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SUNDAY Sunday, February 22, 2015 Vol. 2 No. 368

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Ifeanyi Ubah: With tan, he takes Brand Jonathan to the people everywhere } 34

MARCH 28 POLLS

NORTH SPITS FIRE

lWe don’t trust Jonathan, Jega lNo basis for such, say Metuh, INEC lCount us out of Govt of National Unity - PDP, APC }4

BUHARI VISITS TONY BLAIR IN LONDON }5

lSpeaks on polls, APC’s agenda Nigeria votes

2015

a eri Nig

es vot

5 201

34

days to go...

Poly lecturers Why I don’t have a to begin strike man in my life } 17 Wednesday }5 - Keira Hewatch

Troops retake Baga, kill terrorists

lBoko}5Haram imports 100 Hilux vans from Dubai }4

Obanikoro: PDP threatens recall of APC senators }14

2

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 22.02.15 BODY & SOUL

Eyes on the top Ambition is a healthy propeller.

Obiageli Ajaero’s dream is ‘to build a conglomerate of businesses that work.’

}18

POLITICS

What went wrong?

The bond of unity between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan was broken last week with a dramatic exit of the former from the ruling party

}31

BUSINESS

Paralysed economy The rescheduled general elections has further paralysed the nation’s economy which was reeling under the pain of a blow from the fall in oil prices and the tumbling naira value

}23

FAITH

Pray Nigeria out of trouble It’s no co-incident that Nigeria’s general election is scheduled to hold during the Lenten period, clerics say

}51

SPORT

The New kid on the block After 34 appearances for England junior team, Chuba Akpom is the new attraction for the Super Eagles of Nigeria

}60

SUNDAY

Editorial

Reckless convoy drivers

F

or the umpteenth time, tears are flowing in so many homes, following the death recently of 11 top officials of the Bayelsa state government in a traffic accident along the Elele –Ahoada Section of the East\ West Road.

All the dead were women , part of a group that had gone to see off First Lady Patience Jonathan at the PortHarcourt International Airport Omagwa. Among them were Mrs. Elizabeth Oguru, whose husband is Secretary to the Bayelsa state government[Prof.

Edmund Oguru],former commissioner Gimbra Panowei ex-lawmaker Ruby Benjamin, Inamemu Ayakpor and Consider Amadi.

The accident involved three vehicles carrying 29 persons. While 11 died,18 were injured. Among the lucky survivors, is another former cabinet member ,Mrs. Mrs. Ebisinte Ayabowei.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps[FRSC], cause of the crash was tyre burst. Many of the dead were burnt beyond recognition , forcing the state government to choose the painful option of mass burial.

All the vehicles involved in the accident were manufactured by Toyota.

There was a Hi ace bus, a Sienna and Highlander. While attributing the calamity to the tyre of one of the vehicles, it is difficult to exonerate whoever was behind the wheels.

Drivers conveying top government officials often fall foul of safety rules. Many of them behave like kings of the road, with no inhibitions. They are so reckless that other road users mean nothing. What government convoys do is just like watching the stars of speedway or the Paris- Dakar Rally.

According to World Health Organisation[WHO] statistics, Nigeria is one of the countries with highest road accidents. There are 162 deaths per 100,000 kilometres.

FRSC boss, Boboye Oyeyemi,

reeled out frightening details. According to him, 6,052 deaths were recorded in 2010. In 2012, there was a slight rise to 6,092.In the next one year, 2013, the number of deaths was 6,450.

As at end of November last year, 4,643 deaths had been recorded.

Of the fatalities , government convoys registered quite some presence.

In 2013, fiery activist, Prof. Festus Iyayi lost his life along the Lokoja –Abuja Highway when a van from Governor Idris Wada’s convoy rammed into the vehicle conveying the former ASUU president.

The same Kogi governor, was lucky to have escaped death in 2012, when his convoy was involved in a ghastly crash. Wada’s ADC, Idris Mohammed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police[ASP], was not so lucky. He lost his life.

Not long after, Speaker of the Kogi state House of Assembly Momoh Lawal suffered similar fate. One of the cops attached to him, Corporal Lamidi Akeem did not make it.

It was also in 2012, that Edo state governor Adams Oshiomhole’s convoy ran into trouble. Four persons died including three journalists from the Africa Independent TelevisionOlatunji Jacob, George Okosun and Fidelis Otani. Newsmen also lost their lives in 2005 and 2007,respectively, following Ogun state governor at the time, Chief Gbenga Daniel to Abuja and Plateau helmsman Joshua Dariye.

It is imperative now to compel government agencies and their officials to send their drivers to FRSC approved training schools. They have to be taught an entirely different driving culture. And senior government officials must not see their drivers as a special breed.

All vehicles must be equipped with Speed Limit Devices and drivers obey stipulated speed limits. With a total road network of 204,200 kilometres, this country cannot afford more avoidable accidents.

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SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

March 28 polls: North spits fire Ibrahim Musa, Onwuka Nzweshi, Onyekachi Eze and John-Chuks Onuanyim

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head of the rescheduled March 28 elections, a group of Northern leaders have declared that they don’t trust President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to deliver free and fair polls.

Speaking on behalf of the Northern leaders, Secretary of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, told Sunday Telegraph in an interview with Kaduna, that Jonathan had misled Nigerians on a number of occasions in the past and as such could not be trusted anymore.

He hinged the position on the President’s statement during a recent media chat that he had no foreknowledge of the fact that the service chiefs met with Jega and advised him to shift the election dates.

He said that if Jonathan is to be believed, that would amount to saying that the service chiefs had carried out a coup.

He also said that Jonathan had in the past denied his utterances and actions, noting that it has become difficult to trust his words.

“There is nowhere in the Constitution where there is a relationship between INEC and service chiefs. In fact, we interpret the service chiefs’ action to be a coup. They had no powers to do that. On top of that, in the media chat with the President, he said that he had no knowledge of the postponement of the elections. So, the service chiefs

must have acted entirely on their own, if you agree with the President’s position.

It means that they have usurped the powers of the President and by implication, the constitution of Nigeria had been subverted.

So, that was technically a coup d’état.

“Although the President said that he knew nothing about it but he can only fool himself not others. I understand that last Saturday, he said that he didn’t know that there was no election so he went to his village to vote. So I was made to understand that he was at Otueke, thinking that there was an election.

Imagine how people have turned Nigerians into stupid people,” he said. (Read full interview on Pages 32 and 33) Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, could not be reached for a reaction.

Spokesman for the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Femi FaniKayode, declined comments when contacted on the telephone for a response.

However, PDP spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in an SMS that the party was confident that the polls would go ahead as scheduled.

“The PDP does not want to share the skepticism of people like Ango Abdullahi; neither will we want to join issues with him. The party has already made its views known in several media briefings since the polls were shifted. We believe the six weeks interval will give INEC ample opportunity to put its house in order and to conduct free, fair and credible elections come March

28 and April 11.

“PDP has no reason to doubt the intentions of President Goodluck Jonathan to leave a legacy by conducting the next elections in a transparent manner.

INEC Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Oluwole Osaze-Uzzi, said the commission would do everything possible to win the trust of Nigerians irrespective of the positions people take on the shift.

Osaze-Uzzi, who spoke on the telephone, said the different reactions of the people on the rescheduling of the elections were “unfortunate.”

He said, “It is unfortunate.

We will continue to win the confidence of Nigerians in the election. No responsible

organisation will expose its staff to danger.”

He said INEC was working to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

In a separate development, PDP and APC have said they will not be part of rumoured moves by unknown interests to push for a Government of National Unity in the event of an indecisive outcome in the presidential election.

International news website, Africa Confidential, had quoted an unnamed senior aide in the Presidency as having given a hint that there were growing doubts over a ‘decisive outcome’ in the elections.

The website said the aide spoke of the possibility that both sides would have to be pragmatic enough to nego-

tiate some form of powersharing deal.

However, Metuh described such an option as “incomprehensible. Speaking on the telephone yesterday, he said that such was not known to the constitution and therefore not worthy of discussion.

“Nobody has discussed that in PDP and it has never been part of our agenda,” he said. He stated that nobody had presented such an idea to the party, adding, “It is like discussing the collapse of the world.”

Similarly, a member of the All Progressives Congress Board of Trustees, Chief Sam Nkire, dismissed the plot as “unrealistic and undemocratic. “ He said, “No, no such thing. That will be undemo-

cratic and unconstitutional.

APC will not be party to that. Anything unconstitutional, count APC out.

APC believes there must be elections and that’s the right thing to do.

“Anything outside that will be tantamount to going against the wishes of the people. PDP wants to hang on to power by all means and designs without caring about the feeling of the people and its poor performance in the last 16 years.”

Sunday Telegraph also contacted the National Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, as well as its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on the issue.

Both men said they had no knowledge of any plan to put APC into a GNU.

L-R: Chairman/CEO, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Mike Uzoigwe; President Goodluck Jonathan and Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, at the re-commissioning af Egbin Power Plc in Lagos …yesterday

Troops retake Baga as Boko Haram imports vans from Dubai

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he Nigerian Armed Forces on Friday retook the strategic town of Baga in Borno State from Boko Haram terrorists, over one month after the insurgents overran the community.

Boko Haram had late December seized the town and chased out troops under the Multinational Joint Task Force from Nigeria, Camaeroon and Chad.

However, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters said yesterday that a large number of terrorists drowned in Lake Chad as they fled the heavy bombardment by Nigerian Air Force heralding the advance of Nigerian troops on a mission to flush them out of Baga.

Kolade

DHQ’s statement, which was made available through PR Nigeria, said the troops successfully defused landmines on over 1500 spots on the routes leading to the town.

“All the land mines were skillfully cleared one after the other. Eventually, the resistance of the terrorists collapsed and the land forc-

es finally stormed the town in the early hours of Friday.

“Many of the terrorists died while an unknown but substantial number of them fled with various degrees of injury, in the encounters along the routes of advance of the as troops headed for Baga.

“Apart from the five antiaircraft guns and the rifles captured from the terrorists, over 34 motorcycles and five vehicles including trucks being used for operations by the terrorists were destroyed in the course of the fighting as troops headed for Baga.

The troops finally began clearing the terrorists from Baga on arrival in the town early Saturday morning.

“A comprehensive cordon and search phase of military operation has now commenced to enable troops to mop up arms and ammunition and also apprehend any terrorist who might be hiding in the vicinity. The exercise will also determine details of the casualties inflicted or incurred in the course of the operations to clear Baga and environ of terrorists.

“A similar exercise is being carried out in over 12 locations, namely Gajigana, Ngaze, Ngenzai, Marte Junction, Mile 90, Yoyo, Kekeno, Kukawa, Cross Kauwa, Kangarwa, Amirari and other localities where troops have flushed out the terrorists in the opera-

tions preceding the entry to Baga. The troops are now dominating and conducting aggressive patrols in the locations. The morale of troops remain high,” said the statement signed by Director Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade.

Meanwhile, there are indications that Boko Haram may have imported about 100 Toyota Hilux vans from Dubai through a Libyan port.

A Cameroonian journalist, Bisong Etabohen, said on Twitter that “some pickups captured from Boko Haram were found to have passed through Agades in Niger and were among 100 shipped from Dubai through a Libyan port.”

Pressed by Sunday Tele-

graph for more information, he said several vans were seized by the country’s elite Rapid Intervention Battalion popularly known by its French acronym BIR. He stated that BIR was still screening the several pickups captured to date.

He also debunked reports in a Nigerian newspaper (not Sunday Telegraph) that some French nationals allegedly working for Boko Haram were captured by Cameroonian forces.

“No French men were captured by the Cameroon army. Some white-skinned French-speaking persons suspected to be Tuaregs were captured,” Etabohen stated.

5

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2015

Buhari visits Blair in London, speaks on party’s agenda

L-R: All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, responding to questions from the Chief Executive Officer, All Eyes on Africa TV Show, Mrs. Kemi Fadojutimi, during Buhari’s working visit to the United Kingdom…yesterday

A

Debby Makoji ll Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday met with a former British Prime Minister, Mr. Tony Blair, at his home in London.

Buhari, who was accom-

panied by Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and a former governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, held a private meeting with Blair.

Photographs of the three Nigerian visitors and their host were posted on Facebook and Twitter by Saraki and circulated to media houses by the party’s presi-

dential campaign group.

Details of the meeting between both sides were not made available to Sunday Telegraph as the party’s spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said there was none yet.

The pictures as well as some others of Buhari during a live interview with a UK medium, the ‘All Eyes

on Africa TV Show’ with Kemi Fadojutimi were posted in apparent reaction to a tale by Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, that Buhari was ferried to London on Friday in an air ambulance and had been admitted to a London hospital.

Sunday Telegraph learnt that during the interview, Buhari spoke on the March

28 presidential election as well as his party’s agenda for Nigeria.

Buhari also confirmed that he would honour his speaking engagement at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London scheduled for Thursday, February 26.

This was contained in a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Mallam Garba Shehu. He stated that Chatam House would post the event and send out invitation cards tomorrow.

It said Buhari’s meeting with Blair and his TV interview were was part of his working trip to UK. Buhari’s campaign had on Friday announced that he had departed for the UK on a short working visit.

The statement said in the course of the visit, Mr. Buhari would hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions with interest in the affairs of Nigeria.

News

Shehu stated that Buhari left the London residence of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, around 1.30pm UK time and returned to his rented flat in the city.

Meanwhile, the APCPCO has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to caution Fayose over his continued pestering of Buhari with falsehood and death wishes.

Shehu in the statement said the APC had learnt on good authority that Fayose had hired people in London who had been trailing the movements of the APC presidential candidate while on his working visit.

“Let it be on record that knowing Governor Fayose’s antecedents, we are not leaving anything to chance. The governor who has published death-wish advertorials on Buhari will stop at nothing. If anything should happen to General Muhammadu Buhari while in London or anywhere, the authorities over there in the UK and at home should know whom to hold responsible,” he said.

Poly lecturers begin Jonathan: I’ll implement confab report in full indefinite strike Wednesday Anule Emmanuel He said, “We set up the sionate some of you are in would like to see Nigerians Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

A

cademic activities in polytechnics across the country may be grounded this week as members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics have given the Federal Government until on Wednesday, February 25 to implement a fouryear-old agreement or they would paralyse the system.

The lecturers, who called off an almost one year strike in 2014 based on promises by then newly appointed Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, lamented that none of the items on their list of demands had been attended to.

The fresh strike threat by ASUP followed the breakdown of talks between the union and Shekarau last Thursday at a closed door meeting over the Federal Government’s suspension of the implementation of CONTISS 15 salary scale.

ASUP President, Chibuzor Asomugha, told journalists after an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the union in Abuja that the governing councils of Federal Polytechnic, Oko and Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti should be dissolved for creating avoidable problems in their institutions.

His words: “You will recall that in 2012, our union placed a 13-point demand portfolio before government for negotiation and subsequent implementation. Most of

these demands were a carryover from the 2009 Agreement between the Federal Government and the union.

“The failure of government to attend to these demands led to a series of strike actions between 2013 and 2014. The polytechnic sector is still undergoing a frenzied recovery from the scars of that engagement.

“As we have always stated, the sordid experience our sector went through in recent times was avoidable if government had deployed proactive measures in addressing the issues in dispute.”

Some of the demands include the ‘continued discrimination’ against polytechnic graduates in the public service and the labour market in Nigeria, including the non-release of the White Paper on visitation to federal polytechnics.

They are also protesting the non-implementation of CONTISS 15 migration for the lower cadres and its arrears as from 2009 when salary structure was approved.

The polytechnic lecturers also decried the non-establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission and the ‘wrongful recognition’ of the National Board for Technical Education as the regulatory body for polytechnics.

They are also asking for more funding for polytechnics, appointment of competent people into governing councils and adequate funding of state polytechnics by their various owners.

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday gave the assurance that he would fully implement the recommendations of the National Conference if re-elected.

The President said with his administration’s power reforms and full privatisation of the sector, Nigerians would soon take power supply for granted.

Jonathan stated these at the palace of the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, when he paid a courtesy call on the royal father in his palace in Oyo town, Oyo State on Saturday.

He told the monarch that he did not influence the report of the conference, which he noted if fully implemented, would take Nigeria to a higher level.

Jonathan, however, urged the people of the state to vote for all Peoples Democratic Party National Assembly candidates in order to have a legislature well disposed to approving the report.

National Conference and the report is ready. As a government and as a party, we believe that those who did that report meant well for the country. We gathered almost 500 Nigerians from all walks of life, including the traditional institution; young people, teachers, journalists, lawyers, everybody.

“I never influenced it because I believe that what is good for Nigeria is good for me. And I believe that if really we want to change this country in a better way, we should implement that report.

“The government and the party are totally committed to implementing 100 per cent of that report but we need a National Assembly that will work with us.

“So, we are using this platform to plead with our people of this great state to support the PDP to send their strong daughters and sons to the federal level to work with us so that we will implement that report because I know how pas-

terms of that report.”

Jonathan restated his passion to reform the power sector in view of its role in the development of small and medium scale enterprises.

He said while the privatisation processes were almost completed and the change over phase from public to private sector was ongoing, “we believe in the next two years, this will be consummated and Nigerians will take power for granted.

“We believe that if you give us your mandate, at least in the next two years, this epileptic power supply will be a thing of the past and it will be the basis for the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in this country.”

He spoke of his government’s achievements in the agricultural sector which he said prevented a food crisis in 2012 after devastating floods. He also outlined robust policies in health, road and transport infrastructure, saying that he

spend less on transportation through the utilisation of revamped rail services.

He said he was in Oyo to inform the Alafin of his ambition and to ask for his blessing and prayers.

Responding, the royal father commended the President for “the dynamism you are noted for in the country.” He promised to ensure that the people of Oyo were mobilsed to give the President another mandate.

With Jonathan on the visit were PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu; former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; ex-Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Chief of Staff to the President, BrigGen. Jones Arogbofa (retd); Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide; PDP Oyo State governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin; convener of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, Ifeanyi Ubah; and Ahmed Gulak, among others.

Amosun campaign group seeks NBC sanction for NTA Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

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he Senator Ibikunle Amosun Campaign Organisation has called on the National Broadcasting Commission to stop the Nigerian Television Authority from airing “malicious and fabricated advertorial” against the Ogun State gov-

ernor.

SIACO said this in a statement issued in Abeokuta while reacting to an advertorial sponsored by the South-West Presidential Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party and aired on NTA network news.

The statement was signed by the chairman, Media and Publicity Committee

of the campaign organisation, Femi Sowoolu.

He said the advertorial, which according to him, was televised last Wednesday, was fabricated to deceive the people.

He threatened that the campaign organisation would explore legal options if the NBC failed to caution NTA.

He said, “The advertorial depicted scenes, purportedly taken from the recently concluded statewide campaign rally of Governor Amosun to all the 236 wards of the state, where pockets of individuals are allegedly reported to have visibly expressed displeasure at the campaign entourage.”

6

SUNDAY

The Sunday Magazine SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Residents return to ‘ghost town’ abandoned

by Boko Haram

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“ghost town” of burnt-out homes and looted properties greeted residents returning to Gamboru in northeast Nigeria for the first time since Chadian forces retook it from Boko Haram.

Scores of people crossed the 300-metre (yard) bridge that forms the border with Cameroon under military escort on Friday to survey the ravaged town.

Boko Haram seized Gamboru, in the violence-wracked Borno State, in August last year, forcing thousands to flee across the frontier to the town of Fotokol, on the other bank of the river in northern Cameroon.

Chadian forces, who have joined the regional fight to crush the Islamist insurgency, retook Gamboru earlier this month, after intense fighting that left hundreds of insurgents dead.

“Many homes were burnt in the Boko Haram invasion and in the f ighting to reclaim it by Chadian soldiers. Those that were spared were looted by Boko Haram in the five months they stayed in the town.”

“We met a ghost town strewn with burnt vehicles, destroyed buildings and emptied homes,” Kachalla Moduye told AFP by telephone from Fotokol after a two-hour tour of the town.

“Many homes were burnt in the Boko Haram invasion and in the fighting to reclaim it by Chadian soldiers. Those that were spared were looted by Boko Haram in the five months they stayed in the town.”

Gamboru has been repeatedly targeted in the bitter conflict, which has left more than 13,000 people dead since 2009 and made more than one million homeless.

It was the first town recaptured in the regional fight-back by troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, which was launched because of dawning fears of Boko Haram’s threat to regional security.

Gamboru residents who hoped to sal-

vage personal effects were disappointed as they found their homes empty.

“There was nothing in my house save the three wooden beds and my old cushion chairs. Every other item was stolen,” Fanna Bukar, a mother-of-three, said.

“Even my sewing machine, which I so much looked forward to salvaging, was gone.”

But even though their possessions were gone, locals said the tour was reassuring.

“Seeing is believing. We are now convinced our town has been liberated and we hope to come back and rebuild our lives once Boko Haram is finally wiped out,” Moduye said.

“I’m sure we will return soon to start a new life,” Bukar added.

- ‘Seeing is believing’ Boko Haram fighters meanwhile prevented hundreds of residents from leaving a dozen villages in the nearby Marte

7

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Magazine

Residents return to ‘ghost town’ abandoned by Boko Haram

The victims

Surpected members

district due west from Gamboru, as Chad conducted sweeping aerial and ground attacks.

The villages affected were Kwalaram, Bukar-Mairam, Abbaganaram, Sidir, Kirta, Jibillaram, Zannari, Kutukungulla, Baranga, Kitikime, Krenuwa and Jillam.

“They will not allow everyone to leave and threaten to kill anyone that attempts to flee,” Maji Zaram, who escaped from Kitikime to Fotokol, said.

Zaram said he pretended he was going into the bush to gather firewood but escaped and threw away his axe.

“They (Boko Haram) said we must stay with them in good and in bad times,” he added.

“They said we can’t leave them after partaking in all the booty they brought to us.”

Chadian troops this week pushed deep

inside Nigerian territory for the first time, bombarding Dikwa, 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Gamboru to the southwest, near Boko Haram’s Sambisa Forest stronghold.

Nigeria’s military also said they attacked Sambisa Forest and Gwoza, where the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, first proclaimed the existence of an Islamic state inside Nigeria last year.

Maji Ariye, a Nigerian refugee in Fotokol, said the villagers were “reaping what they sow”, as many had decided to stay voluntarily when Boko Haram moved in.

They said they would rather live under Boko Haram because the militants were bringing in free food and other consumables from raids elsewhere, he claimed.

“Now that the table has turned against their benefactors they want to leave,”

he said.

“I warned several people to leave because when soldiers deployed there would be no hiding place for them but they refused to listen.”

A Nigerian government spokesman told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday that Israel has been a crucial and loyal ally in the fight against the radical Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram.

“Israel has been a crucial and loyal ally in our fight against Boko Haram. It is a sad reality that Israel has a great deal of experience confronting terrorism,” Mike Omeri, the chief coordinating spokesman of the National Information Center, based in Abuja said. “Our Israeli partners have used that experience, and the unique expertise gained over years of fighting terror within its own borders, to assist us.”

Omeri said they have been incredibly supportive with the training and the tools required to defeat Boko Haram.

Asked what role the US government has in the fight against the terrorist group, he responded that “the American and Nigerian militaries have a long history of close cooperation, strategic alliance, and shared values.”

Nigerian warplanes bombed training camps and equipment belonging to Boko Haram in the northeast’s Sambisa forest on Thursday, the military said, adding momentum to an assault meant to crush the rebels also involving neighbors Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

After a year in which Boko Haram seemed to be gaining ground, seizing swathes of territory, killing thousands of people and kidnapping hundreds of mostly women and children, the tide may now be turning against them, as neighboring countries plagued by cross-border attacks have weighed in.

Nigerian forces backed by air power killed more than 300 Boko Haram fighters since the start of the week, the military said on Wednesday, though it was

not possible to corroborate this and the military has been accused of exaggerating enemy casualties and understating its own and those of civilians.

Omeri said Nigeria is simultaneously recapturing numerous territories, defending against new attacks on key areas, and destroying Boko Haram bases.

Yunana Shibkau, a Christian activist for the Northern Coalition for Democracy and Justice, who is from northern Nigeria, said the situation is extremely dangerous for Christians in the north.

Shibkau said it is similar to the situation Israel is in, being surrounded by enemies.

“I am like an Israeli settler in the West Bank in the midst of Palestinians,” he said.

When Shibkau was in primary school in the early 1970s, Islamists criticized him and called him “Boko Haram” – meaning “Western education is sinful.”

For that reason, the Muslim areas are poorer and less educated than Christian areas.

Shibkau says the challenger in the upcoming elections, Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim from the north, who has supported Sharia law there, is a fundamentalist sympathizer “who plans on rigging the elections.”

Some parts of the Muslim community in Nigeria, led by certain members of the political elite in the north and clerics that work to radicalize communities, are not interested in fighting against Boko Haram, Shibkau said.

Rev. Sunday Lakong, a Nigerian pastor, said this is not a conventional war since Muslims live among the people.

Christians have fled dangerous areas in the north and many now lie in churches or are homeless, he said, adding that the government is also helping deal with the refugees.

Nigeria is “being neglected by the world. Boko Haram is killing people and nobody seems to care what happens,” he said.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Obanikoro, Agbaje accuse APC of spreading lies Olushola Ricketts

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ormer Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musuliu Obanikoro; Lagos State governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Jimi Abgbaje and some members of the party have accused All Progessives Congress of continuously feeding the public with lies about the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Speaking yesterday at the Airport Hotel, Lagos, during the unveiling of a book titled ‘Showcasing Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s Monumental Stride: A Third Party Perspective,’ Obanikoro said there was every reason for PDP members to stand with their heads high that Jonathan has performed more than any other president of Nigeria in recent times.

He said: “No amount of propaganda can change facts. As we are standing here today, the Abuja airport is undergoing a major rehabilitation. We are not being fair to Mr. President because any human being who has worked deserves to be rewarded. We are now winning the war on terror and making it unattractive. He is not only bombarding the Boko Haram, he has created more schools to move them from terror to knowledge.”The senator added that the best way to recreate this society was to invest in education and infrastructures needed to take the country to the next level. He insisted that once you develop the mind, everything is imaginable and you will even get

more than what you expected.

He explained that he was called by the Lagos Television Services recently for an interview, which he reluctantly attended. But, according to him, the producers cut him off about 10 minutes into the programme while he was only defining what corruption means to them by making references to some things the APC leader, Senator Bola Tinubu had done in Lagos.

Similarly, Agbaje said that the APC was good at using excessive propaganda and money to misrepresent the truth. “We have the truth. They said Jonathan is corrupt; are they not corrupt in Lagos? Transparency International did a report recently and said the administration of President Jonathan has fought corruption the most. Don’t let them shut us down or be afraid to speak the truth. There is no programme that the APC presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, has that Jonathan cannot double.”

The Director General of Citizens Network for Peace and Development in Nigeria, the initiator of the book, Preye Dressman, said the document was prepared to correct the wrong impression that Jonathan’s government has underperformed.

“We are challenging the critics and the opposition to bring out the flaws. This work is that of fact, truth and we are saying that the truth will always outshine lies. We’ve come to realise that in this country lies are always popular, but this book will put all those lies to nothing,” he said.

Anglican cleric chides Mbaka over comment on Jonathan Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

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gainst the backdrop of alleged negative comments by Father Ejike Mbaka on the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan in the forthcoming presidential election, an Anglican cleric in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Ambassador Ephraim Ononye, has urged the President to disregard Mbaka’s comments and remain focused as God has the final say.

Also, the state acting Publicity Secretary of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, Benjamin Obaji, has said that PDP remains a party to beat in the state, as opposition parties are alien to the people in the state.

Obaji said that despite covert defection of the state governor, Chief Martin Elechi to the Labour Party, PDP will do everything within the law to ensure that its candidates in all the positions emerge victorious in the elections.

He also said that the party is waiting for the National Working Committee of PDP to take action on the reports sent to it on the anti-party activities of the state governor.

Ononye, who is also the Director of Religious Affairs of the Divine Mandate Organisation, noted that the problem in the state is a fight between the forces of darkness and light. He added that in view of what God has told him concerning Jonathan and Nigeria, the President has no cause to fear. He condemned the alleged outburst of Rev. Fr. Mbaka, saying he should have prayed for the President, instead of using the pulpit for political campaigns.

He said, “My approach is that Fr. Mbaka needs prayers.

The comment he made against our President, tells me that something has gone wrong somewhere. I plead with President Jonathan to forgive Mbaka and remain focused because God has the final say,” he said.

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje in handshake with in participant when he joined thousands of fitness enthusiasts at the National Stadium on Saturday

Joseph Wayas, others caution over political uncertainty Muhammed Kabir

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Forum of Former Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, led by former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas, has called for urgent action to avert the imminent dangers that can result from the air of uncertainty and calamity currently in the country over the elections.

Speaking when he led members of the Forum on a courtesy visit on Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, Wayas also warned that Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if it allows hate speech by politicians to remain in the buildup to the forthcoming general

elections.

According to the forum, such speeches could threaten the peaceful coexistence of Nigerians. They also condemned the recruitment of the unemployed youths for political thuggery by politicians in some parts of the country.

The former federal legislators said over the weekend in Kano that the making of hate speech by politicians in a country which parades millions of unemployed and disenchanted youths, is potentially dangerous.

He added that the Nigerian youths on their part should do all they could to resist the temptation of being hired as thugs by selfish politicians.

Wayas said: “The electorate needs to be informed of the policies that would enhance

their quality of life, put food on their table and create employment for the teeming Nigerians.” He stressed that a country with angry disenchanted youths is sitting on a timed bomb.”

He also said that the country’s democracy needs to be jealously guarded and protected by every Nigerian, while elder statesmen must live above board. He commended the Nigerian military in their renewed effort in eliminating the activities of the Boko Haram, noting that the effort has revived hopes and admiration of the citizenry on the nation’s armed forces.

Earlier, Governor Kwankwaso commended the former legislators, assuring them that with their commitment in the unity of the Nigerian

state with its different ethnic nationalities, the country will be great again and live in peace.

Kwankwaso added, “Now is the right time for the former members of the National Assembly to intervene in national politics, by offering best suggestions and advice considering the sad state of the nation.”

He pointed out that with their experience in national politics they are in a good position to assist in finding solution to the problems the country is facing today.

He said considering unfolding developments in Nigeria’s socio-political arena, there is the need for elders and experienced citizens to offer advice on how to ensure a more stable, peaceful nation.

‘Nigeria won’t survive another polls shift’ Temitope Ogunbanke

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he Lagos State Coordinator of Buhari/ Osinbajo Campaign Organisation and member of House of Representatives representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Faleke has said that any plan to postpone the general elections again will plunge the country into constitutional crisis.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, Faleke appealed to all Nigerians, especially registered voters to get their Permanent Voters’ Cards from their respective wards for

them to be able to vote in forthcoming general elections.

“Nigeria cannot survive another postponement of elections. We should all prevail on the military and Mr. President not to plunge this country into constitutional crisis. We cannot because of one individual plunge Nigeria into constitutional crisis. The constitution is so clear that elections must be conducted minimum of 30 days before the inauguration date,” he said.

Faleke, while expressing his displeasure at the alleged ‘politicisation of the military’ in the country, said that dragging the mili-

tary institution into partisan politics is unacceptable.

“The Armed Forces should restrict their operations and ensure the safety of Nigerians from external aggression and invasion. Those rooting for the military involvement in the electoral process are not only the enemies of this country, but they are afraid of their shadows.

“There are underground moves by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to undermine the rulings of High Court and Appeal Court in Abuja and Sokoto that soldiers should not be drafted to monitor elections. If the ruling party goes ahead to do this, the President would

have presided over a lawless party and we put them before the people’s court,” he said.

Faleke also took a swipe at those plotting to use religion and ethnicity for election purpose.

“The twin issues of religion and ethnicity are being thrown up by the PDP to decimate the popularity of General Muhammadu Buhari. This is strange to politicking and it will fail.

“This is General Buhari’s fourth shot at the presidency and his running mate has always been Christians. He is neither bigot nor an ethnic jingoist as being painted by those afraid of him,” he said.

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Muritala Ayinla coalition of 60 civil society groups, under the aegis of Project Rescue Democracy yesterday said that several issues were being thrown up in a bid to circumvent, and discredit the 2015 general election, and called on Nigerians to rise against any attempt to scuttle the election.

The group which alleged a clandestine move by some cabals to postpone election by six months and extend the tenure of the present administration, vowed to resist such plans, saying it will be met with stiff opposition from Nigerians.

Briefing journalists on the state of the nation, Secretary of PRD, Titilope Akosa said the coalition was concerned about the moves to frustrate the electoral pro-

Right groups threaten showdown against alleged tenure elongation cess, following the recent happenings regarding the 2015 elections.

Akosa who said the group was made up of public spirited groups who do not want the want the nation’s democracy truncated on the altar of corruption and impunity, warned that these were dangerous signs which threaten the nation’s democracy.

“The signs are ominous as a very dark cloud hangs over the Nigerian political horizon as a result of the impending violations of the tenets of democracy and the Constitution by forces of evil that are determined

to plunge the country into unwarranted chaos which portends grave danger to our collective peace and security,” she said.

Akosa, who was also joined by other activists like Co-convener of PRD, Chris Nwaokobia and Convener of Voters Awareness Initiative, Wale Ogunade, said several issues were being thrown up in a bid to circumvent, discredit and frustrate the electoral process.

She said that for any government to be legitimate in a democracy, its power must derive from the people through the ballot box

which must be seen to be free, fair, transparent and credible.

Lamenting that the general elections were threatened by several mundane issues which have no bearing with electioneering process, Akosa said the coalition was shocked and disappointed that some people could be opposing the deployment of card reader by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the elections.

The group said that the ECard reader that is aimed forestalling any form of rigging and manipulation which have characterised

previous elections.

For his part, Ogunade said the excuse presented by those opposed to the use of the cards were not tenable, adding that INEC has continually assured that the cards have been pre-tested and likely challenges envisaged have been catered for.

“INEC has assured us that the battery of the card readers can last for about 12 hours and the electoral process cannot last for up to 10 hours. Aside that, the commission has also put

Ogbuewu: Elechi can’t deliver Jonathan in Ebonyi Charles Onyekwere ABAKALIKI

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L-R: Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Sagir Saleh; Chairman, Nigeria Prays and former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Salihu Barau, during Gowon’s visit to Bauchi …yesterday

APC has nothing to offer Nigeria, says Clark Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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jaw leader and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday said that the All Progressives Congress has nothing to offer Nigeria than to enthrone a President of northern extraction.

Clark stated this in Abuja while playing host to the Peoples Democratic Party Aspirants Forum which paid him a courtesy visit to express their grievances over how the party had treated them in the last primaries in various states.

The group hinged its grievances on grounds that the party did not hold primary elections to nominate any of its candidates, rather all the flag bearers were appointed by godfathers.

The group, however, threatened to institute a

court action to nullify the candidature all the candidates of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Responding, Clark pleaded with the aspirants, promising that the party will not forget their labour and that they should work together to achieve success of the party in the forthcoming polls.

He said that when the party wins the election, all the efforts of the aspirants will be recognised and that they shall be fully involved in the administration.

The group had also threatened to work against the interest of the party in the forth-coming general elections if their grievances were not addressed.

The aspirants who are from various geo-political zones of the country said they were highly disap-

pointed by the manner which the party’s primary elections were handled across the country.

Led by Chief Richard Lamai in Abuja, the group asked for a refund of the resources they expended on campaigning and wooing of delegates at the primaries before the commencement of the elections, otherwise the party stood the chance of losing out in all the elections.

Speaking at the forum’s emergency meeting in Abuja, Chief Lamai said, “We are collectively aware that reconciliation and reintegration has not been effective or non-existent in our party.

The leadership of the party has carried on as if nothing happened and without due reference to aspirants who invested resources and time in building our party.”

He further said the aggrieved aspirants did not lose out in the primaries due to their inability to mobilise and canvass for votes from delegates, but that the leadership of the party across the states had candidates already anointed by them to be declared winners.

Chief Lamai, however attributed the challenges being faced by the PDP across the country to the “lack of internal democracy and political deceit in the party by the leadership.”

Also speaking at the meeting, two aggrieved members from Kaduna and Rivers states noted that the monies spent on the procurement of nomination forms and mobilisation of delegates to the “botched” primaries must be refunded to them before the elections.

in place some backups. We have been on their toes on this issue and I can attest that they are ready to deploy the cards,” he added.

Noting that the will of the people cannot be subverted for selfish reason, Prof Nwaokobia said Nigerians were ready to resist any attempt to further postpone the elections, just as he called on INEC to rise to the occasion and ensure the March 28 and April 11 dates rescheduled for the elections remains sacrosanct.

he former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, has declared that the Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, lacks the capacity to make President Goodluck Jonathan lose election in the state in the March 28 polls.

Ogbuewu, who served as the Deputy Campaign Coordinator General for Jonathan in the State assured that all PDP candidates in the state will be delivered by his team during the elections.

Speaking to the newsmen in Abakaliki, yesterday, Ogbuewu said, “Ebonyi is unique. This is the first time in the history of the state that a PDP government is working for the opposition, Labour Party and pretending to be working for the PDP presidential candidate.”

He stressed that the ruling PDP in the state does not need the help of the governor to deliver President

Jonathan and all PDP candidates adding that Elechi is not a member of PDP and cannot make Jonathan lose in the state.

He wondered how Elechi claimed to be working for Jonathan when he has not attended any of the PDP rallies in the state, saying that such presents a unique situation in the state.

“Elechi is working against Jonathan, because in secret, he advises the illiterate voters to vote Labour Party instead of PDP. I wonder how the illiterate voters can differentiate between the both candidates.

In fact, the position he is occupying now came by chance. He took my chance because he was not in the picture when Ikwo man was needed,” he said.

Ogbuewu, who was a former Nigeria Ambassador to Greece, assured that they were not scared to deliver Jonathan in the state because all the political gladiators in the state have united to ensure total victory for the party in the elections.

Group warns against political violence in Benue Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

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pro-democracy group, National Democratic Front, has called on politicians in Benue State to practise politics devoid of violence and acrimony.

Coordinator of the group, Comrade Philip Agbese, who made this appeal during an interactive session with journalists in Makurdi, said that politics should be aimed at development and good governance and must be devoid of bitterness and desperation.

Speaking on the heels of recent destruction of campaign posters of different

political parties by hoodlums, Comrade Agbese advised governorship candidates of the various political parties in the state to remain focused as encouraging such ugly development will distract them from carrying out issues-based campaign to sell their candidacy to the people of the state.

Comrade Agbese further advised those responsible for the recent spate of violence to desist from such behaviour which according to him, was as a result of the desperation to have power and not necessarily out of genuine desire to offer service to the state.

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OPINION OBJ’s exit and the liberation of PDP

Erahodu Osaghale he dramatic departure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo from the PDP marked a major turning point in the dynamics of national politics, which may not be easily recognised amid the high level propaganda war triggered by the electioneering season. To the uninitiated who constitute a majority, the selfexpulsion of such a bigwig of the PDP is a loss to the party. Indeed, Obasanjo himself packaged the event as a parting shot aimed at doing political damage to President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP as a climax to months of brazen anti-party activities that included public criticism and spurious allegations against the President and openly hobnobbing with APC leaders.

As a result, his eventual departure was not surprising, just as his hostility to the President and the party was obvious.

But, as the saying goes, there is more than meets the (ordinary) eye in Obasanjo’s quitting the PDP, the implications of which actually amount to a victory for President Goodluck Jonathan and the ruling PDP. The significance of the event stems from the personality of Obasanjo as a famed founding father and pioneer president of the PDP, who managed to impose himself on the affairs of the party and by extension the nation, to the extent that even after his two terms in office, he paraded the corridors of power as would a power behind the throne. This domineering posture was however initially backed up by the response of the military power elite in

1999 to the unexpected sudden demise of Gen. Sani Abacha, who was then holding the baton as the successor in a decade and a half of continuous military rule in Nigeria.

Against a background of mounting local and international rejection of military dictatorship and facing the Abiola/June 12 debacle, the death of Abacha proved to be a dead end for the continuation of direct military rule and a compelling factor for the then top military brass to strategise a tactical transition to civil rule, that would also provide a soft landing and protection against the high risk of vengeance backlash from the emerging civilian political class, several of whom had suffered indignities under military rule. That was how Gen. Obasanjo’s ‘prison to presidency’ saga became part of the 1999 ‘army arrangement’ orchestrated by the junta to diffuse the Yoruba time bomb primed by June 12 and the alleged killing of Abiola with a double edged design that also facilitated their desired soft-landing and proxy interests in “stepping aside,” rather than beating a retreat from political power.

With Gen. Obasanjo as the proxy-president, the barely-concealed anointment of the PDP as the party of choice and the ‘smooth’ transition to ‘civilian democracy’ conveniently completed the ‘army arrangement’ to hand over power with the left hand and retain its remote control in the right hand. This was the origin of the apparent domination of the democratic dispensation by the anointed figure head of the military junta, Gen. Obasanjo, who transformed his zealous commitment to

their agenda into his megalomaniacal indulgence in selfish schemes for tenure elongation, Papa Presidency after his exit, life-leader of the PDP, anointer-in-chief of all ‘juicy appointments’ at federal level and political oracle of the nation. To all intents and purposes, the PDP and by extension, governance of Nigeria was totally under the over-bearing influence and control of Gen. Obasanjo from his swearing in as President in 1999 to the better half of 2014.

The General left no one in doubt about his empire building schemes and plots.

Coming from that perspective, even laymen should be able to read between the lines on the issue of Obasanjo’s exit from PDP to realise that it was in fact a major victory for President Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency and that it is also in the interest of the PDP and the genuineness of its democratic credentials. Since 1999 when the ‘army arrangement’ was imposed on our transition template and OBJ anointed as landlord/caretaker, General Obasanjo has been calling the shots and ‘doing and undoing’ without let or hindrance under the aegis of the military power elite in the background. Whatever ruinous record is being attributed to the PDP today is directly attributable to the field day of Obasanjo as President and later his heydays as Papa President and life-leader of the party, a period spanning eight years as President and about eight years of life-presidency!

Expectedly, nothing said or done during this period could have ever remotely recommended to OBJ dumping PDP, even though it was the silent prayer of many

insiders who saw him as the proverbial bull in a china shop.

At this juncture even the uninitiated must have caught the drift of this brief diagnosis of the politics of Obasanjo’s self-eviction from PDP. In a nutshell, OBJ has now found himself out of control of the affairs of the PDP beyond his ward level where, by his own admission, his relevance relegated him to. Like Humpty Dumpty, Obasanjo has suffered a heavy fall from the heights of presidential power and influence to the valleys of vainglory where all that was left was to grumble and grapple but never in firm grip of the reins of power.

His decline into decadence coincided contrastingly with the divinely-ordained emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan from the clutches of stooge status to his rightful rank as Executive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Emboldened by divine empowerment that did not need the cantankerous arrogance of drunkards of power, President Goodluck Jonathan has humbly achieved a vivid record of performance in the positive transformation of the stagnated potentials of Nigeria into icons of optimistic visions of a better tomorrow. To this unprecedented achievement, we must now also add the subtle but successful liberation of the PDP from the curse of military manipulation and remote control against the national interest. Yes, it is also very instructive that the good riddance to bad rubbish of the PDP always finds suitable dumping ground in the APC! •Erahodu Osaghale writes from Benin

Cynics and Ugwuanyi’s job creation promise Sheddy Ozoene

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eoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, may not be facing any strong opposition in the April 11 state election, but he is not relenting in his campaign to reach the people of the state with his programmes. At every stop in the campaign that has so far taken him to all the state’s 17 local government areas, he addresses the development challenges facing them and how they will benefit from the programmes he intends to unfold once he takes over the reins of governance.

He is perhaps the only candidate that boasts a well-articulated programme in virtually all the key development sectors. Though he has adopted the four-point agenda of outgoing Governor Sullivan Chime, there is no doubt that his programme outlines will build on, and eventually surpass, Chime’s legacies.

Of all the key programmes, job creation is easily the most ambitious. His belief that no society grows without the citizenry being provided opportunities to harness their economic potential may have informed his choice of priority because of the sheer number of people not captured in the existing employment statistics. So at the party’s campaign rally in Nkwo Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area, Ugwuanyi unveiled various plans to generate employment for the people and then he made the audacious promise to create 10,000 jobs in his first six months in office.

As he unfolded bits and parts of the welllaid out programme, it was obvious it was designed to effectively engage the youths in a creative manner and open up the state’s vast economic potentials. The strategy to pursue the goal of employment generation is hinged on a four-pronged approach of investment promotion, revolutionary policies in agriculture, provision of critical public utilities and skills enhancement for the youths. To

this end, according to the candidate’s policy document, more private investment will be attracted to the state through policies and activities that provide friendlier environment for businesses by responding to the needs and concerns of private capital.

Though the programme envisages the continued privatisation of government-owned companies, especially those that are better operated by the private sector, Ugwuanyi intends to develop at least one serviced industrial estate in each senatorial zone in the state.

While manufacturing companies will be encouraged to establish plants in the industrial estates, land title registration and transfer system in the state will be reformed to ease the process of land acquisition for business and encourage the long term credit to new and existing businesses at concessional cost.

While many reason that his vision is indeed audacious and realistic, a second group, chief among which is the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress has been cynical about it all. Though the APC has not unveiled any job-creation programmes for Enugu State beyond declaring that its government would focus mainly on agriculture, the mainstay of the economy of the defunct Eastern Region, it is quick to dismiss the Ugwuanyi promise as ‘impossible.’ Without necessarily picking holes in the PDP strategy or proffering an alternative policy, the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Okey Ezea, says he is not convinced that Ugwuanyi can deliver 10,000 jobs within six months of his inauguration as governor. The quarrel appears to be the time frame.

As if in response, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, described those who view the programme with cynicism as uninformed. While commissioning various projects he attracted to the Ezeagu Local Government in continuation of his re-election campaign, Ekweremadu gave assurances that Ugwuanyi would deliver on his promise.

In this ambitious project, Ugwuanyi realises the potential of agriculture as a mass employment generation venture. To this end, he intends to pursue a revolution in agriculture that will have the two-pronged effect of significantly increasing the area of land under cultivation and yield per hectare, thus creating massive employment and enhancing the income of farmers in the state. But it will not all rest with the state government alone as more joint venture projects with reputable private companies for commercial large scale agriculture and agro-processing businesses will be encouraged, including the revamping of Adarice farm complex for massive rice production and milling. Same for farm extension services of the Enugu Agriculture Development Programme which will be revamped to provide extension services to small and medium scale farmers.

He also realises the huge potential of the gas and coal reserves in Enugu State and speaks passionately about his plans to attract private investment to develop them. The state government under his watch plans to introduce Oil and Gas, and Maritime studies as new courses in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology to ensure that enough qualified manpower is produced for the long run, to manage the huge potential that the sectors provide. The benefits, of course, are enormous: the huge gas and coal reserves in Enugu State will increase electricity generation with spiral effect on productive capacity of industries as well as gas for domestic use.

For Governor Sullivan Chime, his nearly eight years of leadership has indeed been an era of exceptional transformation in physical infrastructure in the state. Not only have durable roads displaced dilapidated and impassable urban roads, the state has also witnessed giant strides in rural infrastructural development and provision of power infrastructure. Without such critical public infrastructure, industries will not sustain operations and the tempo of urban renewal and

expansion activities in Enugu and Nsukka urban, will be difficult. This is why the intensification of efforts in those areas are critical factors in the drive towards industrialisation.

Another major plank of Ugwuanyi’s employment generation proposal is the enhancement of the skills of youths to be able to operate their own businesses or find gainful employment. To do this, a youth apprenticeship scheme that revolves around sending qualifying youths to reputable companies to acquire vocational and technical skills as well as a youth employment volunteer programme that will provide requisite training and employment to young men and women at the state government’s expense, will be established. The bedrock of this programme rests in the strategy to revive and re-equip technical colleges in the state to provide regular programmes to full-time students as well as targeted ad-hoc programmes to non-regular trainees.

For a man who seems so truly impressed with the performance of the incumbent, and overwhelmed by the outpouring of solidarity and support for his candidature, Ugwuanyi is mindful of the verdict of history. He has therefore promised to reciprocate the widespread support with a performance that Enugu people will be proud of, updating and reviewing Chime’s programmes where necessary but without necessarily making any radical departure from Chime’s development trajectory.

It is the same conviction on which Ekweremadu rendered the testimonial on Ugwuanyi’s character and competence that Governor Chime keeps assuring Enugu people that with Gburugburu, as Ugwuanyi is popularly called, Enugu will be in safe hands. As Chime has said on several occasions, he could not have hoped for a better man –cool, calm and a unifying personality, as his successor.

•Sheddy Ozoene writes from Enugu via sheddyozoene@yahoo.com

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2015

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Moment

L-R: Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam; President Yahya Jammeh of the Gambian Republic; VicePresident Mohammed Sambo and Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adeshina, during the Gambian’s 50th Independence Anniversary…on Wednesday

L-R: Director of Programs, Technical Aid Corps (TAC), Mr. Adeleye Williams; Director General, Dr. Oladele Abiodun and Protocol Officer, Mr. Adullahi Konoma, during the departure of 32 Folontia of Technical AID Corp to University of Zanzibar, Tanzania in Abuja…on Thursday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

L-R: Former Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei; Elder, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Prof. Fola Aboaba; General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; Guest Lecturer, Prof. Segun Okoya and Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahaman Bello, at the inauguration of Pastor Adeboye professional Chair Endowment lecture titled: ‘Relevance of Mathematics to Everyday Living’ at UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos…on Thursday. PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

L-R: Outgoing Director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Mr. Mike Purves; President, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Adeyemi Adefulu and new Director of UKTI, Mr. Chris Maskell, during a send forth luncheon in honour of Mr. Purves, in Lagos…on Wednesday

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (middle), praying for pupils of the new Caring Heart Mega Primary School, at Irese, during the inauguration of the school in Akure…on Friday

L-R: Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide; Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, Mr.Micah Jiba; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ASO Savings and loan Plc, Mr. Hassan Usman and member, House of representative, Mr. Zephaniah Jisalo, during the inauguration of AMAC Lugbe Relocation Market in Abuja... on Thursday. PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

Mr. Barnaby Nsikak and his wife, Ijeoma, during their wedding reception at Our Saviour’s Church,Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos… recently

Bishop, Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos, North, Rt. Rev J. Olu Akinola (middle); Guest Preacher, Rt. Rev Edoka Amuta and the graduating and matriculating students at the 3rd MCN Cathedral of Possibilities, Agege, Lagos.…recently

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY, 2015

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‘Jonathan deserves support on war against Boko Haram’ Chijioke Iremeke

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civic action group promoting good governance and transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, Move on Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to rally round the President and the military in the fight against Boko Haram insurgence in the country.

In a statement made available to Sunday Telegraph, in Abuja, the group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Clem Aguiyi said Nigeria is not at war with Islam, neither is the war against terror, a war against the North but principally war against people who hide under the cover of religion and politics to commit heinous crimes.

He said, “We hold every member of the group and their sponsors individually accountable for their actions. It does not matter their motives; be it politics, religion or economics, the most important thing is that Boko Haram members are not ghosts but people committing rape, arson, looting, treason and mass murder.

“They threaten the liberty, safety and security of everyone, including Christians and Muslims.

When reminded that the presidential candidate of APC, Major General Buhari and some Northern elders once resisted military action against Boko Haram by saying, it is a war against Islam and the North, I described such view as irresponsible, mis-

guided and unfortunate.

According to him, the popularity of the APC candidate in parts of the North is fuelled and propelled by the insurgency.

It’s easy to count the insurgents as part of those backing his aspiration with false belief that he might be able to Islamise the country as president.

“Don’t forget that Buhari himself, expressed support for the implementation of sharia across the country.

This is beside him calling for Muslims to vote for fellow Muslims. He probably made those statements to satisfy the yearnings of his traditional supporters,” Aguiyi said.

He, however, urged Nigerians to support the reelection of President Jonathan as he is the best choice for now. “President Jonathan is humble, resolute and selfeffacing. He is a patriot fighting for all Nigerians on many fronts without making noise. He is misunderstood and misrepresented, but he will not bow but remains the best choice for now. Hence, we must support him to win a second term in office.”

With the support of Nigerians and the new fighting spirit of our armed forces, he stated, Boko Haram will be exterminated, saying, “I am optimistic that we shall win the war and the peace that follows. The people must be alert, vigilant and report anyone suspected to be part of the sect trying to mingle and hide in the society to the military.”

TB Joshua gets award A pan-Yoruba media outfit, Irohin Odua, has named the founder, Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet T.B Joshua as its ‘Yoruba Man of the Decade.’ It also named Wole Soyinka as the ‘Yoruba man of the year,’ while Chief Obafemi Awolowo was named ‘Yoruba man of the century.’

The Editorial Board Chairman of Irohin Odua, Prince Babatunde Adeleke, in a statement said the three personalities were selected after a careful consideration of the roles each of them had played in the annals of Yoruba modern history, regarding placing the Yoruba in the positive light of global reckoning.

According to the statement, Irohin Odua was established as the first panYoruba news medium with an outreach of over half a million of mostly Yoruba people across the world.

Eulogising Joshua, Prince Adeleke said, “Amazing, is the testimony of boost up from Nigeria and across

the world by the haves and the have-nots, the high and low, but most astonishingly, people of all faith in Africa, Asia, America and across Europe, even in the remotest, hilly and isolated Islands that dot the great rivers and tributaries of the Pacific Ocean.”

He noted that Joshua had brought honour to the Yorubas, and perhaps, in measures inestimable, saying that his ministerial career at a swampy location in Ikotun Egbe, Lagos, has today, become the ancestral origin of the church transformed from a dingy wasteland into a local Disneyland, attracting millions of visitors to Nigeria from Africa, Europe, the Middle East and America.

According to Adeleke, through tonnes of email correspondents sent to IrohinOdua, TB Joshua received commendations for his meritorious services to mankind.

He stated, “We see in his handiwork, a quiet revolution to transform the world in ways.

Police vow to nail perpetrators of Rivers rally attacks Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

T

he Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone Six, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin yesterday commenced probe into the attacks carried out by thugs in Okrika, during the campaign of the Dr. Dakuku Peterside, the Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

Ogunsakin, who spoke shortly after the inaugural sitting of the investigation panel at the Police Officers’ Mess, Port Harcourt, vowed to ensure that justice is served by bringing the perpetra-

tors of the dastardly act to book.

Recall that the attacks led to the death of two persons, including a policeman, and caused the destruction of property like cars parked at the National School Field venue.

He also said that the police had started investigation into the incident, promising that the interrogation will be thorough.

He said: “You are also aware that the Inspector General of Police has ordered that I carry out this investigation. So, we have commenced investigation into what happened at Okrika and we are putting together bits and pieces of what hap-

pened before and during the fracas.

“You are going to hear from us; we have started making enquiries. We have started consulting and we are trying to find out what really happened before and during the crisis at Okrika. You don’t give a time limit to investigation. Of course, it is going to be a thorough investigation. I cannot put a time limit on when it will end.

“We are going to make sure we cover all the grounds during the investigation and whosoever is found wanting; whosoever that is found to have committed any offence; that person will

face justice.”

Ogunsakin said he would on Monday meet key stakeholders in Okrika, including traditional rulers, religious and political leaders, as well as youths on how to resolve the crisis in the area, adding that he has the cooperation of political parties in the state as regards the incident in Okrika.

“I was here as Commissioner of Police, I can tell you that as AIG now, I know all the dramatis personae in the political parties in the state. I am happy to announce to you that all the political parties are cooperating with me,” he said.

L-R: Assistant Campaign Manager, Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation, Ikeja Chapter, Mrs. Fola Awolala; Lagos Coordinator, Mr. James Faleke and Campaign Manager, Ikeja Chapter, Mrs. Bank Anthony Funmi-Ade, at a news conference in Lagos …yesterday

Obanikoro: PDP threatens to recall APC senators Babatope Okeowo Akure

M

embers of People’s Democratic Party in the South-West geo-political zone yesterday threatened to initiate moves to recall senators elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress if they block the confirmation of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as a minister in the cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan The party through its forum of Publicity Secretaries in the zone who met in Akure, the Ondo State capital resolved that the threat by the APC senators to thwart he confirmation of Obanikoro was not only undemocratic but “vindictive and unpatriotic.”

They said since many of

the APC lawmakers had lost face in their constituencies because of lack of performance, recalling them from the Senate would not be a herculean task.

The APC senators had threatened to block the confirmation of Obanikoro as a minister over the alleged role he played in the use of the military to manipulate the governorship election in Ekiti State.

The spokesman of the senators, Babafemi Ojudu said they would not allow the erstwhile senator to enjoy the ‘bow’ privilege when he appears before the Red Chamber this week. He argued that Obanikoro had issues to clear with security agencies and with Nigerians before seeking to become Minister of the Federal Re-

public of Nigeria.

But the PDP chapters in Osun, Lagos, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti and Ogun states rose in the defence of Senator Obanikoro over moves by rival APC senators to block his confirmation as minister.

They asserted that the APC’s threat was an affront on the nation’s democracy and a departure from the tradition of respecting former members of the Upper Chamber who had reasons to come before it for confirmation.

A communiqué signed by the six publicity secretaries and read by Banji Okunomo said “The allegations raised against Obanikoro by the senators are unfounded and laughable, and their position is unbecoming of members of the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.”

Okunomo, who is the Ondo PDP spokesperson noted that the move by the APC to stop Obanikoro’s nomination was because of his capacity to mobilise support against the APC in Lagos State and not because of the allegation of Ekiti State election.

They held that the planned action undermined the urgent need of the President to avail himself of competent hands to help him deliver development to the people.

The forum said, “We are poised to commence a mobilisation of the people of the South-West to move for the recall of the senators who would oppose the nomination of Obanikoro,” adding that all the nominees for ministerial position had the support of the forum.

SUNDAY

Fashion

Artsy pattern play 22-43

Bed, Work & Life

Now, your trouble continues 20

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Body Soul SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

I’ll build a business empire - Obiageli Ajaero

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Body&Soul

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Contents 22.02.2015 COVER I don’t believe because you are a woman you have to be in women’s line

-Obiageli Ajaero

} 18-19

FASHION

Wearing Mixed patterns is not only a style trend, it is also an art because you have to know what pattern to mix in order to get the desired effect

T h e Te a m Juliet Bumah (Editor)

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

} 22&43

BEAUTY There are expert tips for getting a zit to go away quickly, while minimising stubborn red scar

Ugochukwu Nnakwe (Graphics)

MY PASSION

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

I am very single with no man in my life

} 17

Associates

} 21

GLAM DUDES Unless you’re winning the marathon, there’s nothing sexy about excessive sweating

BED, WORK & LIFE James didn’t come to pick her till around 1am.

In the meantime, Dave comforted

her the best way he could.

They explored their bodies and relived the old times

} 20

} 44

Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Body&Soul

Why I don’t have a man in my life - Keira Hewatch Keira Hewatch is a multi-talented and award-winning actress from Cross River State. She is best known for her role in ‘Two Brides and a Baby’ which she won the Best of Nollywood Award for Best breakout performance in a leading role. She told VANESSA OKWARA about her rise to stardom and why she is single How did your journey in the industry start?

I started acting in Ghana in 2006. It was a small production that never made it but that was where I actually started my professional work. When I got back to Lagos, my very first job was a TV soap opera called, ‘Cross Roads’ by Emeka Ossai starring Kate Henshaw and some other big names in 2007. That was how my journey into film actually began.

What was growing up like?

I grew up basically with my mum. She was a single parent and she gave me a western upbringing. She brought me up to read educational books and movies. I read a lot of story books and was also very artistic. As a child, I used to draw and paint, but it wasn’t like a passion. I used to draw comics with a friend when I was in secondary school but didn’t wish to continue in it like a career. I studied Travel and Tourism and Hospitality Management. That was why I was in Ghana to finish my studies.

Did you stumble into acting or was it something you had always wanted to do?

I had always wanted to act ever since I was a child. I was about five years old or so when I watched ‘Sound of Music ‘ and decided I would like to be one of the people who pretend to tell other people’s stories.

From an early age all through school, I knew acting was what I wanted to do.

When I was a child, I watched movies a lot. Even as an adult, I am addicted to films.

Aside acting in TV series, which film gave you the breakthrough?

My very first feature film was ‘Kajola.’

I played a lead character, starring alongside Desmond Elliot. ‘Kajola’ was a very controversial movie because the producers made a science fiction film on a futuristic Lagos. Till today, I am really proud of that project because it was totally different. The movie was not something we normally do in this part of our industry. It made people to ask who the lead actress in the movie was. The movie I think that brought me to limelight was ‘Two Brides and a Baby.’

It was a film I starred in along with Stella Damasus and OC Ukeje and a host of others. I played a lead role in that film and won the Best of Nollywood Award for Best Breakout Performance in a Leading Role. I was nominated for Golden Icon Academy Movie Awards, GIAMA, in Houston, Texas for that one as well.

Your dad is a missionary. How does he feel seeing you act in romantic movies?

My dad in the beginning had issues with my career path. It was a struggle for a few years but now he is supportive of me and prays for me. I always say that I may act crazy roles in films, I may one day decide to play a completely notorious scandalous woman but it has to have some strong moral lessons at the back of it. I try as much as possible to keep that respectability. There are certain things I do in films that do not depict me as a person. I do them because they are based on the work. That is what I really need people to understand that the characters that I play are not me at all.

Describe the real Keira.

I think I am a boring kind of person. This is because I like to read books and stay home to watch movies. So when I play a

certain role, that is just acting.

my life.

Are you saying that if your director asks you to act a certain character, like being half nude in bed, you will not do it?

I will not do that. With all due respect to our film makers, we haven’t figured out how to shoot love scenes tastefully in Nigeria. I will never shoot the kind of love scene you are talking about until we figure out how to make it classy and tasteful.

That is hard to believe coming from a pretty chic like you?

Yes, I know. People don’t want to believe but I don’t have to lie about that because this is a media interview. If I say there is somebody in my life I don’t want to talk about, people who know me will say I am lying because they know I don’t have anybody in my life. I love being single at this point because I’m really focusing on my career.

Which part of your body do you think is your most striking feature?

I think that would be my mid-riff. I used to be big but I am not anymore. I started working on myself about a year and half ago. Even when I was big, my mid riff was always flat. It makes me look good in clothes so I concentrate on it a lot and work hard to keep it flat.

What is your style?

Actually, I don’t have a particular kind of style. I am the kind of girl who can be all cute, dress like Kim Kardashian in figure hugging clothes or completely go gypsy or bohemian in flowing skirts, big bangles and Afro wigs. So I really don’t have a style but generally, I am a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl.

What is your passion?

Acting is my passion. It is not a hobby like some people think but it’s my nine-to-five job. It is like the bank CEO getting up to go and run his bank because if I don’t get up to go and act a film, it’s the same as if a banker did not go to the bank to open it for people to withdraw money. Do you know what life would be like without entertainment, like film or music? It means people will be committing suicide every week.

Acting is my passion and my life.

How did you spend Valentine’s Day? I was working all through.

Our work is mostly done on weekends.

Who is the man in your life?

I am very sing l e with n o man i n

Wouldn’t you want to have a man in your life?

Yes, that is true but I have not met somebody who fits that bill yet.

What are the qualities for in a man?

you are looking

People always start with the looks but I am more of an intellectual kind of person.

So intelligence is a big plus for me. I love a smart man. I love a confident man whose confidence is not arrogance. A few men are confident but some usually borders on arrogance and that is a turn-off. Obviously, I am tall, so I would like a tall guy; we could start from 6”5.

You would not consider marrying a man shorter than you?

No way! But let me not say it like that because he may have all the qualities that I want in a man but is shorter. All the same, I am an old fashioned kind of girl. I believe a man has to protect his woman and that should translate to his physical looks as well. For me, a man should always be bigger than his woman.

Has there been any scandal about you in the news that made you unhappy?

Funny enough, none at all; unless you call getting insulted on the Internet one.

But that was a long time ago. They were making bad comparisons between me and Mercy Johnson. I felt bad about it back then. After a while, it just blew over.

What are your favourite types of clothes for the red carpet?

I don’t have a particular type of clothes for the red carpet. I just believe that they should be flattering on the body and that that will make you look beautiful and glamorous.

What is your best fashion item?

I think that would be my sunglasses. I have a pair of Cartiers I cannot do without right now. I also love Ray Ban sunglasses. I am not really big on brand names; if it looks good, I take it even if it does not have a name on it.

What kind of fashion can you not be caught wearing?

I cannot be caught wearing anything fish net or anything sheer. I can wear a dress that has netting on the side that plays a little peek-a-boo but not completely sheer nude like Rihanna.

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

I want to build a business Skincare therapist and CEO of Essence de Beaute, Obiageli Ajaero, runs through her life as a single mom as well as business challenges and trivia in this interview with WOLE ADEPOJU

Can you please tell us about Essence de Beaute?

Essence de Beaute’ is a skin care line.

What we do is to focus on the needs of the society, on the economy and we try to plug in. That’s how we came about the natural skin care. We found out more and more people were turning towards natural skin care because they wanted something that was safe and also works and of quality. So, we brought Essence de Beaute’ to Nigeria.

How long have you been in the venture?

We launched it formally in March 2014, so, it’s not up to a year. By March this year, it will be a year in Nigeria.

Did you not nurse the fear it would not work in this country?

It’s funny you said that. We have this video where I talked about the Suns. One of the things I said was it’s amazing to me how our customer base has really grown. As people use the product, they introduce it to others. Really, by reference alone, we have had such a huge network of people. People that buy the product from America see it here and they say: ‘Waoh, this thing is here in Nigeria!’ So, it also increases the number of people that come to us. It’s amazing … some people would go like, ‘Where has this cream been all my life? My life has changed.’ Apart from the cream, we have washes, we have hygiene products too, and there is something for every woman of every age in the brand. It’s a lovely brand.

There are two sides to everything. Are there hitches you are battling?

Can I honestly say that I don’t have?

We really don’t have. We have not experienced that yet.

In entirety, what has the experience been like?

First and foremost, what drives me is my passion and I believe every woman is beautiful. I believe in the uniqueness of every woman. We have had issues with people who walked in with really bad issues, and we have had people that walked in with burns … various problems. Some people looking older than their age and some come with the usual problems women have. Whatever our experience has been, we have been able

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Body&Soul

empire -Obiageli Ajaero to help different women meet what they need and for me, that is what is most exciting.

What actually informed your decision to go into skin care business?

Funny enough, we have a product, Colegino and Vitamin E. I have used it, may be going to five years now. Apart from me, we were a group of women using this cream and when each person is travelling, we would say: ‘Can you bring 12 jars for me when you are coming back?’ I kept thinking about it.

Our parent company is into marketing and distribution so, I was concerned about how long we would continue to ask someone travelling to get it down.

I also thought about the business part.

Like you rightly said, when we started, we brought a little amount to test the market and it went well. So, slowly, we moved on and we have done market analysis. From the way our customer base has grown, it shows it’s a brand that has come to stay.

Tell us more about your experience using the cream?

I had chickenpox, I had really bad chickenpox about six years ago and I had spots and scars. You can’t believe it and I’m not exaggerating, I had over 150 spots on my face and all over my body. I had to change my dressing style. I had to start wearing shirts. I would button my shirt to the neck because I had spots everywhere. And I fell into wrong hands, I mean women that would tell you to use this, use that. I lost the thickness of my skin and I did not actually know I could use a skin flora. I went through a bad patch before my sister said: ‘Why don’t you try this cream from America?’

Though it was not immediate, it was a gradual thing. Part of what gets women into wrong hands is that they want an immediate reaction. Over a period of time, it slowly healed my skin and brought it back to where it was. So, it’s a brand I believe in.

Did you do any training to know how to deal with the different problems?

I went to Essence de Beaute. I had a training in Essence de Beaute in the U.S in different areas and I also still work with the crew in America. When we have certain cases on which I need a second opinion, I go back to discuss it because I have a team there; but that was in the beginning. Now, from treating different cases, I’m now conversant with a lot of things.

From the look of things, it appears your products are basically for the rich?

(Smiles) Two three years ago when his salary was N20,000, my gateman would tell me with pride that his wife’s cream cost N15,000. He had a young wife whom he felt he needed to please; he was a much older man. I found out for skin care, you do not say this is too expensive. Women determine what is expensive for them. What does she desire? What does she want to achieve?

So, for skin care, to women, it’s entirely different. The cream is available to those who want quality and who want to see results. It has nothing to do with rich people.

So, having come this far in a very short time, what other accomplishments are you now looking at?

We are looking at opening two more branches before the year runs out and we are looking at expanding to other

regions as well in Nigeria.

Can you tell about the event you had some days ago?

It was a Valentine’s Day hangout. You know Valentine is all about showing love. We wanted to show love to our customers and we had put an event together. We had comedians, so they could relax because we are very busy in Lagos and we get stressed up. We felt the election was going to be on (February 14), so we decided to have it on that day.

We had a question and answer session and those who got it correctly got gifts.

Basically, it was fun, as we had so much to drink, eat and we danced.

What were you doing before you opened this business about a year ago?

I’m diverse with my talent. I don’t believe because you are a woman you have to be in women’s line. We did fuel purifiers, Somkolch Market Wurth Fuel Purifier. It’s a German brand. We are also a security outfit. That’s what Somkolch did basically before we opened the sister company dealing in skin care.

What did you want to do as a child, because you are into a number of things now?

(Laughs) I had so many. There was a time I wanted to be a reverend sister.

My uncle was a priest so, I liked their carriage. There was a time I wanted to be a model before I went into science

where I did Biochemistry. So I had different desires. I was also into banking.

I left banking about three years ago to start Somkolch, and this business we are talking about. What I want for myself... my ambition is to build a conglomerate of businesses that works. For me, the way to test if the businesses are working is when you take your hands off and they are running perfectly on their own.

Who are the people that inspire you in the business world?

Coming from the banking industry, when I look across, I see men at the head coming from nowhere. Their fathers were not rich but they have a passion and a drive and they have focus. Most of them started from nothing. So, my mind goes to a lot of bank MDs, how they started from nothing and they moved forward. When I also think about someone like Dangote who started with a small amount that was given to him by his uncle and he’s where he is today, it drives me. It also makes me understand that every business is like a propeller.

It starts slowly but if you have focus and continue to push, it will speak up at some point.

With your busy time, how does your man cope?

Amazing. I am divorced, I am not married right now but I have five kids.

The way it has always worked for me is when I’m in the office, I focus on issues

that have to do with the office. When I get home, I shut down on things of the office till my kids are in bed. My kids are grown; my last child is going to be 10 this year. I shut down till they are in bed then I start working. What it also means for me is I have to joggle at a time but I’m young and I have energy.

You don’t look like you have even a child?

(Laughs) That is because I have to work and be focused. When you have a lot of responsibilities, you have to work and avoid things that will make you lose focus.

What was growing up like for you?

I had a very happy and a very closeknit family. We are so close that we are always in each other ’s pocket. They don’t know what it is to mind their business. I love everyone of them. We are eight kids, my mum is still alive, she’s a lawyer but my dad is late. I love all my siblings, four boys, four girls. We fight, we make up, it’s fun and they are all very supportive.

Are you looking at getting married again, since you are still very young?

That is not my focus at all. My first focus is to get my children through school.

My first daughter is in the university and my second daughter is through with her A-levels. Secondly, I’m very determined to create a successful business.

You must have started child bearing at a very early age?

(Laughs) Why did you assume that?

My first child is 18. That is an assumption. No comments on that.

What do you do to keep your shape?

I used to do a lot of exercises before, but work has really reduced my period of exercise. I’m always on a diet but when I can’t, I do exercise.

Tell us about your academic background?

I grew up in Enugu. I went to University Primary School and then I went to Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha. I studied Biochemistry at Imo State University and I had some managerial courses during my banking training.

Why did you quit banking?

Okay, my children were growing and I needed flexibility of time to build something into which I could plug my kids.

That’s my focus. Remember I said I want to build a conglomerate.

How has the economy of the country been on your business?

The truth is since this year, with everyone waiting for elections, things have drastically slowed down. That is why I believe you must try and diversify your business.

As a beauty care expert, what is your take on bleaching?

I’m a very open minded person and I will explain. You find people with short hair use weave on because they want to have a glamorous look. Some with short eyelashes and they fix some. Whatever it is you want to do, just do it as safely as possible in a way that it does not ruin but add to what you have. So, if a woman wants to tone her skin or make it lighter, we have something called ‘Power Seven.’ We have things you use that are safe to get your complexion to be what you want.

20

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

with

Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

Now, your trouble continues

T

he fight has left James. His shoulders droop. He didn’t bargain for this. If Alice throws him out of the house, what will people say?

How will he explain to members of his family that he has been living off a woman? What will he tell his friends?

He sighs.

Whatever led him to this life of depending on a woman!

He looks around him. He had ran out of the house when Alice chased him with the kitchen knife. Luckily for him, the gateman was not inside the compound then, he was out on the street and didn’t witness the incident. He moves around the compound, pretending to be inspecting the potted plants and the compound generally. The gateman, who is back at his duty post, watches his restless movement.

“John, why are these buckets here?”

James asks with a scowl.

“Sorry sir. The cleaner left them there on Saturday after cleaning the compound,” John says with trepidation.

These rich men! Those buckets had always been there. John wonders why Oga is asking about it today.

He heaves a sigh of relief as Oga moves to the backyard. He looks around and picks every tiny dirt off the ground.

You never know with these rich men.

He doesn’t want anything that will affect his salary. Nike is pregnant for him and he has to meet her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. He is thinking of asking for salary advance and doesn’t want to do anything that will upset his employers.

“Phew!” James exhales loudly as he turns the corner. He perches on the wooden bench the cleaner relaxes on after work on Saturdays.

He wonders what Alice is doing in the house and prays that she doesn’t carry out her threat of throwing his things out of the house. She is really incensed.

He rues his predicament and concludes that the worse calamity that can befall a man is to live off his wife. If he gets out of this with his ego intact, he will get something doing ASAP! He was doing pretty well, working with Dave until he met Alice and they got married. Dave warned him against living off a woman but he had thought he was being smart, especially as Alice seemed to have so much money and a thriving business.

He will go back to Dave and try to put himself on track again. But first, he must make up with Alice. Even if Alice has no child for him, she has given him peace of mind the number of years they have been together.

Moreover, Helen’s children are there for him...aren’t they?

He sits up. Somehow, he has a gut feeling that Helen is lying about those children. She claims she’s separated from her husband who is based in Togo but that family members are trying to bring them together again. If that is the truth, how come she feels comfortable having children for another man? Which man/family will take back a wife who has had children for another man? He shifts uncomfortably on the bench. He will arrange for a paternity test on those children. It will be a big shame on him if a woman has taken him as her mugu for close to four years. Helen is trouble, the only time she’s happy with him is when

he gives her enough money and they have been quarreling so much of recent because he doesn’t have enough money to meet her numerous demands.

He has to get out of this quagmire. He will see Dave and hopes he will listen to him.

His heart skips a beat. Dave’s wife, Kathryn! He has been most unkind to that woman who didn’t wrong him. He was so much in love with her and had felt really bad when all of a sudden, he couldn’t reach her again. When she surfaced beside Dave months later as his wife, he was jealous. It turned to anger and to mask his feelings towards her, he had to be antagonistic. He knows in his heart of hearts that he is still in love with that goddess called Kathryn! ***** Alice is sleeping. After moving listlessly in the house, she moves into her room and stretches out on the bed. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof!

Heaven knows she tried being a good wife. She tried all within her powers to make a good home but it’s obvious you can’t win always.

She’s grateful to James for giving her his name, making her a respectable woman by society standards. But is that what marriage is all about? Why is she still the one struggling to ensure they live a good life while her husband goes chasing after skirts? Is it that she doesn’t satisfy his sexual urge or that he’s just insatiable?

What sexual satisfaction can’t she give a man? James attests to her ability to daze a man in that quarter. So, what exactly is his problem? She has never complained about his failure to take care of the home, yet, he won’t let her be.

Her mind roves to Dave.

Dave!

He is just like her guardian angel, appearing at the point she’s at her lowest emotionally. He has always been a pillar of support to her. Always encouraging her to hold on. The first day James took her to Dave’s house, she had felt a fluttering in her heart. After years of separation, she still feels something for him. Dave feels the same way about her. He says so.

They tried reining back their feelings. For a long time, they succeeded but like they say, the flesh is weak.

The first time they got together sexually was a day after she found out that James had sired children with another woman.

That was about a year ago. Her heart was broken. She needed to talk to someone. She had called Dave and her tone alarmed him. She wanted to talk to him and they agreed to meet in his house. She cried so much while narrating her story and in the bid to comfort her, they lost it and there and then in his private sitting room upstairs, they shed their clothes and reached heights that they didn’t imagine they could reach. It wasn’t once, it wasn’t twice that day, they reached into their souls and slept afterwards, spent.

They avoided each other for a long time after that. But because they do business together, it was difficult to keep off each other’s way for too long.

The last time was just before Dave got married. James’ car was at the mechanic’s and he needed to see some people, he said. Alice had an early evening business meeting. They went out in Alice’s car. James drove her there and promised to pick her later in the evening. James called later to say he would be a bit late.

The office closed and Alice moved to a shop beside it. She window-shopped till the shop closed around 8pm. When she became impatient, James told her to go wait for him in Dave’s house since she was in the vicinity.

Dave was home. She called James again and he told her to give him some hours and dropped the phone without cutting the call. Alice didn’t cut the call either and so heard his quarrel with his mistress over money. She put the phone on speaker and Dave also listened in.

James didn’t come to pick her till around 1am.

In the meantime, Dave comforted her the best way he could. They explored their bodies and relived the old times.

They threw caution to the wind. Alice let herself go in his arms and didn’t release him until his peen wept like a broken pipe, convulsing and throwing up like a wimp before going limp. For once, they didn’t feel so bad. They made it look like punishment for James who felt he was very smart.

Of course, James didn’t suspect anything when he came to pick his wife home...he was as drunk as a fish.

Alice knows that that unguarded action about four months ago, is the cause of her joy today.

She needs to take a decision fast! What will she do with James?

She rubs her tummy dreamily as she drifts off to sleep. ********* Now, this is the definition of crisis! Join me here on Sunday as we watch these couples live their lives.

•Send your observations to the email above.

21

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Get the zit out without blemish

&

Vanessa Okwara

B

lemishes are unsightly, discoloured spots, pimples, whiteheads and blackheads, left behind on your skin after an acne breakout. They tend to develop mostly on areas of your face as well as on your neck, upper arms, and back.

Blemishes are usually an after effect of acne. Generally during teens and many times till the age of 30, most people suffer from acne on their face. Even though the acne goes off, it leaves a blemish or a scar which is very difficult to get rid of.

Other factors, such as hormonal changes, improper diet, internal health problems, alcohol consumption, stress, allergic reactions, over-exposure to environmental irritants, excessive sun exposure and lack of a proper skincare routine can all lead to blemishes.

When it comes to blemishes, when one appears, your skin will do everything it can to get it to heal and go away fast, even if you do not treat it with a topical acne treatment.

There are two main types of infections that lead to a blemish- a pustule and a cyst. The pustule is the blemish that works its way up to the surface of the skin resulting in a whitehead, while the infection that causes cyst simply stays deep within the skin until the body eventually re-absorbs it.

It’s challenging to prevent blemishes from forming

Body&Soul

but you do have control over what happens when it finally appears. There are expert tips for getting a zit to go away quickly, while minimising a stubborn red scar.

For pustule blemish, it’s best not to act the minute you feel it coming on; instead wait a day or two for the infection to appear on the surface. Waiting will allow you to effectively control the blemish without damaging the skin. Then you can use a spot drying treatment to dry it off without leaving spots on the surface. For cyst blemish, since they stay underneath, it’s best to use anticyst treatment. This means no picking on the pimples!

Picking at a blemish only makes things worse. If you must squeeze, only do so when the whitehead is truly visible. After a blemish is healed, wearing sunscreen will help the scar fade more rapidly. The solution to get it to fade as quickly as possible is to use a skin lightening, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory products. This powerful treatment will significantly help acne scars fade faster. For acne-prone skin, it’s very important to find a sunscreen formula that doesn’t clog the pores or encourage acne and breakouts.

Then take care of your face by taking your beauty routine more seriously. Wash your face daily at least two to three times in a day with a face wash. It removes the dirt and dust from the face and keeps the pores of the skin open. Also, a good and balanced diet is very important.

A diet comprising of fresh fruits with vitamins A, B and C keeps the skin healthy and glowing.

Body&Soul

22

43

M

your figure.

any rules govern the codes of being fashionable. One of such was not to wear two different prints. Mixing and matching prints has become a fad that is associated with many fashion renegades as long as you know how to mix and match your patterns, to flatter

Biwom Iklaki

When patterns are artfully mixed, they could actually work to enhance your style and body type. For instance, if you are top heavy, you could draw attention away from your bust line with small patterns and light or neutral colours while playing up your lower body or hips with bold and bright patterns and colours.

In styling your artsy mixed prints, one must choose with care their jewellery, bags, shoes and others. You could pick one accessory to pop

Artsy pattern play

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

23

SundayBusiness SUNDAY

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

News

Anambra partners UNDP on wasteto-wealth project p.24

Dull economic season as INEC shifts elections

Brands Marketing chiefs plan to boost ad budgets p.27

Interview

Why I won’t accept loan from N220bn SMEs fund – Aremo p.25 Jonathan

Okonjo-Iweala

Paul Ogbuokiri, Chijioke Iremeka, Stanley Ihedigbo and Makoji Deborah

The postponement has extended the misery of stocks and the Naira, culminating in the policy reversal of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday devaluing the Naira against its promise not to do so in the interim

T

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph online.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

he panicky situation in the Nigerian economy occasioned by the fall in the prices of crude oil and tumbling value of the Naira, according to experts, was heightened by the suspended general elections.

Two weeks ago, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, announced the postponement of the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Feb 14 to March 28 while April 11 was fixed for the governorship and house of assembly elections.

One of Nigeria’s leading financial Information service firms, Proshar,e says the postponement could send negative signals that might lead to the deterioration in Nigeria’s political outlook.

It further said that the electioneering process remains a distraction to policy traction.

“As such we see a further downward revision on 2015 growth output on the back of the postponement.

“In opinion, the postponement will further add to the risk premium on Nigeria’s asset class,” it observed.

The postponement has extended the misery of stocks and the Naira, culminating in the policy reversal of the Central Bank of Nigeria on Wednesday devaluing the Naira against its promise not to do so in the interim.

Analysts at Meristem Securities say that the bearish trading of the stock market last week was a combination of the shock caused by the suspension of the elections and other market variables.

The fundamentals have been fluctuating this week, a development Meristem said is an indication that the shock has been absorbed, adding that uncertainties still pervade.

According to Cordros market update, the Nigerian Stock Exchange’s All-Share Index

(ASI) rose up by 1.21 per cent on Thursday to close at 29,311.25 points, while market capitalisation appreciated by N115.41 billion to close at N9.68 trillion.

With this gain, Nigerian stocks halted its eightday losing streak that saw the market lose 12.48 per cent on aggregate.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, reversed himself on Wednesday on the value of the Naira, further devaluing the currency. This action, the second in six months, brought it to N198/dollar from N166/dollar.

There has been a lull at the seaports since last week, a development ports users attributed to the fear of uncertainties over the suspended elections.

President of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Chief Eugene Nweke, said importers are waiting for the outcome of the elections before they could resume normal business. He said January is normally a very busy period at the seaports because it is a time importers take business decisions.

For port business analyst and President of the Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucy Amiwero, importers whom their consignments are already at the seaports are not even forthcoming to clear them.

“It is a very serious matter. Our principals seem ready to pay demurrage, rather than release their money for the clearing of their consignments be-

Usman

fore the elections. I have been trying to convince my importer, who has 10 containers at Apapa port that there is no cause for alarm, but he prefers to wait and see. This is not really the best time for the port business,” he said.

However, Managing Director of Landmark Tours, Mr. Adejumor Afolabi, told Sunday Telegraph that there had not been an unusual increase in the number of people seeking to travel abroad since the rescheduling of the elections. “Infact business is dull, unlike early in January, and that was understandable. Those who came back for the Christmas and New Year festivities were returning to their bases. The elections are affecting us too as people are not travelling well now,” he said.

President of the Nigerian-Danish Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Prince Ben Koya Adeko, said the election delay was holding the economy down.

“The whole thing come to a head with this election postponement. The economy is already facing the pain of the fall in oil prices, devaluation of the Naira and we will now have to stand still till the elections are over,” he stated.

He warned that the delay would affect the importation of raw materials and other necessary foreign input, which the economy needs to keep on running and support local industries.

He noted that the devaluation of the Naira stands as a major blow to the economy, especially on importation. He stated that even if the elections had not been shifted, the economy would still not be in a good condition this year.

Also, Chairman of Best Food Fresh Farms, Chief Emmanuel Ijewere, said new investment opportunities in the country were waiting for the elections to be over. He said the economy had been slow but would pick up quickly after the elections.

He said this would be possible if the nation does not enter into another round of distractions.

He added that the fall in oil prices in the international market had dealt a big blow to the economy, adding that it would not be too bad as the price has gone up again to about $62 per barrel.

C ON TI N UE D ON PAGE 24

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business/ News

Anambra partners UNDP on waste-to-wealth project

I

Paul Ogbuokiri n furtherance of Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano’s determination to rid the state of filth, Anambra State and United Nations Development Programme have jointly set up a Composite and Recycling Plant for the treatment of household waste and other plastic materials.

These would be converted to organic manure and useful materials that will ultimately create viable options for waste to wealth ventures in the state.

The composite recycling plant which was commissioned early in the week by Obiano was initiated in 2011 following the selection of Anambra and Kano states for the pilot study. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that work commenced on the Anambra project.

Speaking during the commissioning, Obiano said the mini plant would convert waste to wealth and pointed out that the project would be replicated in all the local government areas and major cities of the state.

“This initiative is one way of ensuring that we live in a clean and healthy environment.

We started by ensuring that all blocked drainages are opened, and the residents are expected to collate their refuse in three designated bags according to direction and drop them at designated points where they

would be collected by refuse contractors,” he stated.

The governor noted that the state government had engaged eight refuse collection contractors who are expected to make sure that the wastes are collected and deposited at the appropriate sites.

He also said the fencing of major dump sites in the state is underway and that the waste will ultimately become useful materials with economic value.

Obiano also noted that the organic manure produced from the plant would support the government’s agricultural programme and stressed the need for continuous enlighten-

ment of the people on the programme.

In his own remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Evarist Uba, said the state provided land for the project while the UNDP built the structure and provided the equipment.

Uba explained that refuse bins of different colours would be distributed to households to collect and separate their waste. He stated that state waste management authority would later collect for processing. He stated that, in addition, to the organic manure for agriculture, the recycled plastic materials would be supplied to plastic manufacturing companies.

Earlier, the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Phil Chinwuba, said the plant was community-based and would serve between 200 - 300 households and has a capacity to employ 25 workers.

Chairman, Awka South Local Government, Mr. Azubuike Iloh, urged the people to imbibe the culture of proper disposal of waste in order to maintain a healthy environment. In his remarks, the State Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr. William Obiora, said the plant would help to provide effective solution to the challenge of reducing the burden of waste management.

PenCom sends agents after pension defaulters Yekeen Nurudeen Abuja

N

ational Pension Commission says it has engaged the services of agents to recover outstanding pension not remitted by some organisations.

PenCom however did not mention the names of the agents or their number even as it did not disclose the defaulting organisations holding on to pensions of retirees.

PenCom spokesperson, Emeka Onuorah, who spoke on these developments, told Sunday Telegraph that pension assets have grossed N4.6trn from the previous N4trn it stood last year.

PenCom had last year directed pension operators to do away with outsourced staff, because of the inherent integrity implications their presence in the industry portend.

The commission had barred licensed pension operators from using contract staff for critical functions in their operations such as funds management and accounting, pension management and administration.

This, the commission said, was part of the strategy to cleanse the sector and restore its credibility and the public’s confidence in the pension policy.

Furthermore, the commission insisted that the allegations of fraud and improper training of the contract staff and the problems they pose must be addressed.

This was just as it stressed that the inherent risks in the engagement of outsourced staff have already begun to manifest in the observed illicit tendencies.

The commission also gave all the operators six months within which to either train them in affected functions, convert their employment to permanent status or replace them with permanent staff.

L-R: Commissioner for Environment, Anambra State, Mr. Evaristus Ubah; Secretary to Anambra State Government, Oseloka Obaze; Governor Willie Obiano and other dignitaries at the commissioning of the Less Burnt Clean Earth composite recycling plant in Okpuno Awka recently.

Dull economic season as INEC shifts elections CO N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E 2 3

Executive Vice Chairman of the General Electric Dealers Association of Nigeria, Ikechukwu Ani, observed that business activities had been at a standstill. He added that the negative impact of the election fever would remain for a longer time with the devaluation of the Naira.

A front desk officer at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos told Sunday Telegraph that client turnover in the last one month had been very low. She said the usually large number of expatriate customers had reduced since January, noting that it is not unrelated to the elections.

She added that the postponement was also having its impact on the hotel’s business as reservations made for after the elections would remain pending.

Mr. Oti Uchechukwu of Emzor Pharmaceuticals noted that many customers travelled back to their hometowns for fear of crisis during the elections. He lamented that the company had recorded poor patronage since January, wondering when things will stabilise.

A branch manager of Mr. Biggs, who did not want to be named, stated that the postponement had not affected their business in any way since they are not engaged in outdoor catering services. He declared that people would not stop eating just because the elections were postponed.

Mrs. Ukachi U. Opara of Neviv Hotels/ Conference and Event Centre, Lagos lamented that the postponement had kept many things on hold. She also said the company also lost an event that was slated for February 14 (when the presidential and National Assembly elections were earlier scheduled) while others billed to hold on March 28 and April 11 had been cancelled.

Boluwatife Olatilewa of Dino’s Food Café, a restaurant offering outdoor catering services, lamented that the firm had lost some contracts. “In fact, we have lost so many contracts and that is all I have to say. Do you know what it means to lose contracts for three good weekends?” she asked.

According to the logistics officer at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, Emmanuel Bosa, it was not clear if the rescheduling of the polls had affected their business as they were booking their customers on a regular basis.

“I cannot say whether the election dates have had any effect on our business or not.

All I can say is that, we had a number of people who came in and booked halls and rooms for their relaxations and events, though, not on the earlier election dates. I have not heard that any of them cancelled their bookings, except I wasn’t told.

“Also, I have not seen anyone who booked for a hall on a particular date and later came to shift it. This might not be possible in some hotels because the hall you booked at a par-

ticular time would not be given to another person,” he said.

Managing Director of Air Travel Agency, Lagos, Kingsley Bamgbose, said his company had recorded a slight increase in the number of intending travellers on local and international routes before and after the cancellation of the elections. He said he wouldn’t be able to attribute it to any factor.

He said, “Sometimes, we have this kind of rush, especially during vacations and festive periods. And at the same time, we experience such an increase without anything happening.

“That is why I say I can’t attribute it to elections. But then, it could be possible that people are running away for fear of Boko Haram.”

Chief Executive Officer, Amazing Grace Event Centre, Ojo, Lagos, Mrs. Grace Agboola, said, “One thing I know is that there were few events booked for me on that date.

Weddings were not fixed on that date. I discovered that there was no event booked for me on February 14, which was supposed to be an election day. At the same time, after it was postponed, I still didn’t have any event fixed.

“But it’s expected that people will not put any serious programme during an election month, not to talk of election days. Anything can happen and people will not still come out for security reasons. Not even with the Boko Haram scare everywhere.”

25

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Business/ Interview

Why I won’t accept loan from N220bn SMEs fund – Aremo

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Supreme Microfinance Bank, Mr. Jide Aremo, in this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, explains why he will not take part in the disbursement of the Federal Government’s N220 billion Small and Medium Enterprises intervention fund.

If the fund is available for the operators, then government can say, this is what you should charge as interest rate. But the incumbent management of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is implementing the scheme, changed the roadmap. Even I was asked to apply for N10 million loans. What can N10 million do for us?

You mean MFBs are not involved in the disbursement of the fund?

The immediate past two governors of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who set up the fund, structured it in such a way that it would be disbursed through the microfinance banks. This was so that government would have effective control over the MFBs. If the fund is available for the operators, then government can say, this is what you should charge as interest rate. But the incumbent management of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is implementing the scheme, changed the roadmap. Even I was asked to apply for N10 million loans. What can N10 million do for us? Let me tell you because of the corruption in the system, what they asked me to pay, included the processing fees, the granting fees is more than N5 million.

Then, it means I will get N5 million after all the trouble. It is because of that that I didn’t bother to apply for the loan again.

Aremo

MFB’s interest rates are said to be prohibitive. Don’t you think that could discourage borrowing?

Yes, the interest rate is as high, but that depends on how the operator sourced his fund. The point is that any microfinance bank that wants to be successful provides all its needs. To power my office alone, I spend N4 million on a generator. The system encouraged the outrageous interest rate and it will not be like that forever.

Again, we are supposed to charge our interest rate per annum, may be like 30 per cent per annum or 24 per cent like the commercial banks. The commercial banks collect 28 per cent per annum and when you add other charges, including insurance, the average interest rate is almost 40 per cent. The 40 per cent interest rate is more than three per cent per month,

so at what rate do you expect from us as microfinance banks operators to give out loans? Microfinance bank charge average rate of between four and five per cent per month, so if is five per cent, it will be 60 per cent in a year. But in some cases, we charge more than that, like six to seven per cent per month. These charges are for a month or three months, and most operators don’t give loans for up to a year because the operators don’t get money on a long term basis from commercial banks.

The Federal Government’s N220 billion Small and Medium Enterprises intervention fund, which they are supposed to be disbursing through the MFBs. Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture, we are yet to see the money. Since we have not seen it, it means that the money may not reach the target population.

There was a battle between the apex bank and microfinance banks on recapitalisation. What is the situation now?

When the policy on microfinance banks operations started in 2005 with a N5 million capital base, every Tom Dick and Harry opened a unit bank. At that time we had what we called organogram system. There was no classification, but the whole thing turned upside down and the apex bank had to close down over 240 microfinance banks and restructured the system with a new operating policy in 2010. Under the new dispensation, if you want to establish a unit bank you start with N20 million.

Hence, those whose capital base was N5 million had to look for more money to meet the new capital requirement. Later, the Central Bank of Nigeria amended the capital requirement to read that unit microfinance banks’ capital base remains N20 million, the states’ MFBs capital requirement is N100 million, while N2 billion is the required capital for national microfinance banks.

That was actually an uphill task, and till now, we don’t have up to 10 national microfinance banks in the country. The states’ MFBs have increased to about 50 while

the Unit MFBs are about 800. However, the fact remains that when we were starting operations, apart from the N20 million capital, we were able to raise another N30 million to put in place infrastructure we need to run a seamless MFB service, that is apart from what was set aside for the operation. So the policy was a discouragement to operators, some of which could not survive that CBN policy.

What is the impact of the fast depreciating value of the Naira on Nigeria’s economy?

It is very unfortunate, but we saw it coming. The former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido, was emphatic on the need to have robust external reserves to support the Naira. But the reality is that even if we have $200bn, it will be depleted because of the leakages in the economy. I am not a politician but if the leakages in the system since the time of late President Umaru Yar’Adua till now are computed, that is more than twice the leakages in the economy since 1914. The effect of that is that there is no amount of foreign reserves that can sustain and strengthen the local currency, unless the economy is diversified and becomes less dependent on imported finished goods.

Also, consider the amount on money invested in power generation without good results and you will start to appreciate what I mean by high level of leakages in the economy. If the amount we recently spent on power generation had been spent by any other African country, they would by now be generating 10 times what we are generating.

Also, we are not supposed to be exporting our oil in raw form, as we are doing.

Rather, we should be refining it to add value and create employment. By exporting crude oil, you cannot say that you are an oil producing nation, even those countries that don’t have oil, are the ones we are depending on to supply us refined petroleum products. We continue to import everything, including toothpicks. There is no way all this will not have a negative impact on the value of the Naira. The value of the currency will continue to fall, unless we start to produce more of the things we consume in this country.

The price of oil is not stable in the international market and some experts believe that the price may not rebound in the near future.

If on individual level or at national level we fail to plan, that means that we plan to fail. America used to be our major customer for crude oil. Then they planned for over 20 years to move from importing foreign oil to being a net producer and exporter. We were flaring gas and exporting crude oil, and never thought of even refining for export or exploring our gas for export in case the price of oil falls. Even the one or two refineries we had many years ago, cannot be maintained to produce optimally. That was what we were before America became an exporter of oil they extracted with technology. We won’t get better than as we are now unless we start to plan for the future.

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Equities market balling

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espite uncertainties in the financial market in recent times, the All Share Index appreciated by 6.52% Week on Week (WoW), whilst YtD return settled at -15.22%. 41 stocks appreciated while 27 stocks depreciated for the week. GUARANTY (28.12%), OKOMUOIL (21.47%), FBNH (16.95%), and SEPLAT (15.72%) all led the gainers’ chart for the week while UAC-PROP (-17.50%), CHAMPION (-15.82%), JBERGER (-14.28%), and CADBURY (-9.73%) dipped the most.

In a move to curb speculative demand, arbitrage opportunity and ‘rent-seeking’ on the Naira, the CBN terminated its bi-weekly FX auction window during the week. With this move, the apex bankintended to direct all demand to the interbank market, offering to intervene where excess demand exists at NGN198/USD. This, in our opinion, is akin to further devaluation although unofficially. No doubt, this will further hurt manufacturing sector and other businesses with direct exposure to FX. Meanwhile, the local currency sustained previous week’s depreciation (2.74%), weakening by 0.50% in the week. Also, the benchmark oil price (Brent) declined 1.30% during the week to settle at USD60.72.

Tension in the political terrain persists as APC rally in Okrika, River state witnessed explosions and gunshots as several people suffered injuries. Meanwhile, former president Olusegun Obasanjo exited the PDP during the week in a melodramic style, a move considered in some quarters to be a big blow to the ruling party’s chances in the forthcoming polls.

In this report, we review events in the economy laying emphasis on performance of different segments of the financial market while presenting our expectations for the rest of the week ahead.

Global & Domestic Economic Round Up: CBN’s official window closed!

Greece made a formal request for six months loan extension after rounds of negotiation with its European creditors. The Greek treasury may run out cash by month end (February) if a deal is not struck amid fears that investors will continue to pull fund out of Greek banks. However, the Germans have rejected Athen’s request after a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers on Friday Feb 20, 2015 labelling it a ‘Trojan horse’.

On the domestic space, in a move meant to curb speculative attacks and round tripping on the Naira whilst also moderating the level of decline of the foreign reserves, the Central Bank of Nigeria during the week ended shut down the Retail Dutch Auction System (rDAS) window, stressing that all demand for FX should be channeled to the interbank market where the CBN will intervene to meet excess demands by the close of the day at NGN198.00.

Although we believe that this development will expectedly moderate the rate of decline of the Reserves, reduce speculative and round tripping demands on the naira, we imagine that the implication for genuine demands will be adverse, as manufacturer and other real sector demand will have their cost margins further pressured by the 15.15% unofficial devaluation.

We also envisage the naira to trade within tight bands around NGN/USD±200 in the short term at the interbank market, yet we believe official devaluation is imminent given the pressure on the reserves that is meant to persist.

Much in line with our expectation, NBS publication shows a 0.2% hike in inflation rate to 8.2% for January 2015 (vs. 8.00% in December 2014) driven by non-food items, we suspect that pressure on price level will persist given the further tacit devaluation of the naira.

On the political scene, INEC data indicated that c75% of the permanent voter cards (PVCs) have been distributed, ahead of the rescheduled elections, even as Professor Attahiru Jega, the INEC chairman announced to the Senate during the week that over a million PVCs are yet to be printed. Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo dramatically announced his exit from the PDP during the week, a move that is arguably considered to be a big blow to PDP’s hope of retaining power in Africa’s largest economy.

We think the outlook of the nation’s economic and political stability remains foggy in the short to medium term as market apprehension persists on lower oil prices, FX rate volatility, insurgency and political tension. Hence financial market performance may stay passive.

Fixed Income Brief: Nigerian apex bank in difficult times

…as Apex bank moves to curb arbitrage

There was a substantial moderation in market rates for the week, as the OBB and OVN pegged at 22.42% and 23.33% respectively, depicting an average change of -55.55%. The CALL, 1M, 3M, and 6M interbank offered rates also declined, posting WtD changes of50.21%, -0.67%, -0.94%, and -0.72%, with rates settling at 26.38%, 15.31%, 16.24%, and 17.19% respectively.

NGN142.437bn worth of T-Bills matured in the week, while an auction of the same amount of T-Bills was held also during the week. There were however mixed investors’ appetite in the secondary market, as average yield change for the week was +0.31%.

Yields on bonds waned marginally for the week (-0.03%), as investors continued to consider the recent upheaval in the FX space amidst pointers to a devaluation, as well as the increasing probability of removal of the Nigerian bonds from the JP Morgan Emerging Market Index. Our Meri Bond Index, which reflects the overall change in price, was uptick however by +0.59% for the week.

The CBN on Wednesday closed the RDAS FX window, announcing that all demand would be channeled to the interbank window where the CBN will sell at NGN198.00/USD to meet excess demand at the close of each day. Investors were quick to react in the remaining two trading days, as the local currency retracted its 1.26% appreciation (WtD as at Wednesday) to close at NGN200.50 mid-quote (0.50% depreciation for the week).

Going forward, this will lead to increased activities at the interbank market, where we expect the NGN/USD pair to trade above the NGN200/USD mark.

We expect a higher yield environment to ensue, as investors scamper for credit and currency risks concerns in the near and medium term. Furthermore, we expect pressure on the already low FX reserves to heighten, owing to anticipated large transaction volumes.

Rebalancing portfolios in line with current realities is strongly advised, as we recommend that investors should do away with securities with higher modified durations amongst other considerations.

Agric Sector: OKOMUOIL climbs higher by

21.47% The agric sector continued to rally in tune with the optimism in the equities market this week as the MERI-AGRI advanced by 7.45% to drive the YtD return to 35.94%.

OKOMUOIL climbed higher from last week’s positive mood rising by 21.47% gain to close the week at NGN33.89. PRESCO followed suit reversing last week’s somber mood to rise by 15.64% so also was LIVESTOCK that inched up by 1.91% while ELLAHLAKES and FTNCOCOA both traded flat.

Despite the positive mood that engulfed the market this week, , we advise equity investors to tread with caution in the light of the widespread uncertainties.

Banking Sector: Stocks’ resurgent to record strong WoW performance The banking sector finished strongly this week, in line with most sectors and the broad index (NSEASI). There were 9 gainers compared to 5 losers, while UNITYBNK traded flat, as the MERI-BNK index recorded a week-on-week (WoW) gain of 14.79% to pare YtD return to -11.38%.

The top gainers for the week were GUARANTY (28.12%), FBNH (16.95%), UBA (13.67%), ZENITHBNK (11.20%), and SKYEBANK (10.44%), while the top decliners included FIDELITYBK (-4.80%), STERLNBNK (-4.74%), UBN (-3.41%), STANBIC (-1.93%), and ETI (-1.05%) Although we are expectant of a resurgence in share prices of most of the sector, which currently trade well below their fundamentally justified prices, we are of the opinion this is a “dead cat bounce” (i.e. temporary rally), which may not withstand the activities of profit-takers next week. Nevertheless, we advise speculative trading and medium to long term position taking at about the range most of the stocks closed the previous week.

Consumer Goods: Calm amidst skepticism After the gloom in the previous week, sanity returned to the sector with NSEFB10 index closing the week with a WoW return of 4.21%.

NASCON surged to the top of the gainers’ chart with 14.17% WoWgain, joined by 7UP (5.25%), DANGSUGAR (0.81%), FLOURMILL(8.55%), NESTL(9.88%), VITAFOAM (4.97%), PZ(1.15%), GUINNESS(8.14%) and

NB (4.42%).

CHAMPION was at the forefront for the decliners with a WoW loss of 15.82%. Other major losers on the chart were CADBURY (9.73%), DANGFLOUR (3.61%), HONYFLOUR (7.94%), UNILEVER (4.26%), INTBREW (7.26%), and PREMBREW (4.75%) The conglomerates segment went contrary to the market mood, with both UACN and AGLEVENT losing 1.68% and 5.00% in that order for the week. NNFM and VONO however remained flat this week.

During the week, HONYFLOUR released its Q3:2014/15 results with YoY decline in revenue (-8.28%) and PAT (-52.24%). This, we believe, was responsible for the WoW loss of 7.94% to NGN2.90.

The sector remains under scrutiny with the heavy foreign investors’ bias, and the impact of deteriorating economic fundamentals on the companies’ earnings power. However, opportunities abound in the sector for discerning but long term investors.

Healthcare Sector: Took out of the market slice The positive mood that pervaded the market during the week rubbed off on the sector as the MER-HLTH index advanced by 4.91% WtD, to bring YtD return to 15.74%. The top three companies in the sector (MAYBAKER, GLAXOSMITH & FIDSON) were the only counters that posted gains this week. MAYBAKER reversed its previous week’s loss to emerge as the top gainer, advancing by 14.81% to close at NGN1.55. The ticker was trailed by GLAXOSMITH which advanced by 5.00% to NGN42.00, and FIDSON (2.39% to settle at NGN3.00). All other counters closed flat for the week.

Industrial goods: Bargain Hunting drove sector gains The industrial goods sector again shaped the direction of the equities market, as the bellwhether counters - DANGCEM and WAPCO closed higher to end the week. The Meri-Industrial index appreciated by 7.19% WtD with five stocks recording positive price movements, while one stock shed value.

ASHAKACEM was the highest gainer for the week as the stock’s price inched higher by 9.27% WoW, just as WAPCO, DANGCEM, CCNN and CUTIX saw resurgence in their share prices by 8.27%, 7.26%, 5% and 1.95% accordingly.

CAP was the only sector laggard, having lost 6.84% to close share price at NGN36.1.

We attribute this excitement and positive sentiment to bargain hunting activities as investors took advantage of relatively low stock prices.

Our valuation dashboard reveals that most stocks in the Industrial Goods baskets are still trading below their fundamental prices. We however advise cautious cherry-picking and position-taking as the nation’s political and economic headwinds cast aspersion on the sustainability of the current market mood.

Insurance Sector: Plummets despite market gyration The Insurance sector sustained its southward trend despite positive sentiments that characterized equities market for the week, as the sector lost 1.52% WtD to peg YtD return at -5.16%.

MANSARD lost -4.73% whilst AIICO shaved -1.33% in the week. However, NEM recorded massive capital appreciation by 13.21% to close at NGN0.60 to lead the gainers’ chart for the week, followed by CONTINSURE (7.50%). Others closed flat.

Newsflow from the insurance apex regulator (NAICOM) indicates ongoing investigations regarding funds raised from the capital market which were used for personal gains by some insurance companies. The acting Director General of SEC, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, announced the agency’s intention to partner with NAICOM to boost enforcement against companies that misappropriated funds from the capital market.

Oil and Gas Sector: Green Week for Energy Stocks The Oil & Gas sector closed in the positive territory, extending its gaining streak by 7.17% WoW, just as no counter recorded price depreciation in the week.

SEPLAT retained its position on the gainers’ list, as it further expanded its price by 15.72% to put YtD return at 20.09%. On the back of the strong correlation between SEPLAT’s price and global crude oil price, we attribute investors’ renewed interest in the counter to the recent uptick in global crude oil market. Following a price decline of 7.23% recorded in the previous week, TOTAL’s price appreciated by 7.77% to close at NGN144.46, pushing its YtD return to the positive zone (1.38%). Other advancers for the week were FO and OANDO with respective gains of 3.92% and 3.41%.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SundayBusiness/Brands

Essence De Beaute rewards customer Edwin Usoboh

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he Essence de Beauté skin care line recently had a customer ’s love delight ‘Valentines Hangout’ to show l o v e t o t h e i r n u m e ro u s c u s tomers across the country. The event which held at Tokunbo Omisore Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, was hosted by the CEO of SomKolch Nigerian Ltd, Obiageli Ajaero, and had dignitaries and clients who had used the product and were excited to share testimonies and have counselling from experts.

Speaking at the event, Ajaero attested to the efficacy of the product, having used it to clear spots on her skin caused by an infection of chicken pox about four years ago.

She had used several products recommended to her be f o re t h e n . S h e s a i d , “ T h o s e c h o i c e s i n c re a s e d t h e s p o t s on my already blemished skin and increased the size of my f a c i a l p o re s . M y s i s t e r c a m e to my rescue and introduced me to Essence de Beauté. With this amazing all-natural brand product made from fruits, vegetables and spring water, my skin, which had deteriorated so badly, improved overnight in texture and quality with an even blend.”

Startimes launches new bouquet Shola Adefuwa

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ne of the country’s pay TV brands, Startimes, has launched a new bouquet.

According to the company, the new digital TV bouquet was designed to offer new subscribers an affordable bundle that makes switching over to digital TV more convenient, promote a refreshing television experience and create values that would further deepen digital television penetration in Nigeria.

The pay TV player said that more Nigerians would have to acquire approved digital set top boxes to be able to switch over in 2015.

Public Relations Manager of the company, Israel Bolaji, said: “We observed that the cost of acquiring the decoders is a major factor to growing access; we have therefore considered making it very affordable for them to acquire and access our digital television service.

“We have also strengthened our customer feedback and interactive points like the call centre and after sales support services to further bolster our offering, this is our strategy to ensure all Nigerians have access to digital television.

“We are committed to a smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting while enabling Nigerians to overcome entry barriers through affordability as we equally showcase our premium channel offering and customer centered after sales services that will swiftly manage any challenges faced by our customers,” he added.

Marketing chiefs plan to boost ad budgets

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Ayodele Aleo uoyed by optimism about the United States economy, chief marketing officers plan to increase marketing budgets by an average of 8.7 per cent this year, according to the semi-annual CMO Survey released by Duke University, the American Marketing Association and McKinsey & Co. The study was based on an online survey of 288 senior marketers in the US, of which roughly 70 per cent work for businessto-business companies.

When asked to rate their optimism about the US economy on a scale of 0 to 100 (with 100 being the most optimistic), CMOs gave an average rating of 70, a record high since the survey was launched in February 2009 and the optimism rating was only 48.

Professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and director of the CMO Survey, Christine Moorman, said: “Customer acquisition, customer retention and customer purchase volume are all increasing, as well as the entry of new customers into the market.”

CMOs also believe low prices will be less important than factors such as excellent service, superior product quality and trusting relationships.

“Together, these reflect the positive outlook marketing leaders have,” Ms. Moorman said.

Marketing budgets are increasing at a higher level than last year, when they were expected to increase by an average of 6.7 per cent.

Spending on digital marketing will be up an average of 14.7 per cent this year for all companies, compared to 8.2 per cent a year

ago.

Spending on traditional advertising will be down an average of 1.1per cent this year, compared to down 0.1per cent a year ago, the survey found.

One budget area that is expected to grow significantly over the next three years is marketing analytics. Currently, marketing analytics makes up approximately 6.4 percent of the total marketing budget, but it is projected to grow to an estimated 11.7 percent of the marketing budget within the next three years, across all company categories.

L-R: Public Relations Manager, Mr. Israel Bolaji, Content Manager, Somoye Habeeb, Marketing Manager, Ayokunle Idowu, all of Startunes, a representative from Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Salisu Habu and Marketing Director, NTA 2, Mrs Betsy, at the launch of StarTimes Nova bouquet in Lagos.

Wema Bank set to break new ad campaign Ayodele Aleo

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ema Bank Plc has concluded plans to launch a new advertising campaign in May, Sunday Telegraph has learnt.

The bank, which changed its corporate brand identity in 2007, had in late 2014 invited some leading advertising agencies for an advertising pitch.

The final presentations were held about three weeks ago, further checks revealed.

Led by Kola Ayanwale, Centrespread currently controls the corporate advertising account of the bank, while Bluebird Communications is the incumbent on the bank’s product account.

Sources close to the business said that Noah’s Ark and about two other agencies participated in the pitch.

The agency that eventually emerges the winner is expected to develop a new advertising campaign for the bank.

Funmi Onabolu led-Bates Cosse had worked on the account before.

The bank had in 2007 changed its corporate brand identity and launched a thematic advertising campaign: ‘Together Unto Greater Heights.’

Then Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of the bank, Mr. Adebisi Omoyeni, said the bank had just entered into an era of corporate rebirth and quantum growth.

The lender said the re-brand-

ing was not only in name, logo or other icons, but also in processes, customer care and service delivery.

For the purpose of establishing a distinctive brand, the bank engaged the services of world-class professional brand consultants, renowned marketing communications consultants and top advertising firms, including Enterprise IG of South Africa and Bates Cosse Limited.

Sunlight brightens airwaves with radio drama series

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Edwin Usoboh unlight, the household detergent from the stable of Unilever Nigeria, has launched a radio drama series called Alarambara in the South-West.

The Yoruba language production is scheduled to run for 13 episodes of five minutes each and will feature entertaining story-lines centered on the lives of the lead character, Sisi Oge, and her friends as they navigate the tricky waters of career and family life.

Category Manager, Unile-

ver Nigeria, Doyin Abanishe, explained that Alarambara would not only provide entertainment but also invaluable tips and advice on managing the home and relationships between friends and family members.

“Sisi Oge and her close-knit circle of friends are young, fun-loving modern women who are always looking for some balance between their business and private lives.

They share their tears, their joys and relationship issues in a realistic, down-to-earth style that listeners can readily identify with.”

And while the Sunlight proposition of superior cleaning and fragrance for laundry is worked into the plots, Abanishe insists the concept of Alarambara goes beyond mere brand promotion.

“There is a loyalty and trust that has been built up between Sunlight and its consumers over the years and this is why we do not see ourselves as just another product in the house but a member of the household contributing to its upkeep and success.

“Regarding Alarambara being produced in vernacular, we recognise that in a region

where the population relates effortlessly in the dialect, it makes for easy, effective communication to have our drama done in Yoruba. An added attraction will be the chance for ardent listeners to win prizes when they call in to answer trivia questions on episodes of the show,” Abanishe said.

Alarambara will feature the voice talent of notable Nollywood figure, Mosun Filani, in the lead role of Sisi Oge. She is also scheduled to appear in character at events where consumers and fans of the show will be feted.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SundayBusiness/Brands

‘Younger ad agencies now challenging the doyens’

Looking back at 2014, what are the factors you think actually shaped the creative industry?

The advertising industry in 2014 was neither black nor white. It was somewhere in between. To that extent, you can clearly say that so many positive things happened. Some things happened at the macroeconomic level that were not so positive, which affected the integrated marketing communication industry.

Some of the positive things that happened to advertising in Nigeria in 2014 included the emergence of new agencies.

There was never a time in our history when you see a couple of agencies and competing with the more established players. A couple of these new agencies include; Noah’s Ark, Etuodi and X3M Ideas. The new generation agencies came out strong in 2014 and I find this commendable unlike the past when it was always same old players calling the shots in the industry. This is one of the biggest positives of 2014.

At the macro level, the drop in oil price and its effects on the economy brings about a sagging effect on the economy and the government is telling us to brace up for tough time.

This, I believe, will definitely affect the entire business climate. Of course, the advertising segment is not insulated from what happens at the macro level. Again, politics seemed to gain the loudest share of voice, especially in the last quarter. So, it means that if money is not being spent at the centre, the economy will slow down because everybody is holding onto the cash at hand. These are the two indices I saw both on the negative and positive sides.

Are we likely to witness any major shake-up in the advertising industry?

It probably will happen. Right now, there is a systemic shift happening with younger agencies emerging. The people who were in the forefront are no longer in the driving seat. A new power block is emerging. I will not be surprised if there are more shake-ups.

Now, for the first time in a long time, we are seeing mergers and people buying into an existing company in the industry. We are likely to see more of this.

What we have had are big fishes in small ponds for a long time. People don’t want to be smaller fishes in bigger ponds and that is the kind of arrangement that pays. People like Sir Steve Omojafor have talked about mergers but no one was taking him serious. It is happening now and I think we are going to see more mergers this year.

So, is the industry feeling the impact of the election campaigns?

In the Western world, election time is always a boost for the advertising industry. Saatchi & Saatchi handles the Labour Party’s multi-million pound campaign in Britain. In Nigeria, it may not be so as the bulk of campaigns are not run or executed by the member agencies of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria. That is why we see horrible campaigns and terrible posters and election materials. At the macro level, this issue of holding money for elections will impact on the larger economy. Whether the economy captures the money in the hands of politicians or not, it means that there are certain monies that would have been otherwise injected into the system that would have made the economy more buoyant but that are missing. If it affects the economy, it will affect the advertising industry.

This is because advertising is not living in a silo insulated from the larger society. Like they say, in show business, the show must go on no matter what the economy brings. Advertising is here and people need advertising. It is actually when the economy is down that clients need to advertise more because people need to be aware of their products and services. This is what has kept the industry going.

Why have we not witnessed any advertising agency being listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange despite the long years of existence?

Even in Kenya, there is an advertising group that is quoted but it has not happened here yet. I will tell you why. What we have done here is ‘subsistence’ advertising instead of ‘mechanised’ advertising. People create business for themselves and their families unlike the WPPs of this world, which are quoted companies. However, it takes time to grow above the mentality of ‘small agencies for me and my family’ because if you really want to play in the big league, you can open it up for others to take up shares in the market. Some don’t even want to give their staff that worked for them up to 15 years any shares not to talk of

Steve Babaeko, who calls the shots at X3M Ideas, a creative agency, has carved a niche for himself in the industry, having worked for seven years as a creative director before he floated X3M Ideas few years ago. In this interview with Brand Journalists, he speaks on various issues affecting the industry. Excerpts. advertising academy.

AAAN had this vision many years ago, but in fairness to the new administration, they are working so hard to ensure the school gets off the ground. But what I have done in past six /seven years ago has been to go the University of Ibadan and give lectures and do workshops. There is a young man who now runs a small digital agency; he was part of a workshop I did at University of Ibadan many years ago. I understand the need to create the pipeline that will create talents. The talents pool is drying up. As an agency today if you are looking for copywriters, you are going to be on the lookout for months. There are no copywriters anywhere and it’s just about the shortsightedness of not creating that pipeline that brings young talents into the industry. What we do is to use the small clout that some of us have to tell young people that there is an industry called advertising in Nigeria that provides employment where you can catch so much fun building brands and you can also earn a decent living from it. Young ones need see us, look up to us and get excited to join the business.

What is your take on the issue of affiliation?

Affiliation is like marriage. Nobody will just walk into my agency and take it without showing me what you can offer. I can’t talk to you if you cannot offer me something different that we are not doing. I have decided that I will take some of the best practices of old agencies to run my business and learn from their mistakes.

Babaeko listing. It is about mind-shift and this needs to happen to the advertising entrepreneurs in Nigeria to get the industry to that place we are talking about.

What is your take on the move by the country’s apex advertising regulatory authority, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, to protect the local industry through its reforms?

I respect APCON. And there is a need to protect the local industry. However, water will find its level. The industry needs to be protected. I know what the law is trying to say because the outsiders have a heavier war chest to run riot over the entire industry, buy up any and kick out the ones they desire and bring in foreigners to work here. I look forward to that time when we will be able to say, “May be we have out grown this law and we need to upgrade it.”

At some point, the economy will open up more. Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa. Power generation is very abysmal compared to most other countries on the continent.

If we are able to get electricity right and the level of output goes up, the economy opens more, then more people will come here to do business. Already, we have vehicle assembly plants and then we will have no choice than to run this business as it should be run.

Now with APCON reform, there is a limit to which foreigners will buy shares in the advertising industry. May be that law will change when the economy opens up. For this to happen, we need a massive amount of capital. How much is the capital base of most agencies in Nigeria? That is why we gave the example of subsistence and mechanised farming.

Many stakeholders have complained about the dearth of talents in the industry. What do you think is responsible for this?

I think the absence of an advertising school has been responsible for the knowledge gap in the industry.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to kick off the

No doubt, you must have made certain mistakes and recorded some successes last year. So, what did you do wrong and what worked for you as a company?

What we did wrong was that we did not join the bandwagon to do anything for any business. For instance, I cannot join anyone to defraud the citizens. For us to support your business, we must believe in what you stand for. If we had jumped on the bandwagon, we probably would have made more money. But it’s all about value and principles.

We must share values. In the course of doing business in the last few months, we have dropped accounts either because the value was not just right or the client was not willing to partner. We want to be partners; we don’t want to be anybody’s donkey. If you are the brand we work with now, it is like an equal seat at the table; that is, we are partners. That is why you see the progress on those businesses. An agency being dictated to is like sending a soldier to war with his hands tied behind him. We have been fortunate enough to have found valuable partners to work with. But the ones who would not allow us do what we are trained to do and what we believed in, we gladly resigned from such businesses instead of roasting in there and saying we will manage.

There are those who believe agencies have life cycles and as such, some of the old ones may have outlived their impact. Do you share the same thought?

The truth is that every brand has a life cycle. But what happens is that you need to infuse an element of regeneration in building the brand. If you are a brand and the bull’s eye of your consumers is 30 years and above, you would be the most foolish brand if you don’t create a pipeline that leads to people who are 18 or thereabout to begin to build the next wave of consumers for the brand. When you create the pipeline, you have corrected what would have been an aging crisis for your brand down the line that supplies your main demography. It is the same thing with agencies. Agencies are not about building or structure, it is about people. Believe me, this business is not for old people, it is for young people. As an agency, if you want to live long, keep regenerating your people; keep the pipeline of young people coming into your agency fluid and open.

An old man can have an agency, yes, that is why we have agencies of 100 years and the like out there, but they keep regenerating their people. If one fails to do this, the agency will die, no two ways about it.

29

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

My perception of poverty (2) Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only)

L

ast week, I set out to communicate my perception of poverty beyond the conventional meaning of inability to afford the basic necessities of life, viz: food, clothing and shelter.

The first challenge I pointed out as poverty was ‘lack of knowledge’.

Now, the next point.

2. Lack of skills The Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, Revised Edition (1999) defines skill among others as “a talent, craft or accomplishment, naturally acquired or developed through training.”

Friend, poverty is not just about the lack of money. Anyone who does not have a skill (an aptitude; something he is good at) is a poor person.

It is not enough to know, you should be able to DO something.

If there is something you are good at, you are not a poor person. What you just need to do is to commercialise it (use it to create economic value).

Recently, a blogger (I believe it was Linda Ikeji) did a study of Chris-

tiano Ronaldo’s earnings and worked out the mathematics to the conclusion that it will take many people more than a life time to earn what Christiano Ronaldo earns in a year, and it will take many others many years to earn what he earns in a minute. It is amazing, yet what Christiano Ronaldo does is just play football (as much as I know). That’s a typical example of a person made wealthy by skills.

What Basket Mouth (Bright Okpocha) does is comedy. What Tuface (Innocent Idibia) does is singing. What Usain Bolt does is running. What Genevieve Nnaji does is acting. What IK Osakioduwa of the Big Brother fame does majorly is show presentation. What Chimanda Adichie does is writing. What Les Brown does is talking. Now, I ask you: What are you doing? What is it you can do? What are you waiting for?

Friend, it is okay to go to school to acquire knowledge, but that is not all there is to wealth creation. In any case, we all must not be school graduates. For the avoidance of doubt, I am not saying that it is not good to go to school, neither am I encouraging anyone to drop out of school. After all, I am a school graduate. All I am saying is that it is still very possible to make it great in life without a formal school education. You can still be rich without a certificate. As a matter of fact, many who went to school are not using their certificates to work.

Friend, a job can be lost, but a skill remains with you, job or no job. Some

You can still be rich without a certificate. As a matter of fact, many who went to school are not using their certificates to work people worry about job security, but there can be no worry about skill security. The reason is simple: what is in you is in you. Just discover it and develop it. Even if you claim you do not have a natural talent, like our definition of a skill suggests, you can acquire one through training. Interestingly, training is relevant to reigning in life. If you don’t train, you may not reign, and may not experience ‘money rain.’

Friend, I leave you with these pieces of advice: • Discover and develop your skill(s).

• Acquire new skills to add to exist ing ones.

• If you think you don’t have a skill, acquire some by training.

Whatever case applies to you, just know that you have no excuse to be poor, and nobody does.

Note that a SKILL has what it takes to KILL poverty, and the SKILL you fail to develop, you KILL. Pause and ponder.

You will succeed.

Team building The Big Picture Julian Atufunwa 08032810713 (SMS only)

A

team is a group of people with complementary skills, who are committed to a common purpose, performance, goals and approach for which they hold themselves mutually accountable. Also, a team is a group of two or more people working together to accomplish some common goals. To achieve a far greater result as a leader, you need to build a team that sees from different perspectives. There’s tremendous power in teamwork. When ‘we’ comes into place, success will happen, for two are better than one.

Qualities of a team player • Commitment - It requires willingness to pay the necessary price to move the team forward. You must be committed to the team and must be involved in every task. The price you pay to a team is a function of the value you had placed on the team. The leader must make the team see the big picture and understand that their individual contribution is necessary and valued. Your team member must see what is in it for them, and the benefits to derive from contributing to the team.

• Flexibility - Don’t go into a team with a rigid mindset, do not see only yourself ,see the big picture and position yourself to learn, as

a team member you must have the ability to summit your belief ,perspective about things to accommodate the team ideology • Cooperation - It is possible to be in a team and still be working individually. Being a team player requires that you complement the team and not compete with them; it is not about selfishness but about sacrifice.

• Communication skill - What blood is to life is what communication is to a team. You must have the ability to transfer ideas and vision to your team members. Seek first to understand them than to be understood; work at understanding others; learn to use appropriate and simple words to convey your message. As much as possible repeat things, be courteous, be flexible and do not impose your opinion. If your opinion is dropped for a better one, go with it. Be free with the team, relate with it and have in mind the personality traits and behavioural pattern of its members.

“The greatest lesson in life is to know that even fools are right sometimes.”

(Winston Churchill). Don’t isolate yourselves from the team as it will bring about assumptions and thereby break the communication pattern.

• Discipline - Once you are involved in the team it forces you to do what is needed and not what you want. You must gain mastery over yourself and your emotions. You must have the ability to deliver on your promise and on time too. You must have to do what you have to do even if you don’t feel like doing it.

• Faith - Be optimistic and expect the best of the team even when your ideas are not taken.

• Self-improvement - To add value,

you must have value. Knowledge is not static, so flow with the tide of knowledge. Going back to school should not be about the paper (certificate). It’s about passing through a process and also letting the process pass through you. Keep developing your brain for your team and yourself.

• Excellence/competence - There is a difference between qualification and competence. Qualifications will get you the job but it is competence that will keep you in the job. Don’t just bring anybody to perform any task in your team. Understand the person’s sense of skills, sense of perspective and personal excellence. A team will be like the least person in the team, so every team player must possess excellence.

• Selflessness - As a team member, you should be generous. Your focus should be more on giving and not receiving.

•Avoid dirty politics - Some things are caught not taught.

• Humility - As a leader, humility is expressed in your ability to show calmness even when you have greater power. It is best described as giving up your personal right for the benefit of the team.

It is about speaking less of yourself. It is to accept being slighted, disliked and still remain gentle and polite even in the face of provocation. Epictetus said: “If anyone tells you that a certain person speaks ill of you, do not make excuses about what is said of you but answer that he is ignorant of your other faults, else he would not have mentioned these alone.”

Success is your birthright.

Business/News

Diamond Bank to curb loan growth Paul Ogbuokiri

with agency report

D

iamond Bank Plc plans to slow lending growth as companies face an increased risk to earnings from a slump in the naira, its Chief Executive Officer, Uzoma Dozie, has said.

The bank plans to cut loan growth to 10 per cent this year from 20 per cent in 2014 as “the market is very bearish,” Dozie said during an interview with Reuters. He said that 43 per cent of Diamond’s loan book was in the SME (31 per cent) and retail (12 per cent) sectors.

Renaissance Capital in a recent forecast said it expects a haircut from the bank’s exposure to Geometric Power.

“On the back of the above, we have run a sensitivity analysis of our Financial Year 2015 earnings to possible haircuts on Diamond’s credit exposure to Geometric Power. Using haircut assumptions of 10-50 per cent, our FY15 earning CoR rises to 3.4-5.1 per cent, from 3 per cent. At a 10 per cent haircut, our FY15E RoA and RoE come in at 1.8 per cent and 14.4 per cent, respectively, vs current estimates of 1.9 per cent and 16 per cent. At a 50 per cent haircut, our FY15E RoA and RoE come in at 1.1 per cent and 9.3 per cent. Overall, for Diamond to report a loss in FY15E, its CoR must exceed 7.5 per cent, on our estimates. We have not factored a charge from Geometric in our FY15E CoR and management’s 2.5-3 per cent guidance does not include one,” RenCap said in an email to Sunday Telegraph.

Reacting to the development, an analyst at Greenwish Trust Group Limited, Mike Nwanolue, said; “The bank is being conservative by its decisions which is good. They will protect their capital and reduce exposure to non-performing loans. They’re the kind of decisions that investors will expect from a bank at this time.”

Some companies plan their cash flows well in advance and they can’t easily adjust to currency fluctuations, Dozie said. Exchange-rate volatility and difficulty in accessing dollars have resulted in “companies that are profitable, becoming less profitable and those that are marginal now suffering,” he added.

TenCap further lowered it FY15 and FY16 profit before tax estimates by 9-13 per cent.

US targets sugary foods

A

mericans should pay taxes on sugary sodas and snacks as a way to cut down on sweets, though they no longer need to worry about cholesterol, according to scientists helping to revamp dietary guidelines as U.S obesity levels surge.

The recommendations came on Thursday from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee which also called on Americans to reduce meat consumption and to take sustainability into account when dining.

The panel released its report as the Obama administration seeks ways to fight obesity, which now affects more than one-third ofAmerican adults and 17 per cent of children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“What we’re calling for in the report in terms of innovation and bold new action in health care, in public health, at the community level, is what it’s going to take to try and make a dent on the epidemic of obesity,” committee chairwoman Barbara Millen of Millennium Prevention in Westwood, Massachusetts, said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg.

Suggestions by the nonpartisan panel of academics and scientists help shape school lunch menus and the $6 billion a year Women, Infants and Children programme, which serves more than 8 million Americans buying groceries from retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Kroger Co. The recommendations went to the two agencies that later this year will issue the final guidelines that are used to create the government’s icon for healthy diets, currently a dinner plate that replaced the widely used food pyramid.

About half of all U.S adults have one or more preventable chronic diseases relating to poor diets and physical inactivity such as hypertension, diabetes and diet-related cancers, according to the government. More than two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of youths are overweight or obese.

Soda makers and packaged-food companies including PepsiCo Inc., Coca-Cola Co., Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc., Kraft Foods Group Inc., Mondelez International Inc. and Hershey Co. all fell when the report was released.

30

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Politics SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

The Sunday Interview

Election shift was coup against democracy, says Ango Abdullahi p.32-33 Ifeanyi Ubah: With tan, he takes brand Jonathan to the people everywhere p.34-35

Interview

‘PDP, APC are part of Nigeria’s problems’ p.38 Obasanjo wants stooge in Aso Rock p.39

Jonathan and Obasanjo when the going was good

obasanjo/Jonathan feud

How things fell apart P

Early Days

Biyi Adegoroye biyi.fire@yahoo.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

resident Goodluck Jonathan is clearly a child of circumstance. All through his political career, there seem to have been no time he went all out to seek political power, yet he has ended up occupying the highest seat of power in the land.

In 1999, Jonathan must have started his political journey like an average Nigerian who simply wanted to try his luck. As the deputy to Chief Diepriye Alamieyeseigha, the then governor of Bayelsa State, Jonathan was a ‘spare tyre’ and operated essentially at the background, running errands for his boss.

However, when circumstances forced Alamieyeseigha out of government and placed him ( Jonathan) at the driver’s seat in the state, that marked the beginning of his meteoric rise in politics. It was while Jonathan was serving as the Governor of Bayelsa State that the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo spotted him and took mental note of him as a humble, loyal and unassuming party man.

In 2007 when the third term plot failed and Obasanjo had to leave office willy nilly, he was in a dilemma because he had panned to stay on and had not put in place a succession plan. He had merely kept the political arena busy while he plotted the ill - fated tenure elongation behind the scene. The ‘mock’ transition programme had thrown up a fierce contest between the SouthSouth geo-political zone and the North over who should take over the reigns of government.

For nearly three years, there has been a tug of war between a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan. Last week, the long rope snapped as Obasanjo announced his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party amidst some drama.

In this piece, ONWUKA NZESHI traces the relationship between the two men, how things fell apart and the centre could no longer hold Obasanjo’s bossom friend and former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, was the leading contender in the race. Odili was poised to clinch the presidential ticket of the PDP because he ran a very robust campaign that was anchored on giving justice to the marginalised people of the South - South zone, the treasure base of the country.

But when the National Assembly crushed the third term dream, the game changed and was compelled to have an exit plan. He chose the late Umar Musa Yar’Adua as the presidential candidate of the ruling party, but the choice of a running mate became the next hurdle to cross.

Initially, Obasanjo had pencilled down Odili for the number two position, but again, circumstances changed that plan and the lot now fell on Jonathan who was then contented with being the Governor of Bayelsa State.

It was Obasanjo who single handedly took

Yar‘Adua and Jonathan around the country during the electioneering campaigns of that year. As the then outgoing President, Obasanjo was with the duo at every rally where he presented them like a school principal parading his new prefects before the teachers and pupils. As luck would have it, the People’s Democratic Party won the presidential election and Yar’Adua settled down with Jonathan to pilot the affairs of the country.

Doctrine of Necessity About two years into their first term, Yar’Adua became critically ill and was abroad for several months for medical treatment. This long absence of the President from the country created a lot of anxiety, more so, when Yar’Adua neither handed over power to the Vice President nor did he formally inform the National Assembly of his CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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The Sun

Elections s democracy Since the coming of this administration, the Northern Elders Forum has not spared President Goodluck Jonathan for reneging on the alleged deal with Northern governors to spend just one term in office. In this interview with IBRAHEEM MUSA, spokesman for the forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, speaks on the rescheduling of dates for the 2015 elections.

Abdullahi

At a recent press conference, leaders of the Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly alleged that you and the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, met in Lagos and concluded plans to rig the coming elections. What is the truth of the matter?

Well, the allegation is completely false. The last time I saw Jega in person was about six years ago when he was still Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano. We met at an open meeting. At that time, Prof. Ruqqayat Rufai was Minister of Education. So, to say that I met with Jega in order to plan the rigging of the elections is absolute nonsense. It shows you the level of desperation of people who don’t want elections to hold. The Northern Elders Forum has already addressed some of the issues raised by Chief Edwin Clark and others, through Paul Unongo. But there is an aspect that borders on defamation of my character which my lawyers are already working on. So, I will meet Clark in court.

But did you meet any INEC official anywhere

in Lagos?

No! The last time that I was in Lagos was more than 10 years ago. And what business do I have with any INEC official? Why should I meet him in Lagos of all places?

In 2011, NEF was vehemently against Prof.

Jega over the conduct of the elections.

Between then and now, what has changed that the forum is supporting him?

We are not for Jega now; we have no business with Jega! Our business is having an election and Jega happens to be the chairman of INEC. All we care for is free and fair elections. Jega failed in 2011 and we have said so. And even now, we can criticise Jega for not doing well. He had four years to plan for the 2015 elections and for him to come and start talking about inconclusive distribution of Permanent Voter Cards is a totally unacceptable excuse. You had four years to prepare for an election and you allow people, unless you are part of them, to find loopholes that they used against you? So, there must be something going on between them. We can’t

defend Jega for anything. What we are saying is that there must be elections in 2015 for a change of government on May 29. No, we didn’t rally round him. We only said that the rule of his appointment should apply. If he was appointed on certain rules that say that in the middle of day or dead of the night he can be fired, so be it. Jega’s only escape is that he said that he was ready for the elections and he was forced to announce a postponement.

That was the only excuse that attracted some sympathy, irrespective of his performance before or what he is doing now. Even here, he should have stood his ground because the Council of State, the highest advisory body, over which the President himself presided, said that these elections should go forward.

So, why should anybody intimidate Jega to announce something different?

But in view of a letter signed by all the service chiefs, saying that they can’t guarantee security, what option did Jega have in that circumstance?

This was totally illegal! They have no legal

basis for writing that letter and there was no legal basis for that letter to take effect. There is nowhere in the Constitution where there is a relationship between INEC and service chiefs.

In fact, we interpret the service chiefs’ action to be a coup. They had no powers to do that.

On top of that, in the media chat with the President, he said that he had no knowledge of the postponement of the elections. So, the service chiefs must have acted entirely on their own, if you agree with the President’s position. It means that they have usurped the powers of the President and by implication, the constitution of Nigeria had been subverted. So, that was technically a coup d’état. Although the President said that he knew nothing about it but he can only fool himself not others. I understand that last Saturday, he said that he didn’t know that there was no election so he went to his village to vote. So I was made to understand that he was at Otueke, thinking that there was an election. Imagine how people have turned Nigerians into stupid people.

Out of the nine new universities that have

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shift was coup against y, says Ango Abdullahi been created, six are in the North. There has been no northern leader that has done this for his people. As a former vice-chancellor, don’t you think that President Goodluck Jonathan deserves commendation in this regard?

I was Pro-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, and I know what the situation is. How do you fund the entire research programme of a university with N10 million?

Something that is not enough to train a student that is pursuing a Masters Degree Programme! And this is the kind of money that you vote for all the university’s departments to share for research. Research into what!?

What we are saying is that serious countries do not count numbers. They count the quality of their institutions because that is what makes all the difference in terms of Human Capital Development. To say that he has created new universities, to me, is absolute stupidity because it doesn’t make sense. They have been stepped up and they are doing nothing and they will continue to do nothing because they were not properly backed up by the kind of funds that universities require to operate. Even with the universities that we had in the last 20 years, the engineers that we churned out cannot repair an elevator. We had to go to France to bring people to repair them. Show me one single bridge in Nigeria, or anything for that matter, that we have been able to create from our domestic indigenous manpower. This is simply because our universities are not geared toward that and are not supported to do that.

Our first generation universities were better; that is where we belong. The five universities that we had in the early 60s up to the late 70s were universities that were recognised around the world. A graduate of ABU, Zaria would walk into Oxford University or Cambridge with his first degree, and he will be admitted as a Postgraduate student. Not now things have gone down. It didn’t start with Jonathan but the point is this, he has promised to revamp not just the educational sector but all the sectors of the nation’s life.

But what have we seen in the last six years strikes in the universities, in the health sector and high level of corruption. In fact, the most corrupt ministers are the ones who are closest to the President. Yet, this is the man that is being given honours everywhere.

Since the advent of democracy in 1999, the allegation of corruption has been leveled against all the governments but the North has not come out forcefully to oppose an administration like the present one. Is there more to this opposition than meets the eye?

Another reason for our opposition is that the man should not even be trusted because the basis of leadership is trust. People cannot trust him; even his colleagues if they are honest. A trustworthy person is someone that will say “yes” today and it is “yes” tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. He won’t change his position unless for a good reason. But today if the President says “yes,” tomorrow he will say “no, I don’t know.”

Can you give an example of this duplicity?

During the earlier controversy regarding his ascendancy to the leadership of this country,

he said that he didn’t know about the PDP’s zoning. I was a founding father of PDP; 10 of us signed for PDP to become a political party. And I was one of the first members of the Board of Trustees. I participated in writing the PDP constitution; zoning was put there and that was why Olusegun Obasanjo came to office and spent eight years. And this man (Jonathan) was a signatory when an expanded caucus of PDP granted Obasanjo an additional four years near the end of his first term. So, that the South will do eight years and when it comes to the North, it will also do eight years. But Jonathan said that there was no zoning and so on. Northern PDP governors, who have been selling us in the dark hours of the night, said the North had an agreement with Jonathan when in actual case they did not consult with the people.

We didn’t know that they went into a secret deal with Jonathan in 2011 that he will run for only one term. It was Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State who revealed it.

And later Obasanjo confirmed it because he was aware of this zoning arrangement. So, Jonathan is somebody that you cannot trust. I can’t see anything that this man has done that merits his re-election. Look at power supply.

He inherited 4,000 megawatts. I understand that the country is relying on 3,000 megawatts now. What about our foreign reserves?

Obasanjo was saying that until recently, it was $40 billion but it is now down to $2 billion. Where is the $20 billion that the former Central Bank Governor said was missing?

Is the North angry with President Jonathan because he reneged on the alleged agreement to return power to the North after one term or because he has not performed in the last six years?

Initially, the anger of the Northern Elders Forum was against PDP reneging on the power shift arrangement that it went into; so that the North would share power with the South on an alternate basis. When it came to the turn of the North after Umaru Yar’Adua’s death, they said that it didn’t even exist. And of course our own people connived or conspired against the North; the so-called PDP governors were the people who sold us out.

So, this is our initial anger. So, it is a combination of cheating and inequity in the zoning arrangement which was embellished by incompetence; later on, by the people who took power in the name of the zoning arrangement.

Northerners are holding top positions in this government. So, it can be argued that the North can invariably share in the failure of this administration?

(Cuts in) I agree entirely with this argument.

If you sweep aside Jonathan under the current political setting, the next person is the vice-president. But of what use is he to us?

After Namadi Sambo, the number three person is Senate President, David Mark, and he is a Northerner. After him, it is House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal. At the cabinet level, the National Security Adviser is a Northerner.

The Minister of Defence is a Northerner, the Inspector-General of Police is a Northerner and the Chief Justice of Nigeria is a Northerner. And they are all sitting there. Of course,

There is nowhere in the Constitution where there is a relationship between INEC and service chiefs. In fact, we interpret the service chiefs’ action to be a coup. They had no powers to do that Northerners both inside and outside government who have held certain positions are equally guilty of the problems of the North.

They were there when a lot of these conspiracies were being hatched against the North.

What do you mean by conspiracy against the North?

All these Boko Haram and so on, It is a conspiracy as far I’m concerned. Now, the beginning of the so-called Boko Haram tragedy was Muhammad Yusuf. But who really was Muhammad Yusuf? People understand him to have been a Borno-based Islamic cleric.

But who were his associates at various points in his life, particularly in the last five to six years, or 10 years? He is being associated with someone like Jerry Gana.

But Gana has denied this in an advertorial…

Well, he will deny it because they have refused to show us the evidence that will make it impossible for him to deny. A number of times, Muhammad Yusuf was in police custody in Abuja and a number of times he was bailed out by Jerry Gana. What is the relationship between Gana and Muhammad Yusuf? What business had Muhammad Yusuf who was an Islamist, in that context, with an evangelist? As you move on over the years, you will understand that there is more to it than meets the eye. For the last three or four years, you have heard the name of Modu Sherrif mentioned in connection with Boko Haram, not only by Borno State Government

but even foreigners. They allege that he is the founder or promoter of Boko Haram, for what people say is his political ambition. And of course this has been hotly debated over the years. But circumstantial evidence began to show that there must be some connection.

The police killed Muhammad Yusuf. He was arrested by the military and handed over to the police as it should be. And then, Muhammad Yusuf together with some cripples were shot. To us, this is an obliteration of evidence because Muhammad Yusuf would have been a material evidence in terms of the relationship between Modu Sheriff and his government and Boko Haram at that stage. Who was the next victim? Muhammad’s father-in-law was brought to Government House, Maiduguri. He didn’t leave alive, he was killed. The Commissioner in charge of Religious Matters, including Boko Haram, was also eliminated.

So, you begin to ask why? There must be some people behind the scene, and as you try to build evidence to lead to them, they do everything to block it. So, these are some of the circumstantial evidence. But later on, in recent months, Modu Sherrif has come out clearly to be an ally of the President, despite this allegation by a foreigner, that the man is linked to Boko Haram operations.

Modu Sheriff was in a private top class meeting, in a foreign country with that country’s President and our own President.

But Sheriff has not been convicted by a court of law.

Exactly but even at that point he should have been under investigation; until it has been proven that he was not guilty, he remains a suspect. Why should a President do business with a suspect? If you don’t know his background and if you are not part of his group, why are you doing business with him?

So, this is a major circumstantial evidence.

But today, if Modu Sheriff is going to Maiduguri, the airport is open - an airport that cannot be used by even the sitting governor of Borno State. And Sheriff is usually given troops to escort him wherever he wants to go, in and around Maiduguri. And this is a major suspected financier of Boko Haram for years now. This is the reason to suspect that that there is a conspiracy in the so-called Boko Haram saga. Murtala Nyako was the only bold governor who came out and spoke about it.

He said it was more than what the eye could see. Nyako was hounded out of office and out of the country.

So what is the way forward for Nigeria, given all that you have said?

The way forward is for Nigerians to take their destiny into their own hands.

That is calling for an uprising?

So what!? If there is no compliance with the law and the Constitution and they are so blatantly abused, then what do you expect people to do? They have to save themselves from these lawless leaders and this means of course, that at some point, the people will have to come out and defend themselves in every respect, whether it is during election or their security at home. This is what is bound to happen unless we revert to the constitution.

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Ifeanyi Ubah: With tan, he takes brand Jonathan to the people everywhere F

Biyi Adegoroye amous British advertising expert, David Ogilvy, once said: “Doing business without publicity is like winking in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.” While he may have limited the importance of publicity to business, there is no denying the fact that this timeless aphorism is of great application even to governance.

It is in this light that one can examine the activities of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, which have received or are still receiving negative publicity, both locally and internationally. But besides its shortcomings, there are certainly some transformational works which have been taking place in some sectors of the economy.

To popularise its policies, Jonathan inaugurated a policy package tagged ‘Transformation Agenda’ in 2011. The agenda, which according to the President is a five-year rolling plan, is driven by a team of 28 technocrats under the chairmanship of Mr. President himself and the coordination of finance minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Upon its inauguration, it gained wide acceptability, as renowned economist, Chief Lawrence Joans, described it as one of the best things that ever happened to the economy of the nation. However, some Nigerians like Prof. Ben Nwabueze wanted it to be adequately expanded to include all facets of activities and the economy.

It was with the above objective in mind that the activities of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, came to the fore. Besides the official government information apparati, TAN has taken it upon itself to trumpet the activities of the current government in all parts of the country. This is to underscore the fact that besides the flurry of negative media reports, the Nigerian narrative is not about the oft-publicised tales of woe.

Hence, in the past one year, the ubiquity of TAN has been undeniable in many schools, streets, cities, towns and other parts of the country. The non-governmental organisation, which was designed to promote good governance, is made up of individuals who are fostering the continuation of the transformation programme of President Jonathan.

The convener and one of the financial muscles of TAN is no less a person than business mogul, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah. The Nnewi, Anambra State-born businessman has invested immense energy, time and resources in the activities of TAN and helped to make the brand a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria. Here is a man who invested billions of naira in seeking to be elected as governor of Anambra State on the platform of the Labour Party in 2013 but lost to Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

He was not deterred by the loss but instead focused his energy on how to make Nigerians appreciate the extensive transformation works of President Jonathan. Ubah’s founding of TAN decisively changed the narrative, which hitherto was full of negative points about Mr. President.

Infact, within a short space of time, Ubah was able to mobilise the young and old, employed and unemployed, professionals and artisans to rally around the second term project of President Jonathan. Such uncommon

Ubah

dedication to a cause earned Mr. President 18 million signatures of Nigerians, who signed up to his re-election campaign through the efforts of TAN. Armed with this philosophy, TAN has drawn attention to the transformation activities of the government in such areas of agriculture, economy and the power sector.

For instance, it has been drawing attention to the nation’s incentive-based risk-sharing system for agricultural development which has engaged several thousands of youths, and espoused the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria, an empowerment programme for the youths.

The transformational job of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, in the mechanisation of agriculture and his efforts at tackling the challenges of food security and hunger are part of the achievements of the Jonathan Administration trumpeted by TAN. The group is not oblivious of the comatose state of the power sector in the country, which has compelled many companies to either fold up or relocate to other West African countries which boasts of better enabling environment.

It has therefore drawn attention to government’s ‘Roadmap for Power Sector Reform,’ designed to turn around the power sector as a catalyst for revamping the economy.

The group is comprised of professional men and women, youths, businessmen and women, artists, artisans, sportsmen and women, physically challenged persons, widows associations, Christians, Muslims and native religious groups, community, traditional and market leaders, opinion moulders and analysts, farmers, school teachers, trade unions and all masses of Nigeria committed to the ideals of good and quality leadership, order, unity, peace and progress of our nation under the Constitution.

Its objectives include the promotion of the spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurship, empowerment, job creation and provision of industrial cities, and to create jobs to sustain families and spread the gospel of Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda through the visible empowerment of the people.

It also seeks to promote unity, peace and progress of the country and encourage quality leadership and support good governance; to promote active citizenship participation in politics and advocate transparency, accountability, productivity and condemn official corruption; engage in massive voter sensitisation and education with a view to discouraging money politics and electoral malpractices; and canvass and publicise support for good leadership in all sectors of the economy.

Befitting of the multi-ethnic nature of the country, the group also seeks to practically discourage discrimination, marginalisation and victimisation based on ethnic, religious, gender and physical disability considerations, and above all promote patriotism, obedience to the rule of law, due process and the Constitution of the country.

Writing in a national newspaper of January 22, 2015, Dolapo Mohammed stated: “In all previous governments, no serious or concrete effort was made to truly mobilize Nige­rians as TAN is doing today. MAMSER and the like of it were cuddled inside bureaucratic cloaks, making it difficult to function as true mobi­lizers of the people. One unique thing that stands President Jonathan apart is his quiet revolu­tion of transformation of all critical sectors of the economy. An academic, he led a very quiet revolution which remained under reported. This is strange, especially in our own clime where leaders spend more on publicity much more than the project being publicised.

“The opposition then chose to feast on this seeming deficiency by churning out falsehood on the person of the President as well as on his laudable programmes. Many could not see the underbelly and the foundation to a prosperous nation which Mr. President is putting up. They seem to be too narrow in thinking in this re­gard. Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah is an outstanding busi­nessman in Nigeria, having positively played a pivotal role in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

He is an industry numero uno and a young, brilliant and dynamic man who has invested so much in Nigeria, provid­ing employment to hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the country.

“Probably as a result of the patriotic zeal in him, he saw the need to help in propagat­ ing the good dividends of democracy of the government of President Goodluck Jonathan through the now popular Transformation Am­bassadors of Nigeria, TAN. Within a short period of formation, TAN has become a for­midable movement very hard to ignore.

“And like Chairman Mao, Carl Philipp Gott­fried and Lenin, Ifeanyi Ubah is a catalyst for the mobilisation of the people towards a bet­ter Nigerian society under our present leader, Goodluck Jonathan.”

Assessing the impact of TAN since it leapt onto the national stage, an online publication, bravo-mag.com writes: “The group began with billboards and subtle adverts which, inevitably, got them the attention of Nigerians.

Its activities progressed to television adverts and radio jingles promoting the achievements of the Jonathan Administration; education, economic rebasing, the fight against corruption, health, sports and as many as they could rope together. In no time, everyone got to know TAN and its agenda – to ensure the return of Jonathan for a second term. Tongues began to wag that Ubah was trying to woo the government into returning his company’s seized licence (after it was revealed that the company had been involved in some subsidyrelated issues). In no time, though, the licence was released. However, TAN forged ahead and it became clearer as the days progressed that the group was ahead of others, as far as the tussle to get the ‘contract’ to ‘rebrand’ Jonathan for 2015 was concerned. Every other pro-Jonathan group was just trying to keep

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has given rise to the persistent false narrative about his leadership standing and a myth that TAN has set out to deconstruct for Nigerians and the international community.”

He said TAN is not only engaged in strategic media marketing and political advocacy; it is also conceived as a human transformation platform that will develop ideas and execute projects in the areas of poverty reduction, job creation, youth empowerment and all round environmental renewal through its waste-towealth programme as a complement to, and in furtherance of the transformation agenda.

Commendation In October 2014, the Peoples Democratic Party officially commended TAN’s activities, in a statement by its spokesman, Chief Olisa Metuh.

The statement reads in part: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to congratulate the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) for the successful conclusion of its sensitisation rallies across the country in support of our sole Presidential candidate, His Excellency, Dr. Gooduck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR. “The party notes that through these rallies, the numerous achievements of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led PDP administration were adequately projected to the Nigerian populace and the international community.

“The TAN movement, which is a novelty in the nation’s political development, has indeed deepened democracy and broadened citizen participation in the polity.

“The collection of over 17 million signatures in support of President Jonathan during the rallies, is a clear demonstration of the farreaching acceptance of our standard bearer and his party.

“The PDP particularly notes the unique contributions of Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, the leader and the brain behind the TAN movement, even as we recognise the willingness of TAN to work with our great party in furtherance of our collective objective ahead of the 2015 general elections,” Metuh said.

TAN rally

Another TAN rally

up. While everyone was waiting for the President to declare to run for office again, TAN had taken to the media, both traditional and ‘new,’ to convince the President that it meant business. The only thing TAN did not do, in the open, was to say the President had given his word that he would run for a second term.

“TAN took its game a notch higher by holding rallies in all the geo-political zones of the country; South-East, South-West, South-South, North-Central and the FCT to sell its agenda and get 17 million signatures of Nigerians who want the President to run for office for the second time. They got the country talking and nearly infected everyone with their zeal and energy. Matter of fact, the country was caught up in the TAN frenzy, as they promoted Jonathan as ‘the panacea to the years of bad leadership the country has witnessed over the years.’

“It hinged its campaign on the fact that Brand Jonathan is a democrat and allows the people’s will to prevail in elections, citing the governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra, Ekiti and, most recently, Osun – notwithstanding what political experts have described as it being militarised – as cases in point.

“All the pro-Jonathan groups have been dissolved to form the Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO), but TAN has sworn to continue the promotion of Brand Jonathan – a project which has been impressive, to say the least – beyond the presidential election slated for March 28.”

Membership Conceived as a mass movement of patriotic people, the group exhibits a high commitment to propagating Jonathan’s transformation

agenda from its outreach centres and human resource bases in the 36 states and the 774 local government areas of the federation.

“We are in the markets, communities and schools to promote the spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurship, empowerment, job creation and provision of industrial cities.

We intend to use TAN at the end of the day to promote active citizenship participation in politics and advocate transparency, accountability and productivity and condemn official corruption,” a TAN official said.

Activities As at the time it held its grand rally in October 2014 in Abuja, TAN said it had collected over 17 million signatures from all parts of the country for the re-election of President Jonathan. It carried out a sustained mass mobilisation programme and held rallies in all the geo-political zones. In each of the zones, it presented the signatures to the most senior federal government official in that zone for onward transition to the President. The icing on the cake was the grand finale held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

It also published creative, expository and incisive advertorials as well as advocacy to address various national issues and popularize government activities. It also created awareness through such platforms as rallies, street and campus activities.

Speaking on TAN’s activities, the Coordinator of the group in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Ofort Ebong, said: “We hold regular rallies of various sizes. For the major part of last year, we held several rallies in many parts of the country. We have also displayed some ingenuity in our activities. You know politicians

complain of being sidelined. We tried to have a mix of experienced politicians and those on the fringes. Everybody has a sense of belonging. We are now embarking on a registration drive where people will get ID cards and numbers.”

To him, President Jonathan’s programmes, especially in the area of agriculture will soon start to yield dividends. “With the ongoing transformation in the sector, Nigeria will soon become a net exporter of rice. Decades ago, we used to see large groundnut pyramids in Kano. They are fast returning because of the agricultural policy of Mr. President.

“Agriculture is doing well and to compliment that is the railway system. He is revamping the railway system that use to transport these agricultural products. Talk about the roads. He has repaired the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, the dualisation of major trunk roads, the execution of hundreds of other major roads projects spread across the country.

He has dualised the Kano-Maiduguri roads linking Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states, the dualisation of Onitsha Eastern bypass, rehabilitation of Benin Ore –Shagamu Highway and the on-going work on AbujaAbaji-Lokoja road. Look at the Ijebu- Agegunle –Araromi-Ife-Sekona road in Ogun State, rehabilitation of the Kano-Daura-Mai Adua Road in Katsina State. I can’t name it all but the President is doing well and very soon Nigerians will be happy for it,” he said.

On why he is resolute about his confidence in President Jonathan, he said: “TAN believes that President Jonathan’s sterling human qualities, democratic credentials and landmark achievements are currently under marketed and under advertised; a situation that

Controversies Activities of the group have also been enmeshed in some controversies even criticism as some have argued against its activities.

They claim that given the state of insecurity and near-collapse of government infrastructure, publicising government activities amounts to a waste of resources.

In Bayelsa State, the group’s activities were allegedly banned by Governor Seriake Dickson. The governor ordered its immediate relocation from the state. Dickson’s order was, however, rebuffed by TAN’s Director of Publicity in the state, Mr. Nathan Egba, who said such a move was unacceptable in a democracy. The All Progressives Congress has also criticised the formation of TAN. But reacting to this, Nwachukwu Ngige, an Abuja-based analyst, countered the statement, calling it an attempt to malign the integrity of the “moving spirit of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, and hence nullify the essence of his revolutionary role in the re-election campaign of President Jonathan. “ He wondered why APC was losing sleep over TAN and its involvement in the PDP presidential campaigns, regretting that “the place of this fill-gap aligned organisation in the buoyancy and salability of the re-election of President Jonathan is so prominent that it is easily a subject of envy and character assassination by opponents and detractors.”

Ngige said APC’s worries over activities of TAN was an actualisation of the expression of disdain for the ambassadors’ sustained activities in knocking the bottom out of the professionalism in “the million-dollar backed APC’s foreign consultancy, propagating its expansive campaign of lies and deceit.”

TAN may have achieved its programme of garnering signatures as a way of getting President Jonathan’s consent to seek re-election, but the battle should go beyond that.

Observers believe that its job is incomplete until the President returns to office.

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Ebonyi South and charter of equity

H

Emma Igwe istorians and archaeologists have presented to us what is today regarded as part of the story of origin and existence of the area called Ebonyi State and its people. In the Memorandum for the creation of Ebonyi State, submitted by the people of old Abakaliki Province to the State Creation, Local Government and Boundary Adjustment Committee” in January 1996, the history of how Ebonyi people came to live in the present area called Ebonyi State was vividly stated in the document to convince the then military government that it was imperative to create the state.

In 1991, the erstwhile Ibrahim Babangida administration appreciated the case for the creation of Ebonyi State as being over due. Practical steps were, indeed taken towards its actualisation. But the request had to be stepped down at the last minute to enable the Igbos have not one but two

Obaze

states, namely, Enugu and Abia. It was then the consensus of the Igbo people that in any subsequent state creation exercise, the Igbos would lend total support to the creation of Ebonyi State.

The 1991 exercise saw the eventual metamorphosis of the Old Onitsha and Owerri Provinces into four States, with Enugu and Anambra States from Old Anambra State; and Imo and Abia States from Old Imo State, with the Old Abakaliki Province still without its own corporate identity.

The justification and demand for Ebonyi State continued with renewed vigour and intensity through the 1994/95 National Constitutional Conference and subsequent 1995/96 Chief Arthur Mbanefo led State Creation, Local Government and Boundary Adjustment Committee.

During this period, the last phase of the struggle for the creation of Ebonyi State, our leaders, despite the odds but with the goodwill left behind by H.R.H. Ezeogo

(Elder) Dr. Akanu Ibiam Grand Patron of Ebonyi State Movement, laboured assiduously with commitment and determination until the birth of Ebonyi State was proclaimed by the Head of State and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Late General Sani Abacha, on October 1st, 1996.

Now that the objective and prize of this long struggle has been achieved, the future orderly and sustainable development of the state remains primarily a challenge they must accept willingly, having happily come to the Promised Land, end of the journey and with their destiny firmly in their palms”.

This short history is a testimony to the fact that Abakaliki bloc alone cannot make up the state. Afikpo bloc is principal part of the state and citizens of the state from the zone played a very vital role in the creation of Ebonyi and have been playing key role in its development. If

the Abakaliki bloc had produced the governor of the state for the past 16 years, is it not natural that the South should have the opportunity to produce the governor of the state in 2015.

If the Labour Party could pick both governorship candidate and running mate from Abakaliki bloc without consideration to the south, is it not a sign that if the party wins the election, the people from Ebonyi South should forget about their wellbeing in the state or be ready to be pushed out by the Labour government?

How else would one explain that a party that is genuinely seeking office in a state like Ebonyi will totally remove the Southern zone from its political equation and power balance. The document quoted above clearly stated that Ebonyi was created out of “the goodwill left behind by H.R.H. Ezeogo (Elder) Dr. Akanu Ibiam Grand Patron of Ebonyi State Movement, who laboured assiduously with commitment and determination until the birth of the state was proclaimed by then Head of State, late General Sani Abacha, on October 1, 1996” In this era when the world is preaching peaceful co-existence of people, the Labour Party in Ebonyi is creating division and disharmony.

It is noteworthy that all the three political parties (PDP, APGA. APC) that have governorship candidates for the forthcoming elections in the state have their governorship and running mates from either Abakaliki bloc or Afikpo area except Labour Party which is insensitive to the peaceful co-existence of Ebonyi people and the future of the state.

As argued elsewhere, the question of Ebonyi South producing the next governor has nothing to do with Dave Umahi. Umahi, who is the current deputy governor of the state, may be a “Devil or Saint”, but the issue at stake is equity, justice, sense of belonging and fairness. Democracy is no doubt a game of number, but if there is no understanding, consensus, political party participation and compromises as part of the variables that determine power equation and balance of power in a democratic system, people like Goodluck Jonathan from his small Otuoke village would never have dreamt of being President of Nigeria. Ebonyi is too small to be torn apart by politics of acrimony and division, those who are fanning the embers of disunity today may not be there tomorrow to reap the disastrous consequence. We must act right and protect the future of our dear state. It is encouraging and gratifying that majority of the political stakeholders in Ebonyi cut across the 13 local government areas of the state have embraced the need for peaceful co-existence and given their support to the flag bearer of the PDP in the governorship election of April, 11 2015, Umahi. It shows that the true Ebonyians recognise that indeed it is on equity we stand.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Politics

Obasanjo/Jonathan: How things fell apart C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

‘sick leave’ as the Constitution demanded.

While Yar’Adua was away, Jonathan was not aware of his whereabouts and condition of health. He was also not allowed to take up the duties of hs principal. Only the First Lady, Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua, and a cabal within the government knew where the President was and what was wrong or right with him.

When the ‘power vacuum’ became so prolonged, governance came to a standstill and the crisis of leadership by proxy became unbearable.

Although, the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and many prominent Nigerians had raised serious concerns about the situation, it was Obasanjo who stepped in boldly to rescue the situation. In his usual audacious manner, Obasanjo sought and found where Yar’Adua was and when he saw his condition, he came back to Nigeria where he joined the campaign for Jonathan to step into the shoes of his boss.

It was this bold move, coupled with the support of other elderstatesmen that propelled the National Assembly to proclaim the famous Doctrine of Necessity which effectively made Jonathan, Acting Presdent while Yar’Adua was still critically ill. By the time Yar’Adua died, there were some protests by the northern power block to have another northerner succeed him, but again it took Obasanjo’s strong backing for Jonathan to be sworn in as President to complete what began as a joint presidential ticket.

The Godfather In 2011 when Jonathan sought to contest the presidential election on his own, it was another uphill task as the northern power block resisted his moves. It vehemently opposed him on the premise that it was the turn of the north. According to the group, a northerner ought to have taken over after Yar’Adua’s death and that Jonathan was usurping the opportunity of the region to rule over the country.

In a bid to navigate his way round the obstacle thrown by the northern political elite, Jonathan was allegedly forced to sign an undertaking to serve for only one term and no more. The agreement, Sunday Telegraph learnt, was signed in the presence of Obasanjo and some state governors.

In those days, it was a common sight to find Obasanjo seated close to Jonathan at critical stakeholder meetings. At that time, Obasanjo was not only the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the ruling party, he was Jonathan’s guardian and people saw him as Jonathan’s political godfather. It was under that cordial atmosphere that Jonathan went to the polls and emerged victorious.

What went wrong?

Even before the elections were concluded, there were ominous signs that Obasanjo may not be so pleased with his political godson. The PDP had suffered a humiliating defeat in the South-West geo-political zone.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) had won majority of the seats in the zone during the National Assembly elections. Obasanjo’s daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, and his kinsman, Hon Oladimeji Bankole, who was then the Speaker of the House of Representatives, were humiliated at the polls.

These were things that could not have happened under Obasanjo who usually went out of his way to obtain electoral victories for himself and his cronies at all costs.

As a politician whose palm kernels were usually cracked by some benevolent spirits, Jonathan never really bothered about plotting ahead the outcome of elections. He would rather leave it to the electorate and the vagaries of the political weather. He was always prepared to congratulate opponents when they won. This was a departure from the Obasanjo brand of politics where power and might were concentrated in the Presi-

Obasanjo

Jonathan

dency and everyone bowed and trembled at the sight of the President. The godfather was apparently disturbed that his pupil had not learnt the ropes well enough to make his impact felt across the length and breadth of the polity.

As soon as the elections were over and President Jonathan rolled up his sleeves to set up a new administration, some visible cracks began to emerge on the wall. Although Jonathan and Obasanjo were unanimous in the early decision to retain the speakership position in the South - West, they could not agree on a common candidate.

While Obasanjo anointed Hon. Ajibola Muraina as the party’s candidate for the seat, Jonathan, allegedly prodded by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, backed Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a female legislator. The idea of a female Speaker was noble, the first family thought, because it was in line with the 35 per cent Affirmative Action, would promote gender equality in the parliament and shore up Nigeria’s rating in the international community.

On the other hand, Obasanjo preferred a male legislator for the job. As an outgoing President, he had toyed with the same gender parity idea and influenced the election of Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh whose tenure was short lived. Obasanjo knew that given the configuration of the House of Representatives and the traditionally high male chauvinism embedded in Nigerian politics, it was better to play safe and avoid a disaster. Both men had their points but their disagreement resulted in the humiliating defeat Akande-Adeola suffered during the election of the Speaker of the House.

Since Jonathan and Obasanjo were unable to reach a consensus on who the PDP should present as Speaker from the South West, other regions and political blocs cashed in on it and presented Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, a member of the PDP from the North West region.

In what looked like an orchestrated rebellion against their own party , some dissident members of the PDP went into a clandestine alliance with the minority party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and voted en masse for Tambuwal to defeat the official candidate of the ruling party. Such display of disloyalty by party men and women as well as the humiliation it attracted to the PDP was unheard of during Obsanjo’s time.

The implication was that the South -West lost its rightful place in the power hierarchy of the country and Obasanjo blamed it squarely on Jonathan’s apparent naivety and non- chalance to political calculations.

In order to remedy the situation, Obasanjo was said to had told Tambuwal in clear terms that he was a usurper to the seat and should be prepared to vacate same for a South West legislator after two years.

Second term ambition These initial cracks became widened as soon as Jonathan chose to be his man instead of a puppet. Obasanjo being his benefactor had expected Jonathan to make him a close confidant on state matters. Some say, he wanted to make inputs on critical appointments but was fenced out by some of Jonathan’s acolytes.

In fact, it was reported that rather than getting his men in choice places in government, Obasanjo watched as even those he managed to put into the system were being flushed out.

As if this was not enough, these friends of the Jonathan administration openly accused Obasanjo of attempting to tele-guide Jonathan’s administration. They also started drumming up support for Jonathan’s second term.

These actions angered Obasanjo. He felt betrayed and quietly began to withdraw from Jonathan.

BOT chairmanship First, he resigned from being the Chairman, Board of Trustees ( BOT) of the People’s Democratic Party. Although, he gave no specific reason for his resignation, it must have been an expression of frustration and the beginning of the end of a once cordial relationship. The relationship remained strained for several months and even grew worse by the day.

In December 2013, Obasanjo could no longer hide his anger and disdain for Jonathan and his government. He then wrote his infamous open letter to President Jonathan. The epistle titled: “Before It Is Too Late,” began on a solemn note and read in parts: “I am constrained to make this an open letter to you for a number of reasons. One, the current situation and consequent possible outcome dictate that I should, before the door closes on reason and promotion of national interest, alert you to the danger that may be lurking in the corner. Two, none of the four or more letters that I have written to you in the past two years or so has elicited an acknowledgment or any response. Three, people close to you, if not yourself, have been asking, what does Obasanjo want? Four, I could sense a semblance between the situation that we are gradually getting into and the situation we fell into as a nation during the Abacha era. Five, everything must be done to guard, protect and defend our fledgling democracy, nourish it and prevent bloodshed. Six, we must move away from advertently or inadvertently dividing the country along weak seams of NorthSouth and Christian-Moslem. Seven, nothing should be done to allow the country to degenerate into economic dormancy, stagnation or retrogression. Eight, some of

our international friends and development partners are genuinely worried about signs and signals that are coming out of Nigeria.

Nine, Nigeria should be in a position to take advantage of the present favourable international interest to invest in Africa – an opportunity that will not be open for too long. Ten, I am concerned about your legacy and your climb-down which you alone can best be the manager of, whenever you so decide.”

As established in these opening shots, the letter vividly captured the inner minds of Obasanjo and his opposition to Jonathan’s style of leadership and his second term ambition. In it, Obasanjo took Jonathan to the cleaners and told him in very clear terms that the road to a second term would be rough because he( Jonathan) would be embarking on the journey alone and therefore at his own personal risk.

Since that open confrontation barely a year ago, Obasanjo had seized every available opportunity to launch bitter criticisms against the Jonathan administration. One of such attacks came during the Ake Arts and Book Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State where Obasanjo rated Jonathan’s administration below average but declined to take full responsibility for bringing him to power.

The latest in the series of attacks came as Obasanjo presented his newly published book to the public. The book titled: ‘My Watch’ chronicled his activities while in government and used the opportunity to make comments on several personalities including President Goodluck Jonathan. Of course, his negative views on Jonathan did not change in the controversial book published in three volumes. In all these attacks, Jonathan hardly ever responded to Obasanjo directly but his lieutenants never failed to haul back the missiles. Jonathan’s men strongly believe that Obasanjo was indulging in the anti- Jonathan campaigns for some ulterior motives.

Obasanjo had published his latest book in Nigeria in defiance of a court order obtained

by Chief Buruji Kashamu, one of the leaders of the PDP in the South West region. In the last two years, Obasanjo had made no pretense about his disapproval of Kashamu’s rise to political leadership in his party. According to Obasanjo, Kashamu was not worthy to lead the party in any capacity because of his alleged involvement in drug related crimes in the United States.

The launching of the same book in Nairobi, Kenya and London, United Kingdom offered Obasanjo another opportunity to attack Jonathan by condemning the policies, programmesn and actions of his administration. The criticism this time was on the postponement of the general elections in Nigeria, a decision Obasanjo alleged was in furtherance of Jonathan’s ambition to remain in power. He ridiculed the Nigeria Army over the advice security chiefs gave to INEC before the polls shift and accused Jonathan of manipulating the security forces and the electoral process to achieve his political goals.

Boomerang It seems that Obasanjo got more than he had bargained for in this last ditch effort to pull down his godson. Not only did the regular attack dogs of the Jonathan administration scrambled to tear him to pieces, his revered constituency, the Nigeria Army, did not also spare him. The Defence Headquarters described his utterances as an embarrassment to the Nigeria Armed Forces.

The PDP, the party on whose platform he made all his political exploits, went for his jugular. The party hierarchy had set machineries in motion to expel him once and for all when he got wind of it and decided to take the exit route himself in a dramatic way.

In the full glare of television cameras and a small crowd of his supporters in his ward, Obasanjo announced his exit from the party.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

38

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

Ahmed: PDP, APC are part of Nigeria’s problems The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in next month’s elections, Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmed says that his counterparts in the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress are part of Nigeria’s problems. He tells YEKEEN NURUDEEN that the nation must be wrested from them for next generation

Mani Ibrahim Ahmed

What is your economic recovery programme if voted Nigeria’s president next month?

There is no way Nigeria’s economy can grow right now because of the fact that we are overdependent on a single commodity - crude oil.

The fact that successive governments have refused to diversify the economy in such a way that we can earn foreign exchange from other sources has become our drawback. The drop in the price of crude oil is just one of the things that can happen to a mono-commodity economy. That drop has since caused a serious economic setback. Part of my party’s manifesto which we have released on the campaign website is that we are going to have an economic stimulus. The economic stimulus captures exactly what measures are needed under the present situation. The stimulus would involve looking at our demography; the fact that we have a very large population, since a large population certainly means that we have a good market for our products.

The first thing we want to do truly is to devalue the naira. Devaluing the naira will have two direct effects. One, it will make capital flight impossible and secondly, it will make importation of all sort of things that are competing with our local industries and not allowing our entrepreneurs to produce goods and services here to be almost impossible for anybody to venture into. It may be issues that would have some implications in terms of the reactions of international community either because of the International Monetary Fund or World Trade Organisation. But there are precedents set elsewhere. China has done it and nobody stopped China; they leveraged on that and their population and the economy grew even by two digits. Malaysia, Indonesia and South Korea did the same thing and it only takes a patriotic zeal of someone to close his eyes and apply the same measure to Nigeria and we are going to get the same effects.

If you devalue the naira you will certainly have little things you need to do in terms of power distribution to generate enough electricity and distribute that electricity that would power your local industries that the devaluation is trying to promote. So it’s a two-prong thing. Then, secondly, an automatic regulation of the exchange rate will have direct effect on interest rate. The interest rate would drop significantly. With the drop it would mean that people would have access to monies that are in the banks and to run businesses without necessarily running into trouble. The idea is that we are also going to bring in our agricultural sector into this whole economic stimu-

lus thing to encourage people to add value to agricultural produce. We cannot continue to be a producer of raw materials and think that we would make any significant progress.

It takes little to add value but once value is added to any primary commodity, the value of that commodity triples in the international market. We intend to do that by promoting and encouraging cottage, small and medium scale industries. Basically, this is the economic blueprint. But at the same time, we are going to do that, making sure that our anti-corruption posture is well rooted in such a way that nobody steals money the way people are doing now and get away with it.

I have reacted to the reduction of pump price by N10 and I said it was not enough. A N10 reduction in the pump price to me is not enough in the sense that we expect nothing commensurate with the drop in the price of petrol that is sold in Nigeria. Petrol shouldn’t sell for more than N50 today because we have achieved more than 50 per cent drop in the price of crude and since this thing is imported, it is now coming in cheap. Also, the fact that we didn’t know what they are doing with the subsidy is another issue. There is no longer any subsidy as we talk today and there is absolutely no reason why Nigerians should pay more than N50 for per litre of petrol. You can see the level of insincerity on the part of government. We are aware that these are difficult times but they cannot continue to make things more difficult for the citizens and expect that all would be well at the end of the day.

You talked about reduction in the pump price of oil and also the economy. How do you intend to achieve these without putting the refineries in order?

I think that the fact that our refineries are not working is not because there is anything technically wrong with them. It is part of the endemic corruption in the Nigerian system.

People are profiting from the importation of refined oil and they are making billions of dollars from that. And because of this cartel that is importing oil into Nigeria, they are either the same people in government or their cronies; they would never allow the refineries to work because the moment the refineries are working they would not make the kind of money they are making from those dubious deals of importation that we hear about now and then.

We are all living witnesses to the outcome of investigations after the fuel unrest that we had in this country. We came to discover that government is paying huge sums for refined

products that were never imported. The fact that the refineries are not working is also part of the corruption that I said we are going to fight. It is estimated that in Nigeria, 50 per cent of our annual budget is either stolen or mismanaged. This mismanagement affects all sectors including the petroleum sector, agriculture, health, education and so on. So, any serious government like the one we are trying to put in place must look at corruption in its totality. There wouldn’t be any sacred cow and we intend to take this fight against corruption to the letter.

Why has your party not made headway to win elective offices either at the state or national levels?

It is primarily because in Nigeria, the issues that really matter are not the issues on the front burner. We have been so divided that today primordial sentiments have become the order of the day. If Nigerians are truly conscious of their rights some of the people that are at the helm of affairs today will not be there. Issues that are in discourse as we move towards the elections will not be the issues. Everybody would have been talking in the way and manner that we are talking in the African Democratic Congress. But a journey of thousand miles starts with a foot step; we must remain consistent in trying to do the right thing in terms of political awareness, campaigns for election and what have you. Most Nigerians don’t have this strong zeal and patriotism for the country. A lot of Nigerians care less as to what becomes of the country. People are more concerned about their immediate environment. Nigerians rally around football; we show patriotism when it comes to football. Nigerians are so patriotic when it comes to music. When you stop a youth on the street and ask him which musician is reigning in Africa, he will tell you. Nigerians are also passionate about Nollywood, but this is not what is supposed to be. They are supposed to be passionate about those things that bring us together as a people; our unity, strength and all the other things that really make us a country.

Does ADC feel intimidated by the big parties?

No way. I’m looking forward to the presidential debate. If there is any substance in them, they should use it to intimidate us at that level. Apparently I don’t see them doing anything apart from personal attacks, campaign of calumny and overheating the polity.

That is not what it is supposed to be. If I feel intimidated, I won’t be here. I feel strongly that we are on the right course and victory is certain, God willing.

Recently, the APC’s presidential candidate could not attach his certificates to form CF01 submitted to INEC. What is your take on this certificate issue?

I think the matter is being laid to rest gradually because people are beginning to understand what the true situation is. The Army is saying they don’t have those documents and by our status, by the Constitution as well

as the Electoral Act, the only requirement for anybody to contest any election in Nigeria is the school certificate which neither him nor the Army has. Certainly, this is a very serious legal issue.

The big parties have been raising funds, making huge amount of money. How are you going about your funding to make sure you can contest this election with them?

If it is about spending, we have lost already.

We are not in any way trying to do what they are doing. For example, none of the big candidates would come and visit you, they will rather order you come to where they are. You can see a big difference in our approach. We are trying to be in as much as possible very effective and efficient and at the same time cost effective. We would certainly do fundraising event which is within the law but already the impunity is evident today. The Electoral Act has stipulated that only N1billion should be spent on the presidential election, but we are aware that some people have risen over 2,000 per cent of that amount and nobody is saying anything. Now, this is not what we should be encouraging. I tell people that the only time they gather people in the United States in an election year is during the primaries; hundreds of thousands of delegates and supporters would attend the primaries.

But the rest of the campaigns are done with small groups of people in town hall meetings, addressing students in universities and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Even as I travel around campaigning, I would not rent a crowd. I won’t do that.

Many people see other smaller parties in the coming elections as spoilers. Some argue that they are being sponsored by the PDP to split the votes of the major opposition party.

What is the position of your party on this?

As a party that has been in existence for 10 years, we have every right to present candidate for all the elective positions that are available in this election. Secondly, as an independent minded person, I’m not there to spoil anybody and I’m not working for anybody. I would not be the one that will come two or three days before election and say I’m stepping down for anybody. As far as I’m concerned, the people that are in the so-called big parties are the same people that have supervised the affairs of this country in one position or the other from 1999 till date and as far as I’m concerned they are responsible for our present situation and they cannot be part of the change. A lot of people called, some sent me messages telling me we admire your courage and I said we must take it beyond that. Why can’t we have young people aspire because they can? Why must we continue looking up to people who by the time they were at the helm of affairs some of us were in primary or secondary schools? We cannot grow under such situation.

If for instance, we are looking at the track records of our leaders in the past a lot of them did what they did because they had the youthful energy, they had the zeal and the fact that age was on their side at that time. So why can’t we come of age? We cannot continue on the path we are and think this country will ever progress, no way.

39

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Politics

‘Obasanjo wants stooge in Aso Rock’ Chief Adebayo Dayo is the chairman of Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State. In this interview with KUNLE OLAYENI, he speaks on the recent dramatic exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the party Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, last Monday, tore his PDP membership card and subsequently dumped the party. What do you think this portends for your party?

Baba Obasanjo decided to leave the party when he heard from his people that a letter has already been written to the state secretariat from his ward, telling us a lot about his activities and he did not know what was going to come out of it. And that was why he quickly called an emergency meeting and decided to leave the party in that manner.

How did you receive the brazen manner the former President left the party considering the fact that some people have left earlier without tearing their membership cards?

It depends on the individual. Some people are very aggressive, others are very gentle.

Every political party is full of all sorts of people. We love Baba Obasanjo so much but it seems he does not like himself. We’ve had so many former Presidents in Nigeria; at least we still have up to four of them living in Nigeria today and you don’t hear from them very often. When you have left a position, you can only advise privately, but in a situation where you will want to be heard every day; not even in USA, the most powerful country in the world. Once a President has left office, they will be playing a backdoor activity with their President because they respect the office of the President very much. In the United States they will not talk anyhow about the Presidency. But it is only here in Nigeria that Baba Obasanjo wants to know what is happening in his ward; he wants to know what is happening in his local government; he wants to know what is happening in the state.

Whereas, Baba is a national and international figure, he is not satisfied with that; he wants to know what is happening right from his ward which I think is not good enough.

We have a lot of respectable people who have been in that office before and they are still living and you’ve never heard them talking the way Baba talks. Baba thinks he is the only innocent man on earth and he is above anything on earth and which I don’t think is so. The law is for all of us, whether you are old or young, or you have been President or not. It is only when you are in office as a President that you have some immunity, not when you have left the office. What Baba Obasanjo did is a criminal act and I’m going to follow it up; because tearing our membership card would have even been okay if the card was torn by himself and not by a member of All Progressives Congress. The man, Usman Oladunjoye, who tore our card to pieces, is a card-carrying member of APC. And with that, it is a criminal act and I’m going to follow it up because that is destruction of our property. The card belongs to Peoples Democratic Party and no member of any other political party can tear our card, even

Jonathan

with the consent of the owner of the card.

That is conspiracy and destruction of property. The card symbolises the heritage of the party. The card is the property of PDP. If you don’t need it anymore, you can as well return it or keep it safely in your house. If you go to any university and you obtained a certificate from the university, and with that certificate you have got good job and achieved a lot through it, and at the end of the day will you say because you don’t like that school anymore, you want to destroy the certificate? It is not done. And we will tell Baba that what he has done in conjunction with Oladunjoye is a criminal act and action will be taken against them.

What evidence do you have about the man that tore the card because; he was introduced as the PDP ward chairman in Chief Obasanjo’s local government?

We know our ward chairman and we know his name. His name is not Oladunjoye.

That Oladunjoye is a card-carrying member of APC and at the appropriate time, he will tell us the reason why he destroyed the property of PDP with the knowledge and consent of Baba Obasanjo.

The state executive committee of PDP initiated reconciliation move with the former President. How was this effort stalled?

You see, somebody rightly said, ‘when a house does not belong to Baba, he wants to destroy that house.’ You see, Baba wants the best only for himself. How many former Presidents have you seen writing an open letter to a sitting President telling him what he has to do and what he has done wrong? Obasanjo is not a school teacher just as Mr.President is not his pupil. He can advise him privately if he is a good man and he does not want everybody to know what he is doing. Everybody does not have to know what Baba is doing if he meant well for this country. He can advise Mr. President privately; Jonathan is not a stupid man; he knows what he is doing and at the appropriate time, Nigerians will know that he is the most educated President we have ever had.

Anyone who is playing on his intelligence is toying with fire. I can tell you what Baba has done is not good at all and it is a criminal act.

Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, said the PDP will soon beg Chief Obasanjo. Do you think this could convince the ex-President to return to the party?

Well, everybody is entitled to his opinion.

I am doing my job officially as the chairman of this party in this state and I cannot open my eyes and allow somebody to continue to rubbish my party without doing anything about it. Something has to be done, I am nobody when you are talking of Baba, I am not even worthy to talk to Baba but Baba’s act has warranted all my reactions. What I am doing is protecting the image of my party and that is what I stand for.

There are claims that the eventual dumping of the PDP by Chief Obasanjo has signaled the end of the party. Would you agree?

Baba Obasanjo is not a founding member of PDP. I am a founding member of PDP even though I did not have money to put on the table when they were founding the party. Baba was in prison as at the time PDP was formed and if people like IBB and top chieftains of our party did not want Baba to be President, he wouldn’t have been the President. Somebody else would have been the President. He was made the President by the founding members of this party and they are still alive. A few of them who have left the party in annoyance are now in APC. APC accepts defectors from the PDP and that is what has been happening. So his leaving or remaining in the party does not make any difference. If he does not want to be President any longer then, another person will be picked for the position and the party will continue. There are speculations that there is problem in the party and that is because we do not have continuity. If we had a President who had a succession plan for his Vice President for eight years, or if Baba had prepared his vice to succeed him, we wouldn’t have encountered any problem. At the completion of his term, somebody else

from the South would have come back to the office and by so doing; there would have been peace in this party. But lack of peace in PDP is the handiwork of Baba Obasanjo because if he had arranged everything the way he ought to have done it, by the time he was leaving office, yes he said Umaru Yar’Adua should succeed him but he neglected many people who have assisted him in the past; people who had the knowledge of what they were doing in government then who should have taken over and would have made life easier for people and make for continuity.

One man cannot tell us that he is the only one that knows everything. After all, he tried to achieve his third term ambition during his tenure. It was God that saved us from him if not he would have been there till now if he was allowed to have his third term. But in a country having up to 180 million population, how can you say we have only one man who knows it all? It is not possible; we have so many brilliant and intelligent men all around. What Baba wants is a President in Aso Rock who will take orders from him, such that before he goes to bed with his wife, he will phone Baba and ask for permission.

But I don’t think President Goodluck Jonathan falls within that category. What is happening will not end with President Jonathan; whoever becomes Nigeria’s President, Baba Obasanjo will still continue to write him letter until he can write no more. He will still continue to criticize. We have other people who had been President of this country before him. When did you hear from Alhaji Shehu Shagari last? He was a President as well, a civilian President for that matter. I’ve not heard anything from him for a long time; he is still alive, all his family members are doing well, and he never had any problem with his family. Baba has problems with his family and with everybody. I do not see our party losing anything because of Baba’s absence in the party.

From your reading of the ongoing political game, what are the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential poll?

Well, I now know that these days in Nigeria, people do not look at the achievements of any government. President Jonathan has given us a lot of transformation and that alone is enough for everybody to support his second term ambition. In Africa, once you put somebody there and say this man is good enough for four years to be President, I do not know the reason why he is not good enough to be President for eight years. If somebody is there for four years, he should be allowed to complete his tenure then before another person will come in. But the problem is, when you are always thinking of challenging the incumbent, the person will not be able to concentrate on his job, having to campaign here and there because he wants to seek reelection. If he is interested in the second term, there is no reason why Nigerians should not allow him to go back. He has tried his best particularly all the transformation agenda and I think he deserves a second term. I can tell you that apart from some few states in the North, he is going to win hands down in all the states in the South and so many states in the northern part of Nigeria.

There are insinuations that Chief Obasanjo is working for APC. Don’t you think this could jeopardise the chances of the PDP? If you are a statesman, it is not yourself that will say I am now a statesman. People will call you a statesman by your action not by giving yourself that appellation. In Yoruba land, if you are a Balogun meaning the head of warriors, when you start bragging about your identity that means you don’t even have one. If you are the CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

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Politics

‘INEC will get it right this time’ Barrister Richard Chukwuocha of RechardDenning LP Chambers in Lagos speaks with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA on the recent postponement of the elections How true is the statement by Prof. Attahiru Jega that he is not culpable for shift in elections?

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has given security reasons for the postponement of the February 14 and 28 elections to March 28 and April 11 for both elections. Jega stated that although INEC was ready for the elections, there were quite a number of issues in the conduct of elections, the most critical of which is security matter, which is not within the control of the commission. He said that the commission came to the conclusion after wide consultations with stakeholders, including political parties and security chiefs. He said that INEC took the security advisory from the National Security Adviser and the service chiefs into consideration in adjusting the timetable for the polls. Now If Jega was advised by the security chiefs, upon whom it behooves to ensure the safety of INEC staff, both regular and ad hoc, Jega was right because it will be suicidal to put INEC staff at risk if there are no security provisions for them. Nigerians should rather hold the government and the security chiefs accountable for failing to provide necessary security for the elections. As far as I am concerned, INEC should now seize the window of opportunity of the extension in the election timetable to ensure that all discernible challenges such as the collection of Permanent Voter Cards by registered voters and other logistics are quickly addressed.

Do the new dates for the elections violate the

Chukwuocha

Electoral Act? There is no infraction of the Constitution resulting from the shift by six weeks of the elections. Infraction may, however, occur if the next President is not sworn in on May 29, 2015. There is nothing, however, to suggest that the elections will not be concluded and the next government sworn in by May 29, 2015. As a matter of fact, INEC is the body responsible for all elections; it is its responsibility to fix a date for the presidential election.

Section 132 of the Constitution, however, imposes a mandatory obligation on INEC not to hold the presidential election earlier than 60 days or later than 30 days to the expiration of the four-year term granted to the President. It

is a fact that the shift in the elections to March 28, 2015 for the presidential election does not impugn on the Constitution.

Could you attempt an interpretation of Section 135 (2) and (3) of the Nigerian Constitution in the face of the current development?

Pursuant to Section 135 (2) and (3) of the Constitution, as soon as possible after his elections and before embarking upon the duties of his office, the President is required to swear the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office in the prescribed form before the Chief Justice of Nigeria or the person appointed to exercise the functions of the Chief Justice. The term of four years during which the President holds office is calculated from the day he took the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office. The incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan took his oath on May, 29 2011. Subsection (3), however, provides for the case of war when it may be impracticable to hold elections.

The National Assembly may in such circumstance, by resolution, extend the presidential term from time to time but not for longer than six months at any one time. There is nothing so far to suggest that the shift in the election timetable will affect or truncate the taking the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on May 29, 2015. At least INEC has not suggested that.

How real is the possibility of an interim government in the country in the current dispensation?

There is no reason to countenance the possibility of an interim national government in Nigeria. Nigerians should vehemently resist any idea of an interim national government because it violates tenets of democracy. An interim national government will undoubtedly amount to illegitimate government, a subversion of electoral mandate. Such era should be left in the dustbin of history.

Obasanjo/Jonathan: How things fell apart C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 7

He also ordered the Chairman of the PDP in his ward, Alhaji Usman Oladunjoye to shred his party membership card. This was done amidst cheers from his local supporters. A visibly frustrated Obasanjo later explained his action via the social media thus: “I’d rather sacrifice my political party for the interest of Nigeria than sacrifice my country for a political party led by a drug baron. I’d rather tear the PDP membership card than sit down and let Jonathan use PDP and corruption to tear my beloved country apart.

“I have national and international standard to maintain. For this reason, I’d rather stand alone than be in the same political party with Kashamu.If there is anything that requires my comment, position or views, I will say it. It is only when you kill me that I will stop doing so. My first preoccupation is what is best for Nigeria: Nigeria first, party second and anything third,” Obasanjo said.

But these explanations did not save him from the party’s hammer. The Ogun State Chapter of the PDP has promptly expelled him from the party as penalty for his action which has been described in some circles as a desecration of statesmanship.

It is obvious that the leadership of the PDP had not been comfortable with him and had merely tolerated his overbearing influence and excesses all these years. Like everyone else in Nigeria, they knew that Obasanjo had dumped the PDP a long time ago. They saw it when he began to stay away from the meetings of the National Council of State; They perceived it when he stayed away from the last National Convention of the party; they felt it when his hill- top mansion became a Mecca for the dissident members of the ruling party who later joined the op-

position and his anti- party activities was evident when prominent opposition figures flocked around him and referred to him as their navigator.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih said the party would not miss him, an indication that Obasanjo had crossed the red line and the party would no longer condescend so low as to woo him back into its fold.

In a chat with Sunday Telegraph, Senator Anietie Okon , a member of the National Caucus of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Campaign Council described the inglorious exit of Obasanjo from the ruling party as the culmination of his delusional messianic role in the government of Nigeria. “We rescued him ( Obasanjo) from the wreckage of his imprisonment but he has again been afflicted by a messianic delusion about power which accounted for his imprisonment by General Sani Abacha after he had betrayed June 12. PDP must settle down to the real business at hand which is the election instead of brooding over his exit from the party,” Okon said.

What next?

The question now is what’s next? The signals are now very clear that President Goodluck Jonathan is on his own in his current ambition to secure a second term mandate. If he had any illusion that the man he and others often called Baba would be available to help him, he must perish such thoughts now.

The battle line has been drawn and Jonathan had better carry his cross and move on with his political career.

As for Obasanjo, the most natural step for him is to fully join the mainstream opposition party, All Progressives Congress(APC) and be their political compass in seeking power. Although Obasanjo had in a feat of

anger said he would henceforth remain a non- partisan statesman, he is such a restless old man used to playing active politics that it would be difficult keeping that promise.

Before this time, he had declared support for Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, a man elected on the platform of the APC and had subtly campaigned for General Muhamadu Buhari( rtd), the presidential candidate of the APC. These are clear indications of where his heart is and where he is likely to pitch his tent as he severs ties with a political family that adopted him in his moment of tribulations, nurtured him, enlarged his coast and took him to unimaginable political heights in the last 16 years.

‘Obasanjo wants stooge in Aso Rock’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 9

Balogun, people would know without you saying it so, whether Baba Obasanjo is a statesman or not, is left for the people to decide. It is not for him to say I am now a statesman. Whether he works for APC or not, this is a man who has never won his polling booth; he has never won his ward and he cannot win his local government then of what use is he to the party?

In so many cases, you see people dropping names of people who have been in high positions. I used to love Baba Obasanjo and I respect him so much because he is a very lucky man. Hardly would you see anybody as lucky as Baba Obasanjo all over the world. He does not know the kind of thing that God has done for him; what God did for him, no human being in Africa has ever had that kind of achievement and I thank God for him. But he is not satisfied with that. If he loves himself and wants his children to have good name in the future, he will only be praising God instead of talking too much. He should conduct himself like other former Presidents. We are nobody compared to Baba; we should not be talking to him under normal condition. But this is an abnormal situation and this abnormal situation will warrant unusual statements by everybody all over Nigeria.

The rescheduled dates for general elections are fast approaching. What are your plans to secure victory for the PDP in Ogun State?

Our plans to secure victory for PDP are on course. They have to do our mobilisation and telling our people the actual position because many of our people who are illiterate do not know what is actually going on.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun will tell them that’ I have done this and that and I am going to do it again. When I get second term, I am going to complete what I’m doing in first term.’ The electorate know that it is all lies. If people know their onions, I tell you they will not vote Ibikunle Amosun for second term. I’m sure PDP has a very bright chance to capture the state. Even though Ibikunle Amosun won the election in 2011 but he does not know how to govern. It is either he lacks good advisers or he does not listen to advice and when you are not taking advice from your advisers, you will lose followership and your leadership of the party as well. That is what Ibikunle Amosun has done. He has lost all the leaders in the party and lost most followers to other political parties and with that, I can tell you that Ibikunle Amosun is going nowhere. PDP is going to win the election come March 28 and April 11, 2015.

ex-LG chief bemoans growth Stanley Ihedigbo

A

former Secretary of ObafemiOwode Local Government Area in Ogun State, Hon. Adesina Ogunsola, has challenged the current council chairman, Alhaji Nurudeen Diyaolu to give account of his stewardship and achievements in the last three years of his tenure.

Speaking at his inauguration as the Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Chairman for the council and the presentation of flag to Mrs. Bimbo Lanre Balogun, as the party’s candidate for state constituency election, Ogunsola said the All Progressives Congress council boss performed below expectation.

He urged Diyaolu to identify any single project initiated by his administration since he assumed office three years ago, noting that the PDP administration remains the best in the history of the local government

as evident from notable projects initiated and completed during their tenure.

He expressed disappointed at the failure of the incumbent administration to maintain and build on the people-oriented projects, condemning the appalling state of over 100 blocks of classrooms located in the 12 wards of the council area.

Notable among the projects executed by the previous government were a solarpowered medical center at Olosun village in Ajebo Ward and a 1500 capacity ultramodern Owode City Hall constructed to generate revenue for the council because of its nearness to Lagos.

Ogunsola enjoined the people to use their votes during the coming elections to reinstate PDP candidates in the area as this will enable them to wrest the council’s administration from the suffocating grip of the present administration in the state which has continually starved them of funds.

Life SUNDAY

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

How desperate visa seekers lost millions to agents S

Flora Onwudiwe ome Nigerians who were desperate to travel out of the country, in search of greener pastures, have recounted how their travel agent, Chief Obi Johnson, vaccinated them in his house as he prepared their documents and later milked them dry.

Also accused of complicity in the scam is an elusive Department of State Services operative.

The victims did not know the DSS official for sure, but the prime suspect, Johnson, whom they all mentioned, said he could not have facilitated the deal without the help of the DSS agent, whom he named simply as Uwakwe.

Some of the victims have been identified as Chima Ogbonna, 23; Joseph Onyebuchi 42; Ambrose Emezi 38; Chiemele Gift, 29; and Udemba Ifeanyi, 38.

The victims’ quest for a new start in a foreign country did not only land them abroad but also got them beaten black and blue and deported for allegedly peddling fake dollars.

Ogbonna recalled how Johnson invited them to his house for the international vaccination which ought to have taken place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

“Johnson invited four of us to his house, where we were vaccinated for yellow card. We each paid N15, 000. On the day we were leaving for the airport, he said we should go with $1, 000. He also gave us the phone number of one Mr. Mike. He said that once we got there, we should call the Mike at the airport to meet us.

“Mike was supposed to be the company’s official who would show us where to work. Mike sent a taxi to pick us and take us to his house. We paid the taxi. Mike now said we should pay him $200 a month for accommodation or we could go and stay at a hotel. He said there was no job available. He said that if we wanted jobs, we should pay him to assist us. According to him, he needed to turn our tourist visas to working visas.

“We paid him 2000 Dirhams each, equivalent to N 90, 000.00. In the morning, he said the money we paid him in dollars was fake. We were surprised. It was Johnson who gave us the money. Mike and some men started beating us,” he said.

Making reference to the elusive Uwakwe, John said: “I didn’t do the job alone.

I did it with some other persons. They’re Uwakwe, Ken and Chidozie. Uwakwe is a DSS man. The three of them assisted me to procure all the documents. All the transactions were made through me because I was the person who dealt directly with the complainants.”

Johnson became a guest at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja after Onyebuchi petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Aderanti.

Onyebuchi alleged that Johnson defrauded him and several others in the

Making reference to the elusive Uwakwe, John said: “I didn’t do the job alone. I did it with some other persons.

They’re Uwakwe, Ken and Chidozie. Uwakwe is a DSS man guise that he would provide them travelling documents and work permits to various countries of their choice.

The petitioner alleged that Johnson collected N3 million from him to procure documents for his planned trip to Spain.

For reasons he later could not comprehend, Johnson reneged on the Spain deal.

He came up with another plan for Onyebuchi to travel to Dubai.

Not ready to lose out on Spain and Dubai, Onyebuchi grudgingly accepted after Johnson promised that he would also connect him to a job and accommodation.

When he got to Dubai, he saw hell and realised he had been duped.

When Aderanti got the petition, he instructed the Officer-in Charge of SARS, Mr. Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police to investigate the matter. Johnson was arrested in his home at Agboju, on February 3, 2015. It was gathered that immediately the news broke that Johnson had been arrested, several victims besieged the SARS office.

A police source said: “When Johnson’s house was searched, some fake travelling documents were found. Five more victims had also emerged, saying they paid money to the suspect, but he did not deliver as promised. When they heard he was arrested, they rushed to the station.

Many of them said they had made unsuccessful efforts to reach Johnson after they were swindled.”

The police officer noted that the suspect

Johnson

did not deny knowing the victims. “But the suspect said that the money the victims alleged he collected from them was not up to that,” he added.

According to the source, preliminary investigation showed that Johnson does not belong to any travel agency.

“He was out to dupe unsuspecting Nigerians. Investigation also revealed that he had been in the business for a long time.

He had been collaborating with some people in Nigeria, Ghana and Dubai. When the victims got to their destinations, the tourist visas, in no time, would expire. The victims would be deported as against the agreement for a residence and work permit assured them by Johnson,” the source stated.

Giving his own side of the story, Johnson, a self- acclaimed businessman, said he had been into the sale of property for over 20 years.

He said: “I was arrested because of visa and travel business and threat to life. I prepared travel documents to Dubai for Chima Ogbonna and Joseph Onyebuchi.

They travelled with the visa I gave to them, stayed for two months and came back. They couldn’t get a job with the visa.

They paid me N450, 000 and N300, 000.

The agreement was that I’d provide them work permits in Dubai.” Johnson admitted that he didn’t provide the work permits, “because Mr. Uwakwe and Ken who assisted me in providing documents for the complainants gave them the contact of one Mike in Dubai. Uwakwe and Ken said they would handle the job of procuring work permits. I’ve never sent anyone to Dubai since I started doing this business.

They were the first set of people.”

He explained that he had sent people to Qatar and had never experienced any problem. Indeed, Johnson said he successfully sent four people to Qatar in 2013.

But Uwakwe, Ken and Dozie talked him into sending some of his clients to Dubai, he claimed.

“I sent four people to Qatar in 2013 and they are still there. I entered into this business when I was trying to send seven of my siblings out of the country. I paid the supposed agent $7, 500 for my siblings to travel to Croatia. But till date, my siblings have not travelled. The man duped me.”

Johnson who accepted he collected monC ON TI N UE D ON PAGE 42

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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Life

How desperate visa seekers lost millions to agents CO NT INU ED F R O M PAGE 41

ey from four people, added: “I collected N4, 500, 000; N3, 500, 000; N100, 000; and N400, 000 from them respectively.”

The suspect said he was shocked when one of the people he took money from, Gift, travelled to Kuwait, but was deported. “Gift was the guy who paid me N350, 000. I took him to the airport myself. I was surprised he was deported.”

He noted that the case of a victim, Oyibo, was peculiar. He said he got a Kuwaiti visa for Oyibo, but the man said he did not have money to travel at that precise time. Johnson said: “The people who helped me to procure the documents said they would not refund.”

Asked if he could assist the police in catching Uwakwe, Ken and Dozie, Johnson said: “Ken is in Port Harcourt, Dozie is in Ghana and Uwakwe is here in Lagos.

I’m ready to help the police apprehend them.” Ogbonna said he was not new to travelling overseas, but only wanted to change his country of residence. He however never bargained he would fall into the hands of suspected fraudsters.

“I started travelling in 2011, but I started living permanently in South Africa since February 2013. My father died and I came back to Nigeria and decided to change base. My brother, Chimezie, introduced me to Johnson. He said he could procure a European visa. He charged me N700, 000. I made part payment of N300, 000. My plan was to reside in Latvia,” he noted.

He said that he paid the money in October 2013, but got tired of waiting for the visa to materialise. In fact, four months later, Johnson told him that he could not get his Europe visa, but that of Dubai.

Trying to convince Ogbonna to settle for a Dubai visa, Johnson threw in what he thought was the icing on the cake. He promised that he would provide a work permit and accommodation.

Ogbonna recalled: “He asked me to pay an additional N100, 000, which I did. After one month, he called and gave me a tourist visa. I rejected it. It was not what we bargained for. He said the company was already waiting for me to come and start work on Monday. He collected another N150, 000 from me for a ticket and gave me a promo ticket which would last for only one week.”

When he got to Dubai with three other men, they connected to a man called Mike, whom Johnson had linked them to, painting him as their messiah in a foreign land.

Mike turned out to be the devil, ready to also milk them of their money. He not only accused them of bringing fake money into Dubai, he also called men to beat them up. Ogbonna said that Mike alerted 10 men to swoop on them. Their international passports were seized and their money taken.

“Mike threatened us that the authorities in Dubai would jail us if they discovered we came into their country with fake currency,” he said.

They explained that it was Johnson who gave them the fake dollars. When the tourist visa expired, the men once again paid Mike N50, 000 to extend it, so that they could see if they could get employment.

Ogbonna noted that much of the money he started spending after a month in Dubai was sent to him by his family members.

Sighing sorrowfully, Ogbonna said: “In the end, I had to buy a one-way ticket and returned to Nigeria. The one month promo ticket Johnson bought for us had expired.

We later discovered that the promo ticket was N70, 000, but he collected N150, 000 from us. Johnson promised to refund us our money, but till date, he hasn’t!”

Onyebuchi, a commercial driver, said he decided to petition the police after it dawned on him that the suspect was not ready to refund his money.

The victims

Onyebuchi said: “Johnson promised to get me a visa to Spain. I paid him N3 million. My sister-in-law was the person who sent the money to me from Asaba in 2013.

I paid him in April 2013, but throughout that year, I didn’t travel because he was delaying the travel. In 2014, I received a call from him that he had obtained a working visa for me with accommodation, transportation and feeding. He said the company where I would work would pay me $2,500 per month, which was about N400, 000. I felt it was more than what I was getting in Nigeria.”

According to Onyebuchi, while the travel documents were being prepared, Johnson invited him to his home. “He gave me a tourist visa and told me to prepare to travel in two days’ time. He said the company over there was waiting for me to begin work. He conducted vaccination for yellow fever card in his house for N15, 000 and did a driver’s licence for me for N15, 000. After the vaccination, I fainted,” he alleged.

Just like Ogbonna, Onyebuchi was assaulted by Mike’s boys when he got to Dubai over the alleged fake dollars.

While he was being beaten, Onyebuchi said that he cried and shouted that it was Johnson who gave him the fake dollars.

Mike replied: “Didn’t you know that Johnson is a fraudster?”

When Onyebuchi returned to Nigeria, he took his family to Johnson’s home. “Johnson promised to refund my money, but didn’t. I had to petition the Commissioner

of Police. One day while I was going to Johnson’s house with my wife, I received a call from an unknown number. The caller said Johnson had discussed with him to kill me.”

The third victim, Emezi, a plumber said he fell into Johnson’s net after he worked for the suspect by laying tiles in his home for him.

After working for Johnson, Emezi requested for his payment. But rather than pay, Johnson told him that a man with his experience in laying tiles was desperately needed in Qatar. He asked Emezi to cough up N700, 000 for his travel, that he would make it possible for him to go to Qatar. Believing his luck was about to change for good, Emezi agreed.

He said: “Johnson said I should pay him N700, 000 to secure a work permit for me. I paid him first N100, 000 in July 23, 2013. I paid him through Ecobank. He gave me a fake visa to Latvia, Europe.

I went to the embassy to confirm. I was told it was fake. He owed me N125, 000 for the job I did for him. He said it would be deducted from the money for travel documents. I didn’t travel again because the visa was fake.”

Johnson soon convinced Emezi to attempt going to Kuwait and Emezi accepted.

“He said my visa would be ready by the following week. He said I should come to his house for vaccination for a yellow fever card. He charged N15, 000 and I paid an advance N10, 000, but till now, I’ve not

collected the yellow card. He said I should balance him N5, 000 before I collect it.”

Sadly, the Kuwait visa also turned out to be fake. Sick and tired of Johnson’s game, Emezi asked him to refund his money. But the suspect didn’t. Rather, he took Emezi to Iyana-Ipaja and showed him two plots of land. “Johnson said that he wanted to sell the land to refund my money. He said he would sell for N20 million to balance everybody,” Emezi declared. Gift said he paid Johnson N350, 000 to process a visa to Europe for him, but the suspect rather got him a Kuwait visa.

Gift, who rejected it, said: “I refused to travel after seeing what had happened to others. Johnson insisted I should travel, that their case were different from mine. He said mine was direct from a company and that he already had an employment visa for me.

“He bought the ticket and said if it was an employment visa, I would have to refund the ticket money with an interest of $800. On getting to Kuwait, the visa was confirmed at airport by the Kuwait immigration to be fake. I was detained by the immigration and deported to Nigeria the following day. I was detained

by Nigeria Immigration and I paid $200 to be released.”

The Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the arrest of Johnson. He said that the police had completed investigation into the matter, adding that the suspect had been charged to court.

Wearing mixed patterns is not only a style trend, it is also an art because you have to know what pattern to mix in order to get the desired effect. or blend with what is already going on. Seeing as mixed patterns are a statement on their own, keep other statements to a minimum or not at all.

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Body&Soul

Don’t sweat it!

T

Vanessa Okwara

here’s nothing worse than when a tiny detail of your life ruins the perception a beautiful woman has of you. Be it bad breath, dirty finger nails or smelly armpit, they are all turn offs for women and equally have negative effect on a man’s psyche and self-confidence.

While we all physically need to perspire, excessive sweating can be embarrassing. Unless you’re winning the marathon, there’s nothing fun about excessive sweating. When there’s too much sweat, it can make a handshake clammy and a crowded elevator terrifying.

If you have these problems, then know you’re not alone.

You could be experiencing a medical condition called hyperhidrosis. Excessive sweating can be caused by illnesses like obesity, diabetes, excess alcohol and high blood pressure. It normally stops once the underlying condition is treated.

Although excessive sweating is not medically dangerous, it can cause significant emotional and psychological distress, which can affect personal and professional relationships.

There are several options you can explore to stop a sweating condition from preventing you from leaving a normal and active life. But even if you don’t have a medical condition and you just seem to sweat a lot, you can take steps to keep wetness and odour from interfering with your life and clobbering your self-confidence.

Changing your lifestyle and daily activities can improve symptoms and make you feel more self-confident. Start with a soft solid formula for armpit sweat.

Check the label to make sure that you’re using an antiperspirant and not just a deodorant. Deodorant will mask smelly armpits, but it won’t attack the excessive sweating. Look for a formula labeled ‘clinical strength’.

You’ll have to pay more for a clinical strength antiperspirant, but these products will be more effective at cutting down on sweat production.

Clinical strength antiperspirants are specifically designed to control heavier sweating patterns. These antiperspirants contain powerful formulas that fight odour and combat wetness. Applying antiperspirant twice a day has been clinically shown to be extremely effective in preventing excessive sweating.

Also, avoid known triggers that make your sweating worse, such as spicy foods or alcohol. Avoid tight, restrictive clothing and man-made fibres, such as nylon.

Wear socks that absorb moisture, avoid synthetics and change your socks everyday. Buy shoes that are made of leather, canvas or mesh rather than synthetic material.

No one likes to sweat, so stay in control of excessive sweating by taking these precautionary tips and enjoy your stress-free and sweat-free day!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Body&Soul

Broken hearts can be mended Uduak has always believed in fairytales and love lasting forever. It was this same notion she had in her head when she fell in love with Joseph. In fact, she thought their love was made in heaven.

She and Joseph were practically two peas in a pod. They grew up together in the same neighborhood and they were also from the same state. He was her first and only lover. Everyone thought they would get married in future. I mean, how could you not think so after seeing them together close to 12 years now?

Their love started when they were in their teens. She was barely 16 years old and Joseph was 18 years old and was preparing to write his Senior Secondary School Examination. She bought a success greeting card for him that expressed her love and best wishes for him in the examination and that sparked off their love relationship.

Uduak could not envisage dating any other guy, and Joseph was known to be faithful to her. Their love survived all the rigours and hassles of their university and youth service years. They got back home and continued their relationship until Joseph got a job in one of the banks and became very busy. He hardly had time for her even during the weekends.

When she complained, he came up with the excuse that he was too busy with work and hardly had time for visits.

Before she knew what was happening, he got a new apartment without telling her and moved out of their neighborhood. When she confronted him on his recent crass behaviour, he simply told her that he’s dating one of his colleagues

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CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com in the office and that they were planning to get married. He explained to her that he needed to climb the ladder of his banking career and he desired a woman who was going to help him to do that.

Uduak was devastated. She couldn’t imagine a life without her Joseph in it.

Shattered hopes and dreams of being Joseph’s wife gripped her and almost tore her heart in shreds. What did I do to deserve this heartbreak? Where do I go from here? How do I start a fresh re-

The best way to forget the old is to embrace the new. Now is a good time to broaden your horizons.

Discover there is more to life than the love you lost.

Resist the urge to call your ex; that way you preserve your self-dignity

lationship after all these years and with whom? These were all the questions that went through her head as tears flowed freely from her eyes.

Very pathetic and pitiful, isn’t it? Are you on the same shores with Uduak?

Are you wallowing in self-pity? Have your heart been broken in pieces by the one you loved so much? A break-up in a relationship you have committed so much of your time and faith in is like having a Tsunami rip right through your life without warning, shattering the cozy world you have built all around you.

Heartbreak is painful and terrible, but it happens to everyone. That defeated feeling is enough to push even the most optimistic person into a depressed state.

But heartbreak is a common experience, part of a normal love life, and you can get over it. Broken hearts can be mended, only if you give yourself time to heal.

The first thing you need to do is to let go of the past and realise that the relationship is truly over. You cannot begin to move on with your life until you completely give up on that person.

Put your former lover completely out of your system. Forgive yourself for mis-

takes you may have made. Quit staying up at night thinking “If only I had done this or that …” because it doesn’t matter anymore. This person may have played a large part in your life but it’s time to let go. Avoid situations that remind you of their absence and engage in other activities to fill the void.

The best way to forget the old is to embrace the new. Now is a good time to broaden your horizons. Discover there is more to life than the love you lost. Resist the urge to call your ex; that way you preserve your self-dignity. Surround yourself with friends who appreciate you. Also it is important you don’t lose faith in people. Assuming that all men/ women out there are scum could result in you missing out on someone great who will have a positive impact on your life in future.

Finally, remember you are an important personality and must treat yourself as such. If you aren’t good to yourself, others will not treat you any better.

Don’t give up on love, and remember that with every tear, you’ll have fifty more smiles coming your way.

So brace up your chin; dry your tears and remove that forlorn look off your face! There is always a silver lining in a dark cloud. Love will meet you again in life once you are able to lock the door of your past and open the window of your heart to another person. Let’s face it: break-ups aren’t fun. But with a little time, you’ll find out that your life will be even better than before.

•Send your views to the email above!

Time to march for a cultural manifesto

o election in living memory has been this keenly fought. This also has to be the highest socially mediated election in living memory; everyday, my social media walls are bombarded by political messages, mostly unsolicited, that it has become tiresome and I have had to actually block and delete some of my so called friends.

This is one election I cannot write about, shouldn’t write about and must not write about, but simply cannot ignore no matter how I try. What is there to say that has not already been said either in an intelligent manner or in somewhat bizarre and yet comical fashion. At a recent social engagement, it seems what every Nigerian intellectual wants to talk about is the election and I had to remind them of a glaring anomaly yet to be addressed; they, as Nigerians in the Diaspora, have no vote. That should be the first issue they discuss as all they can do is talk; I don’t waste words.

The adverts are also getting more and more creative, from branded bread (I think that’s called stomach infrastructure) to thumbing down Boko Haram, I mean, this has got to be the season of creativity in politics; except the creative artistes are being left out.

I tried going through the manifesto of the two leading political parties. What is on the website of the ruling party reads more like my history lesson in Primary six with no clearly defined objective or vision for the country. The leading opposition had clearer vision, albeit in bullet points with no substance added. However, they also missed out the creative industry and culture. How can we talk of social harmony and leave out the very

thing, culture and tradition, capable of bringing it out. I mean, just where do the people and folks who earn their living stand in the scheme of things? I am not talking of now where they are just used

Yes, many have screamed that this election is one that has engaged artistes the most, with an unprecedented number of them coming out as candidates for the various parties, but I say this is not the engagement I dream of, not the engagement desired and certainly not the engagement those who earn their daily bread in the industry want. I have never seen a harder working set of people than Nigerian artistes

as singers for jingles and popular faces to front adverts, I am asking what is their role in the grand scheme of affairs of this country? This has been the problem besetting the sector; only remembered during election when it comes to rousing people for votes but never after.

The politicians go off to enjoy the prize and culture practitioners simply contend with pittance that drop from their table or just wait another four years for the next round of largess. I am screaming out loud now: THIS HAS TO STOP. Now, I say, is the time for the practitioners to demand an action on the cultural activities of Nigeria. Now is the time for prospective politicians to state what their plan is for all things cultural in the country so that we know if we are serious entertainers or just entertainers. Perhaps you ask the difference.

Well, the serious entertainer entertains with a purpose. He cares about his craft and works at it. He is cautious to leave a good legacy and be a role model for those coming behind and so acts in ways that are upright, even if eccentric. A serious practitioner will demand to see a cultural manifesto that guarantees a National Endowments for the Arts, An Insurance package for sick and ailing ar-

tistes, a subsidised cultural space for artistic productions and performance and above all, a practitioner will demand a practitioner as the Minister of Culture.

On the other hand, a practitioner who is just an entertainer, is well, just an entertainer who entertains. He is there for the present; get what you can get and get out. He cares less for the industry, cares less for a legacy and cares further less about the industry and sector. He forgets that the money will dry up some day and just wants to have it now.

Sadly, the latter is what I am observing at the moment. Yes, many have screamed that this election is one that has engaged artistes the most, with an unprecedented number of them coming out as candidates for the various parties (and losing in the most unceremonious manner, I must add quickly) but I say this is not the engagement I dream of, not the engagement desired and certainly not the engagement those who earn their daily bread in the industry want. I have never seen a harder working set of people than Nigerian artistes.

The National Theatre in its heyday was teeming with them. They did everything to be able to service and sustain their craft, all they want is just some positive direction from a caring authority. Sadly, even with nine parastatals in the Culture ministry, the most active cultural organisation in Nigeria is Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), powered by the vision of Jahman Anikulapo and Toyin Akinosho -erudite practitioners whose love for the arts of Nigeria is unquestionable. It is not too late, now is the time to march for a cultural manifesto that brings joy to all.

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul with

Wole Adepoju 07037763410

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Tongues wag about Fayemi’s 50th birthday

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ifty, which is the golden jubilee, is naturally one age that people look forward to. It’s also common knowledge that people who are not financially buoyant still look for a way of making the day a memorable one while people with much funds to play with usually don’t mind the cost of making such a day a memorable one.

The immediate past governor of the Fountain of Knowledge state, Ekiti, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, some days ago, clocked 50 years and by the virtue of his status in the society, many had expected the soft talking scholar-turnpolitician to throw the mother of all bashes to mark the day. That the APC chieftain did not host an elaborate bash did not come as a surprise for those who are conversant with the former governor ’s lifestyle. He’s known to be a man who is not favourably disposed to society birthdays and the like. However, the former governor did not allow the day to go unnoticed as there was a programme to mark the birthday.

What has been on the lips of many who were in the know or attended the birthday programme was that what was witnessed was below the expectation of a man who only left office as a state governor less than five months

Queen Precious unveils new project

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igerianborn

M i s s United Nations, Queen Precious C h i k wendu, has unv e i l e d plans to organise a Nigerian version of the global beauty pageant she won last year in Kingston, Jamaica. Chikwuendu, who won the 2014 edition of Miss United Nations pageant in Kingston, Jamaica, said she acquired the franchise to host the Nigerian version of the famous beauty pageant from the headquarters of the organisation in Miami, United States. The beauty queen said the Nigerian version of the pageant, expected to take place in Abuja on May 16 this year, will be known as Miss United Nations Nigerian Pageant. She said the objective of the pageant is to unite the world through beauty and reach out to the needy through charity.

Chikwendu, who is also the founder of Snowwhite Foundation, states that the pageant which has the approval of the United Nations is open to ladies between the ages of 19 and 23.

ago. Besides the low budget which denied the event of certain things that were expected, what shocked many was the glamour which was conspicuously missing due to the absence of high calibre politicians, whom many had thought would throng the venue. According to a source, aside Chief Alani Akinriade and former governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, who were almost the only known faces, Celeb Lounge was informed that no single member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State as well as the Senate was in attendance. Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who is believed to be so close to the former governor, was said to have been absent from the event.

The event which was lined up for the Golden Jubilee bash started with a church programme at a Catholic church in the hometown of the former governor, Isan Ekiti. Bishop Ajaikaye, who was among the delegates from Ekiti State that took part in the National Confab, was the officiating minister. The train eventually moved to the country home of Fayemi in the same town where guests were treated to a nice time. According to our source, the programme had barely finished when the birthday boy hit the road and headed for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, around 4pm.

Sammy Okposo, Ayefele in cold war

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f information reaching Celeb Lounge is anything to go by, then a cold war of a sort may have ensued between two popular singers, Sammy Okposo, and Yinka Ayefele. We are told that Ayefele, is so very cross with the ‘Weluwelu’ crooner that he may find it hard to let go of the issue which the former is said to be pretending about. The location of what brought about the issue was at Abuja while the scene was President Goodluck Jonathan’s the declaration for a second term in office.

Celeb Lounge learnt that there was time scheduled for every artiste who was on the list of those to perform at the event. According to our source, while Sammy was penciled to perform before the President mounted the stage, Ayefele was assigned to welcome Jonathan.

While Okposo was rounding off, he got wind of the precise song Ayefele had been ordered to render some minutes to the arrival of the President. Okposo allegedly hurriedly mounted another

stage and began to sing the same song at the same time with Yinka. It became so rowdy that it took presidential; aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, to stop Okposo. The whole arrangement had been messed up and Yinka had to stop, even before time and he was said to have left the place in anger. It was alleged that Yinka complained about Okposo’s action to some people, saying he did not know what he meant to gain by disrupting his performance.

Okposo has remained one of the strongest loyalists of President Jonathan in the entertainment world. He incurred the wrath of the public when he loaned his voice to condemn General Muhammadu Buhari on the issue of WAEC certificate. He has, however, retraced his steps by tendering an apology on the same issue through his tweeter handle.

Hurdle for Alao Akala

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hat the immediate past governor of Pacesetter state, Oyo, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala, is interested in returning to the Agodi government house is no longer news.

This is because the light skinned, chubby ex-police officer r a n k s among the gladiators to watch out for in the gov-

ernorship election. What, however, might be of interest to many is how the man has been able to cope with not being able to secure his candidature on the platform of PDP, which made him settle for Labour Party.

It is very pronounced that all the candidates that are gunning for the governorship seat of Oyo State are keen on the vote of the capital of the state, Ibadan, while they are hoping and holding onto other towns that they consider as their individual stronghold.

In the case of Alao-Akala, his hometown, Ogbomosho, is considered to be where he has so many supporters. It is also the place where he’s said to be facing hurdles as his followers may eventually begin to sing a new song based on the pressure that is mounting on them to give in to the ruling party in the state, All Progressives Congress. The only reason why Alao-Akala is said to be perturbed is that the monarch of the town, Ataoja of Ogbomoso, Oba Oyewunmi, is alleged to be behind the campaign against him though a monarch is not expected to be partisan.

However, people are said to be pointing to the fact that his daughter is a commissioner in the current administration while his son is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives on the APC platform. These constitute hurdles for Alao-Akala.

Amazing world of Judith Ameachi

T

he position of the first lady, as far as the constitution of Nigeria is concerned, is just an appendage

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Body&Soul

Thinking

that carries no responsibilities.

H o w e v e r, the same position has been elevated, though unwritten, to a coveted seat where power is enshrined as well as wealth, glamour and many more. There are first ladies who are so engrossed with the position that they unknowingly compete with their husbands for attention while there are some who have been modest as the first lady and still discharge self-given assignments diligently. Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, happens to be one of the most vocal governors in the land but the same cannot be said of his better half, Judith, because the lady has remained in her shell, doing what is expected of her as the first lady of Rivers State.

Amaechi’s dark-skinned and beautiful wife has a quality that excites admiration and amazement so much so that the governor could not have asked for a better spouse. The unassuming graduate of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she read Urban and Regional Planning, has proven to be a woman who would not allow success and position get into her head. She’s admirably simple and relates with all with exceptional warmth. All these emulative attributes and qualities are the simple reasons why whoever crosses her path yearns for more of her because she’s seen to be basically amazing as a person.

Tom Ikimi’s secret worries

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olitical top shot and former minister, Chief Tom Ikimi, may have been nursing some worries secretly.

The news of his defection from APC to PDP went viral at the time it took place.

His defection was so much celebrated and talked about that many had thought it was a bad omen for the APC. Meanwhile, the hope of this high wired politician to be effective and make things happen was as high as the news of his defection. Many months down the line, little or nothing has been heard of him so much that he appears to have been sidelined from the activities of the party, especially, at this time when politicians are proving their worth as well as being saddled with one responsibility or the other.

Igwe Emeka woos P-Square

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hoosing music as a career was not an easy decision for Peter and Paul -the twin brothers who make up the popular and wave-making musical group, P-Square. Armed with talent, zeal and determination to excel, forging ahead became a reality.

Aloud

) 0807 270 9777

paulhelenproductions@yahoo.com

with Helen Paul

What is your belief ?

W Today, it will amount to stating the obvious that the Anambra State-born music acts are a success to behold because there are numerous pointers to the overwhelming facts. With a handful of monster hits, fat bank accounts and mouthwatering material things, P-Square comfortably sits on the front row of the music industry, not just with a large fan base but as role model to aspiring musical stars and some others.

Meanwhile, the popular saying that success attracts so much responsibilities and obligations is true for the wavemaking young men.

Information reaching Celeb Lounge from reliable sources has it that Paul and Peter for some time have been under immense pressure to accept traditional titles. The pressure is coming from the traditional ruler of their hometown, Ifite Dunu. Sources revealed that the respected and revered traditional head of the community, Igwe Emeka Ilounu, has not ceased to give reasons why they should be decorated as red cap chiefs. It was further learnt that a meeting was held on the matter recently when the Okoyes went to lay their father to rest. However, the award winning entertainers are said to be skeptical about such an acquisition, but those in the know are keeping their fingers crossed to see where the pendulum eventually swings.

Hakeem Shodehinde quits social scene

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toutly built man about town, Hakeem Shodehinde, is one man whose expertise cannot be joked with when it comes to the business of night clubbing. His prowess can be testified to by the number of night clubs he started from scratch and raised to the apex.

His last adventure was Movida on Victoria Island, Lagos, which he raised to a high standard. Hakeem began to have issues when his health started failing him but he quickly bounced back to good health. He returned to his business but for reasons best known to him, eventually shut down the fun spot. The latest information from those who should know is that Generalissimo, a s Hakeem is fondly called, has gone out of circulation.

W h a t he’s up to remains a puzzle to his admirers.

atching a fellow human being die is one of the most bizarre experience of life. It is more painful when you know that such death could have been avoided. For some weeks now, my heart has been heavy after seeing a pregnant woman die in labour under avoidable circumstances.

I visited a sick friend in a Lagos private hospital recently. While chatting with my recuperating friend on her sick bed, we overheard the discussion between some doctors of the hospital and the husband of a woman who was said to have been in labour for about three days. Having realised that the woman has lost strength, and perhaps, considering other medical conditions, the doctors resolved that the woman must go through the Ceasarian Session (CS).

Expectedly, they requested the husband of the woman to sign the papers, but to the utmost surprise of everybody, he refused, even when it was obvious that his wife was dying. I wasn’t sure if that man was a Muslim or Christian, but all he was telling the doctors was “never! It is impossible for my wife to be delivered through CS. Nobody in my family and lineage has done that before. She will deliver this baby naturally...”. The argument went on and on, and all explanations the doctors made on why the only reasonable option left for the woman is CS fell on the husband’s deaf hear. He hanged on to his ‘faith’.

Don’t let me bore you with the drama that ensued between the man and the hospital staff because that is not the purpose of the article.

After some minutes, the same man started crying bitterly and rolling on the floor -his wife lost the battle and died, having lost much blood and all that. The death of that woman and the baby was extremely sad and unacceptable to me because it could have been averted if not for the silly belief of the husband.

While the man was weeping, I felt like hitting him, but I controlled my emotions. I had to leave the hospital immediately because I found it very difficult to come to terms with the circumstances that led to the poor woman’s death.

Till now, I still feel the pains that woman went through before succumbing to the cold hands of death. Imagine what could be running through her mind at that point when she had lost all the strength to keep pushing. I imagined what the baby could have become in future, if his/her destiny had not been terminated by the father ’s nonchalant attitude and unreasonable belief.

I can imagine the number of lives that would have gone as a result of nasty beliefs like this. While I was still pondering on this, the tale a friend narrated to me was more shocking and ridiculous.

My friend told me the story of her Muslim neighbour somewhere around Satellite Town in Lagos. The Muslim man is said to be a Teblik. Expectedly, his wife usually covers all her body and face, according to their religious belief. Well, that is not the story.

The woman got pregnant and on the day of her delivery, her husband refused to take her to the hospital. He said his religious belief won’t permit him to allow other men (doctors) see the body of his wife. So, he hired some Muslim mid-wives to take delivery of the baby.

For several hours, the mid-wives tried all to no avail, but rather than transfer the woman to a modern hospital where her condition could be well taken care of, the husband insisted that his religious belief is against such. It was in the process that the woman died with the unborn child! What a lost you would say. Such are avoidable deaths caused by ignorant beliefs.

It is not in all cases that such belief lead to death. It could have caused grave regret to some people, while others may be lucky to have escaped by whiskers. But the truth is that religious or superstitious beliefs have limit. There are certain things you really don’t need to take for granted.

Being a steadfast Christian or Muslim doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go for medical checkups or allow doctors to make necessary treatments on you as at when due. Yes, we have heard of healing miracles in the Bible and Q’uran, and we know that God is capable of doing all things. But we should know that He will not come down from heaven to do things by Himself. It is our fellow human beings that He uses. That is why He created us in His own image.

I like a parlance or motto usually used by doctors. They will say that “we treat, God heals.” That is a confession that God is the master doctor. But that doesn’t mean He will come down to heal you when you refuse to seek necessary medical attention.

I can’t imagine the number of people who have lost their lives due to similar beliefs. But we pray that God should forgive them, and for those who are still living with such questionable beliefs, this is the time for a change.

For several hours, the mid-wives tried all to no avail, but rather than transfer the woman to a modern hospital where her condition can be well taken care of, the husband insisted that his religious belief is against such

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Miscellany Alley

Life is rich sometimes and painful at other times, but it is mostly full.

Let’s share our experiences on this page, after all, everyday is an opportunity to learn...send yours to julietbumah@gmail.com

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Ogbaoyibo Sund ay, Isoko, Delta Stat e

Health Wellness Natasha Ellah

a d a u k uon s und ay@gm ai l . co m

E

ye health is vitally important. We experience most of the world through our sight and with the increase in the use of smartphones and computer devices, our eyes have to do much more than they were originally designed for. With the middle class rising in most parts of Africa, it is common to have people on their phones, television sets and computers for up to 18 hours a day! This means the only time your eyes get a rest is when we are asleep!

Based on researches on eye health, here are a few tips to keep your eyes healthy right up until the grey hairs start to show and hopefully, even much later!

A healthy diet: Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly those containing vitamins A, C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids plays a role in eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin are important, as they are the macular pigment present in the human retina called carotenoids. The carotenoids function as antioxidants and as a blue light filter to protect the underlying tissues from ultraviolet damage. A diet high in these anti-oxidants may decrease the risk of age related macular degeneration, which is when the retina, the part of the eye responsible for central vision gets destroyed. Orange bell peppers have the highest levels

of zeaxanthin, maize, the highest lutein levels but to get both together, egg yolks have the highest combination. Vitamins C and zinc are readily available in dark leafy greens such as spinach, ugwu, okazi, bitter leaf, shokoyokoto and greens. The antioxidants in these also help to combat the build up of free radicals in the body. Other sources of Vitamin C that are easily obtained from the market are green pepper, pawpaw, orange and carrots. Scientists say it is important to ‘eat a rainbow’ as consumption of different colours of fruit and vegetables would increase dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin. Aim to eat about five servings (one handful=one serving) of different colours of fruit and vegetables a day. A typical meal could have some chopped purple cabbage, green peas, orange pepper and red tomato washed down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

Maintain a healthy weight: This buttresses the point on healthy eating as being overweight or obese i n -

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The eyes do have it creases the risk of developing diabetes and other systemic conditions. These can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. African-Americans are more prone to glaucoma and having diabetes increases these chances as well. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor about help. ‘Yo-yo’ dieting and extreme diets do not work long term and end up causing more problems further down the line. It is important to treat your body right through exercise, meditation and eating a balanced diet. It is only then that weight can be maintained long term with less risk of backsliding.

Be cool and wear your shades: Sunglasses are a great and inexpensive way to protect your eyes from the sun. Proper sunglasses keep the UV rays from affecting your eyes and causing problems such as cataracts, macular degeneration and other retinal issues. The best sunglasses will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. When choosing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

It should have a sticker/tag on the glasses that clearly shows that they block out radiation. If the pair you are looking at does not have any information about the UVA/ UVB levels, do not buy them. The muscles of the iris will contract to enlarge the pupil to counteract the darkness of the shades. The ultraviolet light will then be able to

cause more damage than if you were not wearing sunglasses at all. Bigger glasses are better to offer more coverage of the eye. Elongated shapes that have a wrap around effect protect the eyes from the side as well. Polarised lens also help to reduce the glare from the sun. Polarised lens are recommended for outdoor enthusiasts who spend a lot of time doing activities such as running and hiking.

Rest your eyes: If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This is called the 20-20-eye rule and it can help reduce eyestrain. Another exercise is to look far away at an object for 10-15 seconds, then gaze at something up close for 10-15 seconds. Blink. Then look back at the distant object. Do this 10 times.

This exercise is meant to reduce a condition called accommodative spasm. This is a risk of your eyes’ focusing ability to ‘lock up’ after prolonged computer work. Both of these exercises should reduce your risk of computer related eye-strain.

Wash or disinfect your hands before touching eyes: To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly before touching your eyes. With the risk of Ebola in West Africa, this is especially important as the virus is spread through contact with infected persons’ fluids. Wash your hands after shaking hands or after contact with someone’s sweat. If you are a contact lens wearer, wash your hands also before putting in or taking out contact lenses. Make sure to disinfect contact lenses as instructed and replace them as appropriate.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Wine & Dine

Body&Soul

Watermelon delight (2) Ibukunoluwa Kayode

A

dding natural fruit juice to daily diet is healthy. It’s good to consume fruits for a balance diet, but studies show that fruits work faster in the body and deliver its 100% nutrients when juiced.

Just like every other fruit rich in natural nutrients, Watermelon juice is a preferred choice for a healthy diet.

This is an antioxidant rich fruit juice that helps to prevent kidney stones, bone loss, cancer and cardiac ailments.

It is also an important addition for a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet and a great source of potassium, which helps to regulate blood pressure and keep the heart healthy.

Also, when looking for an excellent source of energy to boost and revigorate, watermelon diet is an excellent source because it contains Vitamin B. It can offer more nutrients per calorie as it’s mainly made of water and contains very few calories.

Watermelon seeds are rich sources of protein and micro and macro-nutrients like cal-

cium, iron, potassium, zinc and phosphorus.

It also helps to lower risks of age-related muscular degeneration that may lead to loss of vision in elders.

The fruit is beneficial in checking erectile dysfunction and increases insulin sensitivity.

According to a research, taking this fruit as fresh juice can have some significant health benefits. If you want to protect your heart, skin and body from cancer, then have more lycopene foods like watermelon.

The amino acid, citrulline,

is found in particularly high amount in watermelon juice.

Citrulline can be converted in your body into arginine, an essential amino acid for improving blood flow and relaxing blood vessels.

Here is a tip on how to juice your melon.

Ingredients • five cups of diced watermelon Preparation • Cut the watermelon into segments that will fit in your juicer.

• Juice the watermelon • Stir, serve and enjoy.

Divine, dramatic red velvet cake Biwom Iklaki

s

eeing as we are in the month of love, we are still in the spirit of love even after Valentine’s Day. What better way to show our excitement than to massage our sweet tooth cravings. The perfect sweet tooth dream come true is none other than the red velvet cake with its striking dramatic red colour and moist, chocolatey-butterymelt-in your-mouth-cream cheese frosting. It definitely takes the cake where sexy cakes are concerned.

Get with the love programme by following the steps closely to replicate

one of the tastiest red velvet cakes you ever had. Remember, baking is a science and measurements count so, you must follow the measurements to the letter.

INGREDIENTS 2 cups all purpose flour 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of baking powder 2 tablespoons of unsweetened, cocoa powder 2 cups of sugar 1 teaspoon of salt 2 eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup of vegetable oil 2 teaspoons of

vanilla extract 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar 4 tbsp food colouring ½ cup of prepared plain hot coffee ( though you may not actually taste the coffee, it takes the flavour to a whole other level!)

Frosting 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup milk 1 cup white sugar 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

PREPARATION Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celsius. Grease two 9-inch round pans. In a medium bowl, whisk

together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, and salt. Set it aside. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable oil. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract and red food colouring until properly mixed. Stir in the coffee and white vinegar.

Combine alternatively the wet ingredients with the dry, starting and ending with dry, a bit at a time till well mixed. Pour the batter evenly into each pan. Bake in the middle rack for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remember cake will continue to cook as it cools. Let cool on a cooling rack until the pans are warm to touch. Slide

a knife or offset spatula around the inside of the pans to loosen the cake from the pan. Remove the cakes from the pans and let them cool. You should refrigerate them before frosting as they are very moist.

FROSTING Cook 5 tablespoons flour and milk over low heat till thick, stirring constantly. Let cool completely! While mixture is cooling, beat 1 cup sugar, butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla until light and fluffy. Add cooled flour mixture and beat until frosting is a good spreading consistency. Frost cake layers when completely cool.

50

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Hero of the week

It’s Team Daffodil!

F

our houses - Daffodil, Iris, Lily and Lotus competed for laurels during the inter-house sports of the Chrisland School, Opebi, Lagos, which held recently. Neutral House (Nursery) was not left behind with its bonding race (involving parents) and more.

The march past was one of the thrilling events of the day with Daffodil House topping the chart, Lily coming 2nd, Lotus 3rd and Iris 4th. Amongst the

track and field events was the plank race that displayed team spirit. Lily house won this race.

At the close of the day, Daffodil, the defending Champion, emerged first with 14 Gold, 8 Silver, and 6 Bronze medals.

Lotus took the 2nd position, Lily 3rd and Iris 4th.

The Head teacher, Mrs. B.O. Amao, who appreciated the pupils, parents, guests and teachers who contributed to the success of the occasion.

The Prince’s Valentine (3) N ow he went a long, long way, and he came to a bird seller beside the road. He had little gold birds, and bright-colored ones in green basket cages. They were all singing as if their throats would burst, but the Prince could hear one soft note above the others, because it was so clear and sweet. It was the cooing of a little dove who sat in her cage apart from the others. The Prince thought he had never seen such a beautiful little dove, as white as snow, and with rose red feet.

“Why does she sing so much more sweetly than the others?” the Prince asked, pointing to the little white dove.

The bird seller smiled.

“She sings because of her heart,” he said.

“The other birds sing in the sunshine, but look”—he held up the dove’s cage, and the Prince saw that the little white dove had closed, blind eyes. “She sings in the dark because of her happy heart,” the bird seller said.

“May I buy her,” the Prince asked, “to give as a valentine to a little Princess?”

“Oh, I will give her to you,” the bird seller said. “Very few people want to take care of a blind bird.”

But the little Princess did. She liked the white dove better than any of her other valentines.

She hung her cage in a pink rose tree in the sunniest part of the garden, and she often invited the Prince to sit with her under the tree and listen to the dove’s sweet song. (www.apples4theteacher.com)

Cross word puzzle

Gags Where do tadpoles change?

Ans: In a croakroom!

What town in England makes terrible sandwiches?

Ans: Oldham!

What kind of hair do oceans have?

Ans: Wavy!

What do you mean by telling everyone

that I’m an idiot?

Ans: I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was supposed to be a secret!

Why are goldfish red?

Ans: The water turns them rusty!

What is the best hand to write with?

Ans: Neither - it’s best to write with a pen!

MOYIN & FRIENDS

LITTLE LINDER

Daffodil house with their trophy

By Ayo Oyerinde

08034407393

By eei

SUNDAY

Faith 51

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Sermon Season of redemption is here again p.56

Interview Nigerians can kick out bad leaders if they want - Methodis Prelate

Lent: Clerics call for prayers for Nigeria

p.52/53

Sermon The Stations of the Cross p.54

Worshippers taking the sign of the cross on Ash Wednesday at Methodist Church Agege, Lagos

N

Tai Anyanwu

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph online.com

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

igerians have been asked to use the Lenten period to pray fervently for divine intervention as the nation prepares for the rescheduled general elections.

The call came from different clerics as the church marked the beginning of this year’s Lenten period last week.

Declaring the commencement of a 40-day fasting, leading to the Easter celebration, the Director of Catholic Communication, Reverend Monsignor Gabriel Osu, said: “I don’t want to believe that it is by mere coincidence that this year’s Lenten season happens to fall within the period leading to our national elections.

“I believe it is divinely arranged to help bring sanity into our polity.”

He added that, if the solemn period of prayer, fasting and abstinence is observed properly, it is capable of attracting God’s divine favour on our land, and drive away all the forces of darkness and instability.

“So I want to call on all Christians to use this period of spiritual reflection to solicit for divine intervention for our country, especially

So I want to call on all Christians to use this period of spiritual reflection to solicit for divine intervention for our country, especially during the forthcoming national elections. The same appeal goes to all our politicians,” he added

during the forthcoming national elections. The same appeal goes to all our politicians,” he added.

On his own part, the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche, charged Christians and Nigerians in general to use the Lenten period to meditate and pray for the country.

He urged all and sundry to use the period to reflect on the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have genuine repentance from

past sins.

According to him, even though all had transgressed against God and had promoted hatred and malice in all spheres of life, genuine repentance would attract God’s attention, forgiveness and healing for all, and our land.

Uche therefore charged all Nigerians, irrespective of religion or tribe to ensure that nothing is done to truncate Nigeria’s nascent democracy.

“We should all say no to military coup and emergency rule.

Our coming elections must be credible and all well-meaning citizens of our country must accept the people’s verdict in good faith. If anyone does not win, he or she should wait for the next election in another four years,” he stressed.

Catholic faithful all over the country received a mark of ash on their foreheads, which reminded them of the transient nature of the world and the fact that humans came from the dust and would one day return to it.

Osu explained that Lent was a season of solemnity and sacrifice commemorating Jesus’ exodus into the wilderness.

“It is a Christian tradition that is observed in many denomina-

tions. It is the hallowed forty-day period of sacrifice leading up to Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

“During Lent, Catholics and some Protestants prepare for Holy Week by fasting, praying, and reconciling with the Lord.

These forty days is a wonderful period to rethink everything and to allow ourselves to take up our crosses as Christ once did.

Sunday Telegraph gathered that during the period, Christians are expected to make sacrifices as children of God and followers of Christ.

“The sacrifices should remind us of the one made by Jesus through which he saved us from sins and won for us salvation of our souls.

The sacrifice does not have to be something extraordinary. It may mean cutting down on our excesses on a daily basis and allowing the grace of God to reign in our lives. If for instance you are in the habit of eating three-squaremeals, you may need to cut it down to two and give the third ration to someone who does not have anything to eat.

“If you are in the habit of drinking alcohol heavily, you may decide to cut it down drastically or just do without it during this period of Lent,” Osu said.

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Faith

Nigerians can kick out bad leaders When you look at our polity today, especially what our politicians have made out of it. What are the things that bother you?

Thank you very much. What bothers me now is radicalism and immaturity on the part of Nigerian politicians. They don’t seem to be matured; they behave like infants. In fact, if you look at them in the houses of assembly, political campaigns, there is what we call in psychology infantile aggression; that is what they are manifesting. These people don’t see themselves as servants of the people. They see themselves as masters; and they see themselves as the owners of Nigeria. It will be foolishness on my part to think that Methodist Church of Nigeria belongs to me because God has given me the privilege of being the number one person and the leader of the entire people. And I am leading people that are professionals in various professions: professors, journalists, business gurus, ambassadors, local women and many counting in millions. I cannot deceive myself that I am their boss. I see myself as their servant and I behave myself as their servant. That is why we consult before we do anything; various leaders from various parts of the country will gather under a very serene and cordial atmosphere and we make sure everybody is carried along. But it is also people like them saying if I don’t rule Nigeria everything will disintegrate; because some people are calling for mutiny. Some people are sponsoring Boko Haram. We now know that some politicians are sponsoring them because they are saying that they may cause confusion so that the elections do not hold. Why are they doing so? God will expose everything at the end of the day. I am not impressed. They know the situation was dicey.

In fact, the postponement of the elections was a prayer answered because most of us were fasting and praying.

If elections had held at that time, there would have been bloodshed. I believe that tempers are cooling down now; and some people are coming to their senses.

There is a trend in Nigeria that the church has become a place where politicians go to curry favour. Do you see this as a healthy development?

It is not. I saw some hungry pastors on television; they want to make money. You can’t see me in that kind of thing; you can’t see Okogie; you can’t see Makinde; you can’t see Okoh; you can’t see us. Somebody wanted to address us in our convention held weeks ago, and there was a promise that they were going to pay about 80 per cent of the bill, which ran into N50 million. And if I had agreed, they would have come to my house and dropped the money. I said ‘No. The climate is not favourable. Don’t come. I don’t want any party here.

Stop that, if we don’t have money we will drink garri.

After all we are going for prayer.’ I rejected it. I knew they were not happy. Those people are not happy. But I don’t care. For me, integrity matters more than money.

I cannot sacrifice my name for money. My name is of more value in the presence of God, before God and before humanity. Now they are saying that pastors were given N6 billion. I sleep well because it doesn’t concern me. You can’t trace a kobo to my pocket. It depends on who is a pastor. You know now, there is no job in Nigeria. And people who are failures, when they move around, it is easy to go to a bookshop or a collaring factory, buy collars, buy a coat and a shirt and wear a chain like me. And most of them are regional, general and all these things. Some of them answer Rt.

Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche, has warned politicians not to give the military the chance to form an interim government Tai Anyanwu reports.

Uche

Rev. Prof. Dr. (laughter).

Today, it is like CAN is not as strong as it used to be.

What is the cause of this?

I used to be a strong supporter of CAN. I go there no matter who is leading. Some of us in the mainline churches are looking down on the Pentecostals. Pentecostals have credible men who are leading. Look at

somebody like that of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; that of Covenant Church, Bishop David Oyedepo. There are many people that are credible there. Why must you look down on them? And they are qualified, they are very educated. I support CAN 100 per cent. I still attend their meetings and I offer my suggestions. I give counsel. So I don’t support anybody that looks down on others. You don’t look down on others and treat people with ignominy. It is not fair. You shouldn’t be proud and think that others are nonentities. No it shouldn’t be so. We should adopt the spirit of live and let live. Everybody has value; all these appellations and paraphernalia, attachments and titles are for here. When you go down the grave, it is no more. God does not look down on anybody. God gives value and maintains that life is sacred. That’s why He said, “Thou shall not kill.” Well, we are doing something to bring everybody to CAN. That is the essence of the meeting we attended on Tuesday and all the blocks were represented. We spoke with one voice and decided that no Christian youth should involve in thuggery.

Go and vote, exercise your franchise and go home; we are not going to kill. You know, we have suffered a lot.

When we were deliberating, there were some film clips we watched, and we were weeping. You see where a Christian man is brought before his family and he is slaughtered like a goat, and dismembered just because he is a Christian. They are saying the thing (insurgency) is not religious. How is it not religious when you are selective? If you go to Borno State, the nine local governments affected are all Christian local governments.

Why? I don’t want to read their minds; maybe they

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

if they want - Methodist Prelate don’t want Christians to cast their votes.

That is how I look at it. Truth is bitter.

May be they don’t want Christians to cast their votes so that when they come no Christian should be voted for. You don’t advocate that anybody should be treated badly on the basis of religion. You hear of somebody who has stolen money and he now goes to the public and makes sure he gives salt and rice and you vote for him. You mortgage your future and the future of your children. It is not fair; people are hungry and I am sorry, it has gone to every profession.

Do you also agree that clergymen should not take side with any political party?

For me in the Methodist Church, we came up with a decision during our Bishops Conference some six, seven years back, precisely in 2011 and made it clear that any Methodist minister who wants to go into partisan politics should first resign; give us a letter of resignation. But, if at the end of the day, for instance, when I was in Enugu as the Archbishop and in Owerri as the Bishop; you know I was a Bishop in Owerri for 10 years before I was elevated to become the Archbishop of Enugu for four years before this one, we get offers from some government organs to recommend credible minister of God to be on a board as Chairman, we shall allow appointment in such situation.

If you go to the state governments where I served before, we had Reverend Ministers who were either in the Education Board or Pilgrims Board or sometimes State Radio stations. I recommended some and they went to serve.

But it is not their main profession. The only benefit is that when they go to serve and we know they are there, we only give them allowances. That saves the church some money. But you cannot go and carry membership card and be partisan. If you do it, that day I will invite you to my office and force you to resign, that is our policy. So when I see such, well let me not say more.

We have also had some propositions for an interim government and Jega has just told the country that he cannot guarantee elections will hold as rescheduled. In case the election is scuttled would there be any justification for formation of an interim government?

Elections cannot be scuttled. Every other thing may be sacrosanct, but that of governorship or governance is not. If you look at the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there is a provision which states that where there is a stalemate, the incumbent can continue for six months. That is what is provided in the Constitution. So, I don’t think that there will be an interim administration. People are gearing for that. I have privileged information, many months before it was made public. And at the circle where we discuss, made up of a mixture of intellectuals not only Christians, it was mentioned and we said it is a very retrogressive step. We don’t want interim government because interim government means that soldiers will come. We don’t want that. We should pray as I am praying that election holds on March 28. But the problem is that only negative situations will cause a military intervention. If for instance, A wins and B begins a problem, there might be military intervention. Or B wins and A says No; so it is in their hands. Those within the military are equally politicians, so they shouldn’t blame them if they come in. The politicians are to blame if there is an interim government. Anybody

The climate is not favourable.

Don’t come. I don’t want any party here. Stop that, if we don’t have money we will drink garri. After all we are going for prayer.’ I rejected it.

I knew they were not happy.

Those people are not happy.

But I don’t care. For me, integrity matters more than money. I cannot sacrifice my name for money

dreaming about that is building a skyscraper in the sky; and it can’t stand because it has no foundation. And I want to tell you that we are not naive. If we unite as leaders in Nigeria, Christians, Muslims that means we have one mind. We can take away any government. I don’t know if you are conversant with what happened in Egypt. The Egyptians demonstrated it. So we can say no. Nobody has a monopoly of problems. As I am sitting now in this place, do you think that if I issue a paper and say all Methodists, men, women, young men should come to the street; don’t eat for one month; and another religious leader did the same together with Islamic leaders, there will be commotion? Even the leaders will run away. The point is that they say that Nigerians are the happiest people in the world. They smile and they laugh and they dance even while they suffer. That’s what people have said, that Nigerians are the happiest people even when they are dying they are dancing and singing. So, that is the problem we have; but we can say no. We can say enough is enough.

We can say it. But I am not calling for insurrection, the people should allow election go on and let vote count. There should be no manipulations. If it goes this way just allow it, if it goes the other way allow it equally; whoever emerges let him rule. The voice of the people is the voice of God. When people elect a leader, it is God that has elected. So we should allow sleeping dog lie. Nigeria is ours but you know another problem we have in this country is illiteracy. Illiteracy to me does not mean that you did not go to school, some are educated illiterates, they are myopic, they don’t see beyond their noses. If you are bound, you think and act reasonably. You do not have to hurt anybody there must be fundamental human rights. For instance, when I move around Lagos I feel disgraced and ashamed when I see gentlemen in their suits walking along the road and the opposite sex exposing what they are not supposed to expose.

What is your assessment so far of the performance of INEC? For me, when Jega won my heart as a

lover of the lord in 2011. The election was adjudged credible. When I was in the polling booth, those people who people believed would win failed woefully. He conducted an election in Anambra controlled by APGA. In Ekiti controlled by APC and in Edo under Oshiomhole. He conducted the elections on a free and fair basis. What people don’t know is that Israel has grown to 8.5 million and some of these West African countries are less than two million; but that somebody is organising elections for this country that is up to 60-70 million is not easy. They are doing their best. They have produced so many cards but the problem is distribution. I heard that some PVCs were stolen. I don’t know by whom. I heard that there were double or triple registrations. If they are truthful to themselves they should know the culprits. As for me now, I came from Enugu on November 6th, 2007, I was told I couldn’t vote in Enugu so, I went for a change. The change was done and my TVC and PVC were transferred to Lagos. I heard that because of changes INEC is still printing over 1 million cards that would come out in the next one week because I knew that mine and that of my wife would be among the ones that would be printed.

I have the one I did at Enugu but I cannot go Enugu to vote. But they assured me that I must vote, so if they don’t do it then I will go to court and I will claim N50 trillion for damages which I would give it to poor people. I want to vote.

Sir I want you to address the problem of the politicians on the infantry aggression. What is your charge to them?

Some of these politicians do take drugs, if you look at the way they behave, I am not sure they are normal. They operate under the influence of drugs. Those who take drugs are people who have inferiority complex. In fact, if I have my way drug users should be screened out of politics because they will destroy politics. They have mental problem, so, those who act under the influence of drugs should not be allowed in politics because their minds have been influenced by drugs and that is why you see people walking about half naked. If not by the grace of God it causes madness. Madness is not caused by nature but by drugs and that is why they abuse and fight. In fact, those who are known to be taking drugs should be referred for psychiatric test, it should be made compulsory for contestants of any political party to go for psychiatric test and ensure that those carrying out the test on them should not be influenced by money. How do you

imagine somebody climbing the fence when the gate is locked? If the gate is locked you go back to your house, see our honourable law makers climbing the fence with agbada and coats and it was shown to the whole world. It is a disgrace that our honourable men are becoming dishonourable. Two wrongs cannot make a right. My people will say, somebody who was normal went into the stream to swim and take his bath, he removed everything including his pant and place them on a busy road and when a mad man approached him he was not patient enough, so he ran out quickly and the mad man was wearing something, so he is more of a mad person? You see, there is impatience in everything in this country, impatience in the family and that is why you see some men beating up their wives. If you are a patient man, you will never raise your hand on a woman, because women naturally are talkative. If you are strong emotionally you will not hit your wife.

Some within the Christian circle believe that, the best way to check threats of Islamising the country is to have a Christian occupy the position of the president. What is your take on this?

For me a Nigerian is a Nigerian. What determines vote in this country is the counting of ballot paper and the final scores. Even if you have the highest number of votes and it is not up to 25% you are not qualified. So you must have 25% of votes count. It does not matter whether you are a Christian or a Muslim. When I was in Kano, where I lived for two years all my security men were Muslims and do you know another thing that happened, that is why in India today no church has Certificate of Occupancy but go to Kano, I have Certificate of Occupancy of all churches. Sometime ago during one of the religious riots in Kano, most of my maigards who were Muslims were kept in save haven in the church. And when the fighting subsided, my driver took them to see their wives and I gave them one week leave to calm down tension. So, I don’t value you because you are a Christian or Muslim. We are all human beings. Human beings created by God. Anybody that goes to preach intolerance is a wicked person. It doesn’t matter; I am not going to campaign on the basis of religion.

Let the best candidate win, whoever is the best, I don’t know at the moment and I don’t need to determine the best candidate, Nigeria will determine the best candidate. If it is resolved that the person who comes first wins the election, let the person be our leader. You know in a multiple language, multiple religion, multiple ethnic society like Nigeria, there must be tolerance. It is basic for us to live together. That is why when I preached on the armed forces remembrances day I said nobody can Islamise or Christianise Nigeria. One medium, Sahara Reporters practicalised junk journalism as they said they did not hear what I said properly when I made the statement and they took up the islamization and didn’t talk about christianism.

Now they said that I was addressing APC, which was absolute misrepresentation. I remember that my preaching caused problem because the presidency didn’t see me as somebody that is on their side, then the Islamic people too.

The bottom line was that, I was talking about Nigeria. I never took side with anybody, there is no money you can give me today would make me to talk on the area of religion.

54

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

The Stations of the Cross Firm Faith:

Right Reason Most Rev.

Emmanuel A. Badejo fradebadejo@yahoo.

0803 949 4219 (SMS only)

The lonely hour Today’s pleasure-oriented world rejects the cross. This is hardly verbally or directly done. We however hear more than enough evidence of it from the ‘fire preachers’ and ‘prayer warriors’ of contemporary noisy and boisterous religion. An old-time Christian chorus runs: “There is power in the blood of Jesus.”

In our day it is as if the power of religion now resides in the amount of noise it generates. The lyrics have changed considerably too. “All to Jesus I surrender, all to him I freely give” has been replaced with “It is not my portion;” “I reject it in Jesus’ name;” “I bind and cast it into the deepest part of the sea.”

Trials, tribulations and unfavourable events or situations are banished with well-crafted Christian choruses such as: “Me I no go suffer, I no go beg for food;” “Make me No 1 everywhere I go;” “The God that answereth by fire, let him be my God;” and so on. While it is true that the Bible affirms that everything works out for good for those who love God (Rom 8:28), the same Bible firmly teaches that gold must pass through fire before it becomes the precious metal

that we all cherish. “There is cause for joy, then, even though you may suffer for a time, you have to suffer many trials. Thus will your faith be tested like gold in a furnace. Gold, however, passes away, but faith, worth so much more, will bring you in the end praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ appears.”

(1 Pet. 6-7). That we never forget this and that we reject the falsehood of permanent pleasure and profit in this world is one of the purposes of the period of Lent. If we had unbroken uninterrupted pleasure here, what would we really need heaven for?

The purpose of Lent If we all seek only the victory and pleasure of the risen Christ, then it must be a lonely hour for Jesus who today continues to be crucified in the betrayal of truth, the oppression of the poor and the killing of the innocent among us. Is it not amazing that we still find Christians in churches in the parts of Nigeria devastated by anti-Christian insurgency and terrorism? These are people who ‘watch’ with Jesus. Those of us, lucky not to suffer their predicament, need to be cross-compliant to understand such steadfastness in the time of trials. Lent helps Christians to reaffirm the primacy of purpose over interest in our lives.

The main purpose of Christianity is to bring all believers to salvation and to the good things of heaven. (Jn 3:16) It is not first of all to help us achieve our individual interests or the good things of this life; get a new job, a new car, a life partner, defeat an enemy etc. If it does, it is wonderful, but that is not its

We adore you, O Christ and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world

first purpose. Jesus Christ, the most powerful and most divine human being that ever lived, taught us that the way to achieve that purpose of salvation is by self-denial, love of the neighbour, service, generosity of heart and humility. It is for those who pass through these necessary stages that the promise is assured that all things will work out for good. One of the transforming devotions recommended for the Lenten period is called ‘The Stations of the Cross.’

The stages of Jesus’ passion ‘The Stations of the Cross’ is a popular devotion because it celebrates the passion and death of Jesus Christ in 14 steps. The faithful are encouraged to meditate on those 14 steps and through them develop the virtues and spirituality to guide their lives; the obedient submission of Jesus to the will of God; His compassion for others even in the heat of his own suffering; His forgiveness of those who crucified Him and His meek acceptance of His mission by His mother, Mary. The popular Negro spiritual – ‘Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart’ - here finds its source.

Imitation, they say, is the best form of flattery. Those whom we truly love, we try to emulate and accompany. To imitate Jesus in this way must be a supreme way of showing Him love. That is why Catholic believers walk the way of the cross, meditating on the trials, tribulations, passion and death of Jesus. Do you not remember that intimate and popular hymn in Christendom? “Just a closer walk with thee, oh sweet Jesus is all I ask. I’ll be satisfied as long, as I walk; you let me walk close to thee.”

Everything still works out for good The commonest phrase in the prayers of ‘The Stations of the Cross’ summarises the purpose of the devotion itself.

“We adore you, O Christ and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” Such living close to the cross of Christ is perfectly in tune with the will of the Master and with the Scriptures, given the contemporary obsession of the “Is it in the Scripture school?” Jesus Himself said: “If you want to follow me, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me.

For whoever chooses to save his life will lose it, but the one who loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 16:24-25).

So, ‘No cross, no crown,’ and as the old hymn states: “I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.” Since all the way to heaven is heaven, in walking that way of the Cross the Christian already experiences the joy, victory and bliss of paradise.

God alone can make that happen. Did Jesus not say to the thief crucified with Him: “Today you will be with me in paradise?”

Heaven has windows (2) Insight Rev.

Femi Akinola

www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

E

verything God created, from its inception, follows the ordinance (principles) that uphold its existence. I have yet to see any work of creation groan for survival. Never will you see a tree struggle to get what it needs to grow; it only has to position itself aright and all other things fall in place. In like manner, the moon in itself has no light of its own, it only positions itself to get supply from the sun which it later shines and reflects at night. In the entire creation of God, it is only man (whom He created in His image) that has been faced with the scourge of lack, want, poverty, among other things and the reason for this is simply because man fails to align with Heavenly principles for prosperity. This ravaging virus has greatly altered the original intent of God for man as he has failed to exercise his God-given authority on earth.

Life can be easy and exciting but the only requirement is to follow laid down ordinances for living life. An ordinance in this our context of discussion is that of tithing.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not

open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Mal 3:10(KJV).

God is not a liar, He says: “Prove me now herewith…, if I will not open the windows of heaven….” No matter how much we know how to pray and command miracles, the only way to cause the windows of heaven to open is by bringing all the tithes into the storehouse. The moment you disregard the commandment, then you have automatically beckoned on struggle, lack and want. The condition of that window of your heaven is invariably the condition of your finances and until you are financially free, you are not free indeed. There is no complication in the law of tithing except for the act of disobedience.

“The heavens over your head shall be brass and the earth under you shall be iron. The Lord shall make the rain of your land powdered soil and dust; from the heavens it shall come down upon you until you are destroyed.” Deut 28:23-24(AMP) You are struggling because you think you are smart, but let me remind you that you cannot be smarter than your Creator. This principle excludes no one; once you want your window of heavens to open for abundance, then there is no hard and fast rule to this. Defaulters of this basic injunction will suffer under a closed heaven.

Truths about tithing Tithing implies tithing in its totality.

“Bring ye all the tithes …” The word here is in the plural form. When you pay it partially, you have only succeeded in deceiving yourself because God cannot be mocked. If it is not tithe, it is only a dash. Paying tithe on every stream

of your income is not an advice but a solemn command. Failure to comply will only shut the heavens of that business, establishment or organisation. If your struggling is connected with your act of disobedience, as you connect with this truth, today marks the end of those struggles in Jesus name.

Another area people miss it is when they share or distribute their tithe. For clarity and better understanding, let us go back to the same scriptures we have dwelt on; “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…” The scripture is very clear on this, the storehouse, not storehouses.

The idea of distributing your tithe is an act which emanates from lack of understanding and insincerity. When you begin to distribute your tithe to various places, then you are as good as one who does not pay tithe, so get understanding.

The storehouse in question here is where you get your spiritual nourishment from. Going by what is obtainable in ministry, many people have wondered and dared to know the secret of thriving and flourishing. This is no other way than first believing and practising the act of tithing.

The excellence of tithing One of the many secrets I have been privileged to learn is that tithing transcends the time and life of the giver (tither) even unto his generations to come.

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.” Mal 3:11(KJV) God has sworn by Himself that He will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Perhaps, you work and earn so much yet

you gather so little. Or you cannot even account for the much you earn or you gather and gather and it later crumbles.

All these are signs of the devourer which would be taken care of when you make full obedience to this law of tithing because God by Himself is committed to ‘rebuke the devourer for your sakes.’

Tithe and its gains Christ was describing the beauty of the mansions in heaven. Permit me also to say that the structure or size of your ‘mansion’ in Heaven is to a large extent dependent on your faithfulness to the ordinance of tithing. It is now getting clearer why the scripture did not fail in stressing the importance of tithing.

Considering Abraham; he paid the tithe of all his spoil to Melchizedek.

“And we praise God Most High, who helped you defeat your enemies. Abram gave Melchizedek one-tenth of everything he had taken during the battle.”

Gen 14:20(ERV) The mystery here is that his proactive action was instrumental in establishing a bosom in Heaven for him.

“And it occurred that the man (reduced to) begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom...”

Luke16:22(AMP) Do not forget the remark of Jesus, ‘In my Father’s house, there are many mansions.’ Then, what is the condition of that mansion? Currently, some buildings in heaven are at the German-floor level because the essence of tithing is a strange teaching to them. This is my prayer for you; may God open your eyes to see the condition of the window of your heaven and He will empower your mind to take steps to embrace this teaching in the name of Jesus.

I know you have been blessed.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

An insight into failure Mystery ofAnxiety Bishop

John Ogbansiegbe

0803 341 6327

“F

or a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again, but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”

(Proverbs 24:16) The word ‘failure’ is a noun describing an unsuccessful person. To fail means to decrease. It also means to become insolvent or bankrupt. The state of failure is the state of deficiency, inadequacy and default. This is a state where a person’s weakness, omissions and incapability are manifested. Many people have different definitions for failure. Liberally speaking, failure is the opposite of success.

Failure is the word used to describe the consequences of and effects of not trying to make attempts to succeed. In other words, failure is failing to do something.

We are often confronted with failure sometimes over and over again.

God uses failure to shape the lives of some people with unique divine assignment. He uses failure to build those who are in His divine plan and purpose.

Failure is also the inability to achieve set goals or objectives within a set time frame, conditions, and environment and with a set people. In life, that you failed to achieve a goal set for yourself does not mean that you will also fail to achieve the goal set for you by God or others.

The scientist Gregor Mendel could not pass any examinations set for him by his teachers. But later, he discovered the uniformity in genetic patterns of the cowpeas he planted, dissected them and came out with many discoveries and principles. Eventually, Mendel became the father of genetics.

There is always an area of life you are meant to succeed and excel. Don’t determine your success rate with the success of others. Man’s time limit and conclusion are God’s beginning and preamble.

Even in your failure, there are lessons to learn which become very useful later in life. It must be noted that many of the philosophical principles and quotations which we apply in our situations were born out of tragic circumstances and painful experiences of life.

The Holy Ghost is asking you now, “Have you fallen up to seven times?”

How many disappointments have you

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25-26) had in life so far? How many miscarriages have you had? How many examinations have you failed? How many jobs have you lost? How many businesses have collapsed in your life? “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” This is a divine spiritual pre-supposition, that the righteous man whose ruin was exposed, covers himself.

He falls seven times into trouble, but by the integrity, divine wisdom and blessings of God upon his life, he sees through trouble and sees better times beyond the trouble before him.

Job got his divine turnaround when he began to see a glorious future beyond his affliction. Thus, he said: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms

Faith

destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25-26) What we call failure is an opportunity to achieve what we did not achieve initially, better than it should have been in the first instance. Every failure is the price one pays for success. Failure is an opportunity to demonstrate the faithfulness of God. Failure is success covered by overcomeable obstacles.

Failure in life is like a context or challenge to determine your spiritual resilience. Quitters they say never win and winners never quit. Many things which we call problems are in fact the challenges of life to determine our spiritual strength. To avoid them, stop them or circumvent them is technically to accept defeat.

That a man falls does not mean that he has failed. Any child that is afraid of falling will not learn how to walk. It is in the process of falling, rising and standing up as many times as possible that every child learns how to walk.

Unless we are ready to have the tenacity of a child, we cannot make it. A knockdown in life is not a knockout of life. That a fighter or boxer lost a fight does not mean that he cannot win a contest or battle. Have you failed before?

Are you in any form of failure right now?

Be hopeful and of good cheer. You shall rise again.

The true Church and the false Church (3) the of

Oracles God

Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com

0703 362 1866

(12) The gift and calling of the Priesthood The true church ensures the proper operations of the priesthood strictly by scriptural standard. This is where only the calling of men (not women) are ordained into the offices of the Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists and Pastors. The lack of revelation in the denominations compels them to adopt both men and women priests as divine intermediaries between God and men. But the law and the prophets did not support this. Whoever insists on being Pastor-Mrs., Lady Evangelist, Deaconess, Arch-Bishop will no doubt do God a service but will definitely not be in the will of God. “…many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matt 7:21-22) “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” (I Cor. 11:16) (13) Regeneration or adaptation The phrase ‘Born again’ has become a tag that is worn in the modern established denominations and not experienced. The true church of the Lord Jesus Christ was inaugurated in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (AD33), with the outpouring of the promised Holy Spirit (Joel 2:25).

However, the Roman Catholic (universal) church emerged in Rome, in AD 325, about 300 years after the death of the apostles of Jesus Christ when the physical Roman Empire metamorphosed into the spiritual Papal Roman order under the leadership of the Popes, the Bishop of Rome rather than

the Holy Ghost.

Mere confession and a simple prayer of repentance repeated after the leading ministers and an immediate instruction to God for the name of the confessor to be written in the Book of Life earns one nothing but a spiritual stillbirth. The above is no doubt the deceptive script of the devil to further lead many into the pit of hell. Nature should be consulted on how women give birth physically, especially when in labour. Physical birth goes with excruciating birth pains. So also, the spiritual birth is accompanied with Godly sorrow and a contrite heart. The due processes of water shedding during labour is a type of justification through Repentance and Water Baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus Christ. The issue of blood, the second stage of labour delivery, again types the remission of sin by the blood of Jesus Christ and the actual birth of the child types the life of God indwelling in the sinner as the Holy Spirit turns him or her into a Saint.

This is regeneration, this is conversion, this is the expected spiritual birth that in all verity, you are born again by the Spirit of God. What we have in the denominations are spiritual stillbirths and adaptation to church methods and traditions without going through the stages listed above: of justification, sanctification and the evidence of true Baptism of the Holy Ghost for a true conversion. (Galatians 5:21-22) (14) Infant baptism is a normal practice in the denominations but the true church does not baptise infants because they cannot believe the gospel. Scriptural practices require that babies are dedicated at birth as exemplified by Jesus Christ at his birth (Luke 2:21-22) and was later baptised by immersion and the Holy Ghost when He turned 30. (Matt. 3: 13-17). Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned. How can you baptise an infant who has not heard the gospel to take a personal decision to accept the Lord Jesus Christ before immersion?

Water Baptism (Acts 2:37-42), feet washing (John 13:1-17) and communion (I

Cor. 11:23-34) with wine (not fruit drink or blackcurrant) and unleavened bread without yeast are three ordinances to be observed at regular intervals. But in the established denominations it is not strictly observed and if done, it is not strictly practised scripturally. The use of leaven (yeast) bread and fruit juice drinks contradicts Biblical pattern.

(15) This day this scripture is fulfilled The body of Christ watches out for the fulfillment of prophecies promised for their day. Therefore, we must be able to hear, recognise and act on the voice of the prophet of God in your dispensation to know the mind of God for that age: “God will do nothing but revealeth His secrets to His servants the prophets.” The Word comes only to the prophet, not the General Overseer, superintendent, not to the pope or Cardinal, not even to the local assembly pastor or supreme, Evangelist. The Jews expected a deliverer in Moses, a prophet. (Exo. 3:6) The Jews also expected their Messiah but unfortunately when the prophecy was fulfilled they did not recognise Him. In this last day, we expect prophecies on Christ coming to be our main concern. Mal. 4:5-6 promised a prophet that would forerun the Rapture. This prophecy is fulfilled and still in the process of fulfillment unto the coming of Christ.

(16) Uniting time of the wheat and the tares As the age closes, the day of grace elapses into the catching away or the rapture of the saints of God. Prior to it, a uniting time will come for the elect of God. The uniting will come when Matt 25:6 will usher on the scene the midnight prophet with the same anointing, spirit and power of Elijah. These prophesies including Malachi 4:5-6 are being fulfilled. So the hearts of the children of God are now being brought back to the doctrine of the apostles, to the faith of the apostolic fathers. Through this last message a people is again prepared to unite with their bridegroom in the air. We must ask ourselves, what has God promised? What is being done to impact on our lives and whether God is indeed well pleased with us? After all, that is what it’s all about,

that we recognise the path which God is now taking with the church. That is the only way God can be well-pleased with all of those who shall be raptured. In the deepest of their hearts, they are in absolute agreement with God, with His Word, and thereby also in His will for this important phase in the completion of the plan of salvation.

Meanwhile the various organised religions and denominations are also uniting under the umbrella of the World Council of Churches (WCC). This unholy alliance is a worldwide union of Christian denominations seeking to re-unite with Rome in a movement that results in the emergence of the Anti-Christ, the Son of Perdition and the man of iniquity who will govern the world as the man of peace (Rev. 13:15-17).

All therefore, who do not wish to experience the reign of the Anti-Christ, are being admonished to come out of their denominational enclave or spiritual bondage.

“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4) (17) The evil of denomination and the sovereignty of the local assembly They bewitch themselves (the spirit of the Devil) into these denominational idols. Do you know that Denomination is ‘an idol?’

When you ask, ‘Are you a Christian?’ the answer you get is: ‘I am a Methodist;’ ‘Are you a Christian?’ ‘I am a Pentecostal’ …

What we need today is to go back to the Word of God. God deals with individuals, not denominations. Denomination is a system, that is the evil, not about the people in that denomination. There had never been a denomination that God ever ordained in the Bible.

The local assembly is autonomous with supreme authority to let each church be its own, chose its pastors, deacon, the man in there has no bishop over him. The Holy Ghost wants to speak something to that church; they don’t have to ask anybody about whether they could do this or do that. It’s the individual in contact with the Holy Spirit. All churches ought to be in a brotherhood together but should maintain the sovereignty of the local church.

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Faith

FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Season of redemption is here again

Liberation Tidings Pastor Samuel Daniel

globalgracechurch@ymail.com

08060143296 (SMS only)

A

nother Easter period is around the corner; and I want to let the world know that we are approaching the cross.

What is the cross you may ask? The cross is a place of refuge where Jesus Christ was crucified. After He drank the vinegar, he said: “It is finished,” and he gave up the ghost. It is the season of redemption and Christ was crucified for us to be redeemed from the destruction of this world.

We need to knows that this is the significance of love that God designated to mankind according to the book of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son to die that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” You can see what God did, he sent His only son to die that whosoever believeth ...just believe; and then he shall not perish but have everlasting life.

That was the purpose of that cross. And a song writer sang a song: Calvary! Cal-

vary!! Calvary, I cannot forget Calvary.

That was where that blood was shed for our iniquity. There the water first came out and then the saving blood. The water is the symbol of healing, the symbol of life. The water and the blood were shed for the remission of our sin. There is no other blood that can pay man’s sin.

God in His foreknowledge knew that Adam will fail. He brought in Jesus Christ, the second Adam, to come and sacrifice His life for us to live and to inherit purpose on earth.

Now what am I trying to say? Today, many uncharitable things are happening in our world. There is absence of love in many places, especially in our country Nigeria. There is no love in this country.

I am talking about compassionate love, I am talking about agape love and I am talking about unconditional love. Jesus Christ loved us unconditionally. He gave us agape love and loved us compassionately. The Bible tells us to love our neighbours as ourselves. Love as God loved us is the greatest of all commandments in the Bible.

There is monumental hatred, killing of innocent people and despicable neglect of the citizenry in our country. The high and mighty use their wealth, fame and power to intimidate the poor ones. Is that what Jesus Christ taught us to do? Jesus Christ came into the world to reconcile us back to God. As the elections approach, it is also a season for our leaders to seek political of-

Today, many uncharitable things are happening in our world. There is absence of love in many places, especially in our country Nigeria. There is no love in this country. I am talking about compassionate love, agape love, and unconditional love

fice. The questions political office-seekers must answer are: Why are you seeking leadership position? What actually is your purpose? Are you coming to restore peace and love? Are you coming in to fulfil God’s purpose and destiny for this nation? Are you coming in to perpetuate a reign of evil or to intimidate and oppress the people? Why do you want to become a president, governor, senator, chairman or councillor? I believe that your purpose is supposed to be for the peoples’ benefit, especially the poor ones.

So many people want to become leaders for selfish reasons. They don’t have the love of Christ in them. If they have

the love of Christ in them, they will emulate Christ to the glory of God the father. God sent His only begotten son to set the people free from the bondage of sin.

Hear me, if you are seeking to become the president, if you want to a governor, if you are aspiring to e a senator, assembly man, councilor or local government chairman, remember the love of God towards you. Remember that He sent His only begotten son to die for you not to perish. You have to take it up from there. If you are going there, let the love of God be in you so that you can take care of the masses.

If the love God is in you, you will not corrupt the country. If the love of God is in you, you will not covet anyone’s property. If the love of God is in you, you will not shed innocent blood. If the love of God is in you, you will not condone malpractices. If you have the love of God, you will rule the nation with Christ’s kind of love. It is true that no man can please human beings, but if you finally get into power try your best to rule with God’s kind of love. Let the people enjoy the benefits in your time as a leader.

I am seeing the finger of God upon Nigeria. We should not fight because of position, but come together in love and in unity. Nigerians should rise up in this season of redemption and our elections will be peaceful. Whoever wins should be honoured without rancor.

‘I didn’t repent as a result of altar call or preaching’ Could you speak briefly on your background?

I was born in Okpanku in Aninri LGA of Enugu State. I was a former secondary school teacher and a trained evangelist. I began my ministry in my hometown. As a teacher I was able to combine my teaching job with pastoring a church. I never wanted to become a pastor, but when the convictions of my calling were obvious I resorted to being an Evangelist but not on full time.

Again the pressure of going into full time ministry became intense that I have to abandon everything and ran to the city of Onitsha thinking that would be a place I could hide.

But my going to Onitsha was like the Biblical Jonah who was carried by the fish to the land of Nineve he never wanted to go.

With my experiences in Onitsha, it became obvious to me that I can no longer run away from the call. And of course God had already prepared the ground for my take off. So by 2006 I was admitted at Immanuel College of Theology for my Ministerial training. After that I went to the University of Ibadan for my first degree and currently I am running my Masters programme in New Testament in the Department of Religious Studies of the University of Ibadan.

Your members will like to know how you got saved and how it happened.

The issue of salvation is very personal and it is all about conviction. By the grace God, I happened to be the first generation Christian in my family because I was not born a Christian. My parents became Christians through me. My being born again was a personal decision and touch of the Holy Spirit.

I used to attend Presbyterian Church when I was in secondary school but I was never a serious Christian. But after my secondary school back to my village I joined Methodist Church in my own decision not that anybody from Methodist church preached to me or invited me. I had the conviction of the presence of the Holy Spirit on 11th August 2001 which gave me the assurance that I am born again. I did not repent as a result of

The Rev. Eugene Ejimnkeonye Chukwu, a Methodist priest and Acting Presbyter of Christ Church Circuit, in Lagos North Diocese and author of a book, “Youths the hope of tomorrow: Your Past, Present and Future”. In this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, spoke on the circuit’s annual covenant prayer retreat, his passion for the work of God and other related issues. simple life interest me most. But the truth is that there is Christ, there is salvation and there is crown after our race here on earth.

What has been the most challenging time in your ministry?

Well,I will say for now nothing, but then the only experience I can vividly recall was the difficulty I faced in paying my school fees during my ministerial training, but at the end of everything God did wonders for me.

And when it comes to years of experience, I have not stayed long in the ministry and so whatever come my way I see it as equivalent to my level in the ministry.

Chukwu

alter call or anybody preached to me. It is now that I began to understand that God designs everything to suit His own purpose.

That means that whoever God chooses for this work, He will surely go for it.

What has your experience been like since then?

The joy of the Lord is what over flows in me every day. As I made a solid resolution to work for the Lord and work with Him, I have never regretted it. That is why every opportunity I have to serve anywhere; I seek for a way to glorify God in my life. So, the experience has been that of a transformed life and a heart searching for the Lord all the time. I believed that the best thing anybody can be in this world is to be a Christian. I always said this to people, even if there is no Christ at the end of this race, I am not going to lose anything because having the joy and

In your capacity as the acting Presbyter of a circuit with three churches under you, how are you able to manage it effectively?

God is helping us and He is helping me personally. It is not easy managing the circuit but we are moving forward and the churches are growing well. By the grace of God, I visit the other two churches regularly; already I am stationed in the headquarters of the circuit. And because I am the only ordained minister in the circuit, I must visit the churches to administer Holy Communion to the members and sometimes have meetings with them. It is a little bit easier for me because I have an Evangelist and Deaconess pastoring the other two churches. Church management is all about meeting up with the spiritual and welfare needs of the members and using the resources available both finance and human to advance the kingdom of Christ. I am very grateful to God because when I resumed office, the other two churches worship in rented apartments, but today we have lands for them and we are planning to build their own permanent worshipping places. The three churches are growing spiri-

tually and numerically which are the signs of a living church.

What are the activities and expectation of your covenant prayer retract programme?

The covenant prayer retreat is an annual event in the circuit. It is done at the beginning of every January but this year 2015, because of the Methodist National Convention, it was delayed to this last week. Yes, the programme is geared towards leading the members to the presence of God at the beginning of the year. To make them understand that God desired their services and commitment, and also for members to know that the blessings of God do not come without sacrifice. The sacrifice here is fasting and praying which brings about great benefits.

Above all, the spiritual lives of the people are being touched during this period and even as a pastor, I am strengthened the more.

What is the relationship between you as an acting Presbyter and the Bishop of the diocese?

My relationship with my Bishop is very cordial. I referred to him as my father not of hypocritical mind or eye service, because the way God has created me, I don’t do eye service. But my Bishop is a father indeed.

Having a good relationship with a higher authority is all about understanding.

What any bishop will require from his worker is submission and obedience to instructions. If you are able to do what is expected of you and at the right time, I don’t think there is any bishop that would want to witch hurt any minister working under him and no presbyter would want to condemn his bishop. For me, I have never had any problem or issues and I am not going to have any one by the grace of God with my Bishop.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Just a minute’s mistake Youths the hope of Tomorrow

Rev. Eugene Ejimkonye Chukwu

revejimchukwu@gmail.com

07031176209 (SMS only)

“N

ew ideas may compete for a prominent place in your mind. However, not all of them can stand the practical test. That is to say you will need to be more practical and refuse to involve yourself in secretive deals capable of bringing avoidable legal trouble.”

“And it came to pass that as soon as he had made an end of the brunt offering, behold Samuel came.” (1Samuel 13:10).

Saul was the first king of Israel anointed

by Samuel. After the coronation of Saul as the first king of Israel, he was given specific instruction by Samuel as was commended

by God, but Saul was rather too fast to act.

Saul was to wait for Samuel the prophet to come down from Gilgal to offer sacrifice, but he rather could not wait for Samuel.

But “as soon as he had made an end of the burnt offering, behold Samuel came.”

It is just a minute’s late mistake. If Saul had waited for a minute, Samuel would have arrived and taken up the sacrifice. So, the consequence of his ‘minute’s mistake’ “was that his kingdom was not established upon Israel again as originally planned by God.” Impatience has killed many youths today.

Some cannot even wait for a minute like Saul, and their ‘a minute’s’ impatience has robbed them of valuables in life. This one minute’s mistake had landed many in the grave or the mortuary, while others are useless in the society and many in hell.

Causes of ‘a minute’s’ mistake: Impatience: Like Saul, some people cannot exercise patience even for a minute. When you are to wait, you cannot and when you are not to wait you do. That is impatience.

If you were to ask Saul to go back to his mother’s womb to be reborn so that his mistake would be cancelled, he would accept it without argument. It is a pity that the mistake he made was irrevocable. As a youth, are you still acting when you are supposed to wait or wait when you are supposed to act? Such would cause you a

minute’s mistake which could be very complex for you to correct. You must wait for the final whistle of God. Greediness/covetousness: Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, could have renounced his decision and action against his master’s curse if it were possible for him. He automatically became leprous because he was too fast to act. To him, before his master, he was a ‘guy man.’ But his action was as a result greediness and covetousness and it became ‘a minute’s mistake’ to him immediately after his action. Imagine a clean and healthy young man becoming leprous in the twinkle of an eye. Trying to acquire it by all means, is not wise. So in order to avoid ‘a minute’s mistake,’ you must be careful while running to overtake. Don’t be too wise in your own eyes; don’t be too interested in anything that is not your own.

The spirit of it doesn’t matter: In our present generation, the spirit of ‘it does not matter’ has done much harm than good to so many young men. Taking everything common without minding the consequence of such an action is fast sending many people to hell. This is the reason why a youth can take to smoking without minding the reaction of his action.

Others fornicate with girls and boys around and tell you that it doesn’t matter.

Then, what matters if all these evil actions don’t matter? Well, I want to tell you that those things that are counted as nothing in the past, matter in the long run and eventually would have become ‘a minute’s mistake.’ In a series of interviews conducted on cigarette smoking, many faithful ones affirmed that they don’t personally derive any benefit from it. Rather, they keep to smoking because it has become a habit to them and that they are addicted to it. So many are regretting why they entered into such a covenant with the devil but it was a minute’s mistake to them. The spirit of ‘it doesn’t matter’ must be walked over in order not to make a minute’s mistake.

Be careful and be wise too. You must not forget that any mistake you make today can be too late for you to correct tomorrow and it can be dangerous.

For you to avoid any mistake today that would cost you a lot tomorrow, you must try to overcome the spirit of impatience, greed and ‘it doesn’t matter.’ The seed you sow today will surely germinate for you tomorrow.

Kneel down and win (4)

Word of Life

Bishop

Moses Kattey

moseskattey@yahoo.co.uk

0808 770 7486

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ext Satan took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will only kneel and worship me.”

“Get out of here Satan Jesus told him” the scriptures say. “Worship only the Lord God. Obey only Him.” (Matt. 4:1-10 LB) What Satan was asking from the Lord Jesus just by kneeling down for Him, include praise and worship, adoration, loyalty, submission, supplication, and request for mercy. Others were lordship, service, honour, thanksgiving, salutation, prayer etc from the Lord Jesus Christ to him (satan). The Lord Jesus’ reply to Satan was plain and unambiguous; only to Lord God belong praise, worship, service honour etc. and infact, kneeling.

When you kneel down to God, you invariably give God all these, which serve as a weapon against the enemy. Those who kneel down to gods give satan (knowingly or unknowingly, consciously or unconsciously), praise and adoration, loyalty, submission, supplication, worship, honour, thanksgiving, trust service, etc. These all combined to give God the greatest dishonor and distrust.

What Nebuchadnezzar demanded from Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up. And whoso falleth not down and worshipeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace (Dan. 3:5,6).

Satan, through King Nebuchadnezzar, sought to receive praise, adoration, lordship, loyalty, worship, submission, honour, thankgiving, trust, prayer, and service. Mere kneeling down alone supplies all these to the devil and withdraws all these including love from God. Similarly, when you kneel down to God, you withdraw all these from Satan and give

them to God. This is one of the highest honour you render to God. For this reason, the Lord earnestly vows to give total victory to those who kneel regularly to Him. Kneel and Win. Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego understood what Satan through Nebuchadnezzar was looking for. The Lord gave them real visible victory, when they were thrown into the furnace of fire.

And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counselors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

(Dan. 3:27) That was total victory. They refused to kneel to the devil and knelt only to God and won.

Kneel to God and win.

What Darius demanded from Daniel All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any god or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions (Daniel 6:7) Daniel refused to give satan through Darius that honour, glory, respect petition, etc. What did Daniel do?

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God; as he did aforetime. (Daniel 6:10).

As long as Daniel knelt down to God he was known to have a sense of victory, and the victory manifested. He gave God all that Satan wanted by kneeling down to pray to God and won. Kneel to God always and win always.

Daniel formed a habit of kneeling about three times a day to God, and was known to be a man of victory.

Divine appointment God has not cast away His people, which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thy altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace (Rom. 11:2-5)

Favour opens the door of impossibilities Taming your Emotions Bishop

Lawrence Osagie 0806 325 0667 www.powerlineministriesinc.org mail:powerlineministries@mail.com

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avour makes impossibilities possible. The foundation scripture we read says: “In the sixth month of the year.” You know in my ministry we don’t sit down to arrange things. We are led by the spirit in Powerline Bible Church. Anymore that comes to our church will attest to it that we are still treading the old path. We are not a corrupt church. We may have our own mistakes, but we have a heart that wants to serve God. The only thing that is actually working for us is our sincerity and our purity of heart. We don’t manipulate people. So be proud of where you belong.

The Bible says: “In the sixth month of the year.” I did read this scripture before

I started these teaching on favour. But the fact that God gave me this message on the sixth month of the year assures me that there is a prophetic finger of God upon this message and I encourage you to a full partaker of it. If God could visit Mary with a message that defied human and biological thinking and all fell on the sixth month of the year. It was announced to her that her cousin was already six months pregnant. I am too convinced that God in the same way is bringing to you the same message that was brought to Mary. I mean the message that broke impossibilities. I would like you to get ready because everything man said is impossible in your life is ebbing away now with the possibilities of God in Jesus name.

In the sixth month of the year, Angel Gabriel was dispatched to that city to a particular individual. God knows every particular detail of your life, and the message from the angel was delivered to her in an inspiring and congratulatory manner.

“Hail.” That word simply means congratulations. Can you imagine, a stranger from nowhere appears before you in the sixth month of the year and says to you, congratulation, you are highly favoured by

Favour will give you the house that another has built. It is not by power nor by might, but by my spirit, saith the Lord God? Congratulations! Congratulations!!

Whoever you are, you have found favour with God. And the Bible said this salutation troubled Mary in her heart. I am glad to inform you that favour comes with the blessings of God; favour comes to establish the will of God in an individual’s life.

The angel said to her: “Because you have found favour with God, you will conceive in your womb, you will give birth to a baby. You will not die in barrenness. You will give birth to a son, a child ordained by God to sit on the throne of David. Why? Because God has chosen to favour you, Mary.

Just put yourself in the place of Mary and imagine impossibilities that human beings have never thought of nor been able to figure out happening in your life. I would like you to be cheerful and

expectant because the tide of life is already changing in your favour.

The favour of God will do for you what no man can do for you. Mary looked at herself; looked at what God was presenting to her; looked at everything around her – there was nothing about her that gave a sign that anything like that could happen to her. Mary said: “How can this be seeing that I know not a man?” How can I become a mother when I don’t even have a husband? How can I become the managing director of a multi-million income generating company when I don’t even have a dime in my account? How do I become a PhD holder when I don’t even have a school certificate? How do I become such a great dream when looking around me there is nothing to indicate or articulate such expectation?

In the world over, even till date, the only way a woman becomes pregnant is by conjugal relationship with man. Even these days many married people have slept together for years without conception. I said this so that you can imagine the surprise of Mary. But the favour of God is making a way where there seems to be no way.

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FEBRUARY 22, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Understanding the secrets of financial blessings (4) The Voice of Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

7747546-8 (SMS only)

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ast week, I examined some basic truths about money, benefits of giving and why we are blessed. This week, as I conclude this teaching, I will show you an example of another supergiving church and the need for revelation in our quest for financial blessings.

Another Super-Giving Church: Two weeks ago, we studied about the

Macedonian church that was addicted to giving, though poor. From their giving attitude, they won God’s heart; hence they enjoyed financial blessings without stress!

Apart from the Macedonian church, another super-giving church was the Philippian church. The Philippian church was a tireless-giving church. They gave once and again. They had understanding of the giving covenant. Their giving provoked God to provide all their needs.

The Bible summarises their giving potential in Philippians 4:15-19, which says: Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.

For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to

your account. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It takes the anointing to be a tireless giver in your covenant walk with God. I don’t care how much you earn, if you are not a giver, you will end up a pauper. Hosea 8:3 says: Israel hath cast off the thing that is good: the enemy shall pursue him. When you stop doing good things, such as giving, you become vulnerable to poverty, lack, want, satanic attacks. So, beware!

Remember that God can use anything to release anything to anyone! So, don’t ever compare God with man! God does not bless groups; he blesses individuals!

The need for revelation in our quest for financial blessings: Access to financial blessings is principally by revelation. Nothing transforms like revelation! I want you to know that walking in financial blessings is purely a product of applied revelation. For instance, all the blessings in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 are rooted in applied revelation.

The Bible says: Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever (Psalm 112:1-3). From the above scripture, the seed of one who fears God and delights in His commandments shall be mighty on the earth. Besides, wealth and riches shall be in the house of such a man. These are not empty words! They are products of applied revelation!

Again, it is written: If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge (Job 36:11-12). If you want to spend your days in prosperity and your years in pleasures, just obey God and serve Him. The above two scriptures prove that financial blessings are products of applied revelation. So, applied revelation is the master key to a world of financial blessings.

Recognize that every great story is rooted in something read up or seen somewhere!

When your Word comes, you will have a change of story (Isaiah 9:8; Matthew 6:33).

Every great story is hinged on a particular Word!

The more value you have for the right Word from God, the more enviable your destiny.

Nobody hates money and wealth. Nobody prefers trekking to owning and driving a car. Nobody hates abundance. The problem is, many hate the conditions attached to these.

Friend, the power for revelation is for those saved.

You get saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for it, please pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now I know I am born again!” This is your year of Heaven On Earth!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Understanding Financial Prosperity, and Breaking Financial Hardship.

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.

SUNDAY

Sport 59

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

EPL

Moses seals comeback p.62

Golf

Willy, Odoh invade SA’s Sunshine Tour p.61

Boxing

Boxing: Pacquiao v Mayweather fight confirmed for May 2 p.62

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu

© Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited

Drogba, Keita, Buffon break age jinx

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hen a player crosses the age of 35 years, he is no longer considered to be top notch in the biggest clubs in Europe, but a number of world class stars have broken that jinx and are still waxing strong even as they have crossed the Rubicon.

The likes of Didier Drogba, Seydou Keita, Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard among very few others have rubbished the conception that when a footballer reaches his mid-thirties he is usually passed his peak as his pace drops and recovery time dwindles. Clubs don’t want to extend the expensive contracts of players who will only get worse with time and would rather use young players on cheaper contracts who have their entire career ahead of them.

The norm is that when you clock 35, you hang your boot or take a dash to other lower leagues in the United States, China, Qatar and the UAE to earn the proverbial pension, while others return home to play in their country’s local league.

Didier Drogba: Chelsea legend Didier Drogba is 36 years old and despite his age he has still been able to make some important contributions for Chelsea this season. When Drogba scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in 2012 everyone thought that was the last time they would see Drogba in a Chelsea shirt. Fast forward two years and here he is back at the club where he is revered and loved. Obviously not at the level he was years ago when he was Chelsea’s leading striker, Drogba has mainly been used from the substitutes bench for his aerial ability and physicality. His tally of three league goals this season isn’t bad considering he has come off the bench 15 times this season and one of those goals nearly proved to be a winner at Old Trafford. He is certainly a fantastic character to have in the dressing room and an inspiring influence for the young players at the club. Nevertheless this season is likely to be his last but where else is as fitting a place to finish his career than Chelsea.

Seydou Keita: Described as the Malian midfield journeyman, 35 years old Seydou Keita, has had a relatively successful career spanning 16 years. His most notable spells were at Lens, 2002-2007, and Barcelona, 2008-2012, where he was able to win 14 titles. He has also represented his country on 97 occasions. The reason for his inclusion is because of his contributions to a side that is desperately trying to stop Juventus from winning their fourth consecutive title. He has been a consistent performer for Roma this season, making on average 1.6 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game, and has played in the majority of their matches. He could have a big decision to make this summer if Roma don’t decide to renew his contract. Not matter what decision will be, Keita can certainly look back at his career and be proud of his successes.

Gianluigi Buffon: Legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is 37 years old, and without doubt, one of the greatest goalkeepers in history and has broken a number of records throughout his career. He is the record holder for most appearances for Italy and has been named Serie A best goalkeeper a record 9 times. It is inevitable that Buffon has declined slightly over the past few years from his incredible best. This has not however stopped him from still being first choice for both Juventus and Italy whilst also still captaining both.

He is still probably up there with the world’s best and has a contract with Juventus until 2017. For these reasons it can be expected that Buffon will still be playing at the top level even at age 40.

Andrea Pirlo: Popularly called the Italian midfield magician, Andrea Pirlo, 35, is a definite rival to Xavi for the crown of best midfielder and playmaker of his generation and of all time. When AC Milan released Pirlo in 2011 they must have thought he was in decline and not worth keeping.

They could not have been more wrong. Juventus signing Pirlo on a free transfer could be one of the greatest transfers in footballing

history. He has been a revelation at Juventus since signing and has been crucial factor in their dominance of Italian football in the last 3 years. Perhaps most remarkably is the fact that Pirlo is showing no signs of slowing down. So far this season Pirlo has completed more passes per game at a slightly higher success rate than last season. If he can stay injury free and maintain his performance than Pirlo should continue to dominate Serie A until the end of his contract in 2016 and beyond.

Frank Lampard: English football legend, Frank Lampard, is 36years old. He was released by Chelsea FC in 2014 as moved to the MLS with New York City FC. His career seemed almost over.

That was until he agreed to join Manchester City on loan until January 2015.

Since joining Manchester City in August, Lampard has mostly played the role of a super sub and has helped his new club earned a number of valuable points, most n o tably h i s equali s e r against Chelsea in September.

Lampard’s contribution has been so significant that his stay with Manchester City has been extended until the summer after which he will finally move to the MLS. Lampard has been one of the best midfielders of his generation and his contributions this season have shown us what the Premier League will miss when he finally departs in the summer.

Miroslav Klose: German goal-scoring machine, 36 years old Miroslav Klose is the all-time leading goal scorer for Germany, 71 goals in 137 appearances, and the overall top scorer of the FIFA World Cup with 16 goals.

The prolific striker’s phenomenal career does however seem to be winding down. He has made more substitute appearances than starts so far this season, although this hasn’t stopped him bagging 5 goals for himself. There is the option in his contract for Klose to remain with Lazio until 2016 but whether this clause is exercised is currently undecided. Whether he stays for another season, moves to the MLS or simply retires, one thing for sure is the fact that Klose will go down in history as one of football’s deadliest finishers.

Drogba

Buffon

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SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport

Chuba Akpom:

The New kid on the block A

Dapo Sotuminu fter 34 appearances for the England junior national soccer teams from 2011 to November 2014, where he has scored a total of 14 goals, Chuba Akpom is the new attraction for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The kid dynamite who stars for Arsenal FC in the English Premier League, was the topic of discussion at the Emirates, when the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick, visited the club. Pinnick who was received by the club’s coach, Frenchman Arsene Wenger, got the assurance that if the player desires to play for Nigeria; he would be readily available to convince the junior sensation to accept the offer.

If Chuba accepts the offer to play for Nigeria which is yet to be made, he would join the league of the wise Nigerian-born stars that dumped England for the Super Eagles. The likes of Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi, Victor Anichebe, Omasone Aluko, John Fashanu and Reuben Agboola among others made the bold move to play for Nigeria, while the likes of Nedum Onuoha, Carlton Cole and Gabriel Agbonlahor turned down Nigeria’s offer with the hope of playing for the English senior team, a dream that never came to be.

Chuba Amechi Akpom in his last two games for the England Under-20 in international friendlies last year November scored three goals against Netherlands and Canada. He is also doing marvelously well for the Arsenal team as a top striker.

Akpom was born in the London Borough of Newham on October 9, 1995. He attended St Bonaventure’s School in Forest Gate. He is of Nigerian descent and is from a family of Arsenal fans.

He has been with Arsenal since the age of six, having previously interested West Ham United and Charlton Athletic. He made his debut for the Arsenal U-18 side at the age of 15, and signed his first professional contract with the club on October 10, 2012, a day after turning 17. In December 2012 Akpom received his first call into the Arsenal senior squad, when he was an unused substitute for a 2–1 Champions League defeat to Olympiakos.

He made 20 U-21 Premier League appearances during the 2012/13 season and scored 13 goals, including 10 goals in 10 games in the Elite Group stage. In the lead-up to the 2013/14 season, Akpom was selected for Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia and scored once in a 7–0 win against an Indonesia Dream Team, two more in

a 7–1 win against Vietnam and another in Arsenal’s final game of the tour against Urawa Red Diamonds.

Akpom made his competitive debut in a 3–1 Premier League win over Sunderland on September 14, 2013.

He came on in the third minute of injury time as a substitute for the injured Olivier Giroud. He was an unused substitute for the following game against Marseille in the Champions League.

His second Arsenal appearance came in a League Cup third round tie away to West Bromwich Albion on September 25. He replaced goalscorer Thomas Eisfeld after 82 minutes and with the scores at 1–1 at full-time, the game entered extra time. Akpom played the full scoreless extra time period and scored Arsenal’s third penalty in the ensuing shootout, helping Arsenal to a win.

Akpom was an unused substitute for a 2–0 Premier League win over Liverpool on November 2. He scored three goals in four UEFA Youth League appearances towards the end of 2013.

Akpom scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 FA Youth Cup fourth round demolition of Peterborough United on 6 January 2014.

Akpom began the 2014-15 seasons by scoring a hat-trick for Arsenal in an Under-21 Premier League Division 2 game against West Bromwich Albion at the end of August.

On September 23, 2014, he made his first senior appearance of the season, replacing Héctor Bellerín for the last four minutes as Arsenal lost 1-2 at home against Southampton in the League Cup. He made his first Premier League appearance of the season against Southampton F.C. on New Year’s Day 2015. Akpom made a telling contribution to Arsenal’s 5-0 home win against Aston Villa, coming on as a second-half substitute and winning a p e n a l t y, converted by Santi C a zorla, h i s first assist for the club. On February 4, 2015, Akpom spurned the interest of a number of other clubs from the Premier League and across Europe to sign a new 4 1/2 year contract with Arsenal.

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SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015

Golf Weekly

17-year-old World No. 1 plans retirement

Willy, Odoh invade SA’s Sunshine Tour Ifeanyi Ibeh

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igeria’s foremost professional golfers, Gift Willy and Oche Odoh, have been drawn to feature in Africa’s number one professional tour, the South African-based Sunshine Tour, in the month of March.

Odoh, who finished second behind Emos Korblah in last season’s Nigerian Professional Golfers Association Order of Merit, told New Telegraph that he has already signed up to feature in the upcoming Johannesburg Open, which runs from February 26 to March 1 at the Royal JHB and Kensington Golf Club.

“I want to take all the chances that come my way. I will be arriving South Africa far before the Jo’Burg Open gets underway and the plan is to be able to play in it,” he said.

The IBB Golf Club Abuja-based player added: “I will be alone here for a while but I am ok with it.”

Willy, who is being held back by the renewal process of his travel documents, told New Telegraph he has his sights set on the qualifiers for the Africa Open, which is set for the Fish River Sun Country

Club.

“I am swinging fine and I am in a very good frame,” said Willy, the third-place finisher at last year’s Order of Merit. “The African Open is my target and once that is done I will be entering several other events on the Sunshine Tour. I am very positive and look forward to good outcomes.”

Both players will also feature at the Tshwane Open billed for March 12 to 15 at the Pretoria Country Club before heading off, a week later, to Milvane and Lost City for the Investec Cup. Willy hinted that his plans after the Investec Cup, which gets underway on March 22, is to head for Gabon where he hopes to feature in the 20th edition of the Moanda Open.

It is a title that has eluded the former Nigeria Open champion in the last three years, and he is hoping to rewrite history this time around.

“I will be flying down to Gabon to feature in the Moanda Open. I believe the story will be different this time around,” said Willy, referring to the three successive secondplace finishes he has runner-up finishes he has recorded over the

O Oche Odoh

past three editions of the tournament.

He added: “I am well prepared this time around.”

Speaking to Sunday Telegraph on the development, the Director of the PGA in Nigeria, Festus Makelemi, described it as a good one, adding that any effort by any of its players to maintain their

form by featuring in other challenging tours is encouraged.

“They are professional athletes,” he said. “Our main objective beyond grooming a well-rounded player is to create opportunities for them to excel and that is why they have all the support of the association to seek glory in South Africa and in any other place.”

Being Lady Captain is a very tough job – Ngozi Ngoka

On Friday, February 20, the Lady Captain’s Day took place at the golf section of the Ikoyi Club 1938. It was a fun-filled day for all the golfers present and Ngozi Ngoka, the outgoing Lady Captain of Nigeria’s foremost golf club, in an interview with New Telegraph’s IFEANYI IBEH, aired her thoughts on what turned out to be her last assignment as the Club’s Lady Captain and why she won’t be seeking re-election at the Club’s upcoming AGM What was the Lady Captain’s Day all about?

The Lady Captain’s Day is traditionally the day that the Lady Captain sets aside to thank everybody that has contributed one way or the other into making this tenure a success. We deviated from tradition this time around by holding a concert so that everyone would have a good time alongside the tournament.

An invitational tournament took place which had in attendance all my golfer friends from across the country. A lot of them didn’t tell me they were coming; they just showed up. And it was a very pleasant experience for me and I feel very fulfilled because I didn’t know that I had touched

so many people in a positive way.

What brought about the concept of the concert?

I love music, and I sing in the choir in my church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.

And I wanted this event to showcase my lifestyle and also to help as many people as I can. Many of them from the choir are now students at the MUSON Centre.

Some of them used to be on the streets, and over the years we have trained them to become very successful. We found out that they could sing and we have done a lot to help them grow in their musical career.

When did you tenure commence?

My tenure commenced 18th of February 2014 and it will come

to an end on the 24th of February 2015. But before then I was Lady Vice Captain. So this was actually my last big event as Lady Captain. We’ll be having our AGM next week and the last two years, first as Lady Vice Captain, and then as Lady Captain, have been eventful.

Are you by any chance seeking a re-election?

No! No! No! No! I don’t want to do it again! It is such a tedious job. It is a fulltime job and my day job as a travel agent is very, very demanding as well. It is not something I want to do again, and I don’t know anyone who wants to do it for two years. It is a totally highly demanding job, especially for a perfectionist like me who wants everything to be perfect and it takes a lot of my time.

nly 17, top-ranked Lydia Ko says she’s already planning to retire from golf by the time she’s 30, and become a psychologist.

Ko makes her second start at No. 1 in the first round of the Women’s Australian Open at Royal Melbourne along with Karrie Webb and Australia’s Su Oh, an 18-year-old who won the Australian Ladies Masters last week in her second start as a professional.

The South Korean-born Ko says she will soon start an on-line psychology degree to prepare for life after golf.

“I say my plan is to retire when I’m 30 so I’m not just going to go to the beach and hang out for the rest of my life,” Ko said Wednesday.

“There’s always a second career that comes along with it and I’m trying to build up towards it and, because I’m playing a sport, psychology links well with it.”

Ko finished second in the LPGA’s 2015 tour opener in Florida on Jan. 31 to become the youngest player of either gender to become world No. 1, breaking the record set by Tiger Woods by almost four years.

Ko, who moved to New Zealand from South Korea when she was six, travels from her Florida base with her mother, Tina. Her older sister, Sura, has an architecture degree.

“My mom will get me off my iPad and phone and tell me to work hard and look at the text books,” Ko said.

In her second year as a pro, Ko said she wasn’t putting too much pressure on herself to win a major this year.

Watson out to help rehabilitate Justin Bieber

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rofessional golfer, Bubba Watson, has set his sights on helping his friend and recording artist Justin Bieber.

Bieber, who has been trying to undergo a public metamorphosis from a bad-boy personality to become a more subdued, humble guy, apparently turned to Watson for a little advice on how to deal with sudden success.

“Crazy story, I have a friend, a pastor up in Seattle, Judah Smith, and I helped start a little church here at the Montage [Hotel in Beverly Hills] every Wednesday night, and so I’d kind of run into Bieber through Judah Smith, and we just started talking, just trying to help him,” Watson recalled on a television programme, ‘Access Hollywood.’

“We all have issues we’re going through and I tried to give him guidance; let him ask me questions on how to deal with success,” Watson explained.

The two-time Masters winner was hoping to offer Bieber a shoulder to cry on, or arms to cry in, as he said. Did Bieber take up Watson on his offer?

62

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport / News

Dream Team VI hammer Gabon 4-1 T

he U-23 National Team, nicknamed Dream Team, threw a firm leg into the final qualifying round for the Men’s Football Tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games after hammering Gabon 4-1 in Libreville on Saturday.

Junior Ajayi scored in the very first minute before Warri Wolves FC striker Etebo Oghenekaro increased the tally from the penalty spot two minutes to half time.

Ajayi maintained his knack for quick starts with another goal in the 47th minute, but Gabon pulled one back through Axel Meye midway into the second half, but Nigeria ensured a handsome advantage going into the second leg when Enyimba forward Peter Onyekachi made it 4-1 in added time.

Members of the Nigerian community in Gabon made a good presence and cheered the Dream Team loudly at the Stade Augustin Monedan a Sibang.

The return leg will take place at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, March 7.

Imoh Ezekiel scores again for Standard Liege

S

tandard Liege returnee Imoh Ezekiel scored one of the goals in a 3-2 win over Waasland-Beveren in the Belgian top flight league on Friday.

Imoh Ezekiel has now scored two goals in three games since his return from Qatar.

Standard Liege are third on the league table with 47 points from 27 games.

Ezekiel, who is on loan from a Qatari team Al Arabi till the end of the season, opened the scoring for his side in the 34th minute to bring the game to 1-1.

He recently turned down a chance to feature for Nigeria U-23 team.

RESULTS

Barclays Premier League Aston Villa 1 - 2 Stoke City Chelsea 1 - 1 Burnley Crystal Palace 1 - 2 Arsenal Hull City 2 - 1 QPR S’land 0 - 0 West Bromwich Swansea 2 - 1 Man. United Man. City 5 - 0 Newcastle Germany - Bundesliga Stuttgart 2 - 3 Dortmund Augsburg 2 - 2 Leverkusen Freiburg 1 - 1 Hoffenheim Mainz 3 - 1 Frankfurt Paderborn 0 - 6 Bayern Schalke 1 - 1 Werder Bremen FC Cologne 1 - 1 Hannover Italy - Serie A Juventus 2 - 1 Atalanta Spain - Liga BBVA Getafe 2 - 1 Espanyol Barcelona 0 - 1 Malaga Cordoba 1 - 2 Valencia France - Ligue 1 Nice 0 - 1 Monaco PSG 3 - 1 Toulouse

FA Elections: Modibbo, Saidu, Adamu, Ayi retain seats

A

Victor Moses scores

Moses seals comeback

N

igeria’s Victor Moses yesterday sealed victory for Stoke City when he converted an injury time penalty kick.

By the end, the mood had changed completely. Sherwood stood there motionless with his arms folded, as his captain Ron Vlaar chopped down Victor Moses, surrendering an injury-time penalty. For his indiscretion, the Dutchman was red carded. Moses then converted the spot kick himself.

Scott Sinclair had scored the opening goal of his first official game in charge of Aston Villa and it was cue for the white

shirt beneath his gilet to become un-tucked from the slim-fitting trousers below.

These were the extreme emotions of an extreme manager during an extreme game which lurched between the type of intensity that Sherwood demands and the one-paced pedestrianised football that got Paul Lambert the sack.

Stoke seemed ideal fodder for a manager wanting to get the crowd believing in him. Once considered football’s imitation of Panzergruppe 2: an obdurate, unforgiving, band of brothers, Stoke’s defence has too often found to be as static as the Magi-

not Line this season.

Having conceded more goals from set-pieces than any other Premier League team, Mark Hughes went public with his concerns last weekend following a defeat to a Blackburn Rovers side made up of second choice players.

Sherwood has made a commitment towards getting more midfielders inside the opponent’s box. Tom Cleverley, previously booed at Villa Park, was dropped to the substitute’s bench along with Ashley Westwood, with Sherwood opting for greater strength in the centre of the park and an extra option in attack.

Ibe performances not surprising J oe Allen is not surprised by the impact Jordon Ibe has had on the Liverpool side in recent weeks.

Ibe made only his second Premier League start against Everton earlier this month and has since followed it up with further impressive showings against Tottenham and Besiktas.

The 19-year-old won the decisive penalty against Besiktas in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday as Liverpool won 1-0, and Allen lavished praise on the highly rated winger.

“From the first time I saw him I always knew Jordon had the raw talent to go as far as he wants in the game,” he told the club’s official website.

“He has been given his oppor-

tunity and he has taken it with both hands, which is great to see and it’s like having a new signing, which has been brilliant for the whole team.

“He was brilliant against Besiktas and he won us the penalty. To take a lead into the second leg is really important and we did everything we could to get the goal.

“I know (the goal) came late but we kept a clean sheet and made sure they didn’t get an away goal, which was an added bonus.”

With a 1-0 first-leg lead to defend in Turkey next week, and a home FA Cup quarter-final against Blackburn Rovers on the horizon, Allen has his sights firmly set on lifting silverware.

“That’s our aim - to win a trophy,” he said. “We really have

got the talent and we are pushing ourselves to try and win something this season.

“Considering the quite slow start we had I think we have really picked up the pace now and we are building up momentum at the right time in the season.”

Boxing: Pacquiao v Mayweather fight confirmed for May 2

F

ilipino boxing icon, Manny Pacquiao, will meet Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas on May 2 in the mega-fight their fans have long clamoured for.

Mayweather confirmed on Friday via the social media website Shots.com: “What the world has been waiting for has arrived.

Mayweather vs Pacquiao on May

2, 2015, is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did.”

Eight-division world champion Pacquiao dedicated the fight to fans who “willed” it into being. He said: “I am very happy that Floyd Mayweather and I can give the fans the fight they have wanted for so many years. “They have waited

long enough and they deserve it.”

The welterweight world title showdown is sure to be the most lucrative in boxing history, generating massive pay-per-view revenue. More importantly for fans, it will finally pit the two boxers long considered the best “pound-forpound” fighters of their generation against each other.

number of incumbents retained their seats as elections into the boards of the Football Associations of the 36 States and the FCT continued around the Federation on Saturday.

In Jalingo, at elections supervised

by Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of the States Elections Monitoring Committee, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, incumbent chairman of NFF Executive Committee member, Hussaini Modibbo retained his seat.

Hon. Essien Ayi, Member of Parliament, retained his seat as he was unopposed as chairman of the Cross River State Football Association, at elections conducted in Calabar and supervised by Member of NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli.

There was contest in Bauchi State, where incumbent Yahuza Adamu won 17 of 26 votes to retain his seat, against Kabiru Ahmed who won nine votes. Former Nigeria international, Pascal Patrick (MON) was elected as 1st vice chairman of Bauchi State FA. In Gombe, incumbent Auwalu Musa retained his seat but vice chairman Manzo Mohammed failed in his bid to return.

Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Saidu was re-elected in Sokoto State after sweeping all 23 votes despite not being opposed, in what the secretary of the States Elections Monitoring Committee, Tunde Aderibigbe declared as transparent and credible.

The elections in Sokoto held despite moves by some powerful forces on Friday to scuttle the polls.

Ogbeche back among the goals

F

ormer Nigeria international striker, Bartholomew Ogbeche, is back among the goals for Dutch Eredivisie club, SC Cambuur.

The striker netted in the 90th minute of Cambuur’s 1-2 defeat to NAC Breda at Rat Verlegh Stadion.

Adnane Tighadouini’s brace had given the hosts a 2-0 lead before Ogbeche netted late on for what proved to be nothing more than scant consolation for the visitors.

The forward, who was making a return from a match suspension following a straight card he picked up against Feyenoord on February 8, collected a pass from a teammate before slotting into the bottom corner.

It was his 10th league goal of the season and 11th in all competitions for Cambuur this season.

The 30-year-old had earlier netted once in the KNVB Beker (Dutch Cup) against Scheveningen on October 29, 2014.

This is the first time Ogbeche will be hitting double digits with regards his goals return in the league since he turned professional in 2001.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

I

The election as another referendum on minority rights

agree with those who fear that whichever way this election goes, the presidential election that is, there will be far-reaching political implications for the country as a federal republic. As the campaigns progress, one has come to see in the hate, sectional speeches at rallies, the relentless deprecatory propaganda against the office and person of the President of the Federal Republic by the opposition, a witting or an unwitting repudiation of an otherwise commendable arrangement, however imperfect, whereby a minority person was elected President of the country. The ceaseless media bashing of the president by powerful voices in parts of the country, even against the backdrop of verifiable evidence that Jonathan has performed creditably in his official four years as president, perhaps more than say Obasanjo did in eight years, has long ceased to be borne out of a genuine unease with the President’s performance. Rather, it appears to be dictated by a certain anger at the seeming impudence of a minority fellow from a ‘backwater tribe’ trying to assert himself and his right to seek a second term as President of Nigeria.

Otherwise, what, really, is the problem? Why does Obasanjo practically foam in the mouth with so much anger and disdain whenever he talks about President Jonathan? Why does the pushy old man campaign so virulently against his successor. a man who parades better governance records than the old man’s? Why would Danjuma insult Ijaw people for threatening to retaliate any further crowd attack on Jonathan anywhere in the country, but would not condemn the pelting of the president by youths in parts of the North, where the president had gone for campaigns? Why does a Jonathan not deserve a second term in Prof. Soyinka’s view despite the president’s unimpeachable democratic credentials, but a Buhari at 72, with only trails of blood and religious fanaticism for a political career record, should be given another opportunity to oppress Nigerians?

The answer subsists in the emerging Nigerian geopolitics in which the biggies would appear to have forged an unholy alliance by which they hope to squelch the political aspirations of other groups in the country, or those of persons who guts they don’t fancy. So, even for the otherwise politically sophisticated Southwest, the one always to be trusted to defend the rights of all to fair, equitable and just treatment in the conduct of public affairs, the finer elements of democratic governance, defined by promise and delivery, may well have taken the back seat in the looming political dispensation in which the big and powerful have no room for the aspirations of small and weak, or even the small but politically vibrant.

The possibility of this scenario becoming a reality scares me more than that of post-election violence, which, depending on how prepared the security agencies are, can be expeditiously contained should it occur. Let us, for the sake of argument, assume that Jonathan loses. From what we have seen and heard, the man has done well enough to deserve a second term. So, let us assume that he loses not because of non-performance but because of a certain conspiracy among the biggies to ‘return’ power to where it ‘naturally’ belongs. What does that mean? It means that our country would return to its soulless past, when one group lorded it over the rest of us as if they

Sunday

Felix Oguejiofor Abugu

abugufex@gmail.com 08076290498 (sms only)

Jonathan

Buhari

Obasanjo

Soyinka

“Why does a Jonathan not deserve a second term in Prof. Soyinka’s view despite the president’s unimpeachable democratic credentials, but a Buhari at 72, with only trails of blood and religious fanaticism for a political career record, should be given another opportunity to oppress Nigerians? ”

were celestially ordained to rule over forever. It would foreclose the aspiration of any other Nigerian outside the two biggies to seek to rule Nigeria in future. It would mean that the possibility of a Berom, an Idoma or Tiv in the north becoming President is foreclosed forever. It would mean that the possibility of an Ibibio, an Efik following the footsteps of the Ijaw or may be even an Igbo becoming President in Nigeria is forever foreclosed.

Is that the kind of Nigerian federation we desire, where the rest of us will be at the mercy of biggies who have the numerical strength, the power, intrigues and money to decide who becomes what where and whenever it pleases them?

63

We are going into an election in which a sitting president from an oilproducing minority area is seeking to complete a two-term, eight-year presidency. He is up against an opponent from a majority group who has campaigned essentially on the theme that ‘power ’ must ‘return’ to his area, as if the sitting president and his predecessor had only held power in trust for the candidate and his region. On the basis of this assumption that power belongs to his area, the candidate has been using all kinds of subterfuges, including branding the president an outsider, a non-believer in ‘the only true Faith’, who must not be allowed to complete his second four-year term as president of the Federal Republic, to win support among his people. Either because of such dangerous sentiments or in spite of them, the president has been pelted a record three times at campaign rallies up country.

So, while the country survives on oil wealth from the President’s backyard, a Nigerian opposition political party consciously builds its electioneering on the grounds that the president is not fit to rule the country for a second term of four years, not, as is obvious now, because he has not performed in office but essentially because he comes from a minority tribe and it is just high time power returned to one of the biggies! In other words, the president’s area is only good as cash cow but not qualified to have one of its own aspire to rule as many years as the constitution stipulates or as many as a son of one of the biggies had earlier done. We have one big, heartless political machination wrapped up as a campaign issue and a mindlessly crusading media cheerfully leads the way as vanguards of the ‘change’ army. Hello!

I declare that other than that the APC was founded by Bola Tinubu, I do not see how a Buhari Presidency would serve the interests of Southwest better in the context of greater Southern Nigeria than a Jonathan Presidency. History is our best teacher in this case and it has shown that the few years that Mohammed Buhari was in power, it wasn’t exactly a palatable experience for the South west. Would the situation, the attitude, change this time simply because a 72 year-old man who is already set in his ways now wears Agbekoya cap and or Ishiagu gown and a dapper suit instead of a foreboding khaki uniform? Would Jonathan fail election in Yorubaland, the champion of politics of equity, justice and fairness simply because the national leader of APC is son of the soil? Would it not serve the interest of Nigeria better if this minority fellow who has spent most of the past four years trying to placate a difficult, rather implacable group, is allowed to complete his constitutional eight years as president, especially given that he has done well enough to deserve a reelection?

It is gratifying, however, to know that leaders of thought in the Southwest, the redoubtable oldies are solidly behind the PDP candidate, their feeble hands firmly clutching the Yoruba banner of progressivism. For whatever it is worth, it is a development worth celebrating. For, if one’s understanding of the Southwest politics is anything to go by, when it comes to the brass tacks, the Yoruba will always do what is right--in their regional interest and in the greater interest of this giant in the sun. Believe you me, electing Mohammadu Buhari as president this Match 28 will neither serve that regional or national interest well.

SPORT Drogba, Keita, Buffon break age jinx

}59

FELIX O. ABUGU

Sanctity of Truth

SUNDAY

The election as another referendum on minority rights

NIGERIA’S MOST AUTHORITATIVE NEWSPAPER IN POLITICS AND BUSINESS

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2015

N150

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Why presidential candidates must debate 2014 National Conference Report (2) STATE CREATION On State creation, the Conference recommended as follows: a. Any new State sought to be created must be viable. b. In considering viability, the following should be taken into consideration – (i) Any new State should be economically viable; (ii) The new State should have human, natural and material resources; and (iii) The new State should have a minimum land/water mass. c. The viability of the existing State should as well be taken into consideration so as not to create a situation where a new State would leave an existing State unviable. d. The boundary of any existing State(s) and Local Governments shall be adjusted by the National Boundary Commission which shall act upon receiving an application from the area requesting boundary adjustment, provided that: (i) The application is supported by relevant stakeholders from/representing the communities in the area demanding; (ii) The area concerned is geographically contiguous with the State to which the area will be adjusted; (iii) The proposal for adjustment is approved by a simple majority in a referendum conducted for residents of communities situated in the area to be adjusted; and (iv) The receiving State agrees to accommodate the adjustment. e. A National Boundary Tribunal shall be established to adjudicate on boundary disputes.

MERGER AND DEMERGER OF STATES AND ZONAL COMMISSION The Conference also realised that there could be a merger of States, and so made the following recommendations: 1. Without prejudice to States constituting the Federating Units, States that wish to merge may do so: Provided that – (a) A two-thirds majority of all members in each of the Houses of Assembly of each of the States in which such merger is proposed support by resolution the merger; (b) A referendum is conducted in each of the States proposing to merge with 75 per cent of the eligible voters in each of those States approving the merger; and (c) The National Assembly by resolution passed by a simple majority of the membership approves of the merger.

2. States that decide to merge shall also reserve the right to demerge following the same procedure and processes for merger.

3. Any group of States may create a self-funding Zonal Commission.

The

Nigerian Project

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08128444555 (sms only) tion supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses Assembly; and c. By a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly; and (4/5 of each House of National Assembly and approved by 2/3 of all States).

NEW BILL OF RIGHTS INTRODUCED The National Conference introduced a new Bill of Rights, by adding the following to chapter II of the emerging 2014 Constitution: The President shall report to the National Assembly at least once a year all steps and measures taken to ensure the realisation of the policy objectives contained in this Chapter, and in particular, the realisation of a healthy economy and basic human rights including the rights to health, education, employment and housing.

Every citizen of Nigeria shall have the right to seek the enforcement of these duties in the Constitutional Court.

Women shall occupy no less than thirty per cent of all appointive and elective positions at all levels, five per cent of which shall be women with disability or physically challenged.

Encourage inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin, or of different religious, gender, physically challenged, ethnic or linguistic association or ties; and Promote or encourage the formation of associations that cut across ethnic, linguistic, religious, gender, physically challenged, or other sectional barriers.

Whilst introducing free education for all girlchildren, the Conference introduced a new innovation in regulating education between Federal, State and Local Governments by providing that: Primary education shall be regulated and controlled by Local Governments, secondary school shall be regulated and controlled by the State Governments and tertiary Institutions and

culture, customs, traditions and practices that undermine the status of women, or that derogate from their welfare, dignity, interests and aspirations.

BILL OF RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN AND THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED Conference introduced a new Bill of rights for children and the physically challenged as follows: RIGHTS OF A CHILD 1. The Child Right act shall be binding on all States of the Federation 2. Every child shall be protected from engaging in work that constitutes a threat to his/her health, education or development 3. In this constitution, a child is a person below the age of eighteen years.

RIGHTS OF THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED (1) The physically challenged have the right to live with their families or with their foster parents and to participate in economic, political, social creative and recreational activities.

(2) The physically challenged shall not be subjected to discriminatory treatment in respect of his fundamental rights other than that required by his condition or by improvement which he may derive from the treatment.

(3) If the stay of a physically challenged in a specialised institution is inevitable, the environment and living condition in that institution shall be as close as possible to those of the normal life of a person of his age.

Akinyemi (4) The physically challenged shall be protectUnity Schools shall be regulated and controlled ed from all exploitations and all treatment of a by the Federal Government except in cases of discriminatory, abusive or degrading nature. special intervention.

DISQUALIFICATION OF PERSONS SEEKING ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES 1.

The State shall protect and improve the POLITICAL OFFICES environment and safe guard the water, air and The Conference introduced new disqualifying factors for persons seeking political offices by land, forest and wild life of Nigeria.

2. Government shall direct its policy towards adding the following persons: ensuring that all citizens of Nigeria have the 1. Persons who within a period of ten years right to a general satisfactory environment fa- before the date of the election, he has been vourable to their development including rights convicted of an electoral offence by a Court or tribunal to water, clean air, food and shelter.

2. A candidate who has been adjudged by any court of law to have been fraudulent in the elecCITIZENSHIP On Citizenship, Conference added new innova- tion process shall be barred from – tions to the effect that a Nigerian Citizen shall a. Contesting subsequent bye-election, and include any person who is or has been mar- b. Vying for any elective office or holding any ried to a citizen of Nigeria, and that women, party or Government position for ten years. girl-children and widows shall enjoy the same TO BE CONTINUED rights and privileges as any other Nigerian. In • Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN addition, no woman shall be subjected to any

BUSY BODY

By Aliu Eroje

MODE OF ALTERING PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION The conference decided to simplify the mode of creating new states in the following manner: (1) The National Assembly may, subject to the provision of this section, alter any of the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) An act of the National Assembly for the purpose of altering any provision of this constitution shall only be passed if the proposal for alteration of the Constitution is approved a. In a referendum by simple majority; b. By simple majority of all States of the FederaPrinted 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.