Binder1 sunday, may 24, 2015 by Newtelegraphonline

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SUNDAY

Sanctity of Truth

Sunday, MAY 24, 2015 Vol. 2 No. 459

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Yemi

Woju crooner, KISS Daniel, confesses

I’d love to date Chidinma, Yemi Alade and Dija }17

Chidinma

YOU LET US DOWN l As Jonathan prepares to

hand over, his Otuoke kinsmen say they expected better deal from him

lProbe him, Danjuma tells Buhari

}5&6

ALLEGED DRUG OFFENCES

SENATOR-ELECT, BURUJI KASHAMU, IN BIG MESS

lDrama as NDLEA operatives invade Lagos mansion, place him under house arrest lSenator-elect threatens to commit suicide }5 lMore top Nigerians targeted in drug crackdown

DIJA

Buhari, Cameron meet in London, discuss corruption, Boko Haram }14 We’ve overcome post-election crisis, says PDP }8 N4.1trn burden, others await new govt – APC

}President-elect plans ‘state of emergency’ over unpaid salaries, oil subsidy, debt servicing }4&5

Rain, poor turnout mar Rivers’ LG election }63 SUNDAY INTERVIEW

Ohaneze misled Igbos on 2015 elections, says ex-minister }32

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Contents | 24.05.15 BODY & SOUL

Persistence pays ‘Rounded woman’ is not a myth. It’s been proven by a mother, wife and first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna

}18

POLITICS

Scary debt overhang Daunting debt overhang from the Federal Government and various states in excess of $64 billion, is causing great apprehension ahead of this week’s handover

}31

BUSINESS

War over oil cargoes Onne, Portharcourt based INTELS Logistics (operator of FLT and FOT oil and gas free zone), tackles LADOL for daring to challenge its dominance of oil and gas logistics services in Africa

}23

FAITH

Buhari’s many tasks

Presiding Bishop of Christian Central Chapel International in Calabar, Cross River State, Bishop Emmah Isong, outlines tasks before President-elect Muhammadu Buhari

}42

SPORT

LIFE

Onwukanjo dreams Ike Onwukanjo, a Nigerianborn New York native, who has dual citizenship is looking forward to helping his parent’s native country, Nigeria, pick a ticket to play in the rugby event at the Rio 2016 Olympics

}60

Blood bath in Ekiti A bloody fracas erupts in Ado-Ekiti over a lady’s handbag, leaving destruction in its trail

}41

SUNDAY

Editorial

IGP Arase’s order on VIPs

ast week, Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, warned policemen against carrying bags or running menial errands for VIPs. Arase, who gave the order at a meeting in Abuja with a select group of inspectors and the rank and file, said his directive was meant to raise the profile of the force and to instill self-respect in Nigerian policemen. The IGP was quoted as saying: ““I have directed the commissioner of police in-charge of the airports that if they find any of you carrying boxes (of VIPs) and rifles, and dragging them all over the place, they should arrest you and you will be punished.” He added: “Those of you who are posted to VIPs, on no account should you carry their bags and on no account should you act as domestic servants to them. You are police officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and they must respect you as such. Your uniform must be respected, anybody who wants to hire a domestic help should not use our policemen who are sent to protect them as domestic help.” Though his order is not new, as same has been issued by some of his predecessors, it is heartwarming that the highest ranking police officer in Nigeria is showing public concern about the conduct of policemen. It could not have come at a better time than now when VIPs have come to regard policemen as nothing better than mere servants who can be deployed to perform any task, no matter how demeaning. Sometime last year, a photograph circulated on social media of a mobile policeman holding an umbrella for a Chinese man as he made a phone call. The expatriate appeared to be relishing the undeserved privilege of a Nigerian policeman serving as a common servant for him; something he would rarely enjoy in his home country. Also, some years ago, a national newspaper published a photograph of a policeman wiping the official car of the then Senate president at the precincts of Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. Such sights have

caused much indignation among right-thinking observers, who believe that security agents entrusted with policing the over 160 million citizens of the world’s largest Black nation should not be exposed to such odious treatment. It appears as if some VIPs relish the sight of policemen been seen to be running menial tasks for them. Perhaps, it serves as a bragging right and a morale booster for such unthinking highly-placed Nigerians. However, it is a negative image of Nigeria that is served to the world when foreigners see how poorly our VIPs and expatriates treat policemen attached to them. While not begrudging the right of the IGP and other senior police officers to decide on who should enjoy such a privilege, it is believed that much care should henceforth be exercised on how such postings are handled. It would not be out of place to suggest to the IGP to draw up a code of conduct for persons and institutions applying for police orderlies on how such policemen should be treated. Also, it would be in place for greater scrutiny of such individuals and institutions to be made by the police high command so that officers and the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force are not attached to persons of questionable character. The way police orderlies have been seen to conduct themselves on the nation’s highways, intimidating and sometimes brutalising other road users sends a wrong signal about how law enforcement officers view themselves. It was once reported how some years ago, a police officer in the convoy of a sitting vice-president smashed the side mirror of a senior editor ’s car in Lagos even though he had cleared off the road. What about cases of intimidation of Nigerians allegedly carried out on behalf of VIPs by their security detail? IGP Arase would do well to constitute a monitoring team to send feedback to him on the conduct of police orderlies as a way of sanitising the system and ensuring that Nigerians of all walks of life come to respect policemen as the veritable officers of the law that they are.

DAILY TELEGRAPH PUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief

Eric Osagie

Editor n Yemi Ajayi Managing Editor n Suleiman Uba Gaya Editor, Saturday n Laurence Ani Editor, Sunday n Emeka Madunagu Deputy Editor, Sunday n Juliet Bumah Bureau Chief, Brussels n Leo Cendrowicz Bureau Chief, Washington DC n Marshall Comins Editorial Coordinator, Europe n Sam Amsterdam Ag. Bureau Chief, Abuja n Onwuka Nzeshi Asst. Editor, News & Politics n Biyi Adegoroye Business Development Manager n Taiwo Ahmed Sales/Circulation Manager n Oyebanji Abiodun Head, Graphics n Timothy Akinleye Head, Admin. n Robinson Ezeh

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 24 MAY, 2015

SPECIALonREPORT The 8th Senate’s Fresh Generation Godswill Akpabio

Aliyu Wamakko

Jonah David Jang

Stella Adaeze Oduah

Samuel Egwu

Theodore Orji

Mao Ohuabunwa

Uche Lilian Ekwunife

Buruji Kashamu

Jeremiah Useni

Abubakar Kyari

Ben Murray Bruce

Peter Nwaoboshi

Biodun Olujimi

Dino Melaye

Monsurat Sunmonu

Bayero Usman Nafada

Bala ibn Na’Allah

Isiaka A. Adeleke

Abubakar Danladi

Adeola Olamilekan

Binta Masi Garba

Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim

Mustapha Bukar

Duro Samuel Faseyi

Fatimat O. Raji-Rasaki

Shehu Sani

Mustapha Bukar

Philip Aruwa I Gyunka

Buhari Abdulfatai

Suleiman O. Hunkuyi

Osinakachukwu Ideozu

Danjuma La’ah

Bassey Albert Akpan

Olanrewaju Tejuoso

Mohammed A. Ohiare

Nelson Asuquo Effiong

Achonu A. Nneji

Sabo Mohammed

David Umaru

Umaru Ibrahim Kurfi

Barau I Jibrin

Nnaemeka Anyanwu

Clifford A. Ordia

John Enoh Owan

Mathew A. Urhoghide

Utazi Godfrey Chukwuka

Rilwan Adesoji Akanbi

Gbolahan Dada

Abdul-Aziz M. Nyako

Francis A. Alimikhena

Olaka Johnson Nwogu

Ogba Joseph Obinna

Tijjani Yahaya Kaura

Donald Alasoadura

Rose Okoji Oko

Yele Omogunwa

Ogola Foster

Gershom H. Bassey

Suleiman M. Nazif

Malam Ali Wakili

Abdullahi A. Gumel

Marafa Bashir Abba

Yahaya Abdullahi

Abdulrahman Abubakar

Salihu Hussain Egye

Mohammed Garba

Ighoyota Amori

Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Ahmadu Abubakar

Mohammed Hasan

Isah Hamma Misau

Ibrahim Abdullahi

Muhammad Ubali Shitu

On June 4, 2015, the eighth Senate of the National Assembly will be inaugurated. Of the 109 Senators who will be taking their seats, 74, representing 66 per cent will be fresh in the upper chamber. Who are these fresh Senators? What are their backgrounds and antecedents? What quality of debate and contributions are we likely to see from them? These and more will be the kernel of a special report by New Telegraph on that day. The report presents a unique opportunity for family, friends and associates of these fresh Senators to felicitate with them. For enquiries and participation: Call Biodun: 0802-301-5582, Taiwo: 0803-304-2915, Onwuka: 0803-733-9843, David: 0810-759-1663

SUNDAY 24 MAY, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

News

Unpaid salaries: Hope rises for workers

Chijioke Iremeka

resident-elect Muhammadu Buhari is putting together a bailout package for states owing workers a backlog of salaries. Also, there are indications that Buhari will clear salaries and allowances owed federal civil servants after his inauguration. Sunday Telegraph gathered from Buhari’s camp that the decision to bail out the states and federal agencies followed an urgent plea by the president-elect’s transition committee that he should take “immediate and urgent steps” to deal with the situation and cool tempers. This will also enable his administration to settle down to work as quickly as possible and avoid the spectre of looming strikes in the states and federal agencies. A source said, “Serious concern was raised by the transition committee that over two-thirds of the states are owing their workers. The transition committee made a strong recommendation that he must immediately do something about that after he is sworn in. “The transition committee had described the situation as a threat to the incoming administration and called for speedy action to prevent a major crisis. “They said it should be in the form of lending the states some money and then later they can work out modalities to deal with the issue of salaries. You would discover that even federal agencies are owing salaries. He (Buhari) will respond positively to that.” Abia, A/Ibom, Bauchi, Benue,Cross River,Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa,Kano, Katsina, Kogi Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers Zamfara are owing workers. Sunday Telegraph also learnt from some other sources that Buhari would quickly attend to the vexed issue of revenue allocation, which is currently heavily skewed in favour of the Federal Government. Under the current arrangement, the Federal Government gets 52.68%; states collect 26.72%; and local governments get 20.60%. Oil-producing states also get 13% derivation monthly. Previous attempts to review the formula and give more money to states and local governments failed. Non-payment of workers’ salaries and arrears as well as entitlements of pensioners has been causing disquiet in many states of the federation in the last few weeks. Both the federal and state governments are currently owing arrears of workers’ salaries and al-

lowances as well as pensions. This has necessitated a number of strikes and threats of more industrial actions across the country. Sunday Telegraph’s investigations revealed that about 18 states of federation are owing staff salaries ranging from six months and above as at December 31, 2014. The states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Ekiti, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kogi. Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers and Zamfara. According to the report of the Task Force of the Nigeria Labour Congress, while

some of the states had paid salaries of workers up to date, they are still owe arrears of pensions running into months. Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Edo, Federal Capital Territory, Gombe, Katsina, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Sokoto and Taraba are not indebted to their workers. The NLC report stated that Abia State had not paid salaries of workers of the state teaching hospital for nine months. The state is also owing workers of the hospital management board eight months’ sal-

ary; Abia State Universal Basic Education Board, six months; Abia State Polytechnic, five months; local government workers, four months; and teachers, three months’ salary arrears. While Enugu State had paid salaries of civil servants up to date, parastatals were owed 12 months’ salaries and pensions and gratuities remain unpaid since 2010. The state has not paid retired primary school teachers gratuities and pensions in the last 13 years just as workers in the government- owned Daily Star Newspapers, water corporation and transport

company, ENTRACO, are being owed several years of unpaid wages. Osun State owes six months’ salaries and pensions arrears; Plateau has six months’ salaries and seven months’ pensions; Benue carries a backlog of five months salaries’ and four months’ pensions; Kogi has four months of pensions and salary arrears; while Oyo owes three months salaries and between five and 11 months of pension arrears. Also, states which are likely to owe salaries and pensions of workers into the incoming administra-

British Prime Minister, David Cameron (left), exchanging pleasantries with Nigeria’s President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, after a meeting in Downing Street…yesterday

tion on May 29 are Ekiti, with three months of unpaid wages; Jigawa with a month of judiciary workers’ salary arrears; Ondo owes one month’s salary and pension; while Ogun has one month’s salary and 52 months of unremitted pension deductions to the Pension Fund Administration. Though Zamfara State has paid workers’ salaries up to date, the wages of those recruited in 2014 have not been paid. The NLC stated that Rivers State owes one month of workers’ salaries and three months of pension, while Kano has yet to pay newly employed teachers for three months. However, the task force report appeared silent on the status of Yobe and Ebonyi on the ground that there was no information on them. But Ebonyi owes teachers under the Universal Basic Education scheme nearly 12 months of salaries. The situation has led to plans by NLC for a coordinated nationwide strike to commence tomorrow in the 18 states of federation still owing workers’ salaries. NLC General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, was reported to have said that the congress had sent its task force to various geopolitical zones of the country. He noted that a strike had begun in Plateau State and a similar action was scheduled for Cross River and other states.

Rivers: AGF’s directive splits lawyers Tunde Oyesina Abuja

he directive by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), that the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, should administer the oath of office on the Rivers State Governor-elect, Nyesom Wike, on May 29 yesterday split legal experts. Adoke had issued the directive last week based on the absence of a substantive chief judge in Rivers State. In a statement he personally signed and which was made available to reporters in Abuja, he said it was intended to avert a constitutional crisis on May 29 when Wike is expected to take office. While some were of the opinion that the directive was in order, others took a swipe at the AGF. Speaking with Sunday Telegraph on the order, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ahmed Raji, stated that it was intended to avert a constitutional crisis. He noted

that without the oath of office and oath of allegiance, the governor-elect cannot assume office. “The AGF is trying to prevent a constitutional crisis. It could be the CJ of the Federal High Court, representative of the President of the Court of Appeal or representative of the CJN,” Raji stated. Also reacting, a constitutional lawyer, Jerry Udegbe, described the development as a new feature in the nation’s judicial system. “The judiciary should be allowed to take care of the matter. The AGF should have consulted the Chief Justice of Nigeria on the way forward. “The decision should not have been that of the AGF alone, but that of the leadership of the judiciary serving on an advisory capacity,” he said. Another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Awa Kalu, noted that the directive was manifestly unconstitutional. In his words, “The AGF is not the Attorney-General of Rivers. He is the chief law

officer of the country and a member of the executive arm and cannot issue directive to Bayelsa CJ. The situation in Rivers is pitiable but that does not give the AGF power to issue directives. This is an issue of law and not the opinion of a single person. Nigeria is not a one man property and as such it govern by laws and not by opinion.” In a statement issued by a Lagos-based lawyer on the issue, Festus Keyamo, he had described the directive as legal and appropriate. Holding a different view, a law lecturer, Dr. Azeez Okanla opined that the directive was unconstitutional. He submitted that the swearing in of the governor of a state was the internal affair of that state and this cannot be taken over by the AGF. “Although it is true that section 185(2) of the 1999 Constitution permits the Chief Judge or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, of another State, to swear in a governor in an-

other state, such a function can only be performed at the behest of the particular state concerned, in this case Rivers State, and not upon the directive of the AGF, with due respect. “Nigeria is not operating a unitary system of government and it is not under military rule, as to warrant the intervention of the AGF in the internal affairs of a state, unsolicited,” he said. Okanla also said the office of the CJ is different and autonomous from that of the AGF and the latter cannot issue directives to the former. He also added that the performance of this function by the CJ is a rare departure from the hallowed principle of observing the territorial boundaries of one state, from the other, to the extent that such exceptional jurisdiction, should be exercised sparingly and upon proper foundation. He decalred, “We cannot be used to a situation whereby the Executive takes over the Judicial arm of government, to is-

sue unlawful directives for immediate compliance, as if the latter is an appendage of the former. Consequently, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State is humbly urged to ignore this directive from the AGF with due respect, until there is a lawful request, from the government of Rivers State, to that effect.” In his own reaction, another lawyer, Jide Onabanjo, stated that a critical look and interpretation of Section 185 (2) of the 1999 Constitution is clear as to what the AGF has done. He noted that there is nothing unconstitutional in his directive, adding, “It should be noted that the AGF is the chief law officer of the land. This is not the first time he will give such a directive. Remember, he gave such a directive when the Kogi state governor was to be swornin among others. To me, I think it is politicians that want to use the opportunity to cause a breakdown of law and order.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY 24 MAY, 2015

News

Buhari’ll inherit N4.1trn burden – APC John Chuks Onuanyim Abuja

L-R: Son of late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Charles; former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi and Chika, during Chukwumerije’s burial at Isuochi, Abia State…on Friday.

NDLEA places Senator-elect Buruji Kashamu under house arrest

Juliana Francis peratives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency yesterday stormed the Lekki, Lagos mansion of Peoples Democratic Party chieftain and Senator-elect for Ogun East, Burji Kashamu. The operatives were at the mansion to forcibly arrest Kashamu and extradite him to the United States to face trial for alleged drug offences. The standoff began around 4.30a.m on Saturday with a large number of drug agents blocking access to his home on Oladipo Omotosho Street in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. They also set up crime scene tape across the exterior of the compound. The NDLEA agents littered the street and surrounding roads. They eventually broke into the house but could not grab Kashamu as he had barricaded himself in his room. He also allegedly threatened to commit suicide if they tried to forcibly take him from the house. They had to back down from breaking into the bedroom because they allegedly had no warrant of arrest to pick him. However, NDLEA sources said they would remain at the place till Monday when he will taken to court in preparation for his extradition. Reacting to the development in a statement titled ‘Kashamu; NDLEA executes illegal abduction plot... lays seige to his Lagos residence,’ his media aide, Austin Oniyokor, accused a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and his wife of orchestrating the alleged abduction plot “all in a bid to score cheap political points.” Onyiokor said, “This latest onslaught is a confirmation

of the alleged plot to illegally abduct him in spite of the pending suit against this illegality. As a matter of fact, the court has ordered parties in the matter including the NDLEA to maintain status quo until judgment is delivered on Wednesday 27th May 2015. We have confirmed that they do not have a warrant of arrest, just as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has said that it did not give any order to carry out this illegality. “Nigeria is not a Banana republic! The United States(US) being the bastion of democracy, the rule of law and due process should not lend itself to this kind of illegality.” But NDLEA’s Head, Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, said Kashamu would be arraigned on Monday in preparation for his extradition. A statement by the agency reads, “A special team of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confined Ogun State Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, to his Lagos residence pending his appearance in court on Monday May 25, 2015 to

perfect his extradition to the United States. “Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDFLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the operation is in line with the legal process of extradition. “The agency has commenced extradition procedures against Senator-elect, Buruji Kashamu, in line with the laws of country. He has been in contact with his attorneys and will appear in court on Monday,” Giade stated. The residence of Buruji was raided by narcotic operatives at about 5am this morning. Further information will be communicated to the media.” Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, said there was nothing ‘extra-judicial’ about the plan to arrest and extradite Kashamu. According to him a formal request has been made by the American government seeking his extradition and same has been passed to the appropriate legal body. He added that due process and all legal proceedings would be pursued with respect to his extradition. Kashamu had dragged the inspector-general of po-

lice and 11 others before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, asking it to enforce his fundamental human right to freedom of movement. Other respondents in the fundamental rights suit include the NDLEA Chairman; Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Director General, Department of State Security; Interpol; National Central Bureau; and AGF. He is specifically urging the court for an order restraining the defendants and their agents from arresting, detaining, or otherwise effecting his abduction upon spurious allegations. He is also seeking an order directing the clerk of the National Assembly to accord him every facility and privilege due to him as a senator-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Meanwhile, an NDLEA source told Sunday Telegraph that more top Nigerians are being targeted for extradition to the U.S over alleged involvement in drug offences. The source, who declined to provide any for “security reasons,” said the agency was determined to defeat the drug cartels giving the nation a bad name.

ll Progressives Congress yesterday warned Nigerians to expect tougher times ahead as President-elect Muhammadu Buhari would inherit N4.1 trillion liabilities on oil subsidy commitments, unpaid salaries and debt servicing. APC National Chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, delivered the warning in an address of welcome at a two-day retreat for all APC senators-elect in Abuja titled ‘Extraordinary Times Require Extraordinary Actions.’ Odigie-Oyegun told the senators-elect that they were “being called to service at one of the most challenging periods in the history of our nation.” He added: “Unparalleled commitment, uncommon patriotism, unprecedented hard work and indeed a reservoir of your innermost strength will be required, as our party takes the centre stage in the next few days and begins to implement its programmes for the benefit of the long suffering people. “Make no mistake about it, the days ahead will be tough, and this is not crying wolf. From the first day of this government, a total of 4.1 trillion Naira will be required for sundry expenses, including oil subsidy payment, arrears of salaries at federal and state levels and debt servicing, just to mention a few. “Put this against the background of the falling oil prices, the unprecedented $60 billion debt which the outgoing government has left for the incoming one, the largely depleted Excess Crude Account (ECA), the $60 billion that have been lost in the last four years to crude oil theft (and which are perhaps still being lost as we speak), the need to rapidly create jobs for our teeming army

of unemployed youths, enhance the security of the citizenry and improve the economy, and you will begin to understand the enormity of the challenges ahead. “This is not a lamentation forum, but still, we must tell ourselves the truth about the state of the nation, and the expectations of our people. In fact, to a number of our compatriots, by May 30th, a day after the swearing of our President-elect, all the streets in Nigeria will be air conditioned while electricity will become stable and fuel scarcity will be a thing of the past. Yes, we will get there, but it won’t happen overnight.” He, however, admonished them to cooperate with the President-elect in the task to rebuild the nation. “You may be required to pass important bills at very short notices. This will not be unprecedented but will require a buy-in to the programmes of the President and the Party and a willingness to work with him and the party for the benefit of all Nigerians. The demands on you will be tasking, but you are up to the task! “Fortunately we have the numbers, even though we believe that a bipartisan effort - to which we are open - will be a better deal. And there is good news! You, our senatorselect, share in the dreams of the President and our party to make our country great again,” he stated.

Buhari

Probe Jonathan, Danjuma urges Buhari Sabiu Mustapha Jalingo

ormer Defence Minister and elder statesman, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, yesterday urged President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to probe President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration over the $60 billion awaiting the incoming government. According to Danuma, the

debt burden was necessitated by the alleged financial recklessness of the outgoing government. Danjuma, who made the call while commissioning three multi-million naira bridges he personally constructed in Takum, Taraba State, said the necessity of the probe to ascertain those who frittered the nation’s resources away was nonnegotiable. The retired general, who

also expressed dismay at the debt, expressed optimism that Buhari would probe those who had denied Nigerians of much needed development. He also said he was sad at the way and manner the treasury of the country was looted. He said: “What we are hearing is that the treasury of the country is empty at the federal level.” He further expressed op-

timism that persons found guilty of misappropriating the nation’s funds would be brought to book. “I’m calling on the new administration to investigate what happened to our monies as soon as it takes over on May 29,” he declared. He called on Nigerians to cooperate with Buhari to enable him to recover the stolen funds. The three bridges are located along Takum-Katsina

Ala Road and gulped over N500m. Challenged by Danjuma’s gesture, both the Acting Governor, Sani Abubakar Danladi, and Governorelect, Darius Ishaku, vowed to as a matter of urgency push further for the immediate rehabilitation of the road. Danjuma said, “This road is a federal road. It has been like this since after the end of our civil war. This road was not built by professionals.”

SUNDAY

The Sunday Magazine SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

You let us down, say

Main road into Otuoke

Sony Neme ith barely five days to the May 29 handover, President Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsmen are preparing to accord him a befitting welcome in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Already, roads leading to his hometown, Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area, are being cleared of sand dunes by corps members, as our visit to the sleepy community on Friday revealed. This is just as divergent views flowed from Jonathan’s kinsmen about how much they benefitted from his five years as president. Otuoke witnessed very little transformation throughout Jonathan’s three years as vice-president and five years as president. Expectedly, the town is not wearing any new look, as our visit to the sleepy town on Friday reveals no sign of a town expecting their son after May 29. While some of those spoken with expressed suppressed joy, a couple of indigenes and other residents told Sunday Telegraph that they were full of regrets and disappointment. Not about the lost elections, but that of failed hopes of enjoying the benefits of having their son as Nigeria’s president, as their expectations were dashed. While some hailed him for his strides in national development, others pointed to Jonathan’s near-neglect of the state, noting that all they got from him was a crisis generated by his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, and the Federal University, Otuoke. Speaking to Sunday Telegraph, a former governor of old Rivers State, His Eminence, Alfred Diete Spiff, said, “President Jonathan has made us proud, and we are proud of him. Plans are at an advanced stage as we are hosting him to to a red carpet reception in Yenagoa. We admire his courage. We are happy with his style and we we recommend others to toe his style of leadership.” For Ijaw National Council leader, Boma

Obuforibo, nothing else matters to Jonathan’s kinsmen than a befitting reception to their worthy son. His words: “You know he is our son. He went out for this exercise (presidency) successfully, and he is returning to a heroic reception. We are receiving him in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Government.” Asked if INC has any regrets, he said, “For us at INC, that has nothing to do with receiving him. Our son is returning after a successful national assignment. Every Ijaw, I mean the 78 Ijaw clans, will be collaborating with Governor Seriake Dickson to give him a befitting welcome. Every other issue is immaterial for us now.” At the Palace of the Obanema of Otuoke, HRH King L J Ogiasa (Oke X), on Friday morning, a male employee said the royal father had just left after meeting with the Community Development Committee on their plans for a befitting reception for Jonathan. Chairman of Otuoke CDC, Elija Ateki, when contacted on phone, said he was on his way out of the community to get some of the requirements needed to host some people who trekked from Abuja to Otuoke. However, our correspondent met with his immediate predecessor, Mekunumunu N. Digha, who was the CDC chairman from 2002 to 2004. Speaking with Sunday Telegraph at a restaurant on Ebele Street, a walking distance to President Jonathan’s family house, he said, “With the leadership of His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Otuoke has witnessed a tremendous change. His vision was to transform the community and the entire Niger Delta in his second term. That aside, he has done well with the establishment of a university here. That has brought development to our people. He has brought quality leadership to the country, most of which they will begin to see as he departs the seat. For now, people will have things to say about him but with

time they will realise his qualities.” On their expectations, he said, “The community was not expecting much as Nigeria is a very big country. He had anticipated adding further development to the community.” On preparations to receive the President, he said, “I consulted with the new CDC chairman, and he said the community is preparing a mini-ceremony for him. We are happy that he is returning with his family alive.” For an Otuoke youth leader, Comrade John Godfrey, the people of the community “are really happy. By God’s grace, we love him, We are glad that he is coming back alive. The community is planning to host him on May 29. We already have a committee, of which I am a member, to receive him. I had planned to write a special remark, but that was put on hold.” On his people’s expectations that were not met, he said, “We know that he has done much and he had good intentions, but he was frustrated. At a point, he almost lost focus. Worst of all, the people he trusted to take care of things in the community failed him. If we had an opportunity to meet with him one on one, we would have advised him better, and he would have made a great difference. Hope is not lost. We believe now that he is coming home, he will form a new committee as the old ones have failed him.” From Yenagoa through Berger Park to Zikoro Town and Agbura Town in Yenagoa to Otuogori where some policemen were harassing taxi drivers for bribes to Onuebum community, where you divert to Otuoke, you are faced with a narrow road ostensibly tarred before the state was created. It has been maintained by the Dickson administration. All you notice as you drive to Otuoke from Zikoro is state government presence, while the only noticeable federal project that welcomes you to Otuoke on your left is the site

of the new Nigerian Air Force base. As you drive a few minutes away from there, a narrow bridge confronts you, as you descend into Otuoke. There is a military barricade stationed strategically in front of Jonathan’s sprawling country home. Efforts to take some photographs were rebuffed by one of the soldiers on guard. In a chat with a taxi driver, who claimed to have spent seven years plying the road, he said, “The people are not happy with the President because apart from Otuoke, none of the neighbouring villages benefited from his administration, not to talk of the state. Just go to the town and mention his name and you will be disappointed.” The driver stressed that, “If not for the state governor, I am sure he (Jonathan) won’t have even won the state during the last election.” A commercial motor cyclist from Emerenge in Ogbia, where Jonathan had his secondary school education, was more forthcoming. Speaking at the President’s brother’s Eva Glass House Hotel, he said, “I can’t really point out any positive thing about Jonathan, because he only worked for the country, not for his people. That is why apart from the university, you cannot see any federal presence in the whole of Ogbia. I don’t understand his pattern of leadership, because they say charity begins at home. “You can point to so many things the state governor has done. You can’t event compare him to the President. There was no form of empowerment of any kind. The youths are worse off.” The Concerned Bayelsa Elders, leader, Elder John Ebeletimi Wilson, who spoke with our correspondent on Monday in Yenagoa said: “Nigeria’s President, Goodluck Jonathan, who is our brother, ought to have coasted home to an easy election victory in 2015, but he ran foul of the touchstone of African politics, which is to secure the home front. Charity must begin at home.”

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

The Sunday Magazine

We know that he has done much and he had good intentions, but he was frustrated. At a point, he almost lost focus. Worst of all, the people he trusted to take care of things in the community failed him.If we had an opportunity to meet with him one on one, we would have advised him better, and he would have made a great difference

Jonathan’s Otuoke kinsmen

An untarred street behind Jonathan’s Otuoke residence

The visibly angry CBE leader’s worry is that the All Progressives Congress cashed in on the overbearing attitude of Jonathan’s wife, whose role, even in the state PDP was anything but commendable. Wilson said, “I warned then that except something urgent was done, APC may not know that their best ally is Chief (Mrs.) Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, the all-conquering wife of the President, who literally trasverses the corridors of power in her distinctive gait and retinue of aides. Our worry was further compounded, as the opposition‘s mission to unseat the President appears to be facilitated by the canon fodder provided by the President’s wife. “A quick analysis of the bad press received by the President reveals that over 60 per cent of the negative reports about the President in the mainstream media has links to the actions and pronouncements of his beloved wife.” He further explained that in Bayelsa State, the governor’s tenure will not end until February 2016, yet the atmosphere is as charged as if the next election is imminent. The reason he gave was that Jonathan’s wife had been at war with Dickson, for reasons the people cannot understand. This is more so as Dickson has remained one of the most loyal to the President, just as he has within three years transformed the state in areas of infrastructure development and security and placed the state as an investors’ haven. For him, “What we find difficult to understand is why Mrs. Jonathan is at daggersdrawn with a performing governor. And to have chosen the eve of her husband’s reelection to start pulling the rug from under the feet of Governor Dickson, instead of allowing the young man to focus on helping her husband re-elected! “Due to this unfortunate scenario, some people were hedging their bets by aligning forces with Mrs. Jonathan, while pragmatic Bayelsans remain steadfast with the belief that a bird in hand is worth more than two in the bush, thereby casting their lots with the governor who is firmly on the seat and on ground. “There is a popular saying that my enemies’ enemy is my friend. This has given room to Governor Dickson’s political adversaries, as they appear to be gaining support from Abuja, not minding their party affiliations, thereby paving the way for opposition parties to have a foothold in the PDP state. Loyalty is now a password and it has led to an upsurge, with candidates challenging the status quo under the banners of other

political parties against the supremacy of PDP in the state. “All these are to the consternation of Dickson’s teeming supporters, despite the incumbent’s achievements that should stand him for re-election, because not even his enemies can deny the fact that Dickson has made a bold difference infrastructurewise. For instance, the sight of flyovers in Yenagoa bears testimony to an administration that remains committed to the rapid development of our dear state.” Greater Bayelsa Youth for Change:under the leadership of Comrade Abadi Timi, would rather hail the governor for succeeding in making PDP in the state more formidable despite all odds. Timi said “Jonathan’s lack of focus led him to undermine his state, instead of supporting Dickson who has been with him all through. As at today, Dickson has repositioned PDP in the state, which resulted in the April 11 polls’ victory by the party with 20 out of the 22 announced results. This is more of a referendum on the Dickson administration, because he inherited a house of assembly dominated by (former governor) Timipre Sylva’s loyalties.” Timi who, ironically, expressed joy at the change of fortune for Patience Jonathan from Abuja, said, “Now we are spared madam’s attitude. Bayelsans have now realised that it was all political propaganda. And the anger in Bayelsa is that President Jonathan’s presidency has left us worse than he met us. You can’t believe that after eight years at Abuja, not a single Bayelsan has an oil block, We were continually denied major contracts, and the only thing we have to show for his presidency is a federal university in his country home, Otuoke. Even at that, there is no motorable road to his village! “Moreover, we were left with only crisis; no project from the presidency. Apart from the state government that obtained a N20 billion loan with the help of the state house of assembly, the only project from the presidency was the international cargo airport that was abandoned at DPC level. With the loss of Jonathan at the polls, all the lies are coming to the fore, and Bayelsa youths are

Some corps members clearing a drainage in the town

wiser.” Chairman of Bayesa Grassroots Initiatives, Chief Peretimi Akari, who said he relocated to Lagos in the heat of the struggle to wrest Bayelsa from Patience Jonathan’s grip, said, “Bayesla State has spoken with the April 11 polls despite the show of shame by Mrs. Jonathan and her supporters. Why did President Jonathan keep mum while his wife stifled the state of needed federal presence, just because she was not having her way? It was very disappointing. That beat us hollow.“ He stressed that, “Though Jonathan speaks on the need for Bayelsans to continue working with Dickson for sustained development, his actions are contrary as there has not been any deliberate effort from the presidency to support the state in infrastructural development. Take a look around and you will discover that all the projects in Bayelsa are state-funded. “The truth is that the governor’s offence is bringing sanity to governance as he started by cutting costs from government house; put a stop to the inflation of salaries and got the civil servants to sit up. That definitely did not go down well with the former beneficiaries; especially when he stopped

What we find difficult to understand is why Mrs. Jonathan is at daggers-drawn with a performing governor. And to have chosen the eve of her husband’s re-election to start pulling the rug from under the feet of Governor Dickson, instead of allowing the young man to focus on helping her husband re-elected

the N250 million that one of his predecessors was dolling out monthly to some cult groups.” Another factor he pointed out was that before now civil servants in the state hardly ever went to work except few days to month end when they usually showed up to collect their salaries. But the situation is changing. He said, “What they are failing to understand is that Bayelsans were not for Jonathan, but mainly for the governor who has remained a grass roots person. And the embarrassing situation of Bayelsa politics is why Dame Jonathan overstretched her luck instead of working with the governor to save the situation from damaging the party’s fortune. “In all this, an accusing finger points at Mrs. Jonathan and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Hon Waripamo-Owei Dudafa. We have it on record that Hon. Dudafa, a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, and a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under former Governor, Timipre Sylva, has largely been used by Mrs Jonathan to undermine the governor.” Akari said it all started when Dame Jonathan tried foisting Dugafa on the state as its deputy governor. But the governor rather offered him a commissionership slot, which he turned down. “And instead of the President’s wife who was championing his cause to see reasons with Dickson, Dudafa was taken to Abuja and elevated as a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events. Your guess about that position is as good as mine.”

News Onyekachi Eze ABUJA

he Peoples Democratic Party has said that the voluntary resignations of its National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih were huge sacrifices for the rebuilding of the party. The party also said it is currently searching for a suitable replacement for the National Chairman from the North East geopolitical zone. In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party stated that it has put behind the recent challenges that confronted the leadership, adding that its Na-

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

We’ve overcome post election crisis - PDP tional Working Committee is “firmly in the saddle and very determined to stabilise and reengineer the party to retake its preeminent place in the polity.” It noted that though PDP in the past few weeks has been in the news more for internal challenges than for preparations for active opposition, “effective mechanisms are being put in place by the NWC to reverse the trend, while leveraging on the new spirit of accommo-

dation, the confidence and support of critical stakeholders including PDP governors and legislators-elect, as well as other officials of the party across board to return the PDP to its winning ways.” The party said it is emerging from its challenges a stronger and more united front. “In the course of the campaigns, a lot of Nigerians became partisan and

politically active, the love for various parties actively aroused passions in attempts to project support for their candidates. Such passion, drive and zeal have expectedly resulted in a political frenzy that has kept the citizenry and the society in a permanent election and campaign mode. “It is thus the desire of the PDP leadership that our supporters would chan-

nel their energy towards becoming active members in their various wards, local government areas and states to boost our support base across board for the task ahead. “Mistakes have been made, lessons have been learnt. We must therefore leverage on the new spirit of oneness and our collective determination to regain preeminence, intensify

efforts towards a speedy rebuilding of our great party while retooling for a forceful, yet highly credible opposition to regain power at the center. “We believe that only a peaceful, credible and constructive opposition can guarantee us seamless path to victory in 2019. To achieve, this all hands must be on deck,” the statement added.

Military defy land mines, rescue 20 women from Sambisa forest

espite continuous encounter with large number of land mines which still litter the Sambisa forest, troops have forged ahead with the ongoing offensive operations, killing members of the terror group, Boko Haram and recovering several weapons and equipment. Over 10 soldiers were, however, wounded while one died following explosions of land mines along the routes during one of the operations. Some equipment were also damaged or affected by the detonation of land mines in several points in the forest. According to a statement from Defence Spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, a total of 20 women and children were rescued at the end of the Friday operation. They have all been airlifted out of the forest while the wounded soldiers have also been moved out for necessary treatment. Two major ammunition

dumps maintained by the terrorists in the forest were also destroyed, along with the four additional terrorist’s camps that were smashed in the operation. An armoured tank and over 10 vehicles of various types being used for their operations as well as 70 motorcycles and 15 tricycles of the terrorists also perished during the operation. Air and artillery bombardment of identified terrorists camps and locations in various aspect of the forest including the Alafa aspect, is still ongoing as troops continued the offensive action on terrorists in the forest. In another development, cordon and search around Bitta area have been intensified following an incident where two young boys were wounded after picking up a grenade from a refuse dump. The weapon is believed to have been abandoned by terrorists that fled the town which is not too far from Sambisa forest.

Police, Civil Defence stop factional APC rally in Ebonyi Uchenna Inya Abakaliki

ver 50 policemen and Civil Defence operatives yesterday barricaded the Abakaliki Township Stadium venue of victory rally for the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. The event was scheduled to hold at 9: am. But as early as 8:30, armed police and members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Derfence Corps barricaded the entrance gate leading into the stadium with armoured personnel carrier drafted in the area. The event was organised by a faction of the All Progressives Congress in the state, which has engaged the other faction in a su-

premacy battle in the past few months. A faction loyal to the governorship candidate of the party in the just concluded general election, Sen. Julius Ucha which has Hon. Ben Nwaobasi as state chairman of the party had suspended a governorship aspirant of the party and Ebonyi State Coordinator of Buhari Campaign Organization, Chief Austine Igwe Edeze and four officers of the party including the Deputy Chairman, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze. The other faction loyal to the former governor of old Abia State and National Chairman of the defunct ANPP, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu elected Pastor Eze as the new Chairman of the party.

Chairman, Choice International Group, Ms. Diana Chen (left), receiving a plaque from Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, during her visit in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta…on Friday

Tears as couple, groom’s dad buried in Benue Cephas Iorhemen Makurdi

t was a day of tears and sorrow for the people of Tse-Tyo Jime Asoh from Mbabo-or in Tombo Mbalagh district of Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State yesterday as their children, a couple, who died in a ghastly motor accident were buried.

Timothy Tyo Tersen and his wife, Erdoo, had two months after the solemnisation of their holy matrimony on March 6 this year, perished together on the same day in a motor accident and were both buried yesterday, 17 days after with the grooms father. The fatal road accident occurred along the MkarAmeladu road in Gboko Lo-

cal Government Area of the state. To worsen matters, the wicked hands of death struck the groom’s father, Mr. Tyo Godwin in another accident on his way from a burial three days after the death of his son and daughter in-law. The trio were given mass burial yesterday at Tse-Tyo Jime Asoh from Mbabo- or in Tombo Mbalagh district of Buruku Local Govern-

Education weapon against poverty – Gowon Mohammed Kawu Bauchi

igeria’s former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has described sound education as a weapon against ignorance and called on all well-meaning Nigerians to throw their weights behind the nation’s education development. Addressing recipients of awards presented to founding members of FACE PAM, a non-governmental organisation based in Bauchi State, General Gowon observed that sound education and good character

will minimise ignorance, poverty, malnutrition, and other social problems. He commended the NGO for its initiatives particularly in education and health sector. Earlier, founders of the NGO who expressed worries over the devastating effects of insurgency on the economy and social fabrics of the North-East geo-political zone of the country have vowed to reverse the negative trends. Professor Suleiman Bogoro, who spoke for the founders said FACE PAM will salvage the zone from social and economic backwardness, adding that the organisation

was poised to fight poverty, ignorance and malnutrition in the northeast. Bogoro said the NGO has committed about N10 million to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS through peer education and counseling among students in Bauchi and Gombe states. “We also implemented a N7.5 million project funded by Northern Education Initiative on enhancing community participation in providing basic education to orphans and vulnerable children in Bauchi Local Government Areas in Bauchi State between 2011 – 2012.

ment Area of the state. Sunday Telegraph observed sympathizers that graced the final interment of the deceased persons could not hold back their tears as they wept uncontrollably, while others who fainted, got treated by local herbalists with traditional concoctions. Meanwhile, hundreds of youths including women and children yesterday barricaded Gboko-Katsina Ala highway as well as Ityowanye area of Buruku Local Government protesting the kidnapping of a 70-year-old mother of the House of Representatives member representing Buruku constituency, Hon. Order Jev, Mwuese Jev. The protesters, who carried placards with bold inscriptions: “We say no to kidnappings in Buruku,” “Bring Back our mother,” also made huge bonfires in the middle of the road, causing heavy vehicular traffic for more than three hours. They denounced kidnapping and demanded the release of the rep-elect’s mum who was kidnapped at gun point early last week at about 8 pm.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

News

Senate presidency: Senators split over Saraki, Lawan

Johnchuks Onuanyim and Chukwu David Abuja

enators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, were yesterday sharply divided over the candidacies of Senators Ahmed Lawan and Bukola Saraki, who are the foremost contenders in the race to the Senate presidency. This was as one of the four top contenders in the race and Senate Minority Leader, Senator George Akume (Benue North-West) decided to relinquish his ambition and queue behind Senator Lawan as his running mate. In two separate press briefings by the Saraki and Lawan supporter groups, each camp claimed to be enjoy-

ing the massive support of their colleagues. The Saraki group, operating under the aegis of “Like Minds Senators” told journalists that the 35 out of the 59 Senators elected under the APC ticket had resolved to throw their weight around Senator Saraki’s candidacy in the forthcoming contest for the third highest public office in Nigeria. However, the head count done by our correspondent indicated that 24 Senatorselect were physically present at the briefing, while the group hoisted a purported list of 35 signatories supporting Saraki’s Senate presidential ambition. Some notable senators who were at the briefing are Senators Bukola Saraki, Danjuma Goje, Binta Garba

Marshi, Shaaba Lafiagi and Rafiu Ibrahim, Ali Ndume, Abdullahi Adamu, David Umaru, Bayero Nafada amongst others If the claim of the group is anything to go by, it means that the Lawan group is now left with 24 senators. The implication is that the two contenders have to now seriously lobby the senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party for support, and whoever finds favour with the opposition members will emerge winner. Addressing the press on behalf of the group, Senatorelect, Dino Melaye (Kogi West) also disclosed that the group had resolved to zone the office of the Deputy President of the Senate to the North-East. Melaye also noted that the

National Working Committee of the APC had earlier endorsed the zoning of the office of the President of the Senate to the North-Central, while the group on its part resolved to zone the office of the Deputy President of the Senate to the North-East. Although the group did not mention its preferred candidate for the office of the Deputy President of the Senate, speculations have been making the round that Senator Ali Ndume would be the person, having entered into a pact with Saraki to work together for the common purpose. The statement reads: “The issue of National Assembly leadership is about integrity, competence, discipline and leadership skills and not about fixing of candidates just for mere horse-trading.

Our stand is about electing a senator who eventually becomes the chairman of National Assembly and relates with the executive on behalf of Nigerians, fellow senators and the National Assembly as an institution. “Furthermore leadership of National Assembly, is about the senator that has the wherewithal to stabilise the legislative institution, working with the executive and judicial arm of government to be effective and perform to their optimal capacity,” it said. Earlier, another group lending support to Senators Ahmed Lawan and George Akume’s joint ticket in the Senate presidency race, operating under the auspices of “Senate Unity Forum”, said that it had resolved to support Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and George Akume as the Deputy President of the Senate. Akume, in a two-paragraph statement, jointly signed with Senator Ahmed Lawan and read by Senator Barnabas Gemade, the group said, “We, the Senate Unity Forum comprising Senators-elect from various states and various zones

of Nigeria, have met, held extensive discussions and resolved to support Senator Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Senator George Akume as the Deputy Senate President of the Eighth Senate.” Some Senators from the North Central are, however, agitating that the position of Senate presidency should be allotted to the zone while their North East counterparts are also demanding that the position be zoned to their region in view of the disadvantaged position the Boko Haram insurgency imposed on the zone. But former governor of Lagos State and national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu had said that the party would not zone the office of the Senate Presidency. According to Tinubu, the party would emphasise merit over zoning in choosing who becomes the President of the Senate. But Senator Ohaire has stated that if the national leadership of APC refused to zone the senate leadership, the senators would embarrass the leadership of the party at the impending polls at the apex parliament.

Covenant varsity graduate wins NYSC Miss Bold & Beautiful pageant Edwin Usoboh

L-R: Member, Fundawazi Foundation, Mr. Taiwo Akinlami; Founder, Mrs. Nomthi Odukoya and Chief Executive Officer, Afrigrants Resources Limited, Ms. Thelma Ekiyor, at a press conference to announce the launch of the foundation in Lagos. PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

Fuel scarcity: Ministers shun summons

fforts by the Senate to deliver a letter of summon to the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and her Petroleum Ministry counterpart, Diezani Alison-Madueke over the lingering fuel scarcity in the country have failed. At the Finance Ministry, it was gathered that staff specifically declined to collect invitation letters from Senate on the grounds that the minister was not on seat, and we’re not instructed to do so. Sources close to the Senate Committees on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream) said that, with the refusal of the ministry officials to collect the letters, the meeting scheduled for tomorrow hung in the balance. “All our efforts to deliver

letters from the Senate to the Finance Minister, the Petroleum Minister, GMD of NNPC and the MD of DPR was unsuccessful largely due to some strike action and their premises were locked. “At the Ministry of Finance, our staff was told that the minister was not around and they vehemently refused to collect any mail

from us,” said the source that declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the committee. Last Friday, the joint committee invited the two ministers, alongside the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Managing Director PPMC, Director DPR, PPPRA MOMAN (Major

Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria) IPMAN (Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria and NARTO (National Association of Road Transport Owners). Joint chairmen of both committees, Senators Paulker Emmanuel and Magnus Abe signed the invitation to all the stakeholders in the oil industry.

PDP not under threat in Bayelsa -Dickson

Chris Ejim Yenagoa

ayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, yesterday dismissed the rising claims of plot by some politicians to upstage him and the Peoples Democratic Party during the 2016 governorship elections, declaring that there was no threat to the PDP under his watch

as governor of the state. Though the party in the state had witnessed cases of defections, disloyalty by some members and series of anti-party meetings by some known PDP elected and appointed leaders, the political activities in the state including outcome of elections have shown where the state belongs. Dickson, who was speak-

ing yesterday during the monthly transparency briefing in Yenagoa, said the party was ready for the purported takeover bid by the opposition during the 2016 elections and announced that a special contact and mobilisation committee will be set up to take care of grievances and complaints from genuine party members in the state.

21-year-old graduate of Mass Communications from Covenant University, Brenda Evbodaghe has emerged the winner of the Miss Bold and Beautiful pageant sponsored by Globacom. The pageant was part of the elaborate programmes lined up to welcome the Batch ‘A’ of the 2015 corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, on Saturday. Miss Evbodaghe contended with a bevy of beauties from various parts of the country, all eager to wear the coveted crown. She outperformed them by her confidence, poise and quick wit. The well attended event was anchored by accomplished stand-up comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, who was in his element treating the guests to rib-cracking jokes. His performance was part of the high points of the evening. The highest point of the night was the beauty pageant, christened, Miss Bold and Beautiful. All the ladies who had applied to be part of the competition and screened were invited to strut their stuff. The contestants appeared on stage in three costumes: Full NYSC Corps regalia, evening gown and native wears. They danced in wellchoreographed steps and later appeared on stage after the dance routines to an-

swer a few questions from the anchors. Their poise, splendor, intellectual depth and elegance showcased Nigeria’s abundant talents. In the end, Brenda was declared winner by a unanimous decision from the judges comprising Glo Ambassadors Bez, Ego Ogbaru and other NYSC Camp officials. She won an iPhone 6 with 4.5 Gb data and 5,000 worth of Glo airtime. A Business Administration graduate from Babcock University, Iwuese Oluchi Precious, was first runner-up and won a Samsung Duos with 4.5 Gb data and 5,000 airtime, while Judith Nze, a Biomedical Science graduate from the University of Wolverhampton, England came third, winning a Samsung Duos. The pageant winner in her reaction said, “I feel so happy winning this contest. I never expected to emerge winner. It’s a very happy moment for me. This crown, I’m sure will spur me into giving my best during the service year. I will use this contest as a springboard to achieve my dream in the wider society.” Globacom’s Group Business Director, Mr. Kunle Akanmu, in brief welcome remarks, said the company believes passionately in the Nigerian youth and would always stand by them and provide them with the platform to reach their fullest potentials.

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

OPINION

As curtail falls on Premier League, Chelsea worthy winners, but… TS on Sunday tunsul2@gmail.com 08050498544 (sms only)

ove or hate him, Jose Mourinho is not only a master strategist who knows how to get the best out of his team, but also a media delight with his headlinegrabbing antics and phrases. Who can forget in a hurry ‘I’m the Special One’, which he used to announce himself to the English media on his arrival as Chelsea boss for the first time in 2005; or ‘I’m Now the Happy One’, which he said on his second-coming two seasons ago; or ‘He is the master of failure’, which he used to describe Arsene Wenger’s inability to win a trophy for so long. And as the curtains fall on the 2014/15 season this afternoon, one must, once again, give kudos to the Portuguese tactician for guiding Chelsea back to the pinnacle of topflight football in England. After using the first season of his return to gauge the task at hand, he immediately moved to rectify perceived lapses by signing Diego Costa (to get him the goals) and Cesc Fabregas (to help police the midfield) and both proved to be the missing link in the Blues jigsaw, culminating in the Chelsea leading the table from almost the start of the campaign right till the end, losing only thrice after 37 games. Brash and an irritant (ask Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger); the 52-year-old Setubal native, Portugal, almost has no peer when it comes to achieving success with a football

club. He has won trophies in Portugal (with Porto), Italy (Inter Milan), Spain (with Real Madrid) and England (with Chelsea). In an interview he granted former Manchester United skipper, Garry Neville, early in the season, the ‘Special One’ made no bones about his simple philosophy to the ‘beautiful game’ – setting up his team to win, no matter how they achieve it or the opposition they face. A couple of weeks ago, he took on those who said his brand of football – achieving results any which way – was ‘anti football’ by insisting he had no apologies setting up his team to score, not concede goals. This may rub football purists the wrong way but with the high stakes in the modern game, who cares how a team wins as long as they win! At Espana’82, the whole world fell in love with Brazil with the way they played with flair and panache, clearly epitomising how the ‘beautiful game’ should be played; but at the end of the World Cup, I’m not sure if we had asked any Italian fan if he would have rather been a Brazilian. The Azzurri triumphed in Spain (beating Brazil 3-2 in the second group stage) courtesy of a packed defence and counter-attacking football! I’m sure every Chelsea fan does not give a hoot the way Mourinho achieved Premiership glory. They are all celebrating the fact that after five years of watching others parading English football’s biggest prize, the coveted trophy will now be paraded at Stamford Bridge. Blues fans ( including this writer) have beeen praying feverishly that their respective managers can actually plan properly in order to give Chelsea a stronger run next season and, if possible, snatch the trophy from them.

Already Manchester United boss, Louis van Gaal has warned several players are in for a “rough summer” as he plans to overhaul Manchester United. United have already done most of the groundwork on their first big deal of the summer - a £25m move for PSV winger Memphis Depay, who completed his medical at Carrington earlier this week. And speaking at the club’s end-of-season awards ceremony, the manager promised further changes as he attempts to deliver the Premier League title in his second year. Van Gaal told MUTV: “When you purchase other players, you get another stimulus in the group and you need that. “Our selection is out of balance and we have managed to be fourth in the league, but we have to manage to be the champions ... so it shall be a rough summer, I think, for a lot of players, but I think a top club like Manchester United have to do that.” And at various other teams across the topflight spectrum, especially sides like Arsenal and deposed champions, Manchester City, the goal will be to take stock and plot a better challenge for next season. In City’s case, there is the distinct possibility of a coaching change because many believe that the team from the blue half of Manchester under-performed this campaign, especially considering the quality of their squad. There is also the likelihood that many of the older players will be shipped out in order to re-jig the side with younger and hungrier players. Of course, one must spare a thought for Hull and Newcastle United fans because one of them will be joining Burnley and Crystal Palace in the Championship next season. Coached by former Manchester United

great, Steve Bruce, Hull’s three-year stay in the top plight will be extinguished if the Tigers are unable to get the better of his former team, with which he captained to their first Premier League trophy way back in 1992. Even though they are playing at home, the club of former Super Eagles skipper Jay Jay Okocha cannot even draw against van Gaal’s side if they hope to stay up – they must win and even this might not still be enough because they will then need West Ham to do them a favour by beating Newcastle at St James’ Park! So as things stand, all the Magpies have to do in order to keep their five-year Premiership status alive is to match whatever Hull does in its match. On the balance of play, the deck looks stacked against Hull, but the beauty of the Premier League is its ability to throw up some shock results – which Man United fan have forgotten Leicester City’s come from behind 5-3 win over the Red Devils earlier in the season or the last day great escape by West Ham when a lone strike by one Carlos Tevez in their game against Manchester United ensured the Hammers survived the season 2007 exit from the Premier League! Unfortunately, I don’t believe lightening will strike twice and I don’t see Hull doing a West Ham and using United to escape this time around. And so as football fans prepare for a threemonth hiatus of their weekly tonic of top flight football, I and millions of others around the world can only look forward to August hoping that not only will we once again be treated to all the thrills and heartaches of the ‘beautiful game’ – but more importantly, it will be the team we support (in this case Man United) that will be crowned champion at the end of the 38-game marathon.

Where Nigeria’s power roadmap missed the road (1) SKC Ogbonnia

espite investing over $30 billion in the sector in the last 15 years, Nigeria’s epileptic power supply has taken a turn for the worse in recent months. Today, the total electricity supply is less than 2,100 megawatts (MW) for a country of over 170 million people. As a result, the citizens and businesses have resorted to the use of generators to the point where some industry experts are now placing the frontal cost, including imported fuel, as high as the size of the annual national budget. This mire has provoked a wide range of debates, with a host of powerful voices overtly urging President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to scrap current power sector reforms altogether. But any temptation to toe that line readily translates to a right cause on the wrong course. The problem is definitely not the policy by itself. The gospel truth is that the highly celebrated Road Map for Power Sector Reform under President Goodluck Jonathan has simply missed the road, but can and should be redirected. The roadmap was conceived on a charming premise that deregulation and privatisation are twin catalysts for energy Eldorado. Although the Jonathan people pursued the power agenda with admirable zeal, little did they know that a reliable service delivery in the power sector required more than mere theory. Yet, they marginalised a central theory on privatisation which clearly states that effectiveness as well as efficiency is contingent upon the environment. The industry naïveté is further exposed when considered that

the committee on power would fail to recognise that any concept which advocates corporate profits at the crude expense of public interest cannot be ideal at this stage of national development where an average citizen lives on less than one dollar per day. United States of America offers a salutary experience. Due to the importance of electricity in human welfare and obvious complexities with privatisation, deregulation of the power sector in the U.S did not begin until less than 25 years ago. And despite what some analysts may view as its merits, only 16 out of America’s 50 states have seen sufficient benefits to exercise full deregulation of electricity. Simply put, Nigeria is not quite ripe for deregulation and may seem to be in a paradox of sort. Yet, reversing the policy is a recipe for a colossal disaster and thus no longer an option. Even as it is necessary to review where and how the roadmap missed its bearing, this piece is a blueprint to redirect the existing programme towards efficient power delivery. By all indications, Nigeria’s power sector reform is fraught with difficult road blocks but none is more daunting than the fact that the policy implementation veered off by failing to steer the original direction of the roadmap. The first main detour was at the juncture where political cronyism crossed the entire process. Major public electricity assets under the privatisation exercise were sold off at ridiculously below-the-market prices to a retinue of government cronies who not only lacked the technical capacities and expertise but also the genuine interest to

drive home the power vehicle. The most perilous mishap to the roadmap yet is that the implementation team placed all its eggs in one shaky basket. Contrary to the dictates of the roadmap, instead of prudent diversification to alternative sources of energy, implementation has been concentrated on gas-to-power. Worst still, a vital link of the roadmap anchored through the Ministry of Petroleum Resources punctured an important component of the very initiative on gas-topower by abandoning the nationwide gas pipeline master plan initiated under President Olusegun Obasanjo, including the strategic East-North gas pipeline (CAP) from Calabar through Enugu and Ajaokuta to Kano. Today, not only is over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s power to the National Grid generated through thermal plants, most gas infrastructure is localised to a volatile axis of the country. The result is that any illegal tampering of the gas pipelines in the area, which is sadly very often, is a nation in darkness. The quickest way to remedy the situation is to defy the odds and provide adequate gas supply to the multitude of existing power plants in the country — and with immediate effect. Nigeria’s power problem no longer hinges on the lack of power stations but failure to provide the plants with abundant natural gas in the land. For instance, even though the country currently boasts of over two billion cubic feet of gas daily with a power generation capacity at about 6,000 MW, the total output is less than 2,100 MW. The huge drop is attributed to inadequate gas supply due to vandalism. According to

Nigeria’s Ministry of Power, the sector has been losing close to 120 to 150 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMScf/d) in the last eight weeks along the Trans Forcardos (TFP) and Escravos-Lagos (ELP) pipelines. A mere 300 MMScf/d of gas loss at any point in time translates to a reduction of about 1,000 MW of power supply. But the whole excuse of incessant vandalism of gas pipelines is roundly lame. The root cause of the problem is squarely a failure of leadership. The different conspiracy theories notwithstanding, any notion that a nation like Nigeria — a country of over 170 million people with an estimated 50% of youth unemployment — cannot guard the pipelines to the mainstay of the national economy in this stage of technological advancement is nothing but the continual tendency to give the dog a bad name. There is a plethora of data to support the foregoing opinion but the mere fact that the country takes pride in awarding huge contracts to a barefaced militant cabal for the security of gas and petroleum pipelines is a compelling testimony of the failure of leadership. With a common sense leadership in place, besides a galore of technological advances in the surveillance industry, a common task force of army, navy, and a pool from the unemployed university graduates should be adequate to address the problem of vandalism pronto — even if it requires stationing armed guards at every pole throughout the breadth and depth of the pipeline network. •SKC Ogbonnia writes from Houston, Texas, USA

Sunday Mail MAY 24, 2015

You have a right to be heard! Send your letters and photographs to sundayletters@newtelegraphonline.com. Letters should not be more than 150 words and must have the name and address of the sender. Define yourself

Dear Editor, Please help me in spreading this gospel. Truly, everyone is successful, if not before, now or later. If you have not succeeded, you will succeed. The fact is that everyone has the records of success and failure in some stages and aspects of his or her life. With this, you shouldn’t worry and be envious to attack those who are already successful. Is your profession or qualification (academic and non-academic) the same as theirs? Even if it is the same, you are not the same. We cannot all succeed at the same time; we cannot all get the same job, do the same work, work at the same place, earn the same amount, spend the same amount, encounter the same problems, solve the same problems, or lead the same lives. Define yourself and what you can do, set your goals and be determined to reach them. With perseverance, we shall all reach our goals in life. Zakari Isah Abdullahi Anyigba, Kogi State

So England have them too Dear Editor, Recall that an East London mayor has been removed from office and a poll declared void after he was found guilty of electoral fraud. It was concluded that Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman breached election rules and must vacate his post immediately. Four voters alleged he used “corrupt and illegal practices” in last year’s election, which must now be re-run. He tried importing the type of dirty politics associated with developing countries. The people affected are the majority ethnic minority residents who trusted “one of their own.” This is very disappointing. Angella Akeem, United Kingdom

Trekking from Minna to Abuja

Dear Editor, Please can somebody ask President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to tell Nigerians to stop trekking to congratulate him? Heard a woman with a 40-day-old baby has commenced a trek from Minna to Abuja to meet Buhari. What sort of madness is this? And to think that her husband and family allowed her to carry a newborn baby on this thoughtless exercise is disgusting, to say the least. Is it until one of them slumps and dies that the needful will be done? Omaojo Glory Makoji, Lagos

Still on medical doctors’ kidnap Dear Editor, I’m tired of all the unfortunate happenings in this country and I think adequate measures should be taken towards reducing them. The Nigerian Medical Association, Ekiti State branch has advised members to remove stickers of the union from their vehicles and stop wearing the emblem over the rate at which their members are being kidnaped. Does it mean that the problem of insecurity has come to stay in this country? What happened to peace in Nigeria? Why can’t we sleep with both eyes closed any longer? It is very painful that the police and DSS cannot provide us with enough protection. The number of doctors receiving kidnap threats keeps rising on daily. Most of our members who go to duties at night have been complaining that they usually drive several kilometres without seeing any police patrol vehicle on the way. I call on the Federal Government to come to our aid at this crucial point. Dr. Amana Afolabi Ekiti State

Carrying the carrier.

Obasanjo and his think tank

Dear Editor, So Obasanjo had all this think-tank and could not solve the power problem for eight years? Note that a committee set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo has presented comprehensive reports on five key sectors to serve as a guide to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. Areas covered by the report are economy, security, power, education and infrastructure. These are areas they have made recommendations and which they hope the new administration will be able to work on. Obasanjo set up a think-tank to carry out a study on the challenges facing the country in the five key areas and I heard that the president-elect was very happy that they had been thinking about how to help him hit the ground running. According to the report, the short-term plan seeks to raise the country’s power generation to 10,000 MW within a very short period of time. Tell Buhari and APC to beware of Obasanjo because he is coming to teleguide and impose his hegemonic tendencies on the incoming government. Obasanjo spent full eight years in power without having the kind of distractions President Goodluck Jonathan faced, yet corruption and underdevelopment thrive in the country. He is part of the problem Nigeria is facing today Peace Onyerimba, Calabar, Cross River State

Deputies don’t contest

Dear Editor, With grace, there is nothing you cannot achieve. President Goodluck Jonathan in all his 16 years in active politics stood for election only twice. He won in 2011 and lost in 2015. The only times he ran for office were for president. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has never run for elective office all his life but he is today the Vice President-elect. I think the notion that a deputy doesn’t contest an election is quite erroneous. I see them as having duly contested elections. It’s totally a different thing if a Deputy Governor or Vice-President dies in office and the Governor or President has to appoint a new person. In that scenario, if the President subsequently dies in office, and the appointed Vice-President is sworn in as President, then one can safely say that such a person became President without contesting an election. Augustine Olaiya, Ibadan, Oyo State

PHOTO: BOLA ADEKUNLE

Homosexuality in Gambia

Dear Editor, Yaya Jammeh, the president of the tiny African nation of The Gambia has reportedly threatened to kill any homosexual in his country, adding to his long-time record of cracking down on homosexuality. “If you do it in the Gambia I will slit your throat,” Jammeh reportedly said. I think this man is taking a very serious step in eradicating homosexuality in his country. Why are other nations that are faced with the issue of homosexuality not taking such steps? Jiang Dumelo, Ghana

Trekking as a way of life

Dear Editor, Jokes apart, a lot of us seem not to be aware that there are millions of abjectly poor Nigerians who have to trek several kilometres almost every day to fetch water for their households. Often, women with babies strapped on their backs do this regularly. It may be shocking to many of us who are already used to our SUVs, commercial buses or indeed Okada. Unfortunately, as terrible as it seems, it has become a way of life for them. It simply reflects the scandalous level of poverty in the country and how insensitive governments at all levels have been over the years, especially in some parts of the country. The truth is the practice of people travelling several kilometres on foot to catch a glimpse of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari is not a new thing. Over the years, the ‘talakawas’ (the poor) in the North had trekked several kilometres to be part of his political campaigns. They derive great satisfaction from that (worthy of note that satisfaction is a very personal thing that is not determined by someone else). That is why his followership is said to be cult-like. The reason for this is very simple. Buhari is about the only past head of state and member of the elite in that part of the country who is accessible to the talakawas and shares his limited resources with them as much as possible. He always makes their issues and concerns his priority. It is safe to say that no other member of the elite in the North is so close to and supportive of the cause of the poor. So while your concern may be right, for many, if not most, of the people in question, they are not only happy doing it. It is just a way of life. If they don’t do it for Buhari, they sure will have their farms to trek several kilometres for. Halima Abu from Kano

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Moments

L-R: Director, Aesbus Knowledge Solutions United States of America, Dr. Solomon Olatoye; Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Earl Castor and Chief Executive Officer, Cornerstone Real Estate Limited, Mr. Lanre Okupe, during an investors’ tour of Oregun housing project in Lagos

L-R: Chairman, Promaco Associates Limited, Dr. Olumide Phillips; Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi, Prof. Oyewusi Ibidapo-Obe and Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahamon Bello, at the African Engineering Education Association Workshop on capacity building for Engineering and Technology Educators, at UNILAG, Akoka, Lagos. PHOTO: TONY EGUAYE

Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi (middle); his wife, Josephine and others, during the inauguration of a pipe production company project, at Ezzamgbo…on Friday

Naval Officers, at the special Jummu’at prayer for 2015 Presidential inauguration and 59th anniversary of Nigerian Navy, in Abuja…on Friday PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Chairman, Nigeria Prisons Micro Finance Bank (NPMFB), Chief Akogun Oyediji; Comptroller -General of Prisons, Dr Ezenwa Ekpendu; Managing Director, NPMFB, Ibadan Branch, Mr Yusuf Afolabi and Comptroller of Prisons, Enugu State, Mr Alloy Uchenwa, at the inauguration of NPMFB in Enugu

L-R: Verification Consultant, Alexander Forbes, Erukwuouakpor Debbie; Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited, Olumide Oyetan; Member, God’s Children Great Talent Trustee Abimbola Ozomah and Marketing Brand Assistance (Bournvita), Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Idowu Gbenga, after a press briefing to unveil the RCCG City of David God’s Children Great Talent Season 5 in Lagos … on Friday PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, University of Ibadan, Prof. Gbemisola Oke; Guest Lecturer, Prof. Akinola Alada; Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Emilolorun Ayelari, at the inaugural lecture, entitled “The Gut- A Novel participant in Glucose Homeostasis” in Ibadan …recently

L-R: Sales Manager, AFP Furniture Production Facility of Julius Berger Plc, Uche Uzoewulu; Public Relations Officer, Suzan Obi; Chairman, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Lagos State Chapter, Architect Ladipo Lewis and Vice Chairman, Titi Adeleye, during the presentation of IONIC Partner and Company with Most Local Content Award to AFP Furniture Production Facility in Lagos…recently PHOTO: SULEIMAN HUSAINI

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

NewsExtra Adesina Wahab

A Ado-Ekiti

fter languishing in the kidnappers’ den for a period of 12 to 19 days, freedom finally came the way of 11 kidnap victims in Ekiti State on Saturday, as they were rescued by policemen and local hunters in the thick forest of Esure-Ekiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area of the state. The victims included a nurse with the Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti, Margaret Aladenika, who was abducted on May 3 along Ido-Ipere Road while in her family’s vehicle with her husband and a family friend. The family friend was shot dead in the process. Other rescued victims were Dr. Kikelomo Adegun, wife of Dr Patrick Adegun, the former Chief Medical Director of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Dr

Ekiti: Police, hunters rescue 11 kidnap victims Femi Omisore, a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, whose driver was shot dead by the kidnappers and whose car was also burnt. They also included Mrs. W.A Abiola from Ibadan, Dr (Mrs.) Folasade Alade, a lecturer at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Mrs. Folake Adeniyi Ayeni from Ibadan. Others were Mrs. Lydia Agnes and her daughter, from Adewole Estate in Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim, Dr Mrs. Yemi Abiola and one Alhaja Bili Abiola from Ibadan, Oyo State. Mrs. Ogunlola from Igede-Ekiti, and Mr. Jimi Johnson. Explaining how they were rescued, the Elesure of Esure, Oba Adebanji Aji-

bola, said a woman came to inform him in the palace on Saturday that she saw some strange armed men in the forest. He said he immediately informed the police and a police team, supported by local hunters, combed the expansive Esure-Eyio-Iropora-Awo Forest. His words: “A woman had come this morning crying that she saw some armed strange men in the bush and we immediately asked security operatives and local vigilante to swing into action and start searching for the kidnappers in the bush. We found the kidnapped victims in the thick bush of Esure-IkaIrasa-Ado Road. We started the rescue assignment since last week. We also reported

our suspicion of the bush to the government. “The government said they were sending heavily armed security operatives to invade the bush but I advised against that, saying that they should allow us to use my local vigilantes first, who would first of all comb the bush and once they have a clue of anything, we would then ask the police to swing into action. “So, I thank God that when our local vigilante team began searching the bush, they found a spot where they discovered that some people have smoked and taken hot drinks,” he stated. He said the community and the police were now on the trail of a man identified as Olumide, an indigene of

Esure-Ekiti for allegedly serving as the accomplice to the kidnappers. Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose, who commended the Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Etop John James and the Director of the State Security, Mr. Duke Fubara, for the breakthrough. He further appealed to the security agencies to provide personnel to take the victims to their families. Fayose warned that the issue of kidnapping, which he described as strange to Ekiti terrain, should not be politicised. He charged the security agencies to step up intelligence gathering so as to get the perpetrators arrested in no distant time. He said: “We have to thank God that the victims are back. Some are very weak and some are sick, but whatever the story is, their release gladdens our hearts. Over 50 percent of them are not from Ekiti and we want them to reunite with their families. “Kidnapping is very strange to Ekiti, but we are learning from all this to be able to map out how to provide security that would prevent recurrence. “We must not make this issue political. We have

to be careful not to fight crime with political minds, because this could be dangerous,” he said, adding that his government would continue to do its best to make Ekiti peaceful and to ensure security of lives and property in the state. CP James said he received the news from the men of the Special Anti-Robbery and Anti-Kidnapping Squads on Saturday that the 11 kidnapped victims had been rescued with joy. He, said, “After the kidnap, we mapped out strategy which involved mapping out the whole of the forests in Ekiti. We worked with the armed squad of the Nigerian Prisons, the local vigilante group, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, SSS and even soldiers to be able to achieve this.” He noted that the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, released 54 operatives from Force Criminal Investigations Department for the operation. “We have 300 personnel of combined forces for this operation. Where we first visited was Ilejemeje/Ido axis. We combed the whole forest, but no result.

Pregnant women, 30 others injured in Onitsha clash Dr. Olufemi Omisore & Mrs. Yemi Abiola. visits governor Ayodele Fayose after the’ve regained their freedom from kidnnapers

Buhari, Cameron meet in London, discuss corruption

resident-elect Muhammadu Buhari and British Prime Minister David Cameron met yesterday in London during which they discussed the challenges facing Nigeria. A statement by the prime minister ’s office said prime minister welcomed Buhari and both leaders congratulated each other on their recent election victories. “The prime minister stressed the UK’s wish to work for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria. The leaders discussed security in the region and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Boko Haram. They discussed the need for a regional approach and agreed to continue working together to build

the capacity of the Nigerian army, with the UK continuing to provide military training and intelligence support. “On tackling corruption, they agreed this was a priority to ensure Nigeria’s prosperity and success. The prime minister agreed to look at what technical assistance and support the UK could provide to the Nigerian government as it looks to undertake its reforms. “They also discussed the need to tackle organised crime and the links between the UK and Nigeria. Finally, they talked about the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe and the Presidentelect said he would do all he could to secure Nigeria’s borders.”

Telecom masts pose no health hazards, says NCC Muhammad Kabir KANO

he Nigeria Communication Commission has debunked insinuations that telecom masts and towers are capable of causing health hazards, saying that is impossible especially when guidelines on installation of masts are properly adhered to. This was revealed by the Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, of the Commission, Maryam Bayi, in her opening remarks at the 72nd Edition of Consumer Outreach Programme, at Central Hotel, Kano, with the theme “Telecom Masts and Towers on Human Health.” Bayi disclosed that the clarification has become imperative in order to

demystify the misinformation being propagated about the effects of mast and towers on human health. “As a regulator, NCC affirms and always stands by global best practice in ensuring that installation of telecom masts and towers are done in accordance with international standards. “The guidelines for the installation of mast and towers were designed to ensure that all masts and towers sited within residential areas conform to the commission’s standard of five-meters set back to mitigate the effect of heat, smoke, vibration and noise pollution arising from generating sets used to power the base stations, among others.

Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

t least five pregnant women and 30 others are now receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Onitsha, following various degrees of injuries they sustained in the traderstouts clash in Onitsha, Anambra State. The touts and their leaders, according to sources, stormed Onitsha Main Market along Sokoto/Haruna Streets, looting and carting away goods and wares of traders. The touts who claimed they working with decongesting unit of a private company engaged by the state government was inaugurated early this week by the State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano. The touts and some of the officials told the traders that they are officials of the state government when they stormed the market with three buses and immediately descended on the traders, destroying their make-shift shops and wares which they alleged is causing obstruction. Some of the traders who put up some resistance were allegedly beaten to stupor. The

pregnant women who spoke to journalists shortly after the incident said that the touts and their leader told them authoritatively that they are from the Ministry of Transportation, Awka, the state capital. “When they came, they started destroying our goods, while some of them are pulling down our shops and others were beating anyone who resists them. They told us that they are members of the decongestion unit but they are members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and market touts who disguise themselves. They later took our wares to their hideouts along the Niger Street before we discovered that they are not government officials,” one of the women said. Some of the traders who were rescued by the policemen from Fegge Division narrated their ordeal in the hands of the touts. Two of the victims Messrs Chika Nweke and Okechukwu who received bottle cuts claimed they demanded between N4, 000 to N10, 000 for the release of any goods confiscated.

SUNDAY

Fashion

Sassy styling with high gladiators 22&43

Bed, Work & Life

You never know with life 20

Body Soul SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

No man has beaten me in my career – Prof. Okunna

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

art e h y m m fro Straight

er bi gg er ’ ee d ed ‘a n ot h n e sh ld to ll y as sh e w as ld not a re st , es p ec ia igger hospital’. y, ad L r families shou t ei rs th Fi ‘b d a an om in s fr y s er so d er surg e wor ill. Rea nable ian lead sacrifice! Thosm y m in d . E ac h d ay, th e t is that Niger perhuman who cannot falll complain once r n fo oi d p y se u M be ies wil ays, he es as su st ic k to will never ans, their bod bread. Most d gard themselv ce Jo n at h an , D am e P at ie n goes out in search of dailyre of the ‘daily bread’. re igerians expect that as hum , makes N er other reasoneath imev common man with or without a measu at h w e. il or h t, w d a en unate to in hen the fear of impeachm e illness will hide him till returns home, s not return...forever. e is so unfort man can W oe th h d t, e se h en u , ca lm es ai be im t is et h bu on Som a leader hide last campaign unlucky. it’s his wish, So, the comm Not because e path of some evil men. predators and it will be peaches him, if he’s that at her words, “During the rushed to the th rly miffed pain and was you have to have crossed ing vulnerable to voodoo Goodluck Jonathan talks I was particula a, again. I was in talk about be hen the wife of President a m an h as bi tt en a d og . period, the devil struck the doctors told me, ‘Mam w a d t ke li an to bu y ; in ’s it s ar al u te m n ic e, nor in g on an d I a Mr. Okon birse, Okon hospital in Ja operation now now.’ u se d as sa cr if gn w as st il l gons. You know ajor ab ou t be in g en do bite dogs! No? When cou f ai m p O a m r e? ca fo on e d h go T he I as ke d . to Nigeria Mind you, miece of dog meat, what has “W h at ag ai n ? we were going to explain up, they will be writing er ow p to kin ow ec t h sumptuous p dog! ch go wondered husband r medical has ‘bitten’ a Jonathan. From the day her e never bothered to bor- that even when you go fo l sorts of things.” hat is the big al sh e , g ve er n am lo her. I ind talking. Wok ill and had ers, sayi s in pow I love D m ve ap ay lo d te sp I r ra . ei ew te ic n th li bl il u of in p t an to at that’s dent’s wife ts till the twilighder to appear graceful inns they attain in life. I hate to say th that Mr. Presi on’t journalis row airs in or e not changed by positio should stand by her hus- issue in telling Nigeriansital for treatment? Why w the dark about the hosp a woman im is akin y is left in people who ar to be taken to whole countr of his family? standing by h so believe that That said, I al thick or thin. However, if sacrifice, then common hazard a guess when the er or a prominent member u s of fo rm er at as ad st ng herself band, through eabouts of a le at of of th e h ea lt h suicide or usi lt h the wher re m em be r w h at h id in g N ig er ia ? W h at ab ou t th ths ea h ’s an h to committingrevail. at on n e to m Jo w . id o ve d rs fi D a M u ed t d sense must p ered w h en I re ad ab ou s d u ri n g th e re -e le ct io n P re si d en t U m ar Yar ’A llivan Chime’s unexplainoversy over the contr ernor Su Not bech al le n ge I sh iv anyone of the i? her husband. ugu State Gov campaigns of ormal to fall ill, but En nce? Do I need to remind Governor Danbaba Sunta I’ m su re se s, e n at se ab ab u St ’s , at it lf ba st se ra h se cau e h an d le d h ereries health status of Tae h on es t ab ou t th ei r h ea lt st ay in go od h ea lt h fu l th e m an n er sh s ar rough 12 surg th If ou r le ad er l n ot be gru d ge th em ga inw on ’t be a n ee d fo r th e having gone st year, baffles me. il e w er s th n er ia harm than , an d in a month la Mrs. Jonathan’s tes- N ig h en n ec es sa rycoverups that cause more w s on ti u it st Hear part of ’s grace, I went for in mitive lies and needless used for od ay we never be timony, “By G (s u rg er y) an d ca m e priod to their image. M s. er ad re r th e op er at io nturn from there, I went goIt’s a beautiful Sunday, dea s name. out. On my ree campaign ground.” crifice in Jesu straight to th t loud, someone who sa Juliet For crying ou ugh the valley of the ro just ‘passed th th’ should give herself shadow of dea

Body Soul SUNDAY

Fashion

Celebrity styling guide 22&43

COVER

-Prof. Chinyere Okunna

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BEAUTY

Applying lipstick over lips that are dry or chapped is not the best. Clean up your lips using a light soothing lip scrub

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GLAM DUDES

Trimming your pubes is a highly beneficial move

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Hubby didn’t father my son! 20

SUNDAY, MAY 03, 2015

I’ll love again

Contents 24.05.2015 That’s one thing I tell my female colleagues, don’t ever look at yourself as less valuable than your male colleagues. Once you do that, they will take advantage of you

Bed, Work & Life

- Shan George

FASHION A lovely accessory any day, but the kind of gladiator that gets up to your knees goes beyond the niceties of regular fashion

T h e Te a m Juliet Bumah (Editor) Vanessa Okwara (Correspondent) Wole Adepoju

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Biwom Iklaki (Correspondent)

MY PASSION Age is not a barrier when it comes to loving and sharing emotions. So, I will say yes, I can marry an older lover

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

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Associates

BED, WORK & LIFE “Honey, thank you for giving me a son. My blood runs in him. I know you tangoed with Dave. I ain’t gonna kill you over it. I’ve accepted my son, David. Fo r t u n a t e l y, Dave gave me the weapon to nail him

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Helen Paul

Eyitayo Aloh

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Body&Soul

I can marry an older lover - Kiss Daniel

Rave of the moment, Kiss Daniel, is indeed one of the most sought after artistes in the Nigerian music industry today, performing in top shows/gigs both home and abroad. His hit song, ‘Woju’ was a street anthem which earned him recognition and affiliation with one of Nigeria’s telecommunications giants. The water engineering graduate of FUNAAB, real names, Tobiloba Daniel Anidupe, talks music and others with ABIOLA ALABA PETERS Condolences from us at Sunday Telegraph on the death of your father. We pray God to give you the fortitude to bear the great loss. Where were you when you got the news and how did you handle it? Thanks, I really appreciate your gesture. I wouldn’t really want to get into all that. But all the same I really appreciate your gesture once again. Your first official collaboration was with two of Nigeria’s successful acts, Davido and Tiwa Savage. Do you think it has helped your career? How? Well it’s made a lot of progress in the Pan African and the Diaspora markets. As we all know, Woju was already a big tune in Nigeria and several other neighbouring countries. So it was a strategic move from my label, G-WORLDWIDE ENT, and we got optimum value for it. It opened up the brand into other countries and societies. If you are to pick any of these three Dija, Chidinma, and Yemi Alade -for a date, who will it be? Funny enough, they are all beautiful ladies and have great qualities. I will take all three of them on a date at the same time. Picking one is alienating the others. So let’s appreciate our African damsels. Will you follow the trends? Most of your colleagues are baby fathers.

Well, first, being a baby father is not a trend. There are several other acts that are not baby fathers. For me, my music is prime and paramount. I have a clear understanding of what I want and being a baby father is not part of my blueprint. It’s business from sun up to sun down. How do you feel being a rave of the moment? Well, I don’t like to be referred to as a rave of the moment because we are not going to be here for a moment. We are going to be here loads of years. We do music with valid content. We shoot videos that preach nature and sanity. We set trends and encourage self-realisation. So we are the pillars and movers of the new reign. What was the concept behind your hit single, ‘Woju’? It’s simple, it’s what a regular Nigerian guy will do. It’s just to express our inner emotion and character. Like I said, we sing about what’s real, and what we do regularly. Much thanks to Emperor GEEZY, CEO of G-Worldwide Entertainment, for the music direction and Dj Coublon for his energy and time. How best do you address or better still, tackle challenges? I leave anything to the Most High God. I don’t brother myself over anything. I commit everything to Him and allow Him to guide my steps... plus, I have a wonderful team. There were reports that the remix of your hit song, ‘Woju’ which has Davido and Tiwa Savage, wasn’t up to expectations. What’s your take on it? Bro, the video is already coasting home with views hitting a million. We have had bookings from Kenya to Uganda, Tanzania and when we got there, the remix was heavy on rotation. People were singing Tiwa’s part word for word. The song was number 2 on Mtv Base chart for weeks; same as Trace and several other charts. I mean, what do we call success or how do quantify success? When will you unveil your

lady? I mean your girlfriend? When we get to that bridge, we will definitely cross it. Can you marry an older lover? It depends on the chemistry and the level of understanding by both parties. Age is not a barrier when it comes to loving and sharing emotions. So, I will say yes, I can marry an older lover. Let us into your new song ‘LAYE’ and your proposed UK tour. Laye has a Makossa feel unlike Woju, which is highlife. It’s a good song with content that the everyday person can relate to. To add to this, Laye is produced by Dj Coublon with technical direction from Emperor GEEZY. Laye basically talks about or shows how much a guy likes or loves his girl and how far he can go for the girl. There’s a video for the song directed by Aje films shot at multiple locations in East Africa. The UK tour is scheduled to commence on May 23, hitting different cities and towns. We are going to market our brand in the Diaspora. We also have other countries and continent lined up because we are actually doing a world tour. What inspires you? Good music and the heavens inspire me. I love to listen to good music, it makes me wanna be a better music maker. The heavens, meaning the Almighty in his mightiness and greatness. Everybody doing great inspires me. If

you’re doing well and you are making songs that have valid content, then you inspire me. If you hadn’t succeeded in music, what else would you have dabbled into? I would be a water engineer. That’s what I studied at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. When are you giving your fans an album? What’s the proposed title? Who and whom should your fans expect to see? *Smiles* ... The album will come when there’s absolute demand for the album. I mean inside and outside Africa. My songs have made numerous sales on iTunes and other online platforms. So if we are releasing an album, it has to be for everybody. How did you meet G Worldwide Entertainment? I meet Emperor GEEZY who is the CEO of G-Worldwide Entertainment through a mutual friend. He pitched me to him. He gave me an opportunity to be heard and the rest is history. Here we are today. A formidable team, making more than a statement but re-engineering the business of music.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

No man has beaten me in Immediate past Commissioner for Information in Anambra State, and the first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria, Mrs. Chinyere Stella Okunna, is a high flier, a mother, mentor and an educationist who is back in the academia as Head of Department of Mass Communication at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State. A Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors on her journey to professorship and sundry issues, she spoke with PAMELA EBOH What was growing up like? Growing up was fun because my parents were supportive. I am sure you know I am not a young person; that means I grew up long ago. Even at that time, there were parents who were laid back and didn’t believe in girl-child education but my dad was really ahead of his time. He was in the civil service, local government administration precisely, and he was the first black District Officer (D.O) in Aguata area where I was born. So, he valued education. I have an elder sister, two of us were born before the boy and both of us are professors. My sister is a professor at University of Lagos and for everything we did or didn’t do, my dad supported us totally. I was particularly close to him and that was an added advantage. So, whatever I did as a child, my aim was to please my dad: doing well in school and bringing home good results. Everything was done well because I knew my dad would be pleased…it was a driving force. My mum was more of the disciplinarian, even stricter than my dad but it was for good because someone had to enforce the rules laid down for us to follow. What were the challenges you encountered as the first female professor of Mass Communication? One was being thrust into the limelight. I knew all eyes would be on me as the first one and I knew particularly that my female colleagues and female students would start looking up to me. I was forced to be a more formidable mentor even though I love mentoring. I knew I became a role model as a result of that for the young women and it made me really humbled. I knew that people who would like to be where I was were looking up to me. To make it worse, I was up there alone for up to 10 years as the only female Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria. It was a bit frightening because you are aware you are up there and the only person being looked up to in that capacity in the circle of men. You know, in our culture, people always think that women don’t deserve the things they get. They would be thinking, ‘Aah, maybe she cut corners, maybe they gave it to her out of tokenism or maybe because there was no other woman there, they now asked her to go and represent women’. With your kind of boldness and intelligence, how do you tackle challenges? Frontally. First of all I don’t think I have had any major challenges in my life because I have always done the things I know how to do and the things I enjoy doing. Like I tell everybody, if you do the things you know how to do effectively and enjoy doing, there would be no stress. That means you will succeed. Early in life, as I married quite early, as a young wife and young mother, the challenge was there to combine all that with my career but I always remained resilient. When did you meet your husband?

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Body&Soul

my career – Stella Okunna I met my husband when I was doing my youth service and married him immediately after. I finished my youth service, got a job and soon afterwards we went to the UK as a young couple with two very young children. Soon after arriving in England, I enrolled for my Master’s degree at the University of Leicester’s Centre for Mass Communication Research. So, the challenge was always there to combine all my duties in what we call multi-tasking.

well, you become a propagandist and a liar. You must lie to cover up the man’s deficiencies. It happens everywhere. So, my fear was that as a Professor of Mass Communication, the governor would deploy me as Commissioner for Information and if I went there and the man didn’t do well, I was finished. I knew I would either resign or thrive on lies and I was very conscious of the fact that I was teaching Ethics here then; it was my core subject.

Truly, Mass Communication department of UNIZIK has come a long way from what it used to be. Looking back, how do you feel? I feel fulfilled because when we came in here, it was not a full-fledged department. We were not autonomous. So, to see it come out from where it used to be, I feel proud. When I got here, I met only the undergraduate programme. Then I started the Pre-Degree Diploma, Post-graduate, Masters and Ph.D. Programmes. Really, Mass Communication Department has been my baby all through. I feel good looking back but there is still a lot of work to be done because the students are coming in this time very young; they used to be older then but now some are as young as 16 or 17 years. I keep telling my colleagues that we should do more mentoring now because the students come in are so young and if you don’t mentor them, they could go astray. You need to be a mother, father, teacher and a mentor. Happily, judging me and my colleagues, I think we are working hard and achieving results. Just yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor was here to commission some digital equipment for our FM station. I am equally the Director of UNIZIK 94.1 FM Radio.

So, how many lies did you have to tell to protect your principal? Well, I say it everywhere and with pride, I was lucky when I got there because my governor did well. Peter Obi did so well that I didn’t have to lie for him. I didn’t have to fabricate stories or become a propagandist. I simply did my job as an Information Commissioner and after some time, he felt I was an astute planner and meticulous in my work. That’s what he told me, and that was why I was moved to Ministry of Planning. So, I didn’t dream of being a commissioner, it just happened.

Talking about hard work, what is your advice to young career women in the area of male chauvinism, especially in journalism that is largely dominated by the male folk? I don’t think I suffered male chauvinism because like I told you, I came into the profession and took my space. I didn’t allow anybody to intimidate me and honestly men respect you when you know what you are doing. They covertly acknowledge when you are better than them. Let me boast a little bit, a man has never beaten me in class: primary, secondary and even during my university days. I have never played second fiddle to anybody; I have always been top of my class. So, when your male colleagues see you doing your work and doing it well, they respect you. If they say ‘Go and cover an election’ and the man jumps out in his jeans, you jump out in your own jeans, he is interviewing people, you are intelligently doing the same and the story comes out, he will respect you. That’s one thing I tell my female colleagues, don’t ever look at yourself as less valuable than your male colleagues. Once you do that, they will take advantage of you.

I am not a trendy person. Although I am not bush, I am not a fashionable person. I wear whatever I am comfortable in

You played a pivotal role in the administration of former Governor Peter Obi. How did that appointment come to you without your being in politics? It came like a bolt from the blues and I almost didn’t accept it because I was in Communication and I knew that if they made me a Ccmmissioner, they would probably put me in the Information Ministry. I am sure you know that in Nigeria, if you are a Commissioner for Information or a Minister of Information, if your President or Governor doesn’t do

If you are called up again by the incumbent government of Governor Obiano to render service to the state, would you despite the rancour between him and Obi accept to serve? No. Because I don’t think they will ever appreciate anything I do. Besides, they won’t even call me because given how long and how closely Peter Obi and I worked together, I am still loyal to him and everybody knows that. If you look at today’s Guardian (proudly raises the newspaper to show the picture of herself in company with Obi and others), you can see us there. We still sometimes

work together. Don’t you think they would sheathe the sword sometime? Well, I don’t know. It’s their business. I don’t understand the problem really but I think they should sheath their swords. First of all, they started pretending that there was nothing wrong even when people knew there was something seriously wrong. What is your fashion trend? I am not a trendy person. Although I am not bush, I am not a fashionable person. I wear whatever I am comfortable in. That’s me; I am not glamorous or very fashionable. What kind of perfumes do you love to wear, designers or anything with sweet fragrance? What do you call a designer perfume? Is it not because they are long lasting? I am a bit like Peter Obi, I don’t waste my money. I don’t spend money on expensive things I don’t require, so when I buy a designer perfume, I buy it because it lasts. I don’t like harsh fragrances, rather I prefer something that is mild so that when you enter a room, you don’t disturb people’s nostrils with the strong smell of your perfume. How do you mentor? First of all by my lifestyle. I try to be a role model to students. Mentoring can be either done directly or indirectly; by the way I comport myself. Then I run an open door policy; I don’t turn away students when they come to see me, no matter how busy I am. If you walk through that door, I see you, no matter how stressed out I am. This is because a child may come at a time he/she is in crisis and if you turn him/her away, that may be the breaking point for her. So, I keep an open mind, I listen and try to solve every problem. Like this afternoon, I had to rush out to solve the problem of some of my students that were being omitted from going for youth service. I also give them words of advice without

being judgmental. Some come with the problem of school fees and often I make up what they have so they can pay and continue in their studies. Other times I stand in for their parents and pay their school fees for them while their parents refund me later; they have never failed in their refunds. I also have a scholarship scheme here in UNIZIK for students from my community, Ukpo. So, nobody can feign to be poor in order to benefit? No, no, they screen anybody that applies. Also for the money, I release it to the town union when they finish their tabulation and send me their results. I do the same thing for secondary school students every year. The best 10 students in SS2 in the two secondary schools in Ukpo, I pay their WAEC and NECO fees as well as school fees in their SS3. Again the UIU (Ukpo Improvement Union) handles it. What more would you say you still want to achieve in life? What more do I want to achieve in life? Well, I still have a few more years to be here and I would like to strengthen my department beyond where we are now before I retire. I want to build an annex to our departmental building, strengthen the place and point the department in a strong direction before I leave. I will also support my VC as much as I can. He is doing well; he is a young man and he has fresh ideas. Outside UNIZIK, what else will I do? My children are grown up, so I don’t have much to do at home. In this era of dieting and exercising, what does your typical menu look like? I love fruits a lot. I eat a lot of fruits every day. Now that it is mango season, I eat about 10 mangoes daily. I love bananas and apples too. By the time I fill my stomach up with fruits, I don’t really have enough space for too much food. So, I don’t take very bulky food. I exercise; I have a treadmill and a stationary bicycle. How do your husband and children feel about all your successes? Proud. My husband’s heart is bursting with love and pride, so to say. We met when we were quite young and we have grown together. He is a medical doctor and he has done quite well in his own profession. He is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician and he owns a private hospital in Enugu named after me, Ristela Hospital and Maternity. Because he has done well in his own profession, he doesn’t grudge me doing well in mine. He has supported me all the way, encouraged me and now that I have arrived at what I would call the pinnacle of my life, he feels fulfilled. How many children did you have with him? Surprisingly, six. I have a medical doctor, a pharmacist, two engineers, a computer scientist and public health specialist. You must be fulfilled? Yes I am. I must tell you, each time I think about my life, I feel very fulfilled. Life has been good to me. I lost my mom two weeks ago. My dad died 35 years ago when I was nothing. It broke my heart but I thank God my mom was there to see me grow. Her death also broke our hearts because she was never ill, although she was 88. But at least she saw us her six children grow and succeed.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul with Juliet Bumah +234 81 1 675 9770

julietbumah@gmail.com

You never know with life

or two months, James lived in a dreamworld. It took him that long to seek a third and fourth opinion on his fertility status. Going by the results, he had been firing blanks! When he got home the day he got the last result, he lost it. He went for Alice’s jugular and nearly strangled her. But for the nanny, it would have been a calamity. “If I knew you were a common prostitute, I wouldn’t have spoken to you, let alone get married to you, you shameless hag. True to type, you couldn’t hide what you are. You went about sleeping with any man you see. I regret the day I set my eyes on you, you witch of a woman...bringing a bastard into my home,” he had screamed immediately he entered the house and charged at her. By the time the nanny wrestled his hands off her throat, the mark of his fingers were visible. “I walked the streets but I didn’t run after you, you ran after me. Prostitutes are anathema to you but the same prostitutes you would rather be with. You made me live a lie for years, subjecting me to all manner of medical examination and making me drink different drugs and concoctions when you knew you were the person that had a problem. You are very wicked. Go back to your prostitutes and leave me alone,” she screamed back at him while massaging her neck. “Who do you call a prostitute? Kiki? Gawd, I love that woman! If she agreed to marry me, I would have kicked you out of the house long ago,” he said. “Oh, you’re in love with your brother’s wife? Are they aware? If you had married her, she would still have gone to a real man to make her a mother. Anyway, I didn’t set out to try another man. You pushed me out, an unscheduled tumble in the hay made all the difference...” Alice realised she had gone too far. James had left home and hadn’t been seen in four days. ***** Things are getting clearer for James. He doesn’t want to believe what his mind is telling him. If his wife is disturbed about anything, who does she run to? Who does she confide in? His belly churns. He turns to the bottles and made them his aide. Dave had asked James for Kathryn’s car keys the day they left the hospital. There was no point pretending anymore. He had asked James how it got into his hands and he gave some lame excuse. In the spirit of the season, Dave had not pushed it further. *** But James had worried about his supposed son, David. He visited Dave in the office one day after more than enough alcohol in his system. “Bros, there’s something that’s been bothering my mind for a long while. I’ve been wondering who

made me a father,” he had said and Dave stiffened. Dave was tired of living the lie. He had been discussing it with Alice and she agreed that they should manage the issue very well. She felt sorry for James. She is ready to forgive him for everything he had done wrong. “Do you suspect anybody?” Dave asked. “Yes bros...you! I suspect you’ve been stealing from me! The bitch! Do you know she’s a prostitute just like your wife? I loved your wife, I still do. She’s such a good lay, a pity she’s into that trade. We could have married...” James stopped abruptly. “Gawd! What has he done? Oh no! Dave stared at him and asked, “What did you just say?” Within him, he didn’t know exactly what he meant. James sat down hard on the table. “Bros, I didn’t set out to tell you this. But since I’ve said it there’s no point denying it. So, you slept with my wife and got her pregnant? I have a choice to call family members together and tell them this, but I will also be revealing to the world that I’m not fertile. Very few men will do that and unfortunately, I’m not one of those few men. I don’t have the balls to say that. I have thought about it for long. My wife didn’t go out of the family. My blood runs in David. I’m accepting him as mine. Thank you for hiding my shame. I really don’t feel as bad as I had felt before. I contemplated suicide, I nearly killed Alice for this, but now, I think I want to go back to my wife. You know what? We’ve always betted on who will have a son first, I win, because I have a son before you. The rivalry

between our fathers continues.” Dave sat, stone faced. Was it a dream or reality? He shook his head and the thought remained. He picked his car keys and left for home. ***** Kathryn had found it difficult to sleep since she had a heart to heart with Alice two days earlier. They had been talking everyday on the phone since they got home from the hospital. Somehow, no matter the problem, they realised that the bond of friendship was strong between them. She remembered the blood oath they took years ago, before she was admitted into the nocturnal business. Alice gave her protection and made her a bonafide member in their business locality. They were together in Alice’s house two days ago and the issue of David’s paternity came up again. Alice had looked her in the eyes and told her, “Sis, there are secrets you can’t hide forever, especially, when the facts are there, staring you in the eyes. This is one of those secrets. I met hour husband many, many years ago, before I got into the university. He helped me into the university. We became lovers but lost contact when he graduated. We met again many years after, when James introduced me to him. We became very close but we were not lovers. We didn’t set out to make love. This pregnancy was actually a mistake. I had gone to him to complain about James’ attitude. I was emotionally unstable that night. Funny enough, he was too because the woman he loved and wanted to marry wasn’t encouraging him. By the time I got to his house, he was high on spirit.

Our mating then was two drunks’ way of wishing away their sorrows...by the way, I got to know that the woman that made him get drunk was you. So dear sister, here I am, you can kill me if you want.” Kathryn felt like she would faint. “No sis, tell me it’s a lie!” Kathryn shouted. But alas, that’s the gospel truth. Kathryn wondered if she could face her husband with that piece of news. **** Dave was livid with rage. He stormed into his living room with bloodshot eyes. James had been sleeping with his wife? And they pretended to hate each other? NO! Kathryn was playing with Angel, their baby. She looked up when Dave entered and the smile froze on her face. Dave took some long strides and was upon her before she could get herself together. He took the baby from her and smacked her across hard on the face that she sprawled on the ground, tasting blood. “So, you and James have been making a fool of me? He was sleeping with you all this while and you pretended you couldn’t stand each other?” He smacked her the second time and she saw stars. She stood up, blood on her face. “If you raise your hand to touch me again, I’ll carve your face and scrotum with the kitchen knife, I swear,” she said quietly. Dave stepped back. That was a street voice. Whoever had such a voice is street savvy. Kathryn was grateful that Alice had confessed to her. “Whoever told you that is right. I couldn’t have told you that because I didn’t want to kill your spirit. I didn’t hide my past from you but you didn’t ask me to list my patrons for you to see. That was my past. The present is that you slept with my sister, your brother’s wife, and she’s had a son for you,” she said. “You knew all this while,” he said, slumping into a chair. “Yes, I know. I suggest we each live with our secrets unless you want the whole family to hear about it,” she replied. Dave nodded, the thought of family members getting to hear about this abominable act gave him a migraine. That was about a month ago. **** The guilt is becoming unbearable for Alice. She had thought she could live peacefully with her secret. But is it possible? No! James is back home, so it appears, and there’s seeming peace. They seldom talk to each other when they are alone in the house though. Of recent, James always has reasons to be out of the house. At times, he may not come back for three nights in a row. Mercifully, there’s the nanny, so Alice has company everyday except nanny’s off days.

David is three months old and is just a mini copy of Dave. Everyone who sees him marvels at the resemblance. Mercifully, they all believe that Alice’s son took after his great grandpa. On this particular day, the nanny has gone to the market to pick up a few things needed in the house. Alice is alone with David in the house. James has not returned to the house in two days. Of course, he calls when he feels like and asks after David. As the doorbell chimes, Alice thinks it’s the nanny that is back. She goes to open the door, only to see James standing at the door. “Oh, welcome back. Thought you had your keys with you,” she says, smiling. She has accepted the fact that he can come and go as he wishes. She makes sure there’s food in the house for him whenever he comes in. Since she has not started going for her business, she’s always been home unless she takes the baby to the hospital. “Lemme get a meal for you,” she says and disappears into the kitchen. “Where’s the nanny? Why is David crying?” he asks, picking him up from the couch. “Nanny went to the market. David wants attention. Will feed him after getting your food,” she replies. “No, feed him first. My food can wait,” he says. “I just fed him now. He’s not hungry, he simply needs attention,” she says, wondering why he’s sounding so nice. After eating, Alice clears the table and washes the plates in the kitchen. David is sleeping peacefully in the room. As she turns, James is standing at the kitchen door. “Come to me, my honey,” James says in a cool, calm voice. Alice takes a few hesitant steps and he pulls her into his arms. “Honey, thank you for giving me a son. My blood runs in him. I know you tangoed with Dave. I ain’t gonna kill you over it. I’ve accepted my son, David. Fortunately, Dave gave me the weapon to nail him. We’ve always had a bet on who will have a son first, he made me win him...funny right? “I need you my honey. Right now, I feel the way I felt when I first met you. Hope you’re healed enough because I want you to Twerk your hips for me. I’ve missed you so much, my love,” he says, kissing her all over. He picks her up and carries her to the bedroom. THE END ******* Hmmmmmmmmmm...can we say all is well that ends well? My dear readers, thank you for being with me on this very long ride. Do write in to let me know how you feel about this story. •Send your observations to the email above.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Body&Soul

Achieving the perfect pout Vanessa Okwara

ylie Jenner’s lips have been making headlines for months after teens across the globe especially in America started posting graphic photos of them trying to achieve her signature pouty pose by sucking on a shot glass or bottle until their blood vessels burst.

Well, you don’t have to go that painful route just to make your lips look sexy. You too can spot the perfect Angelina Jolie pout even if you were not genetically born with it. There are different ways of achieving the perfect pout without taking your lips through painful punches and unimaginable plastic surgery. Follow some of these steps

Step 1: Exfoliate/Scrub First, get your lips soft and smooth. Applying lipstick over lips that are dry or chapped is not the best. Clean up your lips using a light soothing lip scrub. Mix a little honey with brown or granulated sugar. Rub on your lips, if you have a lot of dead skin after you apply the scrub gently go over them with a toothbrush. The honey and sugar combo will get rid of your dead skin and even better will pump up the collagen giving you instantly fuller looking lips! You could also dab a little dried pepper powder into your lips for a plumping effect. Gently scrub your lips until they become full and flushed. Step 2: Choose lip liner Choose your lip liner to match your own lip colour, or a shade slightly darker than your lipstick. Using a liner that is true to your own lip colour will enhance the fullness of your lips, as well prevents the lipstick from bleeding into the fine lines around the mouth. Line your lips and fill them in so you don’t have a line around the outside. If you want a bigger top lip, you can use your liner to connect the two points of your lips into a straight line, this gives you more of a uni-lip, or you can give the peaks stronger points, giving you more of a bow tie look. Always make sure you blend your liner to avoid heavy lines.

Step 3: Dust in the liner and use concealer Now, you’re going to set the liner by lightly dusting translucent powder over your lips. Apply the first layer of your chosen lipstick with a lip brush. Blot off excess oil by pressing your lips on facial tissue. Next using your finger, apply a little bit of concealer in the centre of the bottom and top lip and blend. This makes your lips look larger and poutier instantly.

Step 4: Lip gloss Apply your chosen lip gloss, Apply your chosen lip gloss, try to get the gloss as close to the lipstick colour as possible but you can always play around with pink on red or pink on nude or whatever floats your boat. It’s that simple!

Biwom Iklaki

footwear (or our take on it anyway!). A lovely accessory any day, but the kind that gets up to your knees goes beyond the niceties of regular fashion. They are vivacious and audacious. Few people can pull it off even though the look is pretty easy to bring to-

gether. It is as easy as stepping up a plain old dress to the level of risqué. Now I know you want to pick up any dress and begin to give it your own style interpretation with a pair of knee length gladiators, but not just yet; remember the following:

Your dress/pants/ shorts must be a length that shows off the gladiators most flatteringly. Gladiators draw attention to your legs so be sure you have near perfect stems.

Length:

ladiators are warriors of ancient Roman and Greek mythology. They were however, kind enough to hand us something in fashion. Gladiator

22, 43

Yeah, a night out could call for your sexiest gladiator. Rock a pair (flats or heeled) with that feline little dress and watch how much power you wield on the dance floor.

Paint the town gladiator:

Sassy styling with high gladiators

Body&Soul

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

SundayBusiness SUNDAY

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

News

Stakeholders hail SON’s laboratories

p.24

War over oil cargoes INTELS flexes museles, LADOL kicks

Brands FCMB: Driving brand loyalty with thematic campaign p.29

Interview

Global attention is on Nigeria now–RenCap CEO p.30

Idris-Umar

Paul Ogbuokiri

Paul Ogbuokiri Head, Business paulogbuokiri@newtelegraph online.com

s local participation in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry continues to gain momentum, sequel to the implementation of the local content policy in the Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the battle for the control of the deep-pocket contracts in the sector has started shifting from who gets what allocation paper for the export of crude oil or the importation refined products to the money spinning oil and gas logistic service. In the last 30 years, Nigeria’s only known company in the business of oil and gas logistic is INTELS logistics limited. It took the abandoned Onne Port Complex from the Federal Government in the 1980s and transformed it into what is today known as Federal Lighter Terminal and Federal Ocean Terminal Oil and Gas Free Process Zones. In the words of the General Manger, Legal and Corporate Affairs, INTELS, Mike Epelle, the company took over an abandoned seaport when Nigeria was not on the map of the world’s oil and gas logistics service, and turned it into the hub of oil and gas logistics in Africa. “Because of massive futuristic investment we have made here in the last 30 years, the FLT and FOT have become world class oil and gas logistics ports and the best as well as biggest in West Africa. The only port that can compare with it in terms of world class modern port facilities is the port of South Africa,” he said. He also said that the port is ahead of the ISPS

Prince Bayero

Because of massive futuristic investment we have mad here in the last 30 years, the FLT and FOT have become world class oil and gas logistic port and the best as well as biggest in West Africa. The only port that can compare with it in terms of world class modern port facilities is the port of South Africa

Code standards and has won over 150 international awards for operating 30 years without accident. “When the American Coast Guards threatened to blacklist Nigerian ports over non-compliance with the ISPS Code, we were exempted because of our very high standards here. In oil and gas operation, safety is primary and service providers across the world have taken notice of our standards and are bringing their investments here. Till date no fewer than 190 international companies have invested here,” he said. Epelle in an interview with Sunday Telegraph on Monday said the company is where it is today as the leader in the sector providing service to the

jadesimi

Nigerian oil and gas industry and the Gulf Guinea countries because of 30 years of persistent investment in the future of the industry. ”We invest with our eye on the future. We invest in things that are not needed now. But because we believe that the Nigerian oil and gas industry will continue to advance to need those services in future, we continue to invest and wait for the need to arise. That has made us the largest and the fastest growing in the world,” he adds. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Dr Olusegun Aganga, had recently said that as at 2014, INTELS had attracted over $6.7 billion foreign direct investment in the Nigerian oil and gas industry, creating over 204,500 direct employments for the country in the process. FLT and FOT was initially leased to INTELS for five years, for 21 years and concessioned to it by the Bureau of Public Enterprises in 2006 for 25 years. Meanwhile, as Nigeria continues to bask in the euphoria of developing one of the best world’s oil and gas logistics port, the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base has challenged government for giving INTELS the right to handle oil cargo in the country, saying that will jeopardise it own business interest. The small company which few years ago started clearing the small Island, Takwa Bay, south of Nigeria’s premier port, the Lagos Port Complex; said it is also interested in oil and gas logistics. But sources close to the Nigerian Ports Authority told Sunday Telegraph on Wednesday that the company lacks the capacity and infrastrucC ON TI N UE D ON PAGE 24

Business/ News

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

War over oil cargoes

CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 23

ture to do what it said it intends to do. He said government cannot at this time start to reverse itself on what it has done with the Concessionaires over specialization. Each port has a special cargo it handles; anybody who intends to go into such business can go to the designated ports. Nobody can blackmail government we have agreement with those people and the ports are government ports, it it has the right to designate for whatever purpose it chooses,” he said LADOL had dragged government to court for directing that all oil and gas cargoes must be handled by the Onne, Warri and Calabar ports, even as LADOL was directed to relocate its operation to Bayelsa State where the draught of the sea meets the requirements of about 10 to 11 meters. The draught of the area where LADOL is operating is reportedly put at six meters and the requirement for Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility is 10 to 11 meters draught. Sunday Telegraph learnt from a source close to the Minister of Transport that the Federal Government would not reverse itself on the conditions it gave the Terminal Operators at the time it concessioned the Nigerian ports in 2006. He that is the position of government because that will amount to breach of contract, he said. According to a director in the Bureau of Public Enterprises (the organization handled the concessioning of Nigerian ports in 2006), at the point of concession the ports handle specialized goods and that is what the concessionaries were bound to do. “For instance INTELS Logistics handles oil and gas; Apapa Bulk Terminal handles bulk cargo like Cement, Rice etc; ENL Consortium, Fish; APMT, Container cargo; Ports & Cargo, container and Ro-Ro; Five Star Logistic Ro-Ro etc. That was how we allocated it to them; n on of them can come at the middle of the game and say that it wants to do other cargo. They all should develop their terminal to attract business to it. Nigerian is a big cargo nation. All of them will do well if the develop their business well,” he said. This coming as INTELS on Monday denied that has become a monopoly in the oil and gas logistic business in Nigeria. It said in statement that other operators like Brawal are operating in Onne. According to the Commercial Manager, INTELS,

“It is these same people who are politicising the matter, but they don’t know that they are dancing naked in the public because when the chips are down they will not be able to meet required minimum international standards Akintoye Akinpelu only about 40 per cent of Onne oil and gas Free Zone has been developed and people who are interested in the business can go in and develop the area and do its own business there. He said INTELS is doing what was allocated to it and will continue to develop the terminal to make it the best in the world. “Infact we are ahead of our peers in the world and is one of the best in the world,”

he said. Media Consultant, Mallam Garuba Shehu said there is need for Nigerians to support INTELS in what it is doing, saying label of monopolist is the burden the company have to bear for its success. He told LADOL to consider moving to a location that has the required draught FPSO instead of staying at a location in Takwa Bay which is below six meters and is clamouring to be given oil and gas cargo. “What does it want government to do with the companies it has already given the cargo to. It does not make sense and economically it is unwise as the money government charges the oil and gas operator is far above what it charges the operators in Lagos,” he said. Shehu who was a media aide to a former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said no matter what might be the fault of out going President Goodluck Jonathan, he never allowed himself to be hoodwinked in doing the right thing to the oil and gas logistics in Nigeria. According to him, the out-going president insisted on see the capacity, available infrastructure which those clamoring to be given oil and gas cargoes have before he

could act on their demands, but they don’t have it. “It is these same people who are politicizing the matter, but they don’t know that they are dancing naked in the public because when the chips are down they will not be able to meet required minimum international standards. This business is international and the rule is international,” he said. LADOL said it has invested about $300 million in its facility at Takwa Bay and has a partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries to handle the final construction of the Egina Floating Production Storage and Offloading facility for the use of local and foreign-owned oil companies. Managing Director of the company Dr Amy Jadesimi, at a recent press conference said the directive by government that it should relocate its operation to Bayelsa State where there is draught for the FPSO it said it intends to do, will not be in the lest interest of the company. The company said if it relocates to its business, Lagos State will lose over 50,000 jobs even as over $500 million investments in the state will be lost.

Onne Port complex

Stakeholders hail SON’s laboratories

Stanly Ihedigbo hief Eze Orji’s joy knew no bounds when he was invited for the ground-breaking ceremony of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria accredited laboratories conducted recently by the outgoing Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga. Orji, an exporter, has suffered huge losses because of the absence of accredited laboratories in Nigeria. He told Sunday Telegraph that as an exporter of crops like cocoa, cashew and cassava, he takes his commodities to laboratories in Ghana for quality and standard examination before exporting them to Europe and America. He lamented that during the movement of these commodities to Ghana, time was lost and cost was incurred. Orji was not alone as the Chief Executive Office of Hopewell Group of Compa-

nies, Mr. Alan Palmer, said Nigeria’s attempt at diversifying its economy would have remained elusive if had not put in place the facility where export commodities would be examined for standard and quality. He said the accredited laboratories would boost the nation’s economic revitalisation quest, as he appealed to the Organised Private Sector, the Business Community Manufacturers Group, companies and all stakeholders not only to patronise the SON laboratories by availing themselves of the services of the facilities managed by experienced experts but also collaborate with SON on ways and means of installing private standard laboratories in their corporate organisations. “A key positive development of the coming of the world standard SON laboratories is that once local products are tested and certified, they automatically meet local and global standards.

Such products quite unlike in the past would no longer be subjected to rigorous re-testing and even rejection at the international market. This is worthy of celebration,” he said. Palmer said Nigeria has all it takes to be a global market leader with her abundant human, material and natural resources, adding that the country cannot afford to remain a victim of the economic dependence, which has made African and Third World countries mere raw materials providers for leading industrialised nations. He further said the agricultural and agro-allied sectors stand to benefit immensely from SON’s accredited laboratories. He said that it therefore behoves on the agency to carry out a proper sensitisation campaign which would enable the SMEs and agro-allied operators across the country to key take advantage of the facilities. He said efforts by the Federal Govern-

ment to put in place a National Quality Policy which would further promote issues of quality assurance and standard conformity requirements in the country also need to be commended. According to him, SON owes it a duty to facilitate the development and accreditation of private laboratories across the country for the use of SMEs. “Granted that standards are marketdriven, today’s products especially the locally produced ones require regular standard reviews in order to meet global competitiveness. SON should not relent in its efforts to evaluate products or sectors in dire need of standard reviews, so that we will continue to march along with the rest of the world,” he said. Also speaking, the Executive Director/ CEO Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mr. Segun Awolowo, said that the current economic realities occasioned by CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Business/ Interview

MAN to award degrees soon – Adiotomre Chief Mike Adiotomre is the Chairman, Governing Council of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Akwa Ibom State. In this interview with journalists, he speaks on the challenges of training maritime manpower, cadets’ sea time experience among other issues. TONY ANICHEBE was there The Governing Council of MAN, Oron under your leadership will be two years old in June 2015. How has it been, in terms of achievements and challenges? So far so good, we have recorded very significant progress by way of quality development of the academy. If you visit the academy now, you will see state-of-the-art infrastructure. Some new roads have been constructed and old ones rehabilitated, hostels for male and female cadets built; modern and well furnished residential structures for staff put in place, lecture halls have been built, quality facilities to fast-track effective teaching and learning provided. In the area of manpower development, we have trained both senior and junior staff, including cadets. Some lecturers have been sent abroad to update their knowledge and sharpen their skills for optimal performance. In the area of community relations, we have a peaceful and rancourfree working environment. We have done so much to sustain the prevailing peace in the academy and the host communities. The council has achieved a lot in this direction. Prior to the appointment of the present rector and the Governing Council, there was serious communal crisis between Udung Okung in Eyoabasi community and Idua Ukpatta group of villages, all in Oron Local Government Area. Today, the ugly scenario has been consigned to the dust bin of history as the two communities now co-exist and relate effectively with each other. Their people dine and wine together, courtesy of peaceful steps we took as Management and Governing Council to resolve the crisis. We have also sustained corporate social responsibility to the host communities and ensured full implementation of the local content policy of the Federal Government. In fact, we are at peace with all relevant stakeholders in the community; staff, cadets and students of the academy, especially with the Rector, Ambassador Joshua Okpo, who has made us proud through his result-oriented administrative style. Therefore, I will say, the two years has been very eventful and impactful. What is your assessment of the Joshua Okpo-led management? I see transparency, team work spirit between the rector and the Management Staff. The academy is now a place where all staff work with smiles on their faces as a result of the leadership style of the rector. What the rector has achieved thus far are an eloquent testimony and confirmation of an achiever, versed with vast knowledge in maritime industry. I talked about development. What we have in MAN, Oron is all-round development. The rector has instituted a monthly Solemn Assembly to seek the face of God over the affairs of the institution and his staff. There is a weekly jogging exercise to ensure staff and cadets are physically and spiritually sound, while regular workshops and training to sharpen

the mental alertness of the staff have been put in place. Throughout our stay in the academy for this past two years, I have not experienced or witnessed any protest from the management, staff of the academy or from the community against the rector. It is an impression that the rector is doing well, and he is working harmoniously with the staff in the overall development of the academy. I am an advocate of team work, so the council is impressed with the rector and we have given him a pat on the back. What specific vision do you have for the academy in 2015? When we came into the academy, we were given a specific mandate by the supervising minister to prepare it for a degree-awarding status. Our specific vision this year is that we are working assiduously with the management of the academy to realise this noble dream. We are putting viable infrastructure in place; competent skilled manpower are already on ground; lecture halls, other needed facilities have been put in place. We are also expecting more from the Federal Government. When President Goodluck Jonathan visited Akwa Ibom State recently, he reiterated his administration’s preparedness to upgrade the status of the academy. The Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, had also confirmed this at different fora. So, we are very mindful of this goal and we are pursuing it religiously. What efforts are being made to secure sea-time training for cadets? Of course, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is the highest policy making and supervisory organ when we talk of maritime institutions in the world. We also have Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). It is the expectation of these two bodies that MAN, Oron gives her cadets sea time experience so as to meet the growing demands for competent skilled manpower in the global maritime industry. So the steps we are taking will secure a brighter future for our cadets. Arrangements are being made to send some of our cadets overseas for mandatory sea time. Some of our staff (both senior and junior) have also been sent abroad to update their knowledge and sharpen their skills for enhanced service delivery. You know we do not have a training ship to enable our cadets to acquire sea time; that is why preparations are in top gear to send them to countries with training ships. Through this arrangement, our products would compete favourably with their counterparts from other countries in the maritime global market. As the academy grows, our ultimate goal is to acquire our own training ship. Of course, that is going to be determined by the rhythm of the economy. If the Nigerian economy improves, the minister will graciously approve a training ship for the academy. That is our ultimate expectation

Adiotomre

and we pray that our economy improves soon. Any efforts being made to acquire a training ship for the use of Nigeria’s cadets? That is why we have engaged in fruitful collaborative talks with renowned maritime institutions in various countries such as Sweden, UK, South Africa, Turkey and others, to explore available areas of interest in training of cadets and exchange of programmes and lecturers. The arrangement will not stop us (Nigerians) from making our internal arrangement to procure a training ship for our cadets. As I said earlier, that will depend on the rhythm of the economy. A training ship is very expensive; however, we are satisfied with the status of our cadets. Let me inform you that cadets who finished from Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron are doing very well in the maritime world. One of the core mandates of the academy is to train all levels and categories of manpower required for efficient and effective operations of all facets of maritime and allied industries. Has this mandate been vigorously and diligently pursued by the management of the academy? It’s been pursued vigorously and we would continue to pursue it. The truth is that the Federal Government has realised the importance of the maritime industry and is encouraging the academy to train more professionals to cope with the growing demands for seafarers in the industry. You are aware that in the world today, the maritime industry is desirous that we develop MAN, Oron to such an extent that our products will be acceptable in the international market. Of course, they are already being accepted. Go to UK, Holland, Turkey and other countries, you would meet products of MAN, Oron. And that is to the glory of the Federal Government, the academy and Oron people who donated land for the building of the academy. One of the major problems confronting MAN, Oron as identified by some stakeholders in the maritime industry is poor

funding. What is your take on this? Yes, of course. We still have a problem of funding; but then you cannot expect a government with so much pressure from other sectors of economy to sufficiently fund the academy. The needs of MAN, Oron are enormous, but the little we receive, we manage it judiciously. I don’t know whether you are aware that our main source of income is from NIMASA. NIMASA gives MAN, Oron, five per cent of its revenue. Whatever NIMASA gets, is what is remitted to us. The DG of NIMASA told us recently that the fall in the price of oil has affected the economy of NIMASA. You cannot expect NIMASA alone to fund the academy. If the revenue of NIMASA falls, it means our statutory five per cent is affected. There are so many allied industries that rely on the products of MAN, Oron which NIMASA also collects its revenue from. Without the existence of MAN, Oron, all these indigenous and multinational oil companies cannot boast of qualified and competent skilled manpower in the organisations. I am calling on Shell, Exxon Mobil, Chevron and other oil companies to come to the aid of the Academy. Are you seriously considering making the academy a degree-awarding institution? Yes, but there is a wrong notion there. It is not all maritime institutions in the world that award degrees. But most of them are heading towards that. What are they training? For us in MAN, Oron, we are training middle class workers, lower class workers and higher class workers. But let me quickly inform you, that the most needed workers in the maritime industry now are the middle-level manpower. You don’t need to have a degree in the maritime industry before you can be useful. But the Federal Government is working relentlessly towards making MAN, Oron a degree-awarding Institution, not what few misinformed persons call a university. Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron is a specialised and regimented institution. Those who are not sufficiently exposed to the dynamics of the academy should refrain from making comments they cannot defend.

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

CRR harmonised at 31%

he NSE All Share Index closed 0.49% down for the week, as the market traded positive on one (1) out of five (5) trading days. Market breadth, however, skewed in the favour of the gainers, pegging at 1.15x, as 34 stocks declined while 39 stocks advanced. Volume and value of transactions advanced by 81.18% and 11.26% in that order. Top gainers for the week were VONO, NEM, SKYEBANK, MAYBAKER, and AIRSERVICE, after each stock recorded price appreciations of 29.79%, 29.41%, 18.43%, 16.25%, and 16.11% correspondingly. On the flip side, VITAFOAM led the decliners after paring by 22.41%, to peg its price at NGN4.95. RTBRISCOE, DANGFLOUR, NAHCO, and NCR, followed suit, shedding 13.04%, 12.28%, 10.59%, and 9.60% respectively. On the 19th of May, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decided amongst other things to harmonize the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on all Deposit Money Bank’s (DMBs) deposits at 31%, from 75% and 20% on public and private sector funds respectively. The net CRR debit of NGN160.71bn on Thursday, shows that the decision did more harm than good to the prevailing system liquidity, given the public-private sector deposit composition, which is at odds with the general market belief. We attribute the recent lull in the market to the lack of market-driving news capable of spurring investor activities. However, we remain positive in our outlook for the coming week, as the new government gears up to take office. 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 week ahead. Economic Update: MPR stays at 13% The MPC meeting held on the 18th and 19th of May 2015, came with a collage of expectations, and a surprise, as the Committee maintained MPR at 13% and liquidity ratio at 30%, while CRR which was hitherto 75% on public deposits and 20% on private deposits, were harmonized to 31%. Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria shows that the nation’s foreign reserves rose marginally by 1.05% Month-on-Month to USD29.80bn, from USD29.49bn in April 2015. We presume that the recent stability in foreign reserves was largely as a result of the new FX trading system instituted following the shutdown of the official FX trading window (RDAS). While the mild resurgence seen in the global crude oil prices in recent times, as Brent crude touched year-high of USD67.77 last week, may also be partly responsible. Fuel crisis worsened during the week, as Nigerians continued to feel the pang of scarce fuel resources. We expect the resultant impact of this situation to markedly affect the cost of transportation, and prices of goods and services in the near term, until the situation is resolved. While the impact of the increased CRR varies depending on the exposure of specific banks to public/private sector deposits, the most recent public: private sector deposit mix (27:73), suggests that the general impact of the policy may not be positive for banks. We note that the harmonization, which the MPC intends to use to “curb abuses of, and improve the efficacy of monetary policy”, might result in higher-than-anticipated drags in interest income for banks which may have been involved in the said abuses. The consequent impact of this would be a drag in liquidity and eventual spikes in money market rates. Fixed Income: Bearish sentiments overshadow fixed income space Financial system liquidity figures showed an increase of 146.66% Week on Week (WoW) to settle at NGN407.60bn, despite the NGN160.71bn debit recorded at the end of the week (Friday 22nd). This may be ascribed to the Open Market Operation (OMO) maturities worth NGN191.56bn, and maturing Treasury Bills worth NGN110.94bn which hit the system in the week. Treasury Bills yields increased WoW by 0.32% across tenors, with the yields on 1M, 2M, 3M, 6M, 9M, and 12M Bills pegging at 13.65%, 13.88%, 14.05%, 14.36%, 14.77%, and 14.86% in that order. T-Bills worth NGN110.94bn were auctioned at the Primary Market Auction (PMA) held during the week for the 91-day (NGN32.44bn), 182-day (NGN22.82bn), and 364-day (NGN55.68bn) tenors, with their respective stop rates settling at 9.95%, 12.75%, and 13.00%. The Meri-Bond index level pegged at 789.73 (-0.15%), as sentiments in the bond market were seemingly bearish for the week, with the average yield on FGN bonds closing at 14.57% (+0.01%).

…NSEASI pares 0.49%

We note that the harmonization of the Credit Reserve Ratio (CRR) may consequently result in reduced participation by some banks in the fixed income market, which may affect yields upwards. The Naira remained resilient during the week, appreciating by 0.31% against the dollar to peg mid-price at NGN197.06/USD. Agric Sector: OKOMUOIL takes a leap, with a 6.40% gain MERI AGRI index ended the week with a +4.21% WtD return, to drive the YtD return to +22.27%. Three stocks closed in the green zone, with no stock shedding points. FTNCOCOA and ELLAHLAKES closed flat. OKOMUOIL led the gainers’ chart with a 6.40% gain to close at N30.26, reversing the previous week’s negative return. The ticker was trailed by PRESCO, which sustained its positive momentum, advancing by 2.30% to close at N30.69. LIVESTOCK also inched higher by 0.83%. The sector appears to have been the toast of investors recently, however, we anticipate that the sector might witness a degree of profit taking next week, following weeks of gains. Thus, we advise investors to tread the path of caution. Banking Sector: SKYEBANK leads with an 18.43% gain The banking sector ended the week with a breadth of 2.25x, as nine stocks appreciated against 4 stocks, while STANBIC and UBN traded flat. In spite of this development, the MERI-BANK index showed a decline of 0.22% for the week. The top gainer was SKYEBANK, with a gain of 18.43%, which can be attributed to the bank’s Q1:2015 result. Other top gainers were UNITYBNK (5.83%), FCMB (4.67%), DIAMONDBNK (2.75%) and ACCESS (1.78%). The largest decliners for the week, on the other hand, included WEMABANK with a WtD loss of 3.03%, GUARANTY (-1.36%), UBA (1.35%) and STERLNBANK (-0.93%). Skye Bank’s Q1:2015 result showed growths of 23.44% and 81.13% in gross earnings and profit-after-tax in that order. Similar to other banking results in the same period, the growth in income was supported by the 12.63% and 63.95% growths in interest and non-interest income respectively. The MPC’s harmonization of CRR on all funds had a resultant effect of dragging liquidity, contrary to the widely speculated positive impact on liquidity. The implication of the squeeze in

liquidity in the short-term is a rise in money market rates, while some banks may also require sell-downs on their investment securities, consequently dragging interest income growth. There might be a further decline in banking sector returns in the coming week, as more investors price the effects of the new policy. We therefore advise investors, especially those with short-term horizons, to be cautious. Consumer Goods: VITAFOAM records -22.41% WoW The sector experienced mixed sentiments during the just concluded week, however, the Conglomerates and Consumer goods sector indices recorded WoW returns of -2.45% and -0.27% respectively.The price of VITAFOAM declined by 22.41% during the week, owing to a combination of the dividend mark-down, as well as a level of proft-taking following gains accumulated since the announcement of the company’s corporate action. VONO closed the week as the highest gainer for the week, with an impressive WoW return of 29.79%. 7UP, UACN, HONYFLOUR, NASCON, and GUINNESS also joined the gainers’ table with 1.14%, 3.00%, 3.75%, 0.63% and 0.46% respective returns. The decliners’ chart for the week had VITAFOAM, with a 22.41% loss, at the top. The stock was trailed by DANGFLOUR (-12.28%), AGLEVENT (-4.94%), CHAMPION (-4.37%), DANGSUGAR (-2.88%), NESTLE (-2.11%), PZ (-1.17%), NB (-1.22%), FLOURMILL (-0.14%) and UNILEVER (-0.07%) accordingly. We do not anticipate any sector-specific news to drive the market in the coming week. However, we advise investors to take position in fundamentally justified stocks while balancing optimism with caution. Healthcare Sector: Sector reverses prior week’s drab mood. The Healthcare sector closed positive for the week, with the Meri-HLTH index appreciating by 4.02% WtD to peg YtD return at 14.58%. Four stocks recorded positive returns while two stocks depreciated in value. MAYBAKER emerged as the highest gainer for the week, fully reversing the previous week’s loss with a 16.25% growth in share price to NGN1.86. FIDSON and NEIMETH consolidated on the gains in the previous week, advancing by 12.19% and 9.09% to NGN3.44 and NGN1.20 respectively. PHARMADEKO also joined the gainers’

league with a 4.69% price appreciation during the week. EVANSMED and GLAXOSMITH, on the flip side, pared by 9.05% and 0.45% respectively. In the coming week, we expect some pockets of profit-taking on some counters that recorded price appreciation in the week. Thus, we advise investors to tread cautiously. Insurance sector: NEM releases impressive scorecards The negative market sentiment barely affected insurance stocks, as the NSEINS10 surged by 0.99% WtD to settle the YtD return at -0.86%. Market breadth (1.00x) was neutral, as 2 stocks advanced and declined apiece. NEM, with a 29.41% appreciation in value, emerged as the top gainer during the week, alongside CONTINSURE which gained 2.02%. On the flip side, profit-taking on CUSTODYINS resulted in a 4.08% loss, making the stock the top underperformer in the sector for the week. The ticker was trailed by WAPIC, which recorded a 1.85% loss, while all other counters traded flat. NEM Insurance released its 2014FY and Q1:2015 financial results during the week. Gross Premium Earned (GPE) in both periods grew by 25.45% and 11.96% YoY to settle at NGN9.77bn and NGN2.38bn (vs. NGN7.79bn and NGN2.12bn) respectively. Earnings after Tax (EAT) also surged significantly by 286% and 252% in 2014FY and Q1:2015 accordingly. The impressive financial performance resulted in a significant rally on the counter, which spurred a 29.41% growth in price to NGN0.88 (vs. NGN0.68 in the previous week). Industrial goods: Large cap stocks drag sector’s index. The industrial goods sector failed to sustain the marginal gains from last week, as the Meriindustrial index dipped by 0.89%. However, the sector’s MtD return remained in the positive zone, at 9.15%. Two stocks closed the week in the positive zone, while four stocks depreciated in value. ASHAKACEM was the sector’s top performer for the week, gaining 5.03% to close at NGN21.50. PAINTCOM, the other top performer, appreciated by 4.72% WoW. PORTPAINT, CAP, WAPCO and DANGCEM all featured at the bottom of the sector’s returns table, after recording price declines of 4.67%, 3.49%, 2.16% and 0.42% accordingly. We expect continued oscillatory movements in sector returns in the coming weeks owing to the general mood in the market. Oil & Gas Sector: Sector returns -1.93% WoW Four stocks recorded gains in the week to bring the sector’s return, as measured by the NSEOILG5, to -1.93%. Three stocks declined in value, while others traded flat. CONOIL led the advancers with a gain of 4.98%, trailed by ETERNA, FO, and MOBIL, which gained 3.70%, 2.64%, and 1.78% correspondingly. On the flip side, SEPLAT, TOTAL, and OANDO declined by 9.56%, 2.65%, and 0.56% respectively. Advancement of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) forces into the strategic city of Ramadi in western Iraq, amongst other challenges, resulted in a dip in the price of BRENT crude to USD65.65pb (-1.74% WoW). This, was consequent upon the fact that the city is located not far from the oil producing town of Baiji. On the local front, petroleum products remained relatively scarce, as the oil marketers’ claims of being owed NGN200bn has been refuted over and again by the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala. Having traded as we have expected, we note the sector might trade relatively flat in the coming week, as investors await the entry of the new government. Services Sector: AIRSERVICE gains 16.11% Four stocks in the services sector gained, while five stocks waned, to skew the sectoral breadth (0.80x) towards the decliners. Consequently, the MERI SER index moved into the negative zone for the week, with a WtD return of -3.19%, dragging the YtD return to 1.11%. AIRSERVICE led the gainers’ chart with a 16.11% price appreciation to close at NGN2.45. The ticker was joined on the gainers’ chart by TRANSEXPR (8.49%), ABCTRANS (7.14%), and IKEJAHOTEL (2.90%). Conversely, the losers’ list consisted of RTBRISCOE (-13.04%), NAHCO (-10.59%), CAVERTON (-5.14%), REDSTAREX (-2.44%), and UPL (-0.50%). We believe that the lack of specific news flows resulted in the inactive state of the services sector. We opine that any positive news flow will spike the much needed push to drive the services sector in the positive realm next week.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Ten points to greatness (5) Success Nuggets Victor Okwudiri 08037674300 (SMS only) So far in this series, we have considered the following points: • You are not too small to make an impact; • You are not too old to make an impact; • The future is now; • Stardom does not make stars. Stars make it to stardom Now, the fifth point. • Great things often start small. Many great things or persons you see today started small. Wizkid, who is celebrated today as an international music star, did his music first album at 11, with OJB Jezreel. I believe you did not know him then, as his name or music didn’t ring any bell. He remaind unnoticed for about 10 years, before he was discovered and shot to limelight through the instrumentality of Banky W’s EME Records. Today, he is a successful music interprenuer. What if he refused to use his music talent, waiting for the day he will meet a big shot like Banky

W? The truth is that, if he had toed that line, Banky W wouldn’t have heard of him in the first place, and he wouldn’t have had the platform of EME Records, which was his springboard to international repute. Aliko Dangote is today reputed not just the richest man in Africa, but the richest black person alive. They mean two things. He didn’t start as a rich person. No! He started business in 1977, at the age of 20, with the sum of N500, 000 that was given to him. The money was not his own. Today, he is a multi-billionaire. My question is: what if he waited until he had N1, 000, 000 before starting business? If he did that, he might have still been waiting today. Today, David Oyedepo is celebrated as the pastor of the church with the largest auditorium in the world - Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria, a fifty thousand seater auditorium, with four services running every Sunday. I have been there before. It is the 9th Wonder of the world, by my estimation. Aside the wonder of the Faith Tabernacle, he founded Covenant University, Ota, reputed among the best universities in Nigeria. He also founded Landmark University, Kwara State. The next is Crown University, which is still in the making. However, not so many may be aware that he is also known for the ‘Grass Cathedral’, which many might have considered ‘ignoble’. How did the ‘Grass Cathedral’ phenomenon come about? It is believed that he tried building a church, but could not make it as tasty in aesthetics

He remaind unnoticed for about 10 years, before he was discovered and shot to limelight through the instrumentality of Banky W’s EME Records as one would have expected, for some financial reasons. He therefore had to make do with what he had to roof the church - tatches. The church was therefore referred to as the Grass Cathedral, because it was roofed with tatches. Some might have laughed and termed the church building a failed project. Today, however, the Grass Cathedral, which might have been considered a write-off, has birthed Faith Tabernacle, which is the right stuff. Such is the power of a small beginning. Before I conclude this point, I wish to share my story. I started an online devotional, the kiss devotional, in my one-room apartment in Lagos, Nigeria, on my 27th birthday, when I didn’t have a BlackBerry. Today, the devotional is read in Europe and Africa, via social media like BlackBerry, WhatsApp, etc. Friend, none of us started running without crawling. Any child who waits to start running before crawling may become lame. Even an aeroplane starts running on the runway before flying. The idea here is to start where you are and with what you have. Accordingly, I recommend to you the book ‘Start With What You Have’ by Sam Adeyemi. You will succeed.

How to get clients and retain them The Big Picture

and how well you treated him or her. Technology is a relief. Make use of social media to reach out to people. You can reach hundreds and thousands through Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook etc. Julian Atufunwa Retaining Clients 08032810713 (SMS only) It costs far less to retain your clients than getting them. These are a number of things you need to bear in very business needs clients to mind and do to retain your customthrive. Therefore, the ability to ers. get such and retain them should be the priority of every business owner. • Always remember that customers are not buying your products per se. There are pieces of information on wooYour customers buy the benefit they ing buyers and making them choose derive from your products. This is your products and services over others. what I mean - a lady will not come to How to woo clients your store to buy body cream. Rather, First, you need to find out whom your she comes to buy a smoother, shiny, target audience are. Are they mothers, fair skin. Another example is people babies, youths? Is your target audience don’t just buy toothpaste. In their made up of men or could it be everyminds, they are buying fresh breath, body? Find this out and seek the apwhiter teeth, healthier teeth, stronger propriate time to reach them. Send out gums. So, you may be wasting your little fliers describing what you do and time trying to narrate all the features the location where your products can be and contents of your products. What readily available. they want to hear is what your Tell your friends about what you product will do for them; what is in do and also encourage them to tell it for them. Period! Remember that their friends too. Give out some small business is problem solving. What is samples of your products to people to the end result of using your product? take and give you feedback. Paint the picture and you will keep Packaging is key – make your prodthem, if what you say is true. ucts colourful in order to attract people. Make them look fascinating. Keep your • Keep the communication lines open. Keep your customers informed stores very clean and attractive. Arrange of the latest development. Never goods nicely in their shelves, stack them leave them in the dark. Inform them properly. Stock more goods and never beforehand of your intention to allow your store to look empty. increase the prices of your goods and Train staff to be polite and cheerful. get them to buy before the increment. Every customer must leave satisfied. This will go a long way in building a You never can tell, that customer that lasting relationship between you and just left your store could be a public your customers. Let them be the first speaker, journalist, cleric, a leader someto know of your new improved prodwhere who could tell people about how ucts. Send them newsletters. Build great your products and services were

a strong relationship because your customers may likely be the ones to hint you on: • Latest trend • Alert you on the faking of your products • On what to improve upon They may likely withhold such useful information if they are not satisfied with your products and services. • Build a strong reputation for your business. Be involved in the social welfare of your community. Do things deliberately to make people talk good of your business. Organise trainings that will help in their day to day living. Support local sport teams in your environment and make them dress in your branded wears. • Little things matter. Make every customer leave your business outlets feeling like a king. Say thank you, please. Staff should be cheerful and tolerating, patient listeners. It is when a customer becomes abusive and uncontrollable that should they be allowed to take their business elsewhere. Until then, never forget that complaints are gifts to your business. Let your customers foam out their complaints because most dissatisfied customers will leave without a word and then tell about 10 people outside. So, see complaints as gifts. Pick what is relevant and work on it. Send your customers surprise gifts on their special days like birthdays and anniversaries, Christmas etc. •Give out questionnaires to your customers on how well your products or services have improved their lives. How well or not they are treated. Why they prefer doing business with you, what should be improved upon etc.

SundayBusiness

Akon launches Academy to provide electricity to 600m Africans

enegalese-American singer Akon, whose Akon Lighting Africa initiative aims to bring electricity to some of the 600 million Africans who lack it, announced on Thursday the launch of a new “Solar Academy” for the continent. The institution, scheduled to open this summer in Bamako, Mali’s capital, will try to give African engineers and entrepreneurs the skills needed to develop solar power. European experts will help supply training equipment and programmes. Thomas Reuters reported that the academy will aim to teach people how to install and maintain solar-powered electricity systems as well as micro grids, “which are really taking off in rural Africa,” Akon Lighting Africa said. Africa has 320 days of sunshine a year, the organisation said in a statement, so harnessing solar energy is an ideal way to enable those without electricity to get it. “We have the sun and innovative technologies to bring electricity to homes and communities. We now need to consolidate African expertise,” said Samba Baithily, who founded Akon Lighting Africa with Akon and Thione Niang. Seventy percent of Africans are under 35, and creating sustainable jobs is vital, the group said, so INVESTING in solar power for the future can help in more ways than one. “We expect the Africans who graduate from this center to devise new, innovative, technical solutions,” said Niang. “With this Academy, we can capitalize on Akon Lighting Africa and go further.” The group announced the launch of the academy at the second United Nations Sustainable Energy for All Forum in New York

Stakeholders hail SON’s laboratories CONTINUED F R OM PAGE24

falling global crude oil prices and lack of patronage by major oil consuming nations like the United States led to a corresponding reduction in revenue accruable to Nigeria. He said this made it imperative that the country diversifies its economic base towards making the non-oil export sector a major driver for the Nigerian economy. He added that developing countries including Nigeria seem to face considerable problems in meeting basic food safety and hygiene requirements for importing food items to developed countries. He noted that a recent World Bank report estimated that developing countries would lose about $6.9bn by 2015 to rejections of their exported food items. “Quality is a pre-requisite for successful market access and increasing revenue from export, but meeting technical requirements is a challenge for many exporters in the international markets. Also standard and conformity assessment play a key role in facilitating trade,” he said. Director General of SON, Dr. Joseph Ikem, said the laboratories are accredited by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation which has an MRA (Mutually Recognised Agreement) with ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Corporation) and conferred global recognition on SON Food Technology laboratories scope of accreditation thus facilitating global acceptance of tests reports from the SON laboratories. He added that the policy was for the good of the nation’s economy and to enable local industries to survive “The lab enhances Nigeria’s capacity to implement Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and TBT agreements. It increases consumer confidence especially on an international scale of made in Nigeria products including agricultural produce. As I noted, the rejection of our produce can be a harrowing experience and we hope to cut it drastically with these labs,” he said.

SUNDAY

BRANDS SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

FCMB: Driving brand loyalty with thematic campaign Barely a month after it refreshed its look, First City Monument Bank, simply called FCMB, has launched a new thematic campaign to drive brand loyalty. DELE ALAO writes

n recent times, eggheads at FCMB have woken up to understand better that brand loyalty is a key element in managing a brand, especially a financial one. Also, owners of the lender have realised that businesses do have to exert significant effort to facilitate brand loyalty. Indications to these assertions have really played out. Few weeks after the bank’s corporate identity was changed, the management replaced the lender’s former colours of black and gold with a vibrant combination of purple and yellow, which the bank said speaks to a wider audience. A peep into the thematic campaign, tied to the refreshed corporate identity of the bank, tells compelling stories of life and business aspirations of diverse Nigerians and how FCMB

supports them to bring such dreams and aspirations to reality. The campaign tells the story of the very diverse base of the customers that FCMB serves. The campaign comes in two television and two radio commercial versions conveying FCMB’s delivery of great customer experience and service on its channels and electronic banking platform and how it enables its customers through those services to fulfill their life aspirations. It also showcases the new warm, friendly, approachable and energetic brand identity of FCMB and its values as a simple, reliable and helpful bank. In the first TVC titled: ‘Waiting,’ the audience is taken through the thoughts and aspirations of diverse Nigerians in a typical office day. From the office cleaner to the manager and chief

Nigerians are aspirational and hardworking people

Balogun

executive, the story line captures the fact that everyone has something that they are aspiring to achieve. In essence, this commercial imaginatively portrays the more diverse retail and business customer segments that

FCMB now serves. The second commercial, with the title, ‘Maybe Today,’ shows a young professional man working in his office reminiscing about his father who came from a humble background, but

through hard work and commitment, prepared a solid foundation for his son to build upon. Through the eyes of the young professional, the audience is taken back in time to see his father affectionately watching over him and also preparing for a day of hard work to provide for his family. As the audience are brought back to the present day, it becomes clear that the young professional reminiscing about his father has not only followed in his father’s footsteps, but has now become a successful business owner with the support of FCMB. Speaking on the thematic campaign, the Divisional Head, Retail Banking of FCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu, said: “The new FCMB brand thematic campaign tells the story of the diverse base of the customers that we serve at FCMB. It does not matter where you are; we support you to fulfill your life and business aspirations

at FCMB. Our convenient electronic banking platforms and best-in-class relationship management deliver great experience to our customers as we support them to achieve their great dreams for themselves, their families and their businesses. “Nigerians are aspirational and hardworking people. FCMB is the bank for all Nigerians, walking with them as a partner to fulfill their life and business aspirations in the true spirit of its brand pay-off line of “FCMB- My Bank and I.” The new commercials of the FCMB thematic campaign are currently running on television and radio stations across the country. FCMB Limited is a member of FCMB Group Plc, which is one of the leading financial services institutions in Nigeria with subsidiaries that are market leaders in their respective segments. Having successfully transformed to a retail and commercial banking-led group, FCMB expects to continue to distinguish itself by delivering exceptional services, while enhancing the growth and achievement of personal and business aspirations of its customers.

CHI launches ‘Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase’ contest

Maltina’s ‘Teacher-of-the-year award’ rolls out

n its continued effort to harness the power of social media to engage the consumer and build brand loyalty, Chi Happy Hour, a refreshing drink from the stable of Nigeria’s leading maker of fruit juices, CHI Limited, has launched the ‘Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase’ contest. The campaign, which is aimed at boosting the brand’s popularity among followers on social media platforms, according to a statement, was unveiled recently. The Burst of Refreshment Talent Showcase contest will see winners going home with prizes such as Samsung Galaxy S5, digital cameras and cartons of Chi Happy Hour. To participate in the talent showcase contest, the Chi Happy Hour consumer according to the statement, is expected to record a 30 – 60 seconds video of himself or

Deborah Olayode

herself singing about Chi Happy Hour to the tune of any song of choice. The song, however, must be refreshing. In the chorus, the phrases ‘Chi Happy Hour’ and ‘Burst of Refreshment’ must be mentioned. The participant must also be seen drinking Chi Happy Hour in the video while taking an action that signifies how refreshed the participant is. The contestant must then visit Chi Happy Hour’s page on Facebook, ‘Like’ the page and upload the Mp4 file video file as a private message. Shortlisted videos will then be posted on the Chi Happy Hour timeline. Besides, shortlisted participants according to the statement, are encouraged to get all their Facebook friends to ‘Like’ their videos as the videos with the highest numbers of likes will emerge as winners of the competition.

rewery giant, Nigerian Breweries Plc, has instituted the Maltina Teacher-of-theYear Award, an initiative meant to reward commitment and diligence to duty. The award, which is being executed on the platform of Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund, is aimed at restoring the pride of teachers and the dignity of the teaching profession. Corporate Affairs Adviser, NB Plc, Kufre Ekanem, said the award, which is a new initiative from the foundation, was designed to recognise, celebrate and motivate teachers in Nigeria, with a first year focus on secondary schools. He said the collection of application forms, which opened on May 20, would last till June 30, 2015. Ekanem said all applications would be subjected

to an intense selection and judging process by an external and independent panel of judges, which has been constituted to ensure transparency, credibility and objectivity of the exercise. The five-step evaluation process of the entries received, he noted, would result in 37 states and FCT champions, from among which the Maltina Teacherof- the- Year will emerge. The state champions and national winners will be celebrated at a grand ceremony on Monday, October 5, 2015, a day set aside by the United Nations to mark the World Teachers Day. The national winner will get N1 million and another N1 million will be paid into his account annually for five years. “We hope that through this initiative, we can inspire this nation to accord our teachers their deserved

credit and bring back respect to the teaching profession in Nigeria,” Kufre said. He added that the objective of the award is to create an avenue where exceptional teachers will be showcased and rewarded annually and continuously. Also on the initiative, the company’s Human Resources Director, Mr. Victor Famuyibo, described teachers as builders of the wealth of nations, who deserved to be recognised, encouraged and celebrated. “Everywhere in the world, teachers play a vital role in training, coaching and determining the quality of education and this is critical to sustainable national development,” he said. For his part, the acting deputy general secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Mr. Wale Oy-

eniyi, commended the initiative by Nigerian Breweries, saying that Maltina drink has become the official beverage of the union in all its activities across the country. He promised to mobilise all chapters of the union to participate fully in the exercise. Ohiwerei is the first indigenous chairman of the leading beverage conglomerate, which has been operating in the country since 1946. The Trust Fund was established in 1994, with a seed capital of N100 million, to contribute to the development of educational sector in the country. Over the years, the company has used the fund to assist over 20,000 students, built 250 classrooms and 22 libraries in both primary and secondary schools across 49 communities in the country.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

SundayBusiness/Brands

Abimbola Fashola lauds Indomie Fan Club

Deborah Olayode

ife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, has commended Dufil Prima Foods Plc, manufacturers of children’s favourite food, Indomie instant noodles, for its strong commitment and wonderful support for education in the state. She gave the commendation during the kick off of 2015 Indomie Fan Club Children’s Day Celebration at the National Art Theatre, Lagos. She said that it was commendable for the company to always give back to the society through their various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, especially in the area of education.

She advised the children to be obedient and take cleanliness seriously as irresponsible behaviour and filth could hinder their academic pursuits and total wellbeing. “The foundation of the children matters. Once they are disciplined and health-conscious in their youthful age, they will be greater in future. Be good children and worthy ambassadors of the Indomie Fan Club, which you represent and let your parents be proud of you,” she said. Appreciating all the children present, the Chief Executive Officer of Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Deepak Singhal, said that Indomie Fan Club was established with the aim of creating fun, excitement, bonding and an enabling environment for children

has grown to become the largest children’s fan club in Nigeria. While addressing the teachers, Singhal said, “We need to encourage the children to do well in school and engage them in envi-

ronment where they can exhibit their talents and experience a fun fill environment” He therefore urged the members of the club to always be gentle and kind to each other and be one

another’s keepers as well. On the activities for this year children’s day celebration, Head, Public Relations and Event, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, said that the one week event, which

began on May 19 with over 70,000 students to host across the country, was for pupils to exhibit their talents, and would be rounded-up on May 27, during the Children’s Day celebration.

Why Peak Milk has been successful, by MD

he Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, makers of Peak and other milk brands, Rahul Colaco, has attributed the success of the 60-year old brand to consistent delivering of dairy products to Nigerian consumers. He said: “Peak has continued to be strong despite the several changes in the market over the last 60 years, and has maintained presence in Nigeria’s East, West, North and South. We attribute our success to two things, first, our focus to nourish Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition in order to reach their Peak, and second, we continually explore ways of standing out of the crowded shelf and touching every part of the consumers’ lives.” The managing director noted that peak has won industry recognition as an innovative and trendsetting brand that delivers dairy nutrition across life-stages. He said: “The brand succeeds because it always connects with its consumers, supports its key business partners and helps the general public to pursue their aspirations and reach for their Peak.” He added that to further serve the consumers based on research and their expectation, Peak Evaporated Milk now comes in new packaging as well as a lid that opens and closes easily. It is called ‘Peak Easy Open’. On his part, Marketing Director, Friesland Campina WAMCO, Tarang Gupta, said: “Several demographic and lifestyle in-

fluences are responsible for the drive for convenient solutions to food packaging. Peak Easy Open is specifically designed to meet the needs of consumers who consciously seek convenience and are looking for packaging solutions that fit their busy lifestyles.” He added that Peak’s success story at 60 would highlight special moments in a new 360 degree integrated marketing communication campaign themed, ‘The Future is Bright; Reach for Your Peak.’ It will focus on the emotional characteristics and values that consumers link to Peak. The message of Peak campaign, created by advertising agency, Insight Communications, is to bring back good feelings of how the brand has been a good part of Nigerian lives and how in the pursuit of excellence, it has used cans of Peak to bring to life imagination and to fuel dreams. It also shows the brand’s commitment to feeding the aspirations of future consumers.

L-R: Public Relations/Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju; the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Abimbola Fashola; and the CEO/MD, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Deepak Singhal at the official Kick off ceremony of 2015 Indomie Fan Club Children’s Day Celebration in Lagos.

Burson-Marsteller Africa wins award

urson-Marsteller Africa, one of the leading public relations and communications firm and which recently had exclusive affiliation to CMC Connect Limited in Nigeria, has been named ‘2015 African Consultancy of the Year’ by the prestigious Holmes Report, the most highly ranked awards organisation for the PR industry globally. The award, according to a statement, was made at a ceremony in London. Burson-Marsteller Africa also bagged the Gold Sabre in the Geographic Category for Africa for the K9 Anti-Poaching Awareness Campaign for Paramount Group. And, Blast Communications, BursonMarsteller Africa’s exclusive affiliate in Mauritius picked up the Gold Sabre

Each one of our partners is individually respected in their own countries and collectively we are recognised as the pre-eminent African communications network for Financial Services Communications for their Ebola Fund Raising Campaign for client, ABAX. Founder and CEO of The Holmes Report, Paul Holmes, said: “There is a possibility that 2014 may go down in history as the year giant multinational public relations agencies started paying serious attention to Africa with a number of acquisitions and office openings. It is going to be some time before any of them catch up to BursonMarsteller, which acquired

Unilever plots new campaign to revive Pears

ast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) giant, Unilever, is plotting a new campaign to revive one of the world’s oldest brands, Pears. Unilever, which owns the soap brand, is plotting a worldwide abovethe-line campaign to reinvigorate the Pears portfolio. The FMCG giant is han-

dling the pitch in-house and the process had not progressed past the Request For Information (RFI) stage. Unilever is understood to be open to traditional, digital and social campaign ideas. Pears was established in 1789 by Andrew Pears and became the first registered brand in the world. In the second half of the 19th century, it was run

by Thomas J. Barratt, who became an advertising pioneer, most famously buying the copyright to Sir John Everett Millais’ painting Bubbles to use in one of his ads. Unilever changed Pears’ formula in 2009 but abandoned the new recipe after widespread complaints by consumers on social media about the soap’s smell and feel.

South African firm Arcay Communications in 2011 and in February of last year rebranded that business - as well as 12 long time affiliates with operations in 27 African nations - under the Burson banner. Uganda and Nigeria were added later in the year, giving Burson-Marsteller the most formidable panAfrican footprint of any agency by a considerable margin.” Burson-Marsteller Africa is the only agency, in the history of the “African Consultancy of the Year” award, to have won the award twice, and to have been a finalist in every one of the Award’s six years. Chief Executive Officer, Burson-Marsteller Europe, Middle East & Africa and Global Chief Strategy Officer, Jeremy Galbraith, added: “I am delighted that the Holmes Report has awarded Burson-Marsteller the “2015 African Consultancy of the Year” award. This is on the back of a remarkable 17 percent growth last year, on top of a 35 percent increase in 2013, with new business coming from clients in a number of sectors including ICT, energy, motoring, hospitality, finance, mining, defence and aerospace, and property development. This is incredible recognition for Robyn who remains a leader in the industry and my thanks

to her for spearheading a great team and driving the roll-out of the BursonMarsteller brand across the continent of Africa.” Also, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Burson-Marsteller Africa, Robyn de Villiers, said: “We are thrilled to have been named “2015 African Consultancy of the Year”. For 26 years our commitment to growing partnerships has underpinned Burson-Marsteller’s activities across Africa. This award is apt recognition for what was a truly special year, as we launched our new branded partner model with our longstanding exclusive affiliates across the continent and raised the Burson-Marsteller flag in 29 markets in just one year. Each one of our partners is individually respected in their own countries and collectively we are recognised as the pre-eminent African communications network.” Burson-Marsteller Africa has an unparalleled reach across Africa. The firm has branded operations in 29 countries and operations in 53 of the 55 countries through a network, which has been built up over 20+ years. It boasts of over 300 consultants across Africa, who offers connectivity, local insight and market relevant strategies in each of their countries.

SUNDAY

Markets&Mall SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Boko Haram, 2015 polls have ground our businesses–Ibe Former Executive Chairman of Ojo International Trade Centre, Lagos, Mr. Godwin Ibe, in this interview with STANLEY IHEDIGBO, says business in the markets is at its lowest ebb in several years that creation. My point is that human beings are unpredictable. One thing I have seen that has started taking place in the country concerning the incoming administration is like when you mention the name of the lion, people respond with fear and trembling. But remember that the older the lion becomes, the less of what it is known for manifests. For the incoming government we all need to pray, even though he (President-elect Muhammadu Buhari) is known as a no-nonsense person. Who are the people he surrounds himself with, that will count as his administration unfolds? Having said that, one thing we are sure of is that it will no longer be business as usual because he cannot just turn 360 degrees at his age to fall in love with corruption.

What is your assessment of the performance of the Nigerian economy in the first three months of 2015? The global economy is facing serious challenges at this time. So, it is not just in Nigeria alone. I regularly meet business people from other parts of the world and majority of them are complaining that the economy is not good. In Nigeria, dollar exchange made the economy so tight for us in the market. Again, why the economy is little bit harder on us in Nigeria is due to the recent elections. In the year a country holds its national elections, its economy records low performance. How does this effect normal day to day buying and selling in Alaba International Market? Like I said earlier, activities in market are slow, the demand is low and uncertain like the state of insecurity in parts of the country. Alaba International Market is known to be a vibrant market in the West African region. Does the market still retain that status in the region in view of the current economic and security challenges in the country? The market remains Africa’s international market of note, and as we speak many countries across West Africa come here for their home appliances, electrical and electronic equipment daily. They also come to carry out other activities as far business is concerned. What are the challenges of doing business here? It is the general challenge of insecurity in the country, mainly the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East. Lagos, being the Centre of Excellence and business capital of this country, is affected. Before, if an importer brings in about 20 containers in a month, the North would take over 15 but today, because of insecurity, the Northern market has dried up. So, aside the election year economic challenges, Boko Haram has dealt a serious blow to business in this market. Talking about security challenges, what is the situation in Alaba International Market? We are trying our best in the area of security in this market, through its 13 sections. I can assure you that each section of the market is safe and secured. We thank God that the issue of robbery in the market is a thing of the past. We used to have cases of burglary, thuggery, stealing and other vices. But now these have reduced. When you talk of insecurity, it’s the challenge of Boko Haram that is affecting the market. As far the market is concerned by the grace of God, with the collaboration of the Nigeria Police, Ojo and Festac Town Area E Command, things have improved securitywise in the market.

Ibe

What is the situation with the pirating of movies for which this market is notorious? Piracy is a product of poverty. Saying that Alaba International Market is a ground for piracy is incorrect, because it started somewhere else. The big shots in the illegal piracy business didn’t start from Alaba International Market. And I believe if government wants to fight piracy, it knows where to go. Before this time I don’t think that there was any Alaba International Market person who had the kind of machinery to produce a reasonable quantity of pirated materials that would give the person good money. Again, to fight piracy is to fight poverty in the land. So, if government wants to fight poverty, piracy will reduce to the barest minimum. Because when a person is hungry, that person will not care to do anything to feed himself, the person doesn’t think of image or integrity or his dignity. Also, the person doesn’t think of future, he just wants to feed. Again, how much do the boys make from piracy? When you talk

If government wants to fight poverty, piracy will reduce to the barest minimum. Because when a person is hungry, that person will not care to do anything to feed himself, the person doesn’t think of image or integrity or his dignity of piracy, those that take piracy as a huge business, you don’t see them on the streets every day. Rather, people that make piracy look ridiculous are those boys that sell those products on the streets just to go home with at least N200 a day. What is your expectation from the incoming administration? God created man and along the line, the Bible said that God regretted why He made

What is the relationship between Alaba International Market and the Lagos State Government, especially in the area of multiple taxes? Tax is for good governance and for the provision of basic amenities to the people. So, there is no problem with that, but the same cannot be said of the illegal levies local government authorities and the ‘children of the soil’ (Omo Oniles) extort from porters. For God’s sake, what do they want to do with such money collected from that category of suffering people? It is painful. If you try to protest against such an ugly situation, they will say that you are disturbing their council’s activities. If Lagos State decides to make its tax system friendly, the government should remove those tax thugs from the roads and tax me. Assuming that I am a transporter from Mile 2 to Ojo Alaba, there is a centre where every driver will go and pay N100 every day. The people will move freely and do their businesses, not the situation where at every bus stop, you pay N50, another bus stop N100, on each trip. It is embarrassing and not acceptable to the people doing business. Also, it is no longer taxation. Where these thugs are collecting this money, you will see policemen standing there; where such embarrassment is taking place all over the state. If the security agencies could stand there while all these things are happening without challenging the thugs, then who will rescue the people? That is the problem I have with taxation in Lagos. A line must be drawn and the thugs must leave the roads and markets. What is your view on the future of the country? If you are pouring water into a bottle, one of two things will happen. The two things will result to one thing. It is either the bottle is filled and the water will pour out or the bottle will blow up and the water will pour away. My point is that corruption in Nigeria will come to an end because everyone in the country is tired and the only thing left for us is to fall back to God. People should do the right thing and live rightly in the country.

SUNDAY

Politics SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

The Sunday Interview

Amaechi: How Ohaneze misled Igbos on 2015 election p.32, 33

Lessons Nigeria can learn from Rwanda, by envoy p.34

Interview

Fani-Kayode: Duped PDP aspirants worked against Jonathan p.35 S’Court’s verdict nails defectors, says Orakwusi p.40

Jonathan

Scary debt overhang

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

Buhari

f there is one thing that has generated much discussions and anxiety in the polity in the twilight of the current administrations in the country, it is the debt profiles of both the federal and state governments. The anxiety is borne out of the worrisome justification for such debts and the crippling effect they would have on the performance of the incoming administration. With Federal Government’s domestic debt obligation in excess of $43.1 billion or (N8.5 trillion) as at March 31, 2015 and external debts for both federal and state governments put at over $9 billion, the debt overhand is raising fresh concerns under President Goodluck Jonathan, whose administration is currently winding down. Already, the impact of the exposure is felt in all sectors of the economy. Many states of the federation have practically become insolvent and cannot execute capital projects. Many of the state governments are yet to offset workers salaries in their respective states. The backlog of such salaries runs from four months to six depending of the state, leaving the workers very despondent. Besides, the impact of the insolvency has become very excruciating. Its timing in an election year is more worrisome. Some analysts believe that beside other factors, the issue of politicians’ profligacy, impunity and diversion of public funds to electoral campaigns as alleged in Kebbi

With the daunting debt overhang from the Federal Government and various states in excess of $64 billion, BIYI ADEGOROYE and ABDULWAHAB ISA, in this analysis, examine the apprehension this has generated and government’s justifications of the indebtedness State recently instead of executing public-orientated projects cannot be ruled out. The nation’s high debt profile under the present regime was underscored last week by the Vice President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who said that, the incoming Muhammadu Buhari-led government will inherit the worst economy ever in the history of the nation. To underscore huge debt challenge that would be passed over by the Jonathan’s administration, Osinbajo puts the nation’s local and international debt profile at US$60bn with a 2015 debt-serving bill of N953.6bn, representing 21 per cent of this year’s budget. Osinbajo spoke during the opening of a two-day Policy Dialogue on the Implementation of the Agenda for Change, which held last week in Abuja. The last one year of the four-year life span of Jonathan’s administration is sustained virtually on borrowing to fund some basic obligations. The cash squeeze facing the administration arose from the drastic fall in the price of crude oil at international market, which cut back revenue

stream from oil sources, coupled with the massive theft of barrels of crude oil in the NigerDelta region – a deadly combination, which narrowed governments’ revenue yields. According to figures from Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s external debt stock (federal and states) as of March 31, 2015 stood at $ 9.4 billion (N1.864 trillion), while its domestic debt stood at $43,185.51 billion (N8,507,545.47 trillion), totaling $52,649.62 billion (N10,371,975.14 trillion). States’ total domestic debt stood at $10,856.52 billion (1,690,360.09 trillion) putting nation’s grand total debt at $63,506.14billion (N12,062,335.23 trillion) respectively. Of the total debt stock, about N5 trillion (domestic debt) was contracted under the current administration. A breakdown of the external by state puts Lagos indebtedness at $1,169.7 billion, Kaduna at $234.5 million, Cross River: $141.5 million, Edo $123.2 million and Ogun $109.2 million. Others are Bache $87.6 million, Katsina $78.93 million Osun $74.06 million, Oyo $72.4 million and CONTINUED ON PAGE 38

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 S

The Sunday

Amaechi: How Ohaneze mi Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is a First Republic politician, former aviation minister and member of the defunct Zikist Movement. In this interview with PAMELA EBOH, the soft-spoken politician recalls the six months former South African President, late Nelson Mandela, spent on exile in his house and his expectations from the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration What is your general overview of the just concluded elections? It wasn’t the best of elections but by our standards, I think it was good and what I saw as the best in it was the presidential election. The result of the election has brought peace to the country, restored hope and confidence to the continuity of the nation. Particularly for Ndigbo, it saved their lives and their property because otherwise, the Igbos in the North would have seen hell. They would have been killed with their properties looted, but in any case, there’s never complete justice in elections. The people of Nigeria have massively spoken and chosen Muhammadu Buhari as the next president. I think it represents the choice of the people. I think it’s good. Would you say the outcome met the expectations of Nigerians? Never will any election meet the expectations of all Nigerians. We live in a democratic era, people must have different opinions and views,. But it met the expectations of the majority and apart from the Nigerian majority, there are also America and the European Union. Many countries of the world are getting fed up. The world looked forward to a change in Nigeria; the world demanded a change in Nigeria because the outgoing administration appeared to have taken things for granted. I had in many previous interviews said that I saw the Peoples Democratic Party as a conglomeration of strange bedfellows who had come together to plan how to loot and steal. There is no ideology among them at all. You can see how some leaders of PDP are rushing over to the All Progressives Congress. So it shows you that they are people without principle, people without ideology, people without goals. They are just opportunists who want to have a locus for looting and enriching themselves. Do you think PDP would be able to serve as a formidable opposition to APC? Naturally, that’s what it should be. Given their pedigree for going to where their bread is buttered, do you think they have the calibre of people that will stand out there no matter how long it may take? They are the next biggest party in Nigeria after APC and they have members in the National Assembly - both in the Senate and the House of Representatives. So they are naturally the opposition. They will provide the minority leaders in the two houses. There are no other parties. I don’t think APGA won anything; no other party won election at the National Assembly. Not all their members will cross over to APC. Those who defected to APC will not achieve anything, and from those who remain they will elect Minority Leader, Minority Chief Whip and so they will have the general permutations from there and so they will remain in PDP. What are your expectations from the incoming President? From my point of view as an elder statesman staying in the village, I am no longer in active politics but I’m not totally apolitical. I try to observe what is going on in the country and the greatest problem of the country among the general population and

among the coming generation is unemployment. The secondary schools, the universities, the technical colleges are producing young people and the country is unable to offer them employment. So, the first priority would be to create employment that would drastically reduce the level of violence and crime in the country. But you cannot provide employment without providing facilities for institutions that will employ the youths and this brings me to the issue of industrialisation. No government in any part of the world has been able to employ all its employable youths. So, it is only the industries; industries have to be created, the dying ones rejuvenated and the ones that have left the country lured back. Then, how can this be done? It is simple provide electricity. Right now, what you are enjoying in my house is generator. So, the first priority for the government, I would say, please a lot of money has been invested or said to have been invested in the power sector, yet, no result. Buhari should look into the generation and distribution of electricity in order for the industries to grow. Industries cannot grow without power. Already, so many industries have had to close down because of lack of electricity. For example, Michelin and Dunlop, two tyre manufacturing giants, have had to shut shop in Nigeria. Now; look at the number of jobs they created, the people who supplied raw materials, rubbers, kaolin, calcium carbonate, then the distributors and transporters. So, today, a big country like Nigeria is depending 100 per cent on imported tubes and tyres for its vehicles! That’s just one example. Michelin had to close up because of lack of electricity. They went to establish in Ghana and they are doing very well. So, to create industries, there must steady power supply. Two, he has to bring down the cost of living and hardship on the masses; something has to be done about petroleum products. Nigeria is an oil producing country, about the sixth largest oil producing country in the world. We produce our crude oil, we export our crude oil, the people who buy it overseas refine the crude oil and send back to us, then we go and buy it. In buying it, we have to consider shipping back, the profit of the refiners and then the Value Added Tax. That’s why Nigeria, instead of enjoying what God has given to them in abundance, they are paying through their nose for petroleum products. Why shouldn’t the government allow refineries to work? Nigeria should at least have 10 giant refineries by now but because of the rottenness of the system, the four refineries owned by the government are not even allowed to function because the people who import fuel are in collision with some persons in the government and they frustrate everything. What is there in building a refinery? During the Nigerian Civil War, I built a refinery here in my village. The Biafrian government was supplying me crude from Egbema, the only oil field that was available to Biafria then. They were supplying me from Egbema one tanker load of crude oil every week and I was refining it here. I was getting petrol, kerosene and diesel and I was able to facilitate the sup-

ply of fuel products to people around here. So, why won’t the government allow refineries to spring up there? Let there be competition. Nigeria should be exporting refined products now, not importing refined products; at least we should export crude oil and refined products at least to neighbouring African countries, but no, because some people are gaining and accumulating billions of dollars at the expense of the masses of this country, we are not. These, in my opinion, are the priority areas the new government has to move to effect a real change as soon as possible. It may not be done overnight but I would want that by the end of his first 100 days in office, some results would have been felt, some easing out would have been felt in all the priority areas of electricity, Petroleum crisis and of course creating employment and industries coming back. Alright, I am running a factory here for refining kaolin but I cannot continue because the cost of diesel to run the generator. I don’t get electricity, sometimes they supply me electricity twice a week and when it comes, they leave it for two hours, only two hours… then the next time I get it on their scheduled days according to their load shedding, then the next time I get it, I will get it from 11p.m-5a.m. The new president must endeavour to recover the electricity industry that has been sold out to party men and women and return it under the sole control of the government. The people that bought it do not have the capital to inject into it. They are frustrating everything and they don’t care. Those of them who are there at Abuja, their surrogates and agents in the local areas are just enjoying the wealth of the country and the masses are suffering. The rich are getting stupendously richer and the poor get pitiably and illegitimately poorer. This situation must be corrected and that’s the change we expect from the APC and the new president. Shortly before the elections, Igbos were not favourably disposed to APC and its candidate, Gen. Buhari. What do you think would be the outcome of this? N o w , get the sequence. The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo,

which is the main organisation representing the Igbos, whose tenure had already expired, decided to stay put because of the money they wanted to collect from the presidency. They insisted they would remain in office. I, as the chairman of the council of elders of Ohaneze, pronounced them dissolved and summoned a meeting of Igbo elders and leaders of thought in Enugu. This meeting was attended by 120 Igbo elders and leaders from all parts of the country. They set up a caretaker committee headed by Ralph Obioha. I inaugurated the caretaker committee and in my inaugural address to them, I told them that Igbos are in different political parties and that their committee as the authentic Igbo representatives of Ndigbo must not put all Igbo eggs in one basket. I told them that there were priority areas that they would want the presidential candidates and the principal candidates to talk to Ndigbo about. These include Onitsha/Enugu Road, Aba/Umuahia Road, industries in Igboland, security of the Igbos. I gave them four areas, let these people come and talk to you about these. When they talk to you, then you will be in a position to give directives to Ndigbo. But as the actual election approached, it appeared that none of the candidates had appeared. So, the committee issued a statement which I countersigned, asking Ndigbo not to vote for any particular candidate; that every

Amaechi

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Interview

isled Igbos on 2015 election Igbo man should pray on election day for guidance and after praying, go to the polling booth and vote according to your conscience. Meanwhile, the outgoing president of Ohaneze and the secretary went to Abuja and took the usual money they are paid and came out and said that the Ohaneze Ndigbo had decided that Ndigbo should support President Goodluck Jonathan. They gathered some traditional rulers and some representatives of Ndigbo and went in a delegation but the official stand of Ndigbo as represented by the caretaker committee of Ohaneze Ndigbo which I set up was that there was no commitment to anybody. It happened that the majority of Ndigbo voted for Jonathan but don’t forget that there were these advisers and political jobbers employed in Abuja who rushed over here. I don’t know. Alright, look at somebody whom I heard collected $1 million from Jonathan to come and campaign in his own area and he put the money in his pocket. He did not use the money. I hear that that particular person, a big politician, is now rushing to join the APC. So, they are people who have no principle, people who want to chop and quench, and they don’t consider anything. So, the Igbos as a body did not vote mas-

sively for the president and then, the PDP captured all federal seats. Well, we know how they captured those seats, like they also captured the Rivers State governorship seat but there are things like that. APGA captured all the House of Assembly seats in Anambra State. In Kano State, APC captured everything, in Katsina State, they captured everything. We know how they captured all this. So, you cannot really say that it is the fault of the masses. How would you assess the Nigerian political leadership, given the flurry of defections which greeted Buhari’s emergence? You see, one thing that is affecting many organisations in Nigeria is this zoning thing. National leadership requires certain qualities, certain experiences, certain stature but in some cases in Nigeria, you find the national leadership of a political party is zoned to a certain area. When you come to that area, they may not have somebody with the requisite qualities of people like the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Dr. M. I. Okpara and so on. These were national people who had the natural stature but this zoning principle is not helping us. This is what is killing Ohaneze now because they zoned the leadership to a state. So, that is one thing about political leadership in Nigeria. But in the final analysis, a country gets what it deserves. What are you expecting for Ndigbo from Buhari’s government? I expect equity, balance and justice. In my letter of congratulations to Buhari, I told him that having been elected president, the moment he is sworn in, he becomes the nation. Like a father, he must be broad-minded; as a father, all children of the country belong to him. Simply put, equity, justice and fairness. What is your take on the view that Buhari will Islamise Nigeria and also run a northern agenda? Do you think these fears are real? I don’t think they are real. Well, who can Christianise Nigeria 100 per cent? You see, these things are campaign stunts. Alright, some areas of the North are predominantly Muslim, the South, particularly the East and the

South-South, are predominantly Christian. Even the South-West is about 60 to 70 per cent Christians. So who will come and Islamise the nation? By what means? In any case, can Islamisation be effected in four years? Buhari will stay in office for four years before he will come and ask for another mandate. Then, is it by force? So, it’s not real, it’s not possible. Earlier, you talked about zoning being a problem. How do you describe the evolution of Nigerian politics? Well, when I was there, I went into it because of what we could give. Today, people go into politics because of what they can get. So these are two diametrically opposite positions. For example, in our time, to belong to a political party, I had to pay for my membership card. Every month, I had to pay so much to the party. As a minister, I signed an irrevocable mandate to my bank to pay 10 per cent of my salary to my political party. That was how we used to sustain our party in those days and we subscribed to keep the party alive. But this time, people are paid to belong to a party. If a rally is to be held at Awka, the Anambra State capital, whichever party is in power will say, every local government should provide five or 10 buses full of people and when they go, everyone in the bus is given N1,000. So, when you go there, you see a lot of women dancing and singing, ‘it’s Mr. X that we will follow by all means.’ But right from that venue, if they see another aspirant on their way home, or see another political rally, they will immediately join them. So, the difference is clear, no basis for comparison. In the heat of apartheid government in the 1960s, you hosted late Nelson Mandela in your home for six months. Why did you do that? Mandela was being chased around by South African Intelligence Service, he came to Nigeria to seek protection and refuge. He went to late Zik because Zik was the GovernorGeneral then as a great African nationalist. So, Zik thought of the most appropriate place Mandela could stay and be protected and the person who had the similarity in thought and behaviour, in patriotism and nationalism to Mandela, he said is ‘The Boy is Good’ who should house him. That’s what they called me in those days. If you mention Amechi, people didn’t know me by that name. So, he invited me and said ‘I am sending this Mandela to you. He is from South Africa.’ That was how Mandela came to me and he lived with me at No. 5 Okotie Eboh Street, Ikoyi in Lagos, which was my official residence. We were there together for six months and occasionally we would come to my village here because at month end, I used to come home to see my mother. We stayed together for six months until he said ‘Look, my stay in Nigeria makes me a coward; let me go back to my country. Two things face me; either they will send me to prison or they will kill me. If they kill me, it will give discretion to others to continue the struggle.’ It was based on that that Mandela decided to go. He eventually walked from my house into the waiting arms of the apartheid government in South Africa. There they charged him and sentenced him to life imprisonment; but he did one thing that not many people do. While in prison, he wrote me a letter to say that there was one Dr. Barange who was the son of the lawyer that defended them, that the South African government was also looking for this Dr.

Barange but that he had gone to Nigeria and that I should help him secure a job here. He wrote from prison. If I had known this issue would come up, I would have looked for the letter he wrote me in his own handwriting from prison and signed it. You would have been able to see and probably make a copy. When Dr. Barange came, I helped him secure a job as a lecturer at the then University of Ife because he had a PhD in Geology. Mandela did this from prison even though he was serving life imprisonment. He never bothered about himself; he was more concerned about somebody outside. That was why when he died, I said at whatever cost, I would go and pay my last respect to him because he was a great man, he was a great nationalist. He never bothered about anything. Like me, money was not of any value to him. He never bothered about wealth; he never bothered about things of life. What memories of him do you cherish most? Well, I cherish his memory as just one of my friends who returned to our maker before me and I would continue in the struggle. When it is my own time, I will join him. I have gradually started packing my load but they have not brought me my passport though my passport might take some time, then I will start looking for the visa. It’s not easy so, I still have a long way. What is one special thing he liked about Nigeria? One thing, Mandela liked Abacha (tapioca), the plain one that is not mixed with coconut. Even when he was released from prison and he came to Nigeria, it was during the military government, he insisted on seeing Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and me. So, when he came to Enugu, the military governor then was Robert Akonobi. He contacted me to come and see him and when I got there, I met him and his wife, Winnie. The first thing he asked me was, ‘Did you bring me that my food?’ So I told thim that he notice was too short. We used to go and dance at Empire Hotel, Kakadu Club and another club at the National Stadium area in Surulere, Lagos. The British people as well as the South African government often saw him with me or my orderly but they couldn’t do anything. I was a minister and he was a free man with me. They dared not come close. What kind of person would you say he was generally? He was a very simple person but always deep in thought. He never talked so much about wealth and so on, but we generally did what young men do. Like? Going to disco, club and so forth…(laughs). We used to club and dance in Lagos. But one think I can remember about him was that he didn’t smoke at all. Why are you called ‘The boy is good’? Well, that story started with the series of conferences for the independence of the country. Conferences were held in Lancaster House, in Lagos and so forth. So, on one particular occasion in 1957 I think, there was to be a conference of political leaders at the residence of the governor at Marina, Lagos. I was part of the NCNC secretariat team going for the conference and then we drove to the Government House. I parked my car and was sitting inside it with Fred Anyiam. Then, the first leader to arrive was the Sardauna of Sokoto. He drove in, Awolowo also drove in, then Zik arrived last. As his driver was going the car through the Government House gate, somebody threw a big stone at the glass CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

Lessons Nigeria can learn from Rwanda, by envoy Rwanda came to global limelight in 1994 following the genocide that rocked the country and resulted in the deaths of thousands of its citizens. Twenty years down the line, Rwanda has overcome its worst nightmare and grown into a model in Africa, granting citizenship to people from other countries, including Nigeria. In this interview ONWUKA NZESHI conducted on the sidelines of a ceremony to admit a Nigerian and a Beninnese as citizens, the Charge d’ Affaires of the Rwandan High Commission in Nigeria, Mr. Protogene Nsengumuremyi, gives some insight into what has made his country, the envy of other nations How long have you been in Nigeria and what are your impressions about the country? I have been here for three years and some months and we appreciate Nigerians. They are hard working. They are working very hard and they produce of course, a lot of things. I think the only problem here is that of insecurity. Otherwise, Nigeria is a good place, full of warm and friendly people. The country can go very far in terms of economy. You know Nigeria is a giant in Africa in terms of population, landmass and natural resources. What’s the significance of the swearing in ceremony for new citizens? It means a lot. You know, in different countries, people are fleeing and going outside for different reasons. But despite that fact, Rwanda, with a small land, without even natural resources, people are still applying for Rwandan citizenship is a thing of pride. I believe there must be some reasons for this interest in our country and the leadership of Rwanda is standing tall. Secondly, it shows that wherever you have peace, stability, security and good governance, people are ready to come. People are applying for citizenship from around the world; not only from Benin and Nigeria but from different places across the word. How many Nigerians have applied for Rwandan citizenship? Up till this time, the one we have given today is the first to be concluded but we are still having about two who are in the process of applying. The difference is that the one who has applied was marriage because he is married to a Rwandan lady. But the two others who have applied are just because they love Rwanda. They love what they have seen in Rwanda. They are aware that in Rwanda, everything is working. What do they stand to gain as citizens of

again for genocide and as I have explained earlier, I’m Rwandan. Wherever you come from, whatever you have, you are rich, you are poor, you are from North, you are from South, you are Catholic or Muslim, we do not discriminate. Once you are in Rwanda, human rights are respected; whoever is there must be respected. Whatever you want to be, the rights of every citizen is respected. So we will never experience xenophobia and such kind of things.

Nsengumuremyi

Rwanda? For sure, they are plenty. Starting from the political rights - they have the right to belong to any political party and to vote during elections. There are also some economic and administrative benefits like having the rights to property, rights to have assets in Rwanda. There are also other incentives in terms of participating in trade and business and in terms of having access to different economic rights. What does the Rwandan authorities expect from these new Rwandans? Of course, they are coming to join others to develop Rwanda. They are coming with their knowledge and expertise. One of them (the Beninose) is a lawyer and the other is a scientist. They are bringing in their contributions to the development of Rwanda. How long did it take to process their applications? Well, for the citizenship of Rwanda, whenever you apply and you fulfill all the documentations that you are required, it cannot take more than six months. Sometimes the process of screening to know who is who and for what reasons they are seeking citizenship could delay the approval of an application. Sometimes, people may want to apply for citizenship just to move to another country for some calculated reasons. So you have to be very careful in screening the applications. So, that’s how the process takes long. You would want to know the background of the person and how complex his situation might be. Maybe the place he is coming from is complicated or complex or whatever. But normally, it doesn’t exceed six months. In the process, there is also a written test there are some questions to answer and the process continues until it ends by giving the successful applicant a citizenship certificate. The next step is that it will be published in the official gazette and thereafter, they can take their identity cards and passports. Given the experiences of Nigerians and other Africans in South Africa over the xenophobic attacks, what guarantees do these new citizens have that they will not experience xenophobia in Rwanda? That can never happen. In Rwanda, we have a slogan- Never Again! There is never

In Rwanda, if you don’t have discipline, you can have a lot of problems. Be it in driving, maintaining a clean environment and in all areas of life, we expect our citizens to be disciplined at all times. Of course, as citizens, they should not be liabilities but assets to their new country.

What is the nature of the bilateral trade between Nigeria and Rwanda today? Well, presently, they are in a very good trend. We have some Nigerian banks operating in Rwanda. We have Ecobank, Access Bank and lately GTBank and they are doing well. From our own end in Rwanda, we’ve brought our national carrier, RwandAir. It is working; transporting people from Kigali to Lagos. We are in the process of negotiating the commencement of direct flights from Kigali to Abuja. We are still waiting for its approval. On the other areas of cooperation, we wanted to also export into Nigeria some products like milk from Rwanda. We have plenty of milk in Rwanda and we have realised that you don’t have enough of it here. Since we are producing lots of it and exporting to some countries in East Africa, we think we also have enough to bring into Nigeria.

In your speech, you talked about a certain fund which Rwandans have been using to develop their country. Could you tell us more about it? Oh, the Agaciro Development Fund (AgDF); it’s a national development fund. You know that any time you wake up in the morning, these brothers and sisters from western countries will want to be dictating what happens in Africa. They will say: You, we have to help you with some aids, but you must do this and that to benefit from our assistance. Sometimes, you feel uncomfortable to apply for these aids and respect their conditionalities. In Rwanda, we never want people to dictate to us what we have to do. We know our country, we know our values and we know our needs. So, sometimes we said no to certain terms and conditions attached to these aids from the western world. We have our own way of doing things. You know that once you don’t agree to their terms and conditions, they will withdraw the aids. So that was how the idea of Agaciro Development Fund came in Rwanda. We said we have to be capable of funding our projects. We decided to task each citizen and friend of Rwanda to put whatever they can afford into that fund. Now the fund has grown. It is now more than $300m. The money will be used to fund development projects that are of priority to our citizens. It is an example for other countries in Africa because those guys will not continue to help us forever.

What advice do you have for the new citizens? Well, I advise them to join other Rwandans to develop the country. While in Rwanda, they have to obey the laws because in Rwanda, you must be disciplined. Whatever you do, you must obey the law; you must respect the human rights of the people. We don’t want people who are coming into our country to get involved in crimes such as human trafficking or drug trafficking. We want everyone to be disciplined and be good citizens.

Does it mean that Rwanda does not depend on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to fund any of its projects? Sometimes, when we need them, we go there but we don’t want anybody, any institution or any country to touch our dignity. Agaciro means dignity. We don’t want anybody to bring to us his or her aids under conditions. If you cannot help us in the way we want to do our things, then leave it. We want to keep our dignity and respect as Rwandans and as Africans.

‘How Ohaneze misled Igbos on 2015 election’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 3

of Zik’s car and shattered the glass. His driver stopped, then, a young man wearing a very nice suit, lifted the lapel of the suit and I saw him draw out one long dagger and he went to stab Zik on the chest. So, I said to Fred Anyiam, ‘This is an assassination.’ So, I dashed out of my car, grabbed the man from behind and the man stabbed me on my hand and on another area of my body. The white police officer who was the commander of the police was standing there and looking the other way. So, I was holding the man and we were both struggling. In the process the knife wounded me in two places. Then I shouted at Zik’s driver, ‘Sam, won’t you take that car away? Don’t you see it’s your master he wants to kill?’’ The driver then drove the car inside. It was that time that I raised the Igbo war cry, ‘Igbos are you here…Igbos are you here?’ Then one Inspector Chukwuma from Eziowelle (Anambra State) came out, defied the white superintendent there, took a baton and knocked the man

heavily on the head and the elbow and the dagger fell down. But in the meantime, I was bleeding all over. So, I was rushed to the hospital and was treated by one Igbo lady doctor. The thing was big news then in the country. So at a rally, Zik was narrating to people how I saved his life, then he said that ‘The boy was really good.’ So, when Madam Obinwe, a woman who was called the Mother of Zikist Movement, said ‘Aah, the boy is good’, that was how they name came up with the name and eventually the thing almost took over my name. You were a member of the Zikist movement. How come the group parted ways with Zik at a point? Naturally, father and son will always disagree on minor issues but we never parted ways. Zik was still our father and leader but there are certain things we did he did not quite approve. He thought we were too fast and wanted us to be slow but we said no. That was all, we never parted ways.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Politics

Fani-Kayode: Disappointed PDP aspirants worked against Jonathan Director, Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2015 election, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode in the past few days has been trading words with the PDP National Working Committee over the party’s loss of the presidential election. Fani-Kayode, in this interview with some journalists in Abuja, however, accuses the NWC of working against the success of the council. ONYEKACHI EZE brings the excerpts The Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee, recently blamed the loss of the party at the March 28, Presidential election on hate speeches embarked upon by some party officials particularly some members of its Presidential Campaign Organisation. How would you react to this? I am sorry that you asked me this question because this is an assertion that I have refused to comment on since the allegation was made. Ever since the conclusion of the presidential election, I have been asked the question you have just asked me more than any other and I believe that, for posterity sake, it is time to set the record straight. Everywhere I go, this question of hate campaign is raised and frankly I am tired of it. Worse still some people are beginning to believe it because we have refused to clear the air. We cannot be expected to remain silent forever when faced with such a grave allegation. This is all the more so because it is my directorate and team that they sought to target, malign and discredit more than anyone else even though they did not mention my name or my directorate. The truth is that I have no hate in me and neither did anyone in the PCO or in my directorate. We are serious-minded, patriotic, loyal, faithful, responsible and hard-working party leaders, many of whom have either been federal ministers, senators or state governors, who chose to answer a call to duty by our President and who made massive sacrifices in terms of time, energy, commitment and risk and stood up for our President when asked them to do so. They stood up for the President and fought for him when he was faced with the most vicious, malicious and hateful gunfire that this country has ever known. They fought for him gallantly when he was faced with the most effective and ruthless campaign of calumny that this country has ever known from an opposition that was ruthlessly efficient in all its ways and that was not prepared to spare him or take any prisoners. The truth is that the APC media machine was awesome yet we engaged them fire-for-fire and bullet-for-bullet and I do not regret that. If we had not done so we would have lost the election by at least 10 million more votes than we did. We spoke the truth, we engaged the enemy on all fronts and we not only fought them to a standstill, but for the first time since the establishment of the APC they were put on the defensive. This was a great achievement for which we ought to be thanked and not one for which we should be maligned, misrepresented and insulted. If one or two members of the NWC are so ignorant that they cannot make a distinction between virile political banter and a hate campaign that is their problem. After they take power on May 29, the APC will begin a formidable onslaught against the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan, his entire cabinet and those of us that are his political associates. They will try to discredit us and to destroy every remaining vestige of our party and his legacy. They will persecute us and they will malign us in every way. Despite all their promises of peace and harmony they will try to destroy each and every one of us. That is their nature and that is their way and we

must all be battle-ready to take them on and resist that. We must remain free of acrimony, united and focused and we must throw out the bad eggs in the NWC and prepare for a long drawn out war of attrition with the new incoming government. In order to survive over the next four years as a party we must make the necessary changes at the top otherwise we will be utterly decimated. The present leadership of the party, particularly its information organs, has no chance of standing against an APC Federal Government, because they are weak and they lack understanding and courage. They will be savaged beyond belief and torn apart if they try it because they do not have the stomach, the grit, the appetite or the wherewithal for a long drawn fight. They are simply incapable of defending the President and his legacies after he has left office and neither are the majority of them even ready to do so. Instead of focusing on their numerous inadequacies and trying to fix them these very same people are hurling bricks at others. Instead of preparing to defend the party faithful and enhance the fortunes of the party members over the next four years they are making childish allegations and alienating and upsetting many party leaders. They are indeed the enemy within. The truth is that their allegation is not only baseless but it is also adulterated and those who made them are nothing but ingrate, cowards and traitors who know nothing about politics, political campaigns, intellectual discourse or political engagement. They are simply trying to revise and re-write history in order to cover up their treachery, weaknesses and inadequacies. They are fueled by hate and envy and worse of all, right from the start, they had no interest in fighting for our leader and presidential candidate President Goodluck Jonathan or in ensuring that he won the election. From day one all they did was sulk about the fact that a Presidential Campaign Organisation had been set up and that they would not be able to have control of the campaign themselves or have access to the resources that we were given. At every point they tried to undermine our efforts and sabotage us but we ignored them and remained focused on doing our job despite their

are prepared to accept the personal attacks on their own candidate as being acceptable yet they complain when we attacked the candidate of the other side. Whose side are these people really on? Fayose was not the only one that focused his attention on Buhari. Many of us did because Buhari was the issue for us and everything about him became relevant. In the same vein, for the APC, Jonathan was the issue and they focused their guns on him. We did not complain and cry about it like little children but instead we returned fire and responded forcefully. We have no apology for that and we believe that we spoke nothing but the truth and we backed up our assertions with facts and figures. We didn’t just talk but we did our research. We were effective and devastating and that is all that matters to me. We have nothing against Buhari but we had a job to do and we did it as best as we could. Those who lacked the guts, the finesse and the capacity to do the job should stop whining and instead they should try and learn from those of us that are capable of doing it and that are prepared to do it for the sake of our President, our party and our country. There is also this allegation that the first Lady in the course of her campaign across the country, did more harm than good to the party? Again, this is not true. It is the same identifiable individuals in the NWC that are spreading that repulsive falsehood and we all know who they are. Those that say so are nothing but ingrates, trai-

The personal attack by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State on Gen. Muhammed Buhari, before the election was noted as one of the things that worked against the PDP at the March 28, presidential election. Do you believe that is true? That is arrant nonsense and those in the NWC that have said so are liars, cowards and turncoats. They are traitors and they are working for the enemy. Did these so-called party leaders complain when President Jonathan was attacked by the APC and Lai Mohammed every day? I find it strange that they Fani-Kayode

tors and malcontents who are not worthy of holding their positions on the NWC. The truth is that the First Lady was one of the most forceful, credible and powerful voices in the course of the campaign and she did an excellent job for her husband and our candidate. She did not hide in the kitchen but instead, like the true and loyal wife that she is, she jumped into the fray and fought for her husband. Why should anyone complain about that? This was especially important because the President was under serious hostile fire from the enemy. She did very well indeed and I take this opportunity to commend her courage. That woman is a lioness and I honestly believe that she enhanced the fortunes of the President during the course of what was the most bitter and keenly contested election in the history of Nigeria. Without her strong contributions and without her lending her strong voice to our cause things would have been far worse. Those that say otherwise do not know what they are talking about. I know because I was one of those that were deep in the trenches and in the fray. When things looked bad it was the First Lady that encouraged us and inspired us more than anyone else. Governor Ayo Fayose was another person that worked so hard for the party and the President. The same can be said of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Governor CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

10 years after, family, friends extol Olajoku’s virtues Adeolu Adeyemo and Deborah Makoji

en years after his demise, the family, friends and well-wishers as well as business associates gathered last weekend to celebrate the glorious exit of the late Alhaji Sulaimon Olajoku, a former political warlord and one of the major financiers of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s election in Osun State. Speaking on the event that drew men and women from all walks of life, the deceased first wife, Mrs. Sherifat Olajoku, who is a Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Command, told Sunday Telegraph that such celebration was done in appreciation of her husband’s service to humanity and the state.

Obaze

“The case of my husband’s murder has been laid to rest since nothing can be done to bring him back to life. The case has been rested for a long time now, and I personally believe his soul is resting in peace. No investigation will bring him back, and all his philanthropic gestures to churches and mosques have gone with him,” she said. According to her, the family is setting up a foundation in his name, saying that life has been hard without her husband. To her, no one can, and has been able to fill the vacuum created by the exit of her husband. Also, his second wife, Fausat Olajoku, the Executive Secretary of Ojokoro Local Council Development Authority, Ijanyi, Lagos, said, the late Olajoku was a religious person man, who drew people to himself due to his love for humanity in spite of life

time challenges. Fausat described her husband as a consummate business consultant, a man that had much love for his community, which made him build schools and established companies to reduce the problem of unemployment in the area. “He also, had special love for the lessprivileged in the society. It has not been easy. I still miss him but we still give God the glory because things keep getting better despite his demise, “ she said. On the same vein, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Information and Strategy, Dele Ogunsakin Lateef Raji, described his relationship with the deceased as cordial, brotherly and closest friend. “I’m his brother, friend, confidant and one of his closest friends. Late Olajoku

Olajoku

was intelligent, passionate, committed and a very accommodating true business man,” he added. This was just as his first son, Ajibade Olajoku, said the family is trying to fill the vacuum created by the death of his father, saying his late father’s business is well taken care of; even as he tries to ensure that the family members live together in one accord. “My father really tried. I’m now trying to do my own part, though from a younger perspective. He was an old man but I’m a young man. His shoe is big for me but we thank God for everything,” he quipped. The late Olajoku, hailed from Ilobu of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State. Even in his death, his memory still lingers in the minds of those who appreciate his works. He was assassinated at Gbongan junction in 2005, while he was in the state for the realisation of the political ambition of Aregbesola as the governor of the state. Armed gun men reportedly launched an attack on him on his way to Lagos, sending him to the world beyond after wrestling with his attackers in a gun duel for about two hours. After killing him, his assailants left his body with his wife and other occupants of his vehicles. This prompted some chieftains of All Progressives Congress to describe the late Olajokun as a political martyr, whose contributions to politics of the country would remain un-obliterated. In appreciation of his contributions to the political circle in the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola-led administration built ‘Olajokun Park’– a recreational centre with rooms and police posts, where travelers could lodge at night at the junction where he was murdered. Also, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Oluomo Akere, said such was good to immortalise him, saying that the park was built at Gbongan junction to mark the exact place, where his life was callously terminated by yet to be identified gun men. Akere referred to Olajoku as a nation-builder and a nationalist, whom politicians of 21st century should emulate. He described him as a philanthropist and God-fearing leader that had contributed positively to development of humanity in many ways. “Though, he died 10 years ago, he will ever be remembered and cherished,” added.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Politics

‘PDP needs a credible, dynamic leadership’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 5

Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, the late Oronto Douglas, Dr. Doyin Okupe and a number of others. I commend them all and I wish them well. Chief Tony Anenih, Senator Ahmadu Alli, Nenadi Usman, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Governor Peter Obi, Hon. Minister Turaki, Aliyu Modibbo, Senator Amanga, the Director of Women Affairs of the PCO, the Director of Youth of the PCO and so many other key members of the Presidential Campaign Organisation were other powerful and credible voices that worked so hard for the President during the campaign. Members of my Directorate, the Directorate of Media and Publicity, every single one of them and all the other directorates, also did an exceptionally good job. We risked our lives, we fought a good fight and we fought to the end. Our heads may have been bloodied during the fight but they are not bowed. We stood up for our President and our party courageously, unlike those few voices in the NWC who are now using their positions to try to malign us, discredit our efforts, rubbish our personalities, criminalise us and destroy our party. Instead of leading the party these few individuals in the NWC were busy doing deals with the APC secretly. We in the PCO were not like others that were collecting monies from all the various PDP aspirants in the states and promising them the party’s nomination and ticket. This led to a lot of problems within the party because in the end they did not give those aspirants what they asked for and what they promised. Consequently many of those aspirants rebelled and worked against us during the elections. We in the PCO were not like others that were too cowardly to speak the truth and to face the APC head on and tell them precisely what they were. I am very proud of the efforts of every single member of the Presidential Campaign Organisation. Most importantly the President himself commended us and he was very proud of our efforts too. So if anybody else is complaining about our efforts that is their own problem and they can go and jump in the lagoon. I really do not give a damn about them or their thoughts. What is important to us now is to try to rebuild our party and to ensure that we have credible, legitimate, genuine and strong leadership that is prepared to take the in-coming APC government head on and keep them on their toes. We need a new and fresh leadership that is made up of bright, young, strong and intellectually-inclined minds that is tolerant of dissenting views and differing opinions. We need a new leadership that is open, kind, fairminded and accommodating and in order to achieve that I must add my voice to that of a number of governors and other key stakeholders and leaders in our party who have said that the party’s National Working Committee must go. Sadly the NWC has become a clog in the wheel of progress. They have much to learn from what the leadership of the Labour Party and the Liberal Democratic Party did in the U.K. just a couple of weeks ago when they resigned a few hours after losing the election to the conservatives. They resigned with honor and no one had to ask them to go or call for their resignation. They did the right and proper thing because they are well educated people who have honor. Sadly the NWC members lack both education and honor otherwise they would have resigned by now. They are ignorant of the fact that when people lead a party into defeat, they must resign to make way for others. And when people told them to resign, they threaten them with suspension or expulsion from the party forgetting that there is life outside politics. Not only have they refused to take the path of honour by resigning but they are also throwing bricks at those of us who raised the PDP flag and fought a good fight. Honestly it is sad and unbelievable. In any other country these people would have been lambasted morning,

Fani-Kayode

day and night for their sheer effrontery and ingratitude and for their inability to provide strong and decisive leadership. Yet here we just pamper and manage them and shy away from telling them the bitter truth. The truth is that the NWC has to go and I add my voice to that of Governors Aliyu Babaginda, Sule Lamido, Ayodele Fayose and that of so many other people including the overwhelming majority of governors, party leaders and elders and I am saying that there needs to be a change at the top if the PDP is serious about forging party unity, restoring its fortunes, redeeming itself and winning any election in 2019. I do not want to rock the boat out respect for our President and our party elders. Otherwise I would say a lot more that will shock the nation and the party faithful about the atrocities that these people have committed over the last few years. I have a whole file on it which we compiled during the campaign. Two members of the NWC specifically were actually working for the APC and were on their payroll. Their job was to destroy our fortunes, pass on our secrets, create discord in our ranks and undermine the efforts of the PCO in the media campaign. That is just one shocker and there are plenty more. The time to talk is not now though that time will come. You will be shocked by what we know about these people and their sordid efforts to stop Jonathan and betray their own party. We do not have to say too much publicly at this point, but at the appropriate time we shall do so. I have every right to defend myself, my directorate and members of the Presidential Campaign Organisation when the illiterate, the malevolent, the misinformed, the mischievous, the treacherous, the cowardly, the disloyal and the misguided cast aspersions on our character and seek to rubbish our efforts. Let me also say this. When they accuse us of a campaign of hate, was it the Presidential Campaign Organisation of President Goodluck Jonathan that went all over the North just

PDP needs a new and fresh leadership that is made up of bright, young, strong and intellectuallyinclined minds that is tolerant of dissenting views and differing opinions before the elections and told all those worshiping in the mosques that to vote for President Jonathan will be a vote for an infidel? That is what you call a hate campaign and we did not indulge in that. It was the APC that indulged in that the Friday before the presidential election. Was it the Presidential Campaign Organisation that kept on speaking about President Jonathan and his family in derogative terms and insulting him from morning day and night? The answer is no. We did not do that. It was the APC that did that. Their hatred for President Jonathan and all our candidates and our party was unmitigated and unrestrained. The APC were the ones that started and indulged in the personal attacks and the hate and those that will now say, from within the ranks of the PDP’s NWC, that we started it, have clearly lost touch with reality. Again looking inwards, was it the Presidential Campaign Organisation that first coined the phrase Janjaweed and Taliban party and labeled the APC as the Janjaweed and Taliban party? No it was not. It was nobody in our campaign organisation but rather it was somebody in the National Working Committee of the PDP. Is that not what you call a campaign of hatred? Yet that same person who created, coined and used that phrase has the nerve and the

temerity to now accuse the PCO of indulging in a hate campaign which, according to him, led to our loss at the polls. I have never seen so much hypocrisy and heard so much nonsense in my life. The problem is that one or two of these people never went to good schools or they went to school and university very late in life so it is difficult for them to understand the implications of what they are saying. Surely the PDP deserves better and can do better than to be saddled with such an intellectually deficient and dishonest group of people running it’s affairs in the NWC. We completely reject the grave allegation of indulging in a campaign of hatred. And where harsh words were used we did not start it and we responded to it in a logical, precise, appropriate, firm and forceful manner. That is the right and proper thing to do. Taking on the APC and Lai Mohammed is not something that can be done by wearing kid gloves or by behaving in a cowardly manner. You must be ready to stand firm, fight your corner, state your case and remain true to the end without flinching or batting an eyelid. You must be ready to fight the battle till the end and not run away with your tail between your legs when things get hot. You must believe in what you are saying and doing and you must do it with passion, power and 110 per cent loyalty to your principal. That is what we did and I am very proud of that. I feel fulfilled and I am convinced that no one could have done a better job than our team despite their lies. The truth of the matter is that unlike the NWC, we stood up for the party, we fought for the President and we did not betray the cause. We did not allow anything to distract us from our objectives which were to tell the world about the virtues of our candidate and to tell the Nigerian people why we believed that Buhari was not the man to lead our country. Though we lost the election, I believe that we discharged our duty and obligation effectively and as best as we could despite the limitations we faced and CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

Debt overhang and national development C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 1

Enugu $68.93 million. For a country that had just exited from debt trap of the Paris Club- the multilateral debt bodies in 2001, many have expressed displeasure on gradual slip back to debt trap and they consider the rising debt profile, especially under the current administration as unhealthy for the economy wellbeing of the country. The external debt portfolio, which attracts minimal interest charges and long payment moratorium programme draws lesser comments. However, of much concern is huge over bloated domestic debts contracted through bond issuance and other government financial instruments such as treasury bills that are sold to the public by the government in order to raise funds to meet her obligation, mostly overheads and personnel cost. For instance, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala at a media chat on the 2015 budget highlights two weeks ago admitted the budget (from January this year till May) is being funded virtually on borrowing. She said Federal Government had borrowed N473 billion to meet up with recurrent expenditure, including paying of salaries. Admittedly too, she said government had yet to dispense a dime to fund capital projects in 2015, while the budget has a debt service provision of about N943.62 billion. The Minister, who was very factual and direct about prevailing economic dire straits, said the government of the day was discharging its obligations (salary and overheads) via borrowing, a situation likely to compound rising domestic debt obligation when the government leaves the stage. She said: “As you know, I have been honest with you since the current economic problems started. I would like to repeat, we have serious challenges, things have been tough since the beginning of the year and they are likely to remain so till the end of the year. We have serious challenges but we also have strengths and if we do the right things we can keep a steady course and emerge out of the current situation. As a result of the 50 per cent decline in oil revenues, the country has faced a difficult cash crunch and the Federal Government has focused on keeping the economy stable and the government running through a series of measures - we have frontloaded the borrowing programme to manage the cash crunch in the economy,” she said. She said out of the N882 billon budgetary provision for borrowing in 2015 budget, the government has borrowed N473 billion to meet up with recurrent expenditure, including salaries and overheads. Apparently, Okonjo-Iweala disclosures which painted a picture of nation living on domestic borrowing attracted fresh probe into the rising debt profile under the current administration due to vacate government in few days. However, senior officials at DMO have defended the nation’s debt stock as sustainable and not ‘injurious’ to the economy. Speaking recently with Sunday Telegraph on a sideline of a Finance Ministry event in Abuja, its Director – General, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo allayed the fears on health status of both Federal Government and state, saying they were within tolerable limit. DMO boss cited Lagos State as a typical example of a state having the highest debt portfolio of $1.169 billion as of December 31, 2014 both (domestic and bilateral debt). He said it is utterly wrong for anyone to judge Lagos debt as unhealthy, considering the state’s economic size, its high revenue profile and tax revenue stream. Though Lagos State has the highest debt stock among 36 states of federation, he said Lagos debt is sustainable and efficient. He advised people to desist from passing uninformed comments on debt stock of states and Federal Government without necessary checking other facts such as the country’s GDP to its debt, and projects the funds so

Fashola

raised were channeled to. He also buttressed same assertion last week in media report to correct seeming erroneous impression that Nigeria’s debt had risen by $18bn in four years as carried by a news media. The report, which DMO refuted suggested the current administration had contracted the largest portion of the current debt stock, an indication that growth of public borrowing during that period was not healthy. According to Nwankwo, between 2008 and 2011, when debt stock stood at $20.1 billion, two significant developments had happened. “In 2010, there was a general wage increase (53.7 per cent average increase) for all categories of public servants, including political appointees. The funding of this depended largely on increased domestic borrowing. The global economic and financial crisis (2008-2010) occurred within the same period. All economies engaged in counter-cyclical public spending, using what was popularly referred to as stimulus package. In Nigeria, the Government was able to effectively play this role by borrowing from a domestic bond market, which to the country’s credit, had been developed as an alternative source of funding after the exit from the Paris and London Clubs debts in 2005 and 2006. “The impact of the spike in the domestic debt stock resulting from the two developments remained a major factor in the high level of public domestic debt stock, not only of that period but also of the later period, 2011 – 2014,” he said. Responding to the N418 billion debt he is leaving behind despite the huge monthly revenue which accrues to Lagos State, Governor, Babatunde Fashola said there was no big deal about that. To him, the volume of infrastructures attest to the judicious use of the funds. “I am leaving behind hundreds of kilometres of roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, courtrooms, social services, skill centres, streetlights and traffic lights. I am leaving behind also people who now have jobs, who did not have jobs seven years ago. I am leaving behind a stronger security force ; a stronger LASTMA, a stronger KAI. That is where the money went. I am leaving behind a rail system. I am leaving behind so many assets for the continuity of life. I am also leaving behind a bigger workforce – a better equipped workforce. I think we should talk less about debt and more about development.” He said with a monthly internally gener-

Nwankwo

If you look at the entire debt profile of about $64 billion, it represents 10 per cent of the Nigerian economy of $640 billion. However, you should also look at the servicing requirement interest rate paid on that annually and to what extent each debtor state has been able to meet this within its revenues ated revenue of N20 billion and monthly allocation from the Federation Account averagely between N10 billion and N11 billion, sometimes it drops to N9 billion ( which in the last few months has dropped to N6.5 billion), it is still difficult for the state to get by. “If we have averagely N30 billion, do the math, divide it by 21 million people. You will get one thousand four hundred and something naira per person in Lagos. It is easy then to say, let us collect the IGR you think is big but you are seeing the IGR alone and not seeing the responsibilities,” he said. Fashola, in an interview in Lagos said that borrowing is often done against the assets. “We took N275billion bond over eight years. The first thing we had to do was to repay the old bond of N15 billion because the Lagos State Government drew N15 billion out of the N25 billion bond. We had to repay that so that we could take the full benefit of what we were planning to do, which was going to be issued in series. And we did all these in public. What did we use these monies to finance? We used them to finance infrastructure. As the monthly IGR is coming, we are returning 15 per cent of the IGR into a consolidated debt service account. “We can’t touch it. Take out 15 per cent of N20bn. We have over N100 billion in that account to pay the debts. Those who are saying

we owe, the system for paying bond is secured. We just paid the second bond, which was the first that I took. We paid it last year. The next bond will be due in 2017 and it is about N60 billion or N70 billion but we have N100 billion in the account. In any event, we have oversecured our liabilities as far as the bonds are concerned. As far as the local short-term loans from banks are concerned, we were able to pay. “If we don’t want a life of debt, then Lagosians must agree that we reduce our budget to what we earn. We have a budget of about N489 billion. Let us use our IGR as an example: N30 billion multiplied by 12 months is N360 billion. We are already in a hole of about N119 billion. If Lagosians want us to reduce it, then will Lagosians agree to stop demanding more services? Certainly, no! Thus, this is the context. And when you look at the countries we aspire to be like: America owes $16 trillion – they owe the whole world – but they have the best space ships, aircraft and army, and they can decide what our military does with the debt they owe the world. Speaking with Sunday Telegraph on sustainability of the huge domestic debt, Dr. Abiodun Folawewo, a senior Lecturer at Economics Department of University of Ibadan, said a nation’s debt stock could be adjudged unsustainable if stock is above the threshold of acceptable ratio to its Gross Domestic Product. In his view, the fear in respect to over $5 trillion domestic debt stock arose because the revenue profile no longer matches the expenditure. He said a situation, where debts are incurred to offset overheads, salaries and other recurrent expenditure is not a healthy development. The way out, he said, is for the country to diversify her revenue base from oil to non-oil sector. “The main underlying issue has not been addressed. You don’t diversify an economy verbally. Infrastructures that are key components of diversification are not on ground. In that case, diversifying the economy is near impossible,” he said. Dr. Folawewo noted that diversification does not happen overnight and advised government to make conscious efforts to put the necessary infrastructure in place, adding that, when such is taking care of, diversification will naturally happen. Responding to the development, the Chief CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Politics

Godfatherism and jostle for Senate presidency From the

Red Chamber chukwudavid68@yahoo.com

Chukwu David

odfatherism has become a norm not just in Nigerian politics but also in virtually every facet of endeavours. It is regrettable to note that in both public and private institutions, the demon called godfatherism is always found. This is a concept that is very alien to the advanced cultures of the world, where individuals are allowed to pursue their destiny based on the natural and fundamental concepts of merit, equity, justice, fairness and good conscience. In advanced cultures and democracies of the world for instance, people are given equal opportunities to pursue their ambitions in life without undue external interferences from those who consider themselves privileged to determine or manipulate other people’s destinies. And it is evident that in such cultures, there is usually more progress in the affairs of men because the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens are not trampled upon. Here in Nigeria, and perhaps other developing societies, people’s rights and freedoms are suspended and trampled upon. For instance, it is the right of Nigerian citizens who are employable, to be employed without any form of discrimination. It is also the right of qualified Nigerians based on the provisions of the law, to vote or be voted for at all levels of elections without any iota of discrimination or interference. However, the truth is that Nigerians have suffered a lot of denials as a result of the influence of godfathers in the system. People who are qualified to get certain jobs in the civil service, private sector or government

Debt overhang C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 8

Executive Officer of Economic Associates, Dr. Ayo Teriba, said the debt profile of both federal and state governments should be viewed separately, because they represent different levels of decision making and capabilities. He said Nigerians should also avoid exaggerating, not only because the nation is in transition period, but also in view of the fact that it represents mid-year report. “If you look at the entire debt profile of about $64 billion, it represents 10 per cent of the Nigerian economy of $640 billion. However, you should also look at the servicing requirement - interest rate paid on that annually and to what extent each debtor state has been able to meet this within its revenue,” he said. Teriba said the true picture of the debt will be clearer after the handover because it is difficult to ascertain that during the current transition period because of the usual lack of transparency by different levels of government. Said he, “The incoming government should look for ways to handle the situation within few months of assuming power, and thereafter get a clearer picture and find a solution. The situation can be managed and indeed, should be managed.” Though the fears have been allayed, it has become very vital for the incoming administration to monitor the scope and nature of foreign loans before they are accessed. Nigerians are still appalled that from a paltry N4billion foreign debt in 2010, there is a systematic build up of the nation’s foreign exposure, hence the time to stave another jamboree of wastefulness and loan scams is now. Otherwise, the nation might be standing at a dangerous precipice in surreptitious moves to mortgage its future.

Saraki

Ndume

appointments don’t usually get such because of the presence of the cankerworm of godfatherism in the system. There is no doubt that the current stalemate in the choice of principal officers for the Eighth National Assembly stemmed from the influence of godfathers in the All Progressives Congress, Some of the contenders are having the backing of some of the party leaders, and this makes it difficult for them to agree on which zones and which individuals should get what. In true democracies, the offices would have been thrown open for interested contenders to go to the field and test their popularity. In the current jostle for the Senate Presidency, Senators George Akume (APC, Benue) and Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe)

are said to be receiving backing from some prominent party chieftains. APC’s national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President of the Senate, David Mark are said to be backing Senators Lawan and Akume’s candidacy. This is actually working against the aspirants because other Senators are said to be very uncomfortable with a situation where an external force will be telling the Senate what to do. However, political analysts had argued that if election into the office of the Senate President is to take place without external interference, Bukola Saraki and Ali Ndume would emerge. It was gathered that Saraki and Ndume had agreed to support each other if APC zones the exalted office to the North-Central or to the North-East.

Those in support of Sarki/Ndume are of the view that if APC zones the office to the North- Central, Saraki would carry the day because of his influence; and if zoned to the North- East, Ali Ndume would emerge because of the popular bias of most Senators that Ndume is more humble, accommodating and approachable. Another strong argument in favour of the two legislators is that they are the only ones out of the four contenders in the race who have no god-fathers. Meanwhile, the godfather factor has led to the failure of the leadership of the All APC to agree on any zoning formula for the principal offices in the National Assembly. Consequently the Senators elected on the platform of the party are now to go through primary election to choose from the four contenders for the number three office. The decision to conduct primary election for Ndume, Saraki, Akume and Lawan was the only viable option left as a result of the heat being generated by the jostle for the office of the President of the Senate in the next Assembly, occasioned by the meddling activities of the self appointed godfathers. Though the godfather syndrome in Nigeria politics has brought APC to the present quagmire, it is good that the party hierarchy is having a rethink on the matter, and is now trying to provide a level playing field for all the interested aspirants to participate in the process. It is not only in politics that this endemic syndrome should be eliminated; even in employments and political appointments, Nigerians should subject themselves and allow the desired change to reorient their attitudes and mindset towards doing things. This will definitely revolutionize the system for rapid, all round development.

‘PDP needs a credible, dynamic leadership’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 3 9

despite the constant hostility and opposition from within. We fought a good fight and we are very proud of that fight. If the NWC really want to know why we lost the election they should go and search their souls and ask themselves if every single one of them was really loyal to the party and to the President. Did they really fight for the President? Were some of them not really fighting for the APC and collecting monies all over the place from aspirants and promising to give them tickets? Were some of them not dividing the ranks of the party? Were some of them not really trying to undermine the efforts of the Presidential Campaign Organisation right from the start? That was what was going on and that is just a tip of the iceberg. We know all these things and everybody knows them. We know what we faced from day one. They resented the fact that the President had his own campaign organisation right from day one because they wanted to manage it themselves, run everything themselves and make sure that they had access to the funds. Yet the President, in his wisdom, said no because they had failed for two or three years before that time and he wanted his own team for the campaign. There is no presidential system in the world where a President going for an election will have the leadership of the party, the NWC, running his campaign organisation. It is never done and it has never been done. You must have a Presidential Campaign Organisation of your own at that point and that is what happened. It happened in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and it has happened again in 2015. The President chose that course and we fought a good fight, so for the NWC to turn around and be trying to blame us for their own inadequacies and the mess that they created is absolutely absurd and unacceptable. Had it not been for the efforts of the Presi-

dential Campaign Organisation and the fact that we fought an aggressive, efficient, focused, disciplined, virile, proactive and strong campaign and had it not been for the fact that we returned every bullet the APC fired at our candidates fire-for-fire, we would have been completely overwhelmed and we would have lost the election by at least five to 10 million votes. When we came on the scene, we changed the fortunes of the PDP and our candidates for the better because we worked hard, we were focused and committed and we did it none stop and everyday for about three months. This is something that had not happened for the previous two years because the NWC was weak, divided, incapable, intolerant and indolent. Do you see the PDP regaining power based on recent happenings within the party and the fact that it lost the presidency to the opposition? The PDP will come back to its old self once the leadership of the party has changed. As I said earlier, the NWC needs to go. I am saying this and adding my voice to many PDP governors and many other elders and leaders who are saying this behind closed doors. I am saying it now and I have every right to do so because for the last few weeks we have been getting all manner of insults from these people and those that share their views for the hard work that we did during the campaign. They are ungrateful and if they want peace they must stop attacking us and telling lies about us. We will not take it lying low any longer and what these people don’t understand is that there is life outside of politics. We at the PCO risked our lives and despite our constraints and the sabotage that we were subjected to by a few members of the NWC we fought a good fight. We should be commended for our efforts, all of us, every single one of us in our team. There were many people involved in the campaign.

It was not a one man effort and they should be thanking us for the efforts that we made. Look at the hard work that elders like Chief Tony Anenih (the PDP Board of Trustees Chairman and the Presidential Advisor to the PCO), Senator Ahmadu Alli (the Director General of the PCO) and Professor Tunde Adeniran, Deputy DG, put in. At their age they were all over the country and they were risking their lives every day. They guided us and led us with grace and with boldness, supporting and encouraging us all the way. Without them we would have achieved nothing. Yet after all that someone or some group of people who should know better will come and attempt to denigrate our collective efforts simply out of envy and frustration. The NWC created the mess that the party is in and they have widened the deep divisions. They have almost destroyed the party with their incompetence, greed and pettiness. There was no campaign until we came. There was no real resistance to the APC up until we got into the fray. Before we came Lai Mohammed and the APC dominated the airwaves and they were all over the media. They were the lone voice and it was very intimidating. They dominated the media space before the Presidential Campaign Organisation was set up. Until the PCO was set up there was no voice or effective resistance to the APC and the PDP had nothing. When we came in everything changed. We rose to the occasion; we stood up and for the first time we put them on the defensive. Can anybody deny that? And then you say it is a campaign of hate simply because you did not know what to do or how to do it. You attack and insult us simply because you are a coward and you do not have the courage of your convictions. You malign us simply because you are insincere and you are full of envy. If the NWC are looking for a scapegoat, they should not look in our direction. Instead they should look within themselves. That is the hard and bitter truth.

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015 SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Politics

S’Court verdict nails defectors, says Orakwusi Mrs. Margaret Orakwusi is a maritime lawyer and vice chairman, The Nigeria Maritime Expo. The first female president of Nigerian Trawler Owners Association is a graduate of University of Buckingham, England and the principal partner, Margaret Onyema & Co speaks to CHIJIOKE IREMEKA on a number of political issues including implications of recent Supreme Court verdict on defections

Defections have become the order of the day in Nigerian political process. With reference to the Supreme Court judgment on an Ondo lawmaker, which ordered a defected lawmaker to vacate his seat, would you say the same judgment to be applied to earlier defectors? First of all, we need to understand that there is no individual candidature; rather every candidate must belong to a party. INEC does not register individual candidacy, but candidates who belong to political parties. In election, for instance, when you go to cast your vote, you will discover that the names of candidates are not written on the ballot paper; instead the names of the parties and their logos are displayed. So, if someone wins an election on the platform of a political party, and that person decides to move to another party, of course, the seat he is occupying is not his per se, it is the seat of that political party which sponsored him and on which he was elected, so he has to vacate the seat for the party. So, that judgment is a sound judgment and it also guards against cross-carpeting. This whole thing boils down to the question of ideologies. Our political parties have not been able to define their ideologies. We don’t know what each party represents. What makes APC for instance different from PDP is not known. Whether one is a socialist party and the other a capitalist party, we can’t say. These are the things that the voters want to know in order for them to vote wisely. The system whereby someone is in PDP today, and tomorrow, moves to APC, doesn’t speak well of his political ideology. Or did

Orakwusi

his ideology change over night? What does he have to offer? So, when we begin with this divide, then the voters will be able to make well informed decisions. The parties should be able to define their ideologies so that the electorate would know which party represents their views and aspiration. So, would you advocate the same judgment to be applied to earlier defectors? The law is that a judgment does not apply retroactively. The judgment became law on the day it was delivered; and so for matters that have concluded, the judgment cannot apply to them but pending cases definitely will take benefit of the judgment. However, judgments do not apply in vacuum. For the judgment to apply in your own case, you have to go to court as an aggrieved party and pray the court to invoke such judgment. In that regard, there will be an abiding pronouncement. So, you don’t take the law into your hands. You don’t just sit and say there is a Supreme Court judgment on XYZ case and it automatically allows you to grab what you want. There must be somebody to get it working. You have to apply to court and seek remedy. For the very first time in the history of Nigeria, an incumbent president lost to opposition, what impact does it have in the country’s nascent democracy? It is a good development for the country and we see it as a shift in power. On the Election day, it was seen as the voters’ day. It was the will of the people that happened and we saw it come to play. We saw the people go out in the morning, stayed in the sun and in the rain just to cast their votes. They stayed quite late and insisted that their votes must count. We must vote and defend our votes. It is a good change in our attitude. I think suddenly, we just woke up and realised that Nigeria belongs to all of

us and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that right things are done and our votes count in choosing who becomes our leaders. This was what I saw and it can only be better for the development our democracy. Again, we admire the fact that the President accepted defeat, which shows a good leadership character. He did it and saved the country from looming bloodshed that would have occurred. I congratulate him for his good statesmanship. I also congratulate Mohammadu Buhari for his steadfastness. He has shown that when one wants to serve one’s people, one has to be motivated with good intentions, and then wait for God’s time. I believe this is the best time for him. He did not give up, despite his failed previous attempts. Having said this, we expect a lot from him. I pray he realises that we repose a lot of confidence in him and he is now the father of the whole nation. The issue of North, South, East or West divide should not be there. Also, the issue of religion - whether you are Christian or Muslim -should not be there. He should live above sentiments. He should see himself as the father of the nation because a lot is to be done in different areas. The country has plethora of problems and this is not the time to reward friendship or play party patronage by appointing less qualified persons into offices and positions. Now is the time to select technocrats who are passionate about Nigeria, to turn the country around positively. Would you also like to see a robust economy in the next four years of Buhari’s administration? Well, I just told you that I want to see the economy recover. I want to see industries up and doing. I want to really beat my chest and say, ‘yes, I am from the biggest economy in Africa.’ We have a lot of unemployed youths. We also know that capital flight does not augur well for our economy. Even in the area of education, more of our children are studying abroad than we have in the country and this contributes to capital flight. We need to attract the best brains back to our country because everywhere you go in the world, Nigerians are there doing well. This is the time to have them back to join hands to rebuild our country and advance our interest. I want to see the incoming administration tackle the rot in the health sector. There is a lot of capital flight in that area too. Today, every small sickness takes Nigerians abroad for treatment. I want to see a quick recovery in our health sector. Of course, in my constituency, the maritime industry, I want to see indigenous ship owners thrive; I want to see a return to the position where we refine our crude oil locally to meet local consumption. We should be able to dictate the mode of transportation of our products outside the country. Nigeria is the only oil producing country that exports her crude oil on Free on Board basis. If we control our exports and determine the insurance of the products, then our banks and insurance companies will thrive. He should tackle insecurity in the maritime sector and guarantee our safety in the sector.

I will also like to see the reforms that will engender growth in the economy. Again, water is fast becoming a scare commodity in our country. There should be portable water and good roads. Rail transportation should be made to become the easiest and cheapest means of transportation for our people as in most parts of the world. We still see mad men, beggars and aged people roam the streets, begging for alms. This is not decent for our society; there should be a welfare department of government whose responsibility it should be to take care of such people. I would also not want to see the traditional practice of jettisoning laudable projects and policies of the outgoing government only to start new ones that would not be completed. There has to be continuity in government policies and projects. In the fight against corruption, the judiciary has a role to play but it is said to have aided corruption in the country. Having your colleague as the incoming Vice President, what impetus will it give to the fight against corruption? The point to note here is that being corruption -free is a matter of personal conviction. It is a matter of personal integrity and uprightness and not just a matter of class. And so that one is a lawyer, a judge or a doctor is not what makes one corrupt-free but ones’ strength of character and resolve to do always what is right. Whatever your profession may be, you are predisposed to corruption; what counts is your ability to resist and stand firm and not to succumb to corruption and its tendencies. It is a problem for all of us irrespective of our profession. So, it’s a personal conviction and not that of a class. Because you belong to one class or the other will not make you corrupt free. No, it’s a personal conviction. Yes, I thank God that the Vice Presidentelect is a professional colleague and a seasoned one at that. As regards his personality, his background and past record are clear testimonials of a man with high degree of integrity and this gives much hope and expectation on his performance in office. As an accomplished Professor of Law, who was in active legal practice before now, his ascendancy to power as the VP-elect will be of great benefit to the judiciary and the fight against corruption. He is in a better position now to advise, recommend or initiate appropriate reforms in the judiciary and the administration of justice in general. I only hope that it will be leadership by example and we, the followers can look up and say, we admire this man and we want to follow and be like him. We are hopeful. Talking about objectivity in governance, how do you see the scenario, where the incoming Governor of Niger State will be running the state with his mother in–law (the number three citizen of the state) as the Chief Judge? I can’t see it as an issue because the society has evolved. There are people who are older than their bosses. The role of each office has been defined by the law and constitution. And if you apply the law in everything you do, I won’t see it as any problem. When there is an issue, she has an option, which is to resign or to be strong and live above sentiment. But I don’t see any conflict as long as everybody works within the limit given to him by the law. They are being guided in their activities by some documents. As long as you put that into consideration, nothing will go wrong. On the issue of objectivity, everything boils down to the individual involved and the provision of the law. If the provision of the law allows that then we have passed the first hurdle. Another hurdle is the fear that the mother in-law is going to compromise with her son in-law. But then, the mother in-law, like I said, has a choice to resign or to say I won’t allow it to happen and move on in the time of crisis. In democracy, there are checks and balances, so it is not what they want but what the law provides.

Life SUNDAY

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Mayhem in Ekiti: How N36,000 and lady’s handbag sparked ethnic ‘war’

ate Monday evening, news filtered into some parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, that some people were fighting in Sabo, Atikannkan, Old Garage and Ojaba areas of the town. Most people only took the precaution that they should avoid going to those areas, as it wasn’t clear who were involved in the fighting. Early Tuesday morning, butchers who have their kiosks at Old Garage, which is also home to many Hausas changing currency and selling rice, onions, beans among others, got to their selling points to see their kiosks destroyed. Upon investigation, they found out that the act was perpetrated by some drivers who had some issues to settle with them and the Hausa traders. The grouse of the drivers was that the place also harboured fraudsters and pick pockets and that anytime they did any evil act, those criminals would mingle with the butchers and the traders. They also alleged that the previous day, a lady’s bag containing N36,000 and other items was snatched by unknown persons. The rampaging drivers also reportedly gave the butchers and traders an ultimatum to produce the culprits or vacate the place. The tension generated did not die down until late in the evening when both sides engaged in physical combat using various dangerous weapons. Early on Wednesday morning, when some people thought the matter had died down following the intervention of some personalities, drivers, allegedly mobilised from Ikere joined their Ado-Ekiti counterparts to clear the place of the traders. The butchers, who are incidentally Yorubas, joined the Hausa traders to take on the drivers. Many houses and shops were burnt and looted, as some hoodlums joined the fray. Passersby were harassed and dispossessed of their valuables. Also, settlements where Hausa people reside such as Sabo and Atinkannka became targets of rampaging youths. If not for the fact that the genesis of the crisis was known to most people and the fact that some Yoruba people, who are butchers, were also attacked by the drivers, the crisis would have taken an ethnic dimension. The situation led to panic across the state capital, as people ran helter-skelter. Most hit were Atikankan where there is a huge concentration of Hausa settlers, Oja-Oba, (King’s Market), Old Garage and New Garage areas. During the ensuing violence, no fewer than five vehicles belonging to commercial drivers were also damaged. Some hoodlums, wielding machetes and broken bottles, also took advantage of the situation to break into shops and cart away property and money. Banks also hurriedly shut down while Bureaux de Change operatorsalso had their share of the attack as virtually all their offices were vandalised. In the same vein, heaps of onions, tomatoes, dry fish and pepper littered the streets. The Commissioner of Police, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Etop John James, who started work on Tuesday, led scores of both regular and mobile men of the force to the scene before the mob retreated. The CP gave the assurance that normalcy would be restored to the area and immediately despatched two

What started as a minor face-off between two groups, Hausa traders and butchers on one hand and some commercial drivers on the other, almost snowballed into an ethnic crisis in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital last week. ADESINA WAHAB reports.

Burnt shops

They also alleged that the previous day, a lady’s bag containing N36,000 and other items was snatched by unknown persons mobile police units to the affected areas. Government officials led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, visited the scene as Governor Ayo Fayose was away in Abuja for an assignment. Fayose, who hurried back to the state on Wednesday evening, visited the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, to thank him for brokering peace between the warring parties. “I am grateful to Your Royal Majesty for your fatherly role in brokering peace between the warring sides and taking steps to restore peace. We don’t need to fight each other or take the law into our hands if we feel aggrieved. We are all Nigerians and we must see and treat ourselves as brothers and sisters,” he noted. Oba Adejugbe, in his remarks, said, “We are peace-loving in Ado-Ekiti and have always behaved as our brothers’ keeper. Many of us, at one time or the other, lived outside our hometown. We still have many of our sons and daughters outside here. We won’t support any illegal act, and I am appealing to all to let peace reign in our community.” Fayose, who briefly met with leaders of the two sides on Wednesday night, promised a thorough investigation of the matter. He

fixed another round of meetings with them on Thursday since the day was well spent. On Thursday afternoon, the governor started his meetings with the warring sides with a visit to Atinkannka, which has a large Hausa population. Fayose, who appealed to the warring sides to allow peace to reign, promised that justice would be done in the case. “This would not have happened if I was around. One thing we must know is that we cannot see ourselves as being above the law. There is no justification for us to begin to attack one another. We are one and God created us. I am appealing for peace and we have to allow peace to reign. You say you love me, this is the time you have to show this love. I want to plead with you to submit whatever lethal weapon you have in your possession to the police. And if you refuse to do this, whether you are Yoruba or Hausa, the police will arrest you. Nigeria belongs to all of us and for the sake of our country, I plead with you to allow peace to reign. We will look into the matter and find lasting solution to it,” Fayose said. The governor added that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and those found culpable would be prosecuted. Chairman of Hausa Community in Ekiti State, Alhaji Adamu Imam, who spoke on behalf of his people, called for justice to be done. “We are calling for justice in this matter, for without justice, there can be no peace. We are surprised at what happened. If somebody snatched a bag, it is the duty of security agents to get the culprits and allow the law to take its course. “We are not happy with the way the police

are handling the matter. They know those who were involved and we know and have the names of those involved too and we are ready to supply them to the police. My people have suffered a lot of damage and government must assist us,” he stated. Fayose, who was accompanied by the police Area Commander, immediately asked the imam to get in touch with the police. As the peace effort was going on, words came in that some youths were throwing stones and breaking into some homes in the area. Fayose immediately announced the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the town. He also ordered security agents to enforce the order and clamp down on anybody who flouts it. Fayose repeated his call for peace during his meeting with drivers and the need for people to stop hooliganism. This is as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers denied any involvement in the crisis. The State Secretary, Comrade Oshundiya Akinsola, said, “No member of the NURTW was involved in the crisis. We don’t have any of our parks near the scene of the crisis. The alleged snatching of bags did not involve any relation of our members. We are law-abiding people. “We were surprised when we heard some people saying that our members were involved. There are many drivers unions apart from our own. The ceisis probably involved members of other unions, not ours,” Akinsola stated. To the chagrin of the people of the town and the state governor in particular, some unidentified persons in the wee hours of Friday set fire to the popular Oja Oba Market, CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Life

Nobody should underestimate Buhari–Bishop Isong Bishop Emmah Isong is the Presiding Bishop of Christian Central Chapel International in Calabar, Cross River State. In this interview with CLEMENT JAMES, he speaks on a number of national issues How do you see the last national elections that gave Gen. Muhammadu Buhari victory? Prophetically, those of you who worked with me over the years know that I have been prophesying about the 2015 elections. I am sure sometime back, you asked me a question on who would win the 2011 elections. You asked me that question in 2010 and I said to you that Jonathan would win 2011 elections but that 2015 will be tough. That it will be a fight between the Igbos trying to have a slot and the North trying to take back power. I also said that I saw the name ‘Goodluck’ bringing him back in 2011, but that he would need to find out the meaning of Jonathan. I said Jonathan does not rule. In the Bible, Jonathan would always hand over; he always conceded power and would always congratulate David. Jonathan was the man who went to David and said, “It is my right to be King of Israel; my father also has me in mind, but I have handed over to you because I have sensed that God wants to use you to do something.” I don’t know if you can agree with me that I have made that statement sometime ago when I said that the name Goodluck is finished and that Jonathan is the remaining name and that may not see him through the 2015 elections. Be that as it may, we know that Jonathan, even though he conceded, defeat, is a hero. He is the hero of Nigeria’s democracy. Even though Buhari is the winner, Jonathan is the hero. The person that the international community is hailing is Mr. Jonathan for not allowing the doomsday to come to pass. For not telling his supporters to carry arms, for not resisting the democratic process, for humbling himself, of course that could show you also why God allowed Jonathan at that strategic time in Nigeria to be able to maintain the peace. He has fulfilled his ministry, he has also fulfilled his calling. Just imagine if Abacha was the one that lost in this election, imagine if Babaginda was the one that lost in this election. So, you can see that the temperament of Mr. Jonathan has fit into the national project of carrying Nigeria forward after 50. So, one could say Jonathan came in to fulfill both positive prophesies and negative prophesies - positive prophesies that a man could rise as a lecturer through the rank-and- file of the political process and become Mr. President. This is the positive prophesy. To me, Paul said; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished a good course, I have kept the faith.” What do you think the incoming administration should do? Luckily, Buhari is not somebody that we are going to guess. He is somebody that we have seen and known before. We know him during the Idiagbon/Buhari time; we saw him when he was the helmsman of the PTF and we also saw as the leader of the party called CPC. We have seen him before and we can predict his weaknesses and can also predict the outcome of his government. I think a nation builder has come in the name of Goodluck and I think a senior prefect has come in the name of Buhari. I think Nigerians should look back to the days of Buhari and get ready to queue up; get ready to declare their assets and also get ready to go to work on time. They should get ready to speak the truth and drop sentiments.

Isong The people I’m sympathising with most are the sycophants of the APC because they have no idea who this Buhari is. They just wanted to win election and now, APC will discover who Buhari is. The Jacob and Rachel issue is now going to happen here. You know Jacob wanted to marry Rachel and he fixed the wedding day. At the end, he saw a different person. I think APC is going to get a shocker. I am not saying that an angel has come but a very different politician has come. Don’t forget that Buhari is not a politician, he is a reformist and that broom fits him. He is a sweeper and all those who are carrying that broom should also get ready because Buhari, when sweeping, would not want to check whose documents are on the floor. So, those people who are carrying the broom should be ready because the broom may even sweep its owner. Those are the people I am sympathising with. Buhari is coming at a time when the economy is dipping. As an economist, what do make of this? Can I answer that question with a prophesy? Buhari is going to inherit an empty treasury. Since the treasury will be found empty, he will be looking for money and will be tempted to remember where monies are kept, whether in private or corporate banks. He will want to get them back for the country to move forward. Those who are holding money anywhere should start returning them because Buhari will now be looking for those monies. You know a man that is broke will start remembering those who owe him. That is what will happen in the Buhari government, he will start looking for how to get the economy moving and that may tempt him to search for where the coins are dropped. We do not really know what is in store for the country… (Cuts in) Nigerians are not just full of high expectations, they are watching with mixed feelings. Funny enough, they are now wondering, ‘did we take the right decision at all?’ We know that there is such panic in the air because it may not be business as usual. There is a general belief that someone who came in with a slogan of change may also want to execute that change if God is with him. Again, there is also a general belief that a party that has been

the largest party in Africa is now about to resume on May 29 as a major opposition party. It is not easy for an older brother to watch his younger brother dish food from the pot. So, there is going to be panic from May 29 to June 29. I will even advise those who are rushing to go and get appointment from Buhari’s government to wait a little bit and let the yam get cold so that they can eat well. This is because very likely, those who rush for the next appointment may soon be committing political suicide. The first thief to go is the one police will catch. This is a man who is already in his seventies and knows that he cannot mess up in his life at 72. He has had a chance to steal money and be rich and did not, is it now that he will steal? He is coming with a kind of transformation or permit me to say, political anger. He has waited on the corridor for four times, he has failed this election three times. Are you telling me he will now watch small children of 30 or 40 years loot the economy again? Buhari wants to make a name urgently before he leaves this world. He wants to prove a point. We are now telling him, that thing you came to look for, do it and let us see. So he is under intense pressure from the public and I am predicting that he is going to try to impress in the first four years. So, we are expecting a change of attitude by Nigerians. There is fear in the Niger Delta that he may not give his attention to the area. How do you react to this? For the first time I will tell you, and I want to be quoted, that opposition states that are doing well may not have problems at the federal level. After elections, governance begins. Election is a game of clan consciousness; but after it has come and gone, government starts. Look for instance, at the United States of America. Immediately after their elections, you would not know who is a Democrat or a Republican again because it is difficult to know. All former heads of state join hands together, everyone is fighting terrorism and fighting their interest in the Arab community. No diverse opinion again. It is when the election is getting close, that they start talking about the emails of Hillary Clinton, how she sent emails to one person or the other. Nigerians should learn to differentiate politics from governance. Every opinion matters. I have travelled to 44 nations, I have been around the world and I have never seen sentiment in governance. It is only in Nigeria that we speak different languages even when the election is over. When election is over, everyone unites to move the machinery of government forward. It is only in Nigeria I see a PDP or APC governor still raise the flag of his party in his official office. It is wrong and against the constitution because you are no more going to be president or governor or even local government chairman of a particular party. You are now the president of all Nigerians, both those that voted for you and those that did not vote for you. There is no PDP or APC road. If we construct a road, everybody passes on that road. If you have a market, everybody goes to sell in that market. So, governance starts where politics ends. I don’t know the mind of the president-elect, but the project for Niger Delta, the amnesty programmes

and the Ministry of Niger Delta were never initiated by a Niger Delta president. It was initiated by the Yar’Adua/Jonathan government. Therefore, it was a core Northerner like Buhari who brought the initiative of the Niger Delta project. If we work on that permutation, it would not be that a Northerner should cancel it. It was the Katsina son that brought this project and another Katsina son cannot come and cancel what his brother started for a neighbour. If he does that, history may not judge him rightly. Do you think Buhari will revisit the National Conference report? Nigeria is the only country where things are done in national interest, yet when it comes for that thing to be implemented, a section now comes with their own opinion. I have been to so many countries in this world yet I have not seen a country that people sit down for three months, spend quality time, some of them have even died, come up with a good and powerful report that was not partisan, and now because of one or two regions. it is set aside. Governance should be continuous. It was not Goodluck Jonathan that set it for the benefit of his family; it was Nigerians that yearned for that conference. Let me remind you, Nigerians said that if Goodluck would not call a national conference, he was not our leader. Why don’t we thank God that there was such a forum? Why can’t we present it for ratification? I don’t think Buhari would want to make such a mistake. Those valuable opinions, including revenue sharing formula and creation of new states, were in the national interest. It was the best we had ever had and I congratulate the National Assembly for allowing that conference to hold, because to me the meaning of that conference was a parallel National Assembly. In its own form, it was a government and thank God they did not recommend something detrimental. It does not look sensible to abandon the report because it is like giving birth to a child and after nursing the child for eight months, you kill the child and say I don’t like the sex. What do you think can be done to end fuel scarcity in Nigeria? To me, three things can be considered as solutions. The first is a total reformation of the oil and gas sector and not just what we have just seen. The second is anti-corruption in the oil and gas sector because the oil subsidy thing is a fraud. This is how the fraud is committed. I own crude oil and my name is Nigeria. I take it abroad to sell and make money; I bring the money back home and then take part of the money and then travel abroad again to those people I sold my oil for, to buy fuel from them because my own refinery is not working. So, they sell me fuel and I use marketers to buy this fuel. So, when the marketers buy and bring the fuel, they add money including their transportation cost. I say no, don’t put that cost on the public, they will suffer too much. I then take part of the money I have from other sectors and pay these marketers to lessen the effect of the high cost. Okay, the third one is reviving the refineries. Why do Nigerian leaders kill refineries? So that they can send their boys to buy fuel and come and charge our economy money so that they would not put it on the pump price. That is the meaning of oil subsidy. Oil subsidy means you took your oil and sold it at a raw stage because you cannot refine it at home. Prices now are based on artificial parameters that have no economic basis; politically artificial parameters that are calculated in the imagination of the dealers. The transaction is more or less a farce and so, the whole system is full of robbing the Nigerian public who are the owners of the crude oil.

Pairing with pants:

You are a gladiator after all, so you can chose to wear a pair of pants (not your formal pants, pls!) like a pair of leggings or jeggings or any skinny pants. But be sure they do not destroy the seams or shape of your gladiator sandals.

Pattern:

Your choice of gladiators should focus on your type of legs. If you have a few scars, stick to the many strap gladiators. Stay away from those with large spaces and farbetween-type-straps. These will, while drawing attention to your legs, emphasise your flaws like a framed picture would.

Our current obsession

Office:

Who says you cannot invoke the girl power at work with your gladiators? Go on girl and rock your high heeled pair with a nice chic skirt and dominate that board room!

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Handling intimate hairs

Vanessa Okwara

ome men actually think it’s manly to walk around with what can best be described as Sambisa forest both under the armpits and their pubic region. In this hot weather, it is practically an eye sore to see the amount of dirty, bushy brown hair some men show off while wearing sleeveless tops. Armpit hair is unsightly, especially in hot climates; it sweats and tends to smell heavily of bacteria. Sweat just soaks into hair (especially armpit and pubic hair) and smells awful, no matter how much deodorant you slather on. Not so long ago, the pruning of armpit hair was reserved for women and professional swimmers, but the rise and rise of manscaping,

where men make sure to stay clean shaven in all the necessary parts, has become an important part of a man’s daily grooming routine. You do not want to have a forest of hair that smells due to the sweat clinging to the hair follicle. It’s either you use a razor or your shaving cream to remove the hair. Then apply your antiperspirant and cologne for a sweet clean smell. The fact remains that ‘ungroomed’ privates are not only a complete turn off, but are also unhygienic. Trimming your pubes is a highly beneficial move. It reduces the cloudy bush that can minimize the appearance of your favorite appendage and increases the sensuality and fluidity of make-out sessions with your lady. Also, heat, sweat and bacteria form around the crotch and remain there for a long

time if it gets entangled in the pubic hair. Trimming or shaving it off will help keep that area clean and free from any unwanted infections. When taking care of this hidden part of the body, shaving or trimming is probably healthier and better looking. Any pair of hair clippers will work for trimming your pubic hair. If you don’t like trimmers, many people also recommend using small nail or nose hair scissors. Both methods work great for all areas that contain pubic hair. Apply baby oil or lotion with Aloe Vera to the shaved area when you’re done to avoid itching, rashes and razor bump. Avoid scented products because they may sting your skin.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Body&Soul

How real is virtual love?

ranca is getting frantic. What if he doesn’t like me? Should I fix a weave-on or should I just go on my natural hair or maybe I should just wear a wig to look glamorous? She battled with these questions in her head as she hurried home to get ready for her dinner date. She met Philip at one of those dating sites she subscribed to when her last relationship broke up. She actually registered out of boredom and loneliness but when she started getting responses from the opposite sex, she decided to get a little serious and sift through the mails to see if she could meet anyone really interesting. That was when she came across Philip’s mail. He stood out from the rest because he sounded so intelligent unlike other guys you meet online who send you horrifying E-mails filled with wrong spellings and raunchy pictures. She responded and they exchanged numbers and took their dating to the next level by chatting on Whatsapp and keeping close tabs with phone calls. He made her feel special and she was already falling in love with his personality. The only snag in their love relationship is that he refused to send her a picture of himself. When she insisted she must see his face, he sent her a passport like portrait and told her it will be more interesting when they finally meet. So they agreed on the dinner date which she was now getting ready for. She settled for a wig. Since first impression is important, she wanted to make sure she looked her best. She got ready, flagged down a Taxi which

CONNECT NG vanessaonsunday@yahoo.com took her to the restaurant Philip had chosen for them to meet. As she sashayed into the dinning section, she quickly scanned the room for Philip’s dark face which she had committed to memory after staring at it for a long time last night. When she still couldn’t spot him among the small crowd in the room, she stood there helplessly until she noticed one hand at the far side of the room beckoning on her to join him. As she approached the table, she was shocked to her roots to discover that the Philip of her dreams was nothing like the man sitting across the table from her. For one thing, his gap toothed smile as he tried to welcome her was a total put-off. As she was still trying to recover from the shock of seeing a much older version of the Philip she has on her phone, the man opened his mouth and said, ‘My baby, it is good to finally meet you face to face’. The voice was totally different from the sweet baritone voice she had come to love and identify as Philips’. That was when it dawned on her that she has been scammed. When Philip registered the shock and misgivings on her face, he told her that he had hearing problems

and so had to give his phone to his younger brother to keep up with their conversations since he knows what he will like and dislike, can you imagine? When she couldn’t still say anything, he continued by telling her he will take care of all her financial needs if she agree to be his girlfriend. Franca was so pissed that she couldn’t sit still anymore. She got up, told him a piece of her mind and walked out of the restaurant fuming and embarrassed all at the same time. How could she have let herself be lured into a relationship by

This is one of the hazards of online dating and there is nothing anyone can do about it. This is because the internet is like a rice field; until you are able to separate the grain from the chaff you will keep getting the good mixed with the bad

this lecherous old man who doesn’t have qualms deceiving unsuspecting ladies with his duplicity. Well, this is one of the hazards of online dating and there is nothing anyone can do about it. This is because the Internet is like a rice field; until you are able to separate the grain from the chaff, you will keep getting the good mixed with the bad. Since the Internet revolution, people now go online to different social media sites in search of love partners and engage in what is referred to as virtual love. Some people have been lucky to find real love with someone they met on the Facebook and others have died from it. Remember lovely Cynthia Osokogu and how she met her death in the cold hands of her Facebook lover? That should tell you to be more careful and to take with a grain of sand anything anyone says to you online until you meet face to face. It takes greater effort to deceive someone in the physical world where your appearance can be used to judge you. Even as you meet in reality, there is still the question of chemistry and compatibility. You might like that person’s personality online but when you meet face to face, you both might shirk from each other in revulsion. Then there are the scammers and ‘yahoo boys’! These ones have made mincemeat of older ladies looking for love as they rip them of their life savings in exchange for a marriage certificate. So my take is to approach online dating cautiously and to look before you leap! •Send your views to the email above!

Developing an academic space for our popular culture

lease go back to the beginning of this pullout and take another look, then tell me what you see. Perhaps, you did not even take a second look as you consider it to be a ‘fashion’ and ‘lifestyle’ pullout for those with less things to do. I am not here to judge, but the thing is, it is perceptions like that, especially by those I will refer to as traditionalists, that has made our education and social system out of sync with global trends. Sadly, this reminder was driven further home last week when I attended the Popular Culture Association of Canada (PCAC) Conference at Niagara Falls. As the name suggests, this is a gathering of academics in the specialised field of popular culture; teachers who are passionate about what is going on around them and are not afraid to teach it to their students; a fact that was further emphasised by the theme of the conference, ‘Keep the Ideas Flowing’. The ideas being encouraged is not even defined as scholars were encouraged to explore all the themes within the nebulous field of popular culture. No boundary was placed on knowledge. There was a panel on ‘Fashion and Clothing.’ I also wondered how anyone can make this an academic subject and I was blown away. Not only was fashion designed for the academia, it was technologised. Dr. Vanesssa Del Carpio of York University delivered a paper on ‘Fashion, the technology of self representation and the female body.’ She looked beyond clothes as

just clothes, but a technology that is weaving a narrative of feminism and how this impacts on the society at large. It was not the judgmental piece but a new take on fashion. On the same panel was a paper on the clothes for disable people by Emma Thompson from the same university. Simply put, it was a soul searching yet earnest call upon the society to examine itself as regards what our fashion statement says of the people with disability in our midst. Now tell me, did you think any of that could be a subject for class discussion or part of the academic curriculum? There were items on the program that looked at inter relations of issues and their socio-political effect. How

Fashion was not considered an education, but a ‘trade and craft’ for those who did not do well academically

does the fashion in movies impact on the society? What do the wearers project? What is the ethical consideration in the style? What message are encoded in what we wear? Can you believe that the keynote speech by Prof. Susan Fast of McMaster University, Ontario, was on a song by Bruno Mars? As I sat down in the audience and listened attentively, I could not help but allow my mind to wander at my time in Nigeria’s tertiary institution. The latest book on our curriculum at the time was written 30 years prior and the was a seeming closed door on new ideas including those generated in class. Fashion was not considered an education, but a ‘trade and craft’ for those who did not do well academically. I even recall being ducked a grade point for daring to ask a question in class when all the lecturer wanted to do was shove information down our throat and leave the class. Yet, I was there sitting and listening to a lecture about a song released a few weeks ago by one of the most learned individual I

have ever met. People were weaving theory of ‘fashion consciousness’ and relating it to Freudian and Lacanian theory. It was not an exercise in futility, far from it, it was an engagement with life and a development of life skills. It is in the development of life skills that I think we must now focus our attention. No other country than Nigeria needs its university (and indeed all tertiary institution’s) curriculum to focus on life skills that are transferable. With incessant industrial action by teachers, poor level of infrastructure, lack of basic materials and qualitative library, it is the transferable life skills that Nigerian students develop that help them handle the challenges of the real life. I know many have argued in the past that life in Nigeria is hard enough to teach all skills (they affectionately call it University of hard knocks) but I think the knocks are getting harder that it is making the students dizzy with confusion. That is why scholars and administrators must start looking around and developing an approach that guarantees our graduates a fighting chance in the global space. The world is now so connected that we cannot allow ourselves to be disconnected. Universities must also look at developing a Centre or School of Nigerian studies in order to discuss and study everything Nigerian, from literature, fashion and music to our ever popular video industry. For me, it remains our only path to relevance.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul with Wole Adepoju 07037763410

woleadepoju@yahoo.com

Mama Peace scores world record

ike her or hate her, the First lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan aka Mama Peace is one woman you just can’t ignore. All through the five years her husband, President Goodluck Jonathan, has been in power, she has not had a dull moment as far as attention from Nigerians goes. Almost every statement she has made or purported to have made has come under the spotlight, with various meanings read into them. With just a week to her husband’s departure from power, Mama Peace scored a global first with the famous “There is God,” video in which she was the main character on YouTube. The site’s owner, Google, said on Thursday that it was Nigeria’s most viewed non-music footage ever on popular online video site, YouTube. The video, published in 2014 by Channels TV, showed the first lady breaking down at a meeting over the abduction of about 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram insurgents in Chibok, Borno State, in a dramatic display of emotion that drew global attention, according to Premium Times. The meeting was her first public acknowledgement of the Chibok abductions, one of Boko Haram’s mass kidnappings that shocked the world. Addressing a group of women, and the principal of the secondary school where the girls were seized, she launched into what seemed a stagy show of grief, scolding the principal for her handling of the insurgents’ attack. She questioned why the principal hesitated to honour her invitation for a meeting in Abuja, and the circumstances of the kidnap. With not satisfactory response from the principal, the first lady exploded, “All these blood you people are shedding, there is God

Shina Peller celebrates

ach time the name, Peller, is mentioned, what readily comes to mind is the face of the late Prof. Peller, the magician. During his days, late Moshood Abiola who was better known as Prof. Peller was second to none in the world of magic. He made a fortune as well as fame while he lived. One of the children of the late magician, who has been keeping the name of the family flying, Shina, a businessman and socialite further entrenched his name in the social circle when he floated a multimillion naira night club, Quilox. It has become a den of the happening ladies and guys, especially on the Lagos Island where the fun spot is located. Shina, a.k.a Olowo Idan, who is a big spender, had cause to celebrate when he added a year some days ago. The socialite commenced the celebration with a visit to a children’s home where he shared the joy of the day with the children and the train moved to his Victoria Island club where the birthday gig was held. Knowing him for not doing his things in little measures, he crowned the celebration by contracting K1 Peller D Ultimate to perform on the

o, there is God o, God…o….Chai, there is God o,” she lamented repeatedly before dabbing tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. Her outburst was also transcribed to imitate her inflection as, “All these blood you people are sharing, diaris God o, diaris God oooo, all this bloods you are sharing, chai, chai, chai diaris God oooh.” The video drew wide attention across the world, at a time the international community was fixed on how the Nigerian government was responding to the abductions. The girls remain in captivity more than a year after. The video ranking was released by Google on Thursday as YouTube celebrated its 10th year anniversary. The most watched videos in Nigerian were ranked in the music, non-music and advert categories. Mrs. Jonathan’s video came first in the nonmusic category. Charlie bit my finger again! by HDCYT, Bishop Oyedepo slaps President Jonathan by Sahara TV were ranked second and third, respectively. Other popular videos that made the top 10 include No Man Can Resist My Body…” – SATANIC SEDUCTION! – 4th, I Go Dye’s Performance at AY Live Lagos – 5th, THE PROPOSAL – Featuring Bovi & Ijeoma – 6th, Kate Henshaw dances Skelewu – 7th, What Governor Adams Oshiomhole said to the Widow – 8th, Davido’s Skelewu instructional Dance video – 9th, GEJ Must Go! Change Is Here in Nigeria! Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka – 10th. For the music chart, Davido’s Aye took first, followed by Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy’s Eminado.

last day in the three-day long birthday celebration.

Gboyega Nasir changes gear

oting his bril-

liance, Gboyega N a s i r Isiaka was made the man at the helm of affairs at Ogun GNI state owned hospitality arm, Gateway Hotel, and his performance was excellent. His loyalty now playing a role, his then boss, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has chosen him to take over from him, although on the platform of another party, but all to no avail. After the experience, no chances were given to Gboyega in the political space of Ogun state until prior to the just concluded elections when he took up his gauntlet, and shockingly, he dusted experienced and longtime politicians to emerge as the candidate of the PDP. Elections have come and gone with the PDP candidate, Gboyega Isiaka losing to the incumbent. Information at the disposal of Celeb Lounge however has it that the first class graduate has after all moved on, leaving behind disappointment of the polls behind. It was reliably gathered that he’s returned to his work and he’s been

moving up and down to make sure his outfit, Edgefield consulting firm breaks new ground.

It’s all about Timpriye Silva

hey say that he or she who laughs last, laughs best. This could be the most appropriate way to describe the situation of the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timiprie Sylva, as everything appears to be all about him in his homestead at the moment. Sylva was disqualified from seeking re-election after his first term and this was widely believed to have been the handiwork of outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan, who hails from Bayelsa State. Upon his disqualification, Sylva found solace in the All Progressives Congress that embraced him. As the tide seems to have turned against his perceived foes at the polls, all may have been swinging in his favour as he has become a rallying point for those who see prospects in the APC, even as the next governorship election approaches. While Sylva has not ceased to celebrate the victory of APC at the polls, notable Silva politicians holding strategic posi-

tions recently defected to APC. All these are said to have been at the instance of the former governor. An unconfirmed report also has it that Governor Seriake Dickson might defect to join Sylva and pursue his second term bid on APC’s platform. Dickson is believed to have fallen out with those who installed him on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. Among those who recently defected is the lawmaker representing President Jonathan’s senatorial district, Bayelsa East, Senator Clever Ikisikpo.

Tinubu switches off

ixteen years ago, when democracy was restored, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was among the South-West governors that were endorsed by the leadership of the region to lead the people. After his eight-year term ended, Tinubu, unlike the rest of his South-West counterparts who could not win a second term, retained his seat. Having extended his tentacles to the national level from a being regional bigwig, he’s today regarded as one of the most gifted politicians the country has ever produced. Saying he was the brain behind the deTinubu feat of the sitting government

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Body&Soul

) Thinking 0807

at the centre is stating the obvious, even as the outcome of recently concluded elections has made him a hero in his own right. As the newly elected President Muhammadu Buhari as well as governors on the platform of All Progressives Congres are standing by to be sworn in, politicians as well as the jobbers among them have been on the loose lobbying for one post or the other. This has made the crowd that used to be at the house of the APC national leader to be more than it used to be. Checks revealed that the influx of people that daily throng his Ikoyi, Lagos abode is so much that the security personnel are now having good times based on the monetary gifts they get from visitors. Meanwhile, it was reliably gathered that Tinubu has since switched off to avoid politicians who are seeking his attention to get one favour or the other. It was further learnt that it has become very difficult to get his audience or reach him on telephone.

Nonye Udeh savours marital bliss

onye Udeh undoubtedly is one young lady who has every reason to be ceaselessly thankful to her creator for a lot of reasons that would make her peers green with envy. Born to a father like the godfather of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba, it will be an understatement to say that Nonye must have enjoyed the best of life from cradle to adulthood as is evident in the financial myth of her father who can get her anything money can buy. Living a life to a hilt as a spinster, it was also like a bed of roses for her to find a man to call her own in the person of Anyim Udeh, son of a former senator from Ebonyi State. Formalising their union was nothing short of a society marriage as the event, which took place in 2013 in Abuja, exuded opulence and class with a horde of power brokers in attendance. Enjoying the care and love of her partner with whom she has remained an item, there has also been an icing on her cake, with a baby boy as a blessing to the union.

Yets Asika takes backstage

nlike her husband, Obi Asika, who due to his involvement in the entertainment industry as a stakeholder has constantly been under the public spotlight, Yets’ face does not appear familiar to many. This is a p a r t f r o m those who are converAsika sant with the couple. Even as a

Aloud

paulhelenproductions@yahoo.com

mother of one but with a loving and understanding husband, Yets still finds time to mingle on the social scene. In recent time, she has withdrawn into her shell as she’s hardly seen in social circles. The reason why she has made the move could not be ascertained but it’s believed she will come out of her shell to do what is necessary of her when the time for her mother-in-law’s burial comes.

Task for Ajibola Ajimobi

jibola, the elegant a n d b e a u t i ful third daughter of re-elected Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, may have Ajimobi found herself in a tasking situation that may be getting her worried. The light-skinned girl born with a silver spoon who graduated from the university some two years ago, according to sources, was said to have been romantically engaged with Simi, son of real estate guru, Chief Alaba Shonibare. The love birds were an item so much that many had they would solemnise the affair. Unfortunately, they had to go their separate ways for reasons best known to them. Over a year later, Simi has been fortunate to find his missing rib in Mojisola, daughter of billionaire, Chief Bode Akindele. In an elaborate setting, Simi and Moji were recently pronounced husband and wife, leaving Ajibola to look forward to when her own wedding will take place.

Between Dangote and Deji Adeleke

hile Kano Stateborn industrialist, Aliko Dangote, for some time has remained the richest man in Africa, founder Dangote of multi billion naira investment, Pacific Holding, Deji Adeleke, can also not be pushed aside when the names of wealthy men in the country come up for mention. Aside of being in the league of big pockets together, these two men are also friends. It will be recalled that Dangote made time to attend the musical concert of Adeleke’s music star son, Davido. These two men actually have another thing in common, which is not having women who live with them at home. While the mother of Dangote’s daughters has separated from him for many years, Deji, in his own case, remarried after his wife, Veronica, died. When Deji’s marriage to Teju did not produce a child, the former love birds went their separate ways for reasons best known to them. Thus, the proprietor of Adeleke University, Osun State returned to bachelorhood.

270 9777

with Helen Paul

Pass it on

ne of my fans sent me a mail the ice. last week. Though I could On the last Sunday of the month, not verify if the story she they went to ASALATU (Islamic sent was fictitious, but I found it prayers) in their different cars but so touching and relevant to what sat side by side during the service, is happening in many homes. It pretending to be jolly good huswas because of that that I decided band and wife. But after the serto share it this week. Please read vice, husband went home with the and pass it on to your friends. It children while she waited for the may save a home or life. women’s meeting. That day, Satan Yesterday, I went to interview an decided to enter the crevice they Imam. He came three hours late allowed in their home. to his mosque, where we were The husband was home already. scheduled to hold the meeting When he perfunctorily checked and I was a bit angry. But when his phone, he noticed that his wife he explained what kept him, not had called him thrice. He refused only did I forgive him quickly and to return the call. The wife drove learned some lessons. I decided to in some 40 minutes later. He saw share this with you so that some the security guard, Usman, openof us could learn. ing the gate for her as his phone Husbands and wives should went on ringing. He checked it. It learn how to settle their quar- was his wife. She was in her car rels without delay. I have seen at the garage already. What is she situations where couples allow a calling me for? Foolish and stubsimple disagreement to fester for born wife! He said and ignored days. The husher calls. The band is silently calls went on for Husbands and hurting, expecta while. He iging the wife to nored the calls as wives should learn speak to him he sat watching first. Likewise the the TV. how to settle their wife, she is hurtThirty minutes quarrels without ing and expectlater, she did not ing the husband come in. Somedelay. I have to play the man. thing told him The waiting game to go and check. seen situations leads from one Is she still in the thing to the other. car? Yes she must where couples If you are at this be there. He allow simple level of matrimocalled out to Usny, please read man: “Is madam disagreement to this. You might in the car?” Few have a reason to minutes later, Usfester for days call your spouse man rushed in. and together take Madam dey sleep an oath that “OUR QUARREL inside the car o. That was when he WOULD NOT LAST BEYOND woke up and rushed downstairs. THAT MOMENT.” Asthma! Could she be having her The story was told by a man usual attack? Could she have forof God: A husband and his wife gotten her inhaler? had a domestic disagreement one He quickly took the inhaler and morning. The man said he was so rushed downstairs. When he got bitter about it, claiming his wife there, she was almost breathless. knew she was wrong but refused Usman and husband quickly carto apologise. The wife felt it was a ried her to the back seat and off, non-issue that the husband should he sped like a bat out of hell, to overlook easily. To say “I am sorry, the nearby clinic. Madam was condarling,” to her husband was dif- firmed dead! ficult for her. Many people are like If he had picked her call early that. enough, probably she could have Three days on, malice reigned in been saved. When you leave a the house. The husband said he domestic disagreement to fester must get that “I am sorry.” Wife for too long, it leads to a greater cooked, husband refused to eat. evil. The preacher said husband Every day he came home with was weeping seriously, blaming food from restaurants. He boycot- himself... “I killed my wife! Only ted the matrimonial bed. Husband God knows how many wives, husfound new friends in the children, bands, children have died such a same with wife. By the way, the needless death. children were too small to break

GLOBAL FASHION

Body&Soul

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

No heels, no red carpet at Cannes 2015 Biwom Iklaki

onsidered the most prestigious and most publicised film festival in the world, the Cannes Film Festival is here again and is tantalising our perception of film culture in all the genres including documentaries. The highest prize awarded at the festival is the Palme d’or (Golden palm). But I digress; many of us only follow the festival for the fashion that is always flounced in dizzying abundance. Who even remembers that they have to watch, critic and choose winning films anyway? Hey, isn’t it all just one giant movienight-weekend, all week long with constant red carpet? Well I think it is. And while the fashion this year has been impressive and almost monotonous, it got interesting when guests were reminded just what the rules mean by “Black tie and evening dress” requirement…women in flat shoes were turned away! One would imagine that an event of such magnitude with an ‘invitation only’ modus operandi, would attract the crème de la crème of celebrities and superstars, only to turn them away for wearing a fashion trend. In the words of Irish Times journalist, Laura Slattery “But Cannes, flat shoes are in fashion this year... Well, they definitely are now.” So yes, even if this style of footwear wasn’t in fashion, it is now, even if only out of defiance!

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Wine & Dine

Body&Soul

Feel alive with Oregon Ibukunoluwa Kayode

eed a savoury punch for the palate after a hard day work? A glass of wine is ideal. Tasty lush Erath Oregon Pinot Blanc is a product of Oregon, United States of America. The wine is a careful combination of selected fruit aromas of pineapple, cit-

rus, kiwi, and fragrant honeysuckle bloom. It also offers mouth-filling flavours of melon, apple and lemon zest that leisurely retreat to a fresh, palate cleansing finish. This white wine can be served at both formal and non-formal occasions such as cocktails, dinners, birthday and weddings. The vintage Oregon holds a structure of purity of fruit, bright

mouth-watering acidity and perfect balance, which makes it enticing, expressive and food friendly. Also, this wine is ideal for people who like to indulge in light alcoholic wine that is rich in high acidity and fruit flavours. Oregon is great with sea foods such as clam, smoked salmon, mild cheese, crudités and antipasto.

As easy as a veggie stir-fry Biwom Iklaki

ou may not have been home all day to ensure the family eats a balanced meal, so this is your one best shot during the week to

make their calories count. Make it a veggie stir-fry with colourful vegetables that even your kids love. This way, you don’t have to cook separate meals for the adults and kids. Many working moms and dads

can definitely identify with this scenario. It is difficult to get your kids to the table when vegetables are served. A tip is to get them into the cooking process. Getting them involved makes

them feel like they were a part of the creation of the meal and will be more likely to taste the meal. Also, make a mini science project of it. Explain the little nuances of making the meal, how the

shrimp turns pink when its cooked, how the veggies stay greener during a stir-fry if you first blanch them, how chewing when chopping onions stops the eyes from smarting, and many more. Stir-fry

the colourful vegetables and serve with soft buttery Irish potatoes. INGREDIENTS 2 cups lightly spiced and steamed prawns 2 tbsp light soya sauce 1 teaspoon ground ginger 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 cup chicken broth (homemade) ¼ cup cold water 5 tbsp vegetable oil 5 green beans, left in long strips 4 carrots, cut into slim shapes 2 cups broccoli florets 8 mushrooms, sliced PREPARATION Mix flour, chicken broth and water in a bowl. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Cook and stir peppers, carrots, broccoli and mushrooms until just tender -about three minutes. Toss vegetables with soya sauce and ginger mixture, cook and stir for one minute. Gradually stir flour mixture into vegetables. Bring to boil and cook until thickened, about 3 minutes.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Body&Soul

Change yourself, not the world

ong ago, people happily lived under the rule of a king. The people of the kingdom were very happy as they had a very prosperous life with abundance of wealth and no misfortunes. The king decided to go on a travel to visit places of historical importance and pilgrim centres at distant places. He decided to travel by foot to interact with his people and accompany them. People of distant places were so happy to have a conversation with their king and they were proud that their king was so kind with

a good heart! After several weeks, he returned to the palace. He was quite happy that he visited many pilgrim centres and could see his fellow people leading a propitious life. However, he had regret. He had intolerable pain in his feet as it was his first trip by foot to longer distance. He complained to his ministers that the roads weren’t comfortable and were very stony. He could not tolerate the pain as he walked all the way through the rough path. He said he was very much worried about the people who used to

Celebrations!!!

walk along those roads as it would be painful for them too! He made an order to cover the road of the whole country with leather so that people might feel comfortable, immediately. The king thought that he had to change this for the betterment and happiness of the people. His ministers were stunned to hear his order as it would destroy the life of thousands of cows to get the sufficient quantity of leather and it would cost a huge amount of money also. A wise man from the ministry came to the king and said that he had another idea. The king asked - what was his alternative idea. The minister told, ‘Why do you want to kill the holy animal cow to cover the road with leather? Rather, you can just have a piece of leather cut in appropriate shape to cover your feet?’ The king was very much surprised by his suggestion and applauded the minister. He ordered for a pair of leather shoes for him and requested the countrymen to wear shoes. Many of us criticize the world for many things. We curse and blame the things in our surroundings and Happy 2nd birthday Ombe Perelayefa Rhema! never understand that we need a change in us. Changes are ineviHe is a fun, lively, attention-loving little ladies’ man. He was excited at his birthday and gave all the guests a good laugh. table in the world, and the changes should be from us. We cannot or God bless you always our handsome boy, with love from Mom and Dad. should not force others to make a Ans: Frostbite. change. Why is England the wettest country? ( w w w. k i d Ans: Because the queen has reigned there What is the best day to go to the beach? s w o r l d f u n . for years! Ans: Sunday, of course! com) Why do fish live in salt water? Ans: Because pepper makes them sneeze! What bow can’t be tied? Ans: A rainbow! Why did the man put his money in the What season is it when you are on a tramfreezer? poline? Ans: He wanted cold hard cash! Ans: Spring time. Where did the computer go to dance? What do you get when you cross a snowAns: To a disc-o. man with a vampire?

Gags

Cross word puzzle

MOYIN & FRIENDS

LITTLE LINDER

By Ayo Oyerinde

08034407393

By eei

SUNDAY

Faith 51

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Sermon The mystery of sacrifice and altar p.57

Interveiw Five ways to attract God’s blessings Apostle Charles p.53

Post-election violence

Northern Christians demand compensation

News NGO boss urges clerics to respect leaders p.54

Jonathan

Tai Anyanwu

Tai Anyanwu Head, religous Desk titus.anyanwu@newtelegraph online.com

orthern Christians have called on President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to facilitate compensation for lives and properties lost to the 2011 postelection violence. They also urged him to ensure that peace, justice and equal opportunity do not elude minorities in Nigeria. Speaking on their behalf in separate interviews with Sunday Telegraph were the President of Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA), Rev. (Dr.) Jeremiah Malankaltho Gado; COCIN President, Rev. Dapiri Dachomo; and CAN Chairman in Jos, Rev. Soja Bewaring and Regional Secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam. Gado said, “It is common knowledge that the level of persecution of Christians in Northern Nigeria is, perhaps, second to none in Africa. We are oppressed economically, physically, socially, politically and educationally. Christian areas in the North are least developed. “Villages which are not Muslim-dominated and/or Hausa/ Fulani are denied services of the government in the areas

Jeremiah-Gado

of education, health, employment, political representation, commerce, security, agricultural inputs. “Even as we speak the compensation for post-election violence victims who were mostly Christians has been mostly paid to Muslims. An ECWA pastor whose house, car and personal properties were burnt has not received a kobo even though the Federal Government has paid over N900 million to the state government,” he said. The cleric noted that over the years, Christians in the North had lost their lives, homes, church buildings, businesses and jobs. “The ruling Northern elites give preferential treatment to Muslims and discriminate against Christians.. The activities of Boko Haram and other Islamic fundamentalists have resulted in hundreds of churches burnt and many Christians killed. “Properties of Christians have often been confiscated. Their rights to freedom of worship have been infringed upon in a country with a constitution that claims to guarantee freedom of worship. These Islamic extremists see the extermination of Christianity as one of the major achievements in their reli gion. “Christians suffer attacks of-

Bewarang

Paramallam

What the affected Christians got was small. We feel that it is an injustice to us. And we don’t understand why the Christian Association of Nigeria is not discussing with the Federal Government about this

ten pre-planned and well-coordinated and even attempts to force them to convert to Islam under threats of death,” he lamented. He therefore called on Buhari to “pay compensation to all those who lost their loved ones and properties; those maimed by Islamic terrorists; rehabilitate those displaced by terrorists; rebuild churches burnt down by Boko Haram insurgents; and do to Christians what President Goodluck Jonathan did to Muslims in the case with Almajiri schools in the North.” He explained that ethnic nationalities in Nigeria need peace, jobs, right to life and good health irrespective of their religious persuasions.

In Para-Mallam’s words: “Discrimination against Christians in the North regarding post-election violence victims’ compensation is one of the issues we have been talking about. The Federal Government provided close to N1 billion for the compensation of post-election violence victims. The money was released to governors who are Muslims and they settled Muslim communities. “What the affected Christians got was small. We feel that it is an injustice to us. And we don’t understand why the Christian Association of Nigeria is not discussing with the Federal Government about this.” Also speaking, Dachomo said: “Well, I’ve heard that government had given some amount to compensate post-election violence victims. But as far as I am concerned, I’ve not heard that any Christian has been given any such compensation. I don’t know who received the said amount from the government; and I have not heard of any Christian here who has benefitted from the compensation package.” Bewaring said he was not aware of any grant given by the Federal Government to settle post-election violence victims. He also added that he was not aware that anybody had contrary views on the issues.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Is it wrong for women to wear trousers? Could this be true Is it true that women that wear trouser disrepect their husband? if yes, what happened to those men that bought trousers for their wives •to be continue next week

•Olubunmi Dorcas

•Gabrial Ebhodaghe

hristians who frown on women wearing trousers lack understanding. They don’t know what they are doing. Period!.

•Adetutu Agbabiaka Adewale ome Christians believe that trousers are not meant for women. They also quickly assume that the Bible ascribes the right to wear trousers to men only. Hence those Christians insist that women should not wear what belongs to men. Chikena!

•Adejoh Ruth As a woman, I think that putting on trousers is to protect myself. Some Christians believe wearing trousers is a sin against the will of God; but I don’t share that belief.

earing trousers is forbidden in the Bible. We are told not to wear what belongs to men. Trouser are seen as men’s things. We are not allowed to judge as Christians. Follow your mind. Wearing of trousers for women is a cultural thing. It is believed to be sinful in Africa whereas overseas that is their way of dressing. Everything comes to individual upbringing. I am not allowed to judge any.

•Monday Ojo t makes them to commit sin in their hearts. It depends, both man and woman are likely to commit sin. Women are more prone to commit sin than men. The major sin men commit is looking at a woman, but what makes the man to look is the woman. Men frown at women wearing trousers because it makes them to sin by looking at women lustfully. When a woman wears trousers, all the backside will show very well. Her figure will be visible.

•St Emma enerally, it is believed that it’s against the Bible and against African or Nigerian culture. In the era of the Law of Moses, Deuteronomy 22:5 was the relevant scripture that condemned it. The question is, if we have to follow the law, what about other verses like verses 9 and 11, are we not all guilty of them (Galatians 3:10)? So, you can see that no man can get it right by the law (Galatians 3:11), but “Christ has redeemed us from the cause of the law” (Galatians 3:13). Yes, some may wear it indecently, like low waist or otherwise. The fact is, they could have still done the same even in skirt or gown, such as wearing mini-skirt or short gown. Despite all that, there are those who are decent and moral in dressing. Trousers, to some extent, can protect the lady against rape; trousers will make her freer to climb Okada (commercial motorcycle) if need be or even to run in case of emergency. We should all note that times have changed and dressing has also changed, not for ladies alone, but generally.

•Onyinye Achuwanke veryone has reasons for anything they do. And everyone has a different understanding or belief concerning this aspect of Christian attitude. My own understanding is that putting on trousers, as a lady, is for my own convenience. I do not wear it based on negative thoughts, as some people may think. I believe the reason why most men frown on women who put on trousers is because they are not happy seeing ladies in trousers because they think it is meant for men.

•Mubo Akosile ome Christians are opposed to women putting on trousers because of their belief and stand concerning a female wearing a male kind of attire. They also have Bible passages to back it up.

•Gladys Osobase Odiahi ecause they feel what the women are wearing are meant for men and that women that put on trousers are sinners; they are not keeping the commandment of God. The so-called Christian brothers and sisters look at the women as pagans, which is not suppose to be. Christianity is from your heart not based on what you wear. I can be a Christian and my heart is dirty. Sorry women. They look at women wearing trousers as sinners

•Evangelist Anthony believe It is unfortunate that women put on trousers. Wearing of trousers is not meant for women; it is corruptive yet some embrace the habit. They are not ready to give up even when you quote the Bible where it is written that men are not supposed to wear what women are supposed to wear and women are not supposed to wear what men put. They want to enjoy their lives and that life is the life of hell fire. It cannot help them because God forbids. Women who wear trouser disrespect their husband.

Josephine Damisa and Nzerem Amaka sought the opinion of readers

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Faith What is the correlation between holiness and prosperity in the ministry? Holiness is the beginning of prosperity and without holiness you cannot prosper. But let me tell you, some born-again Christians are misinterpreting it. Holiness is in the spirit, prosperity is in the heart; also poverty is in the heart. Poverty is not holiness. When you are poor you think that you are holy. The two matters are different things altogether, but poverty and prosperity work together. It is either you are poor or you are prosperous. But holiness is a different matter because holiness is in the spirit, not in the heart. What poverty does is to dominate the mind. It’s the same thing prosperity does. If you see a man that the spirit of prosperity has dominated his mind, you will see it by his speech. Also, if you see a man that poverty has dominated his mind you will know by his speech. And if you see a man that is holy not by disguising, because you can disguise; yet you are not holy. Holiness is not by wearing earrings or not wearing earrings. Whether you wear earrings or not, if you are not holy, when you die you will go to hell. If you are wearing earrings and plating your hair and wearing gold, if you are holy when you die you will make heaven. Wearing gold rings or bangles is not sinful. During King David’s time, the Bible records that the handles and the pillars bought to build the house of God were all gold. Any time God wanted to ask for a sacrifice, He would command Moses to tell the children of Israel to bring their gold, silver and bronze for sacrifice so that He would use it to make an ark. The ark of God was made of gold. Some people read the Bible and they don’t have any revelation. They just read it and don’t know the meaning. They will interpret it like that without revelation. We are made to understand that the Bible has no interpretation but the holy men of God interpret the Bible as the spirit moves them, as the spirit explains it to them. So prosperity and holiness are good but prosperity is not holiness, neither is poverty holiness. Holiness is in the spirit and prosperity is in the heart, they are two different things. A man can be holy and die and go to heaven and a man

Jacob

Five ways to attract God’s blessings - Apostle Charles Founder of Believers’ Family Assembly in Lagos, Apostle Charles Jacob, bares his mind on prosperity and holiness. He spoke with EDWIN USOBOH can prosper and not be holy and die and go to hell fire. A school of thought has it that religion is the opium of the masses. Perhaps, that suggests why you find even the poorest of the poor in the church but often times some pastors have come out to criticise members who come in poor only to desert the church as soon as they break even. How do you look at this? Why we see or find the poorest of the poor in the church is that the church is made to change lives, to transform lives. So if the poor don’t come to church, lives cannot be transformed, testimonies cannot come, miracles cannot come. Anybody that starts from the church, breaks through and later forsakes the church, forsakes God and goes into the world, when he falls, he will come back to look for God. This is because that thing you are looking for in the world God has them many. So, when you are poor, you come to the church and break through; then go away only to regret. It will come because even if you rise to the top you will fall. Man cannot rise without God no matter where you go. How can one attract God’s blessings? Number one is fear of God. The Bible says that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God. Another one is holiness. God says the generation of the righteous shall inherit the earth. Third is devoting your heart to God and the fourth is devoting your time to God. The number one requirement which is God first, you must have a relationship with God. You must know God before holiness, before your time, before your devotion for God. The fifth is faith. If these five things are in order, then you must become great in life. You have God first, you know Him, you have a relationship with the Holy Spirit; that’s number one. But we still find some people in the church that are so religious and perhaps conscious of devoting their time to the doctrines of the church and yet remain poor. Does it mean that they don’t serve God the way they should? The Bible said that my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. It is not about serving God; it’s about you having the understanding, the capacity that God needs to change your life. Remember that Jesus said: “I have things to show you now but I cannot show them to you.” He said “The Holy Spirit is coming, a Saviour, a Comforter, when He comes; He will empower you, He will increase your strength and He will begin to show you the things that I cannot show you now.” If you go to John 15 from verse one, He said, “I am the Vine and My Father is the husband man and yea are the branches.” He said, “Any branch that can bear fruit must connect to the vine.” You may be com-

I don’t understand why people are angry when a child of God is prospering, but they will go to a babalawo (witch doctor). You that are envying people of God, envying men of God will go to a babalawo, the babalawo will ask you to bring N300,000 and you will give him

ing to church and you’re not connected. Your eyes have never opened to the things of God. You never know the ability of God, which is talking about what God can do. Let me give you an illustration from the Bible in Daniel 3:25-35. There, the scripture dwelt on a certain Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the land of Babylon, when Nebuchadnezzar set up graven image and he said everybody must bow down once the drum sounded. He never cared to know who you are, neither did he care to know the God that you serve. The Bible says nations gathered, kings, men that matter, presidents, governors, princes, princesses. He said once the drum sounds, let everybody bow to his graven image. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not the only Jews there. There were more than 20,000 other Jews, but it was only the three of them that refused to bow down to the king’s graven image. Hear what they answered the king, not minding the might of his exalted office. They said, “Oh king we are not careful to answer you in this matter because we know the God that we serve. He is able to save us; even if He fails, we will never bow down to your image.” It was only three of them because they knew God, they knew the ability of God, they knew the capacity of God and they knew what God can do. Other Jews bowed down and all of them were serving the same God, all of them were going to the same church, and all of them worshipped under one anointing. Some of them swept the house of God but they still bowed down; but Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused because they knew that the God they serve is able to save them. Is it Biblical for clergymen to live an affluent lifestyle, drive exotic automobiles, live in castles, fly private jets and other luxury toys while most of their flocks live below poverty level? It is good for men of God to ride good cars, live in good houses. I have one example in the Bible; when a young rich man came to meet Jesus and asked Jesus that, “what can I do to make heaven?” Jesus answered him, saying, “Obey your parents and keep the 10 commandments.” And the man said “Before I was born even in my mother’s womb I obeyed the commandments.” And Jesus said, “Very good, go and sell all your properties and give to the poor.” The Bible says the rich fool went away in annoyance. Jesus pointed to him and said, “It’s hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And Peter the master had a fishing company with his brother, John and James. They were brothers of the same father and mother and their father had a fishing company. They became angry and said, “Master, who then can enter heaven?” And Jesus said, “This thing that

I said can never be possible with man but with God all things are possible.” Peter still asked: “Master now that we are following you what is our reward? We cannot just work for nothing. We left our shipping company, left everything we had and followed You, what is our reward?” And Jesus replied, “Whoever that leaves his father, his mother, his brothers, his properties, and his company and follows Me that person shall have hundred folds of whatever he has forsaken - that is good houses, good cars, good aircraft, good private jets, good clothes, gold, silver, etc.” So, there is nothing bad for a servant of God to use these things but it is bad to use them with arrogance. You don’t care whether anybody is around you. As for me if God blesses me I will start from A to Z around me to bless, no matter how little that gets to them. So to use them is not bad but to use them with arrogance is wrong. There is nothing wrong for a man of God to build estates. The Bible says that Solomon had estates, he built his house for 13 years with the house of God, not that there was no money but because of the enlargement of the house of God that he built. The Bible says: “And now greater than Solomon is you.” I don’t understand why people are angry when a child of God is prospering, but they will go to a babalawo (witch doctor). You that are envying people of God, envying men of God will go to a babalawo, the babalawo will ask you to bring N300,000 and you will give him. In the night you will put a cow and a ram inside a car and drive out without telling anybody where you are going to. You will use your children’s school fees, you will not pay your house rent, you will go and give a babalawo a cow and ram but any time the man of God collects tithe or prospers you become angry. Why is it that we have more of prosperity preaching now than salvation and holiness? Let me tell you, people that came before us have preached holiness and salvation to people. So now people want to prosper because this is the end time. God said, “In the last days, I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh,” Joel 2 from verse 28 and he said the young men and the daughters will see visions and they will prophesy and things will be happening. He said the old men will dream dreams. So this is the time of prophesy, this is the time of vision, this is the time of dreams. That is why now whoever doesn’t have dream cannot excel; whoever doesn’t have vision cannot excel; whoever cannot prophesy cannot excel. So, this is the hour of a new day. We hear of men of God now going out of their way to make money, acquiring dubious powers to get riches. What I know is that the Bible says that many are called but few are chosen. That judgment is for God and not man. It is His prerogative to determine whom He sent or whom He didn’t send; because you can never tell whom God has sent. Some men of God, God sent them, anointed them but they are carried away with the things of life. Saul was called by God but he was carried away. Even when it was in the hands of David to kill him, David said, “I will not lay my hands upon God’s anointed.” So you cannot tell who God call or who God didn’t call, in the last day God will judge.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Faith

NGO boss urges clerics to respect leaders Buhari Bello

C jos.

hurch leaders across the country have been urged to teach their members to respect constituted authorities to

facilitate national development. Chairperson of Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN), Dr Julian Mafwil, made the appeal recently. He said: “The church

must set an example for society and educate its members to respect constituted authority. “We believe the church

has almost all the resources to be responsive to the plight of its members, especially the vulnerable,” he said.

Mafwil, who spoke at the annual general meeting and commissioning of CRUDAN new conference hall, called on Christian

leaders to ensure all segments of society including men, women, youth and children were fully mobilised to achieve the objective.

Time to get your kids, partners, Pastor Olagbadegun tells members “There is no problem too big for my God to do if we seek His face with faith and openness of heart.” He however called on members to invite friends, family and neighbours to the program scheduled for 2pm on Sunday inside the church auditorium, RCCG Sunshine Parish, No 2 Somoye Street, Mulero, Agege, Lagos.

Charles Ogundiya

he Pastor-In-Charge of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Lagos Province 10, Pastor J.O. Olagbadegun, has declared Sunday May 24 (today), as the day for people trusting God for the fruit of the womb to receive answers to their prayers. In a statement announcing the programme with the theme: ‘God is Able,’ the pastor urged members of the church and other interested persons to come around and experience the power of God Almighty. According to the pastor, the programme is targeted at people trusting God for the fruit of the womb and brothers and sisters trusting God for a partner. “Our God is able to do all things,” he said. “He has done it before and He will do it again as long as we pray and seek Olagbadegun His face as a Christian.

L-R: Apapa District Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria, Rev. Michael Ogunbola;wife of the deceased, Rev. (Mrs.) Nneoma Amaefula; Mrs Ngozi Anih; Pastor (Mrs.) Ngozi Ezitonyeand Mr Chibuike Alison, all family members at the Service of Songs for late Rev. (Dr.) Frank Amaefula held at the Apapa District Festac Town in Lagos recently

God’s Power Ministries celebrates

Tai Anyanwu

t was testimonies galore as members of God’s Power in Action Ministries celebrated the church’s second anniversary recently. The venue of the event at the Nigerian Institute of Management on Victoria Island in Lagos was filled to the adjoining aisles.

“This is an anniversary programme. It is to thank God for what His power has accomplished,” the church’s Presiding Minister, Pastor Isaac Adelugba, explained. One of the dignitaries at the event was the Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye-Tomori. She gave a testimony about how the prayers of Pastor Adelugba brought back a

Mayhem in Ekiti CON TINUED FR O M PAGE 41

close to the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. Hard hit by the act of arson was the Lagos section, where wears, clothes, cosmetics, perfume and other expensive materials are sold. The development came as a rude shock, as it happened barely 12 hours after Fayose imposed a curfew on the town. An exasperated Fayose, who rushed to the scene in company with CP James, said those involved would not go free. He said he would not be tempted to impose a 24-hour curfew on the town as some were suggesting, promising to take further steps to quell the crisis. He ordered the immediate relocation of Hausa traders from Atikannka and Sabo areas to Shasha, along Ikere Road. He said the people would be secured there until when normalcy is restored. While unconfirmed report said three persons died in the mayhem, the Ekiti State Police Command, however, denied it. It said the number of injured had risen to 24. A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr Alberto Adeyemi, on behalf of the CP, said two of those wounded sustained gunshot wounds and were receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Meanwhile, the umbrella body for non-indigenes resident in Ekiti State, Non–Indigenes Youth Alliance, has condemned the attack on their members by some drivers on Wednesday, declaring the act as uncivilised and an act of bestiality. In a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Prince Abdulrahaman Oziandu, they said they never expected their shops to be looted in such a brazen manner, even when the security agencies were still active and deemed to be alive to their responsibilities. The body, which praised Fayose for his quick intervention in the matter, called on relevant agencies to beef up security so that their members could return to work without fear of

being molested or intimidated by hoodlums. He said those hard hit by the crisis were Igbos, Hausas, Nupes and Ebiras, accusing their assailants of reselling the looted commodities at cheaper prices. “The event of Wednesday was the second in history, when some indigenes, hiding under their popularity, would attack whoever that is not of their tribe over issues that could be resolved. We are giving this last warning that they should not allow this to happen again,” he said. This is as the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti Council, has called on the CP to arrest those who attacked journalists as they covered the mayhem. The CORE TV cameraman in Ekiti, Mr. Sunday Adigun, was attacked and his camera smashed by armed youths. The NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Laolu Omosilade, in a statement in Ado-Ekiti condemned the attack, saying it was the highest point of barbarism in this modern time. “It is a barbaric act for anybody to attack a journalist who is doing his lawful duty. Journalists are the ones risking their lives to inform the society of what goes on around them. If there are no journalists, then the world will be in darkness. We call on the police to investigate, arrest and prosecute those involved in the attack on Mr Sunday Adigun of Core TV on Wednesday. Mr Adigun was on lawful duty and there is no reason for anybody to turn him into a victim of the crisis,” he stressed. It will take some time for the extent of damage to be ascertained, as the affected areas have been taken over by the police. Shops and houses are still under lock and key, preventing their owners from accessing them to ascertain their level of loss. The people of Ado-Ekiti, who have had to live with a curfew imposed on them thrice in the last nine months, are hoping for a quick resolution of the crisis so they can go back to living their normal lives.

sick relation of hers from the dead. She also recalled how the power of God kept the relation alive till her children retuned from oversees to see her before she finally died. “I said she could not die like that because she was a woman of God. I called my pastor because I have a pastor that can pray. We were in Surulere while pastor was in Victoria Island. He drove to Surulere. “Immediately he arrived, he removed his suit and prayed for the woman. The woman just sneezed. Then I told the other people with us that God is with my pastor. “It was a miracle that happened right in my presence. The woman was told that she would not last five days, and the man of God prayed and she woke up. “Though she passed several hours later, but with the powerful prayer, the woman came back from the dead and her children who came from USA were able to meet her before she finally joined the Lord. The Lord is using our pastor greatly and I pray that no power from anywhere will prevent him from getting to the level that God want him to get in Jesus name,” the deputy governor testified. She encouraged people to sow into the ministry, adding: “Whatever you sow, the Lord will abundantly reward you in a million fold in Jesus name.” Speaking on how she had personally benefited from the Adelugba’s prayers, Laoye-Tomori said, “He has always been my pastor. I remembered the days of my travail, when our mandate was stolen in Osun State.

“I hope you all know the story of Osun. Our mandate was stolen for three and half years and it was restored. I thank God for Pastor Isaac; he is a powerful man of God that prayed for us and the mandate was restored.” Addressing the senior pastor, she declared: “I came to appreciate you and thank you for all. I pray that next year I will be here by grace of God.” Responding, Adelugba said God had given the church the mandate to proclaim the assurance of salvation. “Once you have the assurance of salvation and if you have the love of Christ in you, not only that your expectation of the second coming of our Lord Christ will be met, you are expected to declare the power of God Almighty through testimonies,” he added. Adelugba added that he served under Dr. Daniel Olukoya’s Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries for some years before he founded his own church. “God spoke and gave me the mandate and I wrote down some of those things He told me to proclaim to the people and seek for the assurance of their salvation. I can point out what the Lord has done for different people through this ministry. Adelugba observed that the church planned to build a befitting worship arena in Victoria Island even though it had already acquired seven acres of land for its campground at Mowe on LagosIbadan Expressway. The high point of the celebration was the cutting of the anniversary cake.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Faith

Wake up, its cock crow Mystery ofAnxiety Bishop

John Ogbansiegbe

0803 341 6327

“A

nd that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed . The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light, let us walk honestly as in the day, not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof” - Romans 13: 11-14. It’s truly time to wake. The cock crow is a divine alarm and alert just as someone can set his or her alarm clock to wake him or her alarm clock to wake him or her at a particular time for a particular programme. The significance of the cock crow from the annals of human history and for every human generation is to wake man up, into a brand new day. The cock crow, in a nutshell, tells you that the night has expired or expended and that a new day is knocking at your door.

On the other hand, the above scripture is a divine alarm to remind the true believers in Christ that we are in the last days and therefore should be ready for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . The last days began in the days of St. Paul, in the 1st Century. We are now in the last of the last days. In a football match, it will be called ’Injury Time.’ Injury time refers to the last-minute play time when all the spectators are tensed up and anxiously expecting the referee’s last blast of the whistle. The whole signs given to the church for the second coming of Christ have all been fulfilled in this our generation. Very soon, He will come. Are you ready for the coming of the Lord? The day of all days is very much near. If you were born-again last year, you are one year older. Each new day draws every man closer to his grave or closer to the second coming of the Lord. If St. Paul was talking about spiritual sleep then, what about now? The church of our generations is truly in spiritual slumber, distracted and unready. I echo with St Paul it’s High time to wake out of sleep for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The challenges before every believer are to keep their light burning, to shine for our Lord Jesus Christ like never before and to continue shining. This was truly why the word of God stated thus, “Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the salt have lost his savour wherewith shall it be salted? It is

Anything that preoccupies your heart outside the things of God, hinders your spiritual growth, reduces your zeal for the service of God, and makes the work of God burdensome to you. It is certainly not from God. There are the fruit and the manifestations of the works of darkness

thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on an hill cannot be hid neither do men light a candlestick and put it under a bushel but put it on a candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven”( Matthew 5:13-16). Indeed, many believers in our world today are spiritually asleep. They are asleep because of worldliness and worldly entanglements. They are asleep because of sin, evil habits, compromise, conformity with worldly standards and misplaced spiritual priorities. They are asleep because of the impurity of their hearts, misused inclination to vanity and false or erroneous doctrines.

Are you spiritually asleep or are you actively awake? You cannot be asleep and active at the same time. The time of sleep is naturally a time of inactivity and rest. The Holy Ghost is telling you now to examine your spiritual status, and is asking you now, “Are you asleep or awake?” Are you marking time or marching forward? Time is very short. This was why the spirit of God said to the church even till now, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15 and 16). As far as God is concerned there should not be any middle position about this matter. It is either you are cold or hot, It is either you are asleep or awake and active in the service of the Lord. Anything that preoccupies your heart outside the things of God, hinders your spiritual growth, reduces your zeal for the service of God, and makes the work of God burdensome to you. It is certainly not from God. There are the fruit and the manifestations of the works of darkness. This is, indeed, the time to shine for our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the time to shine in truth and righteousness; this is the time to shine in purity, love and service to God and humanity. To this end, the word of God declared thus,” Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepiest and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14).

Second stage – Sanctification the Oracles of God Frank Oboden Olomukoro frankolomukoro@yahoo.com

0703 362 1866

s sure as the LORD spoke everything into existence by His almighty Word and completed the work of creation, He Himself is now completing His work of redemption within the flock of the firstborn that was bought with His blood, in accordance with the promises of the Word and by the power of the Holy Spirit. “For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.” (Rom 9:28) The second work of God’s grace in the sinner’s life is Sanctification. The Bible says, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification… that everyone of you should know how to posses his vessel in Sanctification and honour.” (I Thess 4:3-4) “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). SANCTIFICATION is that grace whereby, at the time after repentance, the vessel of the individual’s life is “cleansed” from all past sins and unbelief and he/she is “set aside for service”. In the experience of sanctification, the individual feels swept, clean, fresh and garnished. All the bad habits and vices are being taken away slowly and the individual’s mind is set towards a life

of holiness by the Holy Spirit (Rom 12: 1-2). The principle of sin by which we previously lived is cast out. It’s an absolutely wonderful experience, creating in us the desire to always live a holy and sanctified life for the Lord – always doing what the word (Bible) says. This is what Jesus said of a sanctified life. “When the unclean spirits is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return to my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell (live) there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. Just cleaning up one’s life without filling it with the Spirit of God leaves plenty of room for Satan to enter. Unfilled lives are easy targets for Satan. Many have presumed mistakenly that they have become born again or converted at this second stage of sanctification. Because in actual fact they are cleansed from worldliness, personal habits, indulgences and fleshly lust. Smoking, drunkenness and gambling stopped. Womanizing, watching dirty blue films/video, pornography and dirty jokes are clearly cleansed out by the sanctifying power in the blood of Jesus Christ. Deliverances from all unclean spirits: witchcraft, occult, ogbanje, Emere, Abiku, marine spirits, spirit husband and wife affairs and others too numerous to mention are cast out of their lives as they willingly and obediently submit to the cleansing power of God. But in spite of all that, without the baptism of the indwelling

But as many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you

Holy Spirit in such a life, no regeneration has been fully accomplished. It is like the Israelites terminating their exodus in the wilderness without crossing over Jordan into the promised land, a type of the third stage, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. THIRD STAGE – BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT The third work of God’s Grace in the sinner’s life is the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:8 it says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” From these verses we conclude that Jesus Christ alone is the ‘Baptiser’ with the Holy Ghost; and this Baptism is a Baptism of ‘Power.’ The power granted a believing sinner to be a child of God. “But as many as receive Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). “But ye shall receive power, after that the

Holy Ghost is come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). It is a portion of the life of God coming into the believer to guide them into All Truth.(John 16:13) and to give them power over all the powers of the enemy and to be witnesses of Him and His Word. We find out that even though Apostle Peter was called of Jesus Christ and was given the keys to the Kingdom, yet we read in the Bible that Peter still denied Jesus Christ three times before the cock crowed. That was the stage of his sanctified life. That is because Peter did not have the Holy Ghost yet during that time and he still have to wait for the Day of Pentecost in order to receive the promise of ‘Fire’ Baptism in his soul. So we can conclude from here that a man can be baptised in water in the Name of Jesus Christ and be sanctified; yet without the Holy Ghost baptism, he can still deny our God and compromise His Word. It has to be said with all clarity: the light is being separated from the darkness for the ones who are truly called out (2 Cor. 6:14-18). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and leads into the Word of truth (John 16:13) “But the Word of the LORD endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (I Peter 1:25). The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the Sabbath of Rest for the Saint. It is the place of regeneration or conversion. Here is the stage one can say, I have been spiritually born again, the new Birth from the Old man (self), the nature which we inherited from our human parents by birth. (I Cor 15:50, John 1:13, I Peter 1:23). Being born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth forever. (I Peter 1:18).

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Want good success? Abide in the word starve your doubt. When you are too much in touch with what is going on in the world, you disconnect from what is going in the spirit. So, feed your faith and starve your doubt. The way I do it is to minimise my Bishop contact with secular TV programmes. Lawrence Osagie If I am on TV, I am listening to the www.powerlineministriesinc.org 0806 325 0667 mail:powerlineministries@mail.com word of God, preachers from different nations speaking. And this helps to build our knowledge of the reality of God. hen your delight is in This was the same counsel God the law of God, you be- gave to Joshua when He was about come like a tree planted to hand over the leadership mantle by the rivers of water. of Israel to him. “This book of the Meaning, you will live a life that will law shall not depart thy mouth; menever lack – all you ever care for is diate therein day and night. For then in abundance. In the fullness of time, shall thou learn to do according to you will begin to manifest in fruition. all that is written therein and make This is also suggests that in marriage thy way prosperous and have good you will bring forth in due season. success.” If you desire good success And your leaf shall not wither, mean- and prosperity, the right principle is ing your children will not die before to cultivate the habit of abiding in the you. word of God. Joshua did and turned And whatsoever you shall do shall out to be a successful leader that prosper, suggesting that your busitook Israel to the Promised Land and ness and career will flourish .What divided inheritance among them. more do you want in life that is not God says: “Delight in my word, meguaranteed in the word of God? diate on it day and night, so that inGod desires us to make His word stead of disgrace you will have good the centre of our lives. His word success.” It was the word of God in builds our faith and knowledge Noah’s heart that made him to obey bank. When you feed your faith, you God and built an ark before the flood

Taming your Emotions

This book of the law shall not depart thy mouth; mediate therein day and night. For then shall thou learn to do according to all that is written therein and make thy way prosperous and have good success

that brought destruction came. Those who did not believe him lamented till death. Because he heeded the instruction of God, when the flood of destruction came there was an ark to sustain him and to lift him over the flood. He obeyed the word of God and that was his salvation. Finally, James 1:21-25 says: “Wherefore lay apart all Filthiness and superfluity of Naughtiness and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your soul. But are ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the

word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding himself and goeth his way and straightway forgetteh what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” Hearing the word and not doing what it says amounts to selfdeception. The one who will not be disgraced is the one who hears the word and applies it to life. The word of God is a very practical book; when the word says love your neighbour it means love your neighbour, don’t hate. There is nothing also to add to it, just love your neighbour. It does not qualify what your neighbour should do that will make you love that neighbour. In other words no matter what your neighbour puts up love him all the same. If you want to occupy a higher level in the spiritual realm just love. If this message has blessed your life, you can get more at the Powerline Bible Church. We invite you to worship with us at Powerline Bible Church Glass house, Odolowu Bus Stop, ijeshatedo, along Mile2- Oshodi Expressway, Lagos.

Engaging the power of faith for fulfilment of Destiny! The Voice of Dominion by

Bishop David Oyedepo

7747546-8 (SMS only)

rom scriptures, we understand that every child of God has a glorious and enviable destiny. The Bible records concerning Isaac that he went forward, waxed strong, became very great and the Philistines envied him. The Bible further says, “We brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” This means that we are to be envied, not to be pitied (Galatians 4:28; Genesis 26:13-14). We also discover from scriptures that every genuine encounter with God is an encounter with destiny. This is because every time God appears, He opens a new chapter to our lives. For instance, when God appeared to Abraham, He changed his level and that resulted in his greatness (Genesis 12:1-3, 6:5-18, 26:1-14). However, we must understand that we cannot fulfil our glorious destiny without understanding its worth in redemption. What is our Destiny Worth in Redemption? • Every child of God is redeemed to be greater than all the Old Testament saints: Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (Matthew 11:11).

Furthermore, Jesus speaking about Himself said, “A greater-than-Solomon is here,” and as the Father has sent Him, so has He sent us. That means inside every believer is a greater-than-Solomon potential (Matthew 12:42; John 17:18). However, it is one thing to have potentials; it is another to realize it. For instance, John was greater than Elijah, Isaac, Jacob and other Old Testament saints; yet, he died cheaply because he did not realize it. • Every child of God is redeemed to be a pacesetter and a trailblazer: It is written: Ye are the …Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house (Matthew 5:13-15). As we all know, every nation on the earth needs salt. It is a commodity that will always be sought after because it gives taste and preserves from decadence. Furthermore, every nation requires sunlight; otherwise, there will be nothing to feed on. That means we are redeemed as pacesetters and trailblazers to be relevant to our generation. Every believer has been redeemed as kings and priests to reign on the earth: Every believer is redeemed to reign in his field and be the point of reference in his endeavour (Revelation 5:9-10). However, in the Kingdom, we encounter destiny through four major ways: • By direct divine encounters: This involves God showing us the path He has ordained for us as well as

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house

His plan and purpose for our lives (Exodus 3:7-10; Acts 22:7-10, 1720). • By visions: It was by a visionary encounter, as shown to Peter, that God opened the door of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Furthermore, a man appeared to Paul in a vision saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 10:9-17, 16:9-10; Genesis 32:24-28). It is important to know that God still visits people through visionary encounters in present days; for He is the Lord and He changes not (Joel 2:28; Malachi 3:6). • By Rhema: ‘Rhema’ is the voice of God behind the written Word. We cannot hear from God and doubt it. This is because the voice of the Lord is irresistible and when He speaks, faith surges to destroy every barrier of unbelief in our lives (Isaiah 34:16; Psalm 29:3-5). • By revelation: Our destinies in Christ are defined by as far as our eyes can see (Genesis 13:14-15; Galatians 3:29). We must, there-

fore, continue to pray for God to open our eyes that we may behold wondrous things out of His Word. This is because revelation advances our destiny towards God’s ultimate plan for our lives (Isaiah 1:1; Psalm 119:18). However, to see destiny fulfilled, we must recognize that destiny answers to faith and every prophetic word requires faith to be fulfilled. Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Thus, everyone’s life is according to his faith; for blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord (Luke 1:45; Matthew 9:29). Friend, to experience the fulfilment of your destiny, you must first be born again. You must become a child of God before you can experinece it. If you are not yet a child of God, you can do so right now, by saying this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. From today, I accept You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!” Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Unlimited Power of Faith, Exploits Of Faith and The Law Of Faith. I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@ lfcww.org

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

Nigerian youths, heroes of today Firm Faith:

Right Reason Most Rev.

Emmanuel A. Badejo fradebadejo@yahoo.

0803 949 4219 (SMS only)

An ode to self-sacrifice I have seen sad photographs of Nigerian youth soldiers unfortunately killed fighting terrorism and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria. I have seen in those photographed eyes flames of hope and ambition forever extinguished by the violence which they did not cause. I believe we need to acknowledge more the sacrifice of these young people who always have to sacrifice themselves and pay a high price in every situation of insecurity and chaos in our country. At the receiving end of most crisis, these youths are called upon to “restore peace,” “maintain calm” or die doing so if necessary. For all the goodwill that the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, may have he is not likely to be called up now to personally carry arms and face the aggressor’s bullets in order to restore peace to Nigeria. How so many, on the contrary, are the innocent youths who don army camouflage and police uniforms, yes in the line of duty, but heroically, to restore sanity to the dear motherland! Many of those by the way have lost their limbs and lives unsung

and uncelebrated. To all such youths, we must doff our hearts and pray for a peaceful rest in the afterlife. Youth capacity for transformation But it is not only dead or maimed youths who restore hope down in history. Not only the deceased can be heroes and it is not only through combat that youths can save their nation. The Bible shows how some youths chose different ways to stand out in their ailing nation. Little Samuel, even when the very sons of Prophet Eli were greatly messing up, listened to the same prophet and spoke those words that have become a prayer of self-dedication to things divine down the ages “Speak Lord your servant is listening” (Sam 3:9). He became the great bridge over which the children of Israel passed from the reign of disagreeable King Saul to that of beloved King David. The choice of David to step up to the threat of Goliath even when his brothers and the entire nation’s army, including King Saul, were retreating, easily comes to mind. “Let no one be discouraged on account of this Philistine, for your servant will engage him in battle” (1Sam 17:32). David put his hope in a Force that others did not possess, went forward and defeated the Goliath. Jonathan was another. He stood against Saul, his own father, to do what was right and save his friend David from death. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to his nation at a tender age (Jer. 1: 6-10). Daniel was one of the fine, intelligent,

well-informed, handsome youths brought in for service in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace at his time (Dan :4). Jesus himself and the apostle John seal the fact here. An officer and a gentleman I had a most pleasant experience at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Lagos, on my last trip and it was not with an airport official. The psalmist rightly wrote: “Out of the mouths of children and of babes you have found praise” (Ps 8:3). Well, it was dark around the pick-up zone of the airport when I got there. I had removed my clerical collar because of the heat, and had gone down there with some concern for my safety. I left my luggage on the road close to the kerb and waited for my driver. There were three soldiers sitting on two damaged stools and a young fellow just lurking around. One of the soldiers walked up and asked me to move my luggage onto the sidewalk. As I made to oblige, he went and moved it for me. “That was nice from a Nigerian soldier,” I thought to myself, and thanked him as he resumed his seat. The same soldier then got up again shortly afterwards and courteously offered me his seat. I firmly declined, saying that I had been sitting all through my flight. I told him that they do all the hard work and deserved more to sit down a little. After a while, my driver arrived. The same soldier again walked up, put my luggage in the car and went straight back to his stool. I fought back a tear to see

such courtesy from an armed Nigerian youth at 11p.m in the dark and with no one monitoring him. I called ‘the knight’ back and asked him if he had ever seen me before. He said no. I then thanked him and gave him a tip to buy himself and his colleagues a drink with. The entire company thanked me profusely as I left. Ambassadors of a generation That, for me, was an officer and a gentleman, and an ambassador for all youths who refuse to give up on humanity, goodness and the fatherland. They, as much as the analysts, professors, politicians, clergymen and other big shots who are more easily recognisable, are real heroes of Nigeria, a country that so much needs true heroes. Such heroism is needed in many sectors where young people must do ‘battle’ against delinquency, corruption and indiscipline. Getting the youths to believe in their own transformational powers is critical for moving this country from poverty to prosperity and from devastation to development. Yes, positive belief, attitude and action are much needed at this time for the fragrance of recovery to cover our dear Nigeria. Even within their families, our youths must remain the bastion of joy, hope and fulfilment for the future. Simply put, this generation of young people must generate goodwill ambassadors of social transformation in order to be true participants in constructing a brighter future for our needy nation, Nigeria. May it be so, as God lives!

The mystery of sacrifice and altar Insight Rev.

Femi Akinola

www.thehebrewsng.com

01-790 3163; 0808 584 5864

ccording to Encarta Dictionary, sacrifice is ‘a giving up of something valuable or important for somebody or something else considered to be of more value or importance.’ In other words, a sacrifice is something that is given and which is usually painful, which is often in expectation of something greater or better. In spiritual parlance, a sacrifice is an ‘offering’ that is given in honour of (or to appease) a deity. A sacrifice, from whichever perspective, is never convenient. Sacrifices are those offerings that are not convenient for the giver. They are given out for the purpose of receiving answers, results and favour from a deity, either God or the devil. Before we can talk of sacrifice, there must be an altar. An altar is a place of spiritual transactions. Our fathers, out of ignorance, made certain statements/ oaths like, “if you make this possible for me, I will give you this,” on an evil altar and this was backed up with a sacrifice. By so doing, they entered into a covenant with the devil (through his agents) and this became binding on even generations yet unborn. An altar is a place of slaughter which involves the virtues, glories and destinies of men. It is also a place of destiny exchange where men either encounter God or the

devil. “With these stones he rebuilt the altar for the worship of the Lord. He dug a trench around it, large enough to hold about four gallons of water. Then he placed the wood on the altar, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood” I Kings 18:32-33 (GNT). Altars are equipped and backed up with the powers and influences having gravitational effects. Therefore, utterances must be carefully chosen each time one approaches the altar. The inference from the above indicates that majority of problems of mankind are traceable to utterances made by someone on an evil altar. When you lack proper understanding of the mystery behind the altars, the consequences can be devastating. It is not out of place to give sacrifices but it becomes important to be sensitive about the recipient of the sacrifice. The affinity and overly interaction of our predecessors with idols (and demon-gods) through sacrifices have enrolled many glorious destinies in the school of affliction and endless bondage. In like manner, the kinds of sacrifices offered by our fathers, Abraham, Jacob and Samuel, also prepared the platform for generations yet unborn. Types of Altars Basically, an altar can be a satanic or Godly altar. It can never be neutral or in-between. • Satanic Altar – The devil, who was once resident in heaven, and by virtue of the position he occupied, understands the ordinances of this Kingdom. This, he taught his followers including the basics of sacrifice and which they use negatively to oppress the children of God. The

Life is far beyond the physical that we see; life is spiritual and getting the most from it can only be achieved with this mindset devil has painstakingly tutored his evil agents and priests on the potency of sacrifice. When the case of an individual is reported on an evil altar, the demon-god in charge of that altar would demand for something (a sacrifice) and once this is offered, whatever request/utterance is made is immediately backed up by these demons and this begins to take its toll on the life of the individual. Many problems being faced by the children of God are made manifest as an evil altar was consulted against them. • Godly Altar – This is an altar of purity. It is an altar that attracts divinity into any situation no matter the level of wickedness or its complication. Just as the patriarchs of old encountered God through the altar dimension in their destiny, likewise this mystery is potent till date if only believers know how to activate its potency. Similarly, when you approach the altar of God with an offering or sacrifice, what this implies is that you are involving God in the battles of your life. “…for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8b However, it is painful that even the children of God have failed to lay hold

on this mystery because they don’t even understand it. Children/agents of darkness demonstrate better understanding of this mystery behind the altar; hence, so-called children of God are being tormented and held in year-to-year bondage. Many believers often pray without any effect simply because they approach the altar empty-handed. Irrespective of the length and nature of the prayer and fasting, any approach to the altar without a sacrifice will only result in an exercise in futility. When you are calling fire on an altar, you have to prepare a sacrifice thereon. The altar is a place of sacrifice, a place of slaughter, a place of spiritual transactions and exchange. It is the fastest route to get God’s attention on any life-threatening issue. Life is far beyond the physical that we see; life is spiritual and getting the most from it can only be achieved with this mindset. When you were in the world, you were under the control of satanic covenants which were propelled by evil sacrifices on satanic altars. Now that you are born-again, you need to locate a holy and bigger spiritual altar in your quest for victory against the evil priest and altar consulted and raised to afflict and imprison your life/destiny. In the next series of this teaching, Raising Godly Altar will be expounded on as well as the conquests in the face of unrelenting opposition from the enemy. Prayers • Oh Lord, as I service your altar, deliver me from the altars of my father’s house and every enemy. • Anybody approaching any wicked altar because of me let them die before their altar. …in Jesus name

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Faith

My expectations from Buhari – Omoniyi Founder of Christ Apostolic Mountain of Faith and Deliverance Ministries and President of Christ For The Defence of Human and Community Rights and Development Initiative, Comrade G.M. Oladele Omoniyi, outlines his expectations from the incoming government to STANLEY IHEDIGBO and ONASANYA DAMILARE You look younger than 68. What’s the secret? The secret is God’s grace. First of all, I’m not carried away by the goodies of life. Secondly, I faithfully believe in God.

Omoniyi

What year did you become born-again? I became a born-again child of God in 1980. God has been revealing many things to me in dreams. I was seeing myself

preaching on the pulpit. Before I became a full-time minister of God, I was a teacher; I owned a private school in Ekiti. During those days, a lot of pastors used to come to my school and tell me that God wants me to be a full-time minister. But I refused because there’s money in teaching at that level. Since I refused to take up the call of God, my school began to suffer and eventually collapsed. I had

to surrender myself to God and become a full-time minister.

that I’ve never regretted my decision to be an activist.

What then is the attraction of a minister of God to the life of an activist? The first person to be an activist in the Bible was Prophet Moses. You can see that in the book of Exodus 3:14-21. It was God Himself that spoke to me to become an activist and I’ve been fighting for peace. I thank God

What have people gained from your activism? A lot. For instance, there was a brother who had a problem on his property. He approached me and I wrote a petition to the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola. One of the letters was directed to the commissioner for justice and another letter was directed to the Lagos State House of Assembly. By the special grace of God, the brother got back his father’s property through the letter and many other things like that which God as used me to accomplish as an activist. What challenges have you encountered as a man of God? I have faced many challenges particularly as a clergyman. If you are a clergyman, there are different kinds of challenges and temptation. The second area as an activist is that people don’t encourage you despite all you’ve done for them. You are the president of the Christ for Defence Community Rights and Development Initiative. What is the duty of this organisation? The aims and objectives of the organisation are to fight for human rights, and also to assist widows, less privileged children and orphans. Since the inauguration of the organisation, God has been doing fine with us and we’ve been assisting people. What are your expectations from the incoming dispensation? My expectations are very high. We are expecting new things from the incoming government through prayers, because Nigeria has been in darkness for the past 15 years. That’s why we voted for change and the change has come; but without God there’s nothing man can do. I appeal to both Muslims and Christians to support the new dispensation in prayers. If you are dealing with human beings, you have to be very careful and cautious, Let’s be prayerful with the new administration because human beings can say ‘A’ now and ‘B’ in an hour’s time. So, let’s look on to God and not to Buhari or APC. What is your counsel to the new government regarding budgetary allocations? My advice is that Buhari’s government should look into our national budget and promptly reduce the salaries of top government functionaries to 40%. The number of special advisers,

SUNDAY

Sport 59

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2015

Football

Flying Eagles depart Germany for N/Zealand p.62

Golf

Odoh thrilled with Cameroon title defence p.61

Football

Barcelona say goodbye to Xavi p.62

Rugby

Onwukanjo wants Rio Olympics ticket for Nigeria p.60

Deputy Sports Editor Dapo Sotuminu

Jonathan’s unfulfilled dreams for sports

Dapo Sotuminu

ne of the things President Goodluck Jonathan is not happy about as his tenure runs to an end on May 29, 2015 when he is expected to hand-over power to president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, were his unfulfilled dreams for Nigerian sports which he had planned to religiously implement when he returns as president, which never was the case. President Jonathan said in Abuja that his government has a lot in the kitty for the development of Nigerian sports, but the change in administration would not allow him to carry out what he tagged the ‘revolution in the country’s sports,” which were his dreams for sports development in Nigeria. He said: “When I took over as president I believed so much in Nigerian athletes and they did not disappoint me in my entire reign as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was a great honour for me and the people to receive the country’s athletes several times with different international honours. “We realised that as a government we did make enough funds available for those assigned to administer sports in the country. It was in a bid to correct this that we had the Sports Retreat where certain decisions were taken. And we have started implementing those decisions which have been positive so far. Within this period, it has paid off, as our athletes won a number of laurels in soccer, athletics, wrestling, weightlifting and some other top sports at various international competitions. “We have won gold at all levels including the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the All Africa Games and the World Championships. The disabled athletes made us proud from the continental level to the Commonwealth level and the international level. We are very proud of them.” He noted that it was realised that there is the need to strengthen our sports further. “There are some areas that must be covered effective which we are yet to do as a government since we resumed work six years ago. “My thinking was that when we come back from our victory from the polls, we are going to set-up a Special Fund that would handle these special areas. We have identified five

President Jonathan with members of the Super Eagles team after winning the 2013 Nations Cup

areas that must be looked at. “The first is that, I realised that sometimes when we had major tournaments, because of government slow budgetary policies, poor files movements and so on, training periods ahead of the events are delayed and in most cases cancelled. These had gravely affected the country’s performance in the past. We had planned to stop this retrogressive situation by setting up a Special Fund that would work as a stop gap. “One other thing I realised from interacting with sportsmen and women from my days in Bayelsa state to the central in Abuja is that some top sports men and women desired to have some training programmes, which most of the time the sports federation couldn’t fund. We must stop this by providing speedy funds for this category of athletes so that they can embark on the training programmes unhindered. “We must also ensure we improve the educational careers of our top athletes so that at the end of the day when they cannot compete again they would have something to fall back on. The best of our athletes are achieved at younger ages. With their commitment they do not have time to go to the university or polytechnic when they were supposed to. And while competing they do not have the money to achieve desired aca-

demic qualifications. So we must have a special fund to cater for this. “Another area is that, while competing with total commitment for Nigeria at different levels, the athletes get injured and may no longer be able to participate in the sports they gave all their lives to. Sometimes they are just left on their own. We can give factual examples where this happened in all our sports in Nigeria. We must get some dedicated funds to take care of these people. “Another area identified is about the great athletes who made this country proud. I am passionate about sports because it is one thing that brings unity to Nigeria. Whenever our national teams are playing be it the Super Eagles, the Falcons and in some other sports, Nigerians do not discriminate, neither do we recognise our states and tribes at that point, the common believe is in one Nigeria. So, sports must be encouraged with everything we have.” The president noted that sports really project the name of the country to all the people of the world. “I remember in the year 2000, when I was a Deputy Governor in Bayelsa state and I thought I was a very big man. I led the Bayelsa state contingent to the Sydney Olympics in Australia. When we arrived at the Sydney airport, the Immigration Officers were asking if I was

a footballer, as they were not interested if I was a Deputy Governor or not. It was not important to them. It was a time Nigeria was very good in soccer, so sports give a big name to a country and we must encourage it. It also creates jobs for young men and women. “I am always saddened by the fact that our athletes live below average. That is why we must make sure that anybody who has made this country proud at any level must not be allowed to live like a beggar. “We also need to strengthen our sports institutions in Nigeria. The National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos and the Centre of Sports Excellence in Abuja must be well funded to avoid momentary fluctuation in benchmark. We are going to set up a special fund that would be professionally managed. Government will pioneer the setting up of the fund but management would be in the hands of the private sector, so that, the fund would continue to grow and it would take care of all these areas I have mentioned. “Government will continue to budget for sports but we need to have that intervention fund to compliment what government would budget annually. This would give us the opportunity to take care of the areas we have identified,” president Jonathan said.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport

Onwukanjo wants Rio Olympics ticket for Nigeria

ke Onwukanjo, has made up his mind up to play for the Nigerian national men’s rugby team, the Black Stallion in the series of African qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil. And he is already dreaming of Nigeria playing at the highest level of the sport. The youngster who has matured to a very consistent player never knew how important it would be to miss his high school football team try outs but his parents wanted their high school sophomore son to be active, so they made him choose a sport. Once he missed the tryouts for his high school football team in New Rochelle, New York, he decided to try out for rugby. By the end of his senior year, he knew rugby was something he was passionate about and decided to pursue the game at a higher level. Four years later, he will compete at the sport’s highest level possible. Onwukanjo, a right wing and center for the UB rugby team and a junior social sciences interdisciplinary major, will play with the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation national men’s team, the Black Stallion next spring and summer as it tries to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. The Nigerian-born New York native, who has dual citizenship between the two countries, is looking forward to traveling and playing with his parent’s native country. He said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be able to represent my country Nigeria,” Onwukanjo said. “It is something very few people are able to do and I am thankful for that.” Onwukanjo will fly between Buffalo, Africa, Europe and South America beginning in the spring of 2016 and continue through the summer. One week, he will be playing rugby on an international level in Nigeria as the national squad looks to make the 2016 Olympics. The next week, he could be sitting in a classroom. He said he will only miss a few weeks of school at a time, but said he’s prepared to handle the extra stress. Onwukanjo was “shocked” when he got an email nearly a month and a half ago inviting him to compete with the Nigerian team. “I didn’t know how to react. I just sat there and stared at the email. It was completely unexpected,” Onwukanjo said. The style of rugby Onwukanjo prefers to play is called “Sevens” - a 7-on-7 game played in two sevenminute halves. There are no forward passes, no timeouts and no blockers. This style of play is popular overseas and will be used in the Olympics. Although the game is physical and Onwukanjo is often bruised, he said the game isn’t as brutal as it may seem. His worst injury to date was a broken nose. Onwukanjo began as a reluctant athlete to the game, but changed his stance on rugby once he realized his full potential. Onwukanjo now plays the sport for three different competitive teams: White Plains Men’s Rugby Club, the Northeast Olympic Development Academy in New York City and for the club team at UB. Many of his teammates on both of his other teams have already competed internationally. While at school, he enjoys playing with athletes his own age and being in a position of leadership under Buffalo head coach Mike Hodgins. It was the Northeast Olympic Development Academy where his passion for the game began. He was first noticed by Nigerian scouts while playing at UB, but began conversations with the national team while he was at the Olympic Academy during the summer entering his junior season. Onwukanjo was preparing for this moment years ago when he attended boarding school in Nigeria from fifth to seventh grade and was immersed in the national lan-

guage, Igbo. His knowledge of Nigerian culture is also a comfort as he prepares to return. Onwukanjo said his aggressive play and stamina remain steady throughout each game, and said he believes that’s what caught the eye of the Nigerian team. “He’s not full of himself,” said Joshua Drewno, a sophomore business administration major. “He’s definitely strong-willed and hates losing, but keeps his composure no matter what’s going on. He’s modest.” Although Onwukanjo talks a lot about playing in Nigeria, Drewno said it seems he is more excited than Onwukanjo. Onwukanjo’s siblings Onye (19) who plays rugby at Davenport University, Ojo (13) and Nze (8) have told their school friends about Onwukanjo’s success. But Onwukanjo isn’t ready to be excited yet. “I am definitely looking forward to it, but I don’t put a lot of thought into things, I am not there in Nigeria yet,” Onwukanjo said. “The excitement wore off the next day.” Onwukanjo plans on attending law school at University of California-Berkeley after his stint with the Olympic team and after graduating from UB in 2016. He understands rugby may not be a factor in his life after college. When he was a freshman, Onwukanjo struggled to find student-athlete balance. He credits Phil Tucciarone, a close friend of Onwukanjo and former UB rugby player, for helping him realize what’s more important. Tucciarone would quiz Onwukanjo during rugby practice, putting in time and effort to ensure Onwukanjo was staying on the right course. “Tucciarone told me, ‘Rugby isn’t forever, and you need to be sure you’re established academically,’” Onwukanjo said. Onwukanjo said he would keep playing rugby only if it doesn’t conflict with his law school dreams. But for now, Onwukanjo is focused on finishing the school year and on training for the national team. He said he’s working through intense training in order to get into the shape that will allow him to keep up with the other players on the Nigerian team. His training began three weeks ago, but his more intensive training began this past Monday and will continue until the Olympic competition begins in summer 2016.

Onwukanjo

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH, SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015

Golf Weekly

Odoh thrilled with Cameroon title defence

ormer Nigeria number one, Oche Odoh, has described his recent defence of the Cameroon International Open title as a major boost for his career. Odoh won for a second straight year at the Yaounde Golf Club after shooting 289, one over par, to claim the 15,000 Euros star prize. Cameroon’s, Isa Nlareb, finished in second place, three shots behind Odoh, while Desire Ebela finished in third place. Ghana’s Emos Korblah, who won the Cameroon Open in 2013, finished in seventh place, while Nigeria’s Marcus Elisha, from IBB International Golf and Country Club, finished in 10th place. “It was a very emotional win for me, becoming the first player to win the event back-to-back. If

you ask me, it is a big boost for my confidence,” said Odoh. He added: “I feel great, especially given that most of us [Nigerian players at the Cameroon Open] didn’t do so well at the event this year. “Only Marcus and I made the top-ten, and, on a bad day, that may have been enough to discourage me, but I had to be strong to get that win,” added Odoh, who is rounding up his paperwork for the British Open qualifiers coming up in June. This year’s Cameroon Open was the 6th edition and Nigerian players have won at four of those editions. They are the late Ali Abdullahi, who won the inaugural edition in 2010; Gboyega Oyebanji, who won a year later, and two-time winner, Odoh.

Oche Odoh

NGF tests kids’ golf skills in Abakiliki

he Nigeria Golf Federation’s quest at introducing golf to the grassroots has received a boost in the Ebonyi State capital, Abakaliki, which played hosts to a two-day regional competition and clinic. The event, which took place at the Abakiliki Golf Club on Friday and Saturday, and which was supported by the world golf ruling body, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland, featured players in three

different age brackets. The categories are ages 8 to 12, 13 to 15, and 16 to 19. More than 60 young golfers took part in the two-day event and John Emenike, the NGF’s South East regional representative, said: “In the Federation we have noticed some growing interest in the game. Adoption by schools as an extra-curricular activity and the rise to prominence of present national agegrade representatives has been reason for this. So we felt it was time to create

platforms for these kids to show their skills.” He added that the South East region has more to offer the nation in terms of talent and expressed optimism that some of the golfers at the two-day event will go places in the not-too-distant future. He also said some of the outstanding golfers at the event will get a chance to represent the country at international tournaments.

Omolua gets BoT role at IBB Club

ir Lucky Omolua, a former member of the Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria, has been named as a member of the Board of Trustees of the IBB

Omolua

International Golf and country Club in Abuja. Omolua is an ardent member of the club as well as the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications Limited. And Festus Makelemi, Director of the PGA says it is a welcome development. “There is no better endorsement than that for the PGA; for someone who has been our member to rise to such position in the game. We have a lot of honourable people in the PGA and Lucky I must say has distinguished himself,” said Makelemi. Other golfers appointed into the club’s Board of Trustees are former Health Minister, Dr Tim Menakaya, and former Military Governor of Katsina State, Colonel John Madaki (rtd). Life President of the PGA, General Ibrahim Bata Haruna (rtd) was also appointed as the new Chairman of the club’s board of trustees. He replaced another retired Army General, Domkat Bali.

Other members of the board include, Chief Olawale Kuye, Chief Philip Asiodu, King Alfred Diete Spiff, Senator John Shagaya, Brigadier General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe. Their membership of the BoT reflects the country’s geopolitical diversity and their contributions to the growth of the game.

SUNDAY MAY 24, 2015, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

Sport / News

Etisalat top GEM customers watch Barca La Liga final match

ight lucky Etisalat GEM customers were rewarded with an all-expense-paid trip to Barcelona to watch this year’s LaLiga final match, between FC Barcelona and Deportivo De La Coruna on Saturday, May 23, 2015 at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, Spain. These customers were selected as the highest spending customers on the Etisalat network for 2014. The top customers are Iroche Chuks, Onuegbu Larry, Chinelo Okeke, Ibeh Silvester, Aikhionbare Samuel, Tumsah Ibrahim, Okonjo Chichi and Okarevu Davies. Speaking at the meet- and -greet session organised by the telecoms company for the winners, Director, Consumer Segment Etisalat Nigeria, Oluwole Rawa said the company has always rewarded loyalty among its customers. Rawa added, “At Etisalat, our customers are at the heart of our business and we are rewarding them for their loyalty and also connecting them with their passion. The game of football has a mass followership across the world, just like Etisalat, and as the Nigerian telecoms partner of FC Barcelona, we want our customers to experience the La-Liga final match in a memorable way.”

Flying Eagles depart Germany for N/Zealand

he Flying Eagles of Nigeria will today depart for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand from Frankfurt, Germany, after a three-week training camp in Nurnberg. The team will be led by NFF executive committee member Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’. The team will fly out of Frankfurt by 10pm on Emirates for a six and half hour flight to Dubai from

which they will connect another flight to Melbourne, Australia, Monday morning. They will then catch another flight to Auckland, New Zealand, early on Tuesday, before they board a local flight to their first round base of New Plymouth, where they will battle Brazil, North Korea and Hungary. Their opening match is on June 1 against five-time champions Brazil.

Meanwhile, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, has charged the Flying Eagles to live-up to expectations by lifting the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand. The NFF chief who watched the Flying Eagles last training in Nurnberg, Germany, on Saturday morning and after which he addressed the team.

Bayern celebrate 25th title

B Philipp Lahm lifts Bayern’s 25th German Championship

Kayode signs FIFA Election: ITUC backs Prince Ali International trade Union in FIFA events. Ali first called country Jordan, GFJTU President Austria Vienna TheConfederation is calling on for FIFA to act on workers’ rights Mazen Al-Maayta said “We are FIFA delegates to support Jor- abuses in 2013. convinced that his nomination deal dan’s Prince Ali in the election for Sharan Burrow, ITUC General will reinforce the universality of

ormer Flying Eagles World Cup striker, Kayode Olarenwaju, has signed a four- year contract with Austria Wien and completed medicals on Saturday. The contract was signed on May 17 subject to medicals which have finally been deemed successful. This move sees Kayode end his stay with Israeli side Maccabi Netanya after two seasons. He scored 13 goals in 31 matches as Netanya finished third in the league. The 22-year-old is expected to strengthen the 104-year-old Austria Vienna as they chase a 25th title next season following their drought since 2013, with Salzburg on the verge of a second straight title.

FIFA President, following Ali’s reaffirmed commitment on labour and other human rights. The other two challengers to incumbent Joseph Blatter, Luis Figo and Michael van Praag have withdrawn from the race. Prince Ali joined Dutch candidate Michael van Praag at a press conference yesterday, and confirmed his support for van Praag’s proposals to ensure human rights standards

Secretary said “Prince Ali now stands as the candidate who offers the best hope for Qatar’s exploited workforce and an end to stained reputation on human rights, Qatar has shown no will to change its medieval labour laws, but real pressure from FIFA can made the difference. The World Cup must not be built on slavery.” Speaking on behalf of the trade union centre in Prince Ali’s home

the organisation, as well as its orientation for greater respect for the principles of solidarity between peoples, based on respect for the rights of all who contribute to the promotion of this sport: sportspeople, technicians, and leaders, including to workers who build the sporting infrastructure, often in extremely hard, and sometimes inhuman, conditions.”

Barcelona say goodbye to Xavi

arcelona said goodbye to Xavi in style as they unfurled an incredible banner dedicated to the legend on his final appearance. The Spanish star led out Barca for the last time as his side took on Deportivo at the Camp Nou yesterday. Xavi revealed on Thursday that he’s calling time on his 24year career with the club to take up a new challenge with Qatari side Al Saad.

RESULTS

Germany - Bundesliga Dortmund 3 - 2 Bremen M’gladbach 1 - 3 Augsburg Frankfurt 2 - 1 Leverkusen FC Cologne 2 - 2 Wolfsburg Hamburger 2 - 0 Schalke Hannover 2 - 1 Freiburg Hoffenheim 2 - 1 Hertha Berlin Paderborn 1 - 2 Stuttgart Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Mainz Italy - Serie A Juventus 3 - 1 SSC Napoli Spain - Liga BBVA Levante 0 - 0 Elche Almeria 2 - 3 Valencia Bilbao 4 - 0 Villarreal Barcelona 2 - 2 Deportivo Celta Vigo 3 - 2 Espanyol Eibar 3 - 0 Cordoba Granada 0 - 0 A. Madrid Malaga 2 - 3 Sevilla Vallecano 2 - 4 Real Sociedad

“We pray that God will uplift you. You were the first team to give me a trophy when I assumed office as General Secretary, that was the African Youth Championship. It was three days after I got into office,” the general secretary said. “I now pray you give me the World Cup. Nothing is impossible with prayers and determination. Hard work combined with prayers will make the impossible possible.” He again pledged the total support of the NFF to the team. “You will not lack anything in New Zealand and I believe you will deliver,” he assured. The General Secretary also commended the coaches and backroom staff for doing well thus far, saying the sky will only be their stepping stone.

He finishes with 826 appearances in all competitions and having won eight La Liga titles, two Copa Del Reys and three Champions League trophies. Just like Steven Gerrard’s big send-off at Liverpool, it’s an emotional time for Barca fans as they face life without the icon. But they showed him just how much he means to them with this huge banner display as the teams walked out for yesterday clash.

FIFA moves to stop corruption at U-20 World Cup

he U-20 World Cup is chance for New Zealand fans to see some top quality football on these shores. An operation to keep the U-20 football world cup in New Zealand free of corruption is in full swing with Fifa confirming it will have security guards monitoring suspicious behaviour at each of the 52 matches. Security will be tight around

team hotels in cities throughout New Zealand with the 17,18 and 19-year-old players from 24 countries considered ripe for match-fixing exploitation. Players will also be tightly monitored and guarded at stadiums as the football world turns its spotlight on New Zealand. Police are also ramping up resource around the event – a special operations room attached

to the National Command and Coordination Centre at Police National Headquarters, set up for the Cricket World Cup, will again be used during the tournament. Police have access to resources including CCTV feeds from the seven stadiums to be used nationally, and a computer programme which allows virtual access to venues and surrounding areas.

ayern München captain, Philipp Lahm, lifted the Bundesliga title amidst a flood of red and white confetti. The trophy was handed to him by league president Reinhard Rauball after yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Mainz. “It is always special to finish top of the table. We dominated last season but that doesn’t automatically mean we’ll be successful again. We worked hard and were dedicated - these traits were crucial in our success. We deserved the title,” said Lahm, whose side finished 10 points clear of second place VfL Wolfsburg. Bayern clinched the title on matchday 30 but lost their last three games, against Leverkusen, Augsburg and Freiburg respectively. During this spell they were also knocked out of the DFB Cup and Champions League. Ahead of the game against Mainz, the fans enjoyed traditional Bavarian music as well as a 25 gun salute in honour of Bayern’s 25 championships. After the final whistle, the team enjoyed a celebration featuring plenty of beer, as well as completing a lap of honour to the sounds of Imagine Dragons and OMI.

Iheanacho’s brace sinks Man United U-21

igeria youth sensation, Kelechi Iheanacho, fired a serious warning to other teams at the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand after he fired a brace to help Manchester City U-21s dump Manchester United 3-1. The World Cup-bound forward scored the equaliser for the Patrick Viera-coached side in the 55th minute with a goal of individual brilliance after he turned his marker before he slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net. He completed his brace with his side’s third goal in the 80th minute, when he curled the ball perfectly into the top corner. He is to join Nigeria U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, in New Zealand on Tuesday.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH May 24, 2015

NewsExtra

Okonjo-Iweala explains rise in Nigeria’s domestic debt Abdulwahab Isa

C Abuja

oordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, yesterday said about 53 per cent increment in civil servants’ salaries in 2010 amounting to N1.36 trillion from N524 billion increased Nigeria’s domestic debt stock. She said that contrary to a report credited to Vice

President-elect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, that the incoming government would inherit a total debt stock of $60 billion, the total figure (domestic and external) by both the federal government and the states stood at $63.7 billion, an accumulation of debt inherited over 40 years ago. Giving a breakdown, she said that out of the debt stock of $63 billion, $9.7 billion is external and represents 15% while domestic

is $54.61 billion representing 85%. Of the domestic debt figure, she said $11.57bn was outstanding in 2002 while $17.3bn was accumulated between 2005 and 2011. She said $18.1bn was accumulated between 2012 and 2015, adding that Nigeria has one of the least GDP to debt stock. She said that 20% of the domestic debt stock belongs to states while 80% belongs to the Federal Government.

“All the borrowings (external) were borrowed under concessionary terms with long moratorium payment and this dated back since 1960. So, no $60 billion was accumulated by this administration. In fact, this government retired N75 billion bond maturity for the first time in this country. There was a 53% increase in salary in 2010 and government had to weather such an increment which was not there and they had to bor-

row to make up the salary increment. To characterise this administration as leaving $60 billion debt is not correct,” she said. On the biting fuel scarcity in the country, she said oil marketers were not sincere about their demand. She said there was a lot of manipulation and scam in oil marketers’ business, adding that they had been paid over N500bn between December. She the marketers chose to hold the country

and its citizens to ransom. Dwelling on her sojourn in government, OkonjoIweala said she had no regrets serving in Jonathan’s administration. While admitting that the last one year had been very challenging due to a 50% cut in revenue stream due to challenges in the global oil market, the minister said a lot of achievements were recorded by the administration in employment and road construction.

Gunmen abduct mother, daughter in Ibadan Sola Adeyemo Ibadan

napped with her daughter and taken away on Friday night. Her husband is out of the country and we have reported to the police. We beg the police and the public to help us in this time of trial. My sister is an easy going individual,” he said. When contacted for a response, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, told our correspondent that a special squad had begun investigation into the case. “The police is currently investigating the case. The command’s anti-kidnapping squad is on the trail of the suspects, with a view to arresting them and rescuing the victims. Members of the public who have useful information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects are enjoined to give it to the police.,” he said.

Lagos State governor-elect, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (center) flanked on the left by Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd) and his wife, Amina, during Ambode’s thank you visit to the Ukiwes recently.

idnappers on Friday seized a woman identified as Mrs. Opeyemi Adeniran and her daughter, Oyinkansola, from their home at Plot 4, Lodi 2, Apooyin Street, Lodi 2, Academy, Odo-ona Elewe area of in Ibadan, Oyo State. Concerned friends and relatives of the family posted messages on social media, claiming that Adeniran and her daughter were kidnapped around 8p.m on Friday and driven away in an ash coloured Volkswagen Golf 3 car with number plate FKJ 238 BD. Mr. Tajudeen Banjo, who is Adeniran’s brother, said the matter had been reported to the police. “My sister was kid-

NAFDAC shuts popular Lagos eatery

Rain, low turnout mar Rivers’ LG poll

Deborah Makoji

ational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC has shut the elite confectionaries and multinational food outlet, Chocolate Royale, for various alleged unethical practices and non-adherence to Good Manufacturing and Hygiene Practices. A statement by NAFDAC’s Public Relations Officer (Enforcement Operations), Anslem Okonkwor, said the action followed “a tip-off and intelligence report which indicted the company of illegal importation, storage and use of expired ingredients and food products for preparing of food and confectionaries served to unsuspecting customers at the Chocolate Royale facilities as well as operating and maintaining illegal Cold-Rooms at their

managing director’s residence where large quantities of various expired and spoilt food ingredients worth millions of Naira were uncovered.” NAFDAC said it received numerous complaints about the outlet’s activities and decided to shut the outfit at Plot 267A Etim Inyang Crescent and the MD’s quarters on No. 1, Karimu Kotun Street, all in Victoria Island, Lagos. “Some top officials of the company were arrested for interrogation for willfully obstructing the NAFDAC operatives in course of their duties during the exercises while others had gone into hiding to avoid been apprehended. The offending products worth over N1bn have been evacuated from both premises in six vans,” it noted.

Buhari won’t renege on declaration of assets–Shehu Johnchuks Onuanyim Abuja

he Director of Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization, Mallam Garba Shehu, yesterday said the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, would not renege from his promise on assets declaration. Shehu, who spoke to Sunday Telegraph said the timeframe given by the President-elect on assets declaration had not expired. Buhari, during the presidential campaign, had promised to declare his assets before swearing-in if he wins the election. In the document titled, ‘I pledge to Nigeria,’ he said: “I pledge to publicly declare my assets and liabilities, encourage all my appointees to publicly declare their assets and liabilities as a pre-condition

for appointment. All political appointees will only earn the salaries and allowances determined by the RMFAC.” Shehu responding to a question on whether the Presidentelect has declared his assets, said: “If he enters into office without doing that you can start talking about it. We still have one week ahead. If enters into the office without declaring, then your question can be relevant.” Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made some clarifications on the declaration of assets by the president-elect. Asked if the President-elect had declared his assets, Mohammed said: “l think there is really procedure to declare assets. There is where and when. So, l don’t think the presidentelect is going to renege from the promise he made to Nigerians. There is a procedure for when and where.”

Emmanuel Masha Port Harcourt

combination of voter apathy and an early morning rain that lasted for over two hours across Port Harcourt and environs yesterday affected the local government election in Rivers State. Sunday Telegraph observed that few voters turned out for the election, which has further deepened the feud between the outgoing All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. Just before the election, the PDP and 13 other political parties had declared that they would not participate in the poll, development which partly contributed to the unimpressive turnout. Two days earlier, only APC candidates contesting for chairmanship and

councillorship positions campaigned around Port Harcourt. Sunday Telegraph learnt that it was the same situation in other local government areas. At most polling units in Port Harcourt yesterday, while officials of the state Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission arrived early with electoral materials for voters, the turnout was unimpressive as officials had to wait and extend the time by more than one hour. At most of the venues, only APC agents were available to monitor the election for the candidates. In Ozoboko in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, there was a very low turnout, even though most residents of the state obeyed the restriction on movement declared for the election.

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Jonathan’s unfulfilled dreams for sports

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Era of decampment (3):

How the judiciary views carpet-crossing The Nigerian T Project he level to which carpet crossing has been elevated in Nigeria, coupled with the fervency and frequency of such carpet-crossing activities, has attracted the interpretative magnifying glasses of the Nigerian Judiciary. In recent cases, the Courts have reiterated that a legislator, once elected on the platform of a party, “A”, cannot jump ship and carpet-cross to party “B”, and still retain his/her seat. However, as the Courts have also serially stated, once the conditions stipulated by the Constitution for carpet crossing are met, i.e., as stated under the proviso to Section 109(9), such a legislator can defect without compunction. Thus, in the case of DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY & ANOR v. DPP & ORS (2014) LPELR-22808(CA), the Court of Appeal, held, per OGUNWUMIJU, J.C.A, as follows: “...My humble view is that for the person defecting to another party to be able to take advantage of the proviso in S.109(1)(g), he must prove that the party he is leaving has been divided into two or more. That is to say, the party must be so polarized as to have two chairmen, two or three different Boards of Trustees each claiming to be the authentic one and each still bearing the same party name. That is the type or extreme division envisaged by the Constitution. The defector would also be covered by the proviso where the party has split into two whereby one of the factions is bearing another name and he chose to join the faction of the party with the new name. That was the situation envisaged by the Justices of the Supreme Court in FEDECO v. Goni in the NSCC Report at page 489-490 when they opined thus: “The mischief which the framers of the Constitution wanted to avoid was carpet-crossing which, from our constitutional history in the not distant past had bedevilled the political morality of this country. They had however made provisions to allow for a situation where a political party by reason of internal squabbles, had split into one or more factions. A split or division could occur without any fault of the members of a political party, resulting in a member rightly or wrongly, finding himself in a minority group which may not be big enough, or strong enough, to satisfy the recognition, as a separate political party of the FEDECO. For such a member not to be allowed to join another political party with his faction may be to place him in a position where his right to contest for political office will be lost. Such a situation is entirely different from the fraudulent and malevolent practice of cross carpeting politicians of yester years who, for financial consideration or otherwise crossed from one political party to another, without qualms and without conscience. Such a practice had to be discouraged by the framers of our Constitution if political public morality of our country was to be preserved”. I may also make the point obiter that it is only INEC really that is in a position to determine in its supervisory role when there is a division in the party to the extent that a party member can be allowed to take advantage of the proviso to S.109(9).” In the celebrated case of AG FEDERATION V ATIKU ABUBAKAR (2007) 4 SC (PT. 11)

MIKE OZEKHOME san, ofr mike.ozekhome@yahoo.com 08094777755 (sms only)

62, which case, amongst other things, determined the legality of the defection of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President from the PDP under which he was elected, to the AC, in the thick of his battle for political survival against his rampaging former boss, erstwhile President Olusegun Obasanjo, and his party PDP, who were bent on teaching him a very hard lesson for standing against the party’s decision to support the former Presidents for a 3rd term. The Presidency had, in fact, conjured up allegations of corruption (the truth of which we may never know, but which were never proven), to be used to remove him from office. Alhaji Abubakar’s decision to defect from the PDP to the then newly formed (Action Congress), AC only provided more ammunition with which to nail the embattled former Vice President. However, the attempt to use the Constitution to declare the office of the Vice President vacant upon the carpet crossing of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, failed miserably and woefully, as the Supreme Court held that “the legislators have made it manifest that if any of these elective members after winning an election on the platform of a political party, later on being a member of the senate or of the House of Representatives (and by extension the House of Assembly) defects to another political party, he is deemed in law to have automatically vacated his seat in the House of which he is a member”. However, the apex court continued, “no similar provision was made/or the Vice President even for the President. If the legislature had intended the Vice President or even the President to suffer the same fate, they would have inserted that provision in clear terms” (at 243). The absence of clear provisions for vacating seat upon decampment also applies to the offices

of Governor and Deputy Governor. Thus, unlike legislators, neither the President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor, will have his seat declared vacant in the event that he crosses over to another political party, whilst still in office. The apex Court of the land was very mindful of the lacuna in the Constitution regarding defections from one party to another, by members of the Executive, the President, Vice President, Governor and Deputy Governor, and the evils associated with same. This was how it put it at page 211 of the Judgement in the Atiku case: “Although defection or cross-carpeting to another party or dumping the original party that sponsored one for election to a particular office which is created by the Constitution, or in the same vein, condemning or criticizing that party or its members who, by virtue of the same election hold some offices created by the constitution, is painful, unconscionable and immoral, it is however not illegal”. THE PRESENT LEGAL POSITION OF CARPET CROSSING IN NIGERIA Going by the apex Court’s decision in AG FEDERATION V ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR, which is the locus classicus on crosscarpeting and defection from one party to the other, in Nigeria, the following clear position of the law can be extrapolated: • Cross carpeting by any member of the Legislature at both Federal and State levels, i.e. Senate, House Representatives and State House of Assembly, automatically makes the seat of such a member vacant, except where such persons come squarely within the exceptions provided in sections 68 (1) (g) and 109 (1) (g) of the constitution. • There is no sanction or restriction placed on members of the Executive, i.e. President,

BUSY BODY

Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor for carpet-crossing. Such members of the Executive can defect or carpet-cross at will, without and legal or Constitutional repercussions, even if such unorthodox act suffers moral turpitude or ethical depravity. • In the case of such members of the Executive, therefore, even where their carpet-crossing, decampment or defection is painful, odious, treacherous, perfidious, unconscionable and immoral, it is neither illegal, nor unconstitutional.

AND THIS: From next week, we shall discuss defections by some notable politicians in Nigeria, and the “reasons” adduced for these serial acts of perfidy, inanity, delinquency, infamy, treachery, egotism and crass opportunism. Such disloyal politicians had actually ridden on the back of their erstwhile political parties to become President, Vice President, Chairmen, Board of Trustees, Governors, Deputy Governors, Senators, Ministers, House of Representative Members, House of Assembly Members, Ambassadors, Commissioners, Board Members, Local Government Chairmen, Councillors, Party Chieftains, Influence peddlers, big time emergency contractors, oil subsidy merchants, untouchable societal sacred cows, religious/community czars; powerful middlemen/women, commission agents, and so on. They suddenly woke up on the wrong side of their beds one day and discovered that they have been hibernating and sleeping with venomous vipers and rattle snakes, on the same political bed. Their former party is suddenly leprous, and, like Naaman the leper, the new entrant has been suddenly dipped into the River Jordan of the new political party, and has become cleansed and healed of his many years of oozing political leprosy; and has become as white as snow. The erstwhile conservative has suddenly metamorphosed into a progressive. Overnight. Without more. The hood has suddenly made the monk. He now pontificates, sermonises on the evils of his former party – a nest of killers, thieves, criminals, looters, robbers, corrupt shenanigans. Haba! Politicians!! Are the political elite and members of AGIP (Any Government In Power) reading, digesting and awaiting the next tranch of this sermon on the mount of the Nigerian Project, by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR?

• Follow me on twitter @ MikeozekhomeSAN

By Aliu Eroje

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