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SUNDAY Sunday, January 11, 2015 Vol. 1 No. 326

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Lawal Kaita: Why Shagari couldn’t stop Buhari’s coup

} 32

lDon’t blame ex-Head of State for jailing me - Tunde Thompson } 37

ELECTIONS UNDER THREAT INDEPE ELEC NDENT NA TORA L COMMTIONAL ISSION

Kaita

Thompson

Obasanjo surfaces

at Jonathan daughter’s wedding

}7

PDP storms Ibadan for South-West campaign }11

lINEC frets over uncollected PVCs lPoliticians’ threats spread panic, uncertainty lPDP, APC trade words over Buhari’s credentials Onwuka Nzeshi, Onyekachi Eze and Ibrahim Abdul

I

ABUJA

t is exactly 34 days to the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. Apart from being Valentine’s Day, February 14 is the day when Nigerians will go to the polls to elect a new President, who will lead the country for the next four years.

However, the polls are already

being threatened by shoddy preparations on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission. Also hanging over the elections is the likelihood of violence, following threats, accusations and counter-accusations by various candidates, especially of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress.

Already, hotels and various businesses, especially in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Lafia and Jos, have start-

ed shutting down and relocating to other parts of the country, for fear of being caught in any likely outbreak of fighting. School proprietors are also said to be considering shutting down for some weeks in February.

Already, there are indications that millions of voters may not be able to exercise their franchise during the elections because up till CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Again, troops chase Boko Haram out of }5 Damaturu, intensify operations in Baga

Star actress, Monalisa strikes New Year pose Courtesy: Instagram

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JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 11.01.15 BODY & SOUL

Employment through culture Forging successful socio-cultural organisations across Africa and the U.S is Dayo Keshi’s forte; she believes Nigeria can increase employment by revolutionalising indigenous cultural events

}18

POLITICS

Herculean task INEC develops grey hairs tracking political campaign funds

}31

BUSINESS

Oil subsidy stays Clamour for cheaper fuel not now as total removal of fuel subsidy is not in the card till after Febuary elections

}23

FAITH

Feburary 14 elections: No cause for alarm Though fear pervades, clerics have assured that God has already taken control of Nigeria’s tense political situation

}51

SPORT

‘Inconsistency ruined our football’ Former national team Technical Director, Prince Kashimawo Laloko, says the bane of Nigerian football development remains inconsistency which has plagued the sport for so long

}59

LIFE

Many troubles of displaced persons

There is palpable fear of epidemics in the refugee camp for persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency at Damare NYSC camp in Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa State

}39

SUNDAY

Editorial

Nigeria’s leaky taxation system

T

he Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has disclosed that about 30 per cent of those who are enjoying tax holidays in the country have abused the privilege. She also explained that 75 per cent of registered businesses were not captured in the tax system. She therefore urged taxpayers to come forward to help in pushing government’s drive to diversify the economy by promptly paying their taxes. Okonjo-Iweala said for the past few years, 65 per cent of taxpayers have failed to file their reports to the authorities in charged. The failure, according to her, is responsible for the low tax to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of12 per cent whereas countries like South Africa are doing more than 20 per cent. This is very germane bearing in mind the fact that, the bulk of the year 2015 budget is predicated on effective tax system by widening the tax scope and collection in the country. Therefore, it is very important for government to get the tax system in the country right, failure to do so, can spell doom for the future of the economy and indeed the people of the country. However, if the tax system is reviewed and properly managed, it will help in no small measure to galvanise the economy to greater heights through improved revenue base, diversification of the economy and verifiable development efforts.

However, it is important to note that, country seeking to improve its revenue generation would opt for a concept enabling it to best realize its objectives with due regards to its peculiar socio-economic make-up, one of these ways is by taxation. A tax can therefore, be defined as a means by which, a Government appropriate part of the private sector’s income. The accumulated revenue is used in meeting recurrent expenditure. Tax occupies a unique position, because it is an important part of government policies. The ability of a government to generate revenue from this sector affects services offered by such a government. Hence, taxation is a compulsory payment levied by the government on her citizens to generate revenue and control economic activities and it is backed by law. Taxation has not only influenced the economy, it has also become an important instrument of economic policy.

It is however very sad to note that, many high profile companies and wealthy people in the society do not pay tax, and tax invasion is a very serious offence, but nobody or corporate entity has ever been prosecuted for non-payment of tax, which is a horrendous act of economic sabotage. In fact, from available statistics many foreign companies in

the country do not pay tax and when they rarely do, it is usually underestimated as there are no full disclosures. It is also important to state that, taxation must be effective, functional and dynamic. The tax assessment process must be made more attractive, even getting the tax form and filling term can be very cumbersome, which necessitates the hiring of third party or consultants, this brings about bureaucratic bottlenecks and this discourages people from paying tax as they ought to. Besides, the use of Best of Judgement and other negotiation procedures breeds corruption and tax manipulations.

It is instructive to note that that people pay tax in Nigeria not because they are willing to pay tax, but rather because they are compelled by law to do so. This reason for this is quite fathomable; the people do not see the good use to which their taxes are being used for. Taxation and tangible development should go hand in hand, without this taxation will be a burden on the generality of the people. Hence, Nigeria must have a tax system that must have all the attributes of a good tax system such as, fairness, objectivity, equity, certainty etc.

The social democratic principles of the government is becoming a mirage because all these tax initiatives are not skewed to protect the downtrodden but rather to go a long way to further reduce their disposable income, because of low incomes and mass unemployment in our society, hence, taxation must be done equitably. Taxation should capture every segment of the society that can pay tax, while leaving out those that cannot and should not pay tax.

Another sore point in tax administration in the country has to do with the oft-repeated complain by Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and NACIMA, of multiple taxation, which is a great disincentive to manufacturing and industrialization by the various tiers of government.

The tax administration in the country must be restructured; it must be more open and transparent. There be a system in place where every taxable adult must be captured, monitored and collected. The tax system must not to be arbitrary. The government must have a comprehensive system through which every corporate entity-big or small, as well as every adult of tax paying age will be captured and offenders will be prosecuted.

Besides, government must ensure that those that are appointed to handle tax matters in the country are not only professionally qualified, but they must also be who are clearly above-board and beyond reproach.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING CO. LTD Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi

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Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu Editor, Online n Biodun Durojaiye

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Telegraph Adam&Eve

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uwapo l o u n A

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Troops sack Boko Haram from Damaturu Emmanuel Onani and Ibrahim Abdul

D

efence Headquarters yesterday announced that troops are in hot pursuit of Boko Haram elements, after foiling their second attempt to invade Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, Friday night.

The disclosure, which was made by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, via DHQ’s Twitter handle, added that additional deployments had been made, to reinforce the town.

Olukolade further noted that troops were now carrying out a mop-up operation,

even as the number of dead “terrorists” and civilian casualties was being compiled.

He also stated that five soldiers, who were “fatally wounded” during the fierce encounter, were being treated.

The DDI wrote: “Troops are on a mopping up operation in Damaturu, after foiling attempts by terrorists to occupy parts of the town.

“The terrorists launched massive attacks from different angles, Friday night.

Weapons, including IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) and RPG (Rocket-Propelled Grenade) Launchers, were captured. Number of dead terrorists and civilian casualty, are being compiled. Five soldiers fatally wounded and

being treated. We have reinforced the town of Damaturu, as pursuit of fleeing terrorists is ongoing,” he stated. Friday’s attack on Damaturu, came barely a month after the town came under a daring attack by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

Meanwhile, Boko Haram insurgents encountered stiff resistance from soldiers being assisted by volunteers when they attempted to overrun Uba town just about 35 kilometers from the commercial town of Mubi, that was recently recaptured from the terrorists.

Residents reported a fierce gun battle that lasted for hours between soldiers and

Boko Haram insurgents, who launched the attack around 7.30am on Saturday morning.

An eyewitness said he saw 10 dead bodies of suspected insurgents alongside two burnt vehicles belonging to them.

Meanwhile, the DDI says the situation in Baga is still being studied to determine the appropriate action that will restore normalcy to the community after the attack mounted by hundreds of heavily armed terrorists last weekend.

Olukolade said in a separate statement that a total of 14 soldiers were killed in action during the attack, while over 30 who were wounded are now re-

ceiving medical attention.

Most of those declared missing in action have also rejoined their unit in the ongoing reorganisation for further operations.

Tthough several of the terrorists died in the course of the attack and efforts at repelling the assailants, the actual figure of civilian casualties has yet to be creditably determined as is being propagated in certain quarters.

“The Nigerian military has not given up on Baga and other localities where terrorists activities are now prevalent. Appropriate plans, men and resources are presently being mobil-

ised to address the situation. The Nigerian component of the Multinational Joint Task Force which retreated from its Baga Headquarters last weekend and more of the troops are regrouping for necessary debrief and briefing for subsequent missions.

“It is necessary to reassure Nigerians that the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies are capable of flushing out the terrorists from Baga and all parts of the nation’s territory where their activities are prevalent. No portion of Nigeria’s territory has been or will be conceded to terrorists.”

PDP explains absence of manifesto for Jonathan Onyekachi Eze, ABUJA

T

he Peoples Democratic Party has given reasons why its presidential candidate, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is not speaking on his manifesto at his campaign rallies.

The party last Thursday flagged off its nationwide campaign in Lagos, with President Jonathan dwelling mainly on the record of achievements of his administration in the last four years.

The campaign train moved to Enugu State the next day, without the Pres-

ident telling Nigerians his agenda for the next four years, if re-elected.

But the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, in an interview with Sunday Telegraph yesterday, said the President would not unveil a new manifesto since he is not a “brand new candidate.” He said, “It is a continuity of the Transformation Agenda. What the President will do is to improve on the record of his achievements. The only different thing is the security challenge, which will be tackled. The President is doing that already.”

Amosun kicks off re-election campaign Kunle Olayeni, Abeokuta

O

gun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Friday kicked off his re-election campaign, assuring that his administration would consolidate on its achievements if returned to power.

The campaign, which began from Remo North Local Government Area, saw the governor visiting the 10 wards of the council cutting across OdeRemo, Ilara, Akaka and Isara.

Amosun, accompanied by his running mate, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; senatorial candidate for Ogun East, Dapo Abiodun; and other contestants for various positions, promised to focus more on rural development. He said the APC administration would continue the implementation of its five cardinal programmes of free education, agriculture, infrastructural development, health and urban renewal.

The governor, who visited some traditional rulers in the local government, urged the people of the state to collect their Permanent Voter Cards whenever the Independent National Electoral Commission resumes the distribution of the cards.

He also warned the electorate, especially the youths, against engaging in violence before, during and after the polls.

Also speaking, the secretary of the APC campaign committee, Chief Bisi Adegbuyi, urged the people of Remo North to vote for the ruling party based on its scorecard.

Adegbuyi said, “I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we are cruising home to victory because the opposition does not have anything to offer. A vote for APC means for continuity in Ogun State and for change in Abuja because we must integrate; the relationship between the federal and the state government is symbiotic.”

L-R: Registrar, Bells University, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Gbadebo; Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Israel Babalola and Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Isaac Adeyemi, during the 2014/2015 Matriculation of Bells University, at the university i n Sango-Ota, in Ogun State…yesterday.

Kinsmen boo Sambo in Zaria Ibraheem Musa, Kaduna

V

ice President Namadi Sambo was booed in his Zaria hometown yesterday during the 40th anniversary of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, The vice president who arrived late to the occasion owing to bad weather which made it impossible to come by air, got to the venue when the procession of horse riders who took part in the mini durbar was about rounding up.

Spontaneous shouts of ‘Bama so, Bama so’, literally meaning ‘we don’t want, we don’t want,’ greeted Sambo’s arrival at 2.35 pm from the thousands of spectators who came from within and outside the country to witness the historic event.

The booing of Sambo, who was Special Guest of Honour, infuriated security personnel at the venue.

They used clubs to disperse the crowd, injuring many as a result of the stampede.

Sambo was hurriedly spirited into the palace when the atmosphere became charged. He was later driven out of the venue.

Earlier, Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, who read the vice president’s speech on his behalf, said that the Federal Government had released N3 billion for onward disbursement to victims of 2011 post-election violence.

Yero said the money, which was already in the coffers of the state government, would be disbursed to the affected victims very soon.

He stressed the need for people to live in peace with one another to enable government at all levels, to effectively deliver the dividends of democracy.

While congratulating the emir for attaining 40 years on the “throne of his forefathers,” Sambo attributed the success recorded by the

monarch to patience, fairness, justice and truthfulness.

In his own speech, Yero advised party candidates and electorates not to see the forthcoming elections as a do-or-die affair. He assured that the 2015 budget of the state was meant to complete all on-going projects in different parts of the state.

In his address, the chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was represented by Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, read out the letter he sent to the emir when he received his staff of office in 1975.

Gowon lauded the emir for his contribution to nation building and peaceful coexistence in the country.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, advised emirs and religious leaders to always discharge the “responsibility that Allah vested in them with fairness and fear of Allah.”

He said, “We must work for the people. We must ensure that our people live a life worthy of living and we must fear Allah Almighty in all we do. We must endeavour to speak the truth and not allow what happened in 2011 to happen again.

We must stand up at all cost to be with our people, and we must say no to selfish politicians.

“Remember, Islam hinges on peace, justice, equity and fairness to all. Therefore, as emirs, we must promote such attitudes.

There can never be peace without justice, equity and fairness,” Sultan Abubakar said.

The host thanked Allah for sparing his life to witness what he described as a memorable and historic occasion. He also thanked all past governors of Kaduna state for their support and cooperation toward the development of the emirate in particular, and the state at large.

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SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

PDP, APC trade words over Buhari’s credentials CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

this moment, they have not being able to obtain their Permanent Voter Card, the instrument that pre -qualifies one to cast one’s ballot.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, whose duty it is to conduct the elections, is grappling with several challenges in its preparations for the crucial assignment.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that the hiccups in the distribution of PVCs arose from a multiplicity of factors, ranging from the late delivery of the cards by the contractor to INEC’s apparent lack of capacity to undertake the distribution of the cards. Investigations showed that the contract for the production of the cards was awarded to a little known indigenous firm and i’s Chinese technical partners. Under the terms of the contract, the cards ought to have been delivered in the last quarter of 2013 but they started rolling out a year later. Besides being behind schedule by a whole year, the card printing contract also ran into serious technical hitches due to the alleged incompetence of the contractors, manifesting in the wiping out of millions of names that were originally in the voter register.

Eligible Voters and PVCs shortage Before now, INEC had announced that it had about 87 million voters on its register. But by August last year, the figure were reviewed downwards as the commission noted that a total of 70,383,427 registered voters were on its database after its Automated Finger Identification System screening operations.

However, provisional figures released by the commission’s Voter Registry Department on January 7, showed that INEC had received a total of 54,341,610 PVCs and distributed 38,774,219 nationwide. This left a balance of 15,567,219 cards yet to be collected.

The percentage of PVCs distributed nationwide by the commission as at January 7, 2015 is 71.35 per cent. In other words, over 15 million voters have yet to collect their cards. This figure emerged from the list of “balance of Permanent Voter Cards” released by the commission on January 7.

Out of the 70,383,427 registered voters on the commission’s database, it printed only 54,341,610 PVCs. State by state distribution of the PVCs shows that only 2,159,091 or 53.98 per cent out of over four million PVCs were distributed

in Lagos State, leaving out 1,840,909 eligible voters yet to collect their PVCs. In Rivers State, only 1,253,606 cards representing 64.06 per cent were distributed out of a total 1,956,983 registered voters while 703,377 voters are still waiting to collect their PVCs. In Kano State, out of a total 3,198,859 PVC only 2,771, 185 or 59.64 PVC were distributed, leaving out 427,674 PVCs yet to be distributed.

Mostly affected is Anambra State, where only 862,747 or 51.81 per cent were successfully distributed, with 802,595 PVCs yet to be collected. The state has a total of 1,665,342 registered voters.

Oyo State has a total of 1,985,370 registered voters out of which 1,141,405 or 57.49 voters have collected their PVCs while 843,965 have yet to be distributed.

The distribution figures for Borno and other states in the emergency areas remain unknown.

PDP urges INEC to disqualify Buhari Peoples Democratic Party yesterday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to disqualify the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, for failing to present his academic credentials.

The Director, Media and Publicity of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, at a press conference in Abuja also accused INEC of engaging in anti-democratic acts.

Fani-Kayode observed that the inability of Buhari to present “even the minimum requirement of just a leaving school certificate questions his moral and other credentials for pursuing the position of the president of Nigeria.”

He questioned the qualifications Buhari presented when he was recruited into the military, and later rose to the rank of a General in the Nigerian army.

“Academic qualification is a threshold issue that cannot be waived for any citizen no matter how highly placed and irrespective of whichever region such individual comes from except as provided by the constitution,” Fani-Kayode stated.

According to him, Section 131 of the constitution provides that anybody wishing to contest for the office of the President, apart from being a citizen of Nigeria by birth and being sponsored by a political party, shall be “educated up to at least school certificate level

L-R: Senator Chris Ngige; Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha; All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, during the party’s campaign rally in Awka, Anambra State …yesterday.

PHOTO-NAN

or its equivalent.

“It is to be noted that section 131 (d) is a specific directional order for all candidates to show proof of education up to a minimum standard not below school certificate or its equivalent.

“But from what INEC has published, Buhari has not submitted any personal particulars of minimum school leaving certificate for the 2015 election.

Shockingly, from INEC documents displayed in all constituencies, he also did not submit anything in 2011 and never referred the electoral umpire then to the Secretary of the Military Board as well as previous elections he contested as evidenced in all available INEC records until this current discovery.

“If the constitution did not require proof, it would not specify a minimum,” Fani-Kayode further argued.

He added that Buhari, who claimed to be a man of integrity has not been true to Nigerians, stating that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a false deponent was declared in the affidavit he swore where he indicated that all his documents are with the Secretary of the Military Board.

He also noted that the military board, like any other bodies, does not keep or retain original copies of personal particulars of individuals such as birth certificates, passports, and academic credentials.

Fani-Kayode said,

““INEC erred in law by publishing the name of a candidate without receiving the personal particulars of the candidate within seveb days of receiving his nomination forms as indicated in section 31(3).

“This is indeed a tragedy; illustrating what Nigeria has become, that an individual is so powerful that the law has to be ignored to accommodate him.”

Fani-Kayode vowed that PDP would petition against Buhari’s qualification at the ‘appropriate time.’

APC fires back However, the APC Presidential Campaign has challenged PDP to ask President Goodluck Jonathan to address the nation on the massacre in Baga town; which Amnesty International has described as the single most deadly incident since the unfortunate insurgency started in the country.

A statement from the Directorate of Media and Publicity of the APC presidential campaign yesterday said the PDP had dwelt so much on the issue of Buhari’s academic certificates to the detriment of other matters.

“This government should not go on being insensitive. They have to account to Nigerians. The issue of certificate of General Buhari is a non-issue as everyone knows that Buhari is a product of Daura Primary School, Katsina Provisional Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina) and the

Nigerian Military Training College. This is in addition to several other courses he attended at home and abroad,” it said.

The statement said further that while the PDP government has failed in its duty and responsibilities to the citizens and the nation, it had intensified effort to pull wool over the eyes of Nigerians.

“A leading member of the party, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, a few days ago, informed Nigerians that in politics, you must tell lies. Nigerians should take their cue from there.

“Unfortunately, PDP has become a political party that is so fixated with keeping an incompetent government in power and is lustfully engaged in pursuing a non-issue about an individual’s academic qualifications,” the statement concluded.

Insecurity and IDPs Apart from the millions of eligible voters that will be disenfranchised through the discrepancies in the production and distribution of the PVCs, many more are likely to be excluded from the electoral process owing to the insurgency and general insecurity in parts of the country.

Thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes in areas affected by the insurgency to seek refuge in other parts of the country. Many of these internally displaced persons are currently living in camps far away from their homes. No fewer than two

million IDPs are currently in Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

For those of them that are eighteen years and above and were registered voters before the insurgency in the North-East began, it will be double jeopardy - they’ve lost all their material possessions to Boko Haram and they would also lose their franchise.

There are over half a million IDPs in the Federal Capital Territory alone and there are thousands of others scattered across other states in the country.

Unless the rules are changed and INEC creates special polling units for them at their current locations within the country, the IDPs would merely watch their more privileged compatriots go to the polls. The absence of a law on Diaspora voting means the IDPs domiciled outside the country are automatically excluded.

No fewer than 3,000 Nigerians have fled their homes from Borno and Yobe to Chad since mid-December following incessant attacks by Boko Haram insurgents around the Lake Chad region.

Chadian Prime Minister, Kalzeubé Pahimi Deubet, told diplomats and representatives of international partners in the capital, N’Djamena, last Wednesday that the attacks had also forced 500 Chadians to return home from Nigeria’s volatile North-East, Al Wihda newspaper reports.

Outgoing REC in AdCONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 2015

News

Obasanjo storms Jonathan’s daughter wedding

L-R: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo; First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan; groom, Simeon Onyemaechi and bride, Inebharapu; President Goodluck Jonathan; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Mr. Johnkennedy Opara, during the wedding of the President’s daughter and Simeon in Abuja…yesterday PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Anule Emmanuel

F

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo was among dignitaries who graced yesterday’s wedding of President Goodluck Jonathan’s foster daughter, Inebharapu, at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The former president’s appearance at the wedding came as a surprise to many, following how critical he has become in recent times of Jonathan’s administration.

The Central Business District of Abuja witnessed a turnout of high profile

guests where Inebharapu was joined in holy matrimony to Simeon at the wellattended service.

Obasanjo, who arrived the venue with Senator Andy Uba and some other aides before the commencement of the church service, was ushered into the hall amidst standing ovation by his admirers as well as cheers from the congregation.

When it was time for Jonathan to give the vote of thanks at the service, he also specially acknowledged Obasanjo’s presence.

Jonathan urged the couple

to embrace the virtue of endurance and explained that they should learn to resolve their disagreements in their bedroom.

The President also advised the couple not to bring their problems to him because he has more than enough issues to address.

At the International Conference Centre, venue of the reception, however, it was a hard experience for most guests who struggled to gain entrance into the main hall.

Many of the invitees got more than they bargained for as they were tear-gassed

at the entrance to the venue.

Most of them holding their invitation cards could not access the venue due to the mammoth crowd that gathered at the ICC even before the church service ended.

Overwhelmed by the situation, security men at the ICC’s entrance resorted to throwing tear-gas at the crowd which caused a stampede.

Some of the invitees sustained injuries while trying to escape the tight struggle and many lost valuables, including telephones, handbags, shoes and earrings.

The mammoth crowd

which gathered as early as 11.30a.m was still there as at 3.p.m.

Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, and the Senate President, David Mark, were also seen trying to take a different route into the main entrance with their cars.

In his sermon earlier at the church, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Revd.

Nicholas Okoh, noted that though marriage as an institution was ordained by God, it had been having problems from the beginning with Adam and Eve. Okoh urged the couple to keep the vow they made before God so that they can attract the blessings therein to themselves.

While describing jealousy as a positive attribute in marriage, the clergyman described it as a defensive mechanism God had placed in marriage to preserve it.

He stressed the need for forgiveness in relationships, warning the couple against keeping diaries of offences for each other.

Okoh said though money is important in marriage, the bride and groom were not joined together as business partners.

He urged them to allow the love of God to rule their home, instead of money.

“Money must not rule your marriage. Allow the love of God to rule your home. Let God have the final say, not money. Your marriage should be based on scriptures and not your certificates which are just gifts from God,” he said.

Okoh also frowned on same-sex marriage which he described as sinful, artificial and shameful.

He said God instituted the original marriage and called on man to follow it in his own interest.

He added, “We must obey and adopt the original marriage if we want to continue in the presence of God. There must be Adam and Eve, anything else is an aberration.

“We encourage young people to reject that new introduction of young men marrying men or women marrying women.

“Marriage was ordained for fellowship, friendship and companionship. You must be best of friends, companion and fellowship together.”

Other dignitaries who attended the service included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Governor Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Governor Jonah Jang (Plateau); Governor Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Governor Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Governor Gabriel Suswam (Benue); former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili; and Ijaw Leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

Also in attendance were members of the National Assembly, ministers, top government officials, traditional rulers, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic corps among others.

Clerics present included Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Bishop David Oyedepo; Archbishop Sam Amaga; and Pastor Paul Adefarasin.

Uncertainty over threats of violence CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

amawa State, Kassim Gana Gaidam, has meanwhile said the commission will ensure that IDPs in the state participate in the election.

Speaking in Yola while handing over, Gaidam noted that the task force on IDPs had made recommendations, which include options to enable IDPs in the affected council areas to vote in the elections.

“The various options recommended included the designation of safe havens as a constituency due to the legal requirements of constituency and residency voting. These options are subject to security cover. Also, establishment of voting centres for IDPs to vote as if they are in their original constituencies using the same voter register and all other infrastructure for voting as in normal local governments,” Gaidam said.

Threats of violence Though the challenge of terrorism and insurgency is partly fuelled by ethno-religious and political diversities in Nigeria, the political elite in the country do not seem to have learnt any lessons. In the build up to the election, political parties, actors and their supporters are getting desperate and the result has been a volley of threats, mudslinging and hate speeches hauled at one another. There has been no love lost between PDP and APC as both parties mobilise for the epic battle.

Both parties have accused each other of planning to rig the elections and have warned against the consequences of such an action.

In the course of the electioneering, the APC has threatened that it will form a parallel government if it loses the election on account of manipulation of the votes by the ruling party. In response, the PDP has warned the opposition

against the consequences of seeking to get into power by force. According to the ruling party, any attempt to form a parallel government would not only be tantamount to treason but an invitation to chaos and anarchy in the country.

In addition to the hardline positions of the two main political parties, their supporters and opinion leaders have also been stoking the fire of electoral violence from their respective abodes. From the threats of mayhem by Dr. Junaid Mohammed, a northern politician to the counter threats by the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujaheed Asari Dokubo, the atmosphere has become so charged that some Nigerians have started moving back to their places of origin for fears that the forthcoming elections might be bloody.

The Exodus Though President Good-

luck Jonathan has assured that his government will provide adequate security and guarantee free , fair and credible elections, there is still palpable fear among the citizens.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that many people who travelled to their hometowns to celebrate the Christmas and New Year in their states of origin have yet to return while many of those who returned did so without their families.

Findings by our correspondents across Northern states revealed that many Nigerians from the southern parts of the country who did not travel home during the festive periods are already heading home with their families and belongings over what they called ‘fear of the unknown.’ Also, some members of the elite class are relocating their families to Dubai, security sources said.

A resident of the FCT, who spoke to Sunday Tele-

graph on condition of anonymity, said he had already sent his entire family to his home state because of fears over the likely outcome of the presidential election.

According to him, nobody knows what will happen if either Jonathan or APC candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, wins.

This atmosphere of fear is becoming manifest across the nation’s capital as commercial activities have yet to fully resume, one week after the Yuletide.

A similar situation has been observed in Kano, Kaduna, Lafia and other major cities in the North. Mr Ray Ugba Morphy, a hotelier in Lafia, Nasarawa State has already closed down his business and relocated to his hometown, Ogoja, in Cross River State.

In a message titled ‘Closing Day’ posted on his Facebook page, Morphy captured the scenario thus: “Today, I announce the official closure of our cot-

tage hotel in Lafia! Three trailers are at this moment moving all equipment out of Lafia and Nasarawa State. Despite my personal friendship with Al Makura, the governor of that state, I have no choice but to take this painful decision!

At the end of the 2015 elections, I will decide what to do. For now, it is safer to close and move out because in all the crisis we have witnessed in Lafia in the recent past, at no time did the security operatives ever respond to our distress calls.

“Despite our proximity to Lafia Local Govt secretariat, my staff still feel very unsafe and I will not endanger anyone’s life for my business or for political correctness!

Whenever there is an uproar or riot in Lafia which is pretty often, It has always been, every man to himself and since I am neither an Eggon nor am I a Gambari, it is clear that my best choice is to move out!”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 63

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Youths burn Jonathan’s campaign buses Musa Pam,

A Jos

group of angry youths believed to be opposed to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday burnt down two campaign buses belonging to the President along Bauchi Road and Mangu Street in Jos North Local Government Council of Plateau State.

The campaign buses with the President’s pictures and party symbols emblazoned on them were heading to Bauchi State when the incident occurred.

Sunday Telegraph correspondent learnt that the buses were stopped and set ablaze by the irate youths who, however, set their occupants free. The youths chanted “Bama son Jonathan” in Hausa, meaning “we don’t want Jonathan,” while the operation lasted.

An eye witness told Sunday Telegraph on Bauchi Road that the driver of the bus attracted attention when he almost knock down a young lady while moving at a high speed. At the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, DSP Abu Emmanuel when

contacted said he will get back to our reporter when he gets information on the matter.

Confirming incident to Sunday Telegraph yesterday, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the local government area, Alhaji Yaro Mai

Rake, condemned the situation and described it as barbaric, saying that the youths were sponsored by the opposition to paint the state black.

Rake said: “Plateau State belongs to the PDP and the opposition knows it very well. President Jonathan

will win in the state that was why they burnt the vehicles to send a wrong signal to the world that the state is against the President. But I want to assure you that Plateau will win all elective positions in the state just we have done before.”

Rake, who had gone to the airport to welcome the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Gyang Pwajok from Lagos where he was presented with the flag of the party, called on all PDP supporters in the state to remain calm as the party was sure of winning

Okowa worries over oil prices Biyi Adegoroye

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elta State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has warned that the nation will run into serious financial crises if urgent alternatives are not sought for the current dwindling resources from oil.

Okowa, who regretted that the nation has run a mono-product economy for too long, said that the plummeting oil prices in the international market is already taking its toll on the ability of the federal and many state governments to meet their obligations.

In recent past, many state governments have been incapable of paying civil servants salaries, just as they found it difficult to provide basic amenities.

Speaking with some editors in Lagos over the weekend, Okowa, who is the chairman Senate Committee on Health, commended Federal Government’s bold steps in the area of agricultural revolution, adding that it holds the potentials for employment and growth in the economy.

He said that before the current sharp fall in global oil prices, Delta State government under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, has been seriously involved in diversifying its economy through the programme “Delta Beyond Oil,” which Okowa vowed to sustain if elected into office next month.

In this regard, he promised to re-organise the

state’s board of internal revenue in order to increase the current monthly internally generated revenue of about N3.5 billion to N5 billion, without necessarily raising taxes or demoralizing its current management and staff.

Okowa promised to concentrate on a five-point agenda of “strategic wealth creation projects and provision of jobs for Deltans, meaningful peace building platforms aimed at sociopolitical stability, agricultural reforms and accelerated industrialisation, relevant health and education policies and transform the environment through urban renewal.”

He expressed his commitment to accelerated industrialisation of the state by building 12 cities in the molds of Asaba and Warri, and establish at least one industrial estate in each senatorial district to complement Warri Industrial Park that will cater to the industrial and employment needs of youngsters and stem rural-urban drift.

“I will build a legacy of wealth creation and prosperity in the state, and focus on responsible inclusive and accountable government that will ensure equitable distribution of amenities in all the 25 local governments and 270 wards of the state,” he said.

He said having served at various times as Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Health and Secretary to the State Government, he was aware of the developmental needs of the state in the areas of education, health and will not shack in his responsibil-

Bauchi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Hajia Talatu Barwa (left), presenting some gifts to Women Leader, St.John Military Protestant Church, Shadawanka Barrack, during her visit to Bauchi …yesterday.

PHOTO-NAN

Ortom promises to improve workers’ fortunes Cephas Iorhemen, Makurdi

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overnorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom has expressed regrets over the inability of the Suswam’s administration to pay workers salaries in the last five months despite the continuous inflow of the state’s share of the federal allocation.

He urged civil servants to be calm as he was poised to make life more meaningful for them if elected governor in the next month’s general election.

He also assured the state working committee and the expanded state executive committee of the party that he will justify the confidence they have reposed in him by restoring the lost glory the state was known for over the years.

He gave the assurances yesterday during separate meetings with the party chieftains at the state secretariat of the party and Smile View Hotel in Makurdi.

The APC candidate will announce his final homecoming from Abuja this Tuesday and the visit of the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, to Benue State on

Friday and enjoined supporters to turn out in their numbers for the two events.

Dr. Ortom stated that he would carry members and the electorate along by implementing the party’s manifesto with emphasis on industrialization, promotion of commercial activities as well as investment in the state as priorities, while adding value on all sectors.

He said the initiatives of his administration would generate jobs in order to tackle unemployment and create wealth such that the state could meet its financial obligations including payment of debts, salaries and pensions.

The former Minister of State, Industry, Trade, and Investment said he was humbled by the warm reception party members accorded him maintaining that he and leaders of the party have also taken steps to placate aggrieved governorship and other aspirants and their supporters so that it could heal wounds and face the elections as a united entity.

He appealed to members to put behind the nomination exercise and forge ahead with the determination to ensure the victory of all candidates of the party in the next month’s polls.

Fire guts market, film house in Ibadan Sola Adeyemo,

Ibadan

T

he popular motor parts section of the Araromi-Agodi Gate Market in Ibadan, Oyo State capital was Friday night razed by fire with property worth over N500 million destroyed.

Similarly, the film section of the heritage Mall of the Odu’s Investment Limited, was also gutted by fire early yesterday. Fire fighters had already put it out, but the estimated loss had not been ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

The fire incident at the Spare parts section of Araromi Market, Sunday Telegraph learnt started around 9.30 pm, as officers and men of the state Fire Service battled to control it.

An eye witness said that traders could not salvage their goods much due to the iron nature of the goods in most of the affected shops. Hundreds of affected traders were yesterday seen wailing over the huge loss, calling on well- meaning individuals and government at all levels to come and assist them.

Among the goods burnt were welding machines, sewing machines, bolt cutters, grinding machines,

welding cables, oxygen gauges, generators, cold rooms materials and engines, factory equipment, electrical parts, aluminium rollers, food canteens and a mosque.

Conducting the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North East Local Government, Mr Ladi Oluokun around, Chairman of Ibadan Motor Parts Dealers Union, Chief Gbolagade Orodele, yesterday expressed sadness over the fire outbreak, saying that he was contacted about the disaster by security men stationed at the market at 10:30 pm.

“This is a sad incident which has consumed goods worth millions of naira. We only want the government to come to our aid and assist us because this is an irreparable loss for the traders who had borrow money from micro finance banks, and it is a big debt. Since it has been happening, it had not got to this level before.

“As for the property lost, it can’t be less than N500 million because many traders were affected.

Some could not even retrieve anything from their shops. We would be happy if the government can provide a fire station for us here.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

CAN expresses worry over acrimonious campaigns Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

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bonyi State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm over media attack and acrimonious campaigns by some politicians in the state, saying that the action is disturbing the serenity and harmony the state has enjoyed over the years.

The Christian body which also condemned in strong terms the use of thugs and

weapons in canvassing votes for elective positions said such process is unacceptable.

In a communique issued to newsmen in Abakaliki, after their meeting at St. Peters Presbyterian Church Kpirikpiri, the body noted that politics of bitterness, rancour and acrimony should be completely eschewed and their campaigns should be based on how to convince the electorate to vote for them.

The communique was signed by the Chairman of

CAN in the state Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Nshili, CAN Secretary, Rev. DR. S.C Nwaokolo and five other heads. They are Rt.Rev. Victor Israel, Head of CCN Bloc, Rt. Dr. P.A Mmuo Rep Head of CSN Bloc, Rev. Paul Onwe Head of CPFN/PFN Bloc, Pastor Onyenwanyi Augustine, Head of OAIC Bloc and Rev. Chidiebere Madubuko Head of ECWA/TEICAN. The Christian body noted that they have watched with keen interest the political trend and events

unfolding in the state and are uncomfortable about its negative inclination adding that such negative trend should be checkmate to avoid disorder.

“As a spiritual watchdog of the state and Nigeria, we have made several attempts in the past to advise and nip in the bud the seeming disaster but our efforts appeared to have proved abortive. That was why we resorted to several prayer meeting which are paying off by God’ grace” the communique stated.

L-R: Ondo State Deputy Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fatai Adams; Chairman, Clement Faboyede and Governor Olusegun Mimiko, during the governor’s visit to PDP Secretariat, in Akure

APC chides President over railway revival Biyi Adegoroye

T

he All Progressives Congress has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of being hypocritical over his persistent claim of reviving the railway when in actual fact he has bluntly refused to grant the necessary right-of-way approval to the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority for the construction of its redline light rail project from Iddo to Ifo in Ogun State.

The refusal to approve the project which has a capacity to carry one million passengers per day, according to APC, is coming in spite of the fact that investors were ready to invest over $1 billion in the project.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said in failing to grant the approval, which has been pending since May 2013, President Jonathan premised his action on the fact that Lagos is an ‘’enemy state’’. ‘’President Jonathan is simply being hypocritical when he listed the revival of the railway as part of his Administration’s so-called achievements, during the

kick-off of his electioneering campaign in Lagos, and during which he also tried to project himself and his party as friends of the South-West in general and Lagos in particular. His words and actions since assuming office six years ago do not support that. ‘’He claims to have revived the railway but did not tell Lagosians how he has stopped, in its tracks, the LAMATA Red Line Light Rail Project that would have alleviated the suffering of Lagosians as they commute daily across the denselypopulated city,’ not to talk of the loss of over 30,000 jobs that would have been

created by the project, it said.

APC said there is no stronger indication that President Jonathan holds the South-west in general and Lagos State in particular in contempt than his failure to grant the right-of-way approval for this project, considering its massive benefits that include ease of transportation, the decongestion of the city, the creation of at least 30, 000 jobs and the attraction of huge investments that the project, if approved, would have brought to the state. ‘’What about the new economic activities that would have been generated along and in the vicinity of that

corridor of the new rail line if the President had granted the right-of-way approval?

If indeed Mr. President is now a convert for economic growth and progress of Nigerians of all tribes who live in Lagos, as he pretended to be during his electioneering campaign flag-off, he should grant the approval today,’’ the party said It said contrary to the image of friendship with the South-West in general and Lagosians in particular, which Mr. President sought to project during his electioneering campaign in Lagos, he has nothing but contempt for the people of the region.

Group raises concern over Buhari’s health A group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria, has expressed concern over the state of health of the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, (rtd).

According to the group’s National Coordinator, Dr. Tunji Olaniyi, the reported non-appearance of General Buhari at Edo APC rally and his purported collapse on

stage at his campaign rally in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, last Thursday due to exhaustion, have left much to be desired.

But reacting swiftly to this, APC said the General tripped and fell flat as he mounted the stage to address the crowd. Buhari was absent in Edo but sent his deputy, but he was represented by Professor Yemi Osinbajo. This was reportedly due to his

state of health and the stress of the campaign.

Buhari was also said to have been conspicuously absent at the Osun Walk for Change on Wednesday and instead was also represented by Pastor Osinbajo.

The group said the absence of Buhari at these major political events should be an issue of concern to Nigerians on the state of his health.

It warned politicians to be circumspect in the way they use the print and electronic media to avoid a situation where they become platform of breeding and generating unnecessary tension that will cause disorder in the state.

It also called on media practitioners and relevant

News

bodies to censor offensive and inflammatory materials. “All stakeholders, INEC, the security agencies, the judiciary and the general public should exhibit the highest form of professionalism in the discharge of all their duties ahead of the elections.”

PDP will win Ogun, says Isiaka Wale Elegbede

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gun State Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka has expressed optimism that the party will win the next month’s general election with convincing merging.

Isiaka who spoke in Lagos said he was convinced that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the election with a clear margin that will be difficult for the opposition to contest.

He said the people of the South-West are too sophisticated to be hoodwinked by pseudo-democrats masquerading as agents of change, adding that President Jonathan has performed creditably and many Nigerians will want his good works to continue.

He said, “Nigeria is fortunate to have him as a President. Despite provocative statements and unwarranted attacks by the opposition, he remains level headed and this explains why he has the best human rights records in Nigeria. People should not be carried away

with the noise of the opposition, President Jonathan will be re-elected by Nigerians”.

The investment banker turned politician said he was convinced that PDP will return to Ogun Government House by May 29, this year because the people have already issued a red card to Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

He said, “Amosun is not only running an elitist government but there is a disconnect between his government and the people. Go to the state now, nothing is working, teachers and civil servants are complaining, market women are crying loud against his anti-people policies, students are groaning under high school fees and lack of infrastructure, hospitals have become mere consulting clinics and you don’t even know what is happening at local government level.

“We are appealing to our people to endure till May 29. But I want to also appeal to them to go and collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to enable them vote out repressive and antipeople government out of the state.

‘Oguebego is Anambra PDP chairman’

F

ollowing the confusion trailing the outcome of the National Assembly primary elections in Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, a source in the party yesterday disclosed that the Ejike Oguebego remains the recognised state chairman of the party.

The source also stated that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega stands the risk of being sent to jail over his refusal to accept the list of candidates for the National and State Assemblies from the Ejike Oguebego led Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State.

According to the source, “the Oguebego faction had initiated contempt proceedings against Jega for allegedly flouting a judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja in relation to the outcome of the National Assembly primaries held in the state.”

Jega however, was ac-

cused of disobeying a December 5, 2014 judgment restraining INEC from accepting “any delegate list or nominated candidates” from the congresses or primaries conducted by the caretaker committee purportedly set up by the party’s national leadership to manage the affairs of the Anambra PDP in a motion for committal filed by the party.

Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Federal High Court, Abuja had, in a judgment delivered on December 5, 2014 in suit No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/854/2014 filed by the Chairman and Legal Secretary of Anambra PDP – Ejike Oguebego and Chuks Okoye – (for themselves and the state’s Executive Committee of the party), affirmed the plaintiffs’ (Oguebego’s) leadership of the party.

Justice Chukwu declared the caretaker committee illegal on the ground that it was wrongly constituted while the tenure of the Oguebego-led EXCO was yet to expire.

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OPINION Just before the elections

D

Denja Yaqub

emocracy, as globally understood, is a system where the rights of every citizen are not only fundamental to the sustenance of the system but legal, having been made constitutional.

These rights include the right to life, right to education, right to work, right to shelter, right of association, right to vote and be voted for, freedom of movement, right of citizenship; among others. There won’t be a democracy if individual rights are not constitutionally guaranteed, promoted and protected.

Somehow, Nigeria seems to be losing quite fast in transforming its hard-earned civil rule to democratic governance, if the global concept of democracy aligns with the above.

Understandably, democracy in many countries has never been people-driven in essence, but nowhere else is democracy, pseudo or not, practised with so much disdain for the constitution, decency and rule of law like Nigeria, especially since 1999. This is even more since the advent of the Goodluck Jonathan administration; a government that has risen above all its predecessors put together, in impunity.

Here, even the protection of lives and property and law enforcement which are constitutional duties of the police are not guaranteed if you are not a member, sympathiser or enthusiast of the ruling party.

Political meetings or rallies of opposition parties are either disrupted or participants are denied access to the venues. Governors Adams Oshiomhole, Rotimi Amaechi and Magatarda Wamako of Edo, Rivers and Sokoto states, respectively, were prevented from entering Ado Ekiti to join their colleagues for the re-election rally for then Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, while the entire Osun State was fully occupied by armed soldiers and hooded security agents during the last governorship election in that state.

Recently, before the close of 2014, the head of the Nigeria Police, Suleiman Abba, wasted

Abayomi Ojo

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

his is the saddest of times, this is the worst of times. This is the age of foolishness, this is the age of ignorance, this is the epoch of incredulity, this is the epoch of deceit, this is the season of darkness, this is the winter of despair.

We are all going the other way - in short there is nothing more doomed than the present period, that most of our clueless authorities insist on dragging us to a calamitous end.

Before you get offended and dismiss these views as being too pessimistic, too harsh or as painting a graphic and grim picture of hopelessness, please remember these are not my words. I have merely re-arranged the words of Charles Dickens in ‘A tale of Two Cities,’ to aptly reflect the current plight of this ‘raped’ woman’ we all call ‘mother.’

How more unfortunate and sadder can it get? We thought our honourable members had been summoned to reconvene so as to deliberate on a possible extension for the state of emergency in the North-East. Little did we know that our politrickers had a sinister trick and a fast one they wanted to play on the Nigerian people. Little did we know that the real motivation for the meeting was not the pains and the anguish of the innocent people of Borno, Yobe,Adamawa but the inflamed ego of these ‘rulers’ to preserve the status quo which seemed or seems to have spun out of control.

The ‘jumpers’ laboured so vigorously to sell us the justification behind their inglorious infamy. And maybe they did jump to protect something which they hold so dear but I do

no time in ordering the withdrawal of security aides to the sitting Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, simply because he decided to abandon the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party, in furtherance of his right of association under Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The police didn’t stop at that. They cordoned off all entrances to the National Assembly and threw tear gas at the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives who dared the police, jumped the fence and occupied the house they had been elected to sit until the next election.

Just before then, a senior police officer, Joseph Mbu, had ordered his men to bundle a journalist, Amaechi Anakwe, of the African Independent Television into detention soon after innocuously but correctly describing him (Mbu) as a ‘controversial’ police officer during his presentation on a live programme on the TV station. Mbu had previously served as head of the Rivers State Command of the Nigeria Police where he acted in manners that publicly compromised the constitutional status of the police as an unbiased, non-partisan organisation with responsibility to protect lives and property without class, creed, political or ethnic considerations, with reckless abandon.

Before Mbu got moved to the Federal Capital Territory Command, he earned himself official accolades for desecrating the constitutional responsibilities of a national police.

This was when he chose to expose the clear lack of discipline, knowledge and decency in Africa’s largest security organisation with his obvious partisanship in the management of a well organised protest by the BringBackOurGirls group. This is a group that has consistently demanded the rescue of 219 teenagers snatched from their school dormitories almost 300 days ago with no serious concern by the Nigerian authorities apart from incongruous media statements by the military and other

security agencies who will announce locating the innocent girls in the morning and by afternoon divert public discourse on the same. The usual claim is that they have gunned down several hundreds of members of a gang of urchins that an army so well budgeted for is yet to overrun. Sadly, before dawn, village hunters come up with undisputed claims of being responsible for the defeats suffered by the bloodthirsty, directionless elements who talk religion but are completely anti-God in every sense.

Several times, the military announced through their spokespersons that they had either located the Chibok Girls or that they had recaptured towns taken by terror gangs.

Soon after, what we read and hear in the media indicates fear and indolence on the part of those who should have been empowered to protect the territorial integrity of our country.

Defence and security have had the highest budgetary allocations as always, and much more since the advent of insurgency in the country. The prevailing terror barrages have exposed the actual destination of these allocations: private pockets.

Tolerating elements in security agencies who assume their duties are more for political parties and individuals in power or corridors of power by a government ‘elected’ by the people and for the people clearly show disdain for civil rule.

One of the greatest threats to democracy in Nigeria is the politician; the politicians in public office, from the highest to the lowest, who display contempt for constitutional challenges; who reward corruption with otherwise respected National Awards; who attend social functions to welcome those convicted of crimes against the people by stealing public money; who diminish national security challenges.

Indeed, those who reduce our collective agony to ethnic or religious advantages or disadvantages shouldn’t be counted as helping us to get out of the contraption of perpetual

A Tale of One Nation

certainly know this one thing: they didn’t jump for me neither did they jump for you. They didn’t jump for my sisters in Chibok, neither did they jump for those boys in Yobe; who will never return.

How worse can it get? When the only thing that ‘ticks’ us into a new morning is the sound of a blast, how more terrible can it get when the only lullaby that sends us to sleep is the stentorian bang of a of an hate-wired bomb?

How can anything meaningful come from a land where the blood of the innocent flows carelessly in the streets, in the churches, in the mosques, in schools, at parks-everywhere unaccounted for? How can anyone in their sane mind keep ‘consoling’ and ‘condemning’ and telling us that this insurgency will pass when all it seems is everything but ‘pass’?

How more deceitful can it get? When these people want us to be ‘measured in austerity’ when we cannot even ‘measure’ what actually goes into their pockets from our eternally haemorrhaging national purse? Why are they going into a panic mode because of this global decline in oil prices when our national budget has always been calculated based on a benchmark of about $75 - $78 dollars per barrel?

I would have thought that the real effect of this slash in oil prices should only create a panic commensurate with the loss of about $10. The truth is that this unjustifiable panic comes from the fact that the excess revenue derived from crude oil; a staggering difference of about $40 per barrel has always been the demonic source of the unexplainable and unproductive wealth of most of our leaders. It explains why they

can kill, maim or even bomb people just to stay latched on to this purse like a leech, till they suck us into coma. It explains why N20 billion or ‘just only N12 billion’ (in the words of our vault-keeper) could go missing and no one bated an eyelid. No one went to jail, we simply moved on.

How more foolish can it get? When our students pay an average of about 10 billion pounds in tuition fees annually to countries like UK, US, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa, Mauritus, Singapore, Ghana, Poland, Greece, Cyprus and no one among our leaders is concerned enough to have a headache over this worrying trend. Yet allocating less than 500 million pounds becomes the subject of so much bickering just because some people are bent on deducting their ‘cut’ out of the already insufficient allocation. And we expect our Universities to miraculously produce Rocket scientists, world class doctors, physicists? Jokers!

How darker can it get? When the same police that messed up the prosecution of a highprofile terrorism case so badly that the case had to be struck out for want of diligent prosecution became so swift in interpreting the law so hurriedly as to justify their withdrawal of the House of Reps’ speaker upon his defection to another party. In itself, this hasty reaction shouldn’t even have caused one to worry, given their long history of hasty conclusions but when one adds the fact that the Nation will rely heavily on the non-partisanship of this same police to mid-wife a free and fair general elections, the situation becomes even more hopelessly dark.

underdevelopment, despite overwhelming presence of wealth in natural resources; most of which get continually ignored.

It’s a shame that Ibrahim Babangida will tell his interviewers from the journal of an otherwise dreaded anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, that his administration, a government of crooks, should be congratulated for being less corrupt.

Babangida institutionalised corruption. And that institution produced the present leaders who don’t believe stealing and corruption run through the same veins of impunity.

It may be so easy to lampoon people who succeed others in power, but not too easy for history to erase those who irresponsibly or perhaps, stupidly, handed over Africa to second slavery. Babangida did. His military dictatorship was the lab test for Africa’s second slavery. His administration brought neo-liberal economic and political policies to Africa’s most populated country and today, evidently, these policies have left our people in deeper poverty, destroyed public institutions, which were eventually sold out to cronies of the administration in manners that circumvented rules and decency. The Babangida administration deepened our national crisis through the entrenchment of corruption, destruction of quality education, proliferation of indiscipline in public service, mass poverty etc. Leaders that came after him, rather than confront these and redirect our collective fortunes to common good, further entrenched our collective agony. Today, corruption has become a full citizen of Nigeria. Indeed, corruption governs Nigeria.

Nigerians need to decide whether or not these should continue. And the next series of elections, especially the National Assembly and presidential elections, provides us the opportunity to decisively throw out those who have sucked our blood in perpetuity.

•Denja Yaqub is an Assistant Secretary at the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Abuja

How more ignorant can it get? That i won’t have the opportunity to vote for a Fashola, a Donald Duke, an Akpabio, or a Babangida as their ambitions had to be terminated not as a result of incompetence or lack of clout but because we have a system that recognises ambitions only if they are clothed in ethnic or religious garbs; a system foisted upon us by elders whose definitions of unity and progress are not just hinged on faulty premises but also on archaic grounds- grounds not strong enough to accommodate the 21st century import of leadership and accountability.

In the words of Patrice Lumumba, we shall remain the butt of the global joke so long as we have leaders who continue to engage in senseless acquisitions and accumulations; leaders who buy ipads they do not understand how to use in a land where girls grow up attaining puberty not being able to afford sanitary pads.

Leaders who are quick to insult one another on Twitter when primary schools are without teachers; leaders who parade non-existent projects on Facebook when hunger won’t let our students face their ‘book’.

This is the tale of a nation; a nation destined for greatness at birth, prophesied to fail at puberty; a nation sick by every measure of holistic diagnosis.

This is the tale of a nation; a nation full of potential by every measure of productive endowment. This is the tale of a nation; the tale of a rudderless ship.

• Abayomi Ojo is a lawyer and business analyst and writes from Northampton, United Kingdom.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

News

Buhari promises four million jobs, security Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

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ormer Head of State and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), has promised to create at least four million jobs, fight corruption and insecurity if elected in the February 14 elections.

Buhari stated this Friday night in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital while addressing APC supporters as part of his presidential campaign’s tour rally across the county.

He said that constant electricity, education, wellequipped hospitals, mechanised agriculture and rural infrastructure will be given

prompt attention nationwide during his tenure in office.

He urged his supporters to ensure that they get their permanent voters card to qualify to vote stressing and that they should protect the votes.

In their shot speeches, at the event, the National Chairman of Party, Chief John Ogigie-Oyegun and the governorship candidate in the state, Senator Julius Ali Ucha, said the forthcoming election was very important, adding that it will decide the country’s future. Achi in particular urged them to begin houseto-house campaign for the party.

Although, party supporters who trooped out in their large numbers from the 13

local government areas of the state to receive the flag bearer, were disappointed as they waited till 6:3Opm without Buhari showing up.

When he finally arrived at exactly 8:2Opm, the party supporters had already left the Peoples Club, Abakaliki, venue of the rally.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that the rally was fixed for

9:OO am, but was delayed by some logistic issues at the Abia State rally.

Those who attended the late hour rally include Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Senator Chris Ngige, Imo State deputy governor and Prince Eze Madumere.

Meanwhile, thousands of supporters and members of the APC in the state yes-

terday took their continued protest against attempts to impose Senator Julius Ucha as the state’s governorship candidate of the party to the venue of reception organized for Buhari; in Enugu.

The party men and women who came in 15 commuter buses, pleaded with the APC leadership not to risk losing the Ebonyi governorship election to rival

Labour Party by fielding Ucha as candidate for the February 28, 2015 election.

The aggrieved party faithful insisted that the former Chairman of Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board, (EBUBEB), Chief Austin Igwe Edeze, was the duly elected governorship candidate during the primary stressing that Ucha is an impostor.

...brings Awka to standstill Tony Okafor Awka

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wka, the Anambra State capital, yesterday stood still for General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) as he brought his change campaign to the state.

For over four hours the Arthur Eze Street leading to Emmaus House, venue of the campaign, was blocked by both vehicular and human traffic.

Before the Emmaus function, Buhari had earlier visited the traditional ruler of Awka, Igwe Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu) and the Anglican bishop of the area, Alex Ibezim, who offered the APC presidential candidate royal blessing, and a Holy Bible.

Addressing the crowd that thronged the campaign venue, Buhari reassured the people that an APC government would restored Nigeria’s past glory.

He said education, security, economy and power would form the cardinal trust of his government.

He expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their growing confidence in him and urged them to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Cards, stressing “you can’t love Buhari without having the credence to vote for him” Earlier, the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha who introduced Buhari to

the audience allayed the fear making the rounds in the South East zone that the former general might islamised the country if voted into power.

Okorocha said that even as a military head of state, Buhari did not for one day nursed such idea, wondering he would be able to do that in a democracy where several democratic organs will be in place to checkmate such excesses.

He said Ndigbo in particular and the country had grown beyond listening such idle and unintelligent talks, adding that the way Buhari embraced the Holy Bible given to him by the bishop demonstrably portrayed him as a non-religious fanatic.

He urged the Ndigbo to support and vote massively for the APC in next month’s polls. He added that there would be no reason for him and other Igbo leaders in APC to deceive the people if the mass movement for change in the country would not be in the interest of Ndigbo.

In his speech, Senator Chris Ngige said, “we’ve gathered you here this afternoon to showcase to you and Nigerians in general good governance in General Buhari. He has done it well before; he will do it well again.”

Jonathan’s campaign storms Ibadan tomorrow

T

he campaign train of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the February 14 elections, will arrive in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital tomorrow.

The rally is expected to attract leaders of the party as well as its mem-

bers and supporters in the South-West zone, where President Jonathan will articulate his programmes for the country in his efforts to secure re-election.

He flagged up the campaign in Lagos last week and was in Enugu for the South-East leg of the rally yesterday.

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (middle); his governorship running mate, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga and others during Amosun’s re-election campaign at Ode-Remo, Ogun State…yesterday

Why Nigeria is under-developed, by El-Rufai Ibraheem Musa Kaduna

F

ormer Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai has identified the failure of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua to chose a competent running mate as the reason for the poor governance in the country.

He also blamed the current low level of development of Kaduna State on the failure of its former governor, late Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State to chose competent person as his running mate..

El Rufai who is the state’s governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, stated this during a Hausa political phonein programme of DITV/ Alheri Radio, which was monitored by our correspondent yesterday.

The gubernatorial candidate who justified the selection of Hon Barnabas Bala Bantex, the state chairman of the APC as his running mate, said that the choice was made after due consultation with party members.

According to him, most governorship or presidential candidates prefer to choose people that they can manipulate as their running mates and not those who

are competent, forgetting that a deputy governor or a Vice President can emerge as substantive governor or President.

El Rufai noted that President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Muktar Yero of Kaduna state succeeded their principals following the deaths of President Yar’ Adua and Governor Yakowa respectively. He added that they were not adequately prepared or the task ahead.

“The crisis of underdevelopment and non performance that we are experiencing at the federal level and Kaduna State will not have arisen if the right cali-

bre of running mates were chosen from the very beginning,” El-Rufai added.

According to him, Yakowa woke up hale and hearty and visited Bayelsa State for a burial ceremony but died in a plane crash on his way back on December15, 2012. He said that Yero succeeded him afterwards and since then, Kaduna State has not witnessed any development.

The APC candidate said that the Yero administration has been claiming that it has executed several projects in the media but ‘’the people of the state have not seen anything on the round.’’ He pointed out

that the projects in states like Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and Nasarawa are visible for all to see.

“The few of the projects that the government has executed are so inflated and poorly done that they do not justify the money that was spent on them,” the former Minister pointed out.

El-Rufai, who is a quantity surveyor, said that the office complex within Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Kaduna State seat of power, which cost N9 billion is grossly over-inflated and it is not up to the standard of Ekiti Government House which cost N2 billion.

Master Energy lauded over subsidised product Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

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social cultural organisation, Ndi-Igbo Ezu, Akurulo has commended the chairman of Masters Energy Oil Ltd, Dr Uche Ogah for providing kerosene product at the subsidized price of N60 per a litre.

The group in a press statement by its national coordinator, Leo Ugomaduefule, noted that throughout the festive period, there was also availability of Pre-

mium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as fuel, at the government regulated pump price of N97a litre.

It further stated that Master Energy philanthropic gesture has helped less privilaged Nigerians especially the widows and the poor in the society who before now had no access to kerosene product, adding that it has relieved the needy and poor of the burden of buying the product at exorbitant price.

This gesture, the group noted is among the numer-

ous philanthropic measures embarked upon by the organisation in addressing the plights of Nigerians who finds it difficult in accessing kerosene products for their domestic use.

The group while tasking the Federal Government to make kerosene product available and affordable to Nigerians, it also called on other wealthy and well meaning Nigerians to emulate the good example of Master Energy in ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerian masses.

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JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Moment

L-R: Niger State PDP Governorship candidate, Umar Nasko; Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, during the flag off of 2015 Presidential campaign in Lagos…on Thursday

Chief Arthur Eze (left), exchanging pleansantries with the Traditional Ruler of Ifitedunu Community, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ilouno, during the first Dunukofia Cultural Day in Anambra State…recently

L-R: Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Director General, Nigerian Television Authority, Mr. Sola Omole and Executive Secretary, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria,Mr. Olusegun Olaleye, during a meeting of board of trustees of the Nigeria elections debate group in Abuja--recently. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

L-R: Frank Edoho; Mayowa, who nominated Omotola; star artiste, Sound Sultan; as a mock key to the house is presented to Omotola Akinsola (star prize winner) at the just concluded popular TV show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” special (Who Deserves To Be Surprised)

L-R: Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State Chapter, Henry Ajomale; Chairman, APC Lagos State, United Kingdom, Abiodun Alli; Lagos State APC Governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode and Vice Chairman, APC UK, Tayo Shodeinde, during presentation of a bus to Ambode by APC UK branch in Lagos…on Friday

L-R: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State, Mr. Anselm Ojezua, at the commissioning of the newly rebuilt 33-classroom Payne Primary School, Benin City…on Friday

L-R: Renowned Industrialist, Chief Bode Amoo; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi and the Baale Agbe of Oyo State, Chief Yusuff Akintola, at the 20th coronation anniversary of Chief Akintola in Ibadan… on Thursday

Member, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Oluyinka Ogundimu (middle), with other members of Owolewa Community Security and Development Committee, Agege, during the committee’s forum in Lagos…recently

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 2015

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SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SUNDAY

Fashion

Pretty casuals for trendy chic 22-43

Bed, Work & Life

The passion you deny will seek you 20

15

Body Soul SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

Dad taught me how to cook, says Dayo Keshi

16

JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

rt a e h y m m o r f Straight

ity of being ve the opportun ily on the ha I e tim ch ea ns y fam tions and inactio es to commiserate with m their words, ac nt tim om re fr e ffe di dg le at ow ps in grou ets of kn ot ripe dividually and le. I glean nugg was seen as ‘n eeks hen the dead of elderly peop many of them who came in ch w st r id ly ou m al n e ci w th pe do in es e tone, ed with coursed love being lked with grav stem the dam of tears that week, I interfac ta st le La . op pe em th re to whe with ar brother. a sombre one, rchiefs we used and irritable. death of our de ays regarded such visit as ed the handke ave it very dry k her head. ch le ut ce cl fa ill e st th us w to al ef oo t of You see, I had s hoarse, mos me in wailing. the handkerchi ad pasted on a wall and sh ca crying ourselve ble journeys of e de enough’. After cially when a new mourner l discomfort. The uncounta t in front of the poster of th ildren, pe ues to take ch additiona d a momen at intervals, es ers. hness, it contin rmattan has an on a walking stick. She stoo is rn ha ol ou e fo m th r its ng he in ri ot t e, bu Crying du heavily flanked by said ed it to take m came, leaning members sat, ur tears,” she ish. I have begg ows best....agh! ol fo An old woman slowly to where the family ry ve , ildren, wipe yo ry ch ve kn y e is M H th ? u! ed ea od yo ov D G m question ry foolish.

Then, she be well with y conWho are we to ath that it is ve th, may it not l ‘Ndo nu’ (m “I have told de y condolences my children. death took him away! Dea After the usua k. ic st M d ! ng an ki gs ... al lin aw s long nose mere suck face.” ed umbrella as place already?” hukwu with hi wder on your d multi-colour is th tie ly to “Look at Ikec d ht le tig a aw bbed white po . g cr ru at in s u se us ha a yo f e n e, el ta m av rs at ca “H he m , ated u. Har old woman and found was already se id, “Look at yo later, another age mate who ost toothless mouth and sa r he Few moments ot r an to t g an alm called ou you. Remembe dolences), she an old man, smiled, revealin ing drinks to br ch to ea i r . is te af lie bu s du no dry lip uel N The addressee, ves, we all laughed. It was ren of Emman acked his very el roat. ait for the child e told the old man who sm W n. ai In spite of ours t down and cleared her th ag ad e de d,” sh sa g to drink to th pe to be plucke The newcomer e You are waitin son Ikechukwu was not ri ). at ro th a widow. ng n crawled to th r (lo “Akpiri its tail, thei ed the house of me time, one of the childre m ith or w st ll fe ho d w s on fr er so that the palm de him. the armed robb n which they all did. After well.” instruction to ack bottle besi ith the tale of sip from the bl then regaled all present w her children to lie face dow u didn’t close his eyes very old brother didn’t obey the el d an ar The old wom the woman an (Brother thief), see, Chinem bbery gang that her six-ye e said, asked i ro e the woman’s The robbers, sh p and said, “Brother onye or ld the leader of the armed his men to leav d re de or en to th ou ly es, leader of the gr e four-year old girl actual for some minut Th at the little girl eyes closed. ed ith ar w st n w er ess men. do bb ce ro lie fa oman, the nds of the godl n to another fact, that the w ha d e ol th e th om to fr According g her family ng. our attentio t taking anythi e thanked God for deliverin but the old woman drew y, room...withou .

Sh of death er f’ ol d. ie fo se th s ri as surp lessen the pain about e little boy’ to m as ‘Brother th d hi bi at a ed y rd til in The widow w l ar ga al re he boy tales, y talked all laughed innocent little n but didactic that everybod Of course, we felt bad that an so many other humour-lade s eased our pain. The fact by our ‘works ly ly ab on ob d re pr be er ie em us or m st ld re e to g be os in th armed robb ld e er one becaus in that gath ter all, we wou The old people the bereaved. It was a good e pain of loss bearable...af th of e ts ad ar m from the he did for them aders. y late brother y time. ell, my dear re good things m . ne r any one at an many days. Indeed, it is w go fo e ll ar to e n w n ca ll he on earth’ w y head for cause the be to live right be ul,’ has been ‘playing’ in m Yes, we need so y m ith well w The song, ‘It is

I

Juliet

Contents 11.01.2015 COVER

I like bags with unusual and solid shapes - Calvin Klein, Prada... according to my husband and children I am difficult to give the right gifts, they stick to designer bags and jewelleries as my gifts on my birthdays and Christmas

-Dayo Keshi

} 18-19

BEAUTY

To fight skin fatigue, simply eat your way to a healthy skin.

You have to change your diet to include foods rich in vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy skin

} 21

GLAM DUDES When it comes to double denim for the guys, it can have quite a strong and dominant vibe, which is perfect for masculine ego and edgy looks

} 44

FASHION

A casual outfit allows you to depict your personal style. It can pass for either day out or night out outfit. It gives you the freedom to bring out the bling, put on the glitz, and rustle up dazzling outfits that are uniquely yours

T h e Te a m Juliet Bumah (Editor)

Vanessa Okwara (Correspondent) Wole Adepoju Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent)

} 22&43

Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics)

MY PASSION I dress more like a tomboy because my parents were always getting me similar things with my only brother

Edwin Usoboh (Graphics) +234 (0) 811 675 9770, +234 (0) 701 110 1014 julietbumah@gmail.com julietbumah@newtelegraphonline.com

} 17

Associates

BED, WORK & LIFE

Well, your deaf and dumb wife hates eavesdropping but some days, eavesdropping is thrust upon her and

she heard your phone conversation, a fight more like it, with your slimy bitch over a text message

} 20

Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

Body&Soul

What was growing up like?

I was born on March 7, 1993, in Port Harcourt city L.G.A, which happens to be my hometown and where I started my music career. I attended Fezzy Nursery/Primary School and Istan Comprehensive High School in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In 2011, I proceeded to University of Calabar, where I obtained a Diploma in Personnel Management and I am currently studying for a degree in Political Science. My growing up was just like every other kid from a well to do home. It was fun and memorable, but I was a bit stigmatised in school and playgrounds by my peers due to my complexion. I was my Late Dad’s favourite while my elder brother was mum’s favourite. So my Dad was always buying me similar things that mum ever got for my brother such as bicycle, toy gun, computer game, boots, mens wear and others just to keep me busy in my own world and free from being stigmatised. Hence I got influenced and started acting like a guy.

My greatest asset is my mouth - Janey Krest Jane-Francis Chinemerem Amadi, aka Janey Krest, is a lady of many parts. The rapper, song writer and reggae artiste tells VANESSA OKWARA how she rose above stigmatisation early in life to become one of the fresh hit stars in the music industry today

What kind of music do you do?

I do Hip-Reggae dancehall. It’s a melodious combination of rap and reggae.

What part of your body is your greatest asset?

The part of my body that is my greatest asset is my mouth.

What gave you the breakthrough and visibility in the music industry?

I would say it is God’s grace accompanied by my hard work, good placement by my manager, Louisa Williams, and record label, Achievas Entertainment.

What is your signature style?

My signature style is my complexion because you’ll barely find two of me in today’s music industry. This, in addition to my style of music, make me a rare breed.

You have appeared in most of the talent reality shows.

I have appeared in most of the talent reality shows like King of Rap 2010, One mic, Loud in Kas organised by Rivers State Government, MTN Pulse Rap Battle 2013, NDDC youth empowerment music contest in which I emerged the winner in all. Other shows include Sprite Triple Slam, Lucozade Boost Freestyle reality show, Nigerian Idol and Peak Talent Show Season 3 were I emerged the regional winner and 1st runner up at national finals in each contest.

For a girl, you rap very well. How did you learn to do this?

I feel excited and motivated knowing how to do what people see as the hardest

Describe your style?

My style can be best described as ‘Total Rare Breed package’ because nobody has my resemblance in the Nigerian music industry. If there will be any, I think am the lead player.

Do you consider yourself a fashionable person?

Yeah, I do consider myself a fashionable person because I love dressing in a way that people don’t see to be perfect, but once I put on the looks I become a bone of contention in my area and others get to copy.

What made you go into music?

What made me to go into music is the passion and drive from rappers like 50 Cents, Lil Bow Wow, Lil kim and Eve.

Which is your hit songs? And popular artiste you have done collabo with?

Talking about hit song, I’d like to say I have just one hit song at the moment titled, ‘YOKO’. It’s still very new but currently penetrating the street and enjoying massive rotation on all radio stations within and outside Lagos. It recently won SMIRNOFF Fresh Beat of the week on Beat Fm Lagos and I have been contacted to be one of the headliners for January 2015 edition of the popular Industry NIite events alongside top music stars. Moreover, Yoko promotion is still ongoing. This happens to be my first official single under my new label, Achievas Entertainment and we are currently working on the video which will be due for release sometime in February and then more hits follows thereafter. The artistes I have done collabo with actually featured me. I haven’t featured any yet.

But I’m looking forward to doing some collabos as soon as my video is out. The songs I have featured include ‘Something to say’ by Lowkeyz which also featured RYMZO, ‘Don’t worry be happy Remix’

by Ace Comedian, KLINT Da Drunk, ‘Diabetes theme song’ which featured top stars like Sammy Okposo, Nigga raw, Dialet, Konga and Ernest Asuzu (Nollywood), ‘Credit’ by Boomerang and so many others.

parents were always getting me similar things with my only brother. So I got used to it from childhood and I feel comfortable dressing that way, not for any particular reason.

What fashion item can you not wear?

The fashion item that I cannot wear is heels (cover shoe).

Are you a jewellery person?

Yes, I am a jewellery person and I like long necklaces, wrist watches and handchains.

How do your parents feel about you doing music?

My parents didn’t feel good about me doing music at the early stage of my career because they wanted me to have a good educational background but right now, I’m left with just my mum and she’s been very supportive.

Have you won any awards?

Yes, I have won Best Female Artiste of the year at the 2014 Paradise Music Awards held in Calabar and my first ever single video titled ‘Nigerians’ was nominated as Best Female Hip-hop Video of the Year at Odudu Awards 2010 in Port Harcourt.

If we take a peek into your wardrobe, what kind of clothes are we likely to see?

You are likely to see Jeans, trousers, shorts, jackets, T-shirts and sweat tops.

I feel excited and motivated knowing how to do what people see as the hardest thing for ladies. It’s been God in all I do, through him my inspiration comes

thing for ladies. It’s been God in all I do, through him my inspiration comes. I was tutored on the basics of rap by a childhood friend, Jonero of the Trugeez music group, back then in Port Harcourt. After he discovered I was always miming rap songs of 50 Cents and Lil Bow Wow, he decided to brush me up and told me that I could actually create my own rap songs.

So I didn’t just stop there, I made my own personal effort by researching through the Internet for a more professional delivery pattern.

You dress more like a tomboy, any particular reason?

I dress more like a tomboy because my

Do you wear skimpy clothes and can you pose nude for a certain amount?

I don’t wear skimpy clothes and I can’t pose nude for any reason.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by my immediate environment, daily occurrences, life experiences and God. What is your life philosophy?

My life philosophy is ‘One with God is a Majority’.

Are you in a relationship?

I’m not in a relationship at the moment.

What do you like and dislike in a man?

I like transparency and dislike procrastination.

18

JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Dad taught me how

Mrs. Dayo Keshi, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture since 2013 and a widely travelled lady, has lived in various countries of Africa, Europe and in the United States. She has been married for 38 years and is blessed with three children and four grandchildren. Ex-Vice President of the Commonwealth Women’s Club and International Women’s Club in Brussels; one-time President of Consular Corps Women’s Club of Atlanta and founder of the Nigerian Women’s Association of Georgia in the United States, she is an advocate of the betterment of society through volunteering and the upliftment of the girl-child and youths. In this interview with BIYI ADEGOROYE, she relieves her childhood experience and the role parenting plays in moulding children’s personality Kindly give us an insight into your childhood and the role played by your parents in moulding you to become what you are today?

Growing up in Nigeria, l received first class education from primary school to university. I attended St. Agnes Primary School, Lagos; Our Lady of Apostles’ Secondary School, Ibadan; St. Theresa’s College, Ibadan and graduated from the University of Ibadan where I read Linguistics. Looking back, l still savour the joy of walking to school with my friends and we were not afraid to do so. Indeed, we enjoyed it when we were dropped off at the Lagos motor park. Those moments enabled us to build friendships without caring whether our parents were of the same social or religious status. Our parents made us well grounded by constantly stressing the importance of education.

Oftentimes, they made it clear that the only thing they had to bequeath to us was good education.

From my parents I learnt the importance of mutual respect in marriage. In all aspects, my dad, Mr. Claudius Idowu Jones, was always in charge and my mother was the disciplinarian. So you can imagine my dad’s predicament when my mum died suddenly and dad had to become both parents in one. This was a role he never envisaged, considering he was older than mum and expected nature to take its course; instead of her leaving him to bring up three daughters, with me the oldest being only 10 years old! He however did his best encouraging us to pray often and work hard to achieve greatness sharing his belief that nothing good comes easy.

Fortunately, he could cook and my initial culinary skills came from him!

He also taught me to keep raising the bar in anything I engage in. He encouraged us to aim to do better than our best!

I understand you are involved in some NGO activities…

Through my Afrigrowth Foundation, which was founded about 10 years ago, we mentor youths and provide succour to under-served communities. The foundation has distributed over 80,000 books to libraries in Nigeria, establishing and equipping of 15 school libraries in under-served communities across Nigeria, thereby affecting the lives of over 7,000 pupils in our effort to encourage a ‘back to reading culture.’

While in Atlanta, I founded the Nigerian Women of Georgia, which today offers scholarships to Nigerian girls for higher education. I believe in the power of a group arrangement, no matter how small, in transforming the communities. My favourite quote is “a child born without good nutrition will die or be ravaged by diseases and without education it will become a liability to the community.”

I gained a lot of experience in the role organisations can play in strengthening communities by my selfless ser-

vice in various organisations such as African Women Association of Addis Ababa of which I was the Vice President; the Commonwealth Women’s Club and International Women’s Club in Brussels.

I was the President of Consular Corps Women’s Club of Atlanta and prior to that I was the Vice President Programmes, of GEDE Foundation, based in Washington DC. I took this vast

experience to Atlanta Georgia, where I founded the Nigerian Women’s Association of Georgia which I was President for three years. The association made tremendous efforts to impact positively on the lives of women and children both in Atlanta and Nigeria for which I was awarded honorary citizenship by the State of Georgia in 2004.

I joined the federal civil service as a cultural officer and retired as a director in the Ministry of Culture in 2013. Through those years, I ensured the establishment of Nigerian Cultural Centres in Brazil and China, carried out successful cultural embellishment of over 21 Nigerian missions abroad and ensured the successful celebration of Nigeria Cultural Week in Brazil and China besides coordinating Nigeria’s Cultural Exhibition package in the FIFA World Cup in South Africa in 2010 You are a fashionable person. What are your favourite perfumes, wristwatches and designs?

Fashion-wise, I love vibrant colours and enjoy playing with accessories. But overall, l believe l am conservative. I enjoy wearing our ankara and woven fabrics which sometimes cost five times their value to sew, thanks to the boom in the fashion industry.

I used to wear very high heeled shoes but now I do well with just two inches and ballet slip on. I keep to leather shoes and being comfortable is important. I like bags with unusual and solid shapes - Calvin Klein, Prada, Lacoste etc. And because, according to my husband and children I am difficult to give the right gifts, they stick to designer bags and jewelleries as my gifts on my birthdays and Christmas.

Overall, I must say that life has been fair to me. With a good husband, wonderful children and grandchildren, a fruitful career in the civil service, and now an opportunity to make a difference, bringing more value into a sector I have a very strong passion for. I strongly believe that if the sector is given the resources as was done to some other sectors like agriculture, Nigeria will experience significant

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

Body&Soul

to cook - Dayo Keshi economic growth and wealth creation.

What are your dreams for the National Council for Arts and Culture where you currently serve as director-general?

Over time, we have paid little attention to the contribution of culture to national development and as such, the sector has to some extent not been given the desired attention it deserves. Yet this is a sector that has great potential and if promoted could contribute to increasing our Gross Domestic Product create employment and expand Nigeria’s economic activities. Thus, against the backdrop of the decline in oil prices and the urgent need to diversify the national economy, my focus will be to bring to the fore, to the attention of all, the contribution our cultural industry can make to national development and encourage its promotion and patronage.

Consequently, under my leadership, the National Council for Arts and Culture will foster a greater understanding and appreciation of our cultural industry, its importance and potential and how its promotion can generate considerable economic activities, like small and medium enterprises, creation of employment and prosperity. This will be done through identifying, promoting and encouraging investment in the main cultural industry in the states.

As you are aware, this country’s culture is so rich and so diverse that there is no state or zone in Nigeria that does not have some related cultural activity or industry they can promote. Their promotion and development through the value chain thus becomes imperative and my hope is that government would support the creation of an arts fund that will drive the sector, build the capacity of the those in the sector, create the market whose absence has been a major setback to the growth of the sector and create the environment that would make goods from the sector exportable and globally competitive.

In essence, now is the time to rethink how we can grow and sustain our vast cultural industry. With a strong political will, commitment and support from both government and the private sector this could easily become a viable sector.

With such a support and appreciation, our cultural industry can grow as fast and profitable as the country’s creative industry.

How do you think Nigeria can improve on the content of its cultural festivals to make it an index for cultural exchange, marketing and an income earner?

Nigerian traditional festivals are deep rooted in our culture and the best way to preserve them as well as improve their content is to promote them, enhance them and ensure that they are well packaged annually, both for domestic and international consumption.

The National Festival of Arts (NAFEST) which recently celebrated its 28th edition in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State is one of Nigeria’s foremost arts festivals. It was created to promote and celebrate our unity through our diverse cultural heritage. Though anchored by the NCAC, states take turns to host NAFEST. However, while some states have hosted the event multiple times and are tapping into the economic value the festival brings to them, others have

think the Oba of Benin through the Igue Festival. Because they are involved, the people enthusiastically participate and their participation ensures the sustainability and the preservation of their cultural orientation. In this way too, even in the face of new civilisations and modernity, our culture has greater chances of survival.

How can our embassies and high commissions be encouraged to promote cultural diplomacy and what benefits are derivable there from?

We should bear in mind that foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy. Consequently, the ability or capacity of our embassies to engage effectively in cultural diplomacy will depend significantly on what we have on ground, the environment, structure and capacity of the sector to support our embassies.

Again, this makes it imperative for me to reiterate the urgent need to grow our cultural industries so that as our missions abroad promote trade, products from our cultural industries should be included. With adequate and proper information disseminations tourists from other countries will want to visit and savor something different and authentic from what they have. To be able to do this, we need cultural centres in some key countries that we have some cultural affinity with. Nigeria’s diplomatic missions should also create a uniquely Nigerian ambience in our embassies by showcasing products of our creative and cultural industries for effective promotion abroad.

been slow to tap into the economic value and exposure NAFEST can bring to their states. Besides NAFEST, l hope to encourage states to select and effectively promote, package and market their festivals for both national and international consumption, attracting both domestic and international tourists to this country. You see, we must give tourists the right reasons to visit Nigeria. Just like the annual Osun Osogbo and Sango festivals have done over the last couple of years, we must raise the interest of Nigerians in the festivals by encouraging their participation. We need to make the festivals more entertaining while preserving areas that are sacred to the people. This is what l hope we can do in the coming years through innovating, enhancing what we have and encouraging more festivals which will enable us to establish a calendar of Nigeria Festivals, This is what many countries have done and Nigeria should be no exception.

Thus, in addition to what we currently have, l am looking forward to working with the states to launching zonal festivals such as the Durbar and traditional wrestling states in the North; a festival of Masquerades for the South-East states, the National Boat Regatta festival for the riverine states in the South-South and South-West. The South-West will be responsible for our traditional textiles.

When you think of what is involved in organising events like the ones l have just mentioned, you begin to appreciate their impact and contributions especially in creating jobs particularly at the grassroots which has a large population of the unemployed and high per cent of poverty.

Do you know that putting together a masquerade event involves over 100 men? Do the Maths, and you begin to understand how millions with very limited education but with skills and inherited talents could transform and enrich their communities utilising their God-given knowledge.

What synergy do you think should exist between state governments and traditional rulers in the efforts to harmonise, preserve and develop our culture?

Traditional rulers are the custodians of our culture and as such have an obligation to ensure the preservation of the culture bequeathed to them by their ancestors. Thus, it is in their best interest and part of their responsibility to work with the federal and state governments to enhance and promote the culture of their people. In this regard, l would like to see more traditional rulers emulate what the Awujale of ljebu kingdom is doing with the Ojude-Oba festival; the Obi of Onitsha through his annual celebration of the Ofala and l

In this era of cultural imperialism and the internet, how can we advance the ‘catch them young’ philosophy to ensure that our children are enlisted in the preservation of our culture?

In the face of the global village being propelled by information technology communication, the way to preserve our culture and bequeath it to our children is not to ignore it. It’s not to hide it in the closet but to promote it, to enhance it without necessarily destroying its cultural values. Children should be encouraged to speak their language and participate in culture and art shows in school as well as the cultural festivals in the country. The revolution in our fashion industry has made our cultural attires more attractive and acceptable.

As it is obvious it has a stronger appeal to our younger generation and the international fora. So our children should see our culture as an asset and proudly participate in the celebration of our cultural heritage. There is nothing backward or uncivilised in advancing and promoting our cultural heritage and doing so does not necessarily interfere with some of our religious beliefs as some have claimed. As I mentioned earlier, that while the ancestral beliefs are key to our cultural festival and should be preserved, the entertainment aspect has to be consciously developed into a major tourist attraction.

China and other Asian countries have successfully grown their cultural industry and you can find their products such as large vases adorning our homes. I do believe in the near future products of our cultural industry will not only adorn our homes here in Nigeria but also homes in other countries of the world.

20

JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

The passion you deny will seek you

J

ames hesitates at the door. He has never seen such fire in his wife’s eyes in a long while. She is obviously seething with anger. He feels like bolting.

Luckily, Dave is chatting away and doesn’t seem to notice his discomfiture.

“My man, women have a way of stocking their homes. When it comes to a time to move home, it becomes a big challenge for them. Look at the stack of boxes they’ve packed and yet, it seems as if nothing has been taken away from this house,” Dave says, leading the way to the dinette.

James hardly hears what Dave is saying but he mummurs something in reply and nods his head absentmindedly.

Then, as he contemplates his wife’s countenance, he sees the anger transforms to a smile. Wonders of a woman!

“My dear husband,” Alice coos, moving towards him with outstretched arms.

He is not fooled but nonetheless, his legs propel him towards her. They hug and he plants a kiss on her cheeks. He thinks he tasted tears but isn’t sure.

“How are you, my darling husband? We have been packing my sister’s things. She still has so many things to pack. We women and load!” Alice says, leading him in.

She sits him comfortably on a divan and disappears into the kitchen. Kathryn joins her there. Alice is scooping the jollof rice they prepared earlier into serving plates.

She garnishes them with steamed vegetable.

“They must be hungry now. We need to fed them fat,” she says. Kathryn observes her mien quietly. She wonders how she could carry so much burden in her heart and still pretend all is well.

“Auntie, how do you do this? I guess you’ve forgiven your husband,” Kathryn says.

“Forgive who? If I hear! I want to fed him very well so that he will have the stamina to bear what I’m going to say to him,” Alice says, bearing the trays to the dinette.

Kathryn shakes her head in wonderment and follows her in.

They eat in silence...until the last person has pushed a last morsel of food into her mouth.

“Pray, my dear husband, when are you telling me about your second wife and her children?” Alice says lightly, as if that is the most innocent thing to say.

They all freeze and Alice sips her glass of fruit juice. She looks innocently around her and chews the prawn in her mouth.

James literally withers. The past has caught up with the present. The liquid in his body seems to embark on a downward journey. He suddenly feels pressed. Beads of sweat appears on his forehead.

“Are you okay, my man,” Dave asks anxiously.

“He’s okay my dear husband,” Alice replies, chewing cheerily.

“Um...um...I’m okay,” James says glumly.

It’s obvious everything is but okay.

He stands suddenly and pushes his chair back and moves to the restroom.

There’s pin drop silence in the room.

Alice chews merrily on while Dave and Kathryn look at each other.

After about five minutes and James is not out of the restroom, Dave goes in search of him.

“Are you okay?” Dave asks James.

“I’m okay, I mean, I’m not okay,” James answers from within.

“Look James, a man dies only once. It’s better you come out and confront this is-

sue head on. There’s no point hiding. So please come out and let’s discuss it now,” Dave tells him.

“Who told her about Meg and her children? Why did you tell her now? I thought we agreed to do so at an appropriate time,” James whispers through the door.

“No, I didn’t tell her anything. Someone else obviously did. Anyway, there’s really no ‘better appropriate’ time than now. This is a chance for you to right all the wrongs in your marriage,” Dave replies.

“Someone did? Who could it be? OMG! I’m finished. Who else knows my well kept secrets? Who?” James says in anguish. He knows that Kathryn knows too.

“It’s too late to dwell on who said what.

You should know how many people you told because I didn’t tell anyone. Anyway, whoever did should be the least of your problems. Your wife is there seeking an answer to an urgent question. You need to pull yourself together and talk with her. I trust she’ll understand if you approach it the right way,” Dave tells him.

James opens the door of the loo and steps out, beads of sweat on his face. He looks at his cousin, wondering what he will do if he learns that for three years, Kathryn, his beloved wife, had slept with him for a fee. He is convinced that Kathryn exposed his well-kept secret. Anyway, let him settle this first. He will deal with that pesky issue later. Now, to the problem at hand!

“I’m scared my man,” he says, looking around like a fugitive.

“You don’t have any reason to. Go out there and answer her questions with boldness,” Dave tells him.

As they step back into the living room, Alice asks, “Are you ready to talk about your little secret?”

“Yeah, my dear wife. I know I’ve offend-

ed you. We are all human beings and so, fallible. But I want you to know that bad associations will destroy your marriage. If you listen to bad people who do not wish you well, you will always have big problems. Let’s forget about this and live our lives peacefully, the way we have been living before some good for nothing bitches came into our lives,” James says, sneaking some acid look the way of Kathryn.

Dave, Kathryn and Alice exchange glances. Of course, Kathryn and Alice know Kathryn is the object of James’ vituperation. Kathryn knows she didn’t reveal his secret but how will James know that? She becomes scared that this spineless man may destroy her marriage if care is not taken.

Alice comes to her rescue, albeit, covertly.

She begins, “James, what are you talking about? You think you can nose this issue to another angle? I don’t know which bitch you are talking about, but I know that no one told me about your dalliances with the harlot that purportedly had those kids for you. To make matter worse, she’s another man’s wife. You think you keep your track covered? No you don’t. You see, you take me for a fool so much that it never occurred to you that I could have a sense at all...”

James cuts in, “Look Alice, I will take any shit from you but not the allusion that Meg is a harlot. I hate harlots and you know that!”

“You hate harlots?” Alice says with a laugh and continues, “Then, you must hate me too. Anyway, because you ascribed so little brain to me, you carry on as if you are living with a blind, deaf and dumb in the house. Well, your deaf and dumb wife hates eavesdropping but some days, eavesdropping is thrust upon her

and she heard your phone conversation, a fight more like it, with your slimy bitch over a text message. Well, your dummy wife picked your phone and read that and many other messages therein...”

James ditches his butt on the nearest chair with a thud!

He looks like a drowning man.

Dave, unconsciously, draws Kathryn into his arms.

“OMG! I’m done! Alice, you mean you’ve been snooping around me? What do you mean I must hate you too?” James asks.

Alice smiles at him and says, “Have you settled the issue of the children’s paternity with your bitch? You must have been paying so handsomely for her services to warrant her trying to tie you down with pregnancies and bastard children. No... and you hate harlots? I laugh in Pidgin!

You see, that passion which you deny will always seek you out. That’s why you gather harlots around you wherever you go.”

Dave and Kathryn look on incredulously while James, confusion written all over him, asks in a little voice, “What do you mean?”

“I’ll explain. Keep calm, I’ll explain every little detail to you, my dear husband. I’ll tell you all you want to know and more,” Alice says.

Turning to Dave and Kathryn, she says, “Any marriage built on lies and falsehood will never thrive. Truth is the foundation you need...” *********** What did Alice explain? What’s the repercussion on James, Dave and Kathryn?

You won’t know if you don’t keep a date with me here next Sunday!

•Send your observations to the email above.

21

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

Body&Soul

&

Repairing your skin from festive fatigue Vanessa Okwara

T

he festive season ended with so much to eat and drink. We took little care with our beauty routines, thereby leaving our skin at the mercy of bloating and dryness.

The dry season has set in, compounding our problems the more as the dry weather plays havoc with the skin freshness.

Skin fatigue is seen as dull uneven skin tone, rough texture, visible pores, age spots, dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, and loose sagging skin. These are caused by two agents -ageing and environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun’s rays and environmental pollution.

Skin fatigue is an inner skin turmoil that needs internal nourishment. It is common among women aged 20 - 45.

Stress and poor diet are also factors that lead to skin fatigue. Our busy lifestyle often causes us to consume junk food. Junk food is rich in free radicals which decrease the vital functions in our body, making us more susceptible to illness which is often manifested through poor skin. Stress adds to it by reducing the collagen and elastin in our skin, thus, impairing the skins repair mechanism and resulting in skin fatigue.

Skin is one of the most powerful indicators of health. The rate at which our skin changes also depends on what we inherit, how we treat it and how we look after it. Wrinkles, dry or oily skin, acne, and inflammation are often brought on by consuming unhealthy foods and avoiding skin-healthy nutrients.

Skin fatigue makes your skin dull and rough. A

good skin care routine and balanced diet will help you get back the glow.

To fight skin fatigue, simply eat your way to a healthy skin. You have to change your diet to include foods rich in vitamins and minerals that are necessary for healthy skin. Vitamin A prevents dry and flaky skin, Vitamin C plays an important role in collagen synthesis and Vitamin E rehydrates the skin, reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process.

Moreover, minerals and antioxidants combat free radicals and help retain youthfulness.

Proteins and biotin found in liver, egg yolk, green vegetables, and whole grains are required for healthy hair and nails.

Water, vegetables and fruits like watermelon, walnuts, and olive oil contain antioxidants. Fishes like

salmon and mackerel contain omega-3 fatty acids. All these moisturise the skin.

Equally, treat skin fatigue externally by observing the following rules: • Use a good sunscreen with SPF 30 or more every day even if you are indoors - sunrays enter through the window • For nights, use an appropriate moisturiser or night cream - for example, oil-free for oily skin - with antioxidants like vitamins A, B, C and E and botanicals like green tea, grape seed extract, aloe vera, etc • Use a mask with similar ingredients once or twice a week • Go for moisturisers with skin lightening ingredients like niacinamide, arbutin, glycerrhinates, Kojic, soya, etc. Apply the moisturiser at least two to four times a week.

JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

asual is a dress code that is generally a neat, informal attire. A good casual is not too dressy but trendy, urbane and neatly put together for any occasion.

C

Vanessa Okwara

and pleasure of clothing choice is redefined.

A casual outfit allows you to depict your personal style. It can pass for either day out or night out outfit. It gives you the freedom to bring out the bling, put on the glitz, and rustle up dazzling outfits that are uniquely yours.

Smart casuals allow you to simply be your-

sonal styles and colours. They includes shorts, dresses, funky attires both flats and high heeled shoes. You can be elegant, chic, and modern which ever suits your mood on the day!

Casual does not mean you can throw on anything you feel might be appropriate. The look should be well put together and polished, but

Pretty casuals for trendy chic

Body&Soul

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SundayBusiness SUNDAY

SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2015

Features

MSMEs lack incentive for production –Stakeholders p.24

Transport

Audi to invest $24bn p.25

Interview

How we’re transforming Bayelsa into agrarian economy –Commissioner p.29

News

Twists and turns of 2015 budget p.28

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph online.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Why Jonathan may not drop fuel subsidy B

Paul Ogbuokiri

rent crude, the international benchmark, fell as low as $49.66 a barrel on Wednesday, dropping below $50 for the first time since 2009. Prices dropped 48 per cent in 2014 after three years of the highest average prices in history. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, plunged to as low as $46.83 on Wednesday, about a 56 per cent decline from its June high.

The decline is further reducing Nigeria’s oil receipts by over half and roiled currency and stock market should have been a silver lining for the country: an excuse for the Federal Government to scrap the fraud ridden fuel subsidies which cost the government over N1.2 trillion in one single year. A partial removal of the subsidy, in 2011 brought it down to N971bn last year.

President Goodluck Jonathan in his budget proposal presented late last year to the National Assembly, allocated N291 billion for subsidies on Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (Kerosene).

Analysts say it is an opportunity for Jonathan, but warned that it is a step he cannot afford to take in a hurry because a sudden rebound in the price of crude oil will cause the prices to rise again.

The President cannot afford to take any action that could provoke protests 33 days to the February 14 elections in which the he is seeking re-election, asid a commentator.

Gereth Brickman of Johannesburg-based ETM Analysts told Reuters that, “politics often trumps prudence and there’s an entrenched social expectation for lower price for fuel (subsidised). The last time subsidies were reduced there were widespread protests, and given how contentious the political environment is in Nigeria with the elections and on-going ethnic divisions, it is likely this will be the case again.”

Energy analyst at Ecobank Research, Dolapo Oni, said the prices of petroleum products are currently at the point where there is no need for subsidies. He said now is the perfect time to remove fuel subsidies and allow the industry to run freely.

“It would also be the best time to fully deregulate the sector and allow oil companies to make their own arrangements for imports and feedstock oil products,” he said He further said the total removal of the subsidy would bolster oil refineries, which investors have avoided like a leper because the subsidy would make local refineries unprofitable.

The government’s four refineries are ill-maintained and produce barely 16 per cent of their capacity for 445,000 barrels per day.

Oni said that the subsidies discouraged private investors who obtained refining licences from building plants because of concern that costs may not be recovered without marketdetermined fuel prices.

He however said: “The government is just trying to be careful in case there is any major shock that will send the price back above $100 per barrel. It would want to avoid the backlash from two years ago when there were strikes and protests.”

Secretary General of Nigeria Labour Congress, Dr. Peter Ozo-Ezon, in a telephone interview

Jonathan

The President cannot afford to take any action that could provoke protests 33 days to the February 14 elections in which the he is seeking re-election, asid a commentator said with the current international price of crude, there is no more subsidy. He noted that instead, Nigerians are expecting an immediate fall in the pump price of petroleum products.

But a former President Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, says: “When government in 2011 increased the pump price of petrol to N97, crude oil was selling at between $102 and $115 per barrel. This translates to about N141 per liter of petrol. The government decided to pay the difference of N44 (N141 - N97) as subsidy. Now if the price of crude at the international market has reduced to between $74 and $80 it therefore means the price per liter has also reduced.”

He further said that the subsidy paid by the government had been completely wiped out by the decline of crude oil price to below $50 per barrel.

Government estimates indicate “that the break-even crude oil price” that equals Nigeria’s pump price without a “subsidy hovers around $60 per barrel.”

Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had said while announcing 2015 budget proposals on December 17. “It’s only when our crude oil price for Bonny Light falls below this level that we can now talk about the issue of bringing down any pump price.”

While ending the subsidies now may be painless because of the low oil prices, there are risks for the

government if they rebound and the costs are passed on to the consumer, according to analysts including Philippe de Pontet, Africa director at New York-based Eurasia Group.

“The timing is ripe for a partial subsidy cut, but probably not an all-out removal, which could trigger a backlash and give the opposition rhetorical ammunition” ahead of the election, de Pontet said in a November 26 emailed response to questions by Bloomberg.

Extended oil-price declines provide an opportunity for a “phased reduction less jarring than the full cancellation” attempted in 2012, he added.

Bismarck Rewane, a finance analyst and managing director, Financial Derivatives Company, a diversified financial institution, said the development is increasing warnings from analysts.

“Since March, oil prices have continued to fall every month. As Nigeria is dependent on oil for about 80 per cent of its revenues, the development has intensified warnings from analysts about a possible relapse in the economy,” he stated.

Meanwhile, on the website of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, it was indicated that prior to the June 2014 price crash of crude oil, the landing cost of petrol plus other margins was N141 per litre. As the crude dropped below $50 per barrel in the global market on Wednesday, the landing cost of PMS has come down to N102.86 per litre, and N110.86 per litre of Kerosene.

The breakdown of the landing cost of petrol showed that the cost and freight (C+F) per litre is N76.55 while additional charges at the Nigerian shores by marketers and regulators are put at N26.31 per litre.

According to PPPRA’s pricing template, government is still subsidising a litre of petrol at N44.94. But the current realities the real value of the subsidy may not be more N5.

Nigeria relies on refined fuel imports to meet more than 70 per cent of domestic needs and it refunded importers as much as a third of the cost of supply in the past year ending in October, according to the Abuja-based Petroleum Ministry. This ensured the price of gasoline was capped at 97 naira ($0.54) per liter. Jonathan’s attempt to end the subsidies in January 2012 sparked a week of strikes and protests, paralysing the economy and forcing the government to partially restore them.

A 2012 parliamentary probe recommended that 70 importers of petroleum products, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), refund N1.1trn in illegal fuel-subsidy payments, alleging “endemic corruption.”

Indications have emerged that fall of oil prices will do n o oil producer any good including the Shale producer, as two months ago, Continental Resources Inc. (CLR), the shale driller, budgeted for $80-a-barrel oil and planned to spend $4.6 billion in 2015. Six weeks later, with crude down 29 per cent in the interim, Continental cut its 2015 budget to $2.7 billion.

Halliburton Co., the world’s biggest provider of tracking services to oil companies, announced Dec. 11 that it would dismiss 1,000 C ON TI N UE D ON PAGE 27

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business/features

MSMEs lack incentive for production –Stakeholders

Aganga

Paul Ogbuokiri

A

claim by the Director-General of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Bature Masari, that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises contribute 46.54 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product has been disputed.

Some commentators, who spoke to Sunday Telegraph, doubt that the sub-sector contributes so much to the economy, saying Nigeria’s MSMEs are largely underdeveloped.

They said that in Nigeria, there has been a gross under-performance of the MSMEs sub-sector and this has undermined its contribution to economic growth and development.

They further argued that the reason for the underdevelopment of the sub-sector is because many of them are not investing in the productive aspect of the economy as they concentrate more on the distribution of imported finished products.

Masari, who made the claim at the association’s 30th anniversary, themed ‘Strategic Positioning of Entrepreneurs for Economic Development,’ had said that the importance of entrepreneurship across the world cannot be over-emphasised. He stated that research has shown that MSMEs are critical to the growth and economic development of nations, contributing not less than 50 per cent of GDP on the average, with the resultant effect of income generation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation.

According to him, the 2012 National Survey on MSMEs by SMEDAN & NBS, indicates that over 17.2 million MSMEs employ 32.4 million Nigerians and nominally contributing 46.54 per cent of the nation’s GDP at the period under review.

Emefiele

Managing Director of Dotaz Nigeriia Limited, Dotu Adejire, says issues of low level entrepreneurial skills, poor management practice, inadequate equity capital, lack of access to credit, lack of adequate information and skilled manpower, among others, are the challenges that have slowed down the development of SMEs in Nigeria.

He said what is regarded as MSMEs in the country are distributors of imported finished goods which cannot add anything to the economy.

Adejire, whose firm produces table water at Isolo in Lagos, said reinvigorating SMEs in Nigeria in the redirection of the manufacturing sector would be a turning-point in facilitating the recovery of the economy and save the economy from the shocks from the turbulence in the oil prices in the global market.

According to the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi ,Lagos, Dr. Gloria Elemo, the lack of affordable technology and machines for SMEs operators is also one of major challenges facing the sub-sector.

She said that most entrepreneurs in Nigeria do not have required funds to adequately venture into manufacturing, lamenting that they cannot access funds. She said this is the reason why they prefer distributing goods imported from other countries.

General Manager, Bank of Industry, Mr. Joseph Babatunde who agreed with the position of Elemo said that the banking sector in the country has not been helping the SMEs, noting that none of the banks is ready to finance a long-term project.

“They would rather give loans to those who deal in distribution, import and export, knowing that within two to three months, they would have recovered their money,” he said.

Financial institutions would only come in to support such entrepreneurs at the commercial stage of the business, when such entrepreneurs would have validated their businesses

He said those entrepreneurs who want to venture into manufacturing sector, could only be attended to through venture capitals, which is only a financial support for risky enterprises.

Babatunde also said such manufacturing may not be financed at the initial stage of production, if such lacks innovation due to the high risk involved.

“Financial institutions would only come in to support such entrepreneurs at the commercial stage of the business, when such entrepreneurs would have validated their businesses,” he said.

He further stated that for non-risky enterprises, there is a need for innovation in production, adding that financial institutions look for innovations in production before venturing into the financing of such businesses.

Managing Director of Westline Maritime Services, Dr. Emeka Akogu, said SMEs are confronted with several challenges which

hamper their growth and the nation’s economic development.

He said some of the major challenges that need to be addressed for the sub sector to thrive include finding solutions to the high cost of doing business occasioned by poor infrastructure (power, roads, water), multiple taxation, high cost of legal documentation of credit facilities at states’ lands registries and the Corporate Affairs Commission; bureaucracy in obtaining titles to land and state governors’ consent to mortgage property; as well as inadequate capacity building on the part of the SMEs in the areas of entrepreneurship, and skills acquisition, resulting in the perception of the sector as high risk and poor attitude to loan repayment by borrowers in the sector.

Akogu said to find lasting solutions to these challenges, government needs to address power and other infrastructure challenges, and the provision of financial/ technical support through the Central Bank of Nigeria for the power sector.

He said there is also the need to adopt a cluster approach to MSMEs’ development by setting up industrial/cluster parks with all necessary amenities. He said the plan of his company to expand his jetty to a boat building capacity has not materialised because no bank has agreed to finance the project.

Vice President of National Association of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship, Chuku Wachuku, said inconsistency of government’s policies had greatly impacted on the manufacturing sector, just as he described the high tax rate as another big challenge to the sector.

He explained that while some entrepreneurs are still struggling to keep their manufacturing active, others have been forced out of production due to high tax rates as well as infrastructural challenges.

25

SUNDAY

Transport

SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2015

Audi to invest $24bn A

Paul Ogbuokiri

udi is expanding the biggest investment programme in its history. From 2015 through 2019, the Ingolstadtbased company plans to invest $24 billion, which is $2 billion more than in the previous planning period. 70 per cent of the investment will flow into the development of new models and technologies.

In a statement by the spokesman for Stallion Motors, the representative of Audi in Nigeria, Santhosh Nair the automaker aims to meet stringent CO2 limits worldwide, with a new generation of extremely economical combustion engines and alternative efficiency technologies.

Furthermore, new features in the areas of connectivity and driver assistance are designed to extend the ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ of the brand with the four rings.

At the same time, the company is expanding its worldwide production network. More than half of the planned investment will take place at the German sites in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, he said.

According to him, Audi plans to develop new cutting-edge technologies and to create additional production capacities worldwide in the next five years through large-scale investment.

“We place top priority on sustainable growth.

That’s why we are making large investments in the innovative areas of electric mobility, connectivity and lightweight construction,” stated Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management (CEO) of AUDI AG. The company is also pushing ahead with the expansion of its global production network.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that the total investment volume of $24 billion comprises approximately $17 billion of investment in property, plant and equipment and $7 billion of capitalised development costs.

Board of Management Member for Finance, Axel Strotbek, noted that “70 per cent of all our investment in the next five years will flow into new models and innovative technologies.

Despite the growth in total investment, we will

keep a watchful eye on the upcoming challenges and exercise the required cost discipline.”

Top priority is being placed on progressing as efficiently as possible. The expansion of international manufacturing structure and higher advance expenditure for new models and technologies, in particular to meet stricter CO2 limits worldwide, require enormous efforts from the entire workforce, he said.

In order to fulfill the ambitious CO2 limits, the company is working not only on the next generation of fuel-efficient gasoline and diesel engines, but also on plug-in hybrids such as the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron*, which became available in the first markets at the end the year.

“We are constantly further developing alternative drive systems and focusing above all on connecting the car with its digital environment,” explained Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s Board of Management Member for Technical Development.

“The car will communicate with the driver, the Internet, the infrastructure and other vehicles, while moving in an environmentally

friendly manner.” The new Audi TT* is a pacemaker in terms of seamless connectivity.

Its integrated Audi virtual cockpit, which merges a combination of instruments and an MMI screen into a central digital unit, sets new standards.

He said that the ongoing high investment in the development of new models and technologies will become tangible for customers this year in the form of numerous products.

In addition to the new generation of the A6 family * in the large-car segment, deliveries of which started in the fall of 2014, the new Audi Q3* and Audi RS Q3* will go into production with many innovative technologies in the New Year. And the new Audi A1* and A1 Sportback* will be launched in 2015, also with innovative three-cylinder engines.

The company says it woldl reach the mark of 1.7 million cars delivered in 2014. By 2020, the company aims to be the premium brand number one on a sustainable basis.

The company says it woldl reach the mark of 1.7 million cars delivered in 2014. By 2020, the company aims to be the premium brand number one on a sustainable basis.

Vehicle finance scheme begins April -FG

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irector General of National Automotive Council, Mr. Aminu Jalal, has said that the Affordable Vehicle Finance Scheme will take off in April.

In a statement made available to Sunday Telegraph, he said it suffered a delay of about four months due to the Ebola Viral Disease.

“The staff of the collaborating bank, Wesbank of South Africa, delayed their planned trip to Nigeria to set up operations from September 2014 to January 2015. Hence, the new date for the start of operations of the financing scheme is April 2014. Accordingly, the CME/HMF has been asked to extend the deferment of the 35 per cent levy on used cars to April 30, 2015,” Jalala said.

He noted that the automotive policy has five elements, one of which is market development.

“Under market development, tariffs are increased on FBU vehicle imports. These tariffs are to be reduced gradually over the years, as the vehicle assembly and local content operations gain momen-

tum,” he said.

He noted that the Nigerian vehicle market generates approximately 400,000 vehicles annually, with about 300,000 imported as used. He said the government has to balance vehicle supply and affordability with the production by the assembly plants.

According to him, the measures in the policy to ensure vehicle supply and affordability include: CKD and SKD tariffs are 0 per cent, 5 per cent and 10 per cent respectively; assembly plants to assemble affordable vehicles; assembly plants will import two FBUs at concessionary duty for every one CKD/SKD they assemble in 2014/15. It will be one to one in 2016/1, and new investors will also be able import FBUs at concessionary duty in numbers to fill the gap between the supply by the

assembly plants and demand.

Also included is the affordable vehicle financing scheme to be set up to enable the purchase of new vehicles by Nigerians.

Jalala said the government earlier deferred the imposition of the levy on used cars till December 31, 2014 to enable assembly plants to ramp up enough production to satisfy demand.

Currently, VON is assembling Hyundai and Nissan cars; PAN is assembling Peugeot cars; IVM has begun putting together cars; and Dana Motors is putting together Kia cars. VW, Honda and Renault, among others, are expected to start assembly operations next year, he added.

He noted that VON, IVM and Kia also have cars costing N1.5m-N2.0m, expressing enthusiasm that the industry can produce the vehicles Nigerians need in 2015.

Dakar 2015 Rally set for finals

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tage Three of Dakar 2015 took place in some of the most spectacular scenery on the face of the planet, but Giniel de Villiers and German navigator Dirk von Zitzewitz clearly didn’t take a moment to enjoy their surroundings.

The pair posted the secondfastest time on the stage, losing out on a stage win by just 1:54 after 284 km of cross-country racing. In the end it was MINI driver Orlando Terranova that pipped them to the post, but De Villiers/Von Zitzewitz remain in second place overall, 5:18 behind Nasser Al-Attiyah (MINI).

“We had another good day in the Toyota Imperial Hilux today,” said De Villiers from the bivouac near Chilecito, 232 km north of the end of Stage Three.

“The vehicle ran perfectly and we were very fast. Unfortunately we had a puncture near the end of the stage, costing us some time. Still it looked like we won the stage, but then Terranova came through and he was just a little bit faster.”

The stage consisted of varied terrain, and started near the arid town of San Juan, at the base of the Andes. With towering red rock spires in the background, the cars made their way across vast open sections on shale-covered tracks and river beds, before finishing under the watchful peaks of the Andes on the way to Chilecito.

For Leeroy Poulter and Rob Howie, in the second Toyota Imperial Hilux, Stage 3 will be one to remember - but not for the reasons they had hoped.

After a great outing on Stage Two, Poulter/Howie hit trouble early on Stage Three, when they made hard contact with a ditch on the route, breaking a lower control arm in the process. They had a spare part on board, but it took 45 minutes to install.

According to Team Principal Glyn Hall, Poulter will need to dig deep in order to make the most of the situation: “Leeroy has matured a lot as a driver, as we’ve already seen on the first two stages. Today’s incident was unfortunate, but I believe Leeroy has the potential to win stages, and it will be interesting to see how high they can climb back up the leaderboard.”

Stage Three was the last Argentine stage for the time being, as the crews cross the Andes into Chile for Stage Four.

Most of the day will be spent on a monster liaison of 594 km, followed by a stage of 315 km.

Stage 3 starts at 3000 m above sea level and ends with the famous descent down a massive dune into the mining town of Copiapo. It also sees the first big dunes of Dakar 2015, and will certainly test every crew to the limit.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Gloomy start in the equities market

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ollowing the 16.14% loss recorded by the Nigerian equities market in 2014, trading commenced in 2015 on a negative note as the NSEASI closed its first trading week 13.03% lower. Major losses posted by heavy weights in the banking, industrial and consumer goods sectors informed the significant loss recorded. Nevertheless, some counters closed positive, topped by RTBRISCOE, REDSTAREX, PRESCO and CADBURY as they recorded respective gains of 14.29%, 6.60%, 6.53%, and 5.00% The losers on the other hand were led by GUINNESS, DANGCEM, ACCESS and SEPLAT as they shed 22.56%, 20.68%, 20.45% and 19.14% in that order.

The fixed income market was awash with liquidity as OMO repayments and treasury bills (T-bills) maturities entered into the system during the week. Nonetheless, this was offset by the CBN as it sold corresponding amounts of OMO securities and T-bills. In spite of this mopup, money market rates declined as OBB and OVN rates pegged at 9.28% (vs. 11.23% in the previous week). Our MERI-Bond Index showed increased level of activity in the week, as it rose by 0.29% and yields pared across the curve. In tandem, average change in yields on Treasury bills was -0.37%.

From the global to the Nigerian economy, insurgency remained dominant in the week, as a major terrorist attack was reported in France, while insurgents in Nigeria took over Baga, a town in Borno State. Oil prices also persisted on its downward trend just as the CBN strives to maintain stability of the Naira.

This report takes a sectoral approach in highlighting the performance of the Nigerian financial markets in the week, and presents an outlook for the coming week after careful analysis of both exogenous and endogenous dynamics of market pricing.

Economic Round-up: Terrorists hit Paris; seize Baga in Borno.

France was thrown into shock after the terrorist attack on a satirical newspaper office, Charlie Hebdo in Paris, left 12 people dead and 11 injured.

Oil prices continued to dwindle globally owing to the supply glut as benchmark Brent Crude price dropped to USD50.42pb, tumbling 52.61% year on year and 13.68% since the commencement of the New Year.

In a bid to cushion the impact of plunging oil prices on the nation’s economy and defend the naira, the CBN recently foreclosed the introduction of capital controls with a view to revising the foreign exchange trading position of Individual authorized dealers which currently stands at 0% after the reduction from 1% of shareholders fund in December 2014.

The ministry of Finance stated that Nigeria is seeking external loans worth USD5.7bn (N2.97tn) from World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and China Export-Import Bank to finance infrastructure projects contained in the 2015 budget.

In the Political scene, Campaigns/Town-hall meeting from dominant political parties ahead of the February 2015 elections took place in Lagos, Bayelsa and Benin during the week, amidst heightening security issues in the North. Media reports indicated that insurgents took over a Military base in Baga (Borno state) on Saturday, and subsequently seized the town after several attacks during the week.

Going into 2015, we see the anxieties in the global and domestic horizon impacting adversely on activities in the financial and real sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Fixed Income Brief: Liquidity position drives market activity The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) held Treasury Bills (T-Bills) primary auction on Wednesday for a total amount of N155.407bn, while an equal amount matured on Thursday. The apex bank also carried out OMO Repayments, Sales and WDAs during the course of the week which informed the current level of liquidity in the system. Increased liquidity consequently resulted in paring of Interbank and Money market rates (OBB and OVN), as the respective averages declined by 0.63% and 1.95% week-to-date (WtD) on average.

Demand for T-Bills undulated during the week, but ended strong as the average yield declined by 0.37% across tenors. This trend was mirrored in the bonds market, with 0.04% and 0.03% average offer yield WtD decline for the Off-the-run and Benchmark bonds.

Naira started the week on a weak note, but picked up momentum due primarily to the CBN’s interventions to close the week at a mid-

…as NSEASI declines by 13.03%

NGN3.35 and NGN0.73 accordingly.

The sector’s performance was in line with the market mood for the week, a sentiment which we expect to persist until after the general elections due to uncertainties. However, we foresee reversal in some counters’ performance postelections, as key investors return to the market.

price of NGN183.05 against the dollar, representing a 0.82% WtD change. It is however noteworthy that the apex authority sold USD451mn at a marginal rate of NGN/USD168 on Wednesday despite initial intentions to sell only USD200mn, which may be a signal of the significant amount of pressure still being exerted on the exchange.

Agric sector: PRESCO resumes the year on a high The Agric sector remained resilient despite the gloomy market mood. The MERI-Agric index closed in the green zone with a 3.51% surge thus far in the year. The sector breadth stayed in the positive region as 2 counters advanced against 1 decliner.

PRESCO recorded a 6.53% WoW gain to drive the market price up to NGN26.10. OKOMUOIL followed suit with 0.43% increase by the close of trading for the week Conversely, LIVESTOCK dipped by 1.32% to peg its market price at NGN2.25 while ELLAH LAKES and FTNCOCOA traded flat.

Even though insurgency in the Northern part of the country has continually dragged growth in the agric sector, we expect the ongoing reforms to continue to provide support for the expansion drive while also impacting positively on the performance of the companies.

Banking sector: Pessimism persists into 2015 Trading in the banking sector commenced the year on a highly negative note as only one stock, WEMABANK recorded a WoW gain of 1.04%; STANBIC and UNITYBNK traded flat while all remaining stocks in the basket posted losses.

Top price decliners were ACCESS, GUARANTY, FCMB, DIAMONDBNK and SKYEBANK with respective losses of 20.45%, 18.43%, 15.26%, 13.98% and 13.16%.

The continued depression in the banking space is not unconnected to declining oil prices and the expected effect on banks, especially those which have high exposures to the “high risk” sectors of the economy. Also, the decline in growth momentum expected in the economy for the year, persistent monetary tightening, and generally increased credit risk are all factors which have contributed to the existing sentiment in the sector.

In our opinion, Nigerian banks are currently

better suited to accommodate increased credit risks in the country and we believe that at current market prices, most stocks will present good upside potential once market conditions normalize.

Consumer Goods: Murky economic outlook may constrain corporate performance Estimates for 2015FY revenue and earnings growth in the sector is expected to be modest, as constraints on consumer spending and cost margins resulting from harsh economic conditions continually weigh down on corporate performance of players in the sector. However, the sector’s fundamentals remain sound in spite of the bleak economic outlook.

NSEFB10 (Sector index) resumed the year on a negative pedestal, down 11.45% WtD in line with overall market performance for the week. PZ, CADBURY and VONO were the only gainers for the week with +3.11%, +5.00% and +4.46% price appreciations respectively.

GUINNESS (NGN130.21) had the worst outing for the week, tumbling 22.56% WtD to lead other major losers such as NESTLE (-15.49%), HONYFLOUR (11.56%), NB (-11.07%), DANSUGAR (-10.08%) and FLOURMILL (-9.47%).

Activity in the conglomerate space was the same, as UACN (NGN28.08) dipped by 14.56% whilst AGLEVENT (NGN1.31) closed flat.

We insist that majority of the counters in the consumer goods space currently trade at fundamentally low prices on the back of heightening uncertainties in the global and domestic economy amidst socio-political concerns. Hence, we advise discerning investors to take strategic yet cautious positions in stocks with sound fundamentals.

Healthcare Sector: Negative sentiments persist The Healthcare sector began the year on a negative note, as the stocks in the basket continued to shed points with the MERI-HLTH index shedding 14.16% during the week. Three stocks declined during the week’s trading while all other stocks traded flat.

GLAXOSMITH emerged as the major laggard for the week following share price decline of 14.42% to NGN42.79. Other major price losers were FIDSON and NEIMETH which declined by 14.10% and 6.41% to settle share prices at

Industrial goods: Sector kicks off on a drab note The Industrial goods sector closed the week in the negative zone as most stocks in the basket commenced the year with WoW share price declines. The Meri-IND index shed 18.88% during the week with two stocks recording price gains.

CUTIX gained 4.62% on the last trading day of the week to inch share price up to NGN1.36 just as ASHAKACEM ended the week 0.32% up at NGN21.97.

DANGCEM emerged the major laggard for the week having shed 20.68% to close trading at NGN158.65. Other price losers were CCNN, CAP and WAPCO which declined by 9.62%, 4.00% and 0.68% respectively.

Our 2015 outlook for the Industrial sector is mixed as we believe the expected slowdown in economic growth will negatively impact on construction activities and by extension demand for building materials while the attractive stock prices (given their closing prices as at 2014 yearend) on the other hand, portends upside potential for the sector.

Insurance Sector: Dragged by bearish market performance.

The sector started the year on a bearish note as it returned -2.54% WtD even as market breadth was largely in favour of decliners as no counter closed positive for the week.

NEM recorded a price decline of 7.69% WtD to lead the losers’ chart. MANSARD, AIICO and CUSTODYINS followed suit with respective losses of 4.69%, 3.70% and 1.38% while all other counters traded flat during the week.

The NSE delisted Oasis Insurance Plc from its daily official trading list following the total acquisition of the company by FBN insurance Limited, a subsidiary of FBH Holdings Plc. NAICOM also approved the appointment of two executives of NEM insurance plc, Mrs. Susan Abisola Giwa-Osagie as Deputy Managing Director and Alani Mukaila Olojede as Executive Director. Their expertise is expected to improve the activities of the company going forward.

We envisage the bearish trend might persist following the tense political environ as the 2015 presidential election draws nearer amidst weak economic fundamentals caused by dwindling crude oil prices. Hence, we preach cautious trading in the coming week.

Oil and Gas: Starts the Year Red In a divergent outing to its positive performance in 2014, the Oil and Gas sector started the year in the negative zone as its index level pared 6.22% WtD just as sector breadth favoured decliners with two stocks appreciating against four decliners.

Championing the positive performance was TOTAL, which expanded its price by 1.58% to close at NGN144.75 following the 16.18% loss posted in 2014. Also, FO, the sector’s most performing stock in 2014, continued its gaining streak as position taking further expanded its price by 0.92%.

On the converse, investors’ negative sentiments on SEPLAT and OANDO persisted as they further compounded last year losses by 19.14% and 6.58% accordingly. This is not unexpected given the continued risk of falling global oil prices and its resultant effect on the upstream players. Other losers for the week were ETERNA (-4.36%) and MOBIL (-0.59%) We are optimistic of a positive performance on most of the counters in the coming week as many counters appear to have bottomed out at their current prices. However, we preach caution as general market fundamentals remain weak.

Services Sector: RT BRISCOE takes the lead with 14.29% The mood in the services sector aligned with the general negative mood in the equities market as the MERI-SERVE Index lost 2.01% WtD. RT BRISCOE led the gainers with 14.29% to close at NGN0.88 just as REDSTAREX followed closely with a 6.60% share pice gain.

On the flip side, the hospitality counter led the losers with IKEJAHOTEL shedding 13.78% trailed by TRANSEXPR, CAVERTON, TRANSCORP, ABCTRANS, NAHCO and LEARNAFRICA which all declined by -8.94%, -4.87%, -4.62%, -3.64%, -1.61% and -0.74% in that order.

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SundayBusiness

In pursuit of a successful 2015 (2) Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

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ast week, we identified the following as sine qua non to success in 2015:

n Vision; n Timelines; n Planning; and n Action

The foregoing are what we should put in place. There are, however, some other things we should place on check, as they can become stumbling blocks in our pursuit of a successful 2015.

They are as follows: n Past Failures and Ugly Experiences Failures in the past could discourage some people from making further attempts. However, that ought not to be. It ought not to be because failure is just an event, not a person. Failure does not take on the personality of anyone. In other words, the fact that one failed does not mean that the person is a failure. All he or she needs to do is to keep attempting until he or she gets it right. An example that readily comes to mind in this regard is Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, who was said to have made many unsuccessful attempts before succeeding at inventing the light bulb for which he is still reckoned with till tomorrow.

Prof. Samuel Pierpont Langley (18341906), on the other hand, gave up 16 years of what appeared to be unsuccessful attempts at inventing an ‘aircraft.’ He succeeded at some points in manufacturing aerodromes (aircrafts of sorts) which flew some heights and distances. However, when, with the funding of the U.S Army, he attempted at improving on what he had done, with a view to making crafts that could fly a human being, he failed a couple of times. Consequently, he gave up 16 years of creative efforts to better the lot of humanity through practical aerodynamics. That much could be gleaned from the following statement of his: “I have thus far had only a purely scientific interest in the results of these labours. Perhaps, if it could have been foreseen at the outset how much labour there was to be, how much of life would be given to it, and how much care, I might have hesitated to enter upon it at all. And now reward must be looked for, if reward there be, in the knowledge that I have done the best I could in a difficult task, with results which it may be hoped will be useful to others. I have brought to a close the portion of the work which seemed to be specially mine - the demonstration of the practicability of mechanical flight - and for the next stage, which is the commercial and practical development of the idea, it is probable that the world may look to others. The world, indeed, will be supine if it do (sic) not realise that a new possibility has come to it, and that the great universal highway overhead is now soon to be

opened.”

Guess what. Nine days after Prof.

Langley’s ‘last’ attempt, Orville and Wilbur Wright wrote their names in history as the first persons to successfully fly an aircraft.

Friend, if you stop trying because you failed previous times, someone else might achieve it and take the credit that would have been yours.

So, keep trying, if the goal is worth it in the first place. Keep on, and keep keeping on. n Self-imposed Limitations Some lines strike me in the abovequoted statement of Langley. Hear this: “I have brought to a close the portion of the work which seemed to be specially mine - the demonstration of the practicability of mechanical flight ...” Langley delineated the jurisdiction of his scientific adventure. He limited his creativity, by those very words, but more importantly, by the thought that birthed those words.

He further declared, “... and for the next stage, which is the commercial and practical development of the idea, it is probable that the world may look to others.” By that statement, he shut himself out of the possibility of inventing a passenger plane. Little wonder, despite his 16 year-effort, the Wright brothers proved him right nine days after that self-indicting ‘prophecy’. What a tragedy!

For 2015 to be a year of transformation for some, they need a mental renovation. Friend, if you must succeed in 2015, you must think success.

The reason is simple: you are your thoughts.

Why we are the way we are The Big Picture Julian Atufunwa 08032810713 (SMS only)

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have been taught from infancy that the earth spins and rotates on its axis. I have always wondered why we are not moving along with it.

Though some have argued that we are all moving along with the earth, but how? I seem not to be moving. Once in a while, I think about this and try to find out more. Recently, I started having this wild thought that if truly we are rotating, by now those of us in Lagos would have been approaching Gwoza in Borno State. I was startled by the mere thought of it; but come to think of it, if we all, I mean every state in Nigeria, took turns to spin to the Northern states, maybe we all together would have found a way to restore peace to those states. If we know that in the next few months, we will be rotating to the North, we will find ways to make peace before we get there.

But as it is, we seem to be waiting for the government when about 700,000 persons, our own brothers and sisters are displaced, others killed in their own country. So sad!

Well, I continued in my wild imagination. What if we spin or rotate around the continents? Nigerians would be rotating to the United States. Wow! I smiled to myself that that would be great. For a few seconds, I was lost in thoughts of staying in the United States. But I was then interrupted by

another thought. ‘Wake up Julian, do you think that the earth moving Nigerians to a developed country would not make any difference? Do you think that the developed countries of the world are developed because of their geographical locations? No way! They are developed because of the way they think.” I tell you, Nigerians will still be Nigerians anywhere any day, but bring the United States here, our land would be transformed into a paradise, because our land is rich.Now, let’s ask ourselves some questions: Why are we the way we are? What are we not doing right?

Answers n Excess power is vested on rulers: In developed countries of the world, power resides in the people and part of it is given to the government. But in Nigeria, power resides with the government and a part is given to the people. As we speak, you have the power to make that change now, by voting right. You have the right to choose who your next leader will be; let’s not be passive about voting, if you don’t vote, hence you have no right to complain about the government. The power is residing in you so go out and vote when the right time comes. Do Not Sell Your Vote. n Excessive feasting: In our own country, money is spent more on the dead than on the living. We spend so much remembering the dead than the urchins around us. So sad! n Rejection of open conflict: in our country, we don’t like debate. We feel threatened by open disagreement, but we should disagree to agree. n Bad financial management: In Singapore, every citizen working saves money by law. Before you

receive your salary, the deduction takes place. If you spend everything that comes into your pocket, you will never be rich; no amount of praying and fasting can help you. If you save money, you will be able to grab opportunities for investment when it comes knocking. You may not have all the money to pay but you could negotiate and pay the rest later. If you have saved funds, you have a voice. Your helping people should not excuse you from saving.

Remember, you can’t solve all the problems of the world. That is God’s responsibility, so do not frustrate God’s process in people’s lives by wanting to meet all their needs.

Allow them to pass through the process and create a balance when you give. n Cannibalism: It is pathetic when you read or see ritualistic eating or selling of human flesh by fellow human beings. The lack of value for human life is killing the country. Every human being is an extension of God; anything you cannot do or give to God should not be given or done to man.

Until we learn to value human lives, there are heights we will never attain as individuals or as a nation. n Human Capital Management: We must change the strategy for prosperity from natural resources to human capital management. Oil money is peanuts compared to ideas from human minds. I believe the decline in oil prices should serve as a wake-up call to launch out to other wealth sources, to build an enduring nation, allow and promote great ideas by creating an enabling environment.

Why Jonathan won’t remove fuel subsidy CO NTINUED F R O M PAGE 23

workers. Two months earlier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dave Lesar told Bloomberg that “our sector will be fine” if oil prices range between $80 and $100 a barrel.

According to Bloomberg, the U.S shale boom that brought the country closer to energy self-sufficiency than at any time since the 1980s will be challenged in 2015 as never before. The benchmark U.S crude price has fallen below $60, demand growth is weakening and OPEC, which controls 40 per cent of supply, is unwilling to cut output.

It quoted Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates, an energy consultant in Houston as saying that “the extent and rapidity of the price decline has been a surprise. They’re facing a new reality.”

Bloomberg further reports that the financial statements filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission by some of the largest U.S shale drillers, such as Irving, Texasbased Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PXD), Continental and Chesapeake Energy Corp., both based in Oklahoma City, show that the companies have been spending money faster than they make it, borrowing to pay for their expansion.

Chief economist of the International Energy Agency in Paris, Faith Birol, told AFP in December 22 that investment will decline in the U.S. in 2015. The 76 drillers in the Bloomberg Intelligence North America E&P Valuation Peers Index spent $184.9 billion in the 12 months through September 30, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Continental, ConocoPhillips and Houston-based Apache Corp. are among the companies that have announced budget cuts.

IFMA elects new officers

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nternational Facility Management Association (IFMA) Nigeria Chapter has elected new council members.

A statement by the CEO/Lead Consultant, Leap Communications Limited, Muyiwa Akintunde, on Friday said that at its Annual General Meeting in Lagos recently, Mr. Richard Olatunji Okesola, a seasoned facility management professional who is also an Associate member of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, was elected president to succeed Ms. Iyabo Aboaba, while Mr. Pius Iwundu became the vice-president.

Other council members are Mr. Olalekan Akinwunmi, general secretary; Mrs. Abimbola Olusegun-Adamolekun, treasurer; Tunji Kuku, assistant general secretary; and Mr. Segun Adebayo, publicity secretary.

The new president pledged to continue from where the immediate past council stopped by aiming at sustainable and enviable feats during his two-year tenure. He further said that collaborating with other professionals in the country would be of utmost priority, the push to have the facility management profession chartered would be pursued vigorously.

Okesola thanked the outgoing members of the council for laying a solid foundation to build on and also requested the support and co-operation of every member towards the realisation of the vision of the association.

Winners emerge in ‘who deserves to be surprised’

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he popular game show, ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire,’ has created another stunning special episode designed to encourage viewers to surprise someone who has positively influenced their lives and contributed to making them who they are today.

Working within the MTN Season of surprises, the show looked for and revealed eight deserving Nigerians from all the nominees sent in by viewers from all walks of life and from all over the country.

Omotola Akinsola won N250,000 on ‘Who wants to be a Millionaire,’ as well as a house worth N50m through the special ‘Who deserves to be surprised.’

Reacting, Akinsola said, “I cannot believe it because at first when I got the call to come over, I was like is this for real; but I decided to move with the flow. And on getting to the studio here in Lagos I was a bit unsure as I thought I might not be so knowledgeable to get on the Hot Seat.

“I was also scared of the fastest fingers first process; I was just hoping I don’t get a heart attack. But thankfully, with the help of Mayowa, my friend who nominated me, we skipped through the fastest fingers first and made it to the Hot Seat where I won 250,000 and the surprise gift of a house worth fifty million Naira which is just really amazing for me.

Mrs. Iyabo Sodiya-Dawodu, who also won a car in the ‘Who deserves to be surprised,’ said, “When it first started and my dad told me, I told him it’s all a lie and that it’s one of the 419 promos that they do at the end of the year. And that infact, we have been warned on TV and radio that it’s end of the year and we should beware of fraudsters.

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SundayBusiness/News

Twists and turns of 2015 budget I don’t see the basis for the country borrowing in the midst of supposedly excess crude account and collectible taxes

Okonjo-Iweala

Chijioke Iremeka

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fundamental restructuring of budgets is required at Federal and State levels if fiscal sustainability is to be achieved in the nation’s economy going forward. The high ratio of recurrent to capital spending must be reversed as way of going forward.

Nigeria is part of the global economy and therefore susceptible to developments in the rest of the world economy. Global growth projection has been revised downwards from 3.7 per cent in April to 3.3 per cent in October for 2014.

Also, 2015 global growth projections are lowered by 0.1 to 3.8 per cent based on the world’s financial conditions. Hence, the proposed 2015 budget is clearly affected by these indices; especially the decline in the oil revenue and reduced expenditure, as well as other forms of adjustments in tackling its effects on the economy.

As a result, a number of measures to increase non-oil revenue and manage available resources in a more efficient manner have been observed in the proposed budget, while protecting the poor is the government’s claimed approach to cushioning its effects on Nigerian economy.

However, some experts say the benefits of the current economic challenges have presented Nigeria with an opportunity to transit from an oil-dependent to a non oil-driven economy. The true character of a great nation, they say, emerges in times of difficulties, hence, the difficult but necessary decisions to diversify is inevitable.

According to the analysis of the 2015 Budget, a transition budget presented on December 17, 2014 by the Director-General, Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Bright Okogu, government will continue its push for growth while adjusting.

Okogu noted that the long term strategy, clearly stated in the budget, is to continue diversifying the economy, taking advantage of the rebasing of the GDP on power, ports, oil and gas, agriculture, manufactur-

ing and housing, while the implementation of structural reforms will drive growth and help in the transition to a less oil-dependent economy.

President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Frank Jacobs, however said that it is worrisome that the expenditure on debt servicing is fast rising from N828 billion in 2014 to N943 billion in 2015, an equivalent of 22 per cent of the aggregate expenditure.

He said there is a need to stimulate manufacturing to reverse too much dependence on foreign finished goods.

He said if the budget could stimulate the manufacturing sector, the impact of the decline in oil revenues will be minimal. He called for a more serious implementation of policies on growing small and medium enterprises in the country.

The Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, described the budget as ‘unrealistic.’

According to him, an analysis of the budget shows that recurrent expenditure (salaries, overheads, statutory transfers and debt service costs) totalled N3.97trillion, which is an unbelievable 91 per cent of the entire 2015 budget proposal.

“Our analysis treats subsidy for reinvestment and empowerment programme (SURE-P) as an externality to the aggregate budget, because except the oil price rises, the landing cost of fuel will still be low, leaving too little savings for SURE-P. Typically, this is to say that the aggregate budget as presented currently is to keep government running. How this budget would deepen the diversification of the economy has not been explained,” he stated.

President of Nigerian Labour Congress, Abdulwahed Omar, said the austerity budget should not imply workers losing their jobs. He also said it should not mean that they won’t get their salaries as workers are not responsible for the depleting of the national resources.

“We will not tolerate the retrenchment of workers; rather, we expect government to expand some of its projects in the area of job creation. That is why we are calling on gov-

ernment not scrape SURE-P. Also we expect the pump price fuel to come down soonest,” he said.

A former president of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, said the increase of the personnel cost to over N1.8 trillion over the total capital allocation of about N650bn is very embarrassing and does not indicate seriousness on the part of government to expand the non-oil sector to save the country from the difficulties of the collapse of the oil prices in the global market.

He said the allocation to capital projects is too little to stimulate economic activities that will grow the economy.

“We don’t know if the SURE-P is going to remain in the face of low oil crude oil prices wiping out fuel subsidy. If allocation to SURE-P is to be stopped, them allocation to capital in the budget is too low,” he said.

As contained in the budget, Okonjo-Iweala noted that increasing non-oil revenues would make up for lower oil revenue, strengthening FIRS to close the gaps in tax administration with focus on seven key initiatives to include registration, filing, collection of tax debts, improving audit processes, tax evasion, tax exemptions and communication.

In 2014, she noted, FIRS was given an additional N75bn over and above its normal target, which was met as at November through its work with McKinsey & Co and the budget had ramp up this initiative in 2015 - a goal of N160bn above the 2014 target for FIRS, focusing on tax policy in the medium to long term after strengthening tax administration - VAT, CIT and PIT among others.

According to her, the goal is to get about N460bn in three years as in the case with South Africa’s tax administration and tax policy. There will be a review of tax waivers and exemptions and the implementation of pioneer status exemptions to some oil companies to generate about N36bn. Also, the 2015 budget introduced a number of surcharges on certain luxury items to draw in additional revenues in tone of N 23bn – 10 per cent import surcharge on new private jets to raise N3.7bn; 39 per cent import surcharge on luxury yachts (N1.6bn); and five per cent import surcharge on luxury cars to the tune of N2.6bn.

In the same manner, there will be a surcharge on Business and First Class tickets on airlines; three per cent luxury surcharge on champagnes, wines and spirits(N2.3bn); one per cent FCT Mansion tax on residential properties with value of N300 million and above (N360 million).

But a Lagos-based analyst and legal practitioner, Yomi Okunnu, wondered what amount of money would be realised by taxes on the luxury goods. Though he noted that taxes on luxury goods would be an additional source of revenue, but he wasn’t sure whether the receipts would amount to anything as the population of Nigerians that make use of luxury yachts, jets and vehicles are limited, waivers notwithstanding.

“There is unseriousness and unpreparedness on the part of the government, especially in a year where there is likely to be a change of government. You can’t generate this money in one year. So, we need to do something about it. Tax regime will be a scratch on the skin. When you talk about luxury goods, what is the population of Nigeria that has luxury goods? Even those few people that indulge, can they afford these taxes? The government is not attending to the issue.

“One year will not have an effect on this.

We are all tax defaulters. Those who are deployed to do it, are not working; if not the IGR on tax alone would have done the state a lot of good. It’s not working. Customs and immigration everywhere, all the borders are open. No tax collected. So, the kangaroo one you are pushing can not do anything, not even with the distractions of the election.

“If we have depleted our reserves and we are not replacing them, we will get to the point that I wouldn’t want to imagine for any reason. Unless the government wakes up to vire other sources of revenue, including agriculture, which cannot be done overnight, there will be a big problem for the economy.

“The unseriousness is seen in the devaluation of the Naira due to a fall in the oil price.

It’s unimaginable that the dollar will cross the N190 mark. We don’t produce and in the time like this, we should be talking about cushioning the effect with the ECA. We need to balance up our receipts with our expenditure. For Nigeria to move forward in election and budgetary periods like these, we have to sit up,” he stated.

Also, on the new tax regime, an economist and public financial analyst, Henry Boyo, raised issues on the system of the government, where virtually all luxury goods are given waivers to, especially to those in the government, saying such does not help any economy.

Boyo, who advocated the removal of waivers on luxury goods, frowned on the practice where such incentives are given to luxury goods to sectors that don’t need it.

“I don’t see the basis for the country borrowing in the midst of supposedly excess crude account and collectible taxes,” he added.

Also speaking, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, BIC Consultancy, Lagos, Dr. Boniface Chizea, said, “Suddenly, non-oil revenue accounts for 47 per cent of the national budget. It’s most interesting. It shows what is possible and what the nation can do to reduce vulnerabilities and external shocks arising from dependency on the oil sector.

“Efforts should be intensified in this direction as no one knows what picture we might end up getting. The fact of the diversified nature of the economy was first made manifest following the rebased GDP when oil contribution was down to 14 per cent, representing a poor second to Services at over 50 per cent.

“We should also seize this opportunity while we are at it to reduce reliance on the oil sector by aggressively tapping into other critical sources in the economy such as solid minerals to fast forward the development of this potentially great country.”

Also, another financial expert, James Ayo, said, “Though I applaud the courageous approach of weaning Nigerian economy away from over-dependence on oil, I think it will help a lot if this policy is seriously executed, CONTINUED ON PAGE 29

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

World / News

How we’re transforming Bayelsa into agrarian economy –Commissioner Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Thomas Commander, in this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, says his ministry is driving the state’s agricultural revolution programmes What is this much talked about Bayelsa State agriculture revolution?

When I took over the ministry, knowing very well the importance of the sector to the growth of the state’s economy, I looked for experts and qualified people to support our desire to transform the state to an agrarian economy. We also sought for local and foreign partners. Another important step we took was to resuscitate agricultural companies the past administration put in place with the intention of driving the agricultural sector in the state as a commercial venture. The four companies established are the Niger Delta Seafood Company for aquaculture, breeding and hatching of fish; Bayelsa State Palm Company, which has the mandate to control the Bayelsa palm, included planting, cultivating, harvesting and processing. The state also has a palm plantation of 1300 hectares of land that is doing very well. Also, we had gone into an expansion programme where 150 hectares of land has been put to use.

Similarly, a new automated mill has been ordered so that the quality of palm oil produced in the state will be good enough for local consumption and for the international market. We have a plan for biogas, whereby we generate energy from palm waste products. We are also thinking of utilising these palm products for the production of soaps and detergents. The third is Bayelsa Farm Company, which is to drive the commercial rice production programme of the government as the state has the best ecology for rice production in the world because of the rainfall throughout the year. We also plant rice in three cycles, which means in every month in the state, rice activities are going on.

Then, the Greek Food Supplies Company was set up at that time to market the state’s agricultural products, whereby they buy those other state-owned companies produces and sell to the local or international markets. Now, we have Bayelsa Agricultural Development Company, which is the parent to warehouse all the four companies in the state, with a group chairman, group managing director and board which supervises other firms. The parent company on its own has large cassava farm projects of 600 acres, the largest cassava farm in Nigeria. Another area we made a breakthrough was in reviving abandoned jetties in the state. On manpower, the state government has trained over 3000 young graduates of Bayelsa State through the Songhai Agricultural Centre, in Benin Republic. After training the young graduates in poultry, aquaculture, horticulture, they were deployed to the agricultural companies in the state.

You made mention of local and international partners in the sector. What has been their impact in the state?

A gigantic cassava farm is about to be set

We have Bayelsa State Palm Company, which has mandate to control the Bayelsa palm, included planting, cultivating, harvesting and processing

Thomas

up in the state and all the equipment have arrived. The technical partners are working day and night from Italy, Germany and Demark. The foreign partners are bringing in their technology and equipment, while the state government is providing land for the cassava farm. It is an integrated project that will include a cassava processing factory. Also, there is a strong agreement between the state government and the foreign partners to train Bayelsans to manage the setup and by early next year the project will be completed and put to use. Even President Jonathan Goodluck has promised to commission the gigantic project that will provide over 10,000 employment opportunities for the citizens in the state.

What is the state of the poultry farm the state government is promoting?

Plans are under way for a 100,000 capacity poultry in the state. We have made arrangements with an Israeli company. Apart from that, we are partnering two Israeli companies to establish two commercial aquaculture companies. We are collaboration with them to set up an aquaculture with 2000 metric tonnes of fish par annual which is the largest so far. Another has 1000 metric tonnes in Onada. They brought technology that put the farm in a commercial stage at 1000 metric tonnes, while the people are being trained in modern aquaculture to world standard. They are going to set up a large processing plant as well as a factory that will package and export the fish outside the country. We have selected areas of the state that have comparative advantage in rice production, oil palm, cassava, banana and plantain to lead in Nigeria. We have built training centres across the state because it is necessary to train and retrain the people. We have the best veterinary clinic in the country where livestock matters are treated by veterinary doctors.

What have the challenges been?

I was able to key into the administration’s restoration programme, since the governor gave me all the support I needed. In fact, he pushed me just like a person driving a caterpillar by saying that as agriculture

commissioner, you must not rest. So, I knew the challenges ahead of me, that the job is different from other people’s jobs.

The governor told me he will give me every support I needed to drive the agriculture sector of the economy because he has a passion for agriculture. Since then I have never rested, as the governor instructed me and I never went on holiday or leave for over three years since I was appointed as commissioner of agriculture.

I also believed in the agricultural projects and I have been driving it as a personal matter. This is because I never see it as government business or something I am doing for anybody. But I see it as a commitment to make agriculture succeed in the state for the general good of the people.

You have few months before the end of the life of this administration. What plan do you have for the remaining time?

Well, for the remaining months, all the projects initiated by this administration will be completed and we have completed all the projects abandoned by the past government. Again, as agriculture creates the largest job opportunities, we want to absorb all the unemployed youths in the state, to a level we will be calling on other states to bring their unemployed youths for employment in the agriculture sector in the Bayelsa State.

What do you think the Federal Government should do to improve agriculture in the country?

The present minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Adeshina Akinwunmi is doing a great job in the sector. I think the aquaculture area of the agriculture sector should be harnessed very well looking at the huge potential we have surrounded by ocean. As a nation, we are supposed to produce enough fish for domestic consumption and for export.

Twists and turns of 2015 budget CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 2 8

to avoid a volatile economy. “However, the working class will be more affected by the adjustments made in the economy. For example, VAT will go up from five to 10 per cent while the tax on luxury goods will go up by 10 per cent. I think it should be the other way round.

“The VAT should go up by 10% to 5.5% while taxes on luxury goods should go up by 50%. The rich in Nigeria should learn to bear more burdens during economic downturns, as they are the ones that enjoyed most when things were going on well with the economy.

“VAT increases will affect the poor more than the rich. Simply put, the rich can take care of themselves. VAT will increase the cost of goods and services to all, coupled with the devalued Naira. The common man in Nigeria will be more affected as this will bring in inflation.

“The fact that there are no wage increases for lowly paid workers will make the plight of the working class worss. There is a need for a cut in the number of advisers to the President. I don’t see reasons for having a minister of state if the permanent secretaries and directors are optimally utilised.”

The Managing Director, Vogue Tech Construction Company, Dedji Balogun, said, “Although I may not be an economist but I believe the most viable way of pruning our budget starts and ends at the executive and

legislature level of the Federal Government.

“They must reduce their frivolous spending and bloated allowances. Increasing taxes via VAT will add a burden on goods and services as we are an import-based nation.

When the UK increased VAT, they had a strong currency and many UK brands were manufactured outside the UK. This didn’t affect the retail prices too much.

“But in contrast, Lagosians already pay an equivalent of 10 per cent VAT (five per cent federal VAT and five per cent state consumption tax). Will Lagos be exempt from the increased VAT?” Also, a professor of Political Economy and director at Lagos Business School, Pat Utomi, noted that taxes were the major sources of government revenues, especially in the First Republic.

“At that time, emphasis was placed on job creation by the government so that people would work and pay taxes to the government. Then, the taxes were used judiciously to develop the economy but the reverse became the case upon the discovery of oil.

“The discovery of oil has been viewed as a curse to the country rather than as a blessing.

There is a need to diversify our revenue base.

Perhaps, the drop in the oil prices will afford the country this opportunity to diversify.”

On the budget aggregate allocations (recurrent and capital) and performance, an Ikoyibased legal practitioner and Partner, Richard Denning LP, Mr. Richard Chukwuocha, wondered why the recurrent expenditure

would be higher than capital expenditure.

He said it should have been the other way round for a developing and job-creating economy like Nigeria.

In his analysis, Chukwuocha, who urged the government to complement expenditure with the right policies to attract private investments in the form of PPP, said the oil benchmark of $65 per barrel is unrealistic, especially when oil prices are still falling.

He expressed worry that oil prices, which had further gone down since the budget was presented to the National Assembly, would experience a steeper fall. He said the government ought to have reviewed the benchmark far below what the country has currently. He observed, according to the budget, that Defence and Security would gulp N985.79bn, while infrastructure, including Works, Power, Transport, Aviation, and FCT would take N93.66bn; growth stimulating and job creating sectors - Agriculture (N39.15bn), Water Resources (N13.86bn), Human Development - Health (N257.54bn), and Education (N492.03bn).

“In the current fiscal plan, capital vote was projected to be N1.552trn. On paper, N610bn has been released; whereas, actual funds made available to the MDAs for which implementation has been effected is only a little above N400bn, owing to what Okonjo-Iweala attributed to crude oil production quantity shocks, price shocks and under-remittances of internally generated revenue by some MDAs,” he added.

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SUNDAY

31

Politics SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

The Sunday Interview

Lawal Kaita: Why Shagari couldn’t stop Buhari’s coup p.32-33

Interview

INEC and task of tracking campaign funds The Independent National Electoral Commission says it is now ready to enforce the rule regarding the limit of campaign spending by registered political parties. ONYEKACHI EZE reports the challenges the commission might encounter in its new assignment

Udom Emmanuel: I’ll provide space for 22 former PDP aspirants p.35 Decree 4: Don’t blame Buhari for jailing me –Tunde Thompson p.37

I

Jega and Abba

Biyi Adegoroye biyi.fire@yahoo.com 08033024007 © Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

f there is any herculean task for the Independent National Electoral Commission besides electoral violence as it prepares for the general elections, it is the formulation of mechanism for tracking campaign funds.

Like a sign of things to come, the Peoples Democratic Party ‘s fund-raiser where over N21 billion was garnered at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, three weeks ago for the prosecution this year’s general elections, has raised some legal and moral questions.

At the event, donours who caught across business, government and private sectors gave various amounts into the fund. Chief Tunde Ayeni opened the naira rain with N1 billion on behalf of himself and his group of friends, and another N2 billion from a different group of his friends across the country.

Professor Jerry Gana, the chairman of the fund raising committee, donated N5 billion on behalf of his friends, while the PDP Governors’ Forum, represented by the Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, announced a donation of N50 million by each of the 21 PDP governors, grossing N1.05 billion. Interestingly, Chief Bola Shagaya who represented the oil and gas sector donated N5 billion while the construction sector donated

N310 million.

Though the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, General Mohammadu Buhari’s campaign team has raised the sum of N118 million from the streets, the party has received various sums from its state chapters. It is said to be proposing N5 billion fund raiser ffrom all the 19 northern states of the country in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Jigawa chapter is said to have donated N85million, and about N40 million came from Enugu. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has allegedly donated N50million, an aircraft and 12 vehicles. Rivers and Lagos states are said to be making an undisclosed “huge donations” However, one issue that has gained currency in the political arena is the huge expenses incurred during the party’s primaries in Lagos last December where more than 8,000 delegates were in attendance . Unconfirmed reports said each of the delegates got $5,000 to elect Buhari.

What the law says Curious enough, Section 91 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) put maximum spending by a candidate for presidential election at N1 billion, N200 million for governorship election while senatorial and House of Representatives candidates

must not exceed N40 million and N20 million ceiling respectively.

The ceiling for House of Assembly candidate and local government council chairman is N10 million. These figures are inclusive of advert placements in the media, party nomination fees, bill boards and other supposedly regimented expenses.

The law also imposes a fine of N1 million or 12 months imprisonment or both for violators of presidential spending limit and N800,000 or nine months imprisonment or both on anybody who flouts the spending limit for governorship. Other violators in case of legislators at national and state levels as well as chairmanship candidates also have their penalties.

Although this law has been in place, and no one has been penalised for exceeding figures, at least, since the return of civil democracy in the country in 1999, INEC said it is now ready to enforce it.

Kayode Idowu, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, disclosed that a department has been created by the commission to monitor the spending of candidates in the 2015 election. ”That structure did not exist in 2011, and we could not do much in that regard. Now we have CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

The Sunda

Lawal Kaita: Why couldn’t stop Buha Peoples Democratic Party chieftain and former governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, in this interview with ONWUNKA NZESHI, speaks on insecurity in the country and speculations that the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, might be a puppet in the hands of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu if elected Since your tenure as governor of old Kaduna State was truncated by a military coup in 1983, you seem to have refrained from seeking elective office. What have you been doing with yourself?

Yes, my tenure as governor lasted for only three months. Since then, I have remained in politics. I was Chairman, Nigerian Maritime Authority and a member of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees. I have held many other positions too.

Normally, those who have tasted power at the level of governor often come back to seek a completion of their truncated tenure. Why did you not seek to be a governor again after your first attempt?

I wasn’t really interested ... I saw no reason for it again. You know that in my own case, in 1979, I contested for the governorship election in Kaduna State; I was defeated by Balarabe Musa whom we later impeached.

What really happened? Why did you arrange his impeachment?

We had to impeach him, because it was quite glaring that he did not win that election. I contested the election with him, they claimed he beat me but I knew he couldn’t have beaten me. In an attempt to prove it, we had to do something. My party then, the National Party of Nigeria, had 66 members while his party, Peoples Redemption Party, had 33 members in the Kaduna State House of Assembly. In that circumstance, how can the NPN be beaten by the PRP? It was not possible. So we simply organised to impeach him to prove to those people who rigged the election that this man should not have been a governor. We were in the majority and his emergence as governor showed that the election was thoroughly rigged. So we simply did what we did to teach him a lesson.

What has been your relationship with Alhaji Balarabe Musa? Have you reconciled as friends?

Oh yes, but not as friends. We were never friends. At that time, he was in the PRP and I was in the NPN and there was no love lost between the two parties. So we weren’t the best of friends, but there was no quarrel between us. We were not enemies either.

We only disagreed politically.

How did you feel on December 31, 1983 when you heard that the Shagari administration of which you were a part had been sacked by the military?

No, it wasn’t so much a surprise. We knew it was coming.

that there is the possibility of a coup taking place. At that time, he was living in Lagos and he travelled to Abuja, which was one of the plans to truncate the coup. So, he came to Abuja because in Lagos there was nowhere to escape; but in Abuja there were so many ways to escape. In spite of that, the coup still took place. He was in Abuja when the coup took place. He left Abuja by road to Nasarawa. But if he were in Lagos, he could have been arrested. (Laughter) That was part of the drama to show you that he had information about the coup. He told me before that time to get ready because something might happen.

Why didn’t your party, NPN, and those of you in government do something to avert that coup?

The time was too short. You know to organise something against our military is not easy.

The time was too short. At that time, the Nigerian Army was united and once they decided to do something, they would do it.

Incidentally, it was Gen. Muhammadu Buhari who led that coup and subsequently became the head of state. Have you forgiven him for truncating your administration?

Well, I get on very well with him.

Up till now, I get o n very well with him because I never felt so

How? We had information.

Shagari informed me

Kaita

bitter about the coup. Yes, we were a democratically elected government and the military came and seized power through an unconstitutional means and we were helpless.

Do you see such a thing happening in Nigeria again after these 15 years of unbroken democracy?

Of course, why not?

Why not? Right now even, they can do it.

(Laughs) You see, it can happen very easily because we are now worse off than where we were in 1983. I think Nigeria is worse off now in every respect.

Imagine!

Look at the number of people that are being killed every day in

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ay Interview

Shagari ari’s coup Nigeria? Did you ever think of that in 1983?

Hundred people, 30 people, 40 people being killed every day! Bomb blasts every day. The country is totally in chaos. No security. Haba!

The Chibok schoolgirls are still in captivity several months after they were abducted

by Boko Haram. Do you think the government of the day is handling this challenge of insecurity and abductions properly?

You are talking about months?

The Chibok schoolgirls have been held hostage for almost one year. (Laughter) I think the government has not done well at all. In all respects, they have not done well at all.

What would you have loved them to do in the situation?

The government should have stopped it. They should not have allowed these things to be happening. It is not only the Chibok girls, there is insecurity everywhere.

When I talk with friends within and outside the country, it is the same concern they express every day. Every day you hear about bomb blasts here and there. (Laughs) Nigeria at some point solicited support from the United States, United Kingdom and France and even formed a multinational force to checkmate this insurgency; but it appears these efforts have not helped matters.

Why do you think we are not getting the expected results?

We are not.

Now the question is, why are we not hav-

ing enough cooperation? We are not good neighbours to them. You have a friend, if you get on very well, he comes to your house, you go to his house. If you are not in good terms nobody goes to see the other. I think that is what is happening to Nigeria; we are not good to our neighbours because they are not helping us.

The opposition has criticised Jonathan’s government seriously over this insecurity and some have asked him not to seek re-election because he has been unable to tackle the issue of insecurity. Do you share this view of the opposition?

Yes I do. He should not have even thought of seeking a second term because he has no reason to do so. There is nothing tangible to show that he has done anything for Nigeria.

They say Transformation Agenda, transformation here, transformation there. It’s all nonsense! What has Jonathan achieved in Nigeria to convince me and even you to vote for him?

What about all the achievements showcased by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria? Are the roads and bridges being shown on television not real?

Well, in the North we have not seen any road.

There is this fear about the forthcoming elections. People are afraid that the elections might be marred by violence. Do you share this view?

I don’t share that view. The only thing that can mar the elections is if attempts are made to rig them. People will go to vote and if they are allowed to vote and the true results are announced to them, nothing will happen.

But if attempts are made to rig the election, the people will resist.

You are a founding member of PDP; are you still part of that party?

I am more than a founding member. Five of us started PDP in this country. Myself, late lro Dan Musa, late Abubakar Rimi, Sule Lamido and Adamu Ciroma.

What about Alex Ekwueme? Was he not part of the founding team?

He was, but I am talking about the Northern block which formed the original PDP, from Shehu Shagari’s committee.

There is this disturbing issue of hate speech and unguarded utterances from politicians and their supporters across the country. What do you have to say about those using words that could stir up violence?

Generally, I have heard about some of these utterances, particularly the one by the one they call Asari Dokubo. (Laughs) They are simply irresponsible. That is all I can say, they are irresponsible, coming from some important people in the society. Nigerians ought to beat up some of

me and I said no, I don’t mean ungovernable in terms of violence. I never thought of or expected it to be the way it is now.

When you said the country would be made ungovernable, what were you expecting?

I was expecting a reaction from the people against the government; not against themselves, but you see this reaction is against everybody.

We are now worse off than where we were in 1983. I think.

Nigeria is worse off now in every respect...

Bomb blast every day.

The country is in total chaos. No security.

Haba! these people whenever they see them. Yes, such that they will stop this kind of nonsense.

Everybody wants Nigeria to be in peace. All these lies and provocations from politicians should stop because from my standpoint, everybody wants peace and unity in Nigeria.

The APC has threatened that if the presidential election does not go its way, it will form a parallel government. Would this not be an invitation to anarchy?

What they said is that if the election is rigged, not if they lose the election. Somebody must win and somebody must lose the election.

You know that when a Nigerian loses an election, he says that the election was rigged. He tells his followers that it was rigged and they resort to violence. Don’t you see any danger here?

I lost a governorship election in 1979 yet I didn’t react that way. I believe Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the man whom they said made the statement at APC rally is a very responsible politician. I respect him. I don’t think he can say this. No responsible person will support Amaechi on this if he says they will form a parallel government if they lose the election. Haba! How can you do that?

What are your thoughts about the next president of Nigeria? What do you think the next president of Nigeria should look like?

Well, I know Buhari better. I know he was a military head of state and he ran the country very well. No corruption, no indiscipline. He is, to me, the ideal person to be President. He will restore peace and sanity in Nigeria as against what we are having now. Everything is rotten, no order, the country is disorderly, everybody doing what they like. (Laughs).

You don’t seem to go along with me. What we are having now is no order. Everybody does what he likes.

Talking about hate speech and inflammatory statements, in 2011, you were quoted to have said that if power did not return to the North, this country would be made ungovernable for President Jonathan...

(Cuts in)... I said it. I said it. I have never denied it. It was quoted especially by those in Rivers, Dokubo and so and so. I was quoted and I was arrested. I was taken to the State Security office in Abuja here. They interrogated

Some Nigerians see the Boko Haram insurgency as an offshoot of some of these inflammatory comments and those who made the comments as their sponsors.

What do you have to say on this conjecture?

No no no, how can my my statement have meant what is happening in Nigeria today - Boko Haram, killing people, 10, 20, 100?

How? Oh, no!

What advice do you have for the electorate as we approach the elections?

It is peace. Go to the polls peacefully. I am still in PDP but I will vote for Buhari. That is what is done all over the world. Personally, I feel Buhari is going to be a better president; that is all. He governed this country before and we had peace, discipline, and no corruption and so on, but now everything is gone.

What advice do you have for the government on how to tackle some of the key problems we have today?

I don’t think there is anybody who can give you advice on what to do as a government.

The government, once it is formed, if we are lucky, the President surrounds himself with quite capable, honest and dedicated people, then things would begin to work out well.

This is one area where the mistake starts.

Even when Jonathan started, we all liked him very well. Everybody supported him, after all we voted for him.

So at what point did you withdraw your support?

It was when he allowed this Boko Haram and corruption to take over the country. He allowed it. He is the President. He is the one in position to stop it. It was from that time we began to see him as either a partisan or a weak person. Otherwise, in the beginning, we all loved him very much. (Laughs again) My message to Nigerians is, election is coming, just like me; everybody should go and vote according to his conscience. Everybody should be allowed to vote in line with his conscience. This is the most important thing, to be allowed to go and do it. This is what we see in the APC primaries. Up to a day before the election, we were all sure Atiku Abubakar would win. But in the night, governors of APC came together and told their delegates whom to vote for and they did.

Is it a good thing that somebody was coasting home to win and they ganged up and pushed him aside?

It is not good at all.

Does that Atiku experience not lend credence to the speculations that the APC is in the pockets of one man and a few of his acolytes? Is that not an indication that Buhari might be held hostage by Bola Tinubu and his men if he eventually wins the election?

No. Buhari will do away with Tinubu rather than being held hostage by anybody. This is why some of us in the North are supporting him. We know him and we know what he can do. You know he is from Daura and I am from Kasawa. We are all from Katsina.

His best friend was my cousin, late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. So we know him very much. He is too tough and stubborn.

He cannot be manipulated. After all, Tinubu did everything humanly possible to be his vice-president, it was Buhari who told him no. So Tinubu cannot do it. He can’t hold Buhari hostage.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

INEC and task of tracking campaign funds

Mu’azu C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

been able to put structure in place to track the expenditure and we are going to be doing that.

What the law anticipates is that we have ceiling on spending and we will now monitor to know whether we can make a case about it,” he explained.

Flashback to 2010 election The ruling PDP in its audited financial statements for 2010 and 2011 said it spent a total sum of N2, 241, 693, 156 billion in its national convention and congresses leading to the 2011 general elections.

The breakdown of the money showed that the sum of N1,937,700,00 billion was spent by the party on the national convention where Goodluck Jonathan emerged as the presidential candidate of the party while N135,550,000 million was expended on the congresses where the governorship and parliamentary candidates of the party emerged.

This figures however, excluded the money expended during the campaigns to sell the candidates to the electorate. But at the same time, the party disclosed that is spent the sum of N168, 443, 156 million on publicity and announcements with the same period.

And because PDP was silent on how much it spent on presidential campaign, gave room for a lot of speculations. Former presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega-party, Professor Pat Utomi, at a policy dialogue for presidential candidates organized by the Murtala Muhammed Foundation during the 2011 election campaigns, accused President Jonathan of spending N100 million of public money every day on his campaign, even

The law also imposes a fine of N1 million or 12 months imprisonment or both for violators of presidential spending limit and N800,000 or nine months imprisonment or both on anybody who flouts the spending limit for governorship

Odigie-Oyegun

though there was no documented evidence to prove it.

At the same time, the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) also alleged that the Jonathan/Sambo campaign, that same year gulped the sum of N178 billion. Ironically, the same ACN, which fielded former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as its presidential candidate, could not tell Nigerians how much it spent on its presidential campaign that saw six of ACN state governors contributing to the campaign fund.

A foreign television station, Aljazeera, on its report on April 13, 2011, just few days to the presidential election, said PDP had spent about $2 billion for electioneering campaigns to sell its presidential candidate. An online media, SaharaReporters, quoting an unnamed Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official, alleged that the president spent N107 billion in only three days to woo northerners to vote for President Jonathan.

These were mere speculations which could not be proved or verified, and nobody had gone to court to compel the president or his party to tell Nigerians how much tax payers’ money was used for his election.

Apart from PDP and ACN, the Congress for Progressive Change also fielded former military head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate for the election. But none of the parties could disclose how much it spent on their presidential campaigns As the amount for presidential campaigns could not be ascertained, it would amount to a taboo to ask how much went into the gubernatorial and legislative campaigns that same year.

Jonathan campaign team, however, in defence of the extravagance during the presidential campaign tours around the country, said it raised funds from members of the public who were sympathetic to the president’s candidacy, to finance his campaign. Even at that, how much was raised from the individuals concerned was not disclosed.

It could be admitted that prior to the flag off of the presidential campaign, a presidential campaign fund raising dinner was organised where the likes of Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group, Femi Otedola, chairman, Zenon oil, Mike Adenuga, chairman Glo mobile, Tony Elumelu, former Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Jimoh Ibrahim, chairman, Global Fleet, as well as Chief Emeka Offor, Kassim Bukar, Sayyu Dantata, Jim Ovia, Dahiru Manga, Abdulsa-

Lamorde

mad Rabiu and Kola Salako, among others, donated generously to Jonathan’s campaign fund.

In England and United States Comparative analysis of campaign spending in America and the United Kingdom seems to obliterate Nigerian spending. For instance, in the 2008 federal elections in the United States of America, a total sum of $5.3 billion was spent by the Democratic and Republic parties on campaigns, some $7 million less than $6 billion estimated by the Centre for Responsive Politics.

The presidential election alone where the first African-American was elected America’s President cost $2.4 billion. The breakdown showed that the Democrats spent $730 million on Barack Obama’s campaign while John McCain’s campaign cost the Republicans $333 million.

In the 2010 mid -term election where the sum of $3.6 billion was spent, the election of an average House of Representatives member was estimated at $1.4 million and $9.8 million per Senate seat.

In 2010 election, authorities in the United Kingdom admitted that there was a drop below 26 per cent less than what was spent in 2005 electioneering campaigns. The sum of $49 million was said to have been spent during the 2010 election. There is however, the absence of limits on the amount individuals or corporations can donate during campaigns.

“When donors are making contributions exceeding £20,000 ($31,000) -- and some are making donations well over £250,000 ($390,000) -- it’s perfectly understandable you don’t give away that kind of money without expecting something in return,” Chandu Krishnan, executive director of Transparency International (TI) in the United Kingdom, stated.

Nigeria is a peculiar situation. Despite the provisions in the Electoral Act, INEC still faces a big challenge in monitoring the spending.

Unlike in America and other advanced countries that run cashless economy with strong financial monitoring unit, Nigerian economy is still driven by cash-and-carry policy.

Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, described as embarrassing the massive donations to the PDP for the purposes of elections and called on INEC to prosecute them. He said the development further underscored what he described as monetisation of politics in the country and called for publication of names of the individuals and amount donated for appropriate legal action.

Esther Uzoma, a lawyer, while advising

the department charged with the responsibility of tracking the campaign expenses of the political parties, to begin now to gather information regarding newspaper publications, television and radio advertisements, she however, admitted that tracking campaign funds is difficult.

“There is always a rented crowd and these monies are shared at the campaign ground, so it becomes difficult to know how much that is spent. Our money system is not yet digitalised. That is why we should support the CBN’s electronic platform for transfer of money”, Uzoma noted.

She observed that Section 92 (3) of the Electoral Act mandates all registered political parties in the country to file their expenditure with INEC after every election.

Chibueze Emmanuel, a social commentator said a country like Nigeria where unknown groups and individuals contribute money to buy a nomination form for the president, tracking campaign spending is a herculean tasks.

Another problem INEC may be facing is that none of the parties has a consolidated account for candidate running for elective office. Just like in other climes, hence a candidate emerges; he or she becomes a candidate of the party on whose platform he was nominated.

This means that the party is responsible for the campaign expenses.

In Nigeria, apart from the party taking over the campaign programmes (which was the explanation given for the exorbitant nomination fees), state resources are readily deployed to ensure the candidate’s success at the polls.

In the case of the presidential election, the party in power deploys the presidential air fleet to facilitate the airlifting of party faithful to the campaign venue. At the state level, the party in power converts the security vote, which is usually, unaccounted for, for his or his anointed candidate’s electoral success. These are in addition to the money budgeted for the electioneering campaign by the party.

Under this circumstance, INEC may be at a loss on how to know the actual amount spent by the political party and its candidate(s) at the election. In addition, how could the commission aggregate the amount voted by various support groups to enhance the electoral fortunes of their choice candidate? This, indeed, will be a herculean task.

Just like how INEC was helpless when the two major political were breaching pre-election campaign law so it will be in trying to monitor the campaign spending of the candidates.

35

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

Politics

Udom Emmanuel: I’ll provide space for 22 former PDP aspirants Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, in this interview speaks on his vision for the state, his alleged relationship and efforts being made to reconcile with the 22 aspirants who were upset by the outcome of the primaries. BIYI ADEGOROYE captures the report You have an intimidating profile of service, especially in the private sector. How did you find yourself in politics which is believed to be dirty game?

First, I want to correct that impression that politics is dirty. I always try to tell people that if you call 10 politicians here and tell them to define the word ‘politics,’ they will give you 10 different definitions. At times, people hide behind criminality and call it politics; people hide behind deceit and call that politics. I don’t think that is really what politics is all about.

Politics is all about service to humanity and to mankind. And I also want to say here; it is like if you attend a funeral, while to other people the body you see there in that small box is a corpse but to the owner of that person it is a mother. So while others are calling that same small box corpse, the owners call it my mother. Why is the owner calling it my mother? It is passion, it comes from the heart.

What gives you the conviction that you can take Akwa Ibom to the next level?

I still want to take you back to the first point I made. Even in the Bible, it was written ‘God said, whom I shall send, who will go for us?’

Isaiah wasn’t the only prophet around but Isaiah’s account is recorded because he is being seen to be the messenger that carried the right message. What do I mean by the messenger that carries the right message? The conviction is on capacity. I keep on telling people if you cannot run a kiosk you cannot run a multinational because the principles of management cut across. If you cannot run a local government you cannot run a state government. So in life, you now sit back and assess yourself.

Since I was born, I went to school, the quality of education I’ve had, the quality of training and the experience you don’t buy in the market. Based on that, you also do what I call a self re-assessment. You re-appraise that capacity.

And in life have you actually put that capacity to practice to actually yield results? And I’m happy in this part of the world everybody talks about dividend and dividend in any way you look at it; dividend comes out of execution and then results. If you don’t achieve results then you cannot talk about dividend.

Then when you now look at a man who throughout his life was busy declaring and paying out dividend for people to share and here are people crying. Their need is ‘we want dividend of democracy,’ and you say throughout my lifetime, I have been involved in decision making that result in good dividend for people. Why can’t I go in here and also offer my services so that the dividend they are actually looking at, even the return on their expectation, no matter how intangible it could be could actually surpass people’s expectation.

So having assessed that capacity and having all over again looked at the entire needs of the people and also look at the entire world, what makes the world? The world is made up of those resources that we were thought in elementary economics – man, money and the rest of them.

In fact, in the developed world, it is one side that drives the other not the other way round.

Looking at it that in developed economies, it is the private sector that drives the public sector and we also know that these people don’t have the monopoly of God. God is for all of us. So if they are actually using that principle

Emmanuel

and they are actually creating value, quality of living and everything, why can’t I come in and do the same so that dividend can be multiple in nature and also the return can be much higher because everybody is talking about dividend of democracy and all through I have been involved in that.

Second, in the entire world, the first set of cameras that we had in those days was totally different from what we have today, because people had to improve upon what had been laid.

Even in terms of television, you know these days you have a curved TV; you had HD, LCD and now people are talking of curved TV. If you actually check, they did not change the entire research mechanism. They did not change the entire team, they did not change the entire vision, and they did not change the entire mission. So people came up and built and improved on what the early researchers had actually done.

Look at how many engineers worked on Boeing 8380. About 12,000 engineers, even when they had few challenges. So, having looked at the foundation laid in Aiwa Ibom

by Chief (Dr) Godswill Obot Akpabio which is a super foundation, I have said this over and over again that if you have a good man like that laying a foundation for a skyscraper and then you give it to a quack, he will come and build a bungalow and then it will be totally wasted. So having assessed my own capacity that the foundation laid for a skyscraper and you need a skilled manpower to actually drive

this. You need somebody who is exposed, somebody who knows actually how to build a skyscraper on such a piled foundation. I just assessed it and I said I have the capacity.

Above all I have the passion; I have the love for my people… I am a man who had been in top management over these years, a man that both Cross River and Akwa Ibom can boast of being the first man to sit in Africa Finance Corporation board, a man who had played politics in international arena, a man who has spoken in so many international investors fora, a man who has addressed international investors all over the world, a man who has played corporate politics all over and as I said at the end of the day what is the bottom line?

Everybody is asking about dividend. Both corporate and public, they are asking about dividend. This one says dividend of democracy, that one says give me dividend out of the bottom line. The funnel empties into just that one word - dividend and having garnered all the experience in both sides definitely that is why I think I am the right man for the right job.

Look at the challenges of the economy all over the world, we need to move from the point where at the end of every month we go and sit down with our biros and our laptops waiting for statutory allocations. There must be a little bit of creativity because if you keep doing the same thing over and over again you’ll keep getting the same results. I keep telling people, if you look at the whole world today, we woke up overnight and we heard

there was a financial meltdown and what is financial meltdown? Where did it melt to?

Certainly it must have melted somewhere but it didn’t melt into Africa. Africa suffered for it.

So this time around, we want to say no matter how you call it, money is paper, whatever they used that melted was paper and at the end of it that paper melted into one kind of development or the other for the developed world.

Can we also at this time let that paper melt into Akwa Ibom so that by the time you turn around you can be prouder of the state? Take Uyo capital city for example, you compare it, the other time the governor said that by the time we finish with Uyo, what happened to York City will happen to Uyo because York was York City but when it was totally transformed it was called New York City. So why can’t we, after we’ve built blocks, redesigned the entire city change it to New Uyo City. That is what we want to see. We should be able to actually turn even our capital to New Uyo. It is rumoured that you were brought to replace Bassey Albert Akpan as the Commissioner for Finance in the state but it turned around the other way. What is the true picture?

Let me help you here. There can only be one captain in one ship at a time. So, irrespective of whatsoever you hear, they are all rumours, because as at today, we have just one leader and one visioner, and that is Chief Akpabio. He has the vision, he knows what he wants the state to become, he is the father of us all and he knows at what point he needs a round peg in a round hole. And the idea of bringing Udom Emmanuel as Secretary to the State Government had nothing to do with any other individual. I didn’t come in as a commissioner. My brother (Bassey Albert) was serving already as a commissioner. And if you also know who Udom Emmanuel is, he is one man that does not believe in struggling for space because we believe your skill at any point in time should speak for you. So what our leader, our great leader, visionary leader needed at that point in time was a replacement. There was a vacancy and he had to fill it and he was just looking for somebody that will fit into it. He needed an experienced person and he searched and found me somewhere and I had to come and serve my people. I couldn’t hesitate on that…

Constitutionally, there are certain officers that are by appointment and if it is by appointment the Chief Executive decides who goes where, at what point in time and what job function is assigned to that person provided it is not a constitutionally elective office. And once it is by appointment, please let no man make any mistake, your blood brother can fill an appointment. Even your wife can fill that appointment. An appointment does not have tenure because it is not an elective office.

So, if somebody just decides, probably out of love and whatever to keep you beyond what human beings think is a ‘reasonable time’, it shouldn’t be taken for granted. And for sure, we should still come back to the drawing board and see how we should learn to respect our leaders because leaders are made by God. After your nomination, aggrieved members of your party formed what is known as G22, quite alien to Akwa Ibom State. What has been your personal effort to pacify them and bring them back?

Let me start from the party, because the party is supreme here and we are all under one umbrella which is the PDP. The party during its meeting, the caucus meeting, had actually set up a committee to reconcile all the parties who are aggrieved in one way or the other.

And let me also tell you here, this is purely an internal issue of the PDP. Where I come CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

36

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

Artisans warn against electoral fraud, violence

A

s the nation moves towards next month’s elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission has been tasked to avoid compromise either on the basis of religion or ethnicity in the conduct of the elections and announcing the results.

In a statement by the Association for Better Artisans of Nigeria, Niger State chapter, the group called on INEC to uphold the sanctity of truth and integrity, and avoid giving victory to either of the two prominent presidential candidates for monetary or ethno-religious considerations.

The group said that: “INEC should not

Obaze

sell the truth to the current president and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for money, nor give victory to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress on the basis of ethnic or religious considerations.”

The statement signed by the chairman of the group, Mr. Adeniji Adegoroye, and secretary, Ibrahim Mudashiru, acknowledged that the destiny of this nation lies in the hands of INEC at this critical time, calling on INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to replicate the electoral success of 2011 and even improve upon it this year.

The association decried the lopsidedness in the distribution of the permanent

voter’s card in many parts of the country, which has been alleged skewed to favour a particular region, stating that giving unfair advantage over others negates the principle of justice.

It urged politicians to display a high sense of patriotism and respect for the sanctity of life and spirit of sportsmanship before, during and after the elections.

“Instead of resorting to violence as a result of dissatisfaction with any outcome of the elections as will be declared by INEC, they should seek redress in the law courts.”

The statement said the since the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be conducted on February 14, any

party that loses at the centre should return to re-strategise at state level to win the support of the electorate, and desist from taking the offensive that will lead to a breakdown of law and order.

The group which comprises of numerous artisans, who completed their industrial and entrepreneurial training programme between 2008 and 2011, also warned politicians to desist from exploiting unemployed youths to foment trouble during and after the elections.

The group regretted that many of the youths who carried out high level of chaos and destructions in the past 2011 elections are still around with other violent ones who are often exploited and incited into committing violence and murder by politicians.

According to the group, these youths are impressionable and oblivious of their actions, “They hardly know anything about the value of the voter’s card, and the need to adhere to democratic principles, but are often brainwashed to carry out carnage to satisfy the dictates of the politicians.”

It condemned on the attacks of APC members during the presidential campaign of General Muhamadu Buhari in Rivers State last week as well as post-primaries killings in Lagos, saying that these attacks were unwarranted and baseless.

It called on security agencies to come down heavily on anyone who makes inciting statements during political campaigns and after the elections, because this has become a dangerous common practice in the country. It stated that when promoters of such violence are arrested and jailed, it will send a signal to others who might be nursing such heinous practice.

The statement said that the two major religions abhor bloodshed and this must be demonstrated in the current election period. “From creation, God did not create man to dominate one another, let alone killing one another.

That was why God rained curse upon Cain (Kabila in the Quoran), for killing his brother, Abel.”

For that reason, the artisans warned that anyone who causes or intends to cause violence and bloodshed in any part of the country in the name of election is bringing himself under divine curse, adding however that, it shall be well with lovers of truth and righteousness who are committed to the growth of the country.

37

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

Politics / Interview

Decree 4: Don’t blame Buhari for jailing me –Tunde Thompson Remember Tunde Thompson? He was the journalist detained alongside Nduka Irabor, both of The Guardian newspaper, under Decree 4 in 1984 while the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was head of state.

Currently hibernating in Lagos, the Edo Stateborn Thompson, who clocks 64 this year, says Buhari should not be blamed for their ordeal in this interview with DELE ALAO Looking back to your days in active journalism, what would you say were your ups and downs?

The most exciting moment was when I was interestingly with theDaily Sketch in Ibadan between 1976 after youth service and 1978 when I came to Lagos. In 1976, after my youth service, I came back to Lagos and went to Daily Times. Daily Times was not ready to employ its old hands at that time because it had just been taken over by the government and they paid 60 per cent of the shares, that is the Federal Government. Though they were not ready to be responsible, they bought shares without providing for running capital. So, I would say, during one of my trips to Daily Times, I was with Dr. Olu Onagoruwa who was the legal adviser to the company at that time and then Felix Adenaike phoned from Ibadan to say, I am sure the question was: Have you helped me see Tunde Thompson, then he said: ‘Oun lo wa niwaju mi yi,’ that is, that was me right in front of him. He said he should give me the phone. ‘Where are you, we have been looking for you. Brig. General Jemibewon said that we should come and run The Sketch and anywhere you are in this country, whether it is Mobil or Texaco, any organisation, UN, whatever they are paying you, we will increase it. We have been looking for you.’ And I said how would start coming to Ibadan and he said staff vehicles are on Broad Street, Lagos and would be arranged to take me down to Ibadan, So, I went. It was one of those moving round from Daily Sketch office around Kingsway to the University of Ibadan that I met one of my lecturers, Dr. Bolaji Akinyemi. He was also a member of our club, Embassy Club, which was called Diplomacy.

He asked what I was doing in Ibadan, that they were looking for me at Daily Times. My answer was that journalism is a profession, it can be practised anywhere. He was right, because I was a Times man before I went to U.I in 1971. In short, The Sketch gave me the opportunity to practise journalism to my satisfaction. I was able to go from one investigation to another one. I went for an investigation at the University of Jos on admission irregularities or allegations of irregularities.

When I finished that investigation, I had a lot of positive responses. Somebody wrote from Warri to say that I must make the Petroleum Training Institute my next port of call. At that time, it was the principal versus the registrar, they were at loggerheads. I went and saw and reported both sides as though I was a lawyer to both sides. You know there were political developments at that time; 76/78, the Constituent Assembly was meeting in Lagos. I had to shuttle between Lagos and Ibadan.

And talking about your down moments?

Down moments, down moments, down moments. Let me tell you, I really don’t know

Thompson

about my down moments as such because in practice as a journalist, the job was to be done. The down moment that I had was being treated as somebody who didn’t know what he was doing professionally; like in 1984 when I wrote some diplomatic stories and somebody from the Nigeria Security Organisation came to The Guardian premises to say I was wanted at their headquarters off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. And I said what for? So, you could regard that period when I was subjected to detention for about two weeks or so and later additional weeks waiting for prosecution under their Protection of Public Officers Decree 4 of 1984 as my down moment because it was an interruption of the freedom that I was used to as a journalist from1971 when I joined Daily Times as a sub-editor. I was trained on the job as a sub-editor. That meant I learnt to be an editor from the word go. So, I didn’t see what they were looking for or that error that was committed. So, my down moment was when I really faced the law enforcement officers about alleged errors committed in the course of doing my job as a senior diplomatic correspondent.

Can we have an idea of what the errors were all about?

There were changes in the diplomatic order. The diplomatic order changed, people who were working in different countries were changed or removed. It turned out to be that in some areas, career diplomats were not given their recognition anymore. They were replaced with other people. Some of them didn’t have any diplomatic training. Some were military men and they were posted out. The career diplomats were removed and replaced with these military men. You know when you are in power, you can do what you want with your men and materials. But there should be respect for due process. I would say that the error that was allegedly committed was that the posting had not been announced. There were also some other developments other than postings, some Nigerian diplomatic posts were changed, either closed down or new ones opened. And I had my information as a senior diplomatic correspondent that these were the developments.

In fact, as far as I am concerned, the Nigerian travelling public, even the people on the home

scene, had the right or must have the right to know what was happening. They had to know what was happening. And so when I got the information that some missions were to be closed, I thought well, why would you let a Nigerian go to a place say like Lebanon and find out that the mission there had been closed when he just left some place and went there? He has enough time to be informed.

So, we wrote some stories about the diplomatic posts. I think my major concern was to inform the public about developments on the diplomatic scene. And then those who were being retired from the Ministry of External Affairs too; that was another issue. People were being retired, some people were just being promoted. And people were just being kicked out unceremoniously; the job of a journalist had to be done. So, if I was a senior diplomatic correspondent, my job was to report what was happening. For reporting those developments, I incurred the wrath of the security organisation.

How do you feel that the man who was the head of state at that time is now in the presidential race?

In this case, time has changed. My position today is that the man who is running for the presidency now, Gen. Buhari, interestingly did not sign my detention order. I don’t hold Buhari responsible for anything that happened to me in 1984. To be frank, it was the security people, the Nigeria Security Organisation, that arrested me based on the stories that were published. And then there was Decree No 2 that Tunde Idiagbon was responsible for; again it was a governmental matter. Then you can say that Buhari and Idiagbon were responsible for security matters then, you were detained under Decree 2, that is the detention decree. But my position is that there was no law titled: Protection of Public Officers Decree No. 4 of 1984 as at the time I was arrested in February 1984. So to me, I think the incarceration and all of that arose because of bad judgment on the part of government. But to me also, government was symbolised by the security agencies because it was what they said to the government that they took hook, line and sinker.

So, I want to say that I did not hold Buhari responsible for what happened to Nduka Iraboh

and myself. At the time Decree No. 4 was promulgated, what I wrote had been published by the newspaper. So, Decree No. 4 was just a retroactive piece of legislation. These are some of the reasons I think military rule is abnormal.

It is an abnegation of democratic values. And I was very embarrassed by the drama that was manifested while trying to prove that some errors had been committed. It was an embarrassment. Because one, why was it an offence to publish that an embassy had been closed, that some diplomats had been retired or that some people had been made ambassadors or high commissioners? Why was it criminal?

I think government had the intention that unless they told you to do this, you should not do it. But don’t forget that as far back as 1852, The Times of London had published an opinion that government and the press are in combat about secrets. The government wants to keep things secret, the press wants disclosure, wants the public to know. So, the conflict was inevitable as far as I am concerned. I am still of the opinion that if Buhari is running for the presidency, he should not be castigated and cannot be rightly castigated for what was done by the government that he headed. I put it to you that he may not well have instructed anybody to arrest me. I know who ordered my arrest because I spoke to him.

But, was there any time Buhari offered an apology?

My brother, you know in the military there is Espirit de Corp, which we really have to understand. There was no time to appeal because the military wouldn’t want to appear weak. And I don’t think he was convinced that the military were not right because it was the security people that were in charge of the operation. Let us put it that way. And if they said this is it, that is it. That was it. Without being apologetic, I want to say that I feel particularly strongly that the government had that time needed to know more about the workings of the press and the press needed to know more about the workings of the government.

As far as I am concerned, a journalist has to do his work because he was trained to do his job. Government was totally ignorant about this freedom of information, about this nondisclosure of the sources of information and all that.

38

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics / Column

Jonathan and his missiles at opposition Villa Notes emmyanule@yahoo.com

Anule Emmanuel

N

igeria’s political environment is fast becoming more interesting as the February general elections draw closer. Why several persons continue to express fears on what would be the fate of the country after the polls, a few citizens yet believe that there is no cause for alarm. President Goodluck Jonathan who is the incumbent indeed, apparently seems to be on the hot seat receiving pointed arrows from all directions.

For the presidential election, the battle has since been narrowed down to two major contenders, between the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and incumbent President Jonathan and former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressive sCongress .

Although, this year’s election is an expanded one cutting across states, the National Assembly and governorship elections, the ultimate battle remains on which political party occupies Aso Rock come May 29, this year.

What this struggle appears to be throwing up currently is attacks and counter-attacks from the key players and their officials with tempers fast rising high.

In fact, despite calls from stakeholders for all actors to play the game with some level of decorum and with the unity of Nigeria at

heart, at the moment, rather than issue based politics, what Nigerians are witnessing in the political space is a scenery of character assassination.

As far as the opposition APC is concerned, President Jonathan and his administration has failed. This is politics. One can understand why its message to the electorate hinges on the belief that the present government has not been able to address many of the country’s problems including tackling issues of corruption, stabilizing electricity supply, boosting the economy and creating jobs for the citizens.

In pointing out these issues as reasons why the electorate must opt for a change, the party also not relented in portraying President Jonathan as a failure and its candidate General Buhari as the messiah incoming for the country.

Unfortunately for the President, his being attacked in the wake of the elections has not only come from the opposition APC but from a few elder-statesmen including former President Olusegun Obasanjo ,who incidentally has seen nothing good in why President Jonathan should seek re-election. Only few days ago, the former President accused Jonathan and squandering huge savings from the country’s Excess Crude Account and the foreign reserves.

But who says that President Jonathan is not prepared to fight back? At every opportunity provided by the electioneering campaign period, he has not failed in taking a swoop against his perceived detractors. With undercover and open missiles, President Jonathan himself has not relented in firing back at those castigating his administration in the light of

paving the way for change.

Last Tuesday, during the inauguration of his presidential campaign team, the President released one of his counter attack missiles with vexation challenging past leaders to prove to Nigerians what they did to develop the country as compared to what his administration has achieved in the last four years.

This apparently was in response to former President Obasanjo’s wild criticism. In quick succession, however, the next day Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the North Central geo-political zone, President Jonathan threw another bomb shell. This time, describing elder-statesmen who have failed to exhibit behaviors fit for the age as motor park touts.

Interestingly, President Jonathan seems bothered not only about the former President’s criticism but is not ready to take chances with any attempt to smear his person while scoring cheap political points. In this regard, he has also hit back at General Buhari, his main rival in response to the APC candidate’s comment at various times that both the PDP and the incumbent president has failed the country.

At the flag off of his campaign in Lagos last Thursday, Jonathan took time to ex-ray the other side of Buhari which for him, many Nigerians remained oblivious about. “They say to be strong is to jail people indiscriminately.

For 300 years. Is that where you want to go?”

Facing the party faithfuls at the Tafawa Balewa Square, the President began his speech by stating that he was addressing young Nigerians who would be voting for the first time.

He asked them to verify from their elderly uncles and aunties the truth about Buhari’s

government in the 80’s, adding that they must choose between a vote to be relevant or be treated as a “nonsense person”.

“They said they will fight insecurity. When he (General Buhari) was Head of State, did he buy one rifle for the Nigerian soldiers?

Before the attacks on Buhari, President Jonathan’s Publicity Campaign Director , Fani Kayode had made a clear distinction between the PDP flag bearer and what the APC candidate represents. For him, Buhari represents darkness while Jonathan represented the light and that Nigerians must choose the latter The concern here is that Mr. President and his handlers need to come to terms with the reality that as it is presently, Obasanjo has nearly little or nothing to lose from going to the entrenches with both General Buhari or Jonathan himself as compared to the negative impacts of his utterances on the ambitions of both presidential candidates.

Like President Jonathan has often reiterated, rather than the two major parties focusing on character assassination, all campaigns need to issue-driven. While the PDP should devote its campaigns to showcasing any of such developmental projects executed in the last four years with the view to convincing electorate in seeing to reason to re-elect their candidate, APC on its part,must not fail to convince Nigerians about what is new, different and more impacting on the lives of millions of citizens yearning for better living conditions.

By hitting the polity for cheap political gains, if Buhari and President Jonathan sustain the current tempo of campaigns, it will only achieve the same thing that occurred in 2011- violence and unrest.

I’m not anyone’s stooge –Udom Emmanuel C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

from, it is said where two plates are kept in the same tray, that whether you like it or not their bodies will touch each other. It doesn’t actually mean that the bodies touching each other will make them to break. I want to use this medium to say, whether you say it is G22 or G23 because I will like it to be G23 so that I will be included as well because I am also a candidate and at one point I was an aspirant.

Whether we are 23, we are 24, 25 or we are 22, I want to believe all of us had one objective in mind. How do we serve our people?

And unfortunately, there is only one seat but my advice to all my brothers (because we are all brothers) and sister, for the fact that there is only just one seat and government is large enough, I think we can just come back and see how we can re-align ourselves internally without actually letting the public know. We can actually accommodate each other and see how things can move on. No matter how we do, external people cannot solve our internal problem. We must sit down and discuss our own internal problems. So my advice is that my brothers should come back, so that we can sit back together once more. I know the PDP as a party has actually set up a committee headed by a distinguished Senator Effiong Bob to actually see how we can bring all the parties that were not happy about the outcome of the primaries together. It is just human that at times, like this people may not be happy in one way or the other. You cannot help that.

That is the nature of man. I think what matters most is what God expects us to do. He says pursue peace. I think that is what the PDP is trying to do. We are even trying to pursue peace, seek peace amongst ourselves so that we can move in as a team and then confront opposition during the general elections. I think that is what we are trying to do. Even as a candidate today, I want to let you know that every single member of G22, or G23 now because I am also a member of that G, all of us have one objective in mind, we have one goal

in mind, we love the people of Akwa Ibom, and because we love the people of Akwa Ibom we are willing and we are moving to seat back together and to discuss. How do we serve our people in different capacities?

We have different strengths that we can actually bring to the table and once we harness this together we’ll build a very strong synergy that will deliver to the people the core value system that they are expecting.

When you hear people say that Udom Emmanuel is not on ground in the politics of Akwa Ibom State, how do you feel?

It depends on what you mean by ‘ground’.

I mean that you are not on ground politically, structure, and strategy?

Speaking about being on ground in terms of politics structure and strategy, I don’t know who else has these more than Udom Emmanuel. I said it earlier that if you cannot build a kiosk, if you cannot actually manage a kiosk you cannot manage a multinational.

How can a man who all through his life has been dealing with human relations not be able to build structure? And let me also correct one thing here, I came into the financial services as Head of Strategy and Strategic Planning and at that point in time when I came in there were other financial institutions that had existed since 1894 and the rest of them…

I see politics as being close to what I have done all through my life. It is the same thing because it is a game of persuasion. How do you relate with people, how do you persuade people, and what can you offer people that will differentiate your qualities from that of another person? So, whoever is trying to say so, as you rightly pointed out early enough, it is a game of bring-him-down syndrome but I as Udom Emmanuel I don’t believe in that. I don’t bring down people in order to rise, because, if you bring down someone definitely you are down with that person. I believe all of us should rise and rise and rise and rise. I don’t believe in bringing down people. So I

believe whoever is saying so is trying to score a cheap point politically. And I want to let you know that every man on the grassroots level, anywhere I go to, when I walk the streets or go inside the villages, anywhere I enter, even a little child (short of little children inside their mother’s womb to leap) chant “Udom is Correct, Udom is Right, the Right Deal, the Real Deal.” These are slogans all over the place.

Anywhere I move to people are screaming, people can’t even wait for the election day to express themselves and actually exercise this and say’ look this is the man that we want.” I am a man that is willing to let go of every other thing, a man who is not after self-aggrandisement but after the welfare of the people. It breaks my heart when I move into a street or village, even if it is for one hour and I don’t see light. I now wonder, I say “Oh my God, did you create people in the Western world; differently the day you created us, that we also deserve to have light 24/7. So these are the kind of things that bother me.

The other day, you exchanged pleasantries with Obong Victor Attah, even getting the same blessing in the church with him. Was that politically motivated or it was a way of expressing your political dexterity?

Before I take that question, let me clear the air on some other issue. You were talking about Udom being brought to clear the mess. Well, if what Akwa Ibom people call the mess is an international stadium that is not found anywhere in Africa except in Uyo, if Akwa Ibom people call having an airport, not going through bad roads, accidents and every other thing, landing in 10 or 15 minutes and they are home, if that is what they call a mess I want to be part of that mess.

Coming back to your question, we were in church and whether you like it or not Obong Attah is our father. Seeing my father in church, I’m always very happy. And throughout the time he was governor till now, he loves all of us and we respect him without limit. I repeat, we respect him to no limit. And that

respect does not differentiate whether he is in church or outside church. It is even in church we should respect more because God says respect your father and your mother without conditions. It is one commandment God gave without condition. It is something you must do. So, the issue of we exchanging pleasantries in church shows that we were happy and we were thankful to God seeing ourselves in year 2015 and we were all praising God together.

That is why you saw all of us together and we were excited.

What are your plans towards curbing youth unemployment in the state?

I want to start from human capital development. I love that area because it is a major primary focus for us. Today, we have free and compulsory education at that basic education level but I want to take you a little bit further that what the next administration will do will go a little beyond the basic education level.

Today, I don’t know if I call up how many people can qualify to be Surveyor General (even of a State). I don’t know today how many pilots that we have in training. Today, I don’t know how many of our people we are preparing that will be MD, CEOs of NNPC etc that we are yet to produce. I don’t know how many we are preparing that will take over as MDC of Mobil. I think what the next administration will do, let me take it from the grassroots. We are going to add more quality to that basic education level. Where will that quality come from? The quality will definitely come from the quality of the teachers that will teach the pupils. That is from the grassroots level. We will expose the teachers to more on-the-job training. We will concentrate on that. We will look at the curriculum and see how that will shape in line with the needs of the country and Africa as a whole. And once we move from there, I also discover that in this part of a developing economy, career guidance and counseling is something that we really need to make a bit more elaborate.

Life SUNDAY

39

SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2015

Displaced persons: Still hoping against hope Ibrahim Abdul,

F Yola

rom the entrance gates, visitors could sense the gloom, as the displaced persons live in an atmosphere of despair and agony, brought about by invading Boko Haram insurgents. Thousands have been displaced, maimed and killed just as many others are still missing. Thousands others are kept at designated camps in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, and other towns.

About 10,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), are at the Damare NYSC camp in Girei Local Government Area.

Though authorities in charge of the camp said they are doing their best to make the displaced persons feel at home and safe from diseases, this could be hampered by the frequency with which increase on a daily basis.

“With the surge of displaced persons into the facility, virtually all infrastructure are stretched beyond their elastic limit. This has raised fear that should there be an epidemic, it will have a serious impact on the displaced persons.

“More worrisome is the seeming lackluster attitude of some of the IDPs who seem not to give a hoot about the environment as some of them throw away litter and

garbage indiscriminately while others defecate in open spaces around the facility; not minding the effect on the teeming number of people in the facility,” said Muhammad Ismail, a Yola-based analyst.

Hygiene challenges During a visit to some of the camps, our correspondent observed that the authorities seem to be going through a lot of difficulty controlling the people, especially in the maintainance of personal hygiene.

Responding to Sunday New Telegraph’s enquiries, the Director of Rescue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Adamawa State Emergency Management Authority, Mr. Sylvanus Papka, said some of the IDPs are capitalising on the dearth of toilet facilities to defecate in open spaces at night.

However, the women leader of the camp, Mrs. Fidelia Joseph, said the authorities are doing their best to ensure sanity and general well-being of the people. She lamented that the attitude of many of the refugees constitutes a major stumbling block to the efforts of the authorities to ensure a clean environment.

She said, “Telling the people to maintain cleanliness of the environment is always difficult. Most times we have to call the men to enforce the cleaning of the environment. It is always a tug of war telling the women to sweep the environment or to throw refuse and other garbage where

There is adequate water in the camp as the industrial borehole in the facility operates on a 24-hour basis.”

He added that he water in the camp is safe for consumption

they rightly belong. If you insist that the right thing must be done, people will take offence.”

Though camp officials claim that they ensure strict adherence to sanitation rules, our correspondent learnt that proper disposal of garbage remains a major challenge.

“Another issue that needs the attention of the authorities is the sanitation of the toilets. The toilets constitute an eyesore and may be the source of the spread of epidemics in the surroundings, especially if the camp remains open till the months of March to July,2014or 2015 ”Ismail further

added.

At the time of the visit, most of the toilets were unkempt as awesome stench oozes from them which demands courage for anyone to remain close by even for seconds.

Papka had earlier said there are 35 toilets in the facility. But considering the number of the displaced persons in the facility, they are grossly inadequate to meet the needs of the thousands occupants of the facility.

“We have 9390 IDPs so far in the camp.

They are mainly from Madagali, Gwoza Michika and recently Mubi local governments. With the current situation, the facilities that we have in this NYSC orientation camp are being overstretched and that is why we are now mounting some tents so that we can create more facilities,” he said.

He noted, “Whenever people gather in a place like this, there are bound to be some social problems like diseases. In recent times we had a case of vomiting and Diarrhea but it was immediately controlled because we have a clinic here. Doctors come from the Federal Medical Centre and Specialist Hospital in Yola. So, we are able to control the disease and not only that we had measles and about two or three individuals were involved. We are also able to settle that issue. The facility here is in good shape and the health personnel are working day and night.”

The director said so far, about nine deaths had been recorded in the camp, mainly from diseases other than vomiting and Diarrhea. He said only two people had died from the ailment, adding that the measles, vomiting and diarrhea had had minimal effect in the camp as they were quickly controlled and addressed by health personnel.

He said that in order to improve on the sanitation in the camp, a Water and Sanitation Committee was formed. He said this led to a drastic improvement of sanitary conditions in the facility adding that with the improved sanitation occasioned by the formation of the committee, no cases of epidemic was recorded again in the camp.

He said, “There is adequate water in the camp as the industrial borehole in the facility operates on a 24-hour basis.” He added that he water in the camp is safe for consumption.

10,000 trapped in Cameroon Papka noted that their major challenge in the camp lies with the ever increasing influx of people. He said they still expect more displaced persons in the camp as over 10,000 displaced people from Mubi are currently trapped in Cameroon and are being expected any time.

He said another problem being faced by the camp has to do with beddings which are in acute shortage due to the influx of people.

In her submission, the woman leader, who hails from Bazza in Michika Local Government Area, said that in order to checkmate the spread of epidemics, the centre administers vaccination to the large number of children in the camp daily. She also said the management of the camp provides antiseptic and detergents to the IDPs for proper sanitation.

She further said that pregnant women are also provided with antenatal care for safe delivery. She added that with the situation, about eight pregnant women had CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

40 C ONT I NUED FROM PAG E 39

safe deliveries and their children are in good health.

Joseph said the facility also provides drugs to IDPs with common illnesses such as malaria, catarrh and cough.

Also in his remark, the Chairman of the Damare IDPs, Alhaji Modu Mohammad, said in order to checkmate the spread of diseases, they ensure that the toilets are washed regularly. He explained that the toilets are washed at least once every two days to prevent the spread of diseases.

Mohammed said the IDPs are adequately fed with three meals daily. He also noted that two cows are slaughtered every two days in order to ensure good diet for them.

The diet is complemented with fish, he added.

Boko Haram amputates residents In the last few weeks, Mubi, the commercial nerve centre of Adamawa State, has became a ghost of itself, having fallen into the hands of Boko Haram. The sect annexed the town to Maiha, Hong and Gombi, renaming the towns as ‘Madinatul Islam,’ meaning the ‘Cities of Islam.’

Life is gradually picking up as some of the fleeing residents are returning.

Before the success recorded in flushing out the insurgents, only insurgents were seen patrolling the roads. Some of them were in masks, brandishing AK-47 rifles while others at strategic locations kept watch over anti-aircraft guns and RPGs. ‘’They really mean business, and whoever dares to go astray, would in few seconds face their wrath,’’ said a trapped resident, Musa Aliyu.

He was among the few lucky residents whose lives were spared out by the marauding insurgents.

“I met with four of them along WuroGude. On seeing them, I just put down my luggage. I was in despair and agony before their group leader whose face was covered in a turban asked me to go.

“They told us that they are not here to kill us, but rather to fight soldiers, police, and those they calls infidels,” said Aliyu.

While Aliyu was lucky, however, the story was not the same with others.

“They never hide their desire to carry out Jihad and ultimately secure daula (state).

Boko Haram do not see me and others as Muslims because of our inclination to western schools and civil obedience based on the constitution.

“They have instituted their pattern of Shari’a law in Mubi. The insurgents have amputated the hands of many residents said to have been found guilty of sundry offences, including looting of property of fleeing residents.

“We saw when they (Boko Haram) were parading some persons whose hands might be amputated for alleged looting,” said Garba Habu, another resident.

An eye witness account indicated that one deputy imam and Muazzim (Prayer caller) were dragged out from a mosque and beheaded for allegedly preaching against Boko Haram. This was just as the insurgents also advised trapped Christians to accept Islam or relocate. Few are said to have been feared killed.

The Emir’s palace in Mubi was converted to the residence of the ‘Amir’ and the insurgents hoisted their flags to signify that they were in control of the place.

Recapture bid As town after town fell to Boko Haram, which busied itself shooting, bombing and raiding communities, and slitting the throats of defenseless residents, Nigerian troops came under severe local and international ridicule for failing to neutralise often predictable attacks by the militants.

But things now appear to be looking up for the military, in what appears a renewed bid to overwhelm the terrorists. The troops, assisted by local vigilantes, known as Civilian-JTF, and hunters were able to clear most

JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Life

Still hoping against hope

Recaptured Emir’s Palacce

As you can see, we have started reopening our shops in a peaceful atmosphere without the fear of being molested. This is a welcome development

of the towns ravaged by insurgent activities in the state, with residents jubilating.

During a visit to ‘Madinatul Islam’ towns, this reporter observed that troops are now at Uba slugging it out with the insurgents, though vehicles were not allowed beyond Gombi. People had to trek to Hong. The road is often quiet. Clearing hazardous materials like IEDs is going on along Mararraba-Mubi Road, before it’s open to users.”

However, communities are still riddled with bullets and IEDs, though the military is doing a lot of cleaning up.

“In fact, the Nigerian military is doing a very fine job here. They have cleared Gombi, Hong, Mararraba, Mubi and the entire route of Boko Haram. If the military is able to keep the tempo, many more places will be liberated,” said Manu Bello, a returnee resident of Maiha.

The visit showed that normalcy had returned, as few residents were seen going about their lawful activities in the recaptured towns of Gombi, Hong, Maiha and the commercial border town of Mubi.

A businessman based at the Mubi Central Market, Malam Abbas Baba, expressed delight over the return of normalcy and thanked the authorities for restoring order to the town.

“As you can see, we have started re-

Malam Abbas Baba

opening our shops in a peaceful atmosphere without the fear of being molested.

This is a welcome development. When the Boko Haram guys were having a field day, they could pounce on you callously but with the coming of the military, the situation has changed for good,” Baba noted.

In Mubi, decomposed bodies were seen at some spots, while their bombed hardware including Armoured Personnel Carriers, Hilux vans and motorcycles lay in various locations especially at Mararrabar Mubi, where intense fighting took place, leading to the destruction of many buildings.

However, all commercial banks in the town, which were vandalised and looted by the Boko Haram insurgents, have yet to resume operations.

Security Presence The military have already started a mopup operation, in preparation for the return of displaced residents, as every inch of the

town is being combed by soldiers. The police and all other para-military agencies have also returned to their bases. Stop and search operations are also being observed, to fish out any remnants of the defeated insurgents.

Residents of the areas called on authorities concerned to quickly remove the corpses of the slain insurgents, as they constitute a health hazard.

They appealed to mobile network providers to restore their services to the towns, to facilitate communication.

Though efforts to speak to the commanding officer of the operation, Col. Danlami Jibrin Abdullahi, proved abortive as he declined to comment, a top military officer said the troops were now better equipped and more confident.

The source said that during a hot pursuit of the terrorists, many were killed and rifles as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition were captured from them.

Another military source stated that the campaign against terrorists’ activities is continuing, with air and land operations being conducted in various theatres in parts of the state. ‘’Troops are currently conducting aggressive patrols in and around the recaptured towns after clearing the town of terrorists. A highly coordinated Air Force operation is backing the troops’ movement and operations in the mission area. ‘’Patrols along with mop up operations are being conducted in places such as Gombi, Hong, Mubi, Fachi and Duma where terrorists have been dislodged as troops continue to advance in their pursuit,” he said.

Sources say that more heavy weapons such as Anti-Aircraft Guns, General Purpose Machine Guns, IED materials, Rocket Propel Launchers as well as rifles and items such as vehicles, motorcycles are being recovered from the fleeing terrorists.

The content of other items such as projectors, DVD players, laptops, mobile phones, memory cards and flash drives recovered from the terrorists are presently being analysed for vital information.

For now, the morale of troops is reported high as they continue on the offensive.

SUNDAY

41

Education on Sunday SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2015

Medical students, Christian doctors’ chart direction for quality service Eddy Uwoghiren,

T UNIBEN

he curtains were last week lowered on the third National Joint Students and Doctors Conference of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), which took place at Camp of Faith, Okigwe, Imo State.

No fewer than 2,000 participants including medical students and 400 medical doctors were in attendance at the conference, tagged: “Medicine - A Ministry.”

Welcoming participants to the talk-shop, the National President of the Doctor’s association, Prof. Oluwatosin Odunayo noted that the joint conference, which holds once in four years, is the largest gathering of medical students and doctors in the country.

“At this conference, we seek under God to make a rediscovery of our calling and ministry. We will also retrace our steps back to the fundamentals that differentiate Christian doctors and students as stewards of the profession that handles the sacredness of human life,” he said.

Towards this end, Odunayo stated that participants would be shown the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Greatest Physician, even as he further expressed strong belief that after the conference, a new set of ‘medical generals’ would have been given birth to who would help in redeeming the myriad of problems facing the nation’s health sector.

Setting the tone of the conference in his paper, entitled: “Medicine - A ministry,” Prof. Sam Ike from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), lamented that there is no gainsaying that the medical profession in the country was fast losing its relevance.

According to him, Medicine was able to attain its pinnacle prior to this time because the patients were the most important persons in the hospital setting, and as such, health workers gave their best to these ‘important people (patients)’ even more than themselves.

His words: “They never focused on themselves. The result of their commitment was evident in the hospital. They lived within boundaries of contentment and were more dedicated to their work; some even saw their work as a call to offer service to humanity and nothing short of that.”

According to Ike, there had been a shift of focus and an unusual concentration on the personality and right of the doctors rather than service to humanity and the patients.

The reason for the health sector existence nowadays is more of the health workers rather than the patients.

This, to him, has changed the thinking of an average doctor and medical student as well as changed their personalities.

Ike, however, noted that this shift from the patient to doctor best explains the lack of satisfaction, low zeal, passion, commitment and poor response to patient’s care both by the doctors and medical students.

“Though they are all trained to save lives, many medical students and doctors no longer have this clear picture as their philosophy of life even not in their practice as doctors or as medical students,” he said, wondering how long this will continue.

Participants during the conference.

Though they are all trained to save lives, many medical students and doctors no longer have this clear picture as their philosophy of life even not in their practice as doctors or studies as medical students,” he said, wondering how long this will continue

A Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr. Omotayo Ojo, while delivering his paper on: “Excellence as Medical Students,” said excellence should be a lifestyle for every medical student.

He advised the students: “You have just six years to be a medical student. The patients you work with in the hospitals are someone’s parents or children. Treat them with utmost respect. Give it all your best. Never compartmentalise your life. You academics, your calling is your ministry at this time.

You are also a ‘Minister’ when compared to a pastor that owns a church. While the pastor is doing his ministry, you are also practicing yours by using your practice as doctors and students to draw your patients to Jesus Christ.”

The conference dwelt extensively on various issues ranging from inadequate space for housemanship, residency training, doctors’ harassment of medical students, medical curriculum and slow pace of medical training.

The representative of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Prof Philip Olatunji, faulted the university admission boards, politicians and parents over what he called inadequate space for housemanship in hospitals.

He noted that the Council gave the universities quota yearly to admit students, but many of them overshot the quota because of corruption, lamenting the situation where parents lobby for admission for their children into medical schools.

Olatunji said: “Last month, the MDCN passed a circular to all state governors to immediately upgrade their General hospitals in order to use them for housemanship and residency training. But as at today, only the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole acknowledged the circular and promised to upgrade the hospitals in his state. You will all agree with me that our leaders lack the political will. And indeed, the truth must be told if the universities had kept faith with their admission quota, many of you seated in this hall would not have been medical students today.”

On doctors’ harassment of medical students, Olatunji advised the medical students to study well, saying “before a doctor could humiliate or harass a medical student during ward round, that student should have defaulted.”

Besides, he warned them not to be afraid of humiliation, even as he said that after they might have failed a simple question, they should go back and read their books.

Other high points of the conference were a debate between the University of Port Har-

court Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), entitled: “Should only Doctors play Leadership’s role in Hospitals?”, as well as quiz, dinner, prayer sessions, elections and scientific paper presentation.

At the election, Elijah Wuyep from Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and Prof. Odunayo, Consultant Plastic Surgeon from the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan emerged Presidents, to pilot the affairs of the Medical Students’ Association and Doctors’ Association respectively.

Speaking at the end of the conference, Nana Walter from the University of Ghana Medical School, Accra, Ghana, said: “I am in Nigeria to visit my grandmother when I heard about the joint conference through a cousin, who is a medical student at the University of Calabar Medical School, I decided to attend. I want to mention that the conference was timely.

“The issue facing the Nigerian health sector is worldwide, but it is just that the country seems to have a large share of the problems.

Over there in Ghana, our doctors also harass us in the hospital, many of the doctors and students have lost confidence in medical profession because they have shifted their focus. I will go back to my country to teach my fellow students what I have learnt from this conference.”

To Dr. Kelvin Ademola from the National Orthopedic Hospital, Lagos, the conference offered an opportunity for him to really commune with God and put everything before Him. Though the problem in the nation’s health sectors appeared to be myriad, he, however, expressed optimism that they are surmountable.

Thus, Ademola advised participants to put to practice whatever they learnt from the conference, even as he lamented the low turnout of doctors at the conference.

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Education

Gombe SUBEB promotes 8, 656 teachers Ben Ngwakwe, GOMBE.

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The new Senate Building

Mimiko restates commitment to adequate funding of education •Inaugurates AAUA Senate Building complex, others

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Kayode Olanrewaju

he newly constructed four-wing of five-storey Senate Building complex of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State has been inaugurated amid fanfare by the state Governor and Visitor to the university.

The 500-capacty Nelson Mandela Hall and a three-storey Library Resource Centre were also inaugurated by the governor, who vowed to continually invest and support the university and the state’s education sector in order to position the system in line with the global best practices.

Inaugurating the projects, the governor expressed delight towards the projects, even as he said: “I am happy to commission another of our legacy projects, which has become our trademark in laying a sustainable foundation for the development of our state.”

Dr. Mimiko, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Olukemi, and other top government functionaries in the state, including the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, noted that the decision by his administration to make a deliberate effort in making education the cheapest and affordable in the Sunshine State was borne out of commitment to democratic access to qualitative education.

The Visitor to the university praised members of the university community such as students, staff and management for their tenacity, abiding faith and love for the institution.

He recalled: “I am not in doubt, that one of the major challenges that AAUA and our other public institutions are facing is that of acute deficit of infrastructure.

This informed our decision to do all that is within our powers to engender an infrastructural turn-around of the institutions.”

Dr. Mimiko, while assuring the people of the state and the university of his administration’s commitment to invest heavily in education, noted: “Our administration will not relent in moving Ondo State to the next level of sustainable development

in all sectors.”

He noted that the recent rating of AAUA as the best state-owned university in Nigeria and the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, the best state polytechnic in the country by the United States Transparency International Standards (USTIS), was not unconnected with the deliberate commitment of the state government to the education sector.

The governor lauded the immediate past Governing Council of the university under the leadership of Chief Dan Nwayanwu, for its contributions to the development of the university in all facets andalso applauded the contractors, consultant architects and project managers – Charvet Nigeria Limited, Akin Olusola & Associates and Interstate Architects Ltd respectively, for a job well done.

Dr. Mimiko particularly praised the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko for what he described as his visionary and purposeful leadership and for kick-starting the process of building a 21st Century University, properly called, in the institution.

“On behalf of the people and government of Ondo State, I thank Prof. Femi Mimiko and the university management team for their services to the university and, by extension, the good people of Ondo State,” he said.

The Senate Building, which provides for 16,000 square metres of exquisite office space on a 12-hectare of land, is a wellthought-out architectural masterpiece of four wings radiating round a central courtyard that helps to illuminate the core area of the complex.

hese are best of times for teachers in the basic education sub-sector of Gombe State.

No fewer than 8,656 teachers that were denied promotion since 2007 had been promoted by the Gombe State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

Besides, the board has carried out the upgrading of 2,256 classroom teachers who possess the Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) and university degrees to their rightful Grade Levels 07 and 08 respectively.

The Chairman of the state SUBEB, Prof. Muhammad Guruma, said the government had approved the cash to implement the promotions and that teacher, who is the pilot and backbone of any education transformation received tremendous attention and training in the areas of capacity building in the core subject areas and ICT, School Based Management Committee Training (SBMC), Strengthening Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE), Quality Assurance Officers Training, UNICEF Girl-Child Education Training for Teachers, UNICEF Out of School Children for Teachers, School Mothers Association training and Female Student Teachers Scholarship Scheme.

He further said the Board established some Model Basic Education Schools at Talasse and Dukku Local Government Areas, as well as established Girls Junior Secondary Schools at Nafada in Gombe North, Boltongo in Gombe Central and Degri-Putuki in Gombe South.

Guruma also said that the government has constructed and renovated the basic education schools in 11 local government areas of the state and also procured and distributed school furniture, textbooks to junior secondary schools; school uniforms and sandals to Almajiri/Special Education Schools in Nafada, Wuro Londe, Sheik Manzo and Malam Muhammad Basakkwace Islamiyya schools in the state.

According to him, the state government has approved the feeding programme for pupils at Almajiri Schools in Nafada, Bajoga, Malam Inna, Shehu Manzo and Wuro Londe as well as Billiri Special School.

Akure JCI welcomes first babies of the year with gifts Dayo Ojerinde, AAUA

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he Junior Chambers International (JCI), Akure has joined the wife of the Ondo State governor, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko to welcome and shower gifts on the first babies of the year in Akure, and their mothers at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, the state capital.

During their visit to the hospital, gifts were presented to the first and second babies of the year in 2015 at the hospital, as well as the last baby of 2014.

Presenting the babies to Mrs. Mimiko and the JCI members, the Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju said the first baby was delivered at exactly 12:05 on January 1, 2015 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hamefuli Tayo, while the second baby was delivered to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ajayi at exactly 12:45 am.

The last baby for 2014 delivered to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Olushile was given birth to at 8:36pm of December 31, 2014.

Mrs. Mimiko in a group photograph with the mother and first baby of the year during the visit.

The JCI President, Kunle Odelusi presented the gifts to the babies alongside Mrs. Mimiko.

Thanking the JCI members and the wife of the governor, the mother of the first baby of the year, Mrs. Hamefuli said she felt elated to deliver the first baby of the year and to receive gifts from the JCI and wife of the state governor.

She, however, expressed gratitude to the Ondo State Government for providing qualitative and affordable health care in the state.

Odelusi said of the gifts: “It is our tradition to go out every New Year to present gifts to the first babies of the year. This is part of our resolve to make life meaningful to the average man on the street.”

Casual is often open to interpretation but basically refers to those outfits that have fresher colours, lighter, softer materials, patterned, relaxed, thoughtful, less structured, clean and not confrontational apparel with fabrics like jeans, chiffon, silk, fine wool and cotton. It is in this type of clothing that an individual’s personality self. You are neither overdressed, nor underdressed. It gives you the opportunity to step out with certain edge in your own personal style. It is here that the addition of a heel, a statement accessory or a detailed blouse can completely change a look. You can wear the latest sea-

not quite dressy enough to be formal. It has to be pretty. Casual chic fashion is a comfortable style that is more unique than business attires because it follows the current trends. Casual fashion keeps you looking fresh and stylish without sacrificing your comfort.

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JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Sartorial gents in double denim trend I

Vanessa Okwara

t’s not only ladies that are rocking the denim on denim, men are following closely in this trend. It’s a fresh style that is both casual and funky; making you look younger and interesting.

Double denim is a trend that has been around for decades and it’s one that won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. So many people think that double denim or denim on denim, whichever you prefer to call it, cannot be pulled off successfully by men. It can, and when done right, it looks amazing.

When it comes to double denim for the guys, it can have quite a strong and dominant vibe, which is perfect for masculine ego and edgy looks.

To pull off the modern denim-on-denim look, make sure your jean jacket or shirt is of a different wash from your jeans trousers. The most successful way to wear double denim is to opt for contrasting shades.

The polarised tones make it easier to pull off the look, with the differing washes drawing attention away from the similar-

ity of the fabric.

To cover another basic, make sure that your pieces fit you perfectly. Pairing a really baggy pair of jeans and an ill-fitting shirt is a ‘no no’, so also is a baggy denim jacket and bad fitted jeans combo.

The key here is making sure your jeans slim or skinny and your shirt, jacket or vest is fitted. You need to make sure the cuts are slim, especially on the legs. Double denim never looks good with really loose jeans; it’s much more suited to skinny fits. Stick to just the skinny jeans on the bottom, in grey, black or dark blue and pairing them with a lighter washed jacket or shirt on top. If you don’t want to mix up your blue shades and stone wash jeans, wear a printed sweater underneath your jacket, have some bolder shoes, throw on some sunglasses, mufflers, just anything you can think of to add some colour to the outfit and break up the wall of denim.

Don’t forget to make sure all of your pieces fit you well. As long as everything is slim, structured and fitted, you can pretty much get away with anything!

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

Body&Soul

New Year, New Love for married couples ‘’The only thing constant in life is change’’, a popular saying from a 17th century French writer, François De la Rochefoucauld is apt in this fast paced world. As events evolve, people’s character equally changes with it.

A New Year has kicked off and it’s time to do some dusting; both in your life and at home. As you write down your New Year resolutions, make up your mind concerning things that needs to be changed and be determined to make gradual adjustments rather than setting lofty goals that may never see the light of the day after Valentine.

The same thing goes for your love life.

Certain adjustments also need to be made this year in this area if you desire to have the kind of relationship you have always dreamed of. You must determine to make certain changes if you want to enjoy a harmonious relationship with the person you love.

If you are married, it is pertinent you begin to think of ways to make your love life a practical show piece for all to see.

Changes must be implemented if you desire for the best. You cannot put a new wine in an old bottle. Create an atmosphere of a new love back in that relationship. Make your partner feel as if both of you just met or a reminder of how it felt when you first started dating. Recreate the love both of you once felt all over again.

Begin to do certain things differently to spice up your love life. Change the bed sheets in the bedroom, move some furniture or redecorate. Just try and do things a little differently to create a new love scene. Spice it up with little surprises

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CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com you know will thrill your partner. It could be packing lunch for him; showing up in her office unexpectedly to take her to a nice place for lunch or just tucking a little love note in his suit pocket which he will find later in the day when he’s very busy at work. Be creative and imaginative with your overtures. Look out for those things you think will thrill your partner beyond words. Such little gestures can spark off a new kind of excitement in your love life

The trick in making this love work this New Year is to be the sacrificial lamb.

Be the first to show this new aspect of love to your partner. Be practical with your affections even when you are initially rebuffed or not taken seriously by your significant other

and bring back the wine of your love all over again.

The trick in making this love work this New Year is to be the sacrificial lamb. Be the first to show this new aspect of love to your partner. Be practical with your affections even when you are initially rebuffed or not taken seriously by your significant other.

Do you know something? I am yet to see that man or woman who will spit out a lump of sugar when it is thrown into their mouth. So don’t be upset when you get that initial cold shoulders or when your gesture is looked upon with a measure of suspicion; especially if you have been known never to offer such crazy affections before.

Above all, resolve to change a little bit of some of the bad habits and behaviour that your partner has complained about in previous years. There are few things you need to make up your mind to change in your life so that the love of your life can find you more attractive and appealing. There are few places you know that you have gone overboard in your reaction when both of you argue. For instance, I have a friend who confided in me that she

practically screams when she and her husband quarrel that even their neighbours come out to find out what the problem is. She says she regrets that behavious afterwards but she hardly remembers to keep her voice low during any heated argument. So that is the area she needs to work on herself this year to curtail such reactions. You don’t need an audience while airing your marital laundry. If a disagreement arises, find the right time and place to focus on the problem as opposed to involving friends, children, neighbours and other family members.

Also, resolve to be honest and faithful to your spouse always. A healthy marriage is based on trust, and being deceitful will derail even the best marriages. Learn to show your appreciation in the most natural way: Say “thank you.” Show him/her that you don’t take his/her helpful actions, as little as they may be, for granted.

Talk about sex. Make an effort to enjoy the intimate time you spend together.

Don’t be afraid to try something new and trust your spouse not to judge if you’re able to get past your inhibitions. Take another look back in time to how much care and attention you used to give your appearance. Maintain an image of health through healthy eating, good grooming and regular exercise. The confidence this affords is worth the effort. Resolve to pay more attention to your spouse and I am sure it will definitely help to bring back love in your marriage this New Year. You see, everything may crumble, but the love you build within and around your marriage will sustain you all year round.

•Send your views to the email above!

This David has conquered Hollywood’s Goliath

rguably, the most powerful man in African American history is Martin Luther King Jr. His legacy as a fearless orator, activist and defender of the subaltern is well enunciated in history. The whole world knows this. Even in the entertainment world, the task of choosing an actor to play Martin Luther King is never done without consideration. Big names such as Samuel L Jackson, James Earl Jones (of Coming To America fame), Paul Winfield and Jeffrey Wright have had the honour of playing the fearless activist in popular culture. It seems playing the part of Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr is as important to the African American community as the legacies of the man himself.

That is why I am proud to announce that you can now add to the illustrious list of people to play MLK on television or movies, the name of a Nigerian born actor, David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo. It carries on the tradition of a Nigerian actor/actress such as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Okonedo and AA Agbaje, ruffling feathers in Hollywood. I was first introduced to the name David Oyelowo by veteran journalist, Ikhenemho Okomilo, who was a guest columnist at New Age Newspaper then. Okomilo had seen a stage production of King Henry by the Royal Shakespeare Company with Oyelowo playing the title character, the first black man ever to do so. He had been drawn by the Nigerian name and the controversy he was generating, not for his acting skills, but for his colour. He was impressed enough by David Oyelowo’s portrayal of English royalty to write about it in

his weekly column and when we got in contact in London, he encouraged me to try and see the play. I couldn’t and I rue that miss now, as I do not think David Oyelowo will return to the stage (David, please prove me wrong).

Against all odds, David carried on and would later be awarded the Ian Charleson Award for his portrayal.

The Nigerian blood flowing in my veins is proud of this man, proud of his achievements and what is more, proud of the level headedness with which he has approached his craft and managed his fame. You would be forgiven for thinking David lives in a hole as you only see him on movies rather than on the pages of the tabloid newspapers and magazines but no, this man lives in the centre of the whole action, he lives in LA. However, he is dedicated to his craft and that is what he allows to speak for him. David sparkled as Dr. Junju in ‘Last King of Scotland,’ he was the bright spot in the leading role of Lt. Little in ‘Red Tails’ and his suit blew me away in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes.’ He even showed he could play the baddie in ‘Paperboy,’ where he played a journalist who lacks integrity. It seems with every film he stars

The Nigerian blood flowing in my veins is proud of this man, proud of his achievements and what is more, proud of the level headedness with which he has approached his craft and managed his fame in, he gets better. With a demeanour and class that’s way beyond the people in his realm, I can only state that the sky is the beginning for him.

Now, David Oyelowo takes on perhaps his biggest challenge; to accurately portray MLK and bring the man to

life again. The scorecards are in and David has once again floored the critics. While the Oscar nominations are not yet in, the Golden Globe is said to be an indication of what to expect and guess what, David Oyelowo is odd-on favourite to win the GG for his role as MLK in the movie ‘Selma.’ This is coming as no surprise, David brings it all to the table with his acting and while I do not believe he needs an award to validate his claim to being a good actor, I think his mantelpiece of awards would be full by now if he was of a different colour. However, at least, we can roll out the drums for our own. Already, the scripts are dropping in and directors are queuing up for his services. He is already slated to lead again in a movie adaptation of ‘Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Americanah’ opposite crowd pleaser, Lupita Nyongo. An all round actor with credits in radio, stage, television and of course movies, I am sure David Oyelowo will be busy for some time to come.

The success of Nigeria’s export on the silver screen is one reason why I believe there is an urgent need for more investment in our local film industry, Nollywood. The potential is endless and as demonstrated by the film, The Interview, this potential can extend beyond the entertainment industry. Film can become Nigeria’s official global ambassador, the window into our country and a cultural capital for negotiation. We need to explore it as well as the talents therein. I am sure there is more of David Oyelowo in the film industry, they just need a system that believes in them to deliver the goods.

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Body&Soul

JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Accessories

Glam up with cocktail rings Vanessa Okwara

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s the festive season wraps up this week, perhaps, you still have one more party to attend that calls for careful dressing and glamorous appearance and you really need to look your best.

It will be cool to cap your evening attire with a lush cocktail ring that will add pizzazz to your overall look.

Cocktail rings are like the icing on a really fruity cake.

It adds a little something extra to your looks. It’s also a spotlight stealer, calling attention to one’s hands and artsy manicure. Cocktail rings are part of fashion’s on-going obsession with the retro luxury trend.

No other time of the year gives you full permission to wear a hand full of opulent cocktail rings, whether the gemstones are real or faux, like the Christmas and New Year season. The super-size rings are the perfect ac-

cessory for your favorite evening dress as you enjoy Champagne or while holding your evening clutch.

There is nothing quite like a sparkling, oversize ring to make even the most ordinary outfit feel festive.

Whether you’re accessorising for a laid-back or formal occasion, a cocktail ring is sure to make any ensemble burst with vibrancy!

Cocktail rings are a bold ways to spruce up one’s wardrobe. There are dif-

ferent types of cocktail rings made from gold, diamonds and different kinds of metals. The trend will grow this year with rings that are art deco-inspired, sculpted, floral and incorporating a wider variety of mixed metals. From classic diamond cocktail rings to contemporary rose gold styles, make a statement this party season with a standout cocktail ring and simply look glammed up!

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

GLOBAL fashion

Style-stalking the Duchess of Cambridge Biwom Iklaki with agency report

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ate Middleton made many a designer famous, even while she was yet to be engaged to Prince William. Back when she was in college at age 19, she featured in a charity fashion show and came on the runway in a mesh shift. That dress is now worth an obscene amount of £100,000. She made several regal style choices which were often on the affordable rack. One of her style choices which gave away the style-stalking trend to come was the dress she wore when she and Prince William announced their engagement. It was a blue Issa dress by London designer, Daniella Issa Helayel which perfectly set off the colour of her blue diamond ring. The ring belonged to her never-to-be-mother-in-law, late Princess Diana of Wales (which she got at her engagement to Prince Charles). It was she who sparked the ‘little blue dress’ trend, which is a more colourful alternative to

the more famous little black dress.

Today, however, the tone of fashion following has multiplied a gazillion times over as any item worn by the Duchess of Cambridge is often sold out by the second. People look at her and say “wow!

I want to look like that”. The beauty of Her Stylish Highness’ style acumen is the fact that she doesn’t necessarily have to do high end fashion all the time; only for special occasions, and even those are few and far between. She has been known to favour the likes of Zara, Topshop, Jenny Peckham. One could argue that this is the reason her fashion following is on epoch levels. It doesn’t even hurt her darling status any when she wears these designs more than once, she is known to shake up her wardrobe a little with a new accessory here and there to mix and match the look.

Royalty sure looks good on Kate Middleton, and she is fast becoming an endeared monarch, much like her late mother-inlaw before her.

Body&Soul

48

JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Miscellany Alley

Life is rich sometimes and painful at other times, but it is mostly full.

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Thinking

Aloud

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I

Before going to the village

must say that I have every reason to be grateful to God for a wonderful year. Yes 2014 had its ups and downs but God saw me through it. I started the year with high hopes and super expectations. Amazingly, God did 98 per cent of all the things I asked from Him at the beginning of the year. I started the year with a desire to move closer to God and work in His perfect plan for my life.

I’m sure you all had a fantastic Yuletide. My own experience was awesome, coupled with the fact that God also blessed me with a bouncing baby boy.

The year 2014 was indeed a fulfilling one for me because God showed His mercy in different ways. The theatre and film academy I was able to open was part of His grace.

In the midst of these happenstances, I felt for the families and relatives of those who lost their lives to the incessant bombings and terrorist attacks in the country. I imagined how heavy their hearts would be. I wondered how the parents and siblings of the missing Chibok girls would welcome the New Year. My thoughts are really with those who were victims of one disaster or the other in this country.

The Bible says that “God will have mercy upon whom he chooses have mercy, and He will have compassion upon whom he chooses to have compassion.” The fact that we are alive to write and read this message is not because we

are better than those who have died. It is not because we are more beautiful or more handsome or have done more good than they have...it’s just because God has decided to spare us. Can we question Him for choosing us over those people...NO! Can we question Him for allowing those things to happen...NO! All I can say is that for the time that I will be here on earth, I will make the most of it, live right, do God’s will, help the needy, value my friends and family and live my life for me! Not everyone will love me. Not everyone will like my style. Not everyone will be crazy about the things I stand for but hey...I am not living my life to impress the world. I am living my life for God. I don’t have to please you because pleasing you will mean I have to displease 50 other people. So why waste my time trying to impress six billion other people on this planet when I can just please one person...GOD!

I know that many people are out there are busy talking about 2014 in retrospect and New Year resolutions so I won’t bore you with any long talk. But I’m more concerned with how you will not make some avoidable mistakes that you made last year.

My concern this week is about people who felt their Christmas/New Year festivities would not be complete until they travelled to their village. Many people have lost their lives on road mishaps in the process, while others have not just got more enemies. They have been victims of village champions using diabolical powers.

I have realised that many people go to the village in December to show off. A man who has hustled in Lagos all through the year feels that he must storm the village in December so they can know that he has ‘arrived.’ Instead of putting up a good plan for his money and preparing for the New Year, he em-

A man who has hustled in Lagos all through the year feels that he must storm the village in December so they can know that he has ‘arrived’. Instead of putting a good plan to his money and prepare for the New Year, he embarks on a spending spree in the village, and at the end of the day, come back to Lagos broke!

barks on a spending spree in the village, and at the end of the day, comes back to Lagos broke!

In fact, I have seen people who after lavishing their hard earned money in the village, got stranded. In the end, you see some of them calling friends in Lagos to send transport fare to their account. Some even go to the village not to show off really, but for spiritual fortification – it is just a waste of time.

I’m not against people going to their village per se, but the point I’m trying to make is that it is not a do-or-die affair. If you must go, it shouldn’t be for the wrong reasons or to the detriment of your finances. You shouldn’t go to herbalists in your village, telling them to do local charms that will make your boss like you. The truth is that if you work diligently, your boss will like you.

If he doesn’t, God is there to fight for you. Stop taking the names of your colleagues or neighbours to herbalists in your village, as you stand to gain nothing from it.

For those who might have indulged in such acts I listed above, now is the time to have a rethink. And for those who are still contemplating embarking on such a journey, perhaps this year, please, do something more important with your time and money. This year will be a rewarding one for all of us, amen. See you next week.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, JANUARY 11, 2015

Wine & Dine

Friendly Chianti for the palate Ibukunoluwa Kayode

W

ith Chianti Majnoni, you can be sure of the satisfaction you desire in a wine. That is why it has served well its customers over the years.

This wine is picked from the finest grape fruits Sangiovese grown in Italy. A red organic wine, it delivers lovely, deep, earthly aromas with sweet plum overtones which range from light to full-bodied.

It also has aromas and flavours of cherry, roses and

violets mingled with fairly high acidity.

Chianti offers incredible depth and breath with hints of vanilla and smooth supple finish, full of fruits and elegantly balanced tannins to sedate the palate for lasting enjoyment.

It has gained recognition in Nigeria’s wine market and can be sighted in parties, hotels and bars. It can be served at any given occasion and can as well be served as a table wine.

Chianti can be enjoyed by lovers of low sugar wine.

This wine can be in-

dulged by anybody who loves to have a moment of refreshment. For preservation, the twist cap protects the fine aromas and flavours of this distinctive blend, allowing the bottle to be easily resealed and refrigerated. And can be best enjoyed when served chilled.

Chianti holds a flexible food pairing with both local and continental cuisines like tomato-based sauce, cured meats, buffalo, mozzarella, pizza and vegetables.

Contending with leftovers Biwom Iklaki

M

any homes are riddled with the predicament of what to do with the leftovers of the festivities of holidays, in this case, Christmas. You need not feel guilty when you have to throw away so much food. Or store in freezers with no one showing any interest in eating old meals with new and more interesting ones being prepared daily. Here are a few tips to handle the situation, let nothing go to waste.

Chicken curry This meal can make you deconstruct ed fried rice.

Don’t let your vegetables overcook to retain a bit of crunch. This is helpful when you have to translate this meal to fried rice.

Just don’t add the vegetables until the rice is ready to come down. Add, stir and voila, fried rice.

Tomato stew This bit is pretty easy as we do it every other week.

Tomato stew is the perfect beginning for a sumptuous meal of jollof rice. Just add more spices to contain the quantity of rice and to make sure you retain the spicy taste. The aroma from jollof rice with a bit of nutmeg, cinnamon and bay leaves is tantalizing.

Steamed/baked potatoes Many families feature potatoes on their dinner tables as a substitute for the no-rice eaters or those trying to lose weight. On the morning after, the potatoes can be baked and served as breakfast with some baked beans and eggs, or with vegetables at dinner as potato salad.

Goat meat with sauce You know those selections of meats and fish and chicken tumbled in very spicy sauces? The goat meat can be made into asun, or chopped into a yam or plantain porridge for lunch. The fish can be broken up and deboned for salad while the chicken can do same or be served in pasta.

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Body&Soul

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Body&Soul

Dinah’s New Year present D

inah is one of the most goodnatured children that ever lived, but she is very, very lazy. There is nothing she likes, or used to like, so much as to curl up in some warm corner in the sun and do nothing.

Dinah’s mother wished very much that her child would learn to read, but the lady who tried to teach her soon gave it up. “It is no use,” she said, “Dinah will not learn. She is not a stupid child, but she is too lazy for anything.”

It happened, soon after this, that a young man from Massachusetts came to the house where Dinah lived. He brought with him something no one else in the neighborhood had ever seen before -a pair of roller-skates.

When Dinah saw the young man going rapidly up and down the piazza on his skates, she was so astonished she hardly knew what to think. She ran after him like a cat, her black eyes shining as they had never shone before.

One day the young man allowed her to try on the skates. The child was too happy for words. Of course she fell down, and sprawled about the floor, but did not mind at all.

“Look here, Dinah,” said the young man, “I understand that my aunt has been trying to teach you to read.”

Dinah answered that she certainly had.

“Why didn’t you learn?” asked the young man.

“You need not trouble to answer,” said he, “it was just because you are too lazy.

Now, if, on the first of January, you can read, I tell you what I will do. I will send you as good a pair of roller-skates as I can buy in Boston.”

How Dinah’s eyes snapped. For a moment she said nothing, then exclaimed decidedly, “I’ll have those skates, sure.”

And she did. When she bent her mind on her work she could always do it well, no matter what it was.

The lady who had before this found her such a difficult child to teach, now had no trouble. If Dinah showed the least sign of her former laziness, the word ‘SKATES’ was enough to make her bend her mind on her lesson instantly.

On New Year morning, she received a box marked in large printed letters: MISS DINAH MORRIS, Care of Mrs. Lawrence Delaney, NEW ORLEANS, LA. If she can read what is on the outside of this box, she can have what is inside.

And as Dinah read every word plainly and quickly, of course she had for her very own, the fine roller-skates the box held. And now sitting curled up in the sun, doing nothing, is not the thing she likes to do best.

Culled from: www.apples4theteacher. com

Crack your brain

Gags Why are there only snowmen and not snowwomen?

Ans: Because only men are silly enough to stand out in the snow without a coat!

Can you tell me one word that contains all six vowels?

Ans: Unquestionably.

Where do rich people eat their poultry?

Ans: The chicken wing.

What did the monkey sing on Christmas day?

Ans: Jungle bells, Jungle bells...

What race is never run?

Ans: A swimming race.

Where do polar bears have Christmas?

Ans: The North Pole.

Cross word puzzle

SUNDAY

Faith 51

SUNDAY JANUARY 11, 2015

Sermon Be a partaker of favour (2) p.52

Interview How we operate underground church in Egypt -Lord’s Chosen pastorp.54

News Church seeks N660m for school of nursing p.57

Sermon Finishing the task by prayingy p.58

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph online.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Clerics dispel fears over 2015 elections A

Tai Anyanwu mid growing apprehension that next month’s elections might end up in anarchy, Nigerians have been advised not to entertain any fear.

The counsel was given by some clerics while expressing concern over the political situation in the country.

General Overseer of Joint Heirs Mission, Bishop Oluwafemi Peter Marvellous, said in an interview with Sunday Telegraph that Nigerians should be rest assured that there is no cause for alarm.

“What I see about the political situation in this country is that the Lord has already stepped in.

We will only feel signs of the chaos that will trail the elections. This nation has a destiny.

“But we are not conscious of some things that are done about its growth. As a growing economy which is not a producing nation, there are processes to be undergone; so we groan because we disregard this process of growth and maturation,” he said.

Also speaking, Pastor Lazarus Muoka of the Lord’s Chosen Revival Ministry assured Nigerians that the country would not split like many have feared. According to him, God is on the throne and will always take care of His own.

He urged Nigerians to get closer to God because as those who trust in God would be shielded from the chaos that might trail the elections.

The clerics also frowned at the way and manner politicians had been extending their campaign frontiers to the churches.

“People should at this time be extra-patient and enduring to ensure that the elections hold. But I foresee provocations coming through the supposed law enforcement agents,” General Overseer of Soul Winners Chapel International, Rev Moses Ilo, said.

He added, “It is evil to take political campaigns to churches. Politics is not for the church but for Christians as individuals.”

Pastor Lai Bamidele of Christ Glorious Endtime Evangelical Ministries, Lagos observed that reactions capable of causing violence may ensue during the elections but said that the collective prayers of Nigerians could avert the threat.

But Director of Communication, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, said Nigerians have genuine fears about the polls, judging from the threats of some politicians.

“People are not just afraid for fear’s sake. This is because the language of the politicians today is still war and it is like they are fanning embers of war.

“These are the kinds of language they are using. And thank God, at least they are being cautioned by the President. Look at what is happening in the North where you have Boko Haram.

Countless numbers of people are affected. The language of the army today too is nothing but death and death sentence and co.

“So all around us, life is so cheap. But at the end of the day, I would counsel like Jesus Christ said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ Nigeria at least will outlive this kind of people. We only pray for those in author-

Osu

Muoka

Bamidele

Ilo

ity to be firm; we urge the police to be firm, the military to be firm. Anybody using foul language should be dealt with, “Osu advised.

He also condemned the practice of taking political campaigns to the churches.

“It is not healthy. People should shine their eyes and know what it is. The church definitely is not a place for partisan politics; and Nigerian politicians in fact majority of them are not even church goers. They should not mix church with their dirty politics. They should give to Ceaser what is Ceaser’s and God what is God’s,” he added.

He described politicians as “people who are just desperate at any point at any price and because the vast majority of people can’t even decipher their left from their right, they listen to these politicians.”

Marvellous, however, observed that some men of God had been blinded by the deceitfulness of riches.

“Such people are ready to spend this money just to put their candidates on the presidential seat. But God now wants to intervene by empowering those people who know Him and have gone through the process of change in their lives.

“This is the season a lot of men of God are going to rise, some will fall,” he added.

Bamidele expressed regret that some clerics were going cap in hand to politicians in search of money.

“Because of that, many of them cannot speak the truth. They will face the judgment of God,” he said.

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Faith

Be a partaker of favour (2) Taming your Emotions Bishop

Lawrence Osagie 0806 325 0667 www.powerlineministriesinc.org mail:powerlineministries@mail.com

I

n ministry, we have seen our God transform men. We have heard diverse testimonies and people have been amazingly transformed: the barren conceive and bear children; the pauper transformed and raised to stardom; the ordinary doing extra-ordinary things and shining to the

glory of God. We do not want to have any hand in this but can only appreciate God for His unfailing grace upon us in the discharge of our duties as ministers of God. The grace of God is peculiar and has the ability to produce manifold blessings. That is why I am encouraging you to identify your own vineyard and join the train in good time.

What will happen when you stay under the influence of favour and refuse to be distracted? Glory be to God. Elisha was following Elijah because he saw favour, he saw grace, he saw anointing upon the Master. He saw manifestations and he chose to pitch his own tent with Elijah. What did Elisha not see? What did he not hear from the sons of the prophets? Why are you following this

bald-headed prophet? Why are you following this man full of anger? Why are you following this man up and down?

What was Elisha telling the sons of the prophet? Shut your mouth this is not your business, I know what I am looking for.

Even Elijah tried to stop Elisha. “Stay here because I want to go there. Don’t follow me anymore. Hang around somewhere.” The man will say I know what I am looking for and I will not let my eyes go off this favour. Nothing will distract me. I will follow until I become a recipient of the double portion of this favour that I see upon your life. In the end, Elisha got a double portion of the glorious power that made Elijah most influential and honoured.

Beyond the church setting, there is grace in the family life and you must be a partaker of your family blessing.

The man of God has put as your head has a peculiar grace following him.

You must learn to abide by that grace and not abuse it. There is grace in your spouse and that is why God says that he that finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from God. Your wife is your favourable companion not your miserable slave. You cannot build your home by your own strength and that is why the psalmist said: “Except the Lord builds a house any other builder builds but in vain.”

Lastly, look at Jesus and His disciples.

Look at Peter and his company. Unlearned fishermen picked up from the riverside – no university certificate. When we talk about divine favour, God never requires your university certificate. He can make anybody anything.

Jesus came preaching and He took Peter and the sons of Zebedee - John and James: “Follow me and I will make you.” As soon as they threw their nets away and followed Him, their lives changed.

Look at how His impartation on these unlearned fellows changed the face of the world, even till today.

Let the favour of God be poured upon you and let the countenance of His glory be revealed in your life. I know something new is already happening in your life, I am waiting to hear your testimony. May you be a partaker of the grace of God in Jesus name.

Diary

House of Grace Mission

House of Grace Mission International, Lagos will hold a 21-day fast and prayers from January 12 to February 1.

The host minister, Apostle MacDavid David, explained that the event would provide an avenue for people to ask God to guide their steps this year.

The event comes up at the church ground on Aceland Avenue, Ailegun, Ejigbo, Lagos.

Sanctuary of Grace 40-day fast All is set for the Sanctuary of Grace Assembly 40-day annual fast and prayers from January 12 to February 20.

The event is organised with the theme: ‘Abundant Grace.’

The programme, which comes up at the church ground in Ikotun Egbe Road, Ile Epo Bus Stop, Ejigbo, Lagos will also feature is praises and worship.

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Faith

Reverberations from the Lord’s Chosen crusade in Mgbidi

T

he pract ical manifestations of God at the just concluded Lord’s Chosen International crusade held from 3rd-5th January 2015, at Mgbidi, Imo State, Nigeria, could be likened to what happened at the Pentecost during the Apostolic era. Sinners were saved, the sick were healed, the paralysed were made whole, while freedom was given to the captives. Indeed everyone present was enraptured in heavenly bliss as exhilarating praise flowed from graceful hearts to God. STANLEY Chibuihem Amalaha captured the event

Pastor Lazarus Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen CRM

Pastor Muoka and Governor Okorocha (r) enrptured in heavenly bliss at the event

Pastor Muoka receiving a National Award won by Chosen Int’l Sec. Sch from the principal at the event

A section of people healed from divers sicknesses at the crusade Canadian brethren at the crusade and a Nigerian brother (left)

One of the miracle babies delivered at the crusade, flanked by medical personnels

American bretheren with their flag at the crusade with the Director of foreign mission (right).Inset is a ballon advert of the crusade

Australian brethren singing gloriously to His Majesty on high at the crusade

A section of The Lord’s Chosen singers Lagos, performing at the event

Phillipian brethren poses with some Nigerian brethren at the event

Ghanian brethren enraptured in heavenly bliss at the crusade

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Faith

How we operate underground church in Egypt -Lord’s Chosen pastor prayers. We also use such occasions to talk to them. I have an underground office where people come to seek spiritual advice. When they come, we will interview them. We also evangelise to people to come whenever we have a programme through Facebook, internet and Whatsapp. We preach through the internet. Some people preach the gospel there and give testimonies here In our headquarters. We have over 150 members.

In Muslim-dominated Egypt, the Lord’s Chosen Church’s Regional Coordinator (Northern and Middle East), Pastor Rufus Obi, runs an underground church. He spoke to TAI ANYANWU on the sides of the church’s recent convention in Magbidi, Imo State recently

Given your exposure to such antagonism, what do you think about the Boko Haram insurgency?

I strongly believe that Boko Haram cannot do anything. Most of my converts from the Middle East who came with me to Nigeria also think that Nigeria can hardly become a Muslim state. It is not possible for Boko Haram to take over Nigeria because we pray here.

How is your family coping under such conditions?

My kids are still small and they are not with me in Egypt. The environment there is too harsh for Christians. If I take my family there, it will not be convenient for them at all. I also won’t be able to train them in a proper way or give them quality education because western education there is very expensive.

One can pay as much as $600 a month; so in a year, you can pay like $4000 per child. For this reason, I kept my family in Nigerian where I can afford their school fees.

Could you tell me about the Christian Community in Muslim-dominated Egypt?

I have spent more than three years in Egypt doing ministry as a Lord’s Chosen pastor. When I landed in Egypt, I didn’t know anybody. We have three branch churches in that country. The least in capacity has 80 members and the other two have average membership of 150 and 120 respectively. There are other African churches; one of which originated from Morocco and the other is a Nigerian denomination. So we have only church in the whole of Egypt; the rest are Muslims.

How did you gain a foothold in the country?

When I got to Egypt, I stayed with one of the pastors who told me that he could not function effectively as a minister of God. This was because Christian workers in the country were not allowed. But we started working together from that moment. I began to have meetings with some people. I got their consent and cooperation; and we began to preach in some already registered churches.

We cannot put a signboard outside the church because the laws of the land forbid that. Our signboards are hidden

I got their consent and cooperation; and we began to preach in some already registered churches. We cannot put signboard outside the church because the laws of the land forbid that

Obi

only inside the church. At the same time, we cannot register our own denominations because for over 90 years, the registration of churches has not been allowed. We don’t have a church of our own so we fellowship in the old Coptic Church.

And how do you win new members or evangelise?

We preach through character. When some of them have a problem, like the case of a woman that was going to bury the son, she came to where we

were gathering and said: “I know you can raise my son.” The son was dead, they were about to bury him according to Muslim tradition. She managed to locate where we were having fellowship. I was preaching and people sharing testimony about the goodness and wonderful acts of God. She brought the cloth that they wanted to use to bury the boy. But when she said to us that she wants God to come and save her son. We thanked God, prayed and God raised her son from the dead. Some of them (Egyptians) come secretly for

How do you cope without your wife and children around you?

I have grown used to it, especially when my mind is focused on spiritual things. I will not think carnally but always think more about what I’m called for; and how best I can lead more people to make Heaven. Keeping this focus makes it difficult for me to let down my guard because I have created that awareness in people. Even when temptation is too much, it will be difficult to bring myself low again. Focusing on my call and maintaining that Godly consciousness has been helping me. A high sense of self-discipline is one of the keys to success. When one is disciplined, he will succeed and be able to obtain what he is looking for. A lot of people fail because they are not disciplined. I try to discipline myself emotionally and spiritually; such that I practice what I preach; so that members of the church can follow my good example.

Most of my converts from the Middle East who came with me to Nigeria also think that Nigeria can hardly become a Muslim state

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Faith

God can lead you through Mystery ofAnxiety John Ogbansiegbe

0803 341 6327

A

s we go through life, we often find ourselves in circumstances which point to helplessness, hopelessness or even death. The future looks bleak and rather uncertain. If it is sickness, we begin to see death hovering around us. If it is hardship, we foresee shameful poverty coming our way. If it is trials, we begin to foresee defeat instead of victory. These are natural tendencies. Thus, as mortals, we fear, we fret and worry. Finally, we become so discouraged that we feel like giving up.

These adversities constitute a part of the vicissitudes of life. If they do not happen, how can we prove the Almightyness of God? How can we testify assuredly that God is the Great

Unchanging Changer? God can turn our sorrow to joy. He can change our failure into success. He can turn our poverty into prosperity and our defeat into victory. We may be very sick but if He says “Live”! we shall live in spite of pain and symptoms. God can deliver you from the ugliest circumstances of your life, if it is His will to do so.

Have you insured your life in the blood of Jesus Christ? Are you saved?

Because of the fear of death, people want safety and security around them.

Whoever pretends to offer safety and security to their lives becomes their friend and helper. Why are occult societies on the increase? Is it not because people hope for safety and protection through them? I knew a man who was a member of a secret society. He did not live up to 50 years. A woman was killed by armed robbers and she was only 38 years old. She was a member of an occult society and members of her society played a prominent role during her burial. What of the man who was burnt in his car on the highway? Was he not a member of a secret society? What I am simply saying is that man cannot offer safety and security to his fellow man. “… Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vein.” Psalms 127 vs 1. The plain truth is that sin and

The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6 vs 23. So long as you live in sin, your soul is exposed to danger and destruction here and hereafter guilty conscience can keep your soul in perpetual bondage to Satan and the fear of death. If you repent of your sins and believe in Christ, the situation changes at once.

Because our Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of all principality and powers, your life is quite safe in His hands. You cannot die any how. He is the supreme commander of all the forces in heaven and earth. What you need most is to come out from sin and Satan and anchor your soul absolutely in Christ. The Lord is over equal to all the circumstances of your life.

Are you moving with God? Are you conscious of His love for you? If you move with Satan and the world, you are

already in danger. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6 vs 23. So long as you live in sin, your soul is exposed to danger and destruction here and hereafter. Our fire. Do not deceive yourself. You need Christ. You need that salvation which He only can give. Repent, believe in Christ and move with Him and He will lead you through the valleys and mountains of this life.

Above all, He can lead your soul into His glorious Kingdom if you allow His Holy Spirit to lead you daily.

God is a specialist in performing the impossible. If one way closes, He can open another way for you. We live, and we are marching on because He is in control. His love is ever sure and His Almighty hand is ever near to save, to heal and to bless. He has led many through this turbulent world into glory. He can also lead you through. God is good. God is merciful. God is wonderful. God is forever Almighty. To His name be Glory now and forever in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Prayer: Father, let your word which has gone forth bless thy people, charge, challenge, heal, edify and illuminate their parts this year in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The priesthood: Why denomination is not of God the of

Oracles God

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com

0703 362 1866

Why God Hates Organised Religion There are many of God’s children held in bondage by the traditions, creeds and dogmas of the systems of the denominational churches. God hates the denominations because they are governed by a religious seditious spirit which thrives in dividing and separating the brotherhood.

God also hates the denomination for placing premium on traditions that the commandments of God. “The Pharisees and scribes charged at Jesus Christ, why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your traditions? (Matt. 15:1-3). A third reason why God hates the denomination is because the leadership made themselves Lords (instead of servants) over God’s people they are supposed to feed with the Word of eternal life. This is called the deeds and the doctrines of the Nicolaitanes. So has thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes which thing I hate. (Rev. 2:6,15).

Blind Religious Leaders Are Destructive One of the greatest tragedies in the Kingdom of God is to have a blind leader in the position of authority over a congregation of sincere God-seeking worshippers. First, he turns them blind spiritually and binds them by traditions and interpretations and makes them twice the candidates of hell. Then, finally he leads them into the pit of hell. “If the

blind leads the blind, they both will fall into the pit.”

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides …..” Matt. 23:15-16.

Examples abound in the Bible of blind leaders who caused the unnecessary deaths of unsuspecting and gullible church members who would prefer to ignore God’s Word and follow the leadership of the assembly. Aaron the priest momentarily caused the death of thousands in the wilderness with the calf image he made for them as the god that brought them out of Egypt. (Exod. 32:1-28). See the influence of one man over hundreds and thousands! God save us if that man is in error, you can imagine the thousands that will perish. Dathan, Korah and Abiram diverted many from Moses their God-given leader and were buried alive. This is why you have to seek God’s face in prayers for your pastor, because if he misses the mark, it is a death knell to the entire congregation. Gamaliel drew our attention to Theudas and Judas of Galilee who led hundreds to nought. (Acts 5:36-37).

The scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees were notable religious denominations akin to the over 1000 existing denominations today. They held one Bible, preached the same Jehovah, expected the same Messiah but were torn apart by interpretations. They were the main opposition to the truth Jesus Christ embodied and ensured His death by crucifixion through an unholy conspiracy.

“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit but the Pharisees confess both.” (Acts 23:6-8).

Denomination Separates Brotherhood Dissension, division, sedition and variance are the key words to describe the denominational churches. That is why the mother church, Roman Catholic, and her daughters: Anglican, Methodists, Protestants, Presbyterian, Baptists, Evangelical Church of west Africa, Word of Life Bible Church, Assemblies of God Church etc. cannot see eye to eye in doctrines and teachings. Why are they separated into camps and tents? Aren’t they preaching from the same Bible, believing in the same death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, aspiring to go to one heaven?

Nothing but the divisive spirit of denomination! Since they reject the Holy Spirit, the comforter sent to reveal all things, they hold to figments of truths here and there by one man’s idea of what he thinks God meant. God doesn’t need any man to interpret His word. He only is the interpreter of His own word sent through the prophet of that day.

Birth of the New Testatment Denominations Four hundred years after the inauguration of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the first man-made organised church came alive after the Nicene Council in 325 AD. The Roman Catholic Church was born. She held sway through the Dark Ages for 1000 years, ensuring the Bible was withdrawn from the people. In its place was the formulation of creeds, church traditions and catechism until Martin Luther withstood their profanity.

After his death, the Protestant orthodox denominations came alive; Seventh-Day Adventists, Latter-Day Saints, Liberal Catholic, Orthodox Protestant, Community of Christ, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the army of Pentecostal denominations spread and flourished across the globe.

All of them are bonded together by the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and water baptism in the titles of the Name of the father, son and Holy Ghost formulated by the mother church, Roman Catholic. That tradition represents the mark of the beast

and the image unto the beast by their fragile unholy alliance in the ecumenical assembly of the World Council of Churches “… saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live.” (Rev. 13:14b) “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy (the various denominations) having seven heads and ten hands. And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother of Harlots (The Denominational Churches) And Abomination of the earth (REV. 17:3-5).

The prophecy of Isaiah fulfills The positions of the denominations identified by their fractional truth and little pockets of light here and there is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 4:1 “And in that day seven women (churches) shall take hold of one man (Jesus Christ), saying we will eat our own bread, and wear our own garment: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach. This sums up the spiritual condition of the Roman catholic church and the protestant denominations. What is it?

They want to eat their own bread, that is, they want to preach what they consider to be the truth from their own stand point of view and wear their own apparel, that is, their own form of godliness but using the name of Jesus Christ as their husband. What does that imply? ‘Spiritual prostitution!’ That is why the Bible calls the organised churches ‘HARLOTS.’ It is known that all churches refer to the Bible and yet have their own teachings and religious traditions (Rev. 17:5). Matthew put it in this wise. “Ye hypocrites, well did Isaias prophesy of you, saying, this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:7). This is why denominations are not of God.

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JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

The Epiphany: Between the tyrant and the Magi Firm Faith:

Right Reason Most Rev.

Emmanuel A. Badejo fradebadejo@yahoo.

0803 949 4219 (SMS only)

The judgment of man According to Robert M. Pirsig, “Peace of mind produces right values, right values produce right thoughts. Right thoughts produce right actions and right actions produce work which will be a material reflection for others to see of the serenity at the centre of it all.” The message of peace on earth announced by the angels at the birth of Jesus Christ was not immediately shared by all far and near. At the time Jesus was born, Herod was King in that territory. He was nothing near being a peaceful king and he showed that ugly hand as quickly as he heard of the birth of the baby Jesus, destined to be king of all Israel. How true it is that a man’s judgment can never be better than his information!

Herod considered Jesus a threat because all he could see was a rival to his throne, a threat to his own interests. He had no knowledge or concern that he was actually fighting against the savior of the whole world long promised by the creator of the world himself. His thoughts were not right and he could produce no good actions

The epiphany and Herod’s plot The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in the Church as the occasion on which Jesus Christ was manifested to the world by the guidance of a star. The Bible related how the Magi from far away arrived in Jerusalem seeking the new born baby who was to be king of Israel. The Magi had followed the star in order to find the light of the world. Herod flipped when he heard it and his dark side burst through. He was greatly troubled and the rest of Jerusalem with him. He called the chief priests and the scribes of his people together asking them how to locate the Messiah. He tried to connive with the Magi: “Go and search diligently for the child. When you have found him, bring me word so that I too may go and do him homage.” (Matt. 2:8). The Magi sought the light, Herod sought to quench it.

Would the Almighty God who had promised to give it through the prophets down the ages allow it to happen? (Is 9:1-6) God intervened to save his son Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Ps. 2:1-3). God would not allow man to sabotage his promise. That prophecy of Psalm 2 had to be fulfilled.

Leaving Herod, the Magi were led by the star to the baby Jesus. They adored him as king and gave him gifts. Then as they were warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another way. Herod could do nothing

The feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in the Church as the occasion on which Jesus Christ was manifested to the world by the guidance of a star about their decision and so the powerful ended up confounded. Evil, however, surrenders not so easily. Herod ordered the massacre of all the boys in Bethlehem and environs under two years old, hoping to kill Jesus and provoking widespread lamentation for the souls of the innocent. Such is the intensity of man’s brutality in attempting to stop God’s will from coming to pass as we see around us. Can any man achieve such a futile ambition? “The one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord is laughing them to scorn. Then he speaks to them in anger, terrifies them in his wrath: I myself have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain” (Ps 2: 4-6).

The triumph of God’s will But the son of God outlived the tyrant of his time. Having been taken to Egypt on the admonition of an angel to Joseph, his guardian, Jesus was brought back to the land of Israel after the death of Herod. Royal tyranny lost the battle against an innocent helpless baby born in a manger. So it has been with the Hitlers, Stalins, Idi Amins, Abachas and other power-hungry dictators of this

world. That Jesus Christ always identified with the least, the last, the lost gives new strength today to the hope of all oppressed peoples of the world today, especially those who suffer under the tyranny of despots and manipulative systems. God shall intervene for these people in the time he has chosen!

The legacy of the epiphany The epiphany evokes a new decision on the part of us all. The Magi sided with God and abandoned Herod, to his evil. Theirs is a valuable invitation for all to follow Jesus the prince of peace.

We need such godly leaders today who would choose truth and life and reject the Herods of death and darkness. There is no better way to show our Christianity today than to turn our backs on the forces of evil, corruption and death among us. In the midst of the insecurity and violence of the moment in Nigeria the epiphany speaks strongly of God’s imminent intervention in the affairs of the country. All must pray more for its coming for the prayers of God’s people shall not be in vain. The first reading of epiphany Sunday delivers that prediction clearly too. “Arise and shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you... then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you” (Is 60: 16ff). As the general elections in Nigeria draw near may we all recognize the star that leads us to see the face of God and the fulfilment of his promise to save his beloved ones even here in Nigeria.

Expand your horizon Insight Rev.

Femi Akinola

www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

I

saiah 43:19 – “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”

God wants you to break new grounds in every area of your life. He wants you to aspire to new horizons. New grounds exist to be broken and thrones exist to be occupied. There are new grounds in business, in the oil sector, banking and in ministry. God wants to push you beyond where you are into your throne today.

You have existed at a particular level before now. You have occupied a certain ground for so long but God is thinking of something new.

Yesterday’s achievement will dwindle to irrelevance if you don’t break new grounds. Yesterday’s glory and attainment will become stories if you don’t expand your horizon. You have stayed long on the same spot doing the same things and getting the same results. Stop marking time (Isaiah 54:2-3) Where you occupy presently has become too tight. That office space is too small to accommodate you. God is changing your status from less.

There are some untapped resources, unused opportunities around you which God wants you to tap into.

Every eye is blind until God opens it.

The eyes to see opportunities, miracles, blessings are not physical but spiritual; where you have made efforts before and nothing came out, this year, God will open your eyes you shall begin to have results in Jesus name.

Secrets to Expansion n Isaiah 43:18 - If you must break new ground, you must learn to put the past behind you as they will only discourage you from reaching for bigger/better things. Forget your past achievement; they are good distractors to whatever is ahead of you. Phil.

3:13-14 - Press further, move forward, press on. Until you press, you may be depressed. If you do not press, you may be pressed down. Press until you press through.

Except you allow the past to go, the future may not open up. Press forward, for the future ahead is mightier than the past behind you. There is nothing you need that is in your past.

Everything you want is in your future.

n

n

Dream a new dream (Gen. 37:5) If you want to move to the next level, then you must dream a new dream, think new thoughts, make new plans, set new targets, write new proposals, take new steps and set a new agenda for your life.

If you had a dream and it did not work out for whatever reason, forget it and dream another. A new dream will wipe off the old one. When Joseph dreamt the first dream and his brethren hated it, before they were able to recover, he had dreamt another (vs. 9); Gen 26:18-22 When Isaac dug the well and the Philistines came to cover it, he did not give up on his dreams; he simply

“The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord and he delighted in his ways.”

Psalm 37:23 n

n

moved on and dug another.

Has anyone disappointed you? What really happened was that your destiny was too heavy for him to carry. He wasn’t the one who disappointed you; rather, God removed him because he couldn’t contain your dream.

Launch out in faith. Matt. 14:28 -29 Don’t be held back by fear. Go for it, move onto the next level. Start that business, resign from that mediocre job, go ahead and acquire more skills, wax that record, take a leap of faith.

You may not be qualified by their standards but God will make you qualify.

You never know how far you can go until you step out. Peter never knew he could walk on the water until he stepped out of the boat. For you to experience extraordinary explosion this year, you must be prepared to launch out of your comfort zone (vs 30-32).

Peter stepped out and God met him midway. He stepped out by faith in God. Until you step out by faith don’t expect God’s support. Many are not married, yet to do great exploits because they afraid, they have forgotten the scripture that says, when men are cast down, then shall ye say, there is a lifting up. “and from the days of John the Baptist, until now,… the heaven…”. Matt. 11:12.

The good things of life are not prepared to deliver themselves up on a platter – they

must be worked for, fought for, paid for.

They must be acquired and that takes violent action.

It does not matter whether no one in your family has ever achieved it, you only need to step out violently in faith. When you do what you can do, God will back you up.

“The steps of the righteous are ordered by the Lord and he delights in his ways.”

Psalm 37:23 When the righteous take a step, God orders and supports it. But if he doesn’t take any step, there will be nothing for God to order! God needs your faith.

“Every place on the earth where your feet tread shall be yours.” Deut. 11:24 The reason you have not seen a greater glory is because you have not taken a new step.

n

Get a word from God - I Kings 17:2-6 Before Peter stepped into the water, Jesus said ‘come.’ Elijah survived in the season of famine because he had ‘a word.’ You need a word from God. “Believe in the Lord your God…” 2Chro.20:20 May be there is something He wants you to do, that is why you do not play with your Maker and your mentor. God knows all the ways, spiritual and physical. That is why you must not joke with this message. I release the word of liberty, grace, freedom, promotion, lifting, breakthrough, testimony and celebration, that your time to break new grounds has come. When others are in famine, you will be in plenty.

You will break new grounds, expand your horizons, have new results, go to your next level. Your doors of blessing are opened like never before. Heaven has remembered you and you shall manifest in Jesus name.

57

JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Church seeks N660m for school of nursing Ben Ngwakwe,

B Gombe

ishop of Anglican Diocese of Gombe, Rt. Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has said that the church is treating the menace of drug abuse and drunkenness as causes of poverty and dehumanisation.

It also said it is collaborating with the government and other religious and social organisations to tackle the spiritual, social, educational, health and economic challenges facing the people of the state.

Speaking at the launching and fund raising for a school of nursing and midwifery last week in Gombe, the clergy said that within 15 years of existence, the church has established nursery/ primary schools, secondary schools, a growing mission hospital and community health centre, FBO-GADDI, where

it is partnering with the government and other NGOs to cater to those living with HIV/AIDS as well as OVC and TB patients.

“We believe that the word of God has power to change lives, give hope to the people but more so, to transform the society. We also believe that every community, when encouraged and mobilised, can tackle the challenges confronting them. Every individual has great worth and potential endowed by God. People must be respected no matter their tribal, religious, political, social or economic

standing in the community,” he said.

The bishop explained that the institution would provide sound professional training in health care and contribute to raising health workers who will serve the people with the fear of God and respect human dignity. It will also empower young people to work and care for themselves and their families.

He called for contributions to the building of the School of Nursing and Midwifery as the project is estimated to cost N660 million.

Also speaking, the chairman of the

occasion, Senator Joshua Lidani, who extolled the foresight and visionary leadership of the bishop in bringing such development to his local government area, Kaltungo, promised to give necessary support towards the completion of the multi-million naira project.

He donated the sum of N5 million.

Also, the Mai Kaltungo, Saleh Mohammed, and Alh. Abubukar Shehu Abubakar 111 lauded the bishop for the project and promised to give all the necessary support for its execution.

Community leader applauds church over borehole Sola Adeyemo,

Ibadan

A

community leader in Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Moshood Obisesan, has described the Aperin Baptist Church, Adekile, Ibadan as a true lover of the masses.

He gave the commendation over the sinking of a borehole by the church for the provision of potable water for the use of the people of the area.

Obisesan thanked Rev. Moses Ayangbile and the entire congregation of the church for deeming it fit to sink the borehole which has solved the perennial problem of water shortage in the community.

The ‘Ile Aperin’ community leader expressed the appreciation last Sunday during the dedication service for the project, performed by President of the Ibadan Baptist Conference, Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Adekunle.

The visibly elated Obisesan said, “The entire people of this community are appreciative of the kind gesture of this church.

This is an unprecedented experience to us.

We have for long been having a problem of public water supply, but with this project, you have ended our suffering in this direction.

“Aperin Baptist Church is a true lover of its community. We shall do everything humanly possible to protect the borehole, and our prayer is that God should continue to enlarge your coast in the propagation of His ministry.”

While dedicating the borehole, reading from the Book of John, Chapter 4, Adekunle thanked the leadership of the church for the vision, describing it as “the Biblical Water of Life.”

He commended the church for its concern for the Muslim-dominated community, imploring Obisesan to influence his people “to come to Jesus, and take proper care of the project.”

In his speech, Ayangbile expressed appreciation to the church members for their understanding in making the dream a success. He stressed that the community had for long suffered the lack of potable water.

“This initiative is indeed a panacea to the suffering of the residents of this community. I pray we continue to have mutual relationships and peaceful co-existence to the glory of the Almighty God,” he declared.

L-R: Jeff Aganbi, Area Pastor, RCCG, The Calvary, Oshodi, Lagos; Elder K. Ikpe; Gbolahan Oyewale, President, Excellent Men’s Fellowship; and Peter Unuabona, at the 2015 Special Thanksgiving Service of the church...on Sunday. Photo: Lanre Makinde

F

Cleric warns against re-occurrence of Ebola

ounder of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministry, (Liberation City), Prophet Chris Okafor, has warned about possible a reoccurrence of the Ebola Virus Diseases and bloodshed ahead of next month’s elections.

He said he received a revelation said that there will be bloodshed before and after the general elections, just as some deaths will be recorded in the entertainment industry this year. He called on Nigerians to carry on fervent prayers to avert more deaths.

Speaking at a church service in Lagos, the pastor, often referred to as “The Oracle of God” said: “There will be serious bloodshed before the general election.

God showed him that before the general elections, I saw blood tearing from the heaven lines because the dark world has concluded plan for this purpose.”

He said the seat of power will be shaken this year as there will be raging security problems, adding, however, that the country can rise against it in one voice.

“One of the country’s former Headsof-State will pass on this year. His death will dash the hope of so many Nigerians who strongly believe in his capacity to assist them, but with prayer the evil day can be averted. I am not permitted to mention the person name, God clearly

There will be serious bloodshed before the general election. God showed him that before the general elections, I saw blood tearing from the heaven lines because the dark world has concluded plan for this purpose

Okafor

revealed to me.”

I see more death in the entertainment industry, “there will be more casualty in the entertainment industry this year if proper measure is not taken, God took me across the entertainment industry and I see lot of curfew,” he said. Speaking further, he said those player in the industry has involved themselves in so much evil ideas, he said it is only God mercy that can sustain the

industry but if they come together with one voice God can have mercy and avert all the calamity on the industry.

He also called on Nigerians irrespective of their tribe, language and ethnic group, to pray for their governors as God revealed to him that a sitting governor and two former governors will pass on.

He refused to identify them, but added that with prayers “the evil day can be turned He said that the church has commenced a 52-week prayer session for the country with effect from January 2015 to address prayer needs of the country and reverse evil for good.

58

JANUARY 11, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Commanding Supernatural Victory! (2) The Voice of Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

7747546-8 (SMS only)

L

ast week, I brought to you the introductory part of this teaching.

This week, I will be teaching on the areas of conflict. The areas of conflict cover a person’s three-dimensional existence (spirit, soul and body) and his social life.

The Bible tells the story of a woman that satan kept bound with the spirit of infirmity for 18 years, and Jesus commanded that she be loosed (Luke 13:10-13). Today, whatever force is molesting your physical existence, I command deliverance for you right now, in the name of Jesus!

Recognise that satan blinds people’s minds (2 Corinthians 4:3). His mind-blinding tactics are the root of all atrocities, confusion and frustration, which eventually graduate into depression and ultimately to oppression. There’s this story of the mad man of Gadara in Mark 5 comes from. After Jesus had healed him, verse 15 says the people came down and saw him that was possessed with the devil and had legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind…

That means he was in his ‘wrong mind’ before. The devil had turned his mind upside down, making him to live in the grave yard.

The devil is not only after your physical

and mental well-being to corrupt it; he is also after your spirit. The Bible talks about ‘an unclean spirit.’ That is, the spirit that moves a man against the commandments of God. First Corinthians 2:12 talks about the spirit of the world which (as we see in 1 John 2:15-17) produces the activities of the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. There’s also the spirit of whoredom (Hosea 5:4), and the lying spirit (2 Kings 22:22). These are all the operations of the devil in a man, aimed at eternal destruction of the victim.

Do you now see why supernatural victory is very vital in the affairs of life? The battles are essentially spiritual. The devil is a spirit and he operates in the spiritual realm. For you to subdue him, you have to take off into that realm.

Socially, too, the devil is after you. From Job 1:14-18, we see how he devastated Job’s social life – he killed his sons and daughters, his sheep, oxen and servants, his business, etc. Therefore, spiritually, mentally, physically and socially, the devil is all out for you! These are the areas of conflict. It is not enough to know the areas of conflict or who the devil (enemy) is; you must know how to handle him. The question now is: What does it take to subdue the enemy?

Friend, supernatural victory has its root in the Word of God. That is the armour you need to deal with the enemy, the devil. All things are under the command of God’s Word (Hebrews 1:3, Psalm 107:20).

In Matthew 8:16, we are told that Jesus was casting out evil spirits with His Word.

When the Word of God illuminates you in a particular area, you become more than a conqueror in that area!

The Bible tells us an encounter Jesus had with a centurion. The servant of the cen-

This entails accepting and confessing Jesus as Lord.

If you are set for it, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. Forgive me of my sins. From today, I accept You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!

turion was very sick, so he met Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus said He would come to his house and heal his servant.

The centurion pleaded with Jesus to just speak the Word only and his servant would be healed. Jesus, marvelling at the great faith of the centurion, told him to go; that it would be done according to his belief. That same moment, the servant was healed. (Matthew 8:5-13).

The Word of God only is more than enough to win the war that is tearing your destiny asunder – because He controls all things by the Word of His power. Jesus was teaching and we are told that, the power of God was present to heal… As the Word was coming out of His mouth, the power was going forth (Luke 5:17).

When a person believes God’s Word, it becomes power – the virtue in it flows into

his situation, thereby ensuring victory at the instance of faith. Faith is a person’s belief in God’s Word. A person can have faith by constantly hearing the Word of God. Faith is a shield that puts you in defence, while the Word of God is the sword that launches you into the offensive.

The principal strategy for winning the war, therefore, is the discovery of the appropriate Word for the challenge you are confronted with. That is your eternal guarantee for supernatural victory. In any area of life that the Word of God has appropriately and adequately entered you, you become victorious in that area.

For you to enjoy supernatural victory, you have to be saved. This entails accepting and confessing Jesus as Lord. If you are set for it, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. Forgive me of my sins. From today, I accept You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!

Next week, I will show you how to process the Word of God to lay hold on your desired victory this New Year.

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Walking In The Miraculous, Exploring The Secrets Of Success and Releasing The Supernatural.

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., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 77475468; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Finishing the task by praying your strength, your time, your luxury.

I used to think that I could preach, while others (a prayer team) prays for me. I however came to realise that no matter how many people that are praying for me, I too, must find time to prayer

Word of Life

Bishop

Moses Kattey

moseskattey@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

I

t must be by prayer, if something is happening anywhere, especially in a church or ministry. If that church or ministry is not praying, the leader should be investigated. So it must be in a praying church or ministry.

If the leader has got power from elsewhere and not from God, and the church is praying, that power will not work. It boils down to the fact that if it is God, there must be consistent and planned prayers. Why should it not be just by grace? Must it be only by prayer?

What is given to you by grace (and what is even not given by grace?) must be sustained by prayers. We are not talking about casual prayers. We are talking about consciously planned prayers. We are not talking about effortless prayers.

We are talking about prayers that must involve all the soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength (Mark 12:30). Such prayer is not an effortless affair.

It is not something casual. It must sap

Prayer altar You must have a prayer base, whether you are a minister, farmer, teacher, businessman, job seeker, trader etc. There must be a prayer altar (not physical altar, however) set up for you. You have a prayer altar if that prayer group is specifically formed for you or at least have you on their prayer list, and you empower them regularly, as a way of encouragement. It is not your prayer altar, if you do not empower them from time to time.

Your prayer altar could be one person or more. It could be a senior minister or a group of them. It is not a group you resort to with envelopes only when you have a problem, so that they can pray for you. You must remember your prayer altar always; service and maintain it. This prayer altar, you must realize, is a human being or a group of persons. You must also pray yourself even though you have your prayer altar.

Your family could be your prayer altar, especially if your wife is church-inclined and not fetish. Your daughter who is a prayer warrior with some other members of the family, or her friends can also form a prayer altar for you provided you are not fetish and a secret society member and you do not hate all forms of prayers in your home, especially among your

family members.

It is not possible for one to have a prayer altar or have intensive prayers in his/her family if the person is getting his power elsewhere, and not from God. No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate one, and love the other, or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon - (Luke 16:13) If you want to know whether any member of your family or business partner is fetish, a member of any cult or secret society, set up a prayer altar there. This has led to divorce and persecutions in many families. The person involved may try to pretend and endure initially, but eventually confrontation, persecution or problem will arise.

Do you have a regularly serviced and empowered prayer altar?

Destroying altars When we talk about destroying demonic altars, we are actually talking more of non-physical altars, the group of activities that those who empower sacrifices, make enchantments and are responsible for the setting up of the demonic activities or ‘prayers.’

A praying altar is a group of Christians that pray for a particular person, who in turn empowers and encourages them regularly, not just with envelopes when there is a need.

I have not come across such a definition before. But as I write this, this is what I believe the Spirit of God is bringing to my mind. A prayer altar is not necessarily

a building; a wooden or metal structure located somewhere. So when one is praying against a demonic altar, he/she is praying against the demonic activities being made somewhere by a group of cultists, juju priests or their agents, etc for the benefit of somebody who in turn empowers or encourages them regularly. It may or may not have a physical location with wood or metal structure.

This is the reason the Lord said you are the temple of God. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, And that the spirit of God dwelleth in you (I Cor. 3:16).

And what agreement hath the temple of God with (the temple of) idols? For ye are the temple of living God (2 Cor. 16:16).

Notice the comparison: the temple of the living God and the temple of idols.

It talks about God’s temple and idol’s temple – referring to human beings.

This then implies that the temples you refer to in prayers are spiritual, not necessarily physical temples. Every community has a temple that constitutes both those who empower and encourage and those who control the spiritual tempo (or climate) of the place, irrespective of the location of their practice. It is the activities of these people you target in your prayers to destroy altars. These negative altar worshippers, priests and mentors also target you, the altar of Christian businessmen, preachers, etc. when resisting your prayers and when they fight back.

Advertise your church events, special programmes, conventions and other church activities on these pages. Contact: Tai on 07064380029

SUNDAY

Sport 59

SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2015

EPL

Chelsea pull clear, as Man City held by Everton p.60

Niger 2015: Eaglets confront Amajimbos Jan 17 p.60

La-Liga

Bale didn’t ignore Ronaldo - Isco p.60

Sunday Team

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu Golf Reporter Ifeanyi Ibeh

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Laloko: Inconsistency ruined our football

Prince Kashimawo Laloko is a household name in Nigerian football; he has been a coach in the country for 40years from his days in Stationery Stores Football Club of Lagos to the Super Eagles and even as far as The Gambia where he was Technical Director of the national team. He retired as Technical Director of the Nigerian national teams, while he remains the brain behind the very successful Pepsi Football Academy. He told DAPO SOTUMINU in this exclusive interview that inconsistency is the bane of Nigerian football When the 2015 African Nations Cup competition kicks-off in the next few days in Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria won’t be playing.

What is the implication of this?

What this simply tells us is that we have been very inconsistent in the running and management of our football. It’s a shame that after over 70 years of organised football in Nigeria we can still find ourselves in such a shameful situation in African football.

The solution now is to build consistency; I think we are the architect of our own misfortune.

We saw the handwriting on the wall right from the first qualifiers game played by the Super Eagles and yet those in charge folded their hands until we got to a point of no return.

Where we got it wrong was leaving the team entirely in the hands of the chief coach, Stephen Keshi after the shocking victory in Congo which gave Nigeria the hope of a possible appearance in the 2015 Nations Cup. After that game, the NFF should have been involved in the invitation of players that would execute the remaining games.”

Leaving everything in the hands of Keshi was a very big mistake and today we are all paying dearly for it.

The implication of not playing in Equatorial Guinea is that we have to start building again; the negative part of this is that a lot of the national team sponsors would lose confidence in the team. No serious sponsor wants to spend money on a team that is unpredictable, rather than putting their money, they would go away to pursue other profitable ventures.

While internally, the people will be depressed about what is happening and won’t be happy to go and see the Eagles even when they start to do well. So, what we have to do is to find a way to develop the team.

The good thing about the whole scenario is that we now have a very good NFF board in place; they are young people who know what they want to do. The first

Laloko

they did after resuming office was to send some referees to England for first class training. The essence is for the beneficiaries to impact their knowledge on their area and develop that aspect of football in the country.

The next batch of professionals to be sent abroad is the coaches, by the time they return; they would have learnt a great deal to develop themselves and the country’s football.

I know that after these two, the NFF board would look at youth development. I believe that if the Amaju Pinnick-led board is given the chance they would perform wonders.

What do you think should be the way forward for the NFF board in this situation which they have found themselves? I mean as they would be watching the Nation Cup from home until the 2017 edition.

Well, I think at the moment the

NFF should keep aside the idea of just running competitions and try as much as possible to reorganise the whole secretariat. In the first place they should know what they are doing and where there are deficiencies they should get capable Nigerians to help them out.

I am sure they are planning; Nigerians should be a little patient with the NFF board. They are just trying to sort themselves out, I am sure by the time they get out of all these crises which we got ourselves into, Nigeria would be better for it.

The NFF is planning to employ a coach now, either home or foreign-based with a clear preference for a foreign coach. What do you think?

No, for me I don’t believe in foreign coaches for Nigerian football at this stage of our development.

Of course they are not going to offer us anything positive. What

the NFF should do is to emulate what they did for the referees, send capable Nigerian coaches abroad for training and relevant courses. When they return, they should write confidential reports on ways to develop the country’s football. And we can move on from here.

There is no amount of foreign coaches we bring that would help Nigeria. World class coaches don’t want to come to Nigeria.

A first class coach like Louis Van Gaal won’t come to Nigeria as we cannot pay him, and even if he comes, he can only gather very good players to play in the national team; that is not how to develop football. The best bet is to ensure the creation of an environment to train our coaches and make sure they learn. The NFF should run regular courses for coaches and organise internal competitions to see how much they have learnt.

When Samson Siasia was given the job to coach the Under-23, he started bringing foreign-based players, that to me is rubbish and a waste of money, there are players here in Nigeria who can play that category effectively.

I think aside from the Super Eagles, we should not allow foreign-based players to come here again.

What is your assessment of Stephen Keshi’s performance since he took over as Super Eagles chief coach?

To me I won’t deceive you; I am not ready to beg the question, Keshi is a failure. You see in football we are measured by performance and results, and when your performance is not consistent you are not good.

The worst thing about his own situation is that he wants to remain on the job, why? It’s nobody’s father’s job, he has failed and he should go. If I were him I would have resigned honourably. In Nigeria, when people are messing things up they still want to sit down on the job, no, this is wrong. You can see what the politicians are doing too; they want to remain in office even when nobody wants them again. People should know when to leave a position for the good of the country.

Once you are not getting results you get out.

For the year 2015 when the Eagles will be inactive, what will you advice the NFF to do?

Yes, the new NFF board headed by Amaju Pinnick has started well and they are quietly doing a lot to develop Nigerian football, whatever plans they have for the national team while they will be inactive should be supported by Nigerians. Nigerians should give them a chance, I am sure they will do well.

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JANUARY 11, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport

Niger 2015: Eaglets confront Amajimbos Jan 17

Bale didn’t ignore Ronaldo - Isco T

he Welshman, Gareth Bale, scored a brilliant free-kick in Saturday’s win over Espanyol but was jeered by supporters for not playing in his team-mate when one-on-one with the goalkeeper Isco says Real Madrid fans were wrong to boo Gareth Bale for failing to pass to Cristiano Ronaldo during the 3-0 win over Espanyol.

The winger scored a wonderful free-kick on 28 minutes after James Rodriguez had opened the scoring, before Nacho rounded off a routine win in the second half.

But despite Bale’s sensational contribution, supporters were still keen to get on his back for a perceived selfish piece of play when he opted to take on the goalkeeper rather than slide in his team-mate for a simple tap-in.

“At the end of the day, players make decisions for themselves.

Bale didn’t see Cristiano,” said Isco in the Wales star’s defence.

“In the next game, he’ll get another chance. He decided to shoot and missed, but these things happen in football.”

The victory was a timely one for Madrid who have suffered an unexpected dip in form upon their return from the winter break.

The Champions League winners were beaten 2-1 by Valencia in La Liga last weekend, before losing 2-0 to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 Copa de Rey clash with city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Isco is now looking ahead to the return clash against Diego Simeone’s side next week, after admitting his relief at returning to winning ways.

“Today went well. We’re happy with the win and regaining that winning feeling. We hope to continue like this.

“We hadn’t won since we became world champions. We have now regained our confidence for the match against Atletico.

“It will be difficult [against Atleti] but we’ll put all our energy into it. With the support of the fans, I think we can stage the comeback.”

Atleti and Barcelona do battle on Sunday, with Madrid four points clear at the top of the table for 24 hours at least.

WEEKEND RESULTS

Barclays Premier League Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool Burnley 2 - 1 QPR Chelsea 2 - 0 Newcastle Everton 1 - 1 Man. City Leicester 1 - 0 Aston Villa Swansea 1 - 1 West Ham West Bromwich 1 - 0 Hull City Crystal Palace 2 - 1 Tottenham Italy - Serie A Sassuolo 1 - 1 Udinese Spain - Liga BBVA Real Madrid 3 - 0 Espanyol Malaga 1 - 1 Villarreal Levante 0 - 0 Deportivo France - Ligue 1 Bastia 4 - 2 PSG Montpellier 2 - 1 Marseille

Cristiano Ronaldo reacted angrily when Gareth Bale failed to play him in during the second half, prompting some fans to jeer the Welshman

Chelsea pull clear, as Man City held by Everton

C

helsea re-asserted itself as Premier League leaders with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday as champions Manchester City were held to a draw at Everton.

Jose Mourinho’s team have watched a nine-point advantage over City vanish and began the day with an identical record but edged two points clear with goals from Oscar and Diego Costa sealing a 10th home league win out of 10.

City took the lead late on at Goodison Park through Fernandinho but Steven Naismith earned the hosts a point.

Chelsea have 49 points from 21 games with City on 47.

Eight-placed Liverpool edged nearer the top four with a 1-0 victory at Sunderland, Lazar Markovic’s first Premier League goal deciding the contest at a blustery Stadium of Light.

They are now four points behind fourth-placed Southampton, who play third-placed Manchester United today.

“It was an outstanding team performance today. We had great control of the game but I suppose the only disappointment is we did not have more goals,” manager Brendan Rodg-

ers, who was without the rested Raheem Sterling said.

Queens Park Rangers fell into the relegation zone after a 2-1 loss at Burnley, becoming the first Premier League side to lose their first 10 away games of the season.

Both sides ended with 10 men at Leicester City where the hosts stayed bottom despite beating Aston Villa 1-0 while Tony Pulis enjoyed a winning reign as West Bromwich Albion’s manager thanks to 1-0 defeat of Hull City.

Swansea City and West Ham United drew 1-1.

Eagles battle Elephants in Abu Dhabi friendly

T

he Super Eagles of Nigeria will today in the United Arab Emirates slug it out against the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire in one of the two planned international friendlies for the team in Abu Dhabi.

The Eagles team tutored by assistant coach Daniel Amokachi landed in the UAE on Friday to get ready for the game and are ready to win the game against highly rated Ivory Coast team.

Emirates Airliner that the team boarded from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Thursday night landed at the Dubai International Airport at about 5:30am local time, which is 2:30am in Nigeria. After airport formalities the team of 19 players and officials took a jolly bus

ride from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, a journey of about an hour.

On hand to welcome the team was new face Steven Ukoh, who plays his football with Swiss side, FC Biel. He was quite joyous to link up with the Nigerian team for the first time and declared that he can’t remember ever Nigeria, except as a child. But his quick mix-up with the rest of the players whom he has never met before must be commended.

The team is quartered at the serene Crown Plaza Hotel in Abu Dhabi and had its first training session by 7:30pm local time, which is 4:30pm in Nigeria in preparations for its first match against the Ivoriens.

The 20 players in the Eagles squad: Goalkeepers: Chigozie

Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars) Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC Midfielders: Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC); Austin Godspower, Steven Ukoh (FC Biel, Swizerland) Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers).

Nwofor scores in Lierse win

S

uper Eagles striker, Uche Nwofor, at the weekend hit the target as he scored for his Belgian club, SK Lierse, in their 3-0 victory against Eredivisie club AZ Alkmaar .

Nwofor’s effort in the 39th minute was sandwiched in between goals by Ramy Bensebaini and Wamberto as De Pallieters cantered to a straightforward victory.

The 23-year-old rose to meet a sumptuous Hernan Losada cross from the left after shrugging off close attention from AZ’s Jan Wuytens.

His thumping header left the AZ goalkeeper, Esteban Alvarado, with little chance as Lierse went 2-0 up.

Nwofor has scored just once in eight league games this season.

His less-than-productive form

in front of goal has not helped Lierse’s cause in the Pro League this season as they currently prop up the rear in the standings with 14 points from 21 matches.

Nwofor will be hoping things improve in the second half of the season with Lierse facing Anderlecht on January 18 in their next league game.

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria have been scheduled to battle the Amajimbos of South Africa in a friendly international as part of preparation for the 2015 African Under-17 Championship to be held in Niger Republic.

The warm up game has been confirmed for the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on January 17 by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The two countries will not come face-to-face at the group stage of the African tournament. Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are in Group A with hosts Niger Republic, Guinea and Zambia while Amajimbos of South Africa face champions Ivory Coast, Mali and Cameroon in Group B. The South Africans are expected to arrive in the country in midweek with a 30-man contingent ahead of the pre-CAN Under-17 friendly.

Golden Eaglets assistant coach Kabiru Baleria has described the friendly as “a real good match to test” the team.

“This is a real good match to test our players against a quality opposition. Playing against the South Africans would also give us an idea about how we can handle Zambia since they are from the same region,” said Baleria.

The Nigerian under-17s revved up their preparation with another win, this time against Abujabased Virgin Kids Academy at the NFF/Fifa Goal Project pitch on Saturday.

Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys dispatched the Abuja academy 3-1. Victor Osimhen scored twice and Kehinde Ayinde got one for the Eaglets to cancel out Samson Ekemezie’s goal for Virgin Kids Academy.

LMC Board to be inaugurated before league kick-off

T

he Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has announced that the new board of the League Management Company will be inaugurated before the commencement of the Professional Football League season in March.

Speaking at the end of the NFF Executive Committee meeting in Lagos on Thursday, Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande clarified that there is no affirmation or ratification yet on who are the members of the new LMC Board.

“In line with the decision of the Congress at the General Assembly held in Lagos on November 23, 2014, the Selection Committee has met and come up with a list.

“However, it is important to make it clear that the list has not been ratified. We will finalize on the list very soon and I can assure, on behalf of the NFF Executive Committee, that the Board of League Management Company will be inaugurated before the commencement of the new season, which has been set for March 7.”

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 2015

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News

‘No petition against Jonathan, Buhari, others’

“I

am only one of hundreds, nay thousands who have no choice but to vote with their feet! As a matter of fact, even non-indigenes who were born in Lafia are moving out. So who am I to stay when events on the ground indicate otherwise?

“I am one of those who made investments across Nigeria but which I regret today! Nobody should feel sorry for me because of this. I feel rather sorry for those staff who have just lost their jobs!

And I sympathise with them and their families!”

Sunday Telegraph gathered that the Federal Government might close down all schools in the country at the end of January to ensure the pupils and students are not exposed to avoidable danger in the event that the February polls turn violent.

Attempts to get a confirmation or denial from the Federal Ministry of Education were unsuccessful as no official was willing to speak on the matter.

No petition against Jonathan, Buhari, others Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Kayode Idowu, on Friday said the commission had yet to receive any formal petition against any of the candidates for the elections.

The commission had on December 26, 2014 and January 2 this year, published the names of candidates for national and state elections at the various state constituencies and at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The publication of Buhari’s name had generated much attention because he did not attach his academic credentials to his presidential nomination form.

Buhari had, in a sworn affidavit, claimed that his credentials were with the Secretary, Military Board.

The spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Olaleye Olajide, had told Sunday Telegraph on January 3 that though the credentials of the former head of state were with them, Buhari ought to be in possession of his original papers.

Some groups have threatened to go to court to force INEC to disqualify Buhari.

Idowu, who spoke in a telephone interview, denied knowledge of any petition.

“I am not aware of any petition. Of course, if there is a petition, what INEC will do is to refer such to the party concerned. As far as I am concerned, there is no petition,” Idowu said.

INEC will on Tuesday, January 13 publish the final list of presidential and National Assembly candidates while that of governorship and state House of Assembly candidates will be published on January 27.

North worried over Buhari’s health Meanwhile, there is anxiety over the health status of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).

A source said Buhari might not withstand the pressures of the Office of President, if elected. A highly placed Northerner told Sunday Telegraph that Buhari is suffering from the effects of managing Sickle Cell Anaemia.

“Recently, he has shown declining fitness and acute loss of energy,” a source said.

The latest anxiety was hinged on the report that Buhari collapsed during his campaign in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

“The controversy was heightened last Wednesday after a major calamity was averted during the APC campaign rally in Calabar, Cross River State. Gen. Buhari, on the second day of his nationwide campaign in Calabar, was reported to have collapsed from exhaustion. Immediately after he collapsed while climbing the podium erected for the rally, Buhari was quickly pulled up and propped by aides and other party leaders who rushed to his side. They later issued a denial that he fell,” the source said.

APC South-East spokesman and an aide of Buhari, Osita Okechukwu, dismissed the claim as an alarm designed to create doubts about the APC presidential candidate.

Okechukwu said: “They are only trying to dig up what is non-existent; no record of their claim. The General has his doctor and anyone can contact him rather than speculate.”

The source said the North is still haunted by the Yar’Adua’s saga, “and we are conscious of a repeat of the loss. So, we are reconsidering our support for Buhari.”

In the build-up to the 2007 presidential election, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party was hurriedly rushed to Germany in an air ambulance, following exhaustion during the campaigns. Then Yar’Adua was rumoured dead, but he bounced back to continue the campaign and eventually won the election.

The North is worried about a repeat of the Yar’Adua’s saga. His death in office forced power to return to the South, with the ascension of then Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan.

“If anything happens to Buhari, power will return to the South-West less than a decade after President Obasanjo left Aso Rock. The prospects are grim, both to the North and even the South East that is queuing for their own turn,” a northern politician said.

Auxiliary Bishop of Abuja, His Lordship Anselem Umoren (right), inaugurating members of Catholic Marriage Tribunal, to mark the Catholic Judicial year of Abuja Archdiocesan Ecclesiastical Province, in Abuja …yesterday.

PHOTO-NAN

N750m fraud: EFCC arrests PDP chieftain’s associate Emmanuel Onani,

T Abuja

he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested an Abujabased multi-millionaire and close associate of a national vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A highly-placed source

at the commission, who disclosed this to Sunday Telegraph on condition of anonymity, said the suspect was arrested upon a petition by a PDP governorship aspirant in the last primaries in Delta State.

According to the source, the suspect was picked up by operatives of the commission on Friday in Abuja,

Baga attacks: Buhari offers to help Johnchuks Onuanyim, Abuja

A

ll Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday proffered solutions on how to conquer the Boko Haram insurgency.

Buhari, who spoke in Enugu said, it was better to disorganise, disrupting and destroying their infrastructure.

Also sympathising with Borno State Governor, Kasshim Shetima, on the Boko Haram attack on Baga, stated that they have agreed to meet on insecurity in the statement.

In the statement issued yesterday, he said, “disorganizing, disrupting and destroying their infrastructure was an essential strategy to weaken the terrorists.

Buhari explained that he was embarrassed by the fact that Nigeria had now become a sitting duck for terrorist attacks, which occur almost daily.

He regretted the fact that the poor victims of these frequent terrorist attacks

had been abandoned to their fate.

He reiterated that the security, welfare and the happiness of the citizens is the basic function of any government, adding that a situation where the citizens are helplessly living with the spectre of terrorist attacks contradicts these basic functions.

Expressing pains, he said, “on our way back from campaigning in two states in South Eastern Nigeria, we were informed of the unspeakable massacre that took place in Baga earlier Thursday.

“I have since called Governor Shettima to express my sympathies over the dastardly incident. He has promised to appraise me of the evolving situation.

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this horrific, cowardly manner. Just a few days ago, whilst campaigning in Bayelsa State, I made my views on the insecurity that has plagued our country clear. I repeat, Allahu Akbar, means ‘God is Great’. “

after the petitioner alleged that the former “fleeced” him of N750 million, with a failed promise to help him secure the governorship ticket in the oil-rich state.

The suspect, who is said to be highly connected, is being interrogated at the commission’s operation department at Idiagbon House, Abuja.

Items recovered from him included “incriminating documents as well as five exotic cars.”

The alleged offence, according to the source, is obtaining by false pretence.

Efforts to get a confirmation from the commission’s spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, failed, as his phone line did not connect.

Ladoja opens governorship campaign Sola Adeyemo, Ibadan

T

HE Accord Party governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, yesterday said if the All Progressives Congress could field 72-yearold Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as presidential candidate, he is even more fit at 70.

Speaking at the commencement of his party’s campaign at Durbar Stadium in Oyo town, the former governor said what matters most “is experience and quality of service to be rendered by the occupant of an office. He stressed that he had done it before and people of Oyo saw his qualification.

“Having been there before, I know what to do.

You all saw what we did while we were in office and I can tell you that it can only be better this time around”.

Charging the mammoth crowd to ensure that they obtain their Permanent Voters’ Cards and keep same safe ahead of the elections, he said, “There is no more sleep between now and

28th February, the governorship election day, but we are sure of victory at the end of the day.”

Suicide bomber kills 20

T

wenty persons were yesterday killed by a 10-year-old female suicide bomber after she detonated an Improvised Explosive Device near Yankaji Monday Market in Maiduguri.

An eye witness, Mallam Abor Ibrahim, said the incident occurred at about noon when the girl detonated the IED near the market He said, “Over twenty people were killed, while several others were injured in the suicide bomb attack.

We counted over 20 bodies, while those injured have been rushed to the hospital.”

Confirming the incident, the state police command’s spokesman, DSP Gidoen Jibrin, told newsmen that 20 people were killed while 18 other injured and were rushed to hospital.

SPORT Laloko: Inconsistency ruined our football

FAITH Clerics dispel fears over 2015 elections

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Why these my postings from the social media? (1)

M

y decision to share with my teeming readers and admirers, these postings which I receive daily in my emails, facebook, twitter, watsapp, my blog, et al, actuated by my sincere belief that they teach serious lessons, some very moral, some simply comical, heart-warming, hilarious and provocative, some highly philosophical; some innately spiritual; some acutely political; some critically economic; some sociological and cultural, yet some life-saving. I will therefore devote the next three weeks to x-raying these messages which have become more timely in this nervous and fearful era of political buccaneering and serial ethno-religious threats to our corporate existence as a Nation. My compatriots read on, swallow some, digest some, but work with all.

We now continue with last week’s posting on Asari Dokunbo, to its conclusion.

“I have benefited immensely from Goodluck Jonathan with my stake but benefit alone is not enough to make me to keep quiet when the period is very challenging for our people.

“So, some of us are tempted to ask this question: why are all these things happening?

“Why has the President allow some ministers like Godsday Orubebe to continue in government?m “Everyday people die on the East-West Road. “If Orubebe is incompetent as he has shown himself to be, he should be removed.

“Nobody voted for Orubebe. “And why is Orubebe so important to the President that he can’t remove him even in the face of his obvious incompetence and several allegation to corruption? “We feel very ashamed and embarrassed.

“Orubebe was one of us.” “He was attending meetings with us, sleeping in the ground with us, entering night bus with us and we nominated him to be appointed a minister.”

“We have gone to him and complained to him that we don’t like the way things are going in his ministry and told him that if the President leaves in 2015 without the completion if the East-West Road, we are finished. “And the man keeps telling us there is no money.

“When IBB (former military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida) was there, there was money.

“When Abacha was there, there was money.

“When others were there, there was money.”

“How come the money disappeared when Jonathan got there?

“Jonathan and Orubebe will account for the death in the East-West Road.” “First, there was no need for Goodluck Jonathan to disagree with Oulsegun Obasanjo.

“I don’t like Obasanjo “I don’t like his face”.

“I hate him.

“But he was instrumental in bringing Goodluck Jonathan to power.

“And the greedy people around Jonathan have not managed him enough to the extent that the President and people around him will allow Jonathan to disagree with Obasanjo openly.

“And if you check, all the people who supported Goodluck Jonathan and fought to bring him to power, have openly disagreed with him. “What was the cause of these disagreements?” “These are the questions we want to put to the President. “Some people say Obasanjo is manipulating Goodluck Jonathan, that is why Jonathan is disagreeing with him and we ask: what has Goodluck Jonathan’s government achieved to show that it is a departure from other governments that have existed since 1956?

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08128444555 (sms only)

Dokunbo

Orubebe

“For us, noting has changed. “It is still business as usual. “So what are the advice that Obasanjo gave to Jonathan that were so difficult for him to fulfill, that made him decide to fall out with Obasanjo?

“Obasanjo was instrumental and manipulated the process that illegally removed Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as governor of Bayelsa State and installed Jonathan as governor, made him vice president, fought for him to become acting president and also fought for him to become president if Nigeria. “Apart from Obasanjo, there are so many people who supported Goodluck Jonathan, some have been pushed out by those who were not there to give him any support, while some others are trapped and they cannot talk. I have a feeling that Fulani man Buhari would have done more for Niger-Delta than Jonathan has done so far Jonathan has done so far Jonathan has done nothing for Niger Delta actually. It is getting more and more difficult to support him, the second Niger bridge is another issue. Even his allies are denouncing him. What a shame.

who happens to be an elderly grandmother, to the box, and began to cross examine her.

Lawyer: “Mama Vero “do you know me?

Mama Vero: yes, I do know you, Lawyer. Pollus. I’ve known you since you were a young boy, and to be frank, you have been a disappointment to your parents and to the society. You are a lair, you cheat people including your wife. You manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you are a big man when you don’t even have brain and manners. Yes, I know you.

The lawyer was stunned, not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked again; Lawyer Pollus: “Mama Vero” do you know the defence lawyer?

She replied, ‘Yes I do, I’ve known Lawyer Gideon since he was a young boy too. He has been your very good friend because the two of you have the same character. He has also been a very lazy man and he has a drinking problem. In fact, he is a criminal, he can’t even build a normal relationship with anyone, his law practice is one of the worst in the country.

Not to mention, he cheated on his wife with more than 3 different women, one of them was

JOKE OF THE DAY: The Court Drama In a court trial, a lawyer called his first witness

MAMA LASISI

your wife, yes, I know him.

The defense lawyer almost fainted.

Just then, the Judge called both lawyers to his table and in a very quiet voice, said, ‘If any of you idiots ask her if she knows me, I will make sure you lose your licence’.

SAFETY TIP: Beware of Kidnappers Masquerading as Helpers I got this from a friend and thought I should share it with you. I don’t know if it actually happened, but it is very possible it did.

As a victim of a most horrific and nerveracking kidnap experience on August 23, 2013, which lasted for three good weeks till my eventual release on 12th September, 2013, I would be failing in my duty to the society, if I do not share this particular posting from a friend with you. It shows the degeneration of morals and societal ethos, the recession of good and the enthronement of evil.

This incident happened at the Palms Shopping Mall in Victoria Island Lagos. We all need to be more careful and be security conscious wherever we are. As they say, you cannot be too careful. Take care and take a minute to read this ingenious escapade. This is very scary and could happen to any of us. Seems like every apparent nice thing people do for one another can be easily perverted. This is a new twist to the crime of kidnapping from a very smart survivor. The story: Sometime ago, there was a woman standing by the mall entrance, passing out flyers to all the women going in. The woman had written the flyer herself to tell everyone about an experience she had, so that she might warn other women.

The previous day, this woman had finished shopping, went out to her car and discovered that she had a flat tyre. She got the jack out of the trunk and began to change the flat tyre.

Suddenly, a nice looking man dressed in a business suit and carrying a briefcase walked up to her and said, “I noticed you’re changing a flat tyre. Would you like me to take care of it for you?” The woman was grateful for his kind offer and accepted his help. They chatted amiably while the man changed the flat, and then put the flat tire and the jack in the trunk, shut it and dusted his hands off. The woman thanked him profusely, and as she was about to get into her car, the man told her that he had left his car on the other side of the mall, and asked if she would mind giving him a lift to his car.

She was a little surprised and she asked him why his car was on the other side. He explained that he had seen an old friend in the mall that he hadn’t seen for some time and they had a bite to eat, gisted for a while, and he got turned around in the mall and left through the wrong exit, and now he was running late.

• Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

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.