the third round, the weather improved, and I played a lot better,” added the former Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria (PGAN) Order of Merit Leader, who is hoping to return to the top of the Order of Merit.

Oche Odoh after winning last year’s Pro-Am tournament in Equatorial Guinea

Palmer: Woods won’t erase Nicklaus’ record

Organisers exclude Golf S from DAWN Games

G

olf will not be one of the events to be contested for when the maiden SouthWest Secondary School Sports Festival, tagged DAWN Games, hold in Lagos in May. This is irrespective of the fact that the game is fast gaining ground in the South-West.

The sports to be contested for when the DAWN Games get underway on May 16 are: athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, football, gymnastics, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and volleyball.

The decision was reached af-

ter a general meeting of the six states in the South-West; Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Lagos.

This however rubbishes recent moves by the Lagos state government to popularize the sport of golf, where a seminar for Physical Health Education Instructors was hosted by the state where the instructors, numbering 42, were trained on how to imbibe the rudiments of the sport in Lagos-based schools.

The DAWN Games will end on May 24.

even-time major winner, Arnold Palmer, says the chances of Tiger Woods overtaking Jack Nicklaus as the all-time major title leader are shrinking as his major win drought nears six years.

Speaking prior to the commencement of the US PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at

Bay Hill, the 84-year-old golf legend noted the back spasms that caused 38-year-old Woods to pullout of the event as well as the issue of age will prevent him from erasing Nicklaus’ record.

“I don’t think the 38 year-old is at the ultimate point of his quest to do what Jack did,” Palmer said. “I

Corporate Golf Challenge gets date

G

lobal Golf Limited, the franchise owners of the World Corporate Golf Challenge in Nigeria, has announced that this year’s world finals of the event would to be played in Sotogrande, Spain, at the Almenara Hotel and Golf Resort and the La Reserva Club de Golf. The tournament, a platform for corporate net-

working, will be held from July 1-6 in Andalucia, in the south of Spain.

A Nigerian final, where all the major corporate organizations based in the country will test their might, will take place at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.

It will hold from April 24 to 27 and the victorious company will fly the country’s flag in Spain.

think it lessens the possibility that its going happen. It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be tough to keep the concentration and the type of the game that is necessary to win majors.”

Palmer also agreed with the belief that Woods has lost the “fear factor “he enjoyed at his prime. He added: “The fear of a player being so good that they back off, I don’t think that’s the case anymore.

“The players who are going to win Major Championships have to be physically fit, mentally fit and they are going to continue to be tough to beat.”

World number one Woods won his 14th and most recent major crown at the 2008 US Open but remains four shy of matching the career major win mark of Nicklaus.

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Sport / News

Confed Cup: Aigbogun targets wide goal margin against CA Bizertin

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he Technical Adviser of Warri Wolves Football Club of Nigeria, Paul Aigbogun, has said that, the club’s target in today’s CAF Confederation Cup first leg second round game at the Warri City Stadium is to score a wide goal margin against visiting team, CA Bizertin of Tunisia.

Aigbogun stated that, the major thing he wants to do in today’s game is just win and win well so as to make the second leg in Tunisia less difficult.

He told New Telegraph on Sunday that: “The players have been training very hard in view of the expected tough cracker against the Tunisians who we gathered are a high-scoring side. The good thing about it all is that, there is no major injury in the team.

“All the first team players are in top form and our game plan for the tough match has been articulated. I would say we are ready to win in our home.”

The coach disclosed that, Warri Wolves’ target is to win both home and away games, and that is why we are trying our best to make sure the players play well and score a wide goal margin in the first leg, so that the second leg won’t be too hot to handle.

CA Bizertin’s manager/coach, Maher Kanzari, has promised to give

Warri Wolves a good game despite playing on away ground.

The ever-active coach said his team this time around is determined to make it to the finals of the Orange CAF Confederation Cup after missing out of the party last year following their defeat in the hands of fellow Tunisian club CS Sfaxien in the semi-final.

CA Bizertin were stopped from picking a ticket for the Group Stage of the Champions League last year

by Al Ahly of Egypt who beat them on 2-1 aggregate after a very tough contest. The first leg in Tunisia had ended in a barren draw. This is an indication that, CA Bizertin can be held at home if the game plan is well articulated and are very dangerous on away ground.

To get to this stage of the Confed Cup, the club beat Desportivo Huila of Angola home and away. They won 1-0 away in Lubango and 2-0 at home to record a 3-0 aggregate victory.

Bizertin won their last Tunisian Ligue 1 game 1-0 against Metlaoui FC on March 16, to put them in top competitive mood.

The club’s real name is Club Athletique Bizertin, it was founded on June 20, 1928. The club’s colours are Yellow and black.

Niger’s steel stadium to be ready May 2015 Dan Atori MINNA

A

fter a number of failed attempts to build an international standard stadium in the state, the Niger state government and a Chinese construction company at the weekend signed a contract worth N2.5 billion to build a new stadium with more steel concentration.

The 10,000-capacity stadium which would be sited in Maikunkele area of Minna would have a space to expand to 15,000-capacity if the need arises.

The Chairman of the Stadium Complex Committee, Yusuf Tagwai, told New Telegraph on Sunday in Minna during the contract signing with the Chinese construction company, Shandone Sunway Steel Building Company, that the stadium will be completed within a year.

According to Tagwai: “We have been on this project for about two years now, but because of the paucity of funds we could not continue with

the initial proposed stadium that would have gulped about N10 billion, but with this new one, I can assure the people that Governor Babangida Aliyu will commission this stadium before he leaves office in 2015.

“The stadium construction will be in three phases; the first would be the main bowl, the second the indoors, and the third the hotels which would be constructed by interested investors.

L-R: Representative of the MD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Louis Odom; President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Mr. Tijani Umar, and the new Minister of Sports, Dr Tammy Danagogo, during the opening ceremony of Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League at the National Stadium Abuja, Friday.

Okpala’s CAS action in order, says Erico

F

ormer Super Eagles assistant coach, Joe Erico, has said categorically that the action of sacked Eagles’ assistant coach, Sylvanus Okpala, against the Nigeria Football Federation is not out of place.

The former Enyimba of Aba handler has filed a case against the football federation in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Erico told New Telegraph on Sunday that, the fact that, Okpala has decided to take the NFF to CAS is a right step in the right direction to seek justice especially when as a sports stakeholder you are not allowed to go the law courts.

“We are different people.

When I was sacked from the Eagles by the NFF after the Mali

2002 Nations Cup, I decided to allow it go, but Okpala is saying no in his own case. Nobody knows what will come out of it.

“Nigeria is our country and things are supposed to be done rightly. And if somebody seeks redress because things have not been done properly, there is nothing wrong with that.”

Erico added that, if Okpala was an expatriate coach, he wouldn’t have been tre ated that way. We have had foreign co aches who took the NFF to CAS and they were paid all their entitlements, who knows, Okpala may be lucky. That is the way he thinks, he doesn’t want to be quiet about it, the way we did when the NFF sacked us arbitrarily.

“After all, Berti Vogts and Philippe Trousier, two former Eagles’ foreign technical advisers, took the NFF to the Court of Arbitration and they won their cases and they were paid by the Nigerian federation.

The action of the former Super Eagles assistant coach was confirmed by the NFF Director of Communication, Mr Ademola Olajire, who told New Telegraph on Sunday that the federation’s Legal Department is on the case filed to CAS. Olajire however wondered why Okpala who Stephen Keshi has insisted should return to the Eagles ahead of the 2014 World Cup must go to CAS. He revealed that, Okpala do not have a contract with the NFF, but was brought to the Ea-

Wenger takes blame for Chelsea rout A

rsene Wenger admitted he will remember his 1,000th game as Arsenal manager as a low point of his career after a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Wenger remains without a victory against bitter rival Jose Mourinho in 11 attempts, with the Chelsea coach having recently labelled the Frenchman a ‘specialist in failure’.

Arsenal’s hopes of victory over the Premier League leaders vanished inside an astonishing opening

17-minute spell, which left Chelsea 3-0 up and Arsenal a man down.

Samuel Eto’o and Andre Schurrle found the net before Alex OxladeChamberlain pushed an Eden Hazard shot around the post, with referee Andre Marriner awarding a penalty but mistakenly dismissing a bemused Kieran Gibbs.

“This defeat is my fault, I take full responsibility for it. We got a good hiding today.”

The Arsenal boss did not attend

his post-match press conference, but told the BBC in the immediate aftermath: “This defeat is my fault; I take full responsibility for it.

“I don’t think there’s too much need to talk about the mistakes we made. We got a good hiding today.

“It’s one of the worst days (in my career). It’s over after 20 minutes and it’s a long game after that. You don’t prepare all week to experience that kind of experience.”

Wenger admits Arsenal’s chanc-

es of winning the Premier League are bleak as his focus immediately turned to Tuesday’s match with Swansea.

PREMIERSHIP RESULTS (SAT)

Chelsea 6 – 0 Arsenal Cardiff 3 - 6 Liverpool Everton 3 - 2 Swansea Hull City 2 - 0 West Brom Man City 5 - 0 Fulham Newcastle 1 – 0 C Palace Norwich 2 - 0 Sunderland

Column Understanding the master key to exploits -Oyedepo p.62

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NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/faith

TAI ANYANWU, titus.anyanwu@newtelegraphonline.com 0706 438 0029

Faith ON SUNDAY

National conference must give all Nigerians sense of belonging –Okoh Primate of Anglican Communion Nigeria, Archbishop Nicholas Orogodo Okoh, speaks on religious and national issues in this interview with EMMANUEL ONANI. corruption in the country, which has also become pervasive among men of God, what with the glaring sharp practices?

I think you have used an omnibus term, “sharp practices”. I don’t know what it means because, it could mean many things. Well, there are different churches today and it would appear as if the church has been deregulated so that what you may consider to be corruption in the Anglican Church, may not necessarily be so in a Pentecostal church.

Why? Because, in the Anglican church or in the Roman Catholic Church, the Baptist Church, in the Methodist; these older denominations have church policies different from the new generation churches. In most of the new generation churches, invariably, the pastor is the owner. So, when you say corruption, if he takes the money that comes to the church, is it corruption? Because, he is the owner of the place. I am Archbishop and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, but I’m not the owner of the Church of Nigeria; I am, in fact, a hired servant, under the authority of the synod of the Church of Nigeria. There is accounting, there is auditing, there is a report, which must be approved, which may be disapproved in some instances. So, that is why I’m saying that we cannot generalise on the issue of corruption in the church, and that is because, we are not under the same type of governance.

Specifically, what is your take on the newfound culture of some pastors owning private jets?

Okoh

Recently, we heard that some priests of your church that were to be ordained, were made to swear to an oath that they would have nothing to do with homosexuality.

How true is that?

I

have not hidden the fact that our church does not regard that lifestyle as acceptable.

In the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), that lifestyle is abhorrent. The

struggle has been in our church long before it became a public issue. So, the American church, for instance, had boasted that they would use their money to fight us, and they would make sure that in less than 10 years, they will be homsexual leaders in our church.

So, we are only trying to be cautious and proactive.

How would you respond to the rate of

Again, I go back to where I started from. In the new generation churches, some of them actually have a lot to do by way of travelling around. Outside the country, they have churches, within the country, they havetoo.

So, they do it like the secular CEO. Now, they believe that programming themselves to scheduled flights, may not solve their problems. And, they have enough money to be able to acquire this machine. But, if you go back to the older denominations, there are so many checks and balances. First and foremost, you have to convince them that what you are talking about, is desirable. And, I doubt if you will go beyond that level. This is because, if you want to buy an aircraft in the Anglican Church, assuming there is such money, which I doubt, and if they have it, whether it is aircraft they want to use it for.

So, you have to convince them that, of all the competing needs, that an aircraft is what you need. And, if they don’t approve it, you sit, as there is no question of saying you go ahead .

That is the difference here. Whereas, in other places, the pastor is almost the Chief Executive, his authority is more powerful than in a place like the Anglican Church, where the synod or the standing committee will decide what is priority.

With the benefit of hindsight, is it right for men of God to live ostentatious lifestyles?

Now, you are talking about ostentation.

From what I have described, if in fact the pastor needs the aircraft, like take the case of the Redeemed Church of God, where they have churches all over the world, and one problem with the church is that if you don’t tend it, there is likely to be error. So, if the need is actually there, and the money is actually there, then it does not amount to ostentation.

That is my own humble way of looking at it.

Ostentation will appear like doing something because others are doing it; you don’t really have the need for it, but you think that others have got it, therefore, I need it for myself.

That makes it ostentation. So, in this case, what may be ostentatious in one situation, may not necessarily be in another situation, because of the supervisory role they have to carry out. But, in denominations where you have so many checks and balances, it will be difficult for you to convince them that your immediate need is an aircraft.

The President warned that the unity of Nigeria is a ‘no go area’ at the ongoing confab.

What is your reaction to this?

If the federation of Nigeria should remain indivisible and indissoluble in line with the thinking of the government, then after this conference, I should be able to sleep in Kano and close my two eyes without any fear; somebody from Kano should be able to live in Kano, sleep there with his eyes closed and somebody should lie down in Lagos or Warri without thinking of ethnic sentiments.

The same thing should happen in Zamfara, Yobe, Sokoto, Maiduguri and other states in the North without outsiders having to fear about religion and other things. If we go to the National Conference and come back without resolving these issues, then we have CO NTINUED O N PAGE 58

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Faith

Word of FAITH

by by Apostle Clement Apostle Clement Ogbonna Ogbonna apostleofgraceinwof2010@gmail.com, apostleofgraceinwo 08036774737

M

y dad could not enter or leave a place unnoticed, yet he was not flamboyant in manner or in appearance. There was actually something about him that was not very easy to explain. His intelligence and cultured life positively affected everyone that came in contact with him.

It therefore does not marvel me why many have painted him with many great names the way they did. From all indications, he was ‘a man of the people.’

He was known for his rich use of proverbs and witty saying in his interactions with people.

My dad’s sudden disappearance is, for me, totally unacceptable. I can still behold him clearly in his simple native attire which he wore on Friday May 3, 2013 when we visited him at the hospital in Ohafia, Abia State. It is hard to accept that we stood outside exchanging ideas and tasking our brains for more than 40 minutes on what to do to move him to another hospital. I still

do not believe the sets of sympathisers that trooped to my office and house to comfort and console me. I find it too heavy to embrace that we will no longer catch a glimpse of him on his seat in front of our village house.

He has really gone.

In the real sense, he and I talked for almost one hour after my mum’s burial. “You have done the best for me; renovating, painting and furnishing my house now that I’m still alive. It is a joyful thing. Thank you so much!” he said.

My dad was only able to dictate peace in his heart. Excitedly, I echoed, “Daddy, thank you.” I still see his exit as a crude joke.

The story is hectic and fictional.

When I heard it, it was like a bomb explosion that went off in the distance somewhere. I was about handling the microphone.

The word in my mouth rejected the movement of my lips. Ideas went off my brain, and several thoughts travelled down the road of my mind. I unhesitantly exclaimed, “My father; my father!”

The man behind the scene That Friday evening of May 3, 2013, we completed our discussion and parted. I never know it was the final interactional farewell. He needed to see all his children represented.

However, there are elaborate stories about this eminent personality. There are many things one would learn from this great personage. Suffice it to say that there is a greater morale shattering blow in the death of this daring and enigmatic hero who had risen from amateurism to legendary heights within a space of time.

He was addressed as ‘professor’ by many of his admirers because of his natural intelligence that made him outstanding, unique and separated from his contemporaries. I firmly, unrepentantly and tenaciously hold that my dad epitomised wisdom for excellence. This can even explain why he always said, “Wisdom is great gain’. You may have celebrated his exit, perhaps to occupy his seat. You probably have released pretended shouts and let out unrealistic cries of pains. That notwithstanding, it is turn-by-turn. If yours is not today, it could be tomorrow. Do well to prepare your ways. Death is a necessary end which every living being or person should be ready at all times to accept.

It is inevitable. So, be ready to absorb shocks occasioned by death. Meanwhile, what matters in life is not how long you lived but how well you lived.

What footprints would you leave on the sands of time? What legacy would you leave behind?

Whatever life you live prepares you for the impending and inevitable judgment of God. Hebrew 9:27. Therefore, prepare your ways and make judicious use of your time now that you are still alive.

My dad had a gift for fellowship. He had

friends, admirers, fans, cronies of both sexes, from all ages, all social classes, all professions, all ethnic groups, in the village and everywhere.

He was so much for friendship. When he died, a lot of his friends, well wishers and listeners wept when the news got to their ears. My dad was attracted to many personages as indeed he was to all experiences, to risks and to challenges.

And the more unusually difficult his challenges were, the better he felt. Although my dad turned his hands to the glory of God, he never did anything badly or half-heartedly. He carried into all his performances a certain in-born talent and a sense of elegance. Given the manner of person and circumstance, my father’s exit was a terrible loss.

To this end, therefore, the variety of literary outburst and views I assembled here consent to the value and power of his personality, his life and his death.

However fascinating his life was, it is of paramount importance to remark that it is his lifestyle and leadership style that command his outlook. He was not only the most effective leader in his generation, but I know that as his achievements become more prevalent in our village and society at large, he would be most remarkable anywhere in our time.

In addition, his words of wisdom are more appealing, persuasive, thought-provoking and result-oriented. As Chinua Achebe would say, “He always remains as visually clear as fine crystal glass.”

My father died few months ago, but he had taken protective care to ensure that he was not yet dead. When you die as a father, what would you be remembered for?

The purpose of marriage M

ost people go into marriage with the wrong ideas and concepts about marriage which I call the world view of marriage. They go into marriage with a dream of absolute bliss as portrayed in the “happily ever after” of movies and fairy tales.

They think that marriage is meant to meet their needs for fulfillment, happiness, contentment and enjoyment and to cure their problem of loneliness. So these and many of such are shocked when they marry and discover differently. They end up unhappy, angry and blame their spouses for failing to meet their expectations. These have led to many unhappy homes, broken relationship and many misconceptions about marriage.

Also because of these misconceptions about marriage, the unmarried adults in our society are looked upon as people who, something must be wrong with.

People generally think that every right thinking grown up should be in a hurry to marry

if nothing is wrong with them.

This puts lots of pressure on our unmarried group, some of who have entered into the institution without adequate spiritual, mental and emotional preparation.

When the purpose of anything is not known the abuse is inevitable. This is the truth in marriage as it is in other aspects of life.

God established marriage in the Garden of Eden and gave us the rules that govern a successful marriage. God who created marriage also established the purpose for marriage. Marriage therefore is not meant to be independent of God. It was established as a covenant of which He is a part and the centre of. The Bible (the word of God) therefore is the manual for a successful and blissful marriage.

God did not create marriage to avail us of our personal desires of contentment, fulfillment, enjoyment etc. Rather

marriage is a means through which we can attain and obtain them. Marriage, unlike many people think, is a commitment to responsibilities, a commitment to fulfilling the obligations of a marriage union. Obligations which may become an unwanted burning if not understood ab initio and viewed from the right perspective. The blessing of marriage is not just from being married, but in the things you do in marriage.

Marriage is not an end in itself but a mean to an end. That end is God’s plan; God’s will; God’s purpose for marriage.

When we follow God’s principles and direction, for marriage, marital distinction is inevitable.

And His principles being universal produce the same result everywhere irrespective of societal and cultural differences.

So to be dislocated from God’s purpose for marriage, is to be disconnected from His blessings for marriage.

1.

MARRIAGE Unity and partnership (Matt 19:4-6; Ecc. 4:9-12) God created marriage for unity. There is a power and blessing of God that only the force of unity can release on earth. Unity in marriage is therefore a synergic force which is dynamic in working. God created marriage to multiply the power of one through unity. That is why Adam could not find a suitable mate until God took a part of him, made the woman and brought her to Adam and the two united and became one-called mankind.

As a married person, make it your priority to be united with your spouse in everything, spiritually, mentally and otherwise.

Where there is unity supernatural achievements are inevitable. The devil fights unity and agreement in our homes because he knows the GOD’S PURPOSE FOR danger it poses to his kingdom – so

Family Matters by O.C. David

Tel: 08033409221 he seeks to divide families.

Progress is frustrated in any home where there is no unity, but where there is unity, the power of the double follows (Amos 3:3). So strive for unity in your marriage and receive God’s favour and blessing I n your marriage and in the work of your hands.

2.

FRUITFULNESS God’s other purpose for establishing marriage is procreation (fruit bearing or multiplication).

“God blessed them, and said to them, “be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth”.

Our marriages should aim at raising godly offspring like, Esther, David, Joseph, Daniel etc, (mal, 2:15) who will be a blessing to God’s kingdom. So our marriages should be a means of building God kingdom.

To be continued.

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Faith

Importance of reading with revelation

T

ill I come, give attendance to reading. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth- 1Tim 4:13, John 5:39, 2 Tim 2:15. The profit of these absolute commands of God cannot be despised without damnable consequences. Therefore, may I encourage you to give attention to this document by prayerfully, carefully and patiently searching, confirming and obeying the Scriptures that bear the testimony of Jesus Christ Who alone gives eternal life to His people. What are you struggling for? So that you can live. What are you living for? So that you can die. Therefore wouldn’t it be most foolish if we don’t accept God’s provision for eternal Life? There is an urgent need now for you to be interested in this issue of life and death that gives no human an option of sitting on the fence.

Reading the Bible with revelation has to do with understanding, interpreting, learning, studying, discovering, recognising and attributing meaning to written words and character expressions. People are greatly influenced by what they read. Therefore it is pertinent we scripturally examine the highlighted descriptions of reading with revelation to help obedient children of God to be careful to maintain good works that keep the whole spirit, soul and body blamelessly preserved, as we see the day of the Lord approaching.

Knowing the terror of God, we are persuaded to redeem the time in these evil days and get prepared to meet the Lord in peace by not making provision for lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, worldly pride and cunningly devised fables. The full intention of this publication is to stir our minds that we might be in constant

remembrance of the better way of the Lord and how to live to serve Him scripturally. May God bless you as you read. While reading, please be conscious that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works-2 Tim.3:16-17.

Understanding is the wisdom, knowledge and ability to judge and mutually agree to opinion or feeling.

Jesus told the Sadducees: do ye not therefore err because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God - Mark 12:24. The indictment was timely because they lacked the understanding of the parchment they regularly read in their synagogues then. Today, how do you understand the scripture that says : do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet thy neighbour’s wife, defraud not and honour thy father and mother- Exodus 20:12-17.

These commands are not made flesh in the life of many church-goers because they read their Bible without understanding.

The Bible says that it is the hearer and doer of the Word of God that is blessed- James 1:22. Many people today read the Bible at Christian gatherings and homes, but deliberately ignore the application as soon as they drop the Bible because they are devoid of the understanding of the fact that God will do what He says in His Word, the Bible. This is the reason many lives and homes are still instruments and under the manipulations of Satan. People defile themselves and make light of their marriage vows because they do not understand the scriptures that encapsulate the power of God. Many Christians are still fornicators, false accusers, smokers, worldly, wizards, witches, defrauders (yahoo-yahoo,

Mysteries of God by Luke Okafor

magicians, false miracle workers e.t.c) and habitual liars. Many Christians are still not sincere and sexually contented with their wives and husbands. Many Christian couples still settle their differences through physical exchange of blows and insults. All these unchristian manifestations that lead to hell are common in many lives and families because there is no understanding of the Bible tenets and positions regarding those ungodly acts. The Bible says in Deuteronomy 22:5; The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. Presently this command of God has been a source of controversy among people who neither understand the reality of scriptures nor the power of God to do what He says. Even nature that we cherish made us understand that it is not convenient at all for women to wear trousers. This scripture clearly says

that anyone who wears what naturally belongs to the opposite sex is an abomination to God, our creator and owner.

My dear reader, how can an abomination return back to God, our creator in peace? It is only people who have spiritual amnesia and are preparing for condemnation sequel to this abomination that do disobey this command of God. Remember that God is not the author of the confusion many ungodly men and women exhibit in their dressing today, mainly due to lack of understanding of the power of God. People must read with revelation for proper interpretation of the scriptures. We, pastors, teachers, scholars, students, evangelists, bishops and all other living souls must read the scripture with clearly revealed interpretation of the mind of God for the profit of our souls.

Okafor writes from Christian Ministry of Reconsciliation, 10, Bode Joseph street,Ifako, Lagos.

‘West is hypocritical on homosexuality’ CONTINUED FR O M PAGE 57

a woman.

not started as a nation. The conference must not fail. If it does, Nigerians would bedisillusioned; it must solve Nigerian problems. The questions about the Nigerian project must be thoroughly addressed.

What is the church doing to support the country’s stand against same-sex marriage?

What position is the Anglican church espousing at the ongoing National Conference?

Well, I think the church, apart from belonging to a group, is part and parcel of the Nigerian society. The church belongs to the Igbo, so, what are the Igbo taking to the confab? The church belongs to the Yorubas, what are the Yoruba taking to the dialogue? The church belongs to the north, what are the Northerners taking to the dialogue? So, the aggregation of these, is what the Anglican Church is taking there. And, as a church body, we believe that the President, for instance, has taken a right step by outlawing same-sex marriage, because it is not for us, a normal thing; it is very abnormal and abhorrent and we think that women are not scarce, so also are men not scarce, and God has made adequate arrangements for human sexuality. So, anybody, who is developing any extra instinct, sexual instinct or desire, I think should attend to himself, because something is wrong.

Don’t homosexuals have human rights, which should be respected?

The scripture does not permit homosexuality. Those trying to make allusions to the concept of love in the Bible to justify homosexuality, are the revisionists. There is a group coming up and trying to put a new interpretation, and they are promoting the human rights argument. But, God himself has a right. We always get busy talking about human rights. If we do believe in God, He also has a right; right of ownership. So, it depends on where you stand. If you believe that God has no right to tell you anything, then that is a different thing. But, I want you to remember that this was how man started in

Okoh

the wrong way in the Garden. God said, “you should not eat this fruit”, and the enemy came and said, “did God say that you should not eat that fruit?”. “God is wrong”, forget about it, this is the fruit, eat it. And then, man did eat, and man started having problems, with the consequence of banishment from the presence of God. Now, we come back to the same question; did God say a woman should marry only a man? Did God say that a man should marry only a woman? God is wrong, the revisionist say, a man can marry a man; a woman can marry

In the first place, it was not the President that started it, it was the church. The President is only being democratic in the sense that, he is listening to the people, who put him in power.

What baffles me is that these white people, what they do in their place, they don’t allow you to do in your country. When the issue of Syria, you know there was a time they were trying to mobilise to attack Syria, but Britain said no, the parliament refused, and the prime minister backed-down. The same thing happened in the United States. Why is it that when our people speak and say this is what we want our President to do, they (West) start criticising/victimising us? Why do they become the headmaster for moral issues in the world? Did they create us? They have no such right and we will be foolish to submit to them. Look at what is going on now between them and the Crimea and Russia. The Crimea people have their affiliation with Russia; the former Soviet Union broke up and they still retain some affinities. But, the western countries have gone to the territory and taken over many of those people, annexing them, and they are using their own standard to judge those people. They do this through their powerful media, because we don’t hear much Russian television; you know all the other communication systems are from the west. The West passes judgement on what is right or wrong; they are the attorney as well as the jury…They threatened sanctions against Russia and issued threats of boycotts. Why do they behave like children? They need to examine themselves. When they talked about sanctioning Russia, is Russia a banana republic? Russia went to the moon before the US, so, if you can threaten small republics with sanctions, must you also overreach yourself in the case of Russia? For the church, the fact that we have not been able to develop ourselves technologically up to the level of these people, doesn’t mean that we don’t know what we are doing.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Interview

2015 elections

Don’t die for politicians, Owolabi warns Nigerians Could you tell us a bit about the church and exactly when the celebration begins?

The Seventh-Day Church all over the country is celebrating the 100 years of existence of the church in Nigeria from 1914 -2014. The church was founded by Elder G.C Babcock, who was the pioneer of Adventism in Nigeria. Incidentally, it was the same year of amalgamation in Nigeria. The celebration began on March 7.

The name Seven-day Adventist is taken from two fundamental Adventist beliefs.

First is the belief of the advent of Jesus and the Biblical seven days verbal, seven days a week. It is also a divine ordained day of worship and rest. The church presently has successfully entered 218 countries out of 220 recognised nations. The church is not only known for building churches, but has placed a lot of emphasis on the building of schools and hospitals in the nation. It has also placed emphasis on the mental, physical and spiritual aspect and wellbeing of man.

In partnership with the government, the church has schools i n

As the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Nigeria began its 10-month long centenary celebration on March 7, the President of the church, Dr. Oyeleke Owolabi, spoke about the celebration and other national issues with TAI ANYANWU

responsibility. There are three institutions that should work together - the government, traditional leaders, religious and educational institutions because the issue must be collectively addressed.

What could be the solution to the scourge of corruption ravaging the nation?

every corner of the country, including Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State.

It is a model of students’ wellbeing. The church is planning to build a second university in Abia State in the eastern part of Nigeria, named Clifford University after Sir Clifford.

Talking about your church’s involvement in the provision of schools, what do you have to say about the fact that schools run by churches are so expensive that average members of their congregations who contributed offer-

ings towards the building of such schools cannot afford to train their wards?

When you look at Educational setting there is this saying that “if you think education is expensive try ignorance.” The money being paid into the school is to maintain the school due to the fact that everything must be educationally conducive. The church puts millions of naira into the school and gets nothing back.

What challenges does the SeventhDay Adventist Church face considering that certain national events are held on Saturdays, which is the church’s official worship day?

The church is facing a lot of challenges such as the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination that is usually held on Saturdays which is the day of worship. In Nigeria, elections are also held on Saturdays which prevents members from voting and being voted for. The environmental sanitation exercise is also held on Sabbath Day. We have appealed to the federal and state governments to find a solution to this issue.

Can we say that Nigeria has also achieved a lot like the church since they were founded the same year?

I have answered this question so many times and my answer is absolutely ‘yes,’ in three dimensions. The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates took place in 1914 and Nigerian federalism was born. From that time to this time, it still remains a nation. It’s a big success that Nigeria as a federal republic has remained together in the last 100 years, despite all the challenges. it is true that we have gone through many military regimes and coups but in the last 10 or 12 years, we have enjoyed democracy. For me as a person I thank God for that.

What are your views regarding Boko Haram, which has been a menace in recent years?

Boko Haram is neither a religious issue nor political issue. I see it as a demonic device to destroy the democracy we’re enjoying in Nigeria. It is not written anywhere in the Quran that the only way to promote Allah is by killing fellow human beings. Also in the Bible, Christ said, “I am the prince of peace.” This is not an individual matter, but a collective

The church is trying to curb corruption.

Let government partner the educational system. We are only trained mentally; there is little or no handwork training. How many polytechnic students are being given technical education? How many professional schools are functioning in Nigeria? Anybody that goes to the university is coming out to work in the office. Where are the offices?

We should train the younger ones on how to be self employed instead of paying them N10,000 every month because that is the way to curb corruption.

The proposed national conference agenda is generating a lot of controversy.

What is your take on that?

This has brought a lot of issues in Nigeria but there are so many other conferences that have been held since amalgamation in 1914. The modalities should not be the issue. It is not my duty to judge if it is wrong or right to have a real national conference.

Rather, we should understand the agenda of discussion. The issue being addressed here is that there is a corporate body called Nigeria. Nigerians should not be sentimental about the issue of ethnic groups. We have been married and collaborating for the past 100 years. Let us revisit our relationship, do an appraisal and evaluation because without it a nation can never grow.

What is your advice to Nigerians and the politicians as the elections draw near?

The masses should not be deceived concerning the forthcoming elections. We should not allow anyone intimidate us.

More so, I appeal to politicians because God loves this country and there is going to be a serious visitation. They should be very careful because some of those who were once there are now dead. What testimony will we have about you after you have passed on? Don’t kill yourselves because of any politician because if the President had died years back because of one politician he wouldn’t be a president today. Therefore a word is enough for the wise.

How often do you pray for Nigeria?

We come together to pray every Wednesday and we remember the country in prayer. I advise everyone to also pray for the country and the coming elections.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

/ Faith Sermon Interview

THE Oracles of God by

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com

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od does, “for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name”. Psalm 138:2. Jesus Christ does because He is the word of God made flesh. John 1:14. Others who watch the scriptures are Angels, Prophets, Kings, Ministers. Publicans and believers who want to make a success of their efforts to serve God with all their heart and might and soul. No being, living or dead, is above the word of God. We are commanded to live by every word (not some selected scriptures) that proceeds from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4. The scriptures are the absolute, and all sufficient, hence, cannot be substituted. If we watch the scriptures, we will prosper and live but where we ignore them, we will definitely fail and perish.

Judas Iscariot was an apostle in the ministry. The tragedy of his testimony as a minister came when he looked away from the scriptures and monetised his master through covetousness. He died. “Godliness with contentment is great gain”.

1Timothy 6:6.

Samson had public success in his

ministry but he was a secret failure.

He loved women. He revealed the secret covenant vow contrary to the scriptures. Do you have a hidden agenda like Samson? Your sin could find you out.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were no doubt sincere in their services to God but they were sincerely wrong. How? They set aside the very scriptures meant to guide their beliefs and doctrines and formulated commandments and traditions of men and elders respectively. The two sects ended up being rivals, between them there was dissension. Acts 23:7 – 8, “for the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees confess both”. The tradition of the elders, the commandment of men, creeds, dogma and church tenets were and still today reckoned above the word of God. Matthew 15:2 – 3. They came to Jesus saying “why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders”? There is no private interpretation to the Bible. God is His own interpreter.

Your beliefs, your church’s teach-

Watch the scriptures! ings, are they in accordance with scripture? A common example is water baptism. Majority are in error in this ordinance because they follow the popular denominational water baptism teaching and practice (some sprinkle water, others pour water and others by immersion) in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Ghost”. I was caught in this error of church tradition until I found out baptismal examples in the scriptures that the over 3,000 persons baptised in the Acts of the Apostles; from the day of Pentecost were immersed the same day they believed the gospel in the name of Jesus Christ (Not in the name of Father, Son and Holy Ghost). Paul asked some disciples in Acts 19:1 – 7, how were you baptised? Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? These disciples had to be re-baptised. I had to be re-baptized too to correct my first baptismal error by church tradition.

Let us consider Rev. 19:10. It is a dramatic incidence where John the Apostle bowed to worship an Angel.

The Angel rejected the worship and counseled John to worship God because by scriptures, the first commandment in Exodus 20:1 – 2, worship is to be given to God alone. Who then is Jesus Christ? He was worshipped by the wise men. Matthew 2:11. Devils trembled and worshipped him Mark 5:6 – 7. He even accepted the worship of his disciples. Matthew 28:17. He must be the same Jehovah, God Almighty in human form, Emmanuel. In Mark 2:10, “I have power to forgive sin”, it stung the Pharisees, because only Jehovah has power to forgive sin, invariably this Jesus is the Jehovah. If they had watched the scriptures, they would have known who Jesus was and is today, the very God who created heaven and earth.

A prostitute woman in John 4:1 – 20 was able to identify Jesus Christ as the expected Messiah when

Jesus manifested the sign of a true prophet, the word of knowledge. The Samaritans watched the fulfillment of scriptures.

If Miriam the Prophetess had watched scriptures in Psalm 105:15 “touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm” she would not have spoken against Moses in Numbers 12:1 – 8. She did and incurred God’s wrath and was smitten with leprosy. You remember Uzzah; how he perished in his zeal, for handling the Ark of God, being not a Priest. 2Chron. 13.

John the Baptist identified himself as the voice crying in the wilderness and went on to identify Jesus Christ and declared Him “Behold the lamb that taketh away the sin of the world” John 1:23 – 29.

Nicodemus met Jesus one night. He wanted to be sure he is not just a church member but that his spiritual birth mirrors Bible pattern. He learnt a vital lesson on how to be born again. John 3:1 – 7. The Lord Jesus does nothing, says nothing but what is written in scripture. Psalm 40:7 – 8, “Lo, I come in the volume of the book. It is written of me. I delight to do thy will, O my God. Yea, thy law is within my heart”. From His birth to His death and resurrection, He lived by every scripture. Are you a believer? Can you see yourself in the scriptures? Cain passed as a mere church goer. He had enough religion to kill his brother, Abel. When the scripture is misinterpreted, it loses potency. When church leaders dislocate the scriptures, it looses the power to give life, church members become worldly, carnal and ordinary. “Not all who say Lord!, Lord!! shall enter into the Kingdom of God”. Whatsoever you do in words and deed, do it by the scriptures. Colossians 3:17. It is the only road map to eternal life. “If you love me, keep my commandments”. It meant, watch the scriptures!

Reject privatisation of public trust F

ellow Nigerians, I am persuaded that we should not accept the status quo in the country. We must continue to push until we force the forces of repression, bad governance and man’s inhumanity to man out of the political space. Then, we will have a nation where we are free to develop without any apologies. I stumbled on a book; ‘Why Nations fail’ by Baron Alemogw and James.

A. Robinson. Listen to what they said… ‘that it is man-made economic and political institutions that underline economic success (or the lack of it). Korea… is a remarkably homogenous nation, yet the people of North Korea are remarkably the poorest on the earth while their brothers and sisters in the south of Korea are among the richest.

The south formed a society that created incentives, rewarded innovations, allowed everyone to participate in economic opportunities. The economic success thus spurred was sustained because the government became accountable and sustained; because the government became accountable and

responsive to the citizens and great mass of people.”

Sadly, the North of same Korea has endured decades of famine, political repression and very different economic institutions with no end in sight. The difference between the two Koreas is due to the politics that created those completely different institutional trajectories.

The views expressed by these two authors represent eloquently my consistently held view that we must reject any attempt by the state or her agents who are trying or indirectly any form of economic policy that concentrates economic power in the hands of a few of us, so that this few will generate employment opportunities, spread wealth and use multi-power effect to reach the rest of us. I strongly oppose this life of privatisation of public trust as it has never worked and will not work. The concept of democracy presupposes that power belongs to the people. What is power other than the control of the factors of production? Why

would a few sit over the rest of us and play Father Christmas with our common patrimony?

If you watch closely, most of what you hear is security (aka Boko Haram), power must shift, politics of PDP and APC. Has any particular political platform painstakingly broken down their manifestoes, clearly outlining how to make life easier for our countrymen? Has anyone told us how we can make our politics the ‘politics of inclusion’? A few people take over power and define our national interest or provincial interest. To what extent do these power merchants represent the greater population?

There are also issues of the citizens’ bill of rights. Each time government rolls out laws, there are interpretations of constitutions by which citizens responsibilities are clearly outlined. Where the citizen contravenes, agents of coercion are unleashed on them.

If governance is as we know it to be, it is a social contract whereby the citizens’ rights to self-determination are laid down. Agents

CHURCH in Politics by Oscar Ossai

of the state must ensure that those things the citizens cannot do for themselves like generation and distribution of electricity, road construction and maintenance, good means of transport, a functioning and equitable healthcare delivery system and an education that produces citizens deservedly respectable beyond our National borders and social security are available. Where the state fails to provide her own side of this social contract, what is the recourse open to the citizenry?

Can we therefore see that the credible route to genuine national development remains as said in ‘Why nations fail’ as government that ensures that all have access to governance, a responsive government, a nation where there is incentive for all to develop? A government where there is accountability indeed; a mass movement for all, until and unless the political space is opened up for all. The danger of implosion remains a reality.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Power of the WORD by

Izuchukwu Chukwude belu izuchukwudebelu@yahoo.com or phone +2348028390885, +2348056027044.

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avid therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.( I Sam. 22:1-2).

With attitude, David though in exile was able to gather boys around him and made them gallant agitators known as militants in modern parlance. It takes attitude to get people to run your vision with you even when the provision is yet to come.

Have you ever wondered why some individuals, ministries, institutions, organisations or countries are more successful than others? It is not a secret! They are successful because they think and act more effectively.

They do so by investing in their most valuable asset - people. I have spoken to executives in ministries across the globe and observed that if you could change and possess a positive attitude, which would give you a cutting edge in the marketplace, you can increase productivity and profit. It shall as well change the people’s attitudes.

With the right attitude, people would be better team players, colleagues or members, cut back on waste and become more loyal. In general, their ministry or company would be a great place to work in.

Experience has shown that human resource is the most valuable asset of any business. People are more valuable than capital or equipment.

Unfortunately, human resource is also the most wasted of all resources.

An executive who has not read any book or attended a course on human resources is a joke of the moment.

People can be your biggest asset or your biggest liability. Experience has shown that human resource is the most valuable asset of any business.

People are more valuable than capital or equipment in any organization.

Winning with Quality People And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour

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Faith

Importance of Winning Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Luke 10:17-24.

Jesus recruited Total Quality People for His assignment. He chose, trained and equipped, thereby qualifying them for the task. No wonder, the work committed into their hands prospered more in the absence of their employer. No matter how fine and highly intellectual your organogram looks, with the wrong people you will have wrong results. Many ministries and organisations have gone down the lane consequent upon the engagement of wrong people. When Jesus sent them out and stayed behind, they came back with results. If result is eluding you, check the people around you. For the president of a nation, ministry or corporation

Understanding the communion he foundation for Holy Communion is laid in the book of Exodus 12: 3; “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: ‘On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household.” In the days of the exodus of the Israelites from the land of Egypt, communion was known as Passover.

Three things are involved. First, a lamb is to be slaughtered for sacrifice. Second, a blood is to be shed on the door post. Jesus fulfilled these two aspects in John 1:29. He became the lamb that was slaughtered to take away our sins. And third, His body is to be eaten and we can see that in Hebrew10:1-10.

A true child of God that does not take part in communion will not have a place in the kingdom of God; no matter how religious he or she may be. The Bible records that all must eat the flesh and make a mark on your door post with the blood. Jesus demonstrated that by showing them a good example in Leviticus 6: 11; “For the life of a man is in the blood.”

The book of Hebrews states that the blood of a goat

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cannot take away sin. That was why Jesus came to use his own blood to redeem us because the life in his blood can affect our lives.

John 6:22-27 also buttresses that anyone that has eaten the flesh of Jesus, not the physical bread that we eat everyday, will be filled unto redemption; because it is him the father filled. Another essential part of taking the Holy Communion is drinking the blood of Jesus, which is today represented as red wine. The book of Ephesians says, “give in to the Holy Ghost onto which we were filled to days of redemption.”

It is important for us to know the kind of wine we can use. It must be wines that have alcoholic content and it must be red wine. People have become so holy but as a child of God we should do what the Bible says.

A lot of people have argued over whether it is good for a child of God to use no-alcoholic wine or coke for communion. The truth is that you can’t be holier than God. God has given us an example on how to go about the communion; but you cannot afford to get drunk while taking the wine.

to make a lasting impact, quality people must surround him. Quality people with right attitude are like the neck which determines where the head turns to.

If you surround yourself with sycophants, at the end of the day there will be a harvest of anniversary of woes. A onetime military head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, once asked one of his lieutenants if what he did was right. He answered, ‘Sir, what you did is like exactly the way God would have done it.’ Abacha looked sternly at him and yelled, ‘You are a hypocrite for even I know that what I did was wrong, and that in my absence you will say a different thing.’

Having attended a number of training programmes for raising leaders, mentoring protégés and strategic planning, I have come to the conclusion that most of these are great programmes with a major challenge: None of them will work unless they have the right foundation, and the right foundation is Total Quality People. They are people with character, integrity, good values and positive attitudes.

Do not get me wrong. You need the other programmes, but they will only work when you have the right foundation - Total Quality People.

For example, some soul winning or customer service programmes teach participants to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ and give smiles and handshakes. But how long can a person smile if he does not have the desire to serve? Besides, people

can always see through a fake smile.

When the smile is not sincere it is irritating. My point is there has to be substance over form, not form over substance. Without a doubt, people who minister to visitors, new believers or serve customers should say, ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ They should also smile and so forth; these things are important.

But keep in mind that they come a lot easier when accompanied by desire to serve. Someone once approached Blaise Pascal, the famous French philosopher, and said, ‘If I had your brains, I would be a better person.’ Pascal replied, ‘Be a better person and you will have my brains.’

Great ministries, institutions and organisations are not measured by wages and working conditions. They are measured by feelings, attitudes and relationships.

When employees or church workers say, ‘I cannot do it,’ there can be two possible meanings. Either they are saying they do not know how to do it or they are saying they ‘do not want to do it.’ If they are saying that they do not know how to do it, it is a technical training issue. If they are saying that they do not want to, it may be an attitude issue (they do not care), or a value issue (they do not believe they should do it).

Just like a great building stands on a strong foundation, so does success. And the foundation of success is attitude.

Prophetic Unction by

Samuel Daniel

www.globalgraceonline.org, 08060143296.

Apostle Paul admonished the people against that because they were always getting drunk with the wine. It was not supposed to be so because it is a spiritual food. It is not meant to make one high as they world does. Rather, the alcoholic content has a deep spiritual meaning, which is translated in terms of believer getting drunk in the power of the Holy Spirit. Revelation 6:6 is clear about this: “Touch not the oil and the wine.”

The oil is the Holy Ghost and the wine is stimulation. Anyone that receives the Holy Ghost will get stimulated; that is why the Bible used that as an example. People should not be misquote me because some might say we are encouraging the consumption of alcoholic drinks. The

prescribed wine should be taken because it has a spiritual implication on our lives as Holy Ghost-filled children of God. Finally, unleavened bread must be used for communion because it has no yeast. The Bible is divided into three segments, which are the gospel, ministry and the doctrine. What I’m discussing is part of the doctrine. As a believer, you must follow the doctrine. Again, there are three ordinances Jesus supported and they pertain to the kingdom of God, water baptism, communion and feet washing. As children of God, we must wash one another’s feet. By so doing, you would have fulfilled the essential part of communion as prescribed.

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MARCH 23, 2014 NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY

Faith

The Voice of

Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

Phone: 7747546-8; E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

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elcome to your regular column. Last week, we studied the Pathways To Revelation and How to Engage Spiritual Understanding for Exploits. This week, in continuation of our series, we shall be considering, Exploring the Pathways to a World of Exploits.

A discovery of your picture from the mirror of the Word is the key to actualizing your glorious destiny. You must find who you are from scriptures, and use that discovery to react to anything contrary to the will of God in your life; and then you can secure your glorious destiny in Christ. So, being able to discover your picture from the scriptures is what establishes your glorious future.

PathwaysTo Light: ➢Commit To The Study Of The Word You can’t find what you don’t seek.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).Commit to the study of the Word with a determination to find light. It is committed

study that makes Christianity profitable. Study until you find the light; and after you have found it, receive wisdom to apply appropriately, your findings; doing that will get you out of shame and reproach. ➢ Engage In Target Study There might be a particular issue you are struggling with,engage in target study to find light for that situation.

Maybe it is the negative company you keep that is the cause. You can’t prosper in the wrong company. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1-3).

How to Engage in Target Study • Study with a determination to find what is out of place:do this in order to discover how to put things back in place and to generate the change you desire. There must be a thirst; you need some good degree of desperation to access revelation (Isaiah 55:1).

• Search for materials that will enhance your study: Go on a search for

Understanding The Master Key To Exploits! (3) materials that will enhance your access to the light required in that area. So, look for those materials and you will discover what is out of place. ➢ Engage The Blood Because there is a war against your access to the Word, you must engage the Bloodof Jesus in battle against the blindfolding forces of hell.

Satan is particularly involved in blocking our access to light.The only weapon that subdues him, supernaturally, is the Blood. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony… (Revelation 12:11). ➢ The Force Of The Communion When embarking on a spiritual research to deal with any issue in your life, engage the Blood in battle by literarily engaging the Communion prayerfully for the opening of your spiritual understanding (Luke 24:30-31). ➢ The Force Of Prayer Prayer is a non-negotiable force in your quest for light. Access to light begins with prayer. The secret things belong to God and He chooses what to reveal and reveals only on request. The Bible says:The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29).

We must call on God to reveal to us, becauseuntil God reveals, we cannot access.So, prayer is a vital factor for accessing the light of the Word.

What Is The Proof That You Have Found It? Rest:

The day you are born

“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1

T

he day you are born marks the end of gestation in your mother’s womb. It is also the day that marks your arrival onto planet earth. Suffice to say that your advent on earth carries along with it numerous mysteries, both positive and negative, all of which are largely dependent on the events or transactions that transpired on that day.

The word of God categorically pointed out the vulnerability of this day; “Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place” Job 38:12 In your quest to get answers to difficult puzzles in your life, this subject must remain second to none because a great deal of those unusual circumstances attached to your life are traceable to this day in question.

The day you are born marks your first contact with either angels of God or agents of darkness (both man and demons), depending on the circumstances surrounding your birth, your parents’ belief, deity, among other things. It is a day that is characterised by goodness or marked by wickedness. It is your first contact with oxygen, water, and humans. It is a day you in which you become enlisted in the battlefield of life and your contact with various powers (which are mostly evil) in the maternity ward. Various transactions take place, either godly or satanic, the end result of which will either

Rest, both internally and externally, is one of the proofs of true revelation. Revelation is the cure for anxiety, uncertainties and fears. We mustlabour in the Word to find light and when we find it, faith comes alive and that gives us rest. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

Friend, the power to engage the pathways to light, is the privilege of God’s children. You become a child of God as you confess your sins and accept Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins.

Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, for saving me! Now, I know I am born again! I willcontinue this teaching next week.The Exceeding Grace of God shall be your portion this year, in the name of Jesus!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge.

For further reading, you can get my books — The Force Of Freedom, Walking In Dominionand Born To Win. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you.

Editor’s Note: In the last edition, another cleric’s sermon was inadvertently published in this column. The error is regretted.

become a platform of glory for you or make you a causality of lost glory. This is why parents must take adequate care as regards where they give birth to their children. Hospitals are not even left out of these as many of them are either owned by satanic agents or have been taken over by them.

There is a confession of a midwife which further buttresses this truth. According to her, of every delivery she does, she has an obligation to curse and tamper with the life of the newborn, of course without the knowledge of the mother. With her demonic tongue, she programmes bewitchment, frustration, stagnation, failure and so many other evil words into the life of these defenceless children. What a wicked world we live in!

Can you retrospect and possibly provide answers to the following questions?

• Where were you given birth to?

• What happened to the first water with which you were bathed?

• What were the utterances made by your parents and other people around when you

were given birth to?

• Where and how was your placenta disposed of ? Also, who disposed of it?

• Were you born on a festive day?

• What kind of hands carried you? Were they spiritually clean or demonic hands?

All these are pointers to the foundation that was laid in your life when you were born. If in anyway your day has been visited for evil, I pray that the God of all days, the Ancient of Days, will go right now and reverse it for good in the name of Jesus.

In essence, if your day has been visited you will personally discover or observe that the following will be the order of the day in your life - bewitchment, frustration, stagnation, failure, barrenness, delay, breakdown at the point of breakthrough, disappointment, rejection, untold hardship and suffering, to mention a few.

But God is revisiting that day, and your story is changing again for good in the name of Jesus.

You need to speak into that day to correct and reverse any satanic pollution wrestling with your destiny. If the wicked ruined your destiny on the day you were born, the power of God will deliver you in Jesus name. Whatever woe or misfortune you have been enrolled into is traceable to the transaction which ensued and this you must deal with it so as to reclaim your lost glory. Anyone who has tampered with your day, the Lord will not spare them in Jesus name.

Whatever pronouncement made on the day of your birth goes into your future as a pro-

gramme waiting for the right time to manifest.

If satanic decrees or utterances were made at your birth, they are being recorded and kept in archives waiting for the day of manifestation.

It is now left to you to take the bull by the horn and reverse this trend.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

Matt. 11:12.

Until you reverse the trend, you will lead a miserable life and the fulfillment of your destiny becomes an illusion. For you to be able to alter whatever has been projected into your life, certain things must be in place: • You must first genuinely give your life to Christ.

• You also must make enquiries about the transactions that took place at your birth.

• After which you engage in warfare prayers with fasting.

• Serve God in any and every capacity.

• You need to raise an altar to combat satanic transactions that took place when you were born.

• Sacrifice your way to victory Your day shall surely be revisited by your Maker in Jesus name.

PRAYER POINTS • Every satanic transaction associated with the day I was born, be reversed today by the blood of Jesus.

• Merchants of darkness targeting my glory, go into exile of no return.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SUNDAY MARCH 23, 2014

Pray less, make more sacrifices A

n important lesson to note about prophesies and fulfilment is that if care is not taken a prophecy may not be actualised. This is not because such prophecies are not from God. It should be understood that a prophecy is a prayer point. The Scriptures make us to understand that God reveals his secrets to those he loves.

The purpose of prophecy is to enable children of God to pray and actualise a desirable prophecy. Or to pray to cancel negative prophesies, as the case may be. Unfortunately, when some of us receive prophecy, we go home, relax and begin to check the date of when it will manifest. There are some words which God spoke through his prophets in the Scriptures that did not come to pass. For instance, in Second Kings Chapter Three, King Jehosephat, King of Judah and the King of Edom went to fight the people of Moab. Jehosephat asked if there was no Prophet in the land from they could enquire the mind of the Lord concerning the war. He wanted to know if God would grant them victory if they should go into the battle.

The Bible records that when they got to the Prophet Elisha, he said to them: ‘Go for the Lord has given the Moabites into your hands.’ Now, there are few things we need to know about Prophet Elisha. Prophet Elijah who raised up Elisha did seven miracles in the Bible while Elisha did 32 miracles. That means Elisha did a double portion of miracles more than his Master. The Bible recognises that there are major and minor Prophets; and when we talk about Major Prophets, we talk about Elijah and Elisha.

Elisha was the man of whom the Bible said, immediately he acquired a double portion of Prophet Elijah’s

prophetic prowess, took the mantle of Elijah and divided the River Jordan into two. He is the same man that the Bible spoke of in the book of II Kings 2:19: “And the men of the city came to him and said, as my Lord seeth, the city is too pleasant but the water is too bad and the ground cannot yield any fruit; and there was death in the land.”

The prophet did not ask them to go into prayer. Rather, he demanded for a cruise and salt, moving to the source of the river. He cast the salt into the river and said, “Thus says the Lord, from this day this water be healed. The Bible records that the water was healed, there were no more deaths and the land began to yield fruit.

On the contrary, when Elisha prophesied to the kings to go into battle with the Moabites, they went and began to kill the people of Moab. The king of Moab said to himself, “If I kept quiet, things would go wrong.” He went and recruited 700 professionals in drawing the sword. The Bible says that when they came on the scene, the people of Israel finished the professional sword men. The king didn’t know what to do next having tried what was physically possible to no avail. So he went into the spiritual aspect of the battle. The King of Moab took his son and heir to his throne and killed him on the city wall to save his people. He sacrificed his son to a deity, gods that have ears and eyes but cannot hear or see. The Bible records that when God saw the mind of the king who could pay such a high price in order to save his people, God took His hands off. The battle turned against the people of Israel and they ran away.

Throughout the Scriptures, that was the first time God turned back against Israel, his elect. There was another

Revelational LOVE by

Franca Anyanwu

08033408354 or email: francaanyawu@gmail.com

G

o through these questions again and again because their answers may provide clues to your inherent abilities.

Listen to your mentor This is not a guarantee to finding anything positive in life except if the mentor is a good one. I have to sound this way because most people we call mentors are nothing but tormentors. In his book, ‘The Second Revolution,’ Sam Adeyemi said, “Be careful who is teaching you, If you allow a fellow slave to teach you, you will end up with slavery mentality.”

The blind cannot help the blind.

You need someone who has character and competence as a mentor.

An insecure mentor will not want you to find your difference because he might be threatened by that. However, listening to the right

mentor is a very powerful step to finding your own jar because mentors see at first-sight what we may not set at fourth sight. Good mentors have the ability to read their protégés like a book. They see what we don’t yet see.

Having a good mentor will give you a new and wider perspective on your personality and personal powers.

Joshua had a mentor. Ruth had a mentor. Elisha had a mentor.

Timothy had a mentor. You need a mentor!

Listen to your creator If, like me, you are always eager to heed the voice of the Holy Spirit, then you will find this last tip very helpful and certain.

Having and heeding the leading of the Holy Spirit makes the discovery of purpose, talents and

63

Faith

Hour of LIBERATION by

Chidi Anthony Tel: 08124284979

time that God made his prophet a liar, because a sacrifice was done. The truth is that after a prophesy is given concerning you, and you go to your house and relax, the evil man will go to back to the native doctor with a fowl of N1,200, kola nut of N50 and egg of about N150. When you combine the total worth of his sacrifice, it is not worth up N2000. She will take it to a shrine for a sacrifice. With that, the evil man will send you who have been loosed before into demonic bondage again.

In the book of 2 Kings Chapter 20 about King Hezekiah, God sent Prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah to arrange his house because he would surely die. On receiving the message, King Hezekiah turned his face against the wall and began to remind God about how faithful he had been to God, and said, “I shall not die.” The Bible records that Prophet Isaiah had not yet left the king’s presence when God told Isaiah to go back and say to the king that he had heard his prayer and the Hezekiah would not die as prophesied.

Hear me; live a holy life, live upright before God and know your rights before your God. Then if you will stand boldly concerning any prophesy given to you, and make a request God will surely grant your request. The problem with the church is that we pray more but make little sacrifices. A sick sister once told me that she went for 21 days dry fasting. I asked her if she wanted to commit suicide. You want to die when God is not deaf. Learn how to make sacrifices. Remember that God said any word He utters would not come back to him until it is fulfilled.

But there is sacrifices you must do that will make God swallow His words.

Use it if you have it (2) abilities easier because nobody understands you more than Him. He is your creator and therefore, knows the depth, width and height of your every ability. The good news is not just that He knows it but that He is also willing to help you find and express it maximally. Who else must have inspired this jar breaking woman to do what she did? Who instructed her to take such an expensive perfume instead of something else? Who gave her the right timing to do what she did?

Nobody else but the Holy Spirit. That is why you need Him. He will teach you all things and help you to break the right jar at the right time.

Start with what you have “A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.” I don’t want you to be carried away by the exotic description of what this woman came with but I want you to see the fact that she came with what she had. What you have holds a greater future than what you want.

Everyone wants something: This is powerful Everyone has something: This is more powerful.

What do you have? God wants you to begin with what you have because what you have contains everything you need. You may be reading this book with an ‘I don’t have anything mental-

ity.’ That is a big lie from the pit of hell. You truly have something very significant.

God will never leave you without something to begin with. Check very well: there is always something you can start with - for lack of money, you may be compensated with lots of talent. For lack of talents, you may compensated with lots of money.

For lack of both, you may be compensated with lots of quality relationships. Even a good background is a business capital.

No amount of prayer will make you start with what you don’t have. This woman didn’t wait for a tank of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard; she started with a jar.

Discover your jar today and start the success journey with it. It may be very small but that’s what you have. Great things begin and grow from small things. The great oak grew from little acorns. The book of Job says, “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase ( Job 8:7).

So don’t dwell in the days of small beginning, keep seeing the great end. You may have a jar of ideas, a jar of money, a jar of relationships, a jar of goodwill or a jar of love – break it at the master’s feet and begin from there.

What do you have in your hands right now – use it! That is the first law of productivity.

SPORT Onazi: Eagles can do magic in Brazil

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I

n another brilliant outing in his back-page column Broadside, in New Telegraph, yesterday, Senator Emmanuel noted that rather than dissipate useful energy on a rather useless campaign to commit Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, immediate past Chief of Army Staff, to prison on spurious charges of war crimes, Northern leaders should apply themselves to a more ennobling undertaking--the search for a lasting solution to the Boko Haram insurgency. To be sure, Onwe has made a very valid point, which I align myself with. Let us ask: are northern leaders themselves doing enough to help ameliorate the deleterious effect of Boko Haram on the socio-economic life of the North East and environs? Or would they rather sit back and do nothing about the relentless destruction of the zone but blame Jonathan?

There are many moral questions these leaders must ask themselves and provide answers to.

Wrote Onwe: “The very same people that are calling for the scalp of the former Chief of Army Staff are equally the ones who are most obligated to…help win peace and stability…But, they have shamefully abdicated that responsibility and instead are gaining notoriety for kindergarten tantrums and melodrama.” There couldn’t be a better way to capture the hypocrisy of the northern elite on the Boko Haram menace and the national quest for solution to the problem.

In August 2009, I wrote an article in my Saturday Notebook column in The Guardian under the headline Boko Haram: Poverty, Not Islamists, On The March. In that article, I had argued that as reprehensible as Boko Haram’s activities and modus operandi were, they were driven more by poverty and ignorance than by religious motive. Consider this quote from that article, which I wrote in reaction to Mr. Uche Ezechukwu’s Capital Matters column of Tuesday, August 4, 2009: “I agree with Mr. Ezechukwu that the Boko Haram incident (a bout of killings in parts of the north a week before) was not so much about religion as it was about a disenchanted, disinherited people deciding to vent their anger and frustration, in a very violent way, against the rest of society.

Boko Haram is, thus, a metaphor for poverty, not Islamism.”

Five years down the line, even with mounting human and material costs to the nation from the Boko Haram insurgency, I still believe that those young men—and women--who strap bombs around themselves and detonate them in crowded church compounds or markets, killing themselves and hundreds in the process, are still the flotsams of northern society, fringe persons who have nothing to live for and do not even understand what cause they are supposed to be fighting for. However, I think I understand the politics of the insurgency a bit better now. Which is why I declare here that while the killings by Boko Haram are forever hurtful and condemnable, I am inclined to believe that they have also become, to our utter dismay, one huge, morbid tool of political blackmail blatantly used by the northern elite to unnerve the government and perennially put

SPORT Sanctity of Truth w ww. n ew te l e g r ap h on l i n e . c om

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth. – Buddha

VOL. 1 NO. 33

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014

N150

Igali: Nigeria won’t win wrestling medals until 2020 Olympics

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Of shadow chasing and seeming intractability of Boko Haram

Sunday

Notebook it on edge! For, let’s face it, the ongoing savagery is gone far beyond the bounds of reason, far beyond what could even be understood as prolonged violent manifestation of socio-economic discontent by a deprived section of the Nigerian society. This is the worst form of self-destruction that a people could bring upon itself for as yet inexplicable political gains!

It is often convenient self-defense mechanism to blame others for one’s woes. The northern political elite, especially the governors from the ‘Boko Haram states’ of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, have done everything except take part of the responsibility for the unduly long ‘shelf life’ of the insurgency. The governor of Yobe State was practically gloating on national television the other day about the “sophisticated” weapons wielded by Boko Haram fighters vis-a-viz those carried by the nation’s military personnel. It was as if he was romanticizing the seeming ability of ragtag insurgents to stand up to a mighty army. At about the same time, the rumour was afoot that soldiers ran way rather than engage the insurgents in a firefight when there was some sort of encounter in Adamawa.

Later, Geidam was to add a conspiracy angle to it all: he alleged that soldiers stationed near the Federal Government College Buni Yadi, where some 43 students were massacred by Boko Haram on February 25 this year, were ‘ mysteriously’ withdrawn shortly before the attack, an allegation the military pooh-poohed as outrageous and ridiculous.

MAMA LASISI

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

The obvious accusation here is that the federal government is not taking the fight against Boko Haram serious enough; otherwise, Abuja should be able to buy our soldiers weapons that are at least as sophisticated as those carried by the insurgents, if not more sophisticated. But, do the insurgents really possess more sophisticated weapons than the Nigerian military?

I doubt that very much. But, in these climes, politics matters more than everything else. You can unabashedly run down critical national institutions and tell obvious lies about them, just to score cheap political points and there will be thousands to hail you as champion of democracy. Even then, we must ask Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe and Shetima Kashim of Borno what they themselves have done in their personal capacities as chief security officers in their states to help fight Boko Haram? How much do they cooperate with the federal government in the prosecution of the war against the insurgents?

What logistics support, for instance, do they give to the security agents? Just how do they support the campaign?

In a very thoughtful article in this paper recently, Senator Bukola Saraki, an arrowhead of the opposition in the Senate had this to say: “As with all insurgencies, fighting Boko Haram is not just for the military to tackle. The success for Nigeria in fighting Boko Haram and terrorism in general is largely dependent upon two other key issues: leadership and political

cooperation.

“The first, leadership, lies squarely in the hands of the President. President Jonathan… must now urgently provide all the necessary resources allocated by our government to help ensure our nation’s security…The second, political co-operation, is the responsibility of all politicians. We all must understand our duties as elected representatives of our people and cooperate politically to bridge region and religion. We must also appeal to the governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States, to all leaders from the region and to all opposition leaders to cooperate with the federal government (emphasis, mine).

Every keen political observer in this country knows that Senator Saraki and Aso Rock are not exactly the best of friends. But, Saraki understands that it is good for all of us that a solution is found to the Boko Haram crisis but that the solution to that crisis cannot and does not subsist in any group shirking its responsibility by sitting back to merely lament the ‘failure’ of the federal government to subdue the sect. The big question is, how are the three most-affected North East state governments cooperating with the federal government to combat Boko Haram?

What is northern leadership as a whole doing?

When the federal government declared state emergency in the three North East states, it left their democratic structures intact. For me, that was enough demonstration of goodwill towards those states and desire to work with their political leaderships to find lasting solution to Boko Haram. If those states’ governors now prefer to play invidious politics at the expense of security of lives and property and the socioeconomic well-being of Nigerians in those parts, then, much of the blame for any setbacks in the war against Boko Haram must go to them and not to the federal government, which appears to be standing alone in this onerous task. After all, as our people say, a child who is being fed by its mother must also bring its mouth closer!

By Aliu Eroje

Printed and Published by Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd: Head Office: No. 1A, Ajumobi Street, Off ACME Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja-Lagos. Tel: +234 1-2219496, 2219498.

Abuja Office: Orji Kalu House, Plot 322, by Banex Junction, Mabushi, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Advert Hotline: 01-8541248, Email: info@newtelegraphonline.com Website: www.newtelegraphonline.com ISSN 2354-4317 Editor: EMEKA MADUNAGU. All correspondence to PMB 10000, Ikeja, Lagos.